It takes a team | 2
Chasing the championship| 8
Technical triumph
Return to greatness
Learn more about the Robotics team and their invention
A look at the varsity tennis team’s perfect season
The Hurricane CAPE FEAR ACADEMY
Wilmington, North Carolina
May 13, 2021
Volume 16, Issue 4
The road ahead
Administrators address uncertain future by Anders Ljung
Lights, camera, action. Ed Ellison records his weekly broadcast for Upper School students and families. “Hopefully next year I will be able to give more in-person speeches. It’s strange not being able to talk to the students face-to-face, but Cole Dittmer and school administration have done the best they can to make sure we can communicate with students somehow,” Ellison said. Photo: Anna Itzkowitz
After a plethora of regulations and policies based on the horrors of the pandemic, the year is finally coming to an end. This year was quite different from the rest, forcing all faculty, as well as students, to adapt to a new learning environment. Now everyone is wondering: what’s next? As of right now there are plans to return some situations to normal, especially the daily schedule. “The schedule is not final at all, but we hope to get it back to the way it used to be. Thus, there would be typical 50-minute classes three days a week, and of course there would be the normal two flex days,” Upper School Director Lynne Kenney said. The Upper School has plans to add new courses and activities as well.
Prom delivers a fun, COVID- friendly experience
Dance the night away truck. “We wanted to support a local business when deciding who would cater the event. We chose Wheelz Pizza per recommendation from the student body, and now I can safely say it was the right decision,” Fee said. Although there was only music and no traditional dancing, other activities filled the void. Check-in involved
Smile (through the mask) for the camera. Lilly Scoutelas, Erin Fitzpatrick, Merrit O’Brien, Rilee Bahner, Betsy Porter, Alexandra Dugan, and Cameron Tait pose for a shot at the Junior-Senior Prom on April 10. “Prom was a lot of fun. I am thankful that Mr. Fee, Mrs. Kenney, and the SGA were able to make it happen!” Fitzpatrick said. Photo: Jan Reid
What’s inside
Academics.................................2 Activities.................................3
to have to make decisions as the year progresses,” Kenney said. Whatever the circumstances are next year, the Upper School intends to keep the community together by facing the challenges of COVID one day at a time. By following the guidance of health officials, the Upper School intends to approach next year optimistically. “All along, we have been relying upon the guidance of the CDC and the NC Department of Health and Human Services to formulate our policies. We will continue down that path, hoping that our recovery from this pandemic will create an even stronger school community,” Head of School Ed Ellison said.
So long, farewell
by Bellamy Koonce
Senior year comes to an end for the Class of 2021
by J.R. Johnston
Without a DJ, event shuttles or even a formal event space, juniors and seniors enjoyed the 2021 version of prom on April 10. SGA adviser Jamison Fee, Upper School Director Lynne Kenney, and SGA executive officers and upperclassmen organized the event. The event featured food trucks from Wheelz Pizza, and dessert from the Kona Ice
“We are continuing our beginning-of-the-year “Niners” trip, are instituting a new sophomore trip, and will start our second year of the Junior Outdoor Expedition. Also there will be multiple new courses such as the Engineering Certificate Initiative with Dr. Naessens,” Dean of Students Jamison Fee said. However, some situations remain uncertain, such as what campus life will look like. The administration has made it clear that they will be making changes along the way, but for now they have to play it by ear. “The lifestyle of next year is still very unknown. As of right now we still plan to implement masks, and keep a six feet apart rule while eating. We can’t call all of the shots now; we are just going
choosing a poker chip from a Crown Royal bag; red chips sent the person to Fee’s office for a breathalyzer test, while the white ones cleared them for admission. Students could play on the blacktop basketball court, enjoy a volleyball game on the grass, color with markers, or be photographed in a green-screen photo booth. A showing of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off capped off the night. “Although only a few people stayed for the movie, it was a fun time. We ate popcorn and watched an alltime classic; what more could you ask for?” Noah Durham said. “Overall, prom was a success. The school and SGA can look back and know that we grew closer as a community, even during COVID-19,” SGA President William Dahl said.
In a year where nothing is the same, some senior traditions managed to survive. With AP exams ending on on May 17. seniors can look forward to the Senior Celebration on May 18. Seniors will sign the fence, enjoy lunch together, and finally get to ring the bell to announce where they are going to college. Following the bell-ringing, seniors dressed in their cap, gown, and college t-shirt will parade past the entire student body and parents outside. On May 19, those who opted for Outward Bound will head into the wilderness, and will not return until May 23, just in time for Salute to Seniors and graduation. Salute to Seniors on May 24 and graduation on May 25 will take place at 10:00 A.M. outside in the upper school parking lot. Each student is permitted to have 8 guests and
will be assigned a parking spot based on longevity at CFA. Each student and their family will be separated by an empty parking place. The school is providing rental chairs and will be live streaming both events. In case of rain, the event will be like last year’s drive-in style graduation; each student will be allowed to bring one car. CFA has made it their mission to make sure that the seniors have a proper celebration despite this year’s circumstances.
Arts and Entertainment.............4 Lifestyles.................................5
Opinions...................................6 Sports...................................8 Last Will and Testaments........7
The future awaits. College pennants hang on the stage at the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. A similar arrangment will be used at the ceremonies on May 24-25. Photo: Cole Dittmer