Summer 2021 Nighthawk News Magazine by Steve Hanf

The Senior Edition

ON THE COVER

fter an untraditional senior year, it’s time to enjoy one of life’s most established traditions. Graduation. Going into this final year of high school, we never imagined it would be like this. However, members of the Class of 2021 are excited to take this next step into our adult lives. We did not know what this year had in store for all our seniors, or how Nighthawk News was going to operate. As senior editors, this year was anything but normal. But with a staff of 34 and a hard-working adviser, we have been able to publish hundreds of articles despite this year’s difficulties and are proud to share the publication of our second-largest Nighthawk News senior edition. One of the biggest uncertainties we faced were the details surrounding graduation and end-of-the-year senior events, including the annual graduation walkthrough at the elementary school and middle school. We chose to shoot the cover during this walkthrough and, as usual, photo editor Taylor Newton nailed it. It was the first normal event that seniors got to experience since the COVID-19 pandemic began – no masks and no social distancing due to the event being outside. Being able to see

the younger students and teachers who helped us get to this point was a breath of fresh air, literally. From seniors seeing their favorite former teachers to having middle school boys try their hand at ﬂirting with us – yes, I DO have a boyfriend, but thanks for asking! – we couldn’t think of a more perfect event to showcase for this year’s senior edition cover. After spending the past four years in Room B-214, we are thankful for all of the memories and opportunities that Publications has given us. Through the countless Google Meets and complications the pandemic brought us, we have managed to continue informing and entertaining our readers. To our new staff members, thank you for bearing with us as we took on our roles as Editors-in-Chief, COVID style. To our section editors, thank you for battling through this editing process with us. To our photo and design editors, thank you for always capturing the moments within our community. To our go-to artist Savannah Sawin, thank you for always taking your time to create pieces that highlight our stories. Your Twizzlers will be coming soon! To the Outer Banks community, thank you for continuing to read and support our publication with ad sales

Nighthawk News Magazine Editorsin-Chief Cassie Honeycutt (left) and Katie MacBride take a quick break from deadline work to don their graduation gear. After spending countless hours together in the newspaper room and on fun journalism convention trips, the duo is happy to produce one last publication before leaving FFHS.

Photo by Michael Pearson/ Nighthawk News

and spaces to distribute our paper. Coming back to the newspaper room to put the ﬁnishing touches on this edition after doing the walkthrough

gave us one more chance to reminisce on the past as we prepare to move into the future. – Cassie and Katie

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

WHAT’S INSIDE SALUTE TO THE SENIORS with members of the 4-47 Reminisce Class of 2021 in this special edition In addition to hearing from 107 seniors about their hopes and dreams and memories and regrets, we also bring you: Info on students taking gap years, making military plans and choosing college destinations in our special Senior Edition section. Reports on our talented athletes, including the newest track “power couple” and seniors who will continue competing at the college level in our Sports section. A heartfelt goodbye to the newspaper seniors, along with tributes to seniors who have made a difference in the lives of underclassmen in our Opinions section. And much, much more. Enjoy!

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Parting shots from a class like no other

Shannon Forbes

McRae Walker

Luke Hathaway

What are your future plans? I intend on pursuing a career in writing, whether for games or analysis is to be determined.

What are your future plans? I plan on taking a gap year to get more money, then get my arts associate at Albemarle.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Long nights spent socializing over Dungeons and Dragons will never be forgotten.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Winning the tug o’ war match sophomore year.

hanks to the coronavirus pandemic that sent us home in March of 2020, Nighthawk News Magazine started a new tradition with its annual Senior Edition: collecting fun Q-and-A “exit interviews,” if you will, from as many seniors as we could get. Because our lives were turned completely upside down last year, those glimpses into the lives of the Class of 2020 made up most of the paper. This year, of course, is different. Sort of. Last year’s seniors enjoyed a fun fall semester with homecoming, no-worry travel over Christmas break, college visits. Then, on March 13, their school year simply ended: No more classes in the building. No spring sports seasons. No prom. No traditional graduation ceremony. Members of the Class of 2021 flip-flopped the disappointments and uncertainty. This year’s seniors knew how awful their school year would be from the start: Remote classes on Day 1. No homecoming spirit week, parade and dance. No sports until December. Still, glimmers of hope emerged as the months passed. Athletes hit the field again. Students came back to classes. Everyone wore masks seemingly every waking moment of the day, but restrictions eased enough that prom could happen at the Wright Brothers Memorial. A fun walkthrough at the elementary and middle school got the green light. And then Gov. Roy Cooper lifted restrictions on outdoor gatherings, meaning graduation can happen with all the seniors on the field and as many friends and family members in the stands as they want. We can’t wait for that celebration on June 11, because there’s plenty to celebrate about these seniors – as you’ll see in the pages of this Senior Edition. Just over 100 members of the Class of 2021 responded to our emailed survey, reminders on Instagram, and in many cases, personal pleas via text or DM to offer these insights. The mix of heartfelt, silly, detailed, short and delightfully random replies perfectly showcases this class’ personality. Having spent the last 12 years of their lives alphabetized, we elected to hit shuffle and place these profiles in random order (and to help make designing it at least a little less crazy). We’d apologize for making you hunt for yourself, your friends or seniors you know – except, we really think you’re going to enjoy reading each and every one of these. We hope you enjoy this edition that helps shine a little light on those who have endured this most remarkable of senior years. Thank you and best wishes, Class of 2021!

What are your future plans? I will be attending Shenandoah University to study ﬁlm. What is your favorite memory from high school? My freshman year during gym since my class was energetic. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I don’t have any regrets. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Lowe, since we got along so well with each other. We also made jokes. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “From Now On” from “The Greatest Showman” What advice would you give to your freshman self? Get involved more with the extracurricular activities.

Travis Lawrence

Your Summer Story… What are your future plans? Get a cool degree and write a book. What is your favorite memory from high school? Too many to choose from. What is your biggest regret about this school year? That it (stunk). Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Mount is a literature god. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel

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What advice would you give to your freshman self? When Crae tells you to read a book, you read it.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? The loss of some potentially fun times with friends will always be a regret. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Mount, we broed down! What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “A Cruel Angel’s Thesis!” I want to see how good they could do it!

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being out there more. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Penn. She always worked the hardest. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? Something about change. Nothing speciﬁc.

What advice would you give What advice would you give to to your freshman self? Don’t your freshman self? Love yourself. procrastinate.

Ingris Jimenez

Jackson Weisgerber

What are your future plans? Go to college and become a history teacher.

What are your future plans? Get my real estate license and start my own real estate company.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Gym class and music theory.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Freshman year baseball season.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not taking photography class.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I have zero regrets. All my decisions make me the person I am today.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ebert, Mrs. Kovacs and Mrs. Basilone. I liked the way they taught and they are very kind and patient.

Who was your best teacher ever? Coach Prince. I would say he is the one who inspired me to be my best self 100% of the time.

What song would you pick for What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? “Started from the Bottom” by Drake “Heading South” by Zach Bryan What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t forget the happy thoughts.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Just be yourself.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Callahan Lutz

Alexa Milne

Emma Hartnett

What are your future plans? I plan to study business at the University of Kansas and hopefully travel around the world.

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? be a biomedical engineer and make I am going to study environmensomething that will change the tal science at Western Carolina world. I’ve got a few ideas in mind. University.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably going to prom my freshman year and spending the summers with my friends.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My last few games as a senior football player.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I didn’t get to have an average senior year. My class wasn’t able to have the whole senior experience; even though we did end up not staying virtual for the entire year, it just wasn’t the same. Who was your best teacher ever? I don’t think I had one specific favorite teacher ever, but Mrs. Basilone, Mrs. McNeill, Ms. Deal, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Saunders and Mrs. Neller are awesome. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Spins” by Mac Miller What advice would you give to your freshman self? Slow down and enjoy what you have and who you have around you. Don’t be afraid of change.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Becoming infatuated with the stock market. 10/10 would not recommend getting into it if you have distraction issues. If you like losing a thousand dollars in a day, you should consider it, though. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. DeWitt. He held me and everyone else to a high standard while also recognizing everyone’s individual needs. His high-butattainable expectations and patience helped me develop skills that I’ll use for the rest of my life. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? Something loud. I’m hearing impaired. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t procrastinate. But then again, I’m filling out this form at 11:43 p.m. on a Wednesday. Realistically, I might tell myself to procrastinate more effectively.

What is your favorite memory from high school? When my rugby team went to nationals my freshman year. At the time, I went to West Springfield High School in Northern Virginia. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I actually don’t have any regrets about this year. I’ve worked a lot on myself as a person and I’m probably in the best place I’ve been. Super excited for what the future holds!

Leah Haywood

Richie Davis

What are your future plans? Going to ECU to study art and possibly become an art teacher/ professor, an artist worth millions, or create video game concept art.

What are your future plans? I plan on taking a gap year after high school to travel the world with my father and gain wisdom and knowledge in history in my travels. After my gap year, I would like to go to COA and then Old Dominion or UVA for a bachelor’s in business administration.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My old friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not having more time with my friends before we all move away. I also couldn’t continue with sports due to work and COVID.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. McNeill, because she has been my AVID teacher since sixth grade and had become someone that I felt comfortable around and Who was your best teacher helped me find myself by having a ever? Honestly, I’m proud of all of family in that classroom. Also Mrs. my teachers for how hard they’ve worked during COVID-19 and quar- Carey: She was always one of my favorites because she was always antine. My mom is a teacher, so I positive and actually had fun projsaw the toll that online teaching ects and experiments. took on teachers. They all deserve a medal for their hard work and What song would you pick for perseverance. the choir to sing at graduation? What song would you pick for “Sicko Mode” the choir to sing at graduation? What advice would you give “Good Riddance (Time of Your to your freshman self? Have more Life)” by Green Day fun and try a little harder with school and sports. I really wished What advice would you give to your freshman self? It is in the I could’ve pushed myself a little harder and had a bit more fun while darkest times that you will really I had the chance. find yourself. Don’t lose hope.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Moving to the OBX in my ninth-grade year and meeting new friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being able to play varsity and recreational basketball this year because of COVID. Who was your best teacher ever? I liked all my teachers because they were all kind and respectful. They did fantastic jobs teaching me about the subjects I learned. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t be afraid to try something new, and start practicing basketball early and be disciplined at it.

It’s a cliche because it’s true: High school WILL fly by

y graduation cap and gown sit ominously on the corner of my dresser. I grab a plastic hanger, slide it through the dark blue cloth and manage to find a little space in my closet for it to reside until June 11. Almost four years ago, I was picking out an outfit for my freshman orientation from that same closet. First Flight’s auditorium was jampacked with 14-year-olds fresh out of the eighth grade, eager to move on to the next chapter of our lives. The upperclassmen who had introduced us to our new school kept repeating similar words of caution: “It goes by quick, time flies faster than you think, before you know it you’ll be graduating.” Now, as I prepare to remove my

graduation attire from my closet and walk across the stage, I can confidently say that high school does, in fact, fly by. However, I wish I didn’t spend so much time focusing on how quickly that time passed, but rather how I spent it. Focusing on your grades is important – especially during freshman year. Your GPA is important. Taking

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

the proper classes you need in order to graduate is important. But preparing for your future after high school while navigating growing up can be exhausting. The friends you have your first year of high school may not always be the same friends you have during your last. You may feel a lot of pressure to change yourself, or give up certain activities or experiences to “fit in.” At the end of the day – or, the end of your high school career – you’re likely to regret not participating in the activities you wanted to. I advise you to put that desire for acceptance aside, because as you grow and mature, these social pressures start to hold less and less value. Join that club, audition for that play, surround yourself with people

who support and help you grow. I guarantee, you’ll be happier that you did what you wanted to do when graduation comes around. Stop and take a breath every now and then. High school may feel like it will never end, but I promise, it does. Time is always going to pass, no matter what. But it’s important to remember that you’re still growing. You’re still learning. You’re going to have positive and negative experiences, and that’s OK. Don’t be afraid to go to that dance, and don’t worry too much about that lunch table you’re going to sit at. This is all temporary, so don’t be afraid to enjoy it. Senior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at 21dickersonpe28@daretolearn.org.

Lillian Scarborough

What are your future plans? To attend Augusta University in Georgia to get a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

Bailey McCleary

Cecille Ernst

What are your future plans? Move to Canada to live with my family and travel around Alberta and British Columbia, and possibly work in Europe next year.

What are your future plans? I am going to get my degree in environmental science and then after college I want to participate in AmeriCorps. Eventually, I want to get a job working in the environmental conservation/preservation field.

What is your favorite memory What is your favorite memory from high school? The Marlin Bowl my sophomore year at Manteo from high school? Going to see Post Malone in concert with one of when we won and everyone was my best friends. there to support them as a family. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not taking it slow. Just trying to get through all my classes and be done, but now that the end is near I regret not taking my time and appreciating the beginning. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Richards, because I took Chemistry as a freshman and he was really there to support me and help in any way he could.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Taking AP Psychology and trying to work at the same time. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Neller, because we were able to do such cool things through Phyto Finders and meet some really interesting people along the way. I was in Anatomy and Physiology, APES, and Phytoplankton Club with her and she taught me so much.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “We are Young”

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage The Elephant

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Be patient with myself and others and always appreciate the moment in front of you.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t take high school for granted. It goes faster than you can imagine. Also, please stop procrastinating.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Going to the beach after school with my friends, then hanging out at Krickett’s house all night. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not graduating after first semester. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Neller was my favorite. She was always so nice and understanding in class, and helped me find more opportunities to pursue environmental science. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Young, Wild & Free” by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa

Sierra Ritchie

What are your future plans? I’m going to App State and I’ll figure out what I want to do for a living there. What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably gym class. It’s where I met one of my closest friends. Plus, if I didn’t eat breakfast there were always peanut butter and jellies (thank you, Coach Prince). What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not taking in-person classes at the end of the year. Who was your best teacher ever? Definitely Ms. Deal. She always cared a lot about the students, how we felt and how we learned. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Congratulations” by Post Malone. I think that’s the first thing that comes to everyone’s minds.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy gym What advice would you give class, cause it’s the most fun class to your freshman self? Loosen up and stop worrying about everything. you’re gonna take.

he arts programs at FFHS feature musicians, painters, pottery makers and more. Nighthawk News caught up with a number of seniors to share their artistic journeys: Gabrielle McClary What is your favorite part about the FFHS art program? My favorite part about being a part of the art program is conversing with my classmates and seeing the different approaches to art that others take. It really helps me to develop as an artist by seeing other people’s perspectives. Do you have any plans to continue your art after high school? I will

be majoring in Studio Art at Appalachian State University. I’m not sure if I want my future profession to be centered around studio art or not, but whatever job I have I definitely want it to have that artistic aspect to it. How do you showcase your art? I have a separate art Instagram to showcase my AP pieces. Every week, we have a prompt for each post, so I’m usually posting photos of my progress, planning, detail shots and finished works. Sometimes if I’m really proud of one of my pieces, I’ll post it on my real Instagram, too. How long have you been drawing? I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. They have always been hobbies of mine. How has being part of the school’s

What are your future plans? I am attending the University of South Carolina at Columbia and majoring in political science in hopes to attend law school and become a child-advocate lawyer. What is your favorite memory from high school? Whenever a new Nighthawk News edition came in and the newspaper class would race down the hallways on the cart. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not getting the full senior year experience. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Hanf, because he has been there to help me in any way I needed. He has taught me so many life lessons and I definitely would have not made it through high school without his guidance. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Spins” by Mac Miller What advice would you give to your freshman self? Everything works out. It may not seem like it right then, but when you think about it a month from now, you will realize it was OK the entire time.

Senior Gabi McClary works hard painting one of her works in art class this year. McClary will be going to Appalachian State this fall to major in Studio Art.

Artists in the Spotlight: Drawn to creative careers By Samuel Smith Staff Writer

Cassie Honeycutt

Submitted Photo

art program affected your overall high school experience? Being a part of First Flight’s art program has made

me feel like I really belong here. It has been nice to be able to incorporate my interests into school.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Georgia Anlauf

Ivanna Gonzalez Sanchez

Maggie Beacham

What are your future plans? I plan to go to COA until I get my associate degree and then I want to transfer to Western Carolina University.

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? become an immigration lawyer so Cape Fear Community College and that I’ll be able to help others with then transferring to UNCW. similar experiences to mine and my family’s. What is your favorite memory from high school? Everyone What is your favorite memory What is your favorite memory getting together for Spirit Week from high school? When I was from high school? My homecomand working on the float together. a sophomore, we won the entire ing dance my freshman year. It’s always fun. tug-of-war at our pep rally. That was super fun! Also, I loved makWhat is your biggest regret What is your biggest regret ing our own cheers and cheering about this school year? Not push- about this school year? That we with my friends at the basketball ing to see my favorite teachers/ didn’t get to really have a senior games. friends in at-person school. year and do all the fun things seniors used to get to do, especially What is your biggest regret Who was your best teacher homecoming week. about this school year? I wish ever? My favorite teachers were Who was your best teacher everything could have gone back to Mrs. Basilone and Mrs. Powell, benormal. cause they both expected academic ever? Mr. Mount, because his excellence, which made me strive class was always fun and he never for and obtain goals I did not know minded explaining things in depth Who was your best teacher I desired to achieve. Also, they are to you. His class was one of my ever? Mr. Lowe. He was super nice favorites. and he actually asked how I was do- both so dope. ing. I wasn’t very good at math, but What song would you pick for What song would you pick for he always had a positive attitude the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? and helped me a lot. “Time of our Lives” by PitBull “Night Changes” by One Direction because time really does fly in high What advice would you give What advice would you give to school. to your freshman self? You will your freshman self? Take the time survive. What advice would you give to to get to know your peers, because your freshman self? Take in every before you know it, you’ll be graduating and you won’t know who moment and every laugh because four years really isn’t that long at all. you’re walking the stage with.

Meghan Lewis What is your favorite part about the FFHS art program? Honestly, it’s really difficult to pick a single favorite part of being in the First Flight art program. Some of my top picks include collaborating on my ideas with other artists and being surrounded by classmates and art teachers that make me want to be an even better artist. However, my No. 1 favorite part about being a member of the art community at First Flight is creating art that makes me happy and that others will enjoy viewing. Do you have any plans to continue your art after high school? After high school, I plan to continue to study art at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington to major in digital arts. I’ll probably join some arts clubs at the university as well, to meet some new artists, hopefully! I’m passionate about art, which is the main reason I’ve chosen to pursue it further. Plus, as the saying goes, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” How do you showcase your art? I showcase my art mainly through my art-

Illiana Jauregui

Jessica Canning

What are your future plans? I plan on attending East Carolina University to major in exercise science to become a physical therapist. I eventually plan on owning my own practice. What is your favorite memory from high school? My favorite memories from high school came from all my years of soccer, but my absolute favorite was winning the state championship my freshman year. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Losing the first round of playoffs when we definitely should have won! Who was your best teacher ever? It would be a tie between Mrs. Powell and Mr. Lowe. They both made the class so fun and we still learned a lot.

What are your future plans? Go to COA to get my business and administration certificate, then transfer to ECU and take accounting. What is your favorite memory from high school? Either the musical I was in or the talent show. I got third place in the talent show. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Having to wear a mask EVERYWHERE! Who was your best teacher ever? My middle school math teacher, Mrs. Lowe, because she is so kind and caring. She has fun activities that we do in the classroom. Mrs. Lowe will always give help when needed. Mrs. Lowe has impacted my life in a positive way. She also gives the best hugs. I will never forget her.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “We Are Young” by fun.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Time of My Life” by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? It goes by so fast, so enjoy every minute of it, especially soccer.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t take anything for granted. Everything will eventually change.

Senior Meghan Lewis shows off some of her recently completed works. After working with art for four years at First Flight, Lewis will be attending UNCW to major in Digital Arts this coming fall.

Photo submitted by Meghan Lewis

ist account on Instagram (@megzz.art). How long have you been drawing? I’ve been creating art since my freshman year at First Flight, but I’ve always been a crafty person. Growing up, I wanted to be a fashion designer or a movie director. The first real art class I took was the arts and crafts class at First Flight my freshman year. However,

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

the main reason I took arts and crafts instead of Art I was that I thought my skills wouldn’t be good enough for it. However, my sophomore year I got placed in Art I and instantly fell in love. Over the course of taking Art II, III and AP, I’ve gained confidence in my own style of art and learned so many techniques, from proportionality to creating

realistic values in a piece of work. And now I’m constantly brainstorming my next extravagant art endeavor! How has being part of the school’s art program affected your overall high school experience? In movies, there is usually some form of

See Artists, Page 8

Cullen McNinch

Aiden Beard

Peyton Dickerson

What are your future plans? To attend UNC Charlotte and receive my degree in electrical engineering.

What are your future plans? I will be attending UNC Greensboro to study in the fields of music and business.

What are your future plans? There are a million things I want to do, but I’m gonna start with going to college.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Winning the homecoming game against Hertford my freshman year.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Hanging out with my friends and having fun in the band room.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not making additional effort to be in the school.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with friends because of COVID and my anti-social behavior.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably driving down the beach road with my best friends. Rolling the windows down and blasting our music is the best feeling.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Dewitt was the best teacher ever because he was willing to come in early before school and help me one-on-one whenever I needed help. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Loving is Easy” by Rex Orange County What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy every second of it and stop stressing the small things. It all passes by before you know it.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ebert: He helps me push myself to become a better musician, he is willing to help me out whenever I need it, and he is a very cool person to talk to.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wish I looked out for myself more, and focused on being more positive. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Will and Mr. Waters were amazing teachers. Both of them really look out for their students.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Always strive to become better and don’t give up. The road ahead may be bumpy, but you won’t crash unless you give up.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Surround yourself with people who help you grow, and don’t change yourself for anyone.

Max Stabley

Grace Topping

What are your future plans? Working and attending COA for at least a year to receive my associate degree, then transferring to UNC-Asheville to study writing/ journalism. What is your favorite memory from high school? Making lots of friends and having a fun time with them throughout it. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Procrastinating on schoolwork. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Muglia, because I had her twice and she was the best teacher to be around. She taught me how to cook some food that I didn’t know how to and made the class interesting with her amazing personality. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Congratulations” by Post Malone What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t give up when it gets too hard and make as many friends as possible.

What are your future plans? I am going to UNCW in the fall, where I will stay for undergrad and then apply to law school! What is your favorite memory from high school? My favorite memory from high school is David. He’s made me and so many other people smile on a bad day and I love him! What is your biggest regret about this school year? Probably not trying as hard during the first semester, because I hate virtual school. Who was your best teacher ever? I’ve had a lot of amazing teachers, but my “best” teacher was probably Mrs. Powell. We always picked on each other in class and she made learning fun. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Spins” by Mac Miller What advice would you give to your freshman self? Be yourself and never be afraid to do so.

Artists in the Spotlight: Drawn to creative careers Continued From Page 7 comic relief. Being in the art program was the comic relief throughout my high school experience. Although I made pretty good grades in most of my academic classes, I’m passionate about creating art. Through the art program, I found confidence in myself, made new friends who loved creating, and became more driven to pursue art as a career. So to summarize, without the First Flight art program, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Savannah Sawin What is your favorite part about the FFHS art program? I think some of my favorite parts of the art program Photo submitted by Savannah Sawin were the Art Club that we had before Senior Savannah Sawin takes a step back and assesses one of her artworks. Sawin is looking COVID-19. It was nice to be able to collaborate and work on projects throughforward to attending NC State’s College of Design this coming fall.

out high school. Also, I’d have to say the teachers. Ms. Baldwin and Mrs. Saunders have helped me so much throughout the years and I’m so grateful for their inspiration. Do you have any plans to continue your art after high school? Yes! I actually got into NC State’s College of Design, where I’m going to be a Graphic Design major. How do you showcase your art? I showcase my art on Instagram, mostly. My art Insta is @artsandjunk where I’ve actually been drawing a digital piece every day since 2021 started! How long have you been drawing? I’ve been drawing my whole life, but I’ve gotten more serious in only the past couple of years. I always would doodle during class. How has being part of the school’s art program affected your overall

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Kestral Welch

Macey Haynes

What are your future plans? I plan to attend Western Carolina to study elementary education.

What are your future plans? I’m going to be attending NC State University in the fall and majoring in architecture.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My favorite memories from high school are deﬁnitely going to all of the basketball and football games. What is your biggest regret about this school year? My biggest regret from this past year is not trying harder to get tickets to the basketball games. It was something I really wanted to do, but COVID made it hard. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. McNeill. She has been one of my teachers since sixth grade, so me and a lot of the other kids in my AVID class are very close with her. I know that if I ever need anything I can go to her, even after I graduate. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Good Old Days” by Macklemore and Kesha What advice would you give to your freshman self? When I was a freshman, everyone told me that the four years that I was in high school would go by fast, but I never really understood how fast they would actually go by. I would tell my freshman self to never pass up on any opportunities and to make the four years count.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably my senior trip to Puerto Rico this year. A bunch of my friends and I just got to hang out all week and experience a new place. It was so much fun. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not keeping up on all of my work when we weren’t in-person. I kept my grades up, but I was still worried all the time about my late work. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Gard. She always made class so much fun with a lot of labs or cool activities, and I also felt like I learned a ton. Another favorite teacher of mine is Mrs. Twiford. She was my assistant teacher in ﬁrst grade and liked to take a couple of my friends and I on cool little day trips and she was also really sweet.

Katherine Schuster

What are your future plans? I plan to attend Clemson University in the fall of 2021. After school, I would love to make a living on the LPGA Tour. What is your favorite memory from high school? I enjoyed eating lunch with Harper in her mom’s classroom sophomore year. We went through all of the Instagram ﬁlters, did a scavenger hunt every day, had tons of drawing contests, and shared tons of laughs. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I don’t have any regrets. I always try to do my best with everything I do. Who was your best teacher ever? I loved all of my teachers. They were all very understanding with my super busy schedule, and they all helped me when I needed extra help. However, my favorite teacher was Mr. Lowe. He was a great math teacher, and a great friend. Mr. Lowe went out of his way to help me memorize and practice a speech that I had to give at an awards ceremony.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? What song would you pick for “Good Riddance” by Green Day. the choir to sing at graduation? This song is ﬁre and it seems ﬁtting “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, for graduation. Paul, and Mary What advice would you give to your freshman self? Cherish the time you have in high school and try not to get stressed out about things that aren’t important.

high school experience? I think being part of the school’s art program has really shaped my art and how I think like an artist. I’ve started to think more technically about my work and how I can use it to help or inspire others. Leah Haywood What is your favorite part about the FFHS art program? I’ve loved art since I was a little kid. I am thankful that schools even have art programs. Our art program is great, as well. The teachers and students all help and brainstorm together and inﬂuence one another to be as creative as possible. Do you have any plans to continue your art after high school? After I graduate, I am going to ECU to get my bachelor’s degree, at least, in art. I plan on either being an art teacher/professor, an artist, or creat-

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy each moment, and trust the process. Sometimes it’s the little things that can impact you the most.

ing video game concept art. How do you showcase your art? I recently just created an art account! It’s on Instagram and the user is @ mushroom_coffee. How long have you been drawing? I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. Drawing with pencils and pens has always been my thing. Recently, I’ve been pushing myself to paint. How has being part of the school’s art program affected your overall high school experience? I love being part of the art program. It’s always been one of my favorite classes. I think being a part of our department has given me a great opportunity to see what I want to do in life. Sophomore Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn. org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

Jonathon Davis

What are your future plans? I plan to attend UNC Asheville in the fall and pursue a career in music. I plan to find bandmates in the area and play my original material from “Porcelain Parrot”, my music project, live, to get my name out. What is your favorite memory from high school? Being backstage on opening night of “Grease the Musical” freshman year. The energy of my first musical will probably never be lost in me. What is your biggest regret about this school year? That I didn’t make the most of last year with the people who matter to me most, which just makes this year sting a bit more. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Heinrich, who currently teaches at FFMS. She was the first teacher I had who really embraced weirdness and creativity in everything she taught. In math class, she would show us Carl Sagan videos and how to make “hexiflexigons.” She was super cool. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? I am in the choir, and we’re singing a cover of “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Trust your instincts and be yourself unapologetically.

Tristan York

What are your future plans? I plan on attending Appalachian State University to major in biology and perform in the Marching Mountaineers Drumline. What is your favorite memory from high school? When I took a ﬁeld trip with the marching band at my old high school during freshman year to Universal Studios in Florida and got to perform in their Christmas parade. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not staying on top of my grades as much as I should have. Who was your best teacher ever? My old band teacher, Mr. Goodwin, because he always had high energy, he was really funny and he cared a lot about his students and his job. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Suge” by DaBaby What advice would you give to your freshman self? You have a long road ahead of you, but you are in the homestretch now, and time is going to go so fast, so you need to make the most of the time that you can still be a kid and enjoy it. Also, do not let anyone push you around, and go for the things that you want in life because we don’t want to leave with any regrets on what we “should have done.”

Photo submitted by Leah Haywood

One of the many projects Leah Haywood has worked on throughout her art career at FFHS.

Caitlin Hayman

What are your future plans? I want to travel the world. What is your favorite memory from high school? When I’m with my friends and hanging out with them. What is your biggest regret about this school year? That us seniors don’t have the normal senior life that past seniors had. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Buford, because he’s been my teacher ever since kindergarten. My family even gave him a present for being such a great teacher. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? We’re singing “Unwritten.” What advice would you give to your freshman self? Be kind to everyone, even to the harshest teacher. It will help you in the future.

Harper Weeks

What are your future plans? I’m attending East Carolina University to major in studio art and to continue my beach volleyball career. What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing volleyball every day with all of my closest friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Staying virtual and not seeing all of my friends every day. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Neller, because she pushed me to be a better student. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “History” by One Direction What advice would you give to your freshman self? Take advantage of your high school career. It goes by way too fast.

Gabi McClary

Lauren Montgomery

Jaylin Fisher

What are your future plans? I am attending Appalachian State University to major in studio art.

What are your future plans? Attend the University of Mississippi.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Winning the women’s soccer state championship my freshman year.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Walking down the hallway before leaving for the state championship soccer game freshman year as everyone lined the halls and clapped as we walked. I will never forget that feeling.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being able to do traditional senior things with my friends and just having a normal year. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Basilone, because I learned a lot from her. I really enjoyed how she taught her class, as well.

What are your future plans? I am attending NC State in the fall to get a degree in civil engineering. I may want to pursue more education in design, but I’m not sure yet. What is your favorite memory from high school? Going camping with all of my friends.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Waiting What is your biggest regret until the last minute to do things about this school year? No regrets for college and stressing myself – yolo. out. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Mount, definitely. I really admire his perspective, and his stories always make me laugh.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. DeWitt, because he made Calc more bearable and led me to liking math.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Spins” by Mac Miller

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Congratulations” by Post Malone

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Just enjoy every moment.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy the ease of ninth grade.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Stop being so afraid to put yourself out there.

Roommate search offers surprises, stress

By Morgan Deane Staff Writer

or the Class of 2021, the past two years have been anything but normal. After a junior year that was cut short and a senior year that was filled with uncertainty, many seniors are now facing a new challenge: finding their first college roommate. Due to the pandemic, one way many seniors are having to find their roommates is online or through social media. “My roommate reached out to me through the Meredith College Class of 2025 Instagram page,” senior Nevaeh Tucker said. The Instagram page is filled with profiles of rising freshman for students to look through and potentially find a roommate. Tucker will be attending Meredith College in the fall to major in Family and Consumer Sciences. After finding each other on Instagram, Tucker and her roommate have been communicating through Snapchat daily. “I think we will have a great time,” Tucker said. “We’re just super similar.” Tucker related to her roommate on multiple interests such as their

favorite music, their favorite shows, and their future goals and aspirations, as well as their cleanliness habits. This made it easy for her to choose her roommate. “I had talked to other potential roommates,” Tucker said. “The one that I am rooming with is the one I connected with the most.” Senior Illiana Jauregui also met her roommate through social media on the East Carolina Class of 2025 Instagram page. “We have mostly been communicating through Snapchat and Instagram,” Jauregui said. COVID-19 has created many complications in many parts of everyday life. For seniors like Tucker, one of these issues is actually meeting roommates in person. Tucker and her roommate hope to be able to explore Raleigh and get lunch when they meet. “(My roommate) is from Raleigh,” Tucker said. “We haven’t met in person yet, but I am hoping to meet her sometime before graduation.” But some, like Jauregui, have already had the opportunity to meet their roommate. “I got to have breakfast with her

Photo submitted by Illiana Jauregui

Senior Illiana Jauregui (right) and her roommate Gretchen Sargent pose with smoothie bowls from The Spot. Jauregui and her roommate look forward to attending ECU together this fall.

and we drove around and talked. We also got açaí bowls and Crumbl Cookies,” Jauregui said. “I’m excited to live with her. We are very similar and I think we will get along well.” With the end of the school year quickly approaching, more and more college-bound seniors are making plans for who they’re going to spend their freshman year living with. Social media is a great tool for connecting

with potential roommates, especially as many colleges have an Instagram or Facebook page dedicated to the students of a specific class. “Make sure y’all share some of the same interests, but you definitely don’t have to be 100% alike,” Jauregui said. “Just be open to new people.” Sophomore Morgan Deane can be reached at 23deanemo20@daretolearn. org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Alexius Drake

What are your future plans? App State for special education. What is your favorite memory from high school? The school shows. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Nothing. I don’t like First Flight. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Sam, because she is teaching me how to do my future job. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “I’m a Believer” by Smash Mouth What advice would you give to your freshman self? Just hang in there. You’ll be doing what you love soon.

Jean Murillo

Ashton Acuna

Jacob Askew

Levi Hawkins

What are your future plans? Save money and travel.

What are your future plans? What are your future plans? Graduate college and start my career. Going to college and eventually starting my own business. What is your favorite memory What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing soccer from high school? Tennis bus What is your favorite memory with all of my boys. rides and graduating. from high school? The speech that Coach Prince gives every year when What is your biggest regret What is your biggest regret that was still a thing. about this school year? I don’t about this school year? I lost my have any regrets. ATTWN book for English. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being Who was your best teacher Who was your best teacher able to go to school like normal. ever? Ms. Ford. She’s got dope hair ever? Ms. Deal, because she was always so nice and I had the best and it was the only class I had fun Who was your best teacher time in her class. going to. ever? Definitely Mrs. Mechak. She was always so nice and funny even What song would you pick for though she tries to be serious all What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? the time. “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus “Aspen” by Key Glock What advice would you give What advice would you give to to your freshman self? Focus, What advice would you give to your freshman self? Take everyyour freshman self? Don’t worry because it’s gonna be a long four thing one at a time and don’t stress years, and do as many extracurricuabout your grades – you’re not going to college. Just get that diploma. yourself out with the little things. lars as you can.

Danielle Posey

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? play soccer at the college level. I’m going to travel with my girlfriend. What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing soccer What is your favorite memory with the varsity team for the first from high school? I don’t like high time. school. I don’t want memories from it. I’m going to make good memoWhat is your biggest regret ries after high school. about this school year? Don’t have one. What is your biggest regret about this school year? No regrets, Who was your best teacher just want the school year done. ever? Mr. Mount, because he talked Who was your best teacher to me on my level and my view. ever? Sam Iulo. She is always there What song would you pick for for me when I need her the most. the choir to sing at graduation? Something by Mac Miller. What advice would you give to your freshman self? It’s not easy, What advice would you give to I’m not going to lie to you. You’re your freshman self? Have respect going to see and go through a lot, for other people and get out of your but you get through it and in the comfort zone. end it makes you stronger.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

Torrance McMillin

What are your future plans? Hopefully have a good career and do something important in the world. What is your favorite memory from high school? Hanging out in the library with all my friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not going back to school. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. May, because she always helped me out personally and with any work. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars What advice would you give to your freshman self? Double up on classes so senior year will be easy.

Zane Travis

Claudio Chacon Mora

What are your future plans? Go to a trade school, work for a couple years, and then invest. What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing last soccer season with the best team I could ever wish for. What is your biggest regret about this school year? It is not something I did, but it (stinks) that my last year on high school was behind a screen. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ramirez. He has always been charming and helpful ever since I got to First Flight. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t get involved in things that you shouldn’t do.

Zoe Heath Morris

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? become a charter boat captain. College and work. What is your favorite memory from high school? Hanging out with my buddies. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Picking remote learning and not going to school for the second semester.

What is your favorite memory from high school? When we won the Marlin Bowl my freshman year. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Nothing.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. May. She always was nice and funny, and never got mad.

Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Baldwin. She was always encouraging and supportive of my art whether it was my best or worst. She helped my artistry grow way beyond what I could imagine.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Island in the Sun” by Weezer

What song would you have the choir sing at graduation? “Damn Good Goodbyes” by Mule Ryan

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Never give up. Do everything you can to stay caught up.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t worry so much, have fun and everything will be fine.

Kendall Tucker

What are your future plans? To attend UNCW after transferring from Cape Fear and pursue a career in occupational therapy. What is your favorite memory from high school? My junior year homecoming and pep rally. It was a really fun parade, and putting our float together with the class made it even better (plus we had a really cool homecoming float). What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wouldn’t say that I regret anything this year, I just wish I was more involved and didn’t procrastinate as much. Who was your best teacher ever? Probably Mrs. McNeill, because I have had her as my teacher and coach since middle school and she has taught me so much. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Wherever I Go” by Hannah Montana What advice would you give to your freshman self? To really take in every moment, make a lot of memories, and take as many opportunities as you can, because what everyone says is true ... it flies by really fast.

Lydia Surprenant

Jacob Thomas

Cole Tomlin

Evianna Bocks

What are your future plans? I’m going to Meredith College to study education and political science to become a high school history teacher.

What are your future plans? I plan to attend UNC-Chapel Hill and at the moment I am majoring in history. I want to enroll in a graduate program after I get my degree.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My freshman year, I got locked in Mrs. McNeill’s closet for all of first period and they had to break the hinges off to get me out.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My senior season with soccer. It was great scoring and playing in front of fans again, especially after not knowing if we were getting a season at all.

What are your future plans? Playing football at Brevard College and then transferring to a bigger school after one to two years. I plan to major in sustainable development and political science.

What are your future plans? I will be going to school for occupational therapy, then travel after I get my degree! Hopefully one day I’ll get to open up my own restaurant – just going where life takes me.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Leaving my work till the last minute. Who was your best teacher ever? It’s between my third-grade teacher, Ms. Blumenthal, because she always supported me, and Mrs. Head for always making me laugh and giving me advice. She is also a big reason why I want to be a history teacher. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Back Home” by Andy Grammer, because it reminds me of how we will come back each summer. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Always ask for help when you are struggling in class because it shows them you are trying to learn it.

What is your favorite memory from high school? The homeWhat is your favorite memory coming game senior year when the from high school? Going out after whole student section started sing- football games and cheering for ing happy birthday to me and then football. me and Katie went on to become What is your biggest regret homecoming king and queen. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I don’t about this school year? Nothing, have big regrets from this year, but What is your biggest regret and graduating early was the best I do wish that the soccer season about this school year? I wish we decision I ever made because I got had been the normal length instead could’ve had a normal year. to live my life for a bit, travel, work a of shortened. lot and meet tons of people. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. McNeill, because she Who was your best teacher Who was your best teacher has been teaching me for the past ever? I have had a lot of great ever? Mrs. Mascio. She was my teachers, so it is very hard to choose seven years and we both know each teacher last year and she helped me through a lot! She also was the most other so well that we built a very just one. However, I have to say laid back and understanding person strong relationship. Mr. DeWitt, because he was always in general. Much respect. able to answer my brain-dead math What song would you pick for questions, and helped me understand Calculus in a difficult year. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? “K.I.D.S.” by Mac Miller What song would you pick for “Pour Some Sugar on Me” the choir to sing at graduation? What advice would you give to “Stand Tall” by Dirty Heads What advice would you give your freshman self? High school is very important and you should to your freshman self? Keep your What advice would you give to cherish every moment, but don’t grades up and don’t mess up your your freshman self? Relax, work forget that it’s temporary and soon GPA. Don’t get into a relationship. hard, and don’t get stressed out by Be selfless and you’re true self. Have you’ll be starting your life somelittle problems. fun and go out, experience things. where else.

From the ocean to the sky: Seniors eager for military life

By Daisy Morales Staff Writer

hether it’s across the sea or into the sky, seniors can go everywhere and anywhere once they graduate. While most seniors go to college, some members of the Class of ‘21 are preparing for something filled with both excitement and nervousness: joining the military. With less than a month left before they graduate, some seniors already have made the significant decision to join the military and follow in their family’s footsteps. Senior Evan Wienert is one of those students gearing up to join a branch of the military - the Coast Guard. “My grandfather, my great-grandfather, my dad and some of my uncles were all in the military, so the military has been in my family for a while,” Wienert said. “I’ve wanted to join the military since I was a freshman and I think the benefits in the military are good.”

Wienert said his family was thrilled with his decision to join the service. “My parents are proud that I’m joining the Coast Guard,” Wienert said. Wienert signed up for the Coast Guard for six years, explaining that his love for the ocean and the type of work in the branch was the deciding factor. “I want to do something in aviation – either mechanics or electronics,” Wienert explained. “I could use those trades if I wanted to get out of the Coast Guard and get a job.” Senior Noah Card shares this passion for mechanics and specifically enjoys working with cars and planes. Card recalled that the idea to join the military came when his dad was telling him about all the fighter jets that aviation mechanics can work on. It was at that moment he realized that was the career he wanted to pursue. “My dad went into the Army six days after high school,” Card said. “He went all over the world, including Panama, China and Hawaii.” Given his interest in fighter aircraft, Card won’t be joining the Army like his dad. Instead, he’s sign-

ing up for the Air Force. “My MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) would be an Aviation Mechanic for the fifth-generation fighters, so the F-35 and F-22,” Card said. Card has not always been so enthusiastic about joining the military, but as he got older he discovered his passion for it. He plans to stay in the Air Force for 20 years, knowing that he will learn skills that will help him land a well-paying job and a pension after that time has passed. “It’s like retirement money every month and you keep the benefits that you had when you were in,” Card explained. For Wienert, Card and other students choosing short-term or long-term career paths in the military – several more Nighthawks entering the military declined interview requests for this story – the honor of serving their country and learning new skills and traveling around the world means big changes ahead. “I’ll miss all my friends, my family and the OBX,” Wienert said. Sophomore Daisy Morales Bravo can be reached at 23moralesda04@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Casey Hayman

Taylor Sanders

Leah Fish

Tyler Roberts

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? I What are your future plans? travel around the world. plan on staying local, going to COA. I’m taking a gap year in order to travel and work before college. What is your favorite memory What is your favorite memfrom high school? Junior year, ory from high school? The great What is your favorite memory when seniors and teachers played teachers! from high school? Laughing at dodgeball against each other during lunch and during class with my a pep rally. What is your biggest regret friends. about this school year? I don’t What is your biggest regret really have a regret, but my grades What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being could have been better! about this school year? Just not able to have a regular school year being able to have a regular school on our last year of being here. Who was your best teacher year. ever? Ms. Van Vliet, Mrs. O’Bryan, Who was your best teacher Ms. York and Mrs. Head. They were Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Buford, because I had him always the best and always helped ever? Mr. DeWitt, because he’s good since elementary school and chorus me with anything. I honestly loved at finding a way to explain things so is my favorite subject. all of my teachers I’ve ever had! that they make sense to you. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? We’re singing “Unwritten.”

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Set it Off” by Lil Boosie

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Levitating” by Dua Lipa

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t worry so much and take time for yourself.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Try your best and don’t get discouraged.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t stress so much about grades.

Ella Lamm

What are your future plans? Travel to Hawaii in the winter, hopefully. For now, take some time to relax after finishing my EMT and fire certifications. What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing downtown Manteo with the band. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Absolutely zero regrets about this year.

What are your future plans? Headed to UNCW. What is your favorite memory from high school? Mr. Cooper’s math class. All the people in that class were so fun to be with. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Lack of motivation to do work, aka senioritis.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ebert. He kept things interesting.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Neal, she is the sweetest lady and is always willing to help with whatever.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “No Such Thing” by John Mayer

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “God Bless America”

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Stop stressing. Take it easy. Everything works out eventually.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Try harder. It’s not that hard to do the assignments.

Hutchins is fired up about entering the welding world

By Fiona Finchem Staff Writer

t’s that time of year again for juniors and seniors to begin thinking about a career. For most, finding what you want to be is a long and difficult struggle, but for senior Jacob Hutchins, it was almost too easy when he fell in love with welding. “Welding is the joining of metals by having a very concentrated heat area and melting them together,” Hutchins explained. “My grandfather used to be a welder and one day he started talking about it and it seemed really cool, so I did some research and I found it super cool. They also get paid a decent amount of money, which is a plus.” Fortunately for Hutchins, College of the Albemarle (COA) offers many courses – like the welding program – that allows high school students to get a certificate, allowing them to work. In order to go to COA as a high school student and take general education classes (English, math, history, etc.) a student must have a minimum GPA of 2.8. For Career and Technical Education courses like welding, a student does not have to have a minimum of 2.8, but if they don’t, they require a letter of approval from Principal Chuck Lansing.

Photo submitted by Jacob Hutchins

Senior Jacob Hutchins hangs out in the welding shop at the COA campus. Hutchins is taking classes at COA to earn his welding certificate and to follow in is grandfather’s footsteps in becoming a welder.

Just about anyone can take CTE courses at COA. All a student has to do is register for courses and go over to COA’s campus every day. “There are two classes for the three basic processes for welding over two

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

years, and the second round of classes are the more advanced ones where you get to mess around with welding plate and pipe,” Hutchins said. “The class is super laid back and the teacher, Mr. Spear, has been welding for around

45 years now. If I had a problem and couldn’t figure it out, he could always tell me what I was doing wrong and how to fix it.” Beth Garrett, one of First Flight’s student counselors, coordinates registration for both the CTE pathways as well as students who take the general education classes. “The class is hands-on and they have a brand new welding lab over there. It’s amazing. I also get all the kids their welding equipment. Dare County pays for it and they get torches, jackets, everything. It’s a $200 kit,” Garrett said. “They go completely for free, and then they get that equipment and we let them keep it.” This opportunity not only offers students the ability to take a fun and unique class, but also gives them a pathway into the working world. “I think my favorite part about welding is just being able to do a whole variety of things with it,” Hutchins said. “This is my career choice because I knew from a young age I didn’t really want to sit behind a desk for 10 hours a day. I plan on traveling the world to weld; people are always looking for welders.” Junior Fiona Finchem can be reached at 22finchemfi99@daretolearn.org.

Lexi Foster

What are your future plans? I plan to attend NC State. What is your favorite memory from high school? My junior year homecoming spirit week, dressing up and painting my face. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wish I went back to school when we ﬁrst opened up during COVID two days a week and then continued through the end of the school year because I never got to soak in how this normality of 12 years ended. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Richards hands-down was the best teacher I’ve ever had, but I loved Mrs. Neller the most. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Wild Ones” by Flo Rida What advice would you give to your freshman self? You think it’s never gonna end and then you blink your eyes and see yourself in the mirror with a cap and gown. Enjoy every second and cherish the people around you.

Nevaeh Tucker

Johmar Gonzalez

What are your future plans? Going to Meredith College in the fall to study family and consumer sciences in hopes to pursue a career from that major!

What are your future plans? I will be attending Greensboro College, where I’ll be playing football and studying sports and exercise science.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Prom hasn’t happened yet while I’m writing this, but I have a feeling my favorite memory will be my senior prom!

What is your favorite memory from high school? Breaking the track team’s long jump record for indoor and outdoor.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Taking the time spent with friends for granted. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. McNeill, because she has been my teacher since the sixth grade and she has become someone I can go to for anything! What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t take any of it for granted. The four years you’re in high school ﬂy by very fast.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I don’t think I have any regrets. I tried to do everything my heart desired.

Wynn Gardner

Jaden Clary

What are your future plans? I am planning on going to Cape Fear in Wilmington for two years, then transferring over to UNCW.

What are your future plans? I plan on becoming a dentist.

behind and not focusing on my work because I had to catch up and it was pretty stressful.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ebert. He has helped me through a lot of times where I needed someone like that. He has also supported everything that meant something to me.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Deﬁnitely the bus rides home from sporting What is your favorite memory events. Those are some good times from high school? When a bunch of friends and I went to Ocracoke for with others. Spring Break and met a bunch of loWhat is your biggest regret cals and ended up hanging out with them the whole time we were there. about this school year? Oversleeping. I overslept a lot this year, which then turned into me missing What is your biggest regret a few classes. about this school year? Getting

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Kinnisten. She was there for me for a lot. She was like my Who was your best teacher school mom and I will forever have ever? I liked all of my teachers, but a spot for her in my heart. for my favorite I have to say Mrs. Head because she was hilarious and What song would you pick for just a very happy person. the choir to sing at graduation? “Rap Star” by Polo G What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? What advice would you give to “Good Morning” by Kanye West your freshman self? 1. Don’t cut What advice would you give your long hair. You’ll regret it. 2. Don’t stop working hard or getting to your freshman self? Just enjoy high school and have fun because it comfortable. Push yourself to be goes by fast. uncomfortable.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Even Though I’m Leaving” by Luke Combs. It just means a lot and sorta makes sense. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t take everything so seriously. It always works out in the end and everything happens for a reason.

Artists in the Spotlight: Senior musicians sound off By Mackenzie Edwards Staff Writer

he arts programs at FFHS feature musicians, painters, pottery makers and more. Nighthawk News caught up with a number of seniors to share their musical journeys:

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Jem Myers performs at Senior Night.

Jem Myers What is your favorite part about being a part of the program? I would probably say football games because they’re just fun. We have a good time in the stands, we chat and watch the game. I enjoyed playing in the halftime show and watching the team play. What are your plans to continue after high school? I do not currently (have plans to play in college) but I’m sure that once I get there, there’ll be a club or something that I’ll probably enjoy doing.

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Senior Herman Hall plays the bass drum as a key part of the drumline during a halftime show.

How long have you been playing your instrument? Since sixth grade in middle school. How has being a part of the band program affected your high school experience? It gave me a whole bunch of friends, and it gave me a cool outlet. There were a lot of great people to work with. It was a really fun time.

Herman Hall What is your favorite part about being a part of the program? The sense of camaraderie you build with your section through playing music. What are your plans to continue after high school? I don’t really have any. How long have you been playing

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Savannah Sawin

What are your future plans? I plan on going to NC State this fall for their design program, and I plan on doing art in my future career. What is your favorite memory from high school? Going to my aunt’s office almost every day junior year. All my friends were there and it was so much fun. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Procrastinating is a big thing that I wish I hadn’t done. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Deal!! She’s the best and is a great teacher. I love her. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Captain Hook” by Megan Thee Stallion What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t listen to your teachers when they tell you not to draw in class. It’s actually what gets you into college.

Hanah Chavez

Jack Voight

What are your future plans? What are your future plans? I want to become an occupational Attend NC State for engineering. therapist that specializes in helping people with prosthetics. What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably just What is your favorite memory all of the people I met in general. from high school? The bus rides While we may not be friends in the during basketball were really fun. future, I had a lot of fun with my I liked getting to spend time with class over the years. my team. What is your biggest regret What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not going about this school year? I don’t and having the senior experience. really regret anything, but I wish No sports games to attend, and I had realized how fast it would virtual school really killed it for us. go when I was a freshman or a sophomore. Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Hanf, because he taught Who was your best teacher me a lot about journalism but most ever? Mrs. Buescher. She really importantly, I feel I got real-life cares for her students and is always skills from his class over the years. there when you need her. What song would you pick for What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? “Come As You Are” by Nirvana “It’s Your Love” by Tim McGraw What advice would you give to What advice would you give your freshman self? To not worry so to your freshman self? Enjoy high much about others. Focus on yourschool while you can because it will self and what you want to do because be over before you even realize it. that’s what’s going to get you farther.

What are your future plans? I am going to ODU for nursing in the fall, but plan to travel over the summer in my camper I renovated before college. What is your favorite memory from high school? Football games freshman and sophomore year. What is your biggest regret about this school year? COVID took a lot away from the seniors last year and this year. I (we) didn’t really get to have the senior year hype experience.

What are your future plans? To swim and study criminology and psychology at Chowan University, and I would like to be an FBI agent or work in crime scene investigation after that. What is your favorite memory from high school? Going to swim meets and being with my friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I stress about everything, so I think if I had another chance, I would try to just chill out for a bit and not stress and worry as much as I did.

Who was your best teacher ever? Definitely Mrs. Geiger and Mrs. Motz. They treat you as a person rather than just a student.

Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Deal. She always knew how to brighten my day and always made me feel welcome.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Hey Look Ma, I Made it” by Panic! At The Disco

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey

What advice would you give to your freshman self? High school goes by very fast. Take in every moment.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t worry about what others think of you. It really doesn’t matter. Just have fun and be yourself.

Senior Logan Hanf plays the tenor sax during a football game halftime show. Hanf spent four years in marching/concert band and three with the Honors Jazz Band during his time at FFHS.

your instrument? Since sixth grade band. How has being a part of the band program affected your high school experience? It provides a real community that helps you build and develop your skills as a musician. Diego Hernandez What is your favorite part about being a part of the program? My favorite part was being able to go to different places to play such as competitions and football games. What are your plans to continue after high school? My plan after high school is to go to Greensboro Technical Community College and continue to work while living on my own. How long have you been playing your instrument? I have been playing the saxophone since sixth grade, so this is going to be my seventh year. How has being a part of the band program affected your high school experience? Being a part of the band has affected my high school experience in such a positive way, from finding my closest friends, becoming more social/opening up a lot, and finding a reason to go to school

Bri Wilson

Haley McFadden

Photo by Taylor Newton/ Nighthawk News

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Senior Diego Ramirez plays the alto sax.

every day other than not failing. Logan Hanf What is your favorite part about being a part of the program? My favorite aspect of the band program is the great community of musicians. What are your plans to continue

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

after high school? I plan to continue music at the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains marching band. How long have you been playing your instrument? I have been playing my instrument since sixth grade because I was given the choice between band and Latin! How has being a part of the

band program affected your high school experience? Being a part of our school’s marching band had a great impact upon my high school experience. I had a great group of people around me, and developed as a performer and person. Sophomore Mackenzie Edwards can be reached at 23edwardsma78@daretolearn.org.

Elmy Reyes

What are your future plans? Work as a real estate agent. What is your favorite memory from high school? Empower Time with friends. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not putting too much effort into class.

Meghan Lewis

Katherine Calletano

Zach Perry

What are your future plans? I will be going to college at UNCW to major in digital arts and minor in environmental sciences. After getting my bachelor’s degree in the arts, I will hopefully get my master’s at a design school or possibly NYU. I plan to live in Washington after college, where I can hopefully ﬁnd a job working for the Smithsonian/modern art museums or in magazine publications.

What are your future plans? Major in business and help my dad open a family business. I will also continue to teach piano, tutor and help people, especially in the Latin American community while also growing in worship ministry.

What are your future plans? I would like to try and get through a four-year college and hopefully get a degree in science. And then hopefully get a graduate degree in science. That way, I can make some money and also be submerged and continue to learn in my favorite subjects!

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Hart, because she taught What is your favorite memory me everything I know about the from high school? Taking Mrs. English language. McClary’s video design class my What advice would you give to sophomore year. It was the type of class where there was never your freshman self? You’re going a boring day. I learned so much to make it to the end. about becoming a digital designer. Plus, I made a lot of friends in that class and I don’t remember a day I wasn’t laughing. My serotonin levels were deﬁnitely boosted after that class!

Henry Stecher

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not reconnecting with more of my friends I hadn’t seen since the lockdown last March. I’ve seen a few of them once, but wish I’d made more of an effort to make plans on regularly hanging out with them.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Walking in the homecoming parade with my quinceañera dress. Really, the whole spirit week, being able to dress up for school and seeing how creative people get with their outﬁts. One of my favorites was dressing up as Doña Florinda from one of my favorite childhood shows. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wish I could have continued to help out in the guidance center. Touring the new ESL students was one of my favorite things to do as well as helping them with their schoolwork.

Who was your best teacher ever? There are just so many, I wouldn’t know who to choose. It would be between Mrs. McNeill and Mr. Mount. Mrs. McNeill has been with me since sixth grade and has always taught Who was your best teacher and prepared us for what was to ever? The best teacher ever has to be Mrs. McClary! She loves cracking come (like a mom at school). Mr. jokes with her students and always Mount’s class was a bit of a challenge for me. His way of teaching pushed them to be better digital was nothing compared to English artists. What are your future plans? courses I had taken in the past. Big Dogging. What song would you pick for It was, as he says, “good times.” I appreciate each and every teacher What is your favorite memory the choir to sing at graduation? that I have had over the past four from high school? Being a Big Dog. “Good Times” by All Time Low. years. The song came out my freshman What is your biggest regret year and I always would listen to about this school year? Not it thinking about what senior year What song would you pick for enough Big Dog. and graduating high school would the choir to sing at graduation? be like. “Hall of Fame” by The Script Who was your best teacher ever? Pitzulo. He was a Big Dog. What advice would you give What advice would you give What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass” by Buck Owens What advice would you give to your freshman self? Be a Big Dog.

to your freshman self? To not be afraid to have fun! I’d tell her to take the opportunities she gets to be adventurous and try new things. And to not take everything so seriously, of course, but don’t you dare slack on your studies, either.

What is your favorite memory from high school? I have a lot of favorite memories. I loved being part of the bands throughout my four years. I was able to meet and enjoy times with some really cool people. I also loved my science classes. Even though they were pretty difﬁcult, struggling with my classmates is something I will remember forever. What is your biggest regret about this school year? That I should’ve done more. I wish I had taken more AP sciences. I should have deﬁnitely taken AP Physics instead of General Physics this year. I also wish I had taken more math courses. Who was your best teacher ever? That is not possible to say. All of my teachers have been incredible. Mrs. Mechak and Mr. Richards pushed me into the direction of science, which I am extremely grateful for. My junior and senior year teachers made me a better student across all subjects with their teaching styles. Each teacher has made me a much better student than I was in ninth grade, and that’s what will get me through college. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Out of Touch” by Hall and Oates

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Pay attention to your freshman self? Reand conquer your math and science member to enjoy every moment classes. Make plans for college stuff because you never know if you will a lot sooner. be able to have a regular senior year. Also, challenge yourself a little bit and get out of your comfort zone.

Diana Erazo

What are your future plans? To study for the first two years at the College of the Albemarle, then transfer to either Virginia Tech or East Carolina University. What is your favorite memory from high school? The time where COVID-19 wasn’t known and I participated as a volunteer to help out in the Special Olympics. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not taking enough computer classes and entering in school clubs, as it would have boosted my self-esteem and communication with others and building friendships throughout my years in high school. Who was your best teacher ever? First up, I would like to thank Miss Deal for giving me the chance to explore new wonders/adventures by reading books. She’s the reason why my vocabulary is somewhat better from all those books I’ve read within her classroom. The second teacher I would like to thank is Mrs. Kinnisten for finding my love for math. She would encourage me to not give up and to keep retrying an assignment or in real-life problems I would face here and there. She has been a great teacher and a friend when I took her class. I would like to thank Mrs. O’Bryan and Miss York, who have been helping me since day one of starting high school with communication skill, advocating for myself, and having the courage to never give up but ask for help when needed. Last but not least, I would like to thank Mrs. May for opening up the opportunity to speak out in the auditorium. Participating in “Poetry Out-Loud” really boosted my confidence by going out there and giving my best. I was surprised that I won for my class. It was somewhat hard to memorize, but I got it memorized. :) What advice would you give to your freshman self? Turn in all of your school work on time. Study for quizzes, take notes even if not required.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Sean Stultz

What are your future plans? Continue studies at COA, then either go into the military or figure out my career plans. What is your favorite memory from high school? The pep rallies. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not having a lot of the school year due to COVID and missing out because of it. Who was your best teacher ever? Either Mrs. Gale, Mrs. Gard or Mr. Emery. They care about their students in and out of the classroom. They wanna see you succeed in whatever you do. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “See You Again” What advice would you give to your freshman self? Take it as much as you can and always give it your all no matter what it is, and make good first impressions.

David Vincent

What are your future plans? Work in the airport.

Max Bowlin

What are your future plans? I plan to attend Flagler College and major in environmental science. I also will be running cross country and track and field for the school. What is your favorite memory from high school? Running with all my best friends: made so many awesome and hilarious memories and wouldn’t trade it for the world. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Taking it for granted, even though it wasn’t quite the normal year. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Neller. She always had my back and made class enjoyable.

Sean Bedell

What are your future plans? Getting a bachelor’s in Marine Biology.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t screw up.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

John York

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? I pursue a career in marine biology. will be going to ECU in the fall to study mechanical engineering, and What is your favorite memory to eventually go into the Air Force. from high school? I loved marching band competitions. I also liked What is your favorite memory concert band, but marching band from high school? Mr. Pitzulo’s has my heart. class. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not spending my free time wisely to make my GPA even better.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not spending as much time with my friends as I should have.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Ebert, because he was the first teacher I met after moving halfway across the country. He’s also an amazing mentor.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Pitzulo. He was always so down to earth and you could talk to him about anything, even if it wasn’t carpentry related. He pretty much became a mentor for all his students. He will be missed.

What song would you pick for What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? “What You Know Bout Love” by Pop “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child Smoke What advice would you give What advice would you give to to your freshman self? Don’t get anxious over what people think of your freshman self? Take advantage of every opportunity and have you. Do what you want and don’t let other people control your fun while it lasts. It’s gonna go by opinions. quicker then you think.

What is your favorite memory What is your biggest regret from high school? The people who about this school year? I don’t were like a family to me. really regret anything. Who was your best teacher Who was your best teacher ever? Sam Iulo. She is fun, good ever? Ms. Deal. Favorite subject and happy. and class was generally fun. What song would you pick What song would you pick for for the choir to sing at graduation? “Boys ‘Round Here” by Blake the choir to sing at graduation? “Bloody Stream” by Coda Shelton What advice would you give to your freshman self? Love all the people. I thank you!

Halle Wilkinson

Alexis Franklin

Kenneth Lokie

What are your future plans? Attend Ferrum College and major in sports medicine with a focus in physical therapy while also playing collegiate football there. What is your favorite memory from high school? All the Friday nights spent playing football. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Worrying too much about the future and not appreciating the present enough. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Kovacs, Mrs. Baldauf and Mrs. Basilone! These ladies not only really cared about what they were teaching, but they also cared immensely about their students.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Graduation” by Juice Wrld

What advice would you give to your freshman self? It’ll all work out in the end. Don’t let time fly past you.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Keep working hard, but also take time to enjoy yourself and try new things.

Logan Grizzard

Tyler Heuneman

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? Go What are your future plans? go to college and start a career. to COA and try to figure things out. Continue doing tree work with one of my friends and grow our What is your favorite memory business and eventually become a What is your favorite memory from high school? Homecoming. from high school? #AlbertNation heavy equipment diesel mechanic. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being able to go.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Carpentry with Mr. P.

Who was your best teacher Who was your best teachever? Mrs. Grabner, because she er ever? Mrs. Lewis. She always was cool and very nice. checked up on her students and was eager to help when it was needed. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? What advice would you give “Graduation” by Juice WRLD to your freshman self? The little things don’t really matter. Focus on What advice would you give to what’s important. your freshman self? Have fun.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not doing school first semester.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not staying on top of work early.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. P, because he didn’t take any crap from anyone. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Do your work.

Grace Hewitt

Jacob Hutchins

What are your future plans? I plan on attending UNC Chapel Hill for nursing. I plan on working in the Newborn ICU!

What are your future plans? I plan on traveling around the world to surf, meet new people and find some welding jobs along the way.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Myriad nights spent at rehearsal for theater.

What is your favorite memory from high school? The friends I have made and the memories I made with them.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not feeling as though I learned as much as I could have. Who was your best teacher ever? Hunter Will. That woman is an angel. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “The Spins” by Mac Miller What advice would you give to your freshman self? High school isn’t forever, and I have my whole life to figure things out so QUIT STRESSING mama.

Ben Wasniewski

What are your future plans? Head up to Raleigh, study cyber security through an NC state program, and work on developing programs for restaurants. What is your favorite memory from high school? Good Guys vs. Cancer my junior year.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not taking the last year of high school as seriously as I probably should have.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wish I took advantage of the leniency on grades and busted out all A’s.

Who was your best teacher ever? I’ve had a lot of good teachers over the years and I really couldn’t pick one.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Lowe: great math teacher and also a great person. I could ask him for advice on anything.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t procrastinate so much because it would make school so much easier.

Ethan Marshall

Logan Hanf

What are your future plans? I plan to attend East Carolina University for coastal studies.

What are your future plans? I will attend WCU and major in communications.

What is your favorite memory from high school? The four years of lacrosse with my brothers.

What is your favorite memory from high school? APUSH with Mrs. Baz – especially when our discussions got heated!

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not going back face-to-face, only because it’s my last year so it would’ve been nice to see everything one last time.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? My biggest regret is that a global pandemic ruined any chance we had at normality.

Who was your best teacher Who was your best teacher ever? Definitely Coach Prince cause ever? Mr. Ebert. His class was alhe’s the man. ways fun and he helped me become a better musician and person. What song would you pick for What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “More Than My Hometown” the choir to sing at graduation? “1st Day Out the Feds” by Big Gucci “Mask Off” by Future What advice would you give to your freshman self? Take it What advice would you give What advice would you give to your freshman self? Set a goal. as serious as you can. There’s a to your freshman self? Please, Start taking small yet directed steps time and place to focus, and that please, do your work sooner and is now. toward your goal every day. stay organized.

Gap years offer break from pandemic pandemonium

By Kayla Hallac Online Editor-in-Chief

n one perfect lyric, Imagine Dragons described the attitudes of many of this year’s graduating seniors: “I’m on top of the world, been waiting on this for a while now.” After having two years of their high school experience destroyed by a global pandemic, all they want to do is go out, explore, make money and have fun. This year more than ever, high school seniors are taking gap years to do just that. “I think (COVID) influenced the kind of gap year, like the working at home gap year where students stay within their own community and maybe make money instead of going to a four-year university,” FFHS college adviser Thomas Elliott said. When colleges shut down left and right last fall due to COVID, many students were – and still are – doing college virtually from off-campus apartments or their homes. Because they’ve lost that “normal” college experience, some students find it hard to justify the thousands of dollars for an education they could get for a fraction of the cost at community college. With uncertainty still looming for the fall semester, some students have made different plans for their gap year. “We are planning on traveling to Eastern and Western Europe, South America, Japan and throughout the United States,” senior Richie Davis said. “We would take trains through countries in Europe and fly from one continent to the next. We may also be

backpacking through towns and cities.” Davis had plans to travel around the world since he was young. He claims the pandemic put a slight damper on those plans, but is still on track to pursue them with his dad. “I would definitely be traveling still even if there was no virus, because flying would be easier and we wouldn’t have to go through more COVID testing or delays,” Davis said. After his gap year, Davis plans to attend COA for a year and then transfer to Old Dominion University or the University of Virginia. This gap year will give him a chance to learn about himself and see the world. “I hope to learn about responsibility, wisdom and the history of other countries and their cultures,” Davis said. COVID-19 also has sparked early graduations for those sick of virtual schooling. Leah Fish is a junior graduating with the Class of ‘21. Fish hopes to take a gap year to find out what she’s really passionate about in life, visit her family and work before college. “I hope to learn more about what I actually enjoy doing work-wise so I can figure out what career I want to pursue,” Fish said. While these two students have always wanted to take gap years, others are taking unexpected breaks. These include First Flight students who applied to NC State and got into the new Spring Connect Program. “It’s a new thing that NC State is doing, which basically just enables them to say to a student: ‘Congratulations, you’ve been admitted to NC State, and we would like you to start in the spring,’ ” Elliott said.

This program allows NC State to admit more students and gives them an opportunity in the fall semester to travel, work or take classes in a local community college while seeing how restrictions with the pandemic play out. Senior Christian Miller applied to NC State as his first choice with a hope to major in criminology. He was waitlisted and then accepted, but for spring semester. Miller was relieved but also somewhat irritated with the admission decision, but eventually decided it would be beneficial to stay on the Outer Banks and work while doing community college in the fall. “At first I was mad, but I started to think about it and see that other people were going, and I asked people some questions about it and I decided it would be good,” Miller said. Taking a gap year has been a positive option for many, even before COVID-19. Elliott took a gap year and, while it lengthened his university experience, it proved beneficial to his academic career. “I went and worked in South Africa for a year. It was a really amazing experience,” Elliott said. “It was one that was kind of funded by UNC Chapel Hill. I think universities are seeing gap years as a really valuable opportunity for students to have a five-year college experience of growth.” Or, as Imagine Dragons puts it: “You can have it all but life keeps moving, I take it in but don’t look down, because I’m on top of the world.” Junior Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Aliza Snow

Katie MacBride

Chancellor Yim

What are your future plans? I plan on going to UNC in the fall and spending the next four years there. I’m not sure what I’m going to major in or what career I want to go into, but I’m excited to ﬁnd out!

What are your future plans? I plan to attend the College of the Albemarle in the fall due to COVID19’s affect on colleges and their polices. However, I plan to transfer to the University of North Carolina Wilmington after the ﬁrst semester or even the ﬁrst year (depending on how colleges are operating in the fall) and major in exercise science with hopes to become an occupational therapist.

What are your future plans? To ﬁnish my two years attending COA to receive my associate degree in engineering. After, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to complete my studies.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably just all the friends I’ve made. We’ve had a lot of fun times just laughing about stupid things that I can’t even remember, but it’s moments like that that I love the most. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I guess it’s not really a regret, but it really (stunk) not being able to experience everything the seniors normally get to experience. I remember being a freshman so excited for senior year because of things like the homecoming parade and spirit days and football games that are always more fun when you’re a senior. Who was your best teacher ever? I don’t think I can pick just one, but I’d say top three are Mrs. Whitehurst, Mr. Richards and Mr. Hanf. All three of them were just amazing teachers and always helped me out when I needed it. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “History” by One Direction What advice would you give to your freshman self? Probably just to live a little, stop taking everything so seriously and deﬁnitely don’t take good times for granted.

What is your favorite memory from high school? The girl’s lacrosse team going undefeated and winning conference this year. It was the ﬁrst time in school history and it was a much-deserved accomplishment after never winning a game my freshman year. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I wouldn’t say I have any regrets about this school year, but it certainly wasn’t the senior year I imagined. Who was your best teacher ever? One of my best teachers was Mrs. Jenna Saunders because she made art class enjoyable and an escape from the stress that came with my other core classes. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? The “Friends” theme song, “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Limit the amount of times you procrastinate, so that you can spend more of your free time having fun and not doing homework.

Acy Davis

What is your favorite memory from high school? The rides home from away lacrosse games on the bus. After a big win, all of my teammates would have fun, getting hyped up, playing music all the way home. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being able to come back to school and try to ﬁnish the year normally. The only reason I did not was because I only had online classes remaining. Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Gard was someone you could talk to about anything and felt loved. I always had fun in her class, and many of my classmates enjoyed her as well. She never understood sarcasm, but that was what made her even funnier. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Congratulations” by Post Malone What advice would you give to your freshman self? These four years are going to ﬂy by very quickly. You will have ups and downs, but will have fun throughout your journey. You will meet plenty of great people and will enjoy these next years. Savor every moment like it is your last.

It’s Never Too Late for a

Aden Bobrow

What are your future plans? I plan on attending NC State University in the fall to study environmental science. After college, I would like to join the Peace Corps or really any opportunity that allows me to travel.

What are your future plans? I plan to move to Charleston, SC, on a journey to attend trade school, become a master electrician/electrical business owner. I want to start my adult life and future family in Charleston.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Watching exciting sports games and spirit weeks or pep rallies. The girls soccer team wining states was one of my favorite high school memories.

What is your favorite memory from high school? My favorite memories are of all of the good friendships I have established, but my favorite memories were working at Nu Quality with great people, or going hunting/ﬁshing with my best friends.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being as productive with all my free time as I wanted to be. Obviously this year was not ideal for anyone and I wish we could have had a normal senior year, but no one could’ve changed that. Who was your best teacher ever? One of my ﬁrst-grade teachers, Mrs. Twiford. She went above and beyond and always made sure her students felt comfortable. She has stayed in touch with me after all these years and was the most involved teacher I ever had. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Graduation” by Benny Blanco and Juice WRLD. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Stop stressing so much about the little things. It’s not worth it and it’s important to enjoy your last stretch of being a kid.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? I have no regrets. I love this school year. I picked up a full-time job working electrical and I’m free to do whatever I want whenever I want. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Hutton, my fourth-grade teacher. She played a big role in teaching me how to be responsible and do things in a timely manner to be successful. What song would you have the choir sing at graduation? “Do I Wanna Know” by the Arctic Monkeys What advice would you give to your freshman self? Stay on top of your work and stay determined. Only then with those built-up mindsets can you become successful at anything you want to do.

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New Beginning

Christie McEwan

MS, M.Ed, LCAS, ICCDP, ICAADC, CCTP

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Drew Whitehead

Tamarin Dodge

What are your future plans? I am planning on going to COA for two years and then transferring to a four-year college. What is your favorite memory from high school? My favorite memory from high school was my sophomore year math class. It had the best laughs. What is your biggest regret about this school year? My biggest regret about this school year would have to be not keeping up with my work. Who was your best teacher ever? My best teacher ever was Mrs. Kinnisten because she taught me math so easily and was always pushing me to learn. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Drops of Jupiter” by Train What advice would you give to your freshman self? I would tell my freshman self to not be so weird and to loosen up.

Miah Britt

What are your future plans? I What are your future plans? I plan on going to college to get a job plan to attend Ferrum College and to support a small life somewhere. acquire my nursing degree. If I’m lucky, those garages with the remotes that open and close the What is your favorite memory door are pretty cool. from high school? Junior and senior year held a lot of my favorite memories. It’s hard to choose just one. What is your favorite memory from high school? I went to Florida with some friends for a What is your biggest regret senior trip. about this school year? That I didn’t prioritize some things that What is your biggest regret could’ve really benefited me in the about this school year? I really future. wanted to be one of the kids who painted themselves their class color Who was your best teacher for homecoming week, but never ever? Mrs. Kovacs. Anyone who has got to. had Mrs. Kovacs knows that she is a phenomenal teacher. She made Who was your best teacher me fall in love with health science, ever? Mrs. Basilone was able to which is how I knew I wanted to go teach me things beyond her class. into the medical field. Mrs. Kovacs is She put in more effort than most, a kind, dedicated teacher who goes so she was my favorite. above and beyond for her students. I looked forward to her class every day. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? What song would you have the It’s always somebody’s birthday, so choir sing at graduation? “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack probably “Happy Birthday.” What advice would you give to your freshman self? Take COA classes earlier to cheat your GPA.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? To not be afraid to be the most authentic version of myself. I was scared to speak what was on my mind, and I worried too much about the opinions of others.

Jordan Daniels

Ava O’Neill

What are your future plans? I’m attending Western Carolina and majoring in psychology. I plan on getting my master’s and becoming a licensed mental health counselor for elementary and middle school children.

What are your future plans? I will be attending ECU’s Honors College and nursing program to receive my bachelor’s in nursing. I will then earn my Master of Science in nursing. My goal is to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Any theater memory that involves the booth during “Clue.”

What is your favorite memory from high school? Winning a state championship for soccer my freshman year.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? My grades and overall work ethic. I didn’t do as well as I normally do or wanted to do because of remote learning.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not scoring during the last playoff game of my soccer career and not having the opportunity to win another state championship.

Who was your best teacher ever? I’d say it’s tied between Ms. Deal, Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. McClary. They’re all such wonderful teachers who do a fantastic job at letting their students be creative in any way, not to mention how supportive they all are.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mr. Dewitt, because he truly takes the time to thoroughly explain complex topics. He also went above and beyond the requirement for teaching this year to best prepare his students for exams.

What song would you pick for What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? the choir to sing at graduation? “Hand of God (Outro)” by Jon Bellion “Knock Knock” by Mac Miller What advice would you give to your freshman self? There will be times during the next couple of years that seem impossible to get through, but those things will pass and seem insignificant later on.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? PLEASE don’t wait until the last minute to do lab reports! You will be up until 4 a.m. sobbing over thermodynamics for no reason.

See you in five or 10 years, old friends! Or ... maybe not

By Joey Krieg Staff Writer

chool friends are the ones you chat with throughout your lengthy school day to help with your incurable case of boredom. The friends you spend time with throughout your memorable high school years, but only in school. Now imagine yourself 20 years later, seeing all your math and science buddies once again in your hometown. Doesn’t that sound like fun? On paper, high school reunions seem like an exciting time. Usually every five or 10 years, members of a graduating class will come back during homecoming week to visit with their former classmates. With social media, it seems like it would be easy to gather up graduates, but in reality, people are having a hard time making themselves drive or fly home to see their old friends. Art teacher Alice Baldwin gradu-

ated from First Flight in 2008, and her class attempted to have its 10-year reunion at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in 2018. “It didn’t quite work out to be a full-fledged reunion,” Baldwin said. “It was about 25 people, max.” Reunions are organized by members of the graduating class and don’t have anything to do with the school faculty, so it’s not up to teachers or counselors to set it up. At many schools, class presidents are typically in charge of arranging the reunions. But the fault cannot fall upon the class presidents alone, as setting up the perfect reunion is easier said than done. It can be quite difficult to find a venue that is right, and having the Outer Banks as the location can make finding a venue ever trickier when competing for hotel space with the wedding industry and other special events. Considering FFHS opened in 2004, there haven’t been any big milestone

reunions yet like a 20th or 25th. But art teacher Jenna Saunders, part of the Class of 1999 at Manteo High School with its long history, also has seen the failed reunion scenario firsthand. “They had a large Facebook group for our reunion,” Saunders said. “I thought a lot more people were going to come based on the Facebook group. Our class had at least 300 people in it, but only 40 people showed up.” In a perfect world, the entire class would buy plane tickets or fill up the car and come back home for the weekend. But reunions just aren’t what they are made out to be in pop culture. “I think that when class reunions were going strong, it’s because people moved back home when they got out of college,” English teacher Joel Mount said. “Since it’s more common to move out of the area, it’s less prevalent now.” Mount graduated in 2005 from Lake Region High School in Florida and has never gone to a reunion. After school,

Mount moved out of state and didn’t keep in touch with his old classmates. Luckily for the Class of 2021, senior class vice president Lydia Surprenant is quite enthusiastic about reunions. “I think it would be so interesting to see how everyone turns out,” Surprenant said. Surprenant can’t wait to have a reunion to help fill the void that high school is about to leave in her life. “I am definitely going to miss the people,” Surprenant said. “I’m sad to be closing this chapter of my life.” At First Flight, the first graduating class will be celebrating its 20-year reunion in a few years, giving Baldwin hope that FFHS might start down a more sentimental path. “I think as the school grows, the community will begin to appreciate coming back and seeing everyone again,” Baldwin said. Junior Joey Krieg can be reached at 22kriegjo52@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Eli Strickland

What are your future plans? Football at Hampden-Sydney College. What is your favorite memory from high school? Going to the girls soccer state game freshman year and getting to watch them win was a crazy experience. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not being at school. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Baz, hands down. She is just the GOAT without trying. History with her is new every day and she is so smart that it’s easy for me to listen to what she has to say. What advice would you give to your freshman self? Don’t mess around with the classes that aren’t weighted. It will kill your GPA and your willpower.

Rebecca McCurdy

Cannon Metcalf

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? attend COA for two years and then Probably gonna go on a mission transfer to a four-year college for trip, then go to college. nursing. What is your favorite memory What is your favorite memofrom high school? Coach Prince’s ry from high school? One of my weight training class playing favorite memories is the pep rallies. volleyball. What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not having a complete senior year. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Kovacs, because she believed that I could push myself to be the best person I could be. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Congratulations” by Post Malone What advice would you give to your freshman self? Work hard and don’t take time for granted because it goes fast.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Probably not playing football my last year of high school. Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Will. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Graduation” by Juice WRLD What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy it while it’s here and hang with friends as much as possible. Don’t take it for granted.

Dylan Seal

Connor Roberts

What are your future plans? To What are your future plans? run my own business. Fire service career. What is your favorite memory from high school? Probably all of the sporting events.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Playing with talented musicians and friends.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? No regrets.

Who was your best teacher ever? Hard question, but I’ll go with Mrs. Grabner just because she was so nice and helpful.

Who was your best teacher ever? Bob Ebert. He treated you not only as a student, but as a friend.

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “We Are Young”

What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? Whatever they’d like.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? Enjoy your time here, because it doesn’t last long.

What advice would you give to your freshman self? It doesn’t last long. Enjoy it.

First Flight’s finest: Seniors answer the call

By Michael Pearson Multimedia Editor

t’s 8 p.m. on a casual Sunday. You begin to wind down in preparation for your Monday morning exam when suddenly the call comes in: There’s a shed fire in Kitty Hawk. You race out the door, making your way down the road, only to discover that this isn’t just any house – it’s your neighbor from down the street. When the call to duty arrives, you never know what to expect. This was all too real for senior Elliott Piland, a volunteer with the Southern Shores Fire Department (SSVFD). “I always have enjoyed mission trips for church and how they impact people so positively,” Piland said. “This gives me a chance to do that every day.” Piland, who has been with the SSVFD for a little over five months, has already seen his fair share of action, responding to nine structure fires along with countless other fire and medical-related emergencies. When leaving the house or hanging around the station, volunteers and paid staff alike never know what to expect next. “We were dispatched to a deck fire and when we got there some 5-year-

Photo by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News

Senior Elliott Piland gears up for action at the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department. A number of students over the years have worked with area departments to serve the community.

olds had put it out with sand and water buckets while one of them had called 911 on their mom’s phone,” Piland said. “It really went to show that all of the times in elementary school you are taught about 911, it really pays off.” The requirements for being a firefighter can be intense, with mental and physical endurance necessary at all times, even when they least expect it. “It’s one of the best feelings to be doing nothing one second and the next

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

you’re running out the door to go help someone on potentially their worst day,” senior Tyler Roberts said. Tyler joined the Colington Volunteer Fire Department two years ago along with his brother, Conner, both under the recommendation of senior Will Roepcke. In light of his senior year ending – along with the impact of COVID-19 – Roepcke made the decision to take a full-time, paid position at CVFD.

“I’m a third-generation firefighter,” Roepcke said. “Being around it my whole life has made me want to be involved as much as possible.” The family mindset was certainly a motivation for Roepcke, as his father, Frank, is the current Deputy Chief at the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department. “I’d say my most memorable experience is doing burns at Buxton burn building,” Roepcke said. “I’ve grown up watching my dad do training evolutions there, so now being able to participate really means a lot to me.” The United States currently has over 1,115,000 active firefighters, with 70% of them being volunteers. Departments are constantly seeking more members, with jobs ranging from administrative duties to support personnel. Regardless of age, there is always a place for everyone. Many departments, including Southern Shores and Colington, have under-18 programs. “There is a job for someone of every age,” Roepcke said. “Volunteers are hard to find, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do for your community.” Junior Michael Pearson can be reached at 22pearsonmi74@daretolearn. org.

Robert Peters

Evan Wienert

What are your future plans? Attending College of Charleston.

What are your future plans? Coast Guard.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Definitely soccer playoffs sophomore year.

What is your favorite memory from high school? Meeting all my friends.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Nothing.

What is your biggest regret about this school year? Not going to school.

Who was your best teacher ever? Mrs. Basilone, because she is the nicest human being ever. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Graduation” by Juice WRLD What advice would you give to your freshman self? Slow down and enjoy the small stuff.

Madison Godsey

What are your future plans? To attend the University of Iowa and pursue a degree in criminology with a double minor in Korean and Japanese Language. What is your favorite memory from high school? Going to Busch Gardens with the band for a competition my sophomore year. Some of my fondest memories were made there.

Who was your best teacher ever? Ms. Sawin, because she’s a homie and I enjoyed hanging out in What is your biggest regret the library with her. about this school year? I don’t really have any. I think, for the way What song would you pick for this year has been, it went very well the choir to sing at graduation? for me. “PIMP” by 50 Cent Who was your best teacher What advice would you give to ever? Mr. Dewitt for BC Calculus. I your freshman self? Confidence. had some struggles in the class and Have it. he inspired me to push through until the end. I will always appreciate the help he provided for me. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas What advice would you give to your freshman self? Participate in more clubs/activities. So many more opportunities could have opened up for me if I hadn’t limited myself to just one activity.

Grace Thompson

Gavran Dodson

What are your future plans? I will be attending Elon University, where I plan to major in English literature and minor in dance. Post-graduation, I plan on getting my master’s in library science and pursuing a career as a librarian. What is your favorite memory from high school? Almost all of my favorite memories of high school have happened while working on theater productions. Some of the funniest memories have happened while in the booth of the auditorium during late-night rehearsals. What is your biggest regret about this school year? That I wasn’t able to have a senior show. Who was your best teacher ever? I could never choose just one but, Ms. Deal, Mrs. Basilone and Ms. Gard are three of the best teachers I’ve ever had. They are all so encouraging and are extremely talented at teaching their designated subjects. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty What advice would you give to your freshman self? If you tell yourself you’re going to do it later, you probably aren’t. Do your work.

What are your future plans? Attend UNC Charlotte’s Computing and Informatics school so I can get a job in software development, game development or cybersecurity. What is your favorite memory from high school? I had a lot of great times and conversations with all of my good friends. They know exactly who they all are. I would love to thank them all for making my time in high school so memorable. What is your biggest regret about this school year? I didn’t have many classes with First Flight this year, so I don’t recall any regrets. Who was your best teacher ever? I had a lot of great teachers, but if I absolutely have to choose I would say Mrs. Basilone. She was always so calm and helpful during her classes, and very transparent about what was required from us. She also helped me out quite a lot during my college applications, so I will be forever grateful for that. What song would you pick for the choir to sing at graduation? “Sweet Victory” by David Glen Eisley, also from that one “SpongeBob” episode What advice would you give to your freshman self? Just relax and take it easy. You might get a lot of work at certain points, but you’ll have friends to help out and plenty of time to spend away from schoolwork.

First-gen college students enjoy major milestone By Christopher Young-Stone Staff Writer

alf of the students attending four-year colleges this fall are first-generation, or “first-gen,” according to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. A “first-gen” college student comes from a family where a biological parent did not complete a four-year degree. This criteria is also used to award Pell Grants to students who otherwise might not have the financial resources to attend a four-year college. “The process for students looking to go to college for the first generation is technically the same as for those whose

families have been college-bound for generations,” FFHS college adviser Thomas Elliott said. “Students respond to the same essay questions and fill out the same financial aid forms.” Just getting to that point of applying, however, can prove much more challenging for first-gen students. “Where the challenges often come in is in the details of the process and the years of preparation that can go into a competitive college application,” Elliott said. “For an older sibling who has been through the process, or for a parent who has filled out the FAFSA for an older sibling, that highly complex process has already been navigated.” One of FFHS’ students in the “firstgen” crowd includes Nevaeh Tucker.

“I applied to eight colleges and will be attending Meredith in the fall,” Tucker said. “My mom attended college, but did not graduate. I wanted to have the college experience and meet many more people while getting a great education!” Katherine Calletano is another firstgen student. She also applied to eight colleges and will be attending Southeastern University in Central Florida. “My mom and dad are my inspiration and motivation to strive and have a more stable life, being something more in life. My mom wishes she could have gone, but where she was growing up, it didn’t seem like an option,” Calletano said. “I have an opportunity they wish they’d gotten, especially since jobs without a college degree are

limited and you struggle a lot financially. Their hope is that I will never have a time in my life where I have to struggle with bills. I appreciate the opportunity they have given me.” With more students than ever attending college, Elliott has been excited to watch students navigate the process for the first time. “We are fortunate to have many great resources here to support them, including the AVID classes, a wonderful school counseling center and career development program, and my role here is to be a dedicated support to all college-bound students,” Elliott said. Sophomore Christopher Young-Stone can be reached at 23youngstoneme42@ daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

College offers dangers of drugs, alcohol for seniors By Cole Tomlin News Editor

very parent’s worst nightmare is having their kids go off to college with a bright future ahead of them, only to be cut short by the consequences of the new and more intense scene of partying in college. This nightmare is all too real for some families, as two students recently died from party-related incidents in just the past four months. Freshman Adam Oakes, a student at Virginia Commonwealth University, and sophomore Stone Folz, a student at Bowling Green University in Ohio, both died from drinking too much alcohol in what their families have called hazing incidents at fraternity-sponsored events. These are not the first two instances of this type of death occurring, and it will most likely not be the last. Many college freshmen decide to join a fraternity or sorority, which can lead to dangerous and sometimes deadly hazing. Since the year 2000, there have been more than 50 hazing-related deaths within Greek life, according to USA Today News. This type of tragedy could happen to anyone – even First Flight alumni. Several recent graduates were interviewed for this story to share some of their experiences, with several requesting anonymity to speak candidly about the things they’ve seen. “One day I was running at night and came up to this person laying half in the street and half on the sidewalk. It was a girl completely out of it, who had no idea where she was or what her name was,” one student recalled. “Her friend ended up running up to me and asking me to help her because her friend was blackout drunk and they needed to go home, but they were under age and didn’t want to call the police to help.” This scene could have easily ended with one of those two girls being hit by a car and making the news for wandering the streets dangerously while intoxicated. Luckily for them, someone who was sober was there to help. First Flight alumnus Parker Sylvia stressed that having friends around who you trust

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

The stereotypical college party scene can be challenging for freshmen to navigate when they leave the safety of friends and familiar surroundings for large college campuses and the freedom that comes with leaving home.

can help keep you safe. “I haven’t been in situations where I have been forced to do drugs or alcohol, but there have been instances where I have been pressured for sure,” Sylvia said. “I just stuck to my morals and tried to lean on the friends that I trust in order to get through the situations in the safest way possible.” This idea is one that resonates with both current and upcoming college students. “My plan on avoiding bad situations at parties will be to not leave my group of friends,” future East Carolina freshman Illiana Jauregui said. The former student who encountered the drunk college students while running said there are big differences between typical high school parties on the beach and what goes on in college. “The main two factors that are different are hard drugs and the lack of people you know,” they said. “Make sure

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

whenever you go out, you are going home with friends you trust who will make sure you get home safe that night. At First Flight, everyone was that person. In college, there are very few.” Another aspect of partying that can be difficult – especially for freshmen – is balancing their rigorous schoolwork with having a good time in college. Oftentimes, students will put off schoolwork during the week because they would rather party, which can lead to assignments piling up and perhaps being too hungover to go to classes the next day. Sylvia’s advice is to remember that you are in college primarily to learn, which many students forget. “Grind out your work during the week and keep the weekends free for what you want to do; that may be partying or it may be some kind of sport or other activity,” Sylvia said. “As long as you

stay focused and mentally and physically healthy, you should be fine.” Many incoming college freshmen aren’t interested in that tip, however, feeling that they have already missed out on so much because of COVID-19. “I am looking forward to living on my own and having more responsibility,” one FFHS senior said. “I can also say that I’m most excited to party every chance I get since COVID-19 took a chunk of my teenage fun away.” This ideology is shared among many upcoming college freshmen, and will likely lead to students being introduced to situations that they have never experienced previously. First Flight students have grown up in a small area with fewer than 60,000 people, compared to a city like Raleigh with nearly 500,000. With more people comes both more opportunities for good things to happen,

as well as bad. Some of the horror stories – like campus deaths related to hazing – make national news, but other party-related issues on campuses don’t get talked about. These scary scenes can be prevalent in universities both large and small, and can often lead to students becoming hooked on the partying lifestyle of college. Because of this, some students end up flunking out or exposing themselves to even greater risks – including death. “I would say to have fun, but remember why you are there and what you have to lose. You don’t need drugs and alcohol to have fun,” Sylvia said. “Once you’re of the legal age, feel free to have a drink with some friends, but make sure you keep your head on straight and focus on the task at hand – school.” Senior Cole Tomlin can be reached at 21tomlinco11@ daretolearn.org.

Members of the Class of 2021 Florida

Louisiana College of the Florida Keys

Virginia ECPI University (Va. Beach) Garrett Sadler

Loyola University at New Orleans

Zane Travis

Ingris Jiminez

Eastern Florida State Mason Rubendall

Kansas

Ferrum College Miah Britt Kenneth Lokie

University of Kansas Alexa Milne

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Elliott Piland

Flagler College Max Bowlin

Florida Institute of Technology Lexi Franklin Keegan Kubsiak

Hampden-Sydney College Eli Strickland

Mississippi Ole Miss

Old Dominion University

Lauren Montgomery

Haley McFadden

South Carolina

Shenandoah University Shannon Forbes

Clemson University Katherine Schuster

Southeastern University

Virginia Military Institute

Katherine Calletano

University of South Florida at Tampa

Colby Evans

College of Charleston Levi Hawkins Sadie Owens Robert Peters

Paige Leclair

University of South Carolina Cassie Honeycutt

Georgia Augusta University Lillian Scarborough

Work

Illinois Trinity International University Erik Miller

Iowa University of Iowa Madison Godsey

Graphic by Peyton Dickerson, Online Editor-in-Chief Information self-reported to Counseling Center

Ashton Acuna Xiomara Aguilar Lopez Aden Bobrow Satchel Burnette Christopher Case Logan Drysdale Tristan Farkas Devin Frauenfeld Danuela Galdamez Leon Robert George Skyler Graham Caitlin Hayman Jordan Heidler Tyler Heuneman Sarah Hill Krickett Hughes Jacob Hutchins Geroge Laurick

Keiana Lawrence Nicholas Madison Faith Mazik Bailey McCleary Tori McMillin Noe Mejia Elizabeth Miller Chris Pokorny Summer Posey Elmy Reyes Amaya Joe Riddick Conner Roberts Tyler Roberts Jenna Smith Riley Strottman Livia Sumner Jackson Weisgerber Mario Zyka

Gap Year

Richie Davis Leah Fish Casey Hayman Luke Hathaway Cannon Metcalf

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

are ready to take the next step Appalachian State University Alexius Drake Gabi McClary Reagan Miller Sierra Ritchie Halle Wilkinson Jonah Wills Tristan York

Brevard College Cole Tomlin

Cape Fear Community College Maggie Beacham Megan Daniels David Lundy Kendall Tucker

Chowan University

Briana Wilson

College of the Albemarle

Ayla Anlauf Georgia Anlauf Ethan Avery Sean Bedell Sebastian Berruet Halle Blaisdell Ethan Bolac Dylan Booth Tanner Bouker Ionoah Cabrera-Horak Jessica Canning Brandon Ceta Hanah Chavez Ryan Ciero Tamarin Dodge Evan Emory Diana Erazo Dina Escobar Kandy Escobar Ashton Everhart Seve Gomez Logan Grizzard Herman Hall Jodie Hall Zoe Heath Morris William Roepcke Luke Homcy Taylor Sanders Caroline Jenkins William Sanders Emily Kool Skyler Scheel Avery Kovarik Warren Soriano Will Lashley Max Stabley Peter Martin Rebecca McCurdy Jacob Stewart Sean Stultz Matty Miller Breonna Teufel Elijah Nicewonger Laura Van Buren Daniel Novak Liam Walker Kylilah Pegues Robert Williams Liam Pipkin James Yelland Daniel Reath Chancellor Yim Diego Ramirez

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior salute

East Carolina University

Taylor Beasley Jaden Clary Leah Haywood Jaden Howard Illiana Jauregui Ethan Marshall Joshua Miller Lily Mitchell Joshua Naser Ava O’Neill Trent Rodman Tyler Sylvia Harper Weeks John York

UNC Chapel Hill

Grace Hewitt Aliza Snow Jacob Thomas McRae Walker

UNC Charlotte Gavran Dodson Cullen McNinch Jem Myers Zach Perry

UNC Greensboro

Grace Thompson

Aiden Beard Stephanie Dudley Lauren Isbister Ezekiel Silverthorne

Greensboro College

UNC Wilmington

Elon University

Johmar Gonzalez Jared Gwatkin

Greensboro Tech CC Diego Hernandez

Ansel Anderson Ivanna Gonzalez Sanchez Ella Lamm Meghan Lewis Callahan Lutz Ethan Thorn Grace Topping

Louisburg College Jean Murillo

Meredith College Bella Schweitzer Nevaeh Tucker Lydia Surprenant

NASCAR Technical Institute Claudio Chacon Mora

North Carolina State University Acy Davis Cecille Ernst Jaylin Fisher Lexi Foster Ethan Haske Macey Haynes Travis Lawrence Christian Miller Savannah Sawin Jude Sproul Jack Voight Drew Whitehead

Pitt Community College Jacob Askew Evianna Bocks Olivia Guns Samantha Leopardi Emma Midgettl

UNC Asheville Jonathon Davis Wynn Gardner

Wake Tech Community College Michael Albanese Michael DiMatteo Gabe O’Steen Dylan Seal Ben Wasniewski

Western Carolina University Jordan Daniels Peyton Dickerson Logan Hanf Emma Hartnett Aaron Jones Henry Stecher Maddy Wagner Kestral Welch

Military

Noah Card Savannah Quinn Payton Savage Jonathan Schiffer Evan Wienert

Four FFHS staff members earn school, district honors

By Maren Ingram Opinions Editor

principal, a journalism teacher, an Exceptional Children’s assistant and a cafeteria employee – four very different First Flight staff members who experienced one very similar emotion in late April. Surprise. Dare County Schools announced that Chuck Lansing is the district’s Principal of the Year and Lisa Simpson the Nutritionist of the Year, while journalism teacher Steve Hanf was named the FFHS Teacher of the Year and Terry Brown the school’s Classified Employee of the Year. The Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year announcement took place on April 22, but looked a little different this year, as it wasn’t the faculty-wide ceremony that normally takes place in June. Brown, the Classified Employee of the Year, has been working as an EC Assistant at First Flight for three years. “It was a huge surprise, but also a great honor,” Brown said. “It’s so nice to work here at First Flight and to get a recognition like this from administration, so I’m very proud.” Brown can be seen around the school working one-on-one with students who need extra assistance. And although his road to the educational field was long, he explained that working individually with students is especially gratifying. “When I got out of college, I worked in aerospace for 22 years before getting into education, which was my degree originally,” Brown said. “It’s been a whole different ballgame since I began working with children here, but it’s really been great. I just love watching my students progress as the year goes on.” Brown has proven to be an inspiration for many around the school, especially for what he does every day to help students. “What Mr. Brown does with students here is remarkable,” Lansing said. “He builds these strong relation-

ships with his students and I’ve never seen him with anything but a smile on his face and just happy to be here.” Similar to Brown, Hanf also got into education as a second career. After working 13 years as a sportswriter at daily newspapers, he became an English teacher in 2010 and then began teaching high school journalism classes. He’s been the newspaper and yearbook adviser, as well as the Introduction to Publications teacher, at FFHS since 2015. Hanf explained that the way he was presented with his title was what made it truly surprising. “Mr. Lansing planned an elaborate ruse where he had one of my yearbook students, Lydia Surprenant, stage a fake interview for Central Office,” Hanf explained. “Lydia said, ‘This last question is for you, Mr. Hanf: How does it feel to be Teacher of the Year?’ so that moment was just very surprising.” And although this year’s presentation took place in Lansing’s office rather than with all of his colleagues, it was still just as special for Hanf. “They had arranged for my family to be there and surprise me, as well,” Hanf said. “It was fun that they still incorporated my family. It just made it a little more special.” Hanf’s work with Nighthawk News and Shorelines Yearbook students is admirable to many, including Lansing. “Mr. Hanf is our publications guru and he could be deserving of this award year after year,” Lansing said. “He brings his own personal passions (for journalism) and has married them into working with his students each day. He’s just phenomenal.”

Photo by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News (left); Submitted

Classified Employee of the Year Terry Brown (left) visits with a student in the senior lounge. Principal Chuck Lansing celebrates journalism adviser Steve Hanf (above middle) being named Teacher of the Year. Lansing later was named Dare County’s Principal of the Year, while Lisa Simpson (below) earned DCS’ Nutritionist of the Year award.

Simpson, an FFHS School Nutrition Assistant, said her title of Nutritionist of the Year for the district was both a great honor and shock for her. “I was incredibly surprised to be honored as Nutritionist of the Year,” Simpson said. For the past year, Simpson and her team have worked hard daily to ensure that each student has access to healthy meals, even throughout the summer and during at-home, virtual instruction. They continue to provide both breakfast and lunch daily now that students are back in the building, and serve lunches in the front of the school each Friday when students are at home learning virtually. “Ms. Simpson has put on a clinic in terms of providing food and nutrition services for students,” Lansing said. “It’s been really hard to continue to meet students’ needs, and since Ms. Simpson has been the ringleader of all of this, I thought it was awesome that the district recognized her.” Of course, Lansing himself also was awarded a district title – Principal of

the Year for Dare County Schools – in just his third year as an administrator at First Flight. “It was just nice to be recognized by colleagues,” Lansing said. “And especially after such a long and difficult year, it was a very welcome surprise.” Lansing taught eighth-grade math and science at South Charlotte Middle School, where the principal there pushed him very early in his career to try out some leadership positions, and it stuck. “I had a consistent lineage of very strong principals and always admired what they did,” Lansing explained. “I never set out to be a principal initially, but I also never said no to opportunity.” And although this year was difficult for many in the field of education with students shifting from at-home to in-person learning, Lansing expressed how interacting with students in the building continues to be the most satisfying part of what he does every day. “My favorite thing about my job is honestly the students,” Lansing said. “Seeing everyone grow in different directions and to hear everyone come back and talk about their successes is just always so meaningful.” Junior Maren Ingram can be reached at 22ingramma01@daretolearn.org.

Optimism abounds for a normal 2021-22 school year

By Noah Kinnisten Sports Editor

he past two school years have been a real struggle for most everyone, but with students having access to school four days a week and other events like prom and graduation, there is a sense of approaching a light at the end of the tunnel. “I am pretty happy with how this school year ended because we are ending it with a bit of normalcy, like how we actually got to go back to school almost full time and how we’re getting a prom,” junior Emily Byrum said.

That has students getting excited about next year. “I hope next year, COVID is basically gone and we don’t have to wear masks anymore, because it has been getting really annoying,” sophomore Cadence Darden says. Added Byrum: “I am excited for next year because it will be my last year in high school and I am excited to see how it turns out, and hopefully getting to do more normal high school activities like pep rallies, homecoming and getting to go to sports games.” Sports already have gotten back to almost normal this spring with the NC High School Athletic Association allow-

ing outdoor sports to be played without masks. Capacity limits for fans also have been lifted, which leads many to believe that sports are going to be completely normal by next school year’s fall season. “We are hoping to be back to a much more normal sports season beginning in the fall,” Athletic Director Chad Williams said. “Fall sports schedules are being made with the ‘normal’ amount of games scheduled and we believe that fans will be allowed at full capacity.” Even with all of this to look forward to, there is still some uncertainty on what the next school year will look like until the Dare County Board of Educa-

tion meets to finalize back-to-school plans at its summer meetings. “I am not able to predict how the requirements will change for next school year,” DCS Director of Communications Keith Parker said. “This also applies to the possibility of a remote option for next year.” Despite the uncertainties, students are eager for this year to come to a close and eager to welcome the expected changes for 2021-22 with open arms. “I’m hoping to get as back to normal as we can because I miss all the activities we used to do,” Byrum said. Junior Noah Kinnisten can be reached at 22kinnistenno93@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

New block schedule gets a makeover for added flexibility

By Lily Snow Staff Writer

hile a million things have been different this year than in years past, one question that lingers is which of those changes will remain after this year of pandemic schooling is over? One change that will remain in place is the schedule at First Flight High School. Before the pandemic, students took a five-block schedule with three 55-minute yearlong classes and two 90-minute semester classes. This school year, students shifted to a 4x4 block, taking four 90-minute semester classes in the fall and four different classes in the spring. For the 2021-22 academic year, the schedule will keep those four 90-minute classes, but also include some yearlong classes on an A-Day/B-Day schedule where students could take a few yearlong classes every other day. “Some classes are better taught if the information can be digested over the course of a full year. These

include APs, foreign languages, and many others,” Principal Chuck Lansing said. “So if you take one of these courses, you would just go every other day for the whole year and you would have a different class, preferably an elective based on your interests, to balance that class.” The schedule change decision was made for a few reasons, Lansing explained, in part based on the success of the 4x4 schedule used this year and also to make it more consistent with what schools in North Carolina and other states use. Lansing thinks this schedule change will be good for students. “All of the flexibility will allow students to take more of the classes that they are choosing to take,” he said. Counselor Beth Garrett agreed: “I think this new schedule will allow for a lot more flexibility so that students will have access to more classes that align with their interests, strengths and post-secondary goals.” Garrett recognizes, however, that there could be drawbacks to changing the schedule again. “This will be the third schedule change in the

same amount of years for some of our students, but I think that people will adapt quickly to the new routine,” Garrett said. Despite possible downsides, sophomore Johnathan Rawls is excited for the change. “I like that you have more choice in semester vs. yearlong classes,” Rawls said. “Before, you had to have a set amount of semester and yearlong classes, but now it’s more open-ended.” Students signed up for next year’s classes in March and met with guidance counselors to solidify their plans and make sure they had all the core and elective classes they requested. Counselors will work throughout the summer to put together a master schedule to welcome teachers and students back into the building on Aug. 23. “Change is good, but transition is hard!” Lansing said. “I think once everyone gets into school next year, they will really enjoy the variety you get out of it along with only balancing four classes daily instead of five.” Sophomore Lily Snow can be reached at 23snowsi24@daretolearn.org.

Mass vaccine clinics bring Dare closer to normal life By Emma Braithwaite Staff Writer

ass vaccine clinic. Two years ago, no one would have ever imagined that those three words would be used together in a sentence. Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those words are all too common – and in many cases, eagerly anticipated. When the COVID-19 pandemic first started causing lockdowns in March 2020, the race to create a safe and effective vaccine began. Currently, three vaccines are approved for use in the United States, with the Pfizer-BioNTech version approved in mid-May for ages 12 and older. That led Dare County Schools to announce that the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services would be hosting a vaccine clinic for individuals 12 and older on Friday, May 21, to get the first of the two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. “I am very happy the age got lowered,” freshman Hailey Stanley said. “I was sad when I found out you had to be 16 because I really want the vaccine.” Younger students who were previously unable to get the vaccine want to feel safer in public during the pandemic. The vaccine will become their safety net as they work, travel and interact with friends, families and tourists all summer. “The vaccine will make me feel a lot safer,” freshman Katie Bryson said. “I won’t feel as anxious when the mask comes off around other people, distanced or not.” In order to get vaccines administered quickly and to as many people as possible, mass vaccine clinics have beNIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

come a major asset to help combat the pandemic. Mass vaccine clinics have been held in locations around Dare County such as the Parks and Recreation Center in Kill Devil Hills and the First Flight High School gym. When you arrive for your appointment at the mass vaccine clinic, you sign in, fill out some paperwork and get a number. When your number is called, you go to a table with a healthcare worker and they ask you some questions. Then, they give you your vaccine and just like that, you’re done. After receiving the vaccine, you have to sit for 15 minutes in the socially distanced waiting area. If you have no immediate side effects during this time, you can leave. This system has led to the quick and efficient full vaccinations of 16,253 people in Dare County and 15,915 partial vaccinations, as of May 8. School nurse Robyn Dozier is one of the many people who have made these mass vaccine clinics possible. “They are a joint effort between the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, Dare County Emergency Management and Dare County EMS,” Dozier explained. “All these agencies worked together to set up a streamlined process to distribute vaccines.” The clinics in Dare County have had an amazing turnout. As vaccines became more available to the public, the number of people vaccinated at each clinic went from around 300 people per clinic to as many as 1,500 people. “The mass vaccine clinics have been very successful,” Dozier said. “Dare County has been recognized as having the highest vaccination rate in the state.” Dare County has been so efficient

Photo submitted by Shelly Honeycutt

Eighth-grader Kallie Gregg prepares to receive her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the Dare County Health Department’s vaccine clinic. The Pfizer vaccine was just recently approved for ages 12 and older in mid-May.

and successful with its vaccine clinics that Gov. Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, made a trip to the Outer Banks to show their appreciation for the staff of the clinics. Dozier has enjoyed being one of the staff members at the mass vaccine clinics. “It has been a very rewarding experience for me as a nurse to give vaccinations to help decrease the spread of COVID,” Dozier said. Many of the participants have been high school students since the Pfizer vaccine age limit was at 16 until it recently dropped to 12. Sophomore Bella Sarbora is one of many teenagers in Dare County to receive both doses of the vaccine. She received her first dose on March 22 and her second on April 12. “I am glad I got the vaccine,” Sarbora

said. “I can now comfortably go out in public without having to worry about bringing (COVID-19) to my family.” Teenagers on the Outer Banks got their vaccines for different reasons. Sophomore Emma Gibbons, for example, got the vaccine to stay safe during summer travel. “I am traveling out of the country to Switzerland this summer,” Gibbons explained. “I need (the vaccine) or a negative test to travel so I just got the shot in case I need it for future things.” The vaccinations of thousands of people in Dare County, adults and teenagers alike, is bringing the community one step closer to life before the pandemic. “I plan on getting the vaccine,” Stanley said. “I am keeping myself and others safe by getting it.” Sophomore Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@ daretolearn.org.

Summer events returning after cancelations in 2020

By Emmy Benton Staff Writer

any events and activities were canceled or postponed last year due to COVID-19, but this year, as more people are being vaccinated and the curve seems to be flattening, there is hope on the horizon for summer events. Lee Nettles, the Executive Director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, is excited for people to be able to experience these events and is hopeful that it will give them some sense of normalcy. “I think it’s another step towards getting things back to normal. The events and people coming together is a fun thing to do and something we haven’t been able to do,” Nettles said. “We’re social by nature, so having people be able to reconnect is important for society and it’s something we do well on the Outer Banks.” There are many events planned for this summer that are coming back after being canceled in 2020. With Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to ease restrictions, more events are able to be planned and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Nettles thinks that because of the record number of people visiting the Outer Banks already this year, there is an even higher demand for getting back to doing the events that people love. “The best way to get back to what we’re used to is to provide a safe environment, so we have to continue being responsible and following instructions,” Nettles said. To find out details about even more events happening this summer, visit www.outerbanks.org/events, but in the meantime, here is a sampling of just some of the events people can look forward to this year: One exciting event that will be coming back in 2021 is The Lost Colony drama on Roanoke Island. The company is in its 84th season and is planning to have opening night on May 28 and run through Aug. 21. The show starts at 8:30 p.m. and is held Monday through Saturday. Another event happening in Manteo is the reopening of the Downtown Market, which is an outdoor event being held at the Manteo Waterfront. It will be held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, running from May 15 until Sept. 18. “We are spacing the booth spaces further apart to meet social distancing requirements and will have hand-sanitizing stations available during the market,” program manager Michele Bunce said. Masks will also be required for entry. There won’t

be any sampling of food or drink items because of the pandemic, but fresh produce and baked goods will still be available for purchase, along with local arts and crafts. The town is also waiving vendor fees in an effort to encourage more small businesses to participate. Similarly, the Dowdy Park Farmers Market in Nags Head is planning to open every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting on May 27 and ending on Sept. 9. Fresh produce, baked goods and handmade arts and crafts will be available for sale. Sophomore Tatum Dermatas has been to the Dowdy Park Farmers Market before and has many things she loves about it. “I love the uniqueness of it. You can go there and find stuff you couldn’t find online because it’s all handmade and there’s a huge range of what they have there, from good food to really cool jewelry and art,” Dermatas said. In Ocracoke, the Ocrafolk Festival will be held June 4-6. The event will operate at half capacity to ensure COVID-19 protocols are followed as musicians, storytellers and artisans come together for the weekend. It will be held outdoors at Berkley Manor and the properties neighboring it. The festival will be divided into four-hour performance blocks with reserved ticketed seating to restrict the number of audience members. Face masks will be required for attendance and for the visiting of booths and workshop stage areas. In Duck, officials decided to cancel the annual Fourth of July Parade and Community Celebration in the interest of keeping residents and visitors safe, so in its place is a Fourth of July Window and Display Contest, running from June 14 to July 9. Visitors will be able to walk around Duck, look at the displays that businesses have made and then vote for their favorites. Looking forward to fireworks on the Fourth of July? The Outer Banks has four displays this year to suit everyone: Fireworks are scheduled to be set off at Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Nags Head Fishing Pier from 9:25 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the Manteo Waterfront at 9:30 p.m. Sophomore Rylee Young usually watches the fireworks at Avalon Pier and has fond memories of it. “I think my favorite thing is listening to the people go ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh,’ ” Young said. “As a child, watching people and hearing people’s reactions to each and every firework and how they are different was always my favorite.” The Whalehead Club in Corolla will have their Independence Day Celebration from noon to 9 p.m. on July 5. It will be held at Historic Corolla Park and will

Photo submitted by Rylee Young

Sophomore Rylee Young watches the fireworks display at Avalon Pier. The fireworks display every 4th of July is something that is beloved by both locals and visitors alike.

feature free live music, games and food vendors. The games, cornhole tournament and watermelon eating contest will begin around noon and the live music will start around 5 p.m. After the fun, visitors can grab a spot on the lawn to catch the fireworks show over the Currituck Sound, starting at sunset. Another event that will keep visitors looking skyward is the 43rd Annual Wright Kite Festival at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills on July 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch kites fly high in the air and experience the history of the Wright Brothers while walking around the museum. The 15th Annual Outer Banks Watermelon Festival, held at the crossing between Jockey’s Ridge State Park and Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head, is returning after being canceled in 2020. It is planned for Aug. 5, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. There will be activities for the whole family and the children can enjoy games, face-painting, arts and crafts and an inflatable waterslide. There will also be food and competitions for people to participate in. Also happening is the Outer Banks Pirate Festival that’s coming back this year. It will be held on Aug. 11-12 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Kitty Hawk Kites next to Jockey’s Ridge. There will be activities for everyone to enjoy, but especially for kids. Photo ops with mermaids, fun games, activities and a pirate encampment are just some of the exciting events planned. “I think that people are just eager to get outside and reconnect, but of course it’s got to be safe,” Nettles said. “So we’ll get there. I think it’s going to be a busy year.” Sophomore Emmy Benton can be reached at 23bentonem58@daretolearn.org.

Superstar students are key parts

By Kate Hamilton Social Media Editor

he kitchen is backed up with orders, the phone is ringing off the hook, and the customers are becoming impatient. Management is running around trying to put out fires as you struggle to catch your breath while trying to keep the place from completely falling apart. This could be a glimpse of what this summer is going to look like as local shops and restaurants brace for a record number of visitors coming to the Outer Banks. Along with the expected surge in tourists, there is an absence of international students because of Photo submitted by Kestral Welch the pandemic and a crisis in affordable housing Senior Kestral Welch enjoys a quick break after a shift at The SaltBox that is preventing people from moving to the area. Cafe. Like many students, Welch will juggle two jobs this summer. “Local businesses are in need of more help than

ever on the Outer Banks because of lack of housing,” said Megan Lambert, owner of Booty Treats Ice Cream and Shaved Ice. That’s where students are stepping in. Businesses in search of seasonal help are relying heavily on local high school students to meet their staffing needs. “Booty Treats mainly hires students for staff because students typically live with their families and are less affected by the housing crisis,” Lambert said. “We are so fortunate to have the students we do.” Businesses are looking for eager and hard-working students who are reliable, and senior Kestral Welch is one of these students. “I work at The SaltBox Cafe and the Whalebone Surf Shop,” Welch said. “I work two jobs because I’m saving up for college and I have a pretty high car payment.”

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Stevens logs off from long career teaching computer science

By Maura Trivette Staff Writer

rom almost the very beginning of First Flight High School, there has been a computer science teacher who has led students into the future of a constantly changing technological world. After teaching for 29 years, including 16 at First Flight, Nancy Stevens – teacher of AP Computer Science and Principles, Python Programming, and Introduction to Computer Science – is retiring. “Don’t get me started; I don’t want to hear it,” sophomore Nick Miller, one of Stevens’ students, said of her retirement. Although Stevens’ announcement has caused sad reactions, that didn’t get in the way of this year being one of her most challenging and exciting years in the classroom yet. In the last week of April, Stevens and four of her Intro to Computer Science students took part in a coding competition against other teams in a test of computer security skill. This group of four students – Miller and fellow sophomores Ty Castaneda, Delaney Hanf and Trevor Schweitzer – competed in a Capture the Flag competition. “Capture the Flag is a race to see who can complete the most challenges to get the most points,” Hanf said. “Each challenge is scored differently, so if you complete a really hard one, you get 50 points, and if you complete an easy one, you get five.” Stevens had always wanted to do Capture the Flag with her students but never had the chance until Dell, the computer company, made it free. For the students on her team, this was their first year of coding, but by working together they ended up placing fourth in the national competition. “I think there were 148 teams, and these kids had never done this before,” Stevens said. “So that’s a real credit to the kinds of kids that they are. It was all

on them; they did it all by themselves.” Casteneda added: “It was a pretty good experience, especially for beginners. It really taught you the introduction to these competitions and this kind of problem solving. And I’d absolutely be interested in doing more competitions.” The students were glad they went as a team and could work together because the competition could be challenging at times. “We worked as a team and it was really nice because we were all good at different things,” Hanf said. “Ty was good at going into the deep computer stuff. He even stayed up until 3 a.m. because he’s a madman. And Nick and I were good at figuring out some of the puzzles in cryptography.” Beginning with her first year at Manteo High School, Stevens taught programming and later coding. But with all the new technology being developed, it’s been hard for school systems to keep up. Some schools previously decided that students no longer needed to know how to program as long as they knew how to use the software. But programming is a step anyone working with computers shouldn’t skip, Stevens said. “This whole time, kids should have been learning how to program,” Stevens said. “So I feel like we’ve gone back to something essential early on.” Stevens didn’t even mean to get into the teaching of coding classes. Initially, she used the Hour of Code activity as a trial run and her students asked for more. “When the Hour of Code first started online, I used that activity with my students and they told me they wanted to do it again, that that’s what they wanted to know about computers,” Stevens said. “They wanted to understand programing.” Stevens later went to a professional development conference so she could start teaching the AP Computer Science course. Ironically, Stevens took

Photo by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News

Nancy Stevens works with sophomore Riley Froehlich in one of her computer science classes. Stevens is retiring at the end of the school year after 29 years in the classroom.

computer science in college and didn’t really enjoy it, but ended up loving teaching it. “I think that every student should take at least one computer science course,” Stevens said. Hanf agreed: And after this Intro course, she’s taking a second, having signed up for AP Computer Science next year. “It’s just really interesting, and seemed like it’d be a useful skill to have,” Hanf said. The only problem is that Stevens won’t be in the classroom. “I’m very sad,” Castaneda said. “I’m gonna miss her, especially since I wanted to take more classes with her, but I still plan to take AP and Python.” Added Schweitzer: “It’s really unfortunate because I’m taking AP Computer Science next year. I’m taking it because she was going to teach it.” Still, future students may learn a few new things from Stevens. Her career isn’t ending here. Stevens plans

to continue working with a non-profit that does a cybersecurity curriculum and education program. Following the recent gas shortage after the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, cybersecurity – technology designed to protect networks from attacks – is an important skill Stevens would love to see more students learn about. “One thing I would like to see at First Flight is a cybersecurity course to get started. Our personal data, our personal security at times, everything about us is right here,” Stevens said of the computers and smartphones in the room. The devices look a lot different from the start of her career, but the importance of learning how they work remains the same. “You know life’s always changing,” Stevens said. “Technology just kind of speeds it up.” Sophomore Maura Trivette can be reached at 23trivettema00@daretolearn. org.

of the OBX workforce this season Working two jobs on the Outer Banks is not unheard of. Many students work multiple jobs during the summer, as it not only helps them save money but also gives them the ability to learn different and useful skills. “I’ve learned a lot from working at Kill Devil Grill and Booty Treats,” sophomore Justin Hill said. “I’ve learned how important it is to always be willing to learn new things, what to say in certain situations and overall just how to be more happy and polite to other people.” Many students prove to be diligent and capable of working very hard. Some have even shown incredible leadership and problem-solving skills, which has led them to great opportunities. Junior Virginia Godley has worked at Island Smoothie in Corolla for three years now and will soon become the manager at a new location in Duck. She is excited about this different opporNIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

tunity, but is worried about the summer season ahead. “I think it will be great business-wise, but we are still trying to find more staff, which is difficult,” Godley said. “We are hoping that some kids that stay here in the summer will work for us.” The pandemic and the housing crisis are bringing a set of unique challenges to Outer Banks businesses. As businesses are advertising their summer positions, local students have plenty of work opportunities with competitive pay. Now, more students than ever are going to be a driving force of the OBX economy as the tourism industry depends and relies on them. “If you walk into any restaurant or surf shop on the beach, I bet there is at least one teen working Photo submitted by Kate Hamilton there,” Welch said. Junior Kate Hamilton (front) and senior Nevaeh Tucker prepare Junior Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22Hamil- shaved ice at their job at Booty Treats. Many students are getting out of school just in time to spend endless hours working this summer. tonKa86@daretolearn.org.

Librarian Susan Sawin adds a few more books to her collection

By Noelani Santana Staff Writer

ome people dream of owning their own business, fantasizing from a young age about being able to one day perk up when they hear the door chime, eager to help customers. First Flight Media Specialist Susan Sawin never thought owning her own business was in the cards, but she is now the proud owner of three local bookstores. Sawin’s path to becoming a librarian and owning her own bookstores started with her initial involvement in the school environment. “When my family lived north of Raleigh, I would volunteer at my children’s preschool,” Sawin said. “I think that made me realize my love for the school atmosphere.” While Sawin originally had her doubts about teaching, she later returned to her roots on the Outer Banks and got encouragement from Kitty Hawk Elementary School librarian Ellen Bryson. “She really encouraged me to go to library school. Ellen thought I would do well in a school setting. She really was a mentor for me,” Sawin said with a smile. Sawin was active at First Flight while her children attended the school, and she was working with the PTO while getting her masters degree in Library Science. Word had traveled that she was in library school and Sawin was then offered the librarian position by First Flight’s principal at the time. “As it turns out, it is a really, really great job for me. This is a great place to be because I get the joy that every educator has from watching people ‘get it,’ ” Sawin said. “I get to watch students get to the point where windows open and they make connections, and I can do it all around books. I have been a huge reader since I was in second grade, so it all fell together.” Thanks to the school calendar, Sawin found herself idle in the summers and asked her friend, Jamie Anderson, for a job. Anderson owns Downtown Books in Manteo. Sawin loved the work experience, but the commute was too far. She later got a job at Island Bookstore in Kitty Hawk. “When I returned to Island Books last spring, it became clear the owner had been suffering with some health problems,” Sawin said. After communicating with the owner’s family and figuring out logistics, they decided to sell all three bookstores to Sawin. In addition to the Kitty Hawk shop, Island also can be found in Corolla and Duck. “It was a really long process of convincing myself

Photo submitted by Susan Sawin

First Flight Media Center Specialist Susan Sawin shares a fun moment with Bill Rickman in the Kitty Hawk location of Island Bookstore. Sawin has purchased the three bookstores in Kitty Hawk, Duck and Corolla.

I could handle it financially, and then about January of this year everything began to snowball and here we are,” Sawin said with a laugh. Her excitement for the future is genuine and contagious. “Other than a book, what I want people to take with them when leaving my store is definitely a desire to come back,” Sawin said. “The atmosphere in each bookstore is really cool. Each one has a different flavor, kind of a different personality.” This summer will allow Sawin to settle into her ownership role before juggling the responsibilities of running the shops as well as serving as the FFHS media coordinator when school resumes in August. “I am most excited about having something to do

in my retirement that will keep stimulating me and cause me to grow,” Sawin added. Sawin is admired and respected in and out of the school building. Senior McRae Walker knows Sawin from working as a technical assistant at the school’s library and operating alongside her at Island Bookstore. “I think Ms. Sawin will bring a lot of good management skills with her to Island Books from the library at First Flight,” Walker said. “The sheer quantity she has dealt with along with her experience makes her more fit for this job than pretty much anyone else who has worked here.” Sophomore Noelani Santana can be reached at 23santanano33@daretolearn.org.

Consumers weigh pros and cons of fast fashion

By Allie Nigro Staff Writer

heap, fast, trendy and profitable. This is how you would describe the more recent craze spreading throughout social media and the fashion industry. Fast fashion may seem like a brilliant idea at first, but there’s a lot more to your $3 crop top than you may think. “Fast fashion” is a term used to describe a business that uses a model in which trendy, high-fashion products are produced in mass numbers during a short amount of time and at very low costs. These products can be extremely cheap and low-quality due to the mate-

rials being used, yet all of these factors make the “fast fashion” industry highly profitable. Thousands of people, including First Flight students and staff members, have bought from fast fashion companies such as Shein or Romwe – the main appeal being cheap prices for super trendy clothes. Compared to many other popular clothing stores, fast fashion companies have unbeatable prices and are constantly coming out with new pieces. “Since the items on Romwe change so frequently, I’m constantly on there adding more things to my cart, trying to find new items to add to my wardrobe,” junior Hannah Montgomery said.

Though fast fashion seems like a good deal, there are many concerns about these companies when it comes to labor and environmental impacts. Since clothes are constantly going in and out of style and are so low-cost, people are much more likely to dispose of them within a short amount of time. “It’s really harmful towards the environment due to the amount of production it takes to make large amounts of clothes and constantly keep up with trends to attract consumers,” Montgomery said. Labor conditions for people working for fast fashion companies have also been a rising concern. In many nations where these companies are

based, labor conditions are extremely poor, and forced labor has been tied to the fast fashion industry on multiple occasions. “I think fast fashion is tough on the people who have to make the clothes and work super fast so that people can buy the things they made for so little money,” junior Liz Clagett said. “Chances of there being young kids being put to work for these fast industries are more than likely.” Now that more and more attention is being put on the problems fast fashion is creating, students have found alternative ways to shop for cute clothes on the cheap. Many have found that local businesses and small clothing

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

COVID leads to monumental changes in prom plans

By Colin Tran Staff Writer

s the night of prom crept closer and closer, students could be seen grinning from ear to ear in excitement for what was to come. From a year that’s been anything but normal, prom was one of the first events that was able to take place – but with a twist. For the first time in First Flight history, prom took place at the Wright Brothers Memorial, an outside venue. Head of the prom committee, Lauren Deal, has spent months making this night possible. “I always want to do the best possible job with prom, and since this year’s seniors lost their junior prom, I’m even more adamant about creating as perfect a prom as possible,” Deal said. “I just want to see if I can bring my vision to life and hope it will look as beautiful in reality as it does in my head. Even though the prom committee is very small this year, we have some gorgeous decoration plans and I think the monument will make a perfect backdrop.” Juggling a new venue, COVID regulations and not having all students in-person made this year’s prom a huge challenge to plan. Throughout the many obstacles Deal had to face, she was able to make this night as memorable as it could be. “I would be lying if I pretended prom isn’t usually stressful, but it’s been extra stressful this year between the challenges of the new venue and the obstacles with this year’s schedule. With students both online and in-person, it’s been tough just figuring out when and how to sell tickets,” Deal said. “I just try to keep reminding myself how much I love seeing my students all dressed up and having fun, and that keeps me going.” The prom committee decided on this year’s theme to be a masquerade ball, as masks would be fitting for COVID regulations and the masquerade theme. “Almost every year, the prom committee suggests a masquerade theme, but it always gets shot down because they wouldn’t be allowed to wear traditional-style eye masks,” Deal said. “Since we have to wear masks at prom anyway this year, it seemed like a fun way to do it!” With the goal in mind to make prom the best it could be, Deal reminisced on her senior prom – and hopes she made students feel as extraordinary as she did on her big night. “At my senior prom, I just remember feeling pride and amazement that I’d reached this milestone and, even if I wasn’t there with someone I was dating, I felt beautiful and special for the night,” Deal said. “It

Photo submitted by Mya Salch

Junior Mya Salch shows off her prom dress for this year. Many students spent lots of time preparing for the unique outdoor prom held at the Wright Brothers Memorial on Saturday, May 22.

wasn’t the best night of my high school experience, but it was a night to feel special, and that is always my hope for students on prom night.” A huge part of prom isn’t just the event itself, of course, but the preparation leading up to it. Students drive from store to store in search of the perfect dress or suit to help them feel special and radiant for the night. “Dress shopping was fairly easy for me, I tried on three dresses before I found the one I fell in love with,” senior Maddy Wagner said. “I was excited and nervous to go dress shopping because I’m not a huge shopping or dress person but I was excited about the new experience.” Although it’s smooth sailing for many when it comes to finding a dress, some go in with a plan and end up with something different from what they had saved in their camera roll. “I went into the dress shopping process with a

clothing companies boutiques are great places to shop. “Some better options are small and local businesses that spend a lot of time and effort into making their products,” said senior Grace Topping when asked of her favorite alternative to fast fashion. Shopping at thrift stores is also a great way to find unique clothes while allowing pieces to be recycled from someone else’s wardrobe. “I think a better alternative to fast fashion is thrift stores,” Clagett said. “It may be hard to find things that fit or that you like, but the clothes are cheap and usually decent quality. That is where most of my clothes come from.” Thrifting is also a great option

because it is just as affordable as buying from fast fashion companies. Supporting brands that are more sustainable can be more expensive and does not always fit inside a budget, although these pieces will last longer and are not as low-quality. “Pretty much every teenager out there is lazy and broke, and when you combine that with our obsession with clothes, fast fashion is the easiest option,” Montgomery said. “But hopefully now that people are getting very passionate about the fact that fast fashion is so bad, everyone will finally start doing something about it.” Sophomore Allie Nigro can be reached at 23nigroal20@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

type of dress in mind and ended up going with a completely different dress,” senior Lydia Surprenant said. “I was glad to find a dress that I liked because I was over-trying them on and time was running out. I tried on one dress that made me look like a bird and it was not the look at all.” When prom is around the corner, the air fills with creativity, from students decorating the venue, finding formal outfits, and even planning promposals. Promposals are a way for students to ask out their date in a personal and unique way that makes their date feel special even before the night arrives. For senior Jackson Weisgerber, the date he had in mind for his promposal was junior Mia Albright. “Jackson got a poster board and wrote in purple marker, ‘Will you Croc prom with me?’ Then he also got me purple Crocs to go with it. He had wanted to get Crocs and at one point mentioned something about getting matching ones,” Albright said. “I was super surprised because I didn’t think he was going to do anything like this. I thought it was really funny and sweet.” The success Weisgerber had with Crocs shows that promposals come in all shapes and sizes. Some take a different route with flowers, candy or even pizza. Senior Jonah Wills took two things every person loves and put them together – Star Wars and pizza – to make his perfect promposal for his date. “I came up with the idea with my mom. We kinda talked it over and came up with the pun I was gonna use and the pizza idea. I used to work at a pizza place, so I went there and they helped me get the pizza done on short notice,” Wills said. “My inspiration was just knowing Grace (Woerner) liked Star Wars and, well, everyone loves pizza.” After popping the question, both left with a smile on their face – and a box of pizza. With a promposal no one could say no to, Wills was able to make a memory neither will forget. “I did a promposal this year because it was my senior year and also because prom was not guaranteed this year, so I figured I’d make it special since we are having it,” Wills said. “I definitely think more people should do promposals, because prom is a special event and it’s a good opportunity to make your significant other happy and feel special.” After all, if one word could describe prom season and all the traditions that come with it, it would be “special.” It’s the end-of-year event that students are on the edge of their seats for and, after a hectic year, this prom was a monumental affair. Sophomore Colin Tran can be reached at 23tranco16@daretolearn.org.

Senior Grace Topping poses in an outfit from the fast fashion website Shein. Online fast fashion is growing rapidly, but remains controversial as details of the industry’s operations continue to be revealed.

Photo submitted by Grace Topping

Our View: Newspaper seniors leave behind a lasting legacy Nighthawk News Editors-in-Chief: Cassie Honeycutt, Katie MacBride Online Editors-in-Chief: Peyton Dickerson, Kayla Hallac Features Editors: Maggie McNinch, Versailles Dalessio

orking on the senior edier it’s yours or someone else’s. tion is always bittersweet. I’m very thankful for Katie and her work ethic that keeps our whole Everyone is excited to highlight the soon-to-be system moving. She comes in ready each morning, whether it’s on a Google graduates and their achievements, but sad that we get to work with the senior Meet or in-person, with a plan to staff members for the last time. This help each staff writer. It’s admirable how well she juggles all year, we have had some exceptional seniors who have the work that comes with being the main editor and gone above and beyond in helping create exceptional she’s definitely a person to content for our website look up to on the Nightand produce two print hawk News team! editions. They have guided Katie has been such a STAFF positive influence on me us through all of the unexEDITORIAL pected twists and turns of with her amazing leaderthis year and shared their ship, solid writing and kind passion for writing and journalism that attitude. I’ll miss her help in design shines through in their work. and her sweet characteristics. Nighthawk News sophomores and Katie has always pushed everyone juniors shared some of their favorite in the classroom to do their best and memories and time spent with their we have been able to accomplish great senior classmates in this space. things because of this. I have always We are so appreciative of all of the admired her work ethic and her willseniors this year who did such a great ingness to go above and beyond. She job leading the newspaper during a is such a sweet girl with a great future crazy year, especially our EICs Cassie ahead of her and I can’t wait to see and Katie, who were able to keep the what she accomplishes. newspaper going even through online Cassie Honeycutt learning and Google Meets. Cassie is such an inspiration. She is We’ve been able to work with all beautiful, sweet and always knows the of you for about two years now and right thing to make my writing better. you have been able to lead the class through difficult times. Sadly, we didn’t I’ll miss her positive attitude and great critiques. get any trips this year, but we made the Cassie, I’m so lucky and glad to most out of this year as possible. Thank have had you as an editor this year. I you all for the opportunities and we would have been so lost on what to do hope you do well in the next four years with my April story without you. You’re of education! always very understanding and super nice, and I hope you have a great four Katie MacBride years at South Carolina! You are such a dedicated writer and I have always looked up to Cassie. a fantastic editor. From teaching me Cassie is hard-working, kind, fun and the correct use of commas to fixing sila great person to be around. She has ly mistakes, you have certainly helped written amazing stories and has great me grow as a writer. I appreciate all the ideas to make newspaper even better. I hard work you put into writing, wheth-

IN OUR OPINION

Opinions Editors: Crae Walker, Maren Ingram Sports Editors: Jack Voight, Noah Kinnisten Photo Editor: Taylor Newton News Editor: Cole Tomlin Multimedia Editor: Michael Pearson Social Media Editors: Kate Hamilton, Callie Honeycutt Business Manager: Fiona Finchem Staff Writers: Joey Krieg, Dani Alfaro, Mackenzie Edwards, Colin Tran, Emma Braithwaite, Emmy Benton, Daisy Morales, Paulina Goping, Olivia Sugg, Lily Snow, Maura Trivette, Stella Bryson, Allie Nigro, Samuel Smith, Tatum Love, Morgan Deane, Christopher Young-Stone, Audrey Lovell, Noelani Santana Adviser: Steve Hanf

ighthawk News Magazine is published four times a year by the journalism classes at First Flight High School. The publication is distributed free to the FFHS student body, faculty and staff and to First Flight Middle School. Approximately 3,000 copies are distributed in various retail outlets throughout the Outer Banks. The Nighthawk News staff strives to provide informative and accurate coverage of individuals and events within the school and the Dare County community. The opinion pages serve as a forum for the publications staff and community. Views expressed in Nighthawk News do not represent the opinions of the faculty or administration, the Dare County School Board or its administration. Editorials represent the views of the staff; bylined columns are the opinion of the authors. Readers are encouraged to write letters to the editor on matters of concern. Letters may be mailed to FFHS or delivered to Room B-214. They must be signed. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, grammatical errors or libelous content. Reach us by mail at 100 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948, by phone at (252) 449-7000 or by e-mail at hanfst@daretolearn.org. Advertising inquiries can be made by phone or email. Nighthawk News is a member of the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association and the National Scholastic and Southern Interscholastic press associations. Our stories also are published online at NighthawkNews.com. Follow us on Twitter @FFNighthawkNews, Facebook.com/NighthawkNews, Instagram @FFHSNighthawkNews and Snapchat at Nighthawk.News. Sun Coast Press of Venice, Florida, prints our paper.

Hawk Talk: What member of the senior

“I look up to Jaylin Fisher. I admire how in a tough situation, she ﬁnds a way to stay positive and keep smiling. She is really good at looking to the brighter side of things.”

– freshman Lea Styons

“Tristan (York) because he’s like 6-4.”

– freshman Gabe Kelly

“A senior I look up to is Sadie Owens because she is humble and super sweet. She has an amazing personality that lightens up your mood.” – freshman Viviana Molina

“Chancellor Yim: I look up to him because he has a positive attitude all the time and is a great role model when it comes to being an athlete.”

– freshman Layne Szalkiewicz

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Submitted Photos

Nighthawk News seniors (from left) Katie MacBride, Cassie Honeycutt, McRae Walker, Cole Tomlin, Jack Voight and Peyton Dickerson.

will miss her positivity next year. Cassie has an infectious personality that even when you’re on deadline and the pages are not done, you still look forward to spending your fourth period in Newspaper. We are so lucky that she was our EIC and I am going to miss her so much next year. A big hug from your family at Nighthawk News: Thank you for all the hard work you do and for every single edit you have made. You are a great writer and are such an inspiration for people like me who have very little experience writing. I wish you the best as you move on to your next adventure. I have always looked up to Cassie and I admire her dedication to Nighthawk News so much! Cassie is an amazing writer and is always willing to help someone out. Nighthawk News will deﬁnitely not be the same without her! McRae Walker Crae is an incredibly kindhearted and intelligent young man who is far too humble for how talented he is. He is kind to everybody he comes across and is wonderfully passionate about the things he loves, making for a mood-boosting presence whenever he’s around. He puts his all into the things he writes and he makes newspaper class all the better by his being there. Crae has always been the icebreaker of class. No matter how stressed or panicked I was over deadline, ﬁnishing sto-

ries, or just life as a whole, Crae would always be there to help in any way he could. Whether that would be asking about my day, or poking fun at my “Star Wars” preferences, he always made sure I left class happier than when I came in. It’s going to be very different not having him with us next year, but I’m happy to have spent the last two years with him and know he will go on to do great things at Chapel Hill. Crae is a great person to have in the classroom. He is hilarious, gets along with everyone and always has the greatest stories to tell. Crae has a way of making you laugh without even trying. From his broad knowledge of Star Wars to his weirdly good advice, I am so glad I got to spend these last two years with him in my newspaper class. Crae, it’s been so fun being in Newspaper with you these past few years. Thank you for your endless humor and always letting me bounce ideas off of you! You will be missed so much! Crae is the funniest person ever and always makes me laugh. He is so smart and such a great writer, and I have the utmost respect for him. We are all going to miss him and his opinions very much. I’ve known Crae for close to eight years now and we’ve been good friends since I moved to the OBX. I’m deﬁnitely going to miss his weirdness and how he can have a conversation about liter-

ally anything. I know he’ll do great in college and he’s going to go really far. Cole Tomlin Cole is inspirational to me because he also runs track and is very talented. He is a hard worker and is very selﬂess. Cole is a very talented writer and athlete. He tries his best in everything he does and I think that is an amazing quality to have. I know he will accomplish great things. Cole is a great writer and works really hard. He always has awesome ideas and makes people laugh. Thanks for being such a helpful editor and always being quick to provide support and suggestions on stories. You will be missed in the newspaper room! I wish you the best of luck at Brevard! We know you are going to do great things there in the classroom as well as on the football ﬁeld! Jack Voight Jack is a great sports editor and an amazing writer. He has written many great stories and is always willing to help others with their stories. He is a very talented athlete and a great student. He has a great future ahead of him. Jack is very kind and good at including all people. He always makes a point of reaching out to new people for Sports Cards, and when editing he always knows what to say to help you

understand your mistakes. Jack is super nice and a great sports editor and writer. He works hard and writes some really great stories. Thank you for your help with editing sports stories, especially when I was new to writing them. Best of luck with your future endeavors – we will miss you! Peyton Dickerson Peyton is a talented writer who has written some amazing stories. She has a great attitude and really works hard on her stories to make them the best. Peyton is such an amazing writer and it’s been such a pleasure co-authoring stories with her. She is unique in the best way possible. Peyton is great because she will always voice her opinion, whether or not she knows if she’ll get slack for it. Peyton is kind, understanding, and has a heart bigger than she is. Peyton always knows what to say to make you feel better and can edit your story without making you feel dumb. I am really going to miss seeing her in my class next year. Newspaper is much easier because of Peyton because she gives you her honest opinion on anything, which helps a lot when others aren’t showing their opinion as much. She’s a big help when it comes to writing stories. Peyton has good energy and it always helps when she is in the room.

class do you look up to the most?

“Ionoah Horak, because she is really smart and conﬁdent when it comes to speaking up. She makes time for her sister and me, and still manages to do well in school and go to work. I would love to be as responsible and funny as her.” – sophomore Valerie Rubio

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

“Ava O’Neill, because I play soccer with her and she’s a great teammate and a good friend. She’s always looking out for others, too.” – sophomore Ava Norko

“A senior that I look up to would be my sister, Lily. She has been my role model ever since we were little. I have looked up to her for everything that I do.” – junior Jordyn Scarborough

“Tanner Bouker. Since middle school, I’ve seen him as the crazy good soccer player, and over past years I got to know him a lot better outside of soccer. He motivates me to make myself a better player. Tanner went out of his way to get to know the team and, in my opinion, that’s a real captain.” – junior Connor Gross

Point-Counterpoint: Is it better to go in-state or out-of-state? Why not stay in Carolina?

Going away is the perfect next step

he college process is rough. Even with advancements ecision season. It’s that time of the in technology and organization, the average series of year again, when millions of seniors admissions takes a large part of a month. across the country are making their Ease can be paramount in a life transition, both for decision on where to spend the next your mental state and the integrity of your decisions. Attending four years. While it may be an easy choice school close to home can ensure a sense of security, but also be for some, for others it can be much more of a a more effective choice over all. nail-biter to decide. Yes, you should not live your entire life serving the almighty Going far away for dollar, but in all seriousschool is something a ness, student loans are lot of people don’t feel no joke. Even considercomfortable doing, out ing the idea of cheaper of fear of the unknown. out-of-state alternatives, But that is one of the the real perspective main reasons you shouldn’t be about sheer should! A different monetary value, but also environment is someabout the quality of the thing that will bring out product – education. the best in yourself and Spending more money on a better school can make all the make adapting to a lifestyle of living on your sense in the world, especially if your career encourages that own much easier. You will have to figure out course of action; better yet, you may also get a simpler experiwhere things are and what the people are like ence with limited downsides. all on your own, which can be scary at times, But the goal is to shell out the least amount but is something you will need to do in the of cash for the best experience possible, and future. Meeting new people and learning on average that is more obtainable at a closer about a new place will keep you engaged and college than one further away. focused; an experience you may not get if The greatest strength of attending a far off you stay closer to home. place is its variety, but this ignores the fact For some, that schools close to our area are flooded with a new start is charm and differentiation, especially in North necessary, Carolina. as there are Such a large state provides so many plenty of opportunities; not just for in-state tuition, people who but also for diversity and locales. A student want to can experience an entirely new location while still leave behind being relatively close to home in proximity, which whatever happened allows summer jobs, as well as commutes to your over the past few years family and friends, be made at a fraction of the in high school. Choosing a time and effort. college farther away expands your Universities within mere hours of the Outoptions tenfold. er Banks have found themselves established There are so many colleges across in general academics, certain fields and even the country where you can find certain in campus atmosphere. Illustration by majors you are interested in, areas you Savannah Sawin/Special want to explore, and the types of people College serves as a sort of trial run for adult life, and throwing off the shackles of childhood is part of the aland opportunities you think you would feel most mystical “experience” that comes with the golden years. Make comfortable with. Attempting to stay close them count. Your entire life can be spent trying new things, but the to home can severely limit these things and basic building blocks of its stability shouldn’t be put at risk. may cause you to settle somewhere you don’t Especially at this age, security is often mistaken for a lack of necessarily want to go. ambition, but oftentimes the smart decision can be the easiest. As great as this beach is, there is a limit to And the smart decision can set up brilliant experiences for the the opportunities in close vicinity to here, esrest of your life. pecially when it comes to education. Finding Senior McCrae Walker can be reached at 21walkermc92@ the right fit is something everyone should try daretolearn.org. to look for, and opening up the area you are

looking at will only help. Another reason going far away is a good option is that it forces you to adapt to a new environment. I’ve heard of many people who go to a school a little too close to home, and just end up coming back on weekends or visiting schools where high school friends are attending. There is nothing wrong with that, but if you go farther, it will force you to stay on campus and have fun with what you have. Spending a couple of weekends having fun at your new home will go a long way to your overall enjoyment in college. This quote from a college newspaper article explains this perfectly: “You’ll become more sociable, too. The distance from home forces you to make friends with strangers in your classes because you have no one to instantly feel comfortable around. The people on your floor will become your best friends due to them being so close. Being pushed out of your social comfort zone is a learning process, but it’s also a blessing in disguise.” – The Crimson White; The University of Alabama Are there some drawbacks to going far? Of course. The most heavily brought up reason is the cost, which is oftentimes much higher for out-of-state students. This is a fair point, but there are plenty of affordable colleges out of state as well that may be cheaper than some of the more prestigious schools closer to home. And nowadays, many public schools are allowing students to start receiving in-state tuition if they attend the school for more than one year. At the end of the day, cost should not affect your decision on going farther. Chances are you can find a school in the location you want that doesn’t cost too much if you look hard enough. Overall, going farther and changing your environment drastically will go a long way in helping you learn more about yourself, and figuring out important life skills on your own. If you have the opportunity to go somewhere you think you would truly enjoy, take your opportunity and don’t look back. Senior Jack Voight can be reached at 21voightja99@daretolearn.org.

Advancement Via Individual Determination? Sounds fancy,

hroughout the last few years of my life, from middle school to now, I’ve surrounded myself with the same group of people who I met through a program called AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination. In the meantime, I’ve learned to laugh, love and grow with these individuals who I now consider a second family. When I initially joined AVID, which put simply, is a nonprofit college-readiness program intended to help students

become successful, I wouldn’t have pictured it to be like this. I didn’t know I’d be meeting some of my best friends,

working alongside a wonderful educator and acquiring the skills I have now, which will stick with me forever. While AVID teaches students critical skills such as goal-setting, time-management, note-taking, collaboration, critical thinking and organization, it also stresses the importance of building relationships and forming connections with those around us. AVID makes it its mission to provide a welcoming environment to each of its members and to teach students how to adequately

support themselves and others. Surprisingly, many students and parents are aware of AVID, but don’t know what the program actually does, let alone are aware that it’s a college preparatory class that’s offered at more than 2,500 schools across the nation today. It all sounds amazing, but if I’m speaking the truth, AVID also has been an emotional roller coaster – but one I wouldn’t change. From the many college visits, dining

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Test-optional year of SAT and ACT gives hope to well-rounded students

600, 1200, 36, 18 – all numbers that define high schoolers in college admissions testing. But a 900 or 1540 SAT score doesn’t represent me, or any high schooler. Taking the SAT and ACT is a compulsory requirement for every sophomore, junior or senior in preparation for the college application process. The system, however, is broken and unfair. There are better ways to evaluate a high school student than their test scores. Students pressure themselves to study extensively leading up to each exam. The pressure and stress builds up, and when test day finally arrives, tension is high and nerves are worn thin. The experience is horrible. While the SAT and ACT test students’ skills in math, reading and English (plus an additional science section for the ACT), all these tests really do is measure high schoolers’ abilities to take tests and compare them to other students based on standards. They only measure your ability to take a test on that day, at that time, in those particular conditions – whether in a mask, mentally exhausted, or even ill. Why are we being standardized? Why can’t we get good grades in our classes and show leadership in the community instead of being judged on a four-hour exam? It’s ridiculous. I should be out in the real world volunteering or making myself heard as opposed to doing Khan Academy for a test that’s weighted in college admissions more than who I am as a person. The test itself isn’t even a good analysis of what a student has learned in high school. Claude Steele, a professor of social psychology at Stanford University, said in a PBS article that “the SAT measures only about 18%, (an) estimate range from 7 to 25%, of the things that it takes to do well in school.” Beyond the inaccurate measure of knowledge obtained in high school, the SAT measures your score and accuracy based on other people in your school, state and the USA. You could get a different score on one SAT following the one you just took without any increase or decrease in knowledge because of a different set of questions.

Graphic by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

Certain people get nervous in test situations, or just have bad test days, lowering their score. Affluent families may pay for expensive SAT prep programs and tutors, gaining an advantage others may not be able to afford. In the time of COVID-19, over 900 colleges have gone test-optional and 69 have gone test-blind for the next few years. Some predict by the next high school generation, the awful tests will be abolished. Test-blind schools won’t factor in your SAT or ACT score into college admissions. Even after the stress of

taking the test, getting a solid score in the college’s range, they’re keeping college admissions fair in time of a pandemic. This test-blind strategy could influence the type of people who get admitted to prestigious universities, giving less advantage to good test-takers and more advantage to well-rounded people. This is fantastic. It’s more valuable to the school because they’re more focused on the student as an academic whole, and that student’s longer history of academic performance vs. a focus on just one indicator, which could skew the types of people who get into prestigious universities in a good way. Test-optional schools allow you to choose to submit an SAT or ACT score. You have the option to submit your score based on the typical range of scores accepted for each individual university. A good SAT or ACT score

could definitely give you a boost in admissions, making it puzzling how this is fair for students who didn’t have the opportunity to take the test. The test is completely worthless and the system is broken. I should know: I’ve taken the SAT four times and the ACT once. But after studying and stressing so much about it, I can only hope it will give me a leg up on admissions in 2022 for colleges that still consider these scores. My hope is that when future generations are applying to college, the broken system that’s setting standards for an unstandardized population, stressing kids out, and then charging us large sums of money to take the tests is nothing more than a distant, painful memory. High school students are worth much more than a number. Junior Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.

but AVID is simply a family that helps students succeed experiences, long bus rides, field trips, fundraisers, community-led activities, holiday parties, humorous jokes about each other – all that we’ve been through as one big family – it’s made for some of the best years of high school. Throughout all of these experiences, working with the upperclassmen, especially those who are now seniors, we’ve had the opportunity to get to know each other better and create lasting friendships between us. In the same sense, AVID has opened

our eyes to new opportunities and allowed us to learn new things about ourselves and others. If I’ve gained anything from this program, it’s that my peers and I have positively contributed to each other’s lives. I say this because during the time we’ve spent together, we’ve helped each other discover our own strengths and weaknesses while having fun in the process. And although AVID puts emphasis on academic rigor and exceeding high school’s demanding expectations,

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

it makes it a lot easier to enjoy the ride while it lasts. Meanwhile, one of the greatest takeaways from the program is probably the taught value of friends and family. In a world full of expectations and standards that are put on people, it’s not always easy to keep in mind those around us and the importance of maintaining healthy relationships. So many times in our lives, we get caught up in things that distract us from what really matters, which is checking up on people

we love and care about. With that in mind, it’s tragic to think about the reality of us all growing up and the seniors leaving for good – or at least leaving behind this program where it all started. However, with them going their separate ways as they head off for college, they’ll at least have the countless memories to hold onto, which surely won’t fade anytime soon. Junior Versailles Dalessio can be reached at 22dalessiove31@daretolearn. org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Spend the afternoon shopping in Duck and grab a cup of coffee or your next beach read at Duck’s Cottage, located in The Waterfront Shops. Take a stroll on the sound-side boardwalk, then enjoy the sunset while eating a delicious meal at NC Coast Grill & Bar. Don’t forget to order the warm beignets for dessert topped with powdered sugar, chocolate and caramel. There are plenty of fun shops – including more good reads at Island Bookstore and cool treats at OBX Frozen Yogurt – to explore across the street as well at Scarborough Faire.

Make sure to let some air out of your tires and explore the four-wheel-drive beach zone while looking for the wild horses in Corolla. Generations of these horses have been living on our coast since Europeans ﬁrst landed in America in the 1500s, and you can learn more about them at www.corollawildhorses.com. Just remember to keep your distance and don’t feed them – sadly, friendly members of the herd get sick or die each year thanks to interactions with overeager visitors. On your way out, don’t forget to grab a slice of pizza at Corolla Pizza, climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse and explore the historic Whalehead Club as you head back south along the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education is another hidden gem near the lighthouse and Whalehead Club with free admission, some interesting exhibits – and lots of air conditioning on a hot summer day.

Spread design by Taylor Newton, Olivia Sugg and Michael Pearson

Photos by Taylor Newton, Olivia Sugg, Cassie Honeycutt and Maren Ingram

Spend a little time learning some history at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. To get your steps in, climb the monument to see one of the best views of the Outer Banks. Don’t forget to make a reservation at The SaltBox Cafe or pick up your own fresh catches from Billy’s Seafood, both located on Colington Road. The SaltBox is an award-winning restaurant featuring fresh local seafood, and Billy’s has been an Outer Banks institution since its inception in 1971.

Soak up some sun at the beach in Kitty Hawk and take a walk to John’s Drive-In for lunch. John’s is a local favorite and a “beach road classic.” Don’t forget to pick up one of its famous dolphin boats and delicious milkshakes.

Whether you are visiting the Outer Banks for the ﬁrst time because you watched the show on Netﬂix while in quarantine, or you have visited the Outer Banks dozens of times because you enjoy its rich history – or even if you live here – you will not run out of exciting things to do on the OBX. The following activities from Corolla to Ocracoke are local favorites and promise hours of excitement.

Oh the places you’ll go... when you visit the OBX

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

Spend the morning driving south on Cape Hatteras National Seashore and make sure to stop at the Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras lighthouses. For a morning snack – never mind, the treats are so big it’s a full meal – stop at Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe in Buxton and try a famous “Apple Ugly.” You won’t regret it!

Once you make it down the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, take the ferry to Ocracoke Island. Once in Ocracoke, spend the day exploring the small island and supporting local businesses. Grab a hamburger at SMacNally’s Bar & Grill on Silver Lake or pick up some tacos from Eduardo’s Taco Stand for lunch. If you are still around for dinner, make a reservation at the Flying Melon Cafe, then spend the night at the Ocracoke Harbor Inn. Don’t forget to stop for breakfast at Pony Island Restaurant on your way out of town.

Drive a little further and then park your car to explore downtown Manteo and visit many great locally owned businesses. Grab a sandwich at Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop, then head over to Roanoke Island Festival Park to learn some history and explore the Elizabeth II. If you are still looking for a way to learn more about Outer Banks history, head to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and also explore the Elizabethan Gardens. Then, grab tickets to spend the evening watching “The Lost Colony,” the nation’s longest-running outdoor drama that depicts the story of America’s ﬁrst English settlement, which mysteriously disappeared.

While visiting Nags Head, enjoy breakfast at the Nags Head Fishing Pier and catch the sunrise over the ocean – if you get up early enough. Don’t forget to stop at Kitty Hawk Kites, then cross the bypass to explore the enormous sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and ﬂy your new kite. That’s also one of the best sunset spots around. If you are still looking for a way to ﬁll your day in Nags Head, walk out on Jennette’s Pier, then enjoy a meal at Sam and Omie’s, which has been operating on the Outer Banks since 1937.

Head to Pirate’s Cove Marina to take a ﬁshing trip with Crystal Dawn Headboat Fishing Charters and enjoy your afternoon catching ﬁsh in the sound. When you return, grab dinner at Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar and enjoy the view of the marina as charter boats return to unload their catch of the day.

Number one in their hearts, Division I in their sights By Maggie McNinch Features Editor

ccording to an article from Psychology Today, studies show that “after jointly participating in an exciting physical challenge or activity, couples report feeling more satisfied with their relationships.” So basically, couples that sweat together, stay together. This study can be locally expressed in the form of First Flight’s newest “track power couple,” seniors Maddy Wagner and Henry Stecher. For Wagner and Stecher, their tradition of running together – and sweating together – will be kept alive after high school with their commitment to compete at the Division I level for Western Carolina University’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams. Wagner and Stecher have been running together since their freshman year and have now been dating for over a year and a half. Competing on the same running teams year-round allows them to have similar experiences. “It’s fun to be able to share the same ups and downs of being on a team,” Wagner said. “We can push each other and support each other during meets and help each other get through difficult workouts or races.” While after-school practices and meets take up a large portion of this couple’s spare time, they are always able to find space in their busy schedules for some of their other favorite activities, such as going out to eat, watching movies, going on bike rides

Submitted Photo

The latest FFHS track and field ‘power couple’ celebrates on Senior Night at a May meet. Maddy Wagner and Henry Stecher will take their shared passion for running with them to Cullowhee, where both will compete on the Western Carolina University team.

or just hanging out. Wagner and Stecher are also wellknown for their shared talent and love for surfing. They can be found driving down to Hatteras in the summertime

or on weekends, or just heading over to a nearby beach access when the waves are good. They will certainly have to adjust from beach life when they move to the mountains, but they

are looking forward to finding new things to do. “We won’t be able to go surfing, but I think we will replace that with hiking and camping in the North Carolina mountains,” Wagner said. “I think we both want to learn to snowboard, too.” Going to college is a significant life change. Wagner and Stecher will not only have to contend with the major change in location, but they also will have to navigate joining a new team and being a student-athlete at a more demanding level. While competing at a Division I school seems daunting to most, Stecher is looking forward to this new chapter of his life: “I’m definitely excited. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m ready to go for it.” One advantage to Wagner and Stecher being a “power couple” is that there will be at least one familiar face as they join their new team at WCU, lessening some of the stressors of this life-changing transition. “I’ll know someone going there, so I won’t be walking up totally not knowing anyone there,” Stecher said. While many things are changing for this couple, the constants they share are each other, their love of running and their focus on the simple things in life. Wagner said it best: “The little everyday moments I would have to say are my favorites, like catching that perfect sunset together that we weren’t expecting.” Junior Maggie McNinch can be reached at 22mcninchma07@daretolearn.org.

Not your typical classroom: Outer Surf hits the road

By Paulina Goping Staff Writer

alking toward the beach, you can’t miss it: a bright blue bus parked near a beach access, filled with surfboards and art supplies. Though it may not seem like a company building, that’s exactly what it is – Outer Surf’s new classroom and headquarters. Outer Surf is a surf school that focuses on teaching young girls of all levels how to surf, while using other outlets like art, yoga and journaling to empower the girls. Outer Surf owner Bri Young bought the bus as a space for the school to house this expression of art and surf culture on the Outer Banks. “We bought the school bus because we were looking for retail space for the surf school,” Young said. “A lot of the spaces we were interested in fell through or didn’t fit our vision. My husband (Riley Young) actually saw the bus and was like, ‘Hey, let’s get a school bus!’ At first, I said, ‘No, that is way too big of a project.’ But then after thinking about it, it made complete sense to get the school bus and have it as our shop and our meeting space.” Having the bus as a meeting and storage space will be very convenient for Surf Camps and the company in general. The space will also be used to run summer camp activities. “The new bus is going to be used for surf camps as

a space to do art, a classroom to learn about surfing, and a place to hang out and relax when the weather is bad at the beach,” Outer Surf instructor Sophie Benkusky said. “The bus idea is super cool and fun. I think it matches the Outer Surf vibe very well because it is fun and artistic.” Buying the bus is one thing, but renovating it is another. “We are going to completely gut it, take all the seats out of it, and make it a cool hang-out space. We are going to put a couple of benches in there, some tables for art, and have it store all of our surfboards,” Young said. “I’m excited to see what the space will become, because right now it is an ugly-looking bus.” The first task was to sandblast the bus and then paint it. The bluish-teal base coat will then have a mural added to it, Young said. Renovating the bus will be a lengthy process, and Outer Surf still needs a location to park the bus, but Young has checked in with a few business and property owners about spots near the beach and hopes the project will be complete by the end of the summer season. “I think it is a great idea that Bri made and is going to be really useful to store supplies in and teach in,” Outer Surf instructor Tatum Dermatas said. “It is also so much cooler than an ordinary company building.” Sophomore Paulina Goping can be reached at 23gopingpa94@daretolearn.org.

Photo submitted by Bri Young

Outer Surf owner Bri Young shows off the school bus she purchased to turn into a space for art and surf culture.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Schuster makes history with fourth NCHSAA championship By Cassie Honeycutt Editor-in-Chief

ll eyes were on Katherine Schuster at Pinehurst No. 8 for the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A/2A Women’s Golf Championship. With wins behind her in the first three state championships and a golf scholarship to Clemson – not to mention hopes of a career on the LPGA Tour – ahead of her, Schuster was the favorite from the moment she walked up to the first tee. One double-bogey later, what was supposed to be a sure thing suddenly was surrounded by questions. “I had a game plan and I planned on sticking to it,” Schuster said. “I doubled the first hole and it was super embarrassing. But that’s Katherine for you.” Despite the slow start, it didn’t take long for the Katherine everyone expected to see to come roaring back and dominate the field. She fin-

ished at 2-under-par 70 for a six-shot margin of victory and joined Jennifer Chang of Raleigh Athens Drive as the only woman to win four individual state golf championships at any level. “On the fourth hole, I missed a two-foot putt for par, and from that moment it ignited a fire inside me,” Schuster said. “I birdied the next four holes and I was in the zone.” Racking up those birdies at holes five through eight helped her make the turn at 1-under, and Schuster stayed in the zone on the back nine with birdies on 11 and 12. At this point, Schuster was pulling away from the rest of the field, but she was carefully keeping her eyes off the leaderboard. “On hole 14, Mr. (Chuck) Lansing asked if I wanted to know where I stood and I said, ‘No sir, I don’t,’ ” Schuster said. “After that I bombed a four hybrid down the middle of the fairway and made par.”

A final birdie and one last bogey in the closing holes meant there was plenty to celebrate on the 18th green as Schuster came out on top of the 45-player field. “Once I made the threefoot putt for par on hole 18, I knew that we made history! I was so happy that I got to share it with my friends and family,” Schuster said. Lansing was just one of several Nighthawks there to support her, with Athletic Director Chad Williams, Assistant Principal Crissie Weeks and senior Harper Weeks all making the trip to watch Schuster. “I get to interact with her some on the course and it is amazing to see her maintain composure through the ups and downs of a round of golf,” Lansing said. “She manages everything so well throughout the round and I was amazed to learn on the 14th hole that she had not taken one look at the leaderboard.” With another win under

Photo by Chad Williams/Special

Senior Katherine Schuster holds the trophy following her record-tying fourth straight championship in the women’s golf tournament.

her belt, Schuster has no plans of slowing down. She already has a summer packed full of tournaments before heading off to Clemson. “I’m so grateful to all of the support for all of these years. It’s been an honor to

play for our school and bring some attention to women’s golf at First Flight,” Schuster said. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for everyone.” Senior Cassie Honeycutt can be reached at 21honeycuttca35@daretolearn.org.

Senior dancers eager for a final moment in the spotlight

By Callie Honeycutt Social Media Editor

racticing, memorizing and performing. That is the routine most dancers follow to prepare for their end-of-the-year performance. Attending classes all year long finally pays off on the day of the recital. Missed classes, canceled recitals and modified plans have been the routine this year for dancers since the pandemic closed local studios last March, but in most cases, the hard work that goes into the endless practices is once again going to pay off. “The plan for our end-of-year recital is to dance on June 5 at Liberty Church. We took one-day-a-week classes at the beginning of the school year, had a mini-recital on Dec. 6 and started fresh in January,” senior Rebecca McCurdy said. “This past year has had so many emotions, but I think in the end, I’m happy to be graduating, but I am going to miss everyone at the studio.” McCurdy has been dancing for 15 years – since she was 2 – at Atlantic Dance, practicing styles of dance ranging from classical ballet to contemporary modern. “My favorite style of dance is ballet, because it helped improve my flexiNIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

bility and balance, as well as how to be graceful when doing complicated moves,” McCurdy said. Senior Lydia Surprenant has been dancing for 11 years at Dare County Dance, located in the Dare County Parks & Recreation Center. Due to Parks & Rec being a state-funded facility, Dare County Dance could not continue classes in mid-March, but thankfully resumed them in April. “With dance this past year, we had to stop during quarantine, because my dance teachers were nurses and we knew that doing both would be a lot,” Surprenant said. “We wanted them to focus on helping the community.” With such a short recovery time, Dare County Dance will not be able to have its annual performance. “It’s definitely been sad to know we won’t get an actual recital this year, because seniors always get solos and I have always been excited about my solo,” Surprenant said. “I am really glad that I kept dancing all these years, because it’s helped make me into the person I am today with the amazing teachers I’ve had.” With COVID-19 vaccines being distributed to the community and more businesses opening up, some of these dancers are able to have the end-of-the-

year performance they had hoped for. “We are having a very small recital at a local church – every student has about four tickets to give to family members that will be spaced out in the audience, and our dancers and audience members will be wearing masks,” senior Grace Thompson said. “I am only in three (dances): ballet, jazz and my senior solo.” Thompson has been dancing for 14 years at Island School of Dance. At the height of the pandemic, her studio held virtual classes during quarantine and then started back in-person in mid-September. “Personally, my year definitely could have been better, but that is the case with almost anybody. My teachers have always made sure to make our dance studio an encouraging and fun space to be creative together,” Thompson said. Even though these seniors are having their last year, the bond between their classmates and teachers is something that reaches far beyond the walls of the studio. “The most rewarding part of dancing is getting to share a bond with the girls that I’ve danced with since we were little,” McCurdy said. Junior Callie Honeycutt can be

Photo by Amy Dixon/Special

Grace Thompson performs her senior solo at the Island School of Dance recital in May.

reached at 22honeycuttca54@daretolearn.org.

Senior athletes plan to take their love for

Kenneth Lokie - Ferrum College - Football

Erik Miller - Trinity International University - Football

Why Ferrum? I decided on Ferrum because it had the major I wanted to go into and they also treated me like family. Coaches from the school would email or call me to ask how I was doing and stuff like that. What are some of your freshman year hopes? Going into freshman year, my main goal is to make the starting lineup and/or to make the travel team. I already have a pretty good relationship with my incoming freshman teammates because we have already started talking and getting to know each other. I also hope to finish the first year with at least a 3.8 GPA. What is your intended major? My intended major is Sport and Exercise Science with a focus on Physical Therapy. I chose this because I want to become a physical therapist one day and help people recover from injuries. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory from football had to be winning this year’s Marlin Bowl. It meant so much to us and we worked so hard to do it, so it was great watching the end result. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? Playing a collegiate sport is exciting to me because for football, about 7% of high school athletes get to play collegiate football at any level, D-I to D-III, so being able to take my talents to a bigger stage excites me.

Why Trinity International? I decided on Trinity International University because I really felt a strong connection there and it felt like a family. I also really liked Chicago, which is where it’s located. What are some of your freshman year hopes? I hope that I can perform at the college level and get to compete for a chance to play. What is your intended major? My intended major is Exercise Science because I am interested in learning about the body. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite Nighthawk memory is when we played Northeastern and I had two sacks. I balled out. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am most excited about playing football at the next level because it’s been my dream since I was a kid and I get to continue playing after high school.

Eli Strickland Hampden-Sydney College Football

Why Hampden-Sydney? I chose Hampden-Sydney because the second I got to campus I felt not at home, but comfortable. There is a huge pond stocked with bass right outside my dorm, a huge drawing factor for me. What are some of your freshman year hopes? Some things I hope to accomplish are making friends and, eventually, I would love to see the field, but that’s not my No. 1 goal. What is your intended major? My major has to do with sustainability and making money off of keeping the planet clean. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory was freshman year beating Hertford because it was just pure emotion. I had never been a part of something that felt too real. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am most excited about the brotherhood that a college football team offers; they are friends and family for life.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

competition to the college level next year

Cole Tomlin - Brevard College - Football

Why Brevard? I chose to go to Brevard because I realized that I truly love playing football and Brevard is my best opportunity to do that in the near future. Plus, the area around Brevard is truly beautiful and Asheville is only a half-hour drive away, so I know that I will always have something to do even when I am not playing football. What are some of your freshman year hopes? My freshman year hopes are to start immediately and get my name in the conversation with bigger schools where I can hopefully transfer within one to two years. I already really like the coaching staff and the football atmosphere at Brevard; however, I do not plan to stay there for four years, so I am motivated to be successful there and then move on to the next school. What is your intended major? My intended majors are Environmental Studies and Political Science because I plan to go on to law school and hopefully become an environmental lawyer. I want to do this because my goal for the future is to get a job with the EPA or another big government organization where I can really have an impact on the environment and then move my way up the ranks until I can really start making bigger and better decisions for our country. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory playing sports as a Nighthawk would have to be from my sophomore year when we played Camden away and I scored my second touchdown of the night. It was just a normal hitch play, but then I went on to do two spin moves and score and I just remember feeling so happy because I know that I was impressing the seniors and the coaches who didn’t know me very well at that time. Plus, now everybody thinks that is my signature move because I made it into the newspaper after that game, which is pretty cool. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am most excited to be surrounded by other really talented guys who are just as motivated as I am to get better and win games. I am also super excited to be with a new coaching staff with loads of experience, because that will only add to the knowledge that has already been handed down to me from other coaches over the years. Finally, I am excited to show people what I can really do; coming from First Flight, you don’t get a lot of college coaches looking at you, which makes you feel dismissed as even being a good player. So honestly, I’m just ready to prove everyone wrong and then thank them for being my motivation.

Jared Gwatkin - Greensboro College - Football Why Greensboro? I like Greensboro because they’re building something I want to be a part of. Athletically, I have a great opportunity to succeed right off the bat, and academically their connections are off the charts due to the constant business growth in Greensboro. Where are some of your freshman year hopes? My first year, I’d like to set the tone for my college career by starting off strong academically, and even stronger on the football field. What is your intended major? I’ll be majoring in Business Administration and Management. I’d love to run a business or be in higher management of one, and in Greensboro you’re guaranteed to have an internship by junior year. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory as a Nighthawk would have to be my senior year playing football. Even on a shortened schedule, I had the most fun I’ve ever had playing a sport. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? The opportunity to play the sport I love at the next level, it’s honestly a great opportunity and I’m ready for the friendships, hard work and dedication it’s going to take to be elite.

Profile Reporting for all signings by Katie MacBride, Editor-in Chief Photos submitted, except Cole Tomlin by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

Johmar Gonzalez - Greensboro College- Football Why Greensboro? I decided to play at Greensboro College because I loved the atmosphere of the city, and the coaching staff was always calling me and it made me feel wanted as a person more than just an athlete. What are some of your freshman year hopes? Some hopes as a freshman I have are to come in and get some good playing time. That was also a reason I picked Greensboro. I felt that was the school where I could grow the most. I also already talk to my future teammates and they’re pretty dope people. What is your intended major? I intend to major in Sports and Exercise Science and to later pursue a career in physical therapy. It’s just something I love. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory would have to be the Marlin Bowl senior year, scoring on the first play and then scoring three more touchdowns. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I’m most excited to know that all my hard work paid off. Not too many people get the chance to continue to play outside of high school and I just hope I can make the First Flight community proud.

Continued: Senior athletes head to collegiate level

Max Bowlin - Flagler College - Track

Henry Stecher - Western Carolina University - Track

Why Flagler? I chose Flagler College because it just felt right. It had what I wanted academically and a great group of guys that I am joining. What are some of your freshman year hopes? Some of my freshman year hopes are to get settled well in school and grow a better relationship with my teammates. I would also like to gain some friends outside of the team. What is your intended major? My intended major is Environmental Science. I want to study Environmental Science because everything about the environment has always amazed me and I love doing experiments and studying it. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? I would say my favorite memory is just the time that I spent with my teammates in general. I grew some relationships that I will have for life and I’m glad I can call them not just my teammates, but my brothers. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I’m excited about the level of competition. Every single time I compete, it’s going to be against the best of the best and I can’t wait to give it my all.

Why Western Carolina? I chose Western because it’s a smaller school in the mountains. I didn’t want to be in a city and I wanted to be somewhere that I could do activities outside. What are some of your freshman year hopes? I want to make sure I’m getting all my work done before it’s due. I want to make sure I’m doing well in all my classes. As far as track goes, I want to help the team in any way possible. What is your intended major? I want to major in Business. I don’t want to be stuck in one career. I want a degree that allows me options. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite track memory is the 4x400 relay with Zach Hughes. I would always run the third leg and he would always run the fourth leg. Whenever we were behind in a race and I was up next about to get the baton, Zach would get me pumped up to go. He would look at me and be saying, “Just get me close, Henry. Just get me close, that’s all I need.” What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing at a D-I college. The team has a really good attitude and I’m ready to help them continue winning.

Lydia Surprenant Meredith College Track

Tyler Sylvia - East Carolina University - Track Why ECU? I chose East Carolina because when I met the team I was immediately welcomed and it felt like the best fit for me. The community behind ECU is very supportive of the sports teams, which is really nice. What are some of your freshman year hopes? Some of my goals for freshman year are to build a good relationship with my new teammates and coaches and to smoothly adjust to the new distances we run in cross country. In high school, cross country is a 5K, but in college it can be 8K to10K. What is your intended major? My intended major is General Biology with hopes of going into the medical field. Helping others has always brought me a lot of joy, so I know I will enjoy working in the medical field. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory as a Nighthawk has to be winning our first state championship in the 4x800 with Zach Hughes, Aidan May and Warner Campbell. It felt so rewarding after placing second at states in cross country the previous two years. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am most excited about running at a higher level and being coached by new coaches.

Why Meredith? I decided to go to Meredith because I wanted a smaller college. When I toured there, it felt like home. I was hesitant about it being all girls, but I think it will be fun! What are some of your freshman year hopes? I’m excited to meet new people and try different things. My suitemate is also running track, so it will be fun having someone I know. I’m glad to have a team there with me who will support me. I’m excited to run indoor and outdoor track. What is your intended major? I plan on being an Education and Political Science major in hopes to be a history teacher. I have wanted to be a teacher since kindergarten and just knew it was something I would do! What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite track memory would be when I was running the 200-meter race when it was windy, so when I came around the corner it basically carried me to the ﬁnish line and I PR’d. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I’m excited to take sprinting to the next level and keep improving. The team is really supportive and I’m excited to run with everyone! NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Maddy Wagner - Western Carolina University - Track

Katherine Schuster - Clemson University - Golf

Why Western Carolina? I chose Western Carolina University because it has a really reputable nursing program and the cross country and track program seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. The atmosphere at WCU is really down to earth, the campus is in a beautiful location and it’s not too big of a campus, but not small, either. What are some of your freshman year hopes? I hope to contribute to the team’s middle distance program, continue to improve and hopefully place decently in their conference. I also look forward to being part of the team and making new friends. They seem like they have a lot of fun together. As far as school, I know I’m going to have to work hard and stay focused so I can get into nursing school my sophomore year. What is your intended major? I plan to major in Nursing because I want to help people who are in need. Working in Ocean Rescue and responding to emergencies on the beach really opened me up to this realization. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? I have so many fun memories of practices and traveling with my teammates, who became my best friends during high school. Probably my favorite memory was my sophomore year when I was a part of the 3200-meter relay team that placed second in the state. Our relay was really close and worked really hard as a team to get that far. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? Running in college has been a goal of mine since I ﬁrst started running. I’m excited to see how I can continue to improve at the next level.

Why Clemson? I chose Clemson because when I first stepped foot on campus, it felt like home. I absolutely love the coaches, the facilities and the atmosphere. Clemson is a beautiful small town surrounded by lakes and orange clay. The people are just as amazing as the campus itself. Everyone has a smile on their face. What are some of your freshman year hopes? For school, I hope to make all A’s as well as pass my exams. Clemson is blessed to have some of the best tutors in the country. For playing time, my goal is to travel to every event! Bring some hardware back to Tiger Town. For relationship with teammates: Golf is unique because I have never played for a team before, so it’ll be an interesting adjustment, but I will try to be the best teammate and supporter that I can possibly be. What is your intended major? My intended major is Business Management and maybe a minor in Nutrition. My goal is to make it on tour (LPGA), and I feel like business is a good fallback plan. Nutrition is starting to become popular, and I feel like it could be beneficial. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? My favorite memory is the final rounds at states with my family, Mr. and Mrs. Albert, Bubby, Mr. Lansing and Noah Doughtie driving four-plus hours to come support me with what I love to do. It really means a lot. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am most excited to use the resources that Clemson has to offer to help benefit my game. I am excited to be representing such a beloved university on a national level. And I am excited for all of the opportunities that Clemson had to offer.

Briana Wilson Chowan University Swim Lauren Montgomery - University of Mississippi - Soccer Why Ole Miss? I decided on Ole Miss because of the campus and the ﬂexible coaching staff. I felt comfortable the second I met the team and knew I would thrive in a competitive environment. What are some of your freshman year hopes? I hope to get close to my new teammates and gain some insight on career paths that interest me. What is your intended major? I intend to major in Journalism because I really enjoy creative freedom, I love the authenticity of writing, and I admire my mom’s natural talent for interviewing. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? Winning the state championship freshman year was the best moment of my life. I will never forget the fulﬁllment of accomplishing something so big with people I love so much. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I am excited to learn from new coaches. There is always more to hear and improve on. I look forward to taking in the intensity and challenge of college soccer. NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

Why Chowan? At Chowan, everyone was so incredibly welcoming and supportive of everyone and you weren’t just another number. What are some of your freshman year hopes? When I swim for their team, I’d really like to make some friends and just have a really good year with my time and friendships. What is your intended major? I intend to major in Criminal Justice. I’ve always loved true crime and always really wanted to do a job involving that. What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? I have many favorite memories, but a lot of them involve just cheering for my teammates and just joking around with everyone. My teammates and friends make practices and meets much more fun. What are you most excited about playing your sport at the collegiate level? I’m really excited to meet new people and make new friends, and just start a new chapter.

Checking in with the (later than usual) spring sports teams Despite having an almost entirely new team this year, the women’s tennis team has had a great start to its season, beating Manteo in the first match, 9-0, and rolling past several other foes. The three captains and only returning players are Olivia Sugg, Allison Hudson and Emily Yurasek. The other eight girls are all new to the team this year, which is great growth-wise. “I’m just proud of all of our new players who all had never played competitive tennis before for stepping outside of their comfort zones and joining the team,” coach Aly Andrews said. Sugg agreed: “This season has been a lot different because we have a lot of new girls, but it’s been great and so fun for them to come and help the team grow.”

The baseball team got off to a hot start, winning its first six games and enjoying highlights such as junior Porter Braddy’s no-hitter. Senior players include Ethan Haske, Cannon Metcalf, Tristan York, Colby Evans and Jonah Wills. Leading hitters to date include Colby Evans, Noah Smeltzer and Greer Farr, with juniors Braddy and Noah Kinnisten pitching excellent so far. “I feel like this season will definitely be one to remember. It’s really the last time I’ll get to go out on the field with all my boys and just have fun,” senior Colby Evans said. “I’ll definitely miss the rides to the games, just getting hyped with everyone and just having a good time. I’ll definitely never forget playing high school baseball.”

The First Flight softball team had a great season, finishing second in conference with a 6-2 record overall. Defensive Player of the Year went to Emma Richards with 84 putouts and Rookie of the Year went to freshman Anna Rogers. Offensive Player of the Year was Lea Styons with a batting average of .500. Senior Jaylin Fisher had the second-highest batting average of .360 and a fielding percentage of .923. “I am extremely proud of what our team has accomplished this year,” junior Lauren Hughes said. “We finished second in conference and made it to playoffs, which is crazy compared to how our team has placed in the past. We have an amazing group of girls and we love playing together.” Coach Nancy Brightbill agreed: “Our team played so well together this season and we are strong and will be even stronger next season.”

Although still quite early in the season, the wrestling team has had a good start, wrestling at North Pitt and beating a team there. The team has also had two home meets so far – competing against Manteo, DH Conley and Currituck. There are seven wrestlers on the team, the majority of whom are returning. “I’m really looking forward to hopefully going to states and placing there,” junior Gage Tomlin said. “You just get better and better the more experience you have, so that’s probably my favorite part of the sport.”

All photos by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News except track by Tatum Dermatas/Special

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

Still early in the season, the track team has only had a few meets. With a great new track assistant, Halston Taylor, senior Lydia Surprenant sees some hope in getting the relay runners to qualify for regionals. “He really knows what he’s doing and has helped our team improve so much,” Surprenant said. Due to an injury, Surprenant has not been running, but she adds that Halston has done a great job helping her recover. However this is not Surprenant’s first injury during track season. “I am really proud of how I was able to come out of three injuries and still be able to run good times. I feel like over the past four years my speed has gotten better.”

The golf team was one of only five teams to qualify for the 2A East regional. Although the Nighthawks didn’t make it to the state championship meet, they still enjoyed a solid season together. “We played very well,” junior Ross Sullivan said. “There’s definitely room for improvement next year.” Sullivan believes this because juggling school and golf throughout this unusual COVID school year was a challenge. He explains that one of the teammates he most appreciates is senior Elliott Piland. “He’s the only senior on the team but the biggest inspiration for me. I practice with him and he teaches me how to play better.”

“This season was overall an awesome season and we had an amazing team,” senior Illiana Jauregui said. The girls soccer team played its best and went undefeated throughout the regular season, but suffered a heartbreaking loss during the first round of the playoffs. “I am most proud of the girls on the team. No matter what happened, we were always pushing and never stopped,” Jauregui said. Coach Juan Ramirez added “(I am most proud of) their perseverance. (They) never gave up.” Jauregui adds that she will be missing her coaches and senior teammates Lauren Montgomery, Lexi Foster, Sadie Owens, Gabi McClary and Ava O’Neill, who she has played with since elementary school. Ramirez adds: “It is a difficult time for me since I have known these players since they were little, but I am very proud of them and I know they will do great things.”

Although this year’s tennis season had fewer practices and matches than in the past, it ended up being a great season for the team. The Nighthawks finished the season off by winning conference, and Chris Young-Stone and JJ Woerner qualifying for regionals. Woerner qualified for states, where he made it to the semifinals. “I was most proud of the way the team stuck together during this tough year. They supported each other all year long,” coach Tony Willingham said. With fewer practices held, senior Max Stabley was able to have more time to help the new players on the team. “My favorite part of the season was match days and teaching the new boys how to play better,” Stabley said. “Challenges were controlling my emotions and not getting upset at myself if I was not starting off good or not playing well, because staying positive made my playing better and made me feel more accomplished.”

Summaries by Opinions Editor Maren Ingram and Staff Writer Dani Alfaro NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

First Flight Sports Spotlight: A Q&A

Tyler Sylvia

Katherine Schuster

Sadie Owens

Cam Summerton

Senior

Freshman

How long have you been running? 11 years, but seriously for four years. What are you going to miss the most? I am going to miss the bond that the team at First Flight has. What’s your favorite part about running? The rewarding feeling you get after running a fast time. What is your favorite thing to do before a meet? I like to visualize running a good race while I listen to music. Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a meet? My favorite place to eat after a meet is probably Panera Bread or pasta that my mom makes. What’s your favorite memory from your sport? My favorite memory is winning our ﬁrst 4x800-meter state championship with Zach (Hughes), Warner (Campbell) and Aidan (May). What is your dream job? My dream job is to work in the medical ﬁeld so I can help those who are in need. If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would invest most of it, but I would have to buy a sports car (Lamborghini) and a big house. What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holiday is Christmas because I like to go and look at the lights and decorations at night. What is a lifelong dream of yours? I would like to visit a tropical place like Hawaii.

How long have you been playing golf? Seven years.

How long have you been playing soccer? 12 years.

What’s your favorite part about playing? I love the challenge that golf gives, as well as the feeling of pulling off that shot you imagined in your mind. I love comparing golf to chess, because it’s all about strategy and precision.

What are you going to miss the most? I am going to miss seeing my friends every day and laughing and joking around with them at practice.

What is your favorite part about your sport? I love that golf gives you patience and humility. Golf is a sport that really shows people what kind of person you are and how you handle yourself under difficult circumstances. I also love the places it takes me. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? The win I had playing in the North Carolina Junior Girls Championship was a five-day stroke/match play event with four 36-hole days. The final match was between my best friend and I. After I secured the win, my dad dumped ice water over my head. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? Condoleezza Rice (she is a very successful lady who I have met and look up to), Stacy Lewis (my golfing role model) and Dean Martin (my all-time favorite singer). What is your favorite holiday? Why? Easter (Pascha) is by far my favorite holiday. It is by far the most beautiful. I love all of the traditionsblessings, Easter baskets, Midnight Mass, the atmosphere. It’s the little things that make this holiday so special. What is your biggest pet peeve? Chewing. I do not like to hear people chew.

How long have you been playing tennis? This is my ﬁrst season playing tennis. What is your favorite part about playing tennis? I get to play with my best friend in doubles.

What’s your favorite part about playing? My favorite part about playing would be the physicality of the game and the sense of competition.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? My favorite thing to do before a match is listening to music and warming up.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? My favorite place to eat would be Barefoot Bernie’s because they have gyros.

What is your favorite part about tennis? That I get to play with my friend and get coached by Coach Tony.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? If I became a millionaire, I would buy myself a house in Greece and help my grandmother with anything she needed. What is your favorite holiday? Why? My favorite holiday is Halloween because it’s my birthday, and dressing up is super fun. What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when someone puts a wet towel on my bed. What is a lifelong dream of yours? A lifelong dream of mine is to travel to Greece. What’s your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is “New Girl” because it’s the only show that makes me laugh. What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? My favorite beach access is Lillian because there is a lot of parking and the beach there’s really big.

What is your dream job and why? My dream job is to be a professional athlete. If you become a millionaire by age 20 what would you do with it? Buy a huge house on the beach. What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, because I get presents. What is a fun fact about yourself? I have a twin. If you could have dinner with any three people living or dead who would it be and why? Ronaldo because he is the best soccer player of all time, Michael Jordan because he is the best basketball player of all time, and my grandmother who passed away. What is your favorite beach access and why? Chicahauk because The Throwdown happens there every year and I live right next to it. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why? A hawk so I can ﬂy.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021

with Nighthawk student-athletes

Emily Yurasek

Jaylin Fisher

Tristan York

Milosz Gargol

Junior

Senior

Junior

How long have you been playing tennis? I’ve been playing tennis since I was 7 off and on, but I got back into tennis and joined the tennis team in 10th grade. What’s your favorite part about playing tennis? My favorite thing about playing tennis would be being able to play with different kinds of players from different teams. Every single person has a different playing style. What is your favorite part about your sport? My favorite part about tennis is being competitive. Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? I like to get bagels from Lighthouse Bagels. What is your dream job and why? My dream job is to be a dermatologist because it pays well and I ﬁnd it interesting. What is your favorite holiday? Why? Christmas, because I enjoy spending the time off with my family. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I play the trumpet in concert band and jazz. What’s your favorite TV show? “Good Luck Charlie” What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? My favorite beach access is Lighthouse. It’s close to where I live and the beach is nice.

How long have you been playing softball? I’ve been playing softball for 10 years.

How long have you been playing baseball? I have been playing baseball for 13 years.

How long have you been wrestling? I’ve been wrestling for ﬁve years.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? My favorite thing is to go to The Spot and get an açaí bowl.

What are you going to miss the most? I am going to miss my team because I have made some really great friends in the two years that I have been here.

What is your favorite part about your sport? My favorite thing is winning and seeing my teammates get their hand raised.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? PokeBox after a game. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? My favorite memory is when Emma was going for a ball and fell in front of everyone. If you become a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would deﬁnitely go travel and give some of the money to my family. What is your favorite holiday? Why? Christmas, because I get to spend it with all of my family. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people chew loudly or with their mouth open. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I love to roll sushi. What’s your favorite TV show? “NCIS” What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? My favorite is Wilkins because it’s close to my house. What’s your go-to karaoke song? “Landslide.”

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Before a game, I like to sit in the clubhouse with the team and relax before we have to play. What is your favorite part about your sport? My favorite part about baseball is how important mental fortitude is. It is very important to be OK with failing and able to forget those failures and move on. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most? I look up to Cal Ripken Jr. because he is baseball’s iron man, which shows how committed he was to being there for his team. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? My favorite memory I have of baseball was when I hit a grand slam during a travel baseball tournament a few years ago. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be? I would have dinner with three of my ancestors who were alive at different time periods to hear about what their life was like and where my family came from. What is a lifelong dream of yours? I want to travel to Japan.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? After wrestling, I like to eat something heavy like fried chicken or steak. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? I look up to Kyle Dake mainly because he’s faced so much adversity but still manages to end up on top. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? So far my favorite memory has been placing at the state tournament. What is your dream job and why? My dream job is to be a business owner and have my own ice cream/donut place. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? Joe Rogan, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mike Tyson, because all three of these people have been successful and have many accolades. What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouth open. It is unbearable.

Photos by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News; Michael Gillman Photography/Special; Wright Emory/OBX SportShots Reporting by Mackenzie Edwards, Cassie Honeycutt, Maren Ingram, Maggie McNinch, Olivia Sugg and Maura Trivette NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

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5/14/21 11:39 AM NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior edition / / 2021