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COVER PHOTO:
BY NORA SHEPHERD
In recent years, Durham has become a city of the arts. There's murals on walls, graffiti at the skatepark, various music venues featuring young bands, and not to mention Durham School of the Arts and Duke being located downtown
Schools have always been an excellent way for students to connect with others with the same interests, and now that the school year is back in session, students are reconnecting with their friends, and local bands are thriving Since DSA is right downtown, music students can easily connect to the local scene. Conveniently, they are in the middle of a semi-local, semi-city location, choc full of different venues to play at, streets to busk, and garages to practice in “Really, I just got my friends that played instruments and had a similar vision together,” Jackson Stephens, who graduated from DSA in the 23-24 school year and was a member of a Durham native band, The Obliques, described Being so close to downtown and other musicians, bands form naturally. The Obliques were a punk/alternative rock band focused in Durham, and throughout the 2 years that they were together, they performed at multiple venues around Durham.
“Besides garage shows, we played [at] The Fruit, via a fundraiser done by someone we know, The Pinhook, for a Palestine benefit show organized by people we knew, and The Cave,” Stephens recalled.
These three venues are all notorious in the Durham music community for having punk rock scenes, featuring many local bands every week Although most of the members of The Obliques have gone off to college–leaving in their wake a great number of impressions and a single on the way–the amount that they were able to accomplish is something not a lot of teen bands can say that they’ve done.
“I feel most venues here value people our age going out and performing. Even if you are just playing on the street,” Aiden Zeininger, a junior
musician at DSA, claimed
People like a show, and what makes any show ten times more entertaining is when the people performing are half your age. Especially in teen bands, the raw essence of teenage angst and emotion are conveyed in such a pure way that the older audiences can't help but be brought back.
“Durham's music community is neat in some aspects - take for instance local organizations like the Blue Note Grill’s blues jams, as well as the Sharp9/Durham Jazz Workshops youth programs as examples of talented high school kids putting themselves out there in terms of performance,” Donivan Russell, the bassist for The Obliques and a member of the DSA graduating class of 2024, described.
Russell is now a student at App State, but during his time at Durham, he had a decently extensive performance list He describes how Durham has taken on a design that can't help but be beneficial to teen musicians looking for a way to share their music.
“All I know is that the more teenagers that are out in the city sharing their love of music in the world, the better,” Russell concluded.
The Obliques perform at The Pinhook, a music venue located in downtown Durham. This performance was among two others with various objectives each raising awareness for human rights violations.
BY CORA WILLIAMSON
Didn’t you hear? Exceptional is the new average The students taking advanced placement classes are no longer ahead, and a 4.0 GPA is the norm. There’s been surging demand for students to have more than just rigorous academics to succeed
With a drop in college acceptance rates and a rise in academically outstanding students, the pressure is on for teens to go above and beyond in every aspect of their school careers. There are a lot of public universities that have become increasingly selective, most of them favoring only the top 10% of each class.
It is important to note that colleges aren’t looking for someone who is doing things just to check the boxes. They are looking for well-rounded personalities that will add something special to the school's student life.
“For the interview part, we don't know any of their grades, their test scores, or any of their activities. We don't know any of those nuts and bolts What we're trying to find out is their level of commitment to their various interests and pursuits, their level of passion or motivation,” Jane Hall, an ambassador for Duke's admissions office, remarked.
“I have no idea if what I have right now is good enough to get me into a college I want to go into...”
In 2016, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill had a 26.9% acceptance rate, which has decreased to a concerning 17 7% as of 2022 In more prestigious schools such as Duke, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Vanderbuilt, there were percentage changes as
large as -59% between 2014 and 2024
With such stress-inducing statistics, students around the nation have increased their AP course load, some taking as many as eight a year.
“I don't want to take something I'm not interested in But now I'm like, if I had done that, I would have had a higher GPA, even if I wasn't interested. So it's weird... There's definitely pressure to take classes you don't want to take,” Norah Lubeck, a junior at Riverside High School, expressed.
This DSA junior is taking 5 AP courses this year. There are only seven class periods in a DSA student's schedule, meaning over half of his course load is college-level work.
Lubeck is one of the many students that go the extra mile and still feel behind in the race; going into her junior year, she is taking eight AP classes and three community college classes Yet she still feels that because she chose electives of interest in freshman year like photography and psychology instead of AP electives, she’s fallen below her peers
“I do have good support, but I also would say it could be better because, for example, right now, I'm in the house all alone, and I can't get outside, I can't go and do things,” Jaydon Jones, a DSA senior, commented.
According to statistics from Mental Health America, more than 4 million high school students experienced a depressive episode in 2022, and over 2.7 million high school students are experiencing severe depressive disorders Balancing a social life, impressive academics, outside achievements, and sports, while experiencing hormonal imbalance is a lethal combination, and yet, it’s the expectation.
“Thinking forward, I want to go to college, and I have no idea if what I have right now is good enough to get me into a college I want to go into, especially compared to people who may be at the top of the class,” Lubeck shared.
A large contributor to the weight burdening students is the ambiguity of what colleges are looking for It’s often drilled into young minds that they need to be ahead in STEM courses, participating in at least one sport, earning some sort of leadership spot and volunteering, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. But depending on the college, some may not accept certain AP credits, and being in too many extracurriculars can be seen as noncommittal.
“The pressure comes from all sides, and you have no idea if what you’re doing is enough. And you just gotta keep doing more, even if it’s brainless work,” Lubeck concluded
BY LEANDER SHINDELL
“Driving into South Asheville, there were cars wrapped around trees, debris piled up along surviving bridges and roadways, parking lots full of mud, river sediment, and debris. There were power lines down just lying in the road About every other house had a tree fall on it. Buildings were pulled off their foundations and floated away in the flood. The remains of a fence at an athletic park was mangled like a slinky after a toddler plays with it,” Austin Brookes, DSA’s cross country coach and former Asheville resident, recounted
From September 24-29, the category 4 hurricane Helene with winds up to 140 mph dropped nearly three feet of water on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, devastating surrounding areas. As of October 16, almost 100 people were still unaccounted for and over 300 were killed Major roads like I-40 W were washed away and will take several months to reopen. Thankfully, those with trucks and chainsaws were able to begin clearing roads on Friday morning after the rain ceased.
“When a river rises 24 feet above its typical level, you’re getting into areas that you never would have expected to be under water,” Brookes remarked.
Rivers like the French Broad and Swannanoa reached record heights, causing catastrophic
PHOTO CREDIT: JOEL HILLYGUS
Helene destroyed countless buildings, leaving many locals homeless. Fallen tree branches crushed roofs, leaving buildings vulnerable to the elements.
Helene raised rivers like the French Broad (which rose 24 ft) and Watauga (which rose 25 ft, the highest since 1940) reached record heights during the storm. Floods swept away soil, buildings, roads, plants, animals, and people.
flooding. Throughout the area, the storm caused power outages and destroyed water plants, cutting locals off from life-sustaining resources and preventing communication with the outside world.
“Saturday we ran out of water there was no cell service and no power,” Josie San Felici, former Durham resident and current UNCA student, recalled
UNCA will be online for the rest of the semester, along with most schools in the area. Some schools have been able to dig wells to provide water, allowing students to return in person, but most will be online for the time being, likely resulting in gaps in learning that could be similar to those seen during COVID
“The teachers have 2 weeks now to cut out a month of their work. I like being at school. I don't want to be online It’s hard,” San Felici admitted.
Hurricane Helene and the storm that followed it, Milton, were unprecedentedly severe As global temperatures continue to rise, it is likely that natural disasters like
hurricanes will increase in frequency and severity
“Warmer sea surface temperatures are correlated with storm severity, and Gulf of Mexico waters were hotter than average preceding Helene There is a high likelihood that global climate change played a role in those conditions,” Alexis Caldwell, DSA’s AP Environmental Science teacher, asserted
Through trying times, the people of the mountains persevere.
“Growing up, my mom would always talk about how the mountains protect us from big storms and tornadoes; Helene has shattered the security some felt in that (But) all over WNC neighbors are looking out for neighbors. Through the despair and turmoil of the destruction, I’ve been moved to tears at how the community shows up for each other,” Brookes concluded
Donate or volunteer for Haywood Pantries: Haywood Pantires Linktree
Donate to a Durham food pantry: Gofundme Baggingit4kids eliminating reducing food wastte
BY LIAM JONES
The clattering of dice can be heard echoing from a lively hallway classroom after the school day's end Dozens of players, some veteran, some new, craft intertwined storylines together; battles with beholders in the corridor, skeletons in the crypt, and mimics in the castle fill the sessions with tales of life and death
Dungeons and Dragons (D&D or DnD) is a roleplaying game originating in the 1970s Playing D&D involves a group collaborating to tell a fantasy story together A Dungeon Master (DM or GM) oversees the plot and setting, while players work together to handle conflicts and engage with the storyline presented by the DM. Durham School of the Arts hosts a D&D club, led this year by senior Thomas FormyDuval.
“Dungeons and Dragons is special to me because it allows for a chance of freedom. A session of D&D is an excuse to hang out with your friends and create a story, one of your own design, bound only by the whim and will of the DM It’s something I look forward to every time,” Logan Lujan, club member and experienced player, mentioned
The D&D club at DSA is split into several different campaigns, each run by their own DM These campaigns tell their own story, independently led by the DM There is a campaign at the club for every type of player interested in D&D.
“At the beginning we have a group-wide session zero where we establish a few ground rules… After that, everyone splits off into their own campaigns You can join whatever campaign you want as long as the DM is okay with it [Then] you create your own character and you start playing D&D,” Thomas FormyDuval club leader explained
The Dungeons and Dragons club represents all age groups at DSA. Whether you’re in 6th grade or 12th grade, whether you’ve been playing since you were a child or whether you haven’t played at all, you can show to sessions each Thursday in Mr. Templeton’s room (T116).
The club is extremely beginner friendly; many players are new to the game, and any one prospective D&D player can learn the essentials from a DM willing to teach With multiple games running at once, there are sessions for every skill level
“It's always good to look up some of the basic rules before you join if you d like to, but honestly there are plenty of DMs that will be more than happy [to teach] the rules as long as you’d be willing to put in the effort to learn,” Formy-Duval stated
In the four years that have passed since playing for the first time, Lujan has learned the ins and outs of the game. He doesn’t yet consider himself an expert, but with his experience, he still has tips and tricks to
D&D offers dozens of additional rulebooks and expansions that help players make for exciting campaigns At the club, each of the DMs bring their own rulebooks and materials to develop their own session.
share for anyone new to the game
Many players boast extensive collections of DnD materials, allowing for a more immersive grasp of the game. This collection includes materials for other similar RPGs as well.
“After making your character sheet, get comfortable with it; this could potentially be the piece of paper that you will be using for the next year or however long the campaign lasts for If you know where everything is like the back of your hand, then you can get much more done within a single session, meaning more D&D overall It also
“Itallowsfora chanceoffreedom... anexcusetohang outwithyour friendsandcreatea story,oneofyour owndesign...”
helps you stay within the immersion of the game, with less time spent looking around for your stats,” Lujan advised
As a game, D&D is centered around people solving problems and creating an adventure together. This
feature of the design lends itself to creating many memorable moments. With his years of playing, FormyDuval has countless stories to tell about his many campaigns.
“[One time] we had a half-Orc paladin named Throme who took control of our entire party and established a ‘Thromocracy’ [Another time] we defeated a black dragon by crashing a cloud giant’s floating castle into it, almost killing the entire party,” Formy-Duval said What sticks with players after the campaigns are all over is the memories Whether those memories involve cloud giants and half-Orc paladins named Throme or not, fans of D&D have countless memories and endless tales to tell.
“I think [Dungeons and Dragons] is a really great way to get together with other people and make memories that will last a long time,” Formy-Duval concluded
BY SEHAR KITTUR
Candles twirl in the wind alongside dancers in colorful dresses and bold makeup. While it may seem full of life, the aroma of marigolds floating through the air is a reminder that the festival is a commemoration of the bittersweet return of our ancestors, Dia de los Muertos
DSA is celebrating its 13th annual Fall Arts Festival this year, and while the exuberance and excitement of the festival remains steadfast, that does not mean it s not changing As the cultural understanding of Dia de lo Muertos evolves, so too does the festival's interpretation of the holiday Dia de los Muertos is a blend of many cultures and takes on many forms across the world
“Something that's super important to me is everyone understanding that day of the dead is not a monolith and that it's actually celebrated in lots of places and [it looks] different [around the world],” Amber Santibanez, the organizer of the festival, commented
While Mexico is most well known for its day of the dead celebration, Haiti, Guatemala, and Brazil have their own traditions for honoring their ancestors There are often common threads amongst these holidays such as the motif of skulls. Even beyond holidays, the use of monarch butterflies to symbolize transformation and the divine connotation of marigolds is a uniting factor
Each years dances consist of vals and a dance to honor deceased loved ones. This year, the vals will explore the transition into womanhood and how women take up space, both in a metaphorical sense and a literal sense
“We as artists have a responsibility to name the root and name our influences but also we shape culture There's not a lot in the culture that hasnt been influenced by Europeans, Asians, [and other cultures],” Santibanez explained
With such a wide variety of cultures to represent in the celebration, it can be difficult to create a festival that adequately balances all these traditions Several people have advocated in the past to amplify indigenous influence on the festival, creating a space to have a conversation about the way that cultural exchange occurs and its presence.
“I want the public to know we're doing it with intention,” Santibanez began. “The intention has been to really talk about how the Quinceanera is about becoming a woman and now defining what a woman is, like the elegant lady,”
The dancers dress up as La Catrina, or the Elegant Lady, and dance to honor their departed loved ones, keeping their story and image alive
Created by Jose Guadalupe Posada in the midst of the Mexican Revolution, La Catrina satirizes the Mexican upper class who attempted to assume a European identity and looked down upon the working class Posada depicts the indigenous Mexican god of death, Mictecacihuatl, wearing a French-style hat to communicate that death makes everyone equal and that death and life, though appearing as opposites, are just two parts of a whole.
“The mission of the festival is to be a container, in particular a container of stories where folks are able to write their own narrative,” Santibanez said
Santibanez’ intention to allow people to write their own narratives is apparent through the level of involvement and commitment students have in the festival. From dancers, to decorations, to the 8th graders writing personal narratives about their culture and identity, The Fall Arts committee is dedicated to weaving a story of unity even through our differences
“I remember seeing the festival for the first time ever and feeling special that Latin culture was finally getting the recognition it deserves and I'm so happy to be a reason that we're able to do this for the school, for our friends, our families, and especially the community,” Mara Vallecillo-Mendoza, a student ambassador for the festival, commented.
The festival provides a space for Latino and Latina students to take on leadership roles but more importantly it is a space for them to show their love for their culture and how it has shaped them and their world. The festival takes an immense amount of work to prepare, but the lasting impression it leaves on each attendee makes it all worth it in the end.
“As artists we are major memory shapers We shape the culture, we shape the way that folks remember the past and we also shape the way folks envision the future,” Santibanez concluded
Depicted above is the original La
The print was originally published under the name “La
which was a derogatory term for indigenous women who attempted to pass as European This iconic figure gained prominence after Mexican painter Diego Rivera featured her in his mural, A Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park.
BY MEGAN DENNIE
Getting a driver's license at 16 is a rite of passage, a dream of many teens since seeing the Fast and Furious movies, or watching an iconic teen coming of age film Students finally get to take part in this exciting experience firsthand in the DSA parking lot
However, the glorified movies don’t begin to describe the chaos that comes with the responsibility of driving. At DSA, the senior parking lot seems to be a hub for bad drivers. Seniors and juniors congregate in the parking lot before and after school The senior parking lot at DSA, nicknamed the gravel pit, holds memories and experiences of all senior adventures, although not all of those memories are positive.
“I felt really cramped and impossible to maneuver or turn around. I was lucky to have a small car, and I still struggled with parking,” Georgia Kraus, a recent graduate from DSA, commented.
Students mostly blame the parking lot’s small spaces and angled barriers to excuse their driving habits This raises the question– are the senior parking lot accidents a matter of correlation or causation?
“I was definitely blaming the external factors of my driving, which I shouldn’t have done. I have only gotten into mini accidents in the DSA parking lot, [and] I have never hit anyone’s car outside of the DSA parking lot,” Kraus reflected
Unnecessary stress is added to the new and inexperienced drivers, especially when rushing to get to school on time. Kraus found herself in a peculiar situation one morning after rushing into the parking lot.
“When I pulled through I angled my car in the perfectly wrong position; either way the cars were going to be very scraped up. We couldn’t ask Grace Brooks to move her car up because of the divider,” Kraus explained
Parking is particularly difficult for inexperienced drivers Parking lots are littered with people, other cars, and stress factors that contribute to the quality of a student's driving skills.
The stress caught up to Kraus as she frantically tried to come up with a solution.
“The only option was for somebody
“It felt really cramped and impossible to maneuver or turn around.”
to lift my car up. I bribed Alex Vasquez and Noah Weeks to pick up the back of my car and scooch it over,” Kraus elaborated.
Although the senior parking lot has its many faults and disadvantages that make it harder for students to maneuver, it is beneficial in teaching students how to handle stressful driving scenarios
“I recommend parking in the senior lot, but with reservations It depends on who parks next to you and how comfortable you are with the space limitations. If you’re careful and aware of your surroundings, it can be convenient,” Fernando Morazan, a senior at DSA concluded
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
A blue screen with DSA’s iconic bulldog logo fades in and fades out, and the two hosts introduce themselves The Doghouse Report has begun, giving students a break from the monotony of regular classes with interviews covering all aspects of school life.
The Doghouse Report, a beloved albeit recently introduced staple of DSA culture, had its leadership overturned this year. Whereas it had been led by Margaret Battle, a photography teacher at DSA, for the first two years of its existence, it is now being taken over by Jacob Purkins, an English and film teacher. The Report will retain many of the features that students have enjoyed in previous years despite the change, although Purkins hopes to expand its scope The key feature of the Report remains: it is almost entirely run by students like Alexandra Gonzalez.
“I am a junior and co-leader for Doghouse Report alongside my best friend Rania Nasser!” Gonzalez proclaimed
“My role in Doghouse Report is to help plan the upcoming episodes and find Anchors, Interviewers, and Editors for each episode that comes out.”
Gonzalez has also been busy recruiting other people willing to contribute to the Doghouse Report for the upcoming year. The Report’s interest meeting–as it is still a club rather than a class–was held on October 16th, giving students an opportunity to get behind the scenes.
“In past years a lot of film students have used their technical skills to help produce the show,”
Purkins explained, “I want to continue that and add some more of our film class time and equipment to the production The new DSA is supposed to have a formal studio space, so I'd like to build toward having a dedicated class that produces the show.”
Purkins’ film resources have already improved and expedited the production of this year’s Doghouse Report. Interviews had already been completed for the first episode before the interest meeting even took place.
“Since Mr. Purkins took over, we
“I want to make sure that every week we say we will deliver a show, we get it done.”
have had more space for filming and planning the episodes, and we now film in another location with more space,” Gonzalez explained Purkins also hopes to put out the
Report more regularly. Last “season,” they put out twelve episodes, a number which he believes can be improved upon.
“I want to make sure that every week we say we will deliver a show, we get it done,” Purkins said “If teachers know it's coming, they can plan to show it But if it gets unpredictable, teachers understandably are less likely to expect it and make time for it.”
Nonetheless, the spirit of the Doghouse Report remains the same. With a focus on “strengthening the
Continued on page 10
DSA community” according Instagram bio, the Report b and teachers together and information about school l otherwise stay unknown.
“There are a lot of thing Doghouse Report It's a div students working on a com Because it's a diverse grou they bring a lot of access to events in the school that [e know about,” Purkins conc
Jacob Purkins’ expansive c film supplies has been use Doghouse Report in past y more readily available to t he leads the class. Purkins includes cameras, lights, m tripods, and more
BY ALESSANDRA POLANCO
As students and teachers fill the classroom once again this fall, Chromebooks are opened and pens are put away. It's evident that technology has become a massive tool in education over the past four years, and with a generational shift well on its way, students and teachers alike find new ways to adjust.
In North Carolina, tests for students as low as third grade are being administered online For high schoolers, this now applies to the international AP tests, the SAT, and the ACT With such drastic changes to a new system of testing students' abilities, the way students learn and teaching styles shift as well As more aspects of the classroom move to the digital landscape, digital tests are at the forefront of everyone's minds
“Last spring, some adults in Europe opened a box of AP tests took pictures of the prompts, and sold them to students ahead of the test date. That event spurred the College Board to speed up its transition to more online testing,” Teresa Del Dotto, an English teacher at DSA, explained.
From AP exams to classroom testing, the use of technology has advanced within all aspects of learning. Although this is the case, the way students feel about the change is divisive.
“Testing online enables me to visualize the words in my mind in a uniform font, meaning, I’m able to focus on how I sound disregarding how the writing looks itself,” Dylan Ordinario, a junior at DSA, commented
Although digital testing has improved the quickness and ease of testing, some students feel the change has created new strains that alter the testing environment
“Having to think about technology like whether your laptop is charged or whether you're near an outlet adds extra layers of concern Plus, there's always the possibility of
Although AP testing is expected to make a move to screens, Del Dotto finds ways to incorporate both paper and digital learning in her classroom. Students complete essays both through hand and typing.
glitches, which could make an already stressful time more difficult,” Fernando Morazan, a senior at DSA, pointed out.
While digital tests can increase the difficulties faced with computers, having tests administered through screens can often have a positive effect The switch to online AP exams may allow students a more swift experience
After COVID-19, schools and educators alike began implementing online learning more and more. This new way of presenting information allows students to learn from anywhere with just a click.
“It's possible for a truckload of paper tests to be damaged or lost in transit while en route to the
“Having to think about technology, like whether your laptop is charged or whether you’re near an outlet, adds extra layers of concern.”
“I think moving AP tests online will be a good choice, I think looking at a piece of paper for a long time really gets your energy low and the screen in front of you can kind of keep you awake,”
Ordinario expressed
Digital testing has also lowered the issues faced by administrators when grading and transporting paper tests Such changes have been shown to improve those minor issues that create large dents in testing.
warehouse where they are held until they can be scanned and scored. There's less risk of lost tests with online testing,” Del Dotto expressed
Even though the idea of online testing seems new, online learning has been in practice since the Covid-19 pandemic This way of learning has become second
nature to many students and teachers.
tests make the move to student’s screens, teachers and students alike find new ways to adjust
“I think the shift to online testing is a natural extension of how schools adapted during the pandemic…tech is getting very used in schools now and is used for many other factors,” Morazan concluded.
“Students are already comfortable completing assignments on their laptops, and state testing has been online for a while now. As a result, I don't think it will be too much of a transition,” Del Dotto contributed
Through the positives and negatives of the rising switch to online tests, it's clear that it's creating a lasting impact on how students learn As more and more
PHOTO CREDITS: ACT, SAT, AP
The move towards online testing has included some of the most influential institutions in high school education: the SAT, ACT, and Advanced Placement. As these move online, others are sure to follow.
BY CONLAN SHARP
Some say passion is like a fire burning in one’s chest, keeping them alive with its warmth. Others describe it as calmer, more spiritual, flowing within their body like their life force. Nevertheless, tackling one's passion in a hectic world can be difficult, yet not impossible
Music is a passion that many people share It can be tough for musicians to balance their passion with the other duties of their lives, but most of the time, they find a way to make it work. Some people decide to pursue music as part of their career, and others have a little more separation between the two worlds, but through it all, they find ways to incorporate their interests into everyday life.
“I love creating I love hearing how other people’s brains work and [how they] bounce ideas off of mine,” Azul Zapata, founder of musical project AZUL, spoke of being part of a band
Being part of a collaborative effort like a band can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people Within bands too, people have different long term goals. Zapata has high aspirations for the AZUL project.
“I want to play bigger and bigger shows I want to be part of the pantheon of names that people associate with North Carolina,” Zapata described
While many musicians have a major goal to pursue, some also have other ideas of what they want to do on the way to this point.
“All I really want to do with the band is
“Finding music and community when I did really changed my life for the better”
write and release music that I wish existed,” Justin Ellis, member of post-rock band Slow Teeth, expressed.
Any passion can be transformative,
igniting the fire within someone, leading them to where they want to go, leading them to be who they want to be.
“I wasn’t really good at anything before in my life, nor did I have any friends before I started playing music, so finding music and community when I did really changed my life for the better,” Ellis explained.
Being part of a band and playing music isn’t all sunshine and roses though. It can be tough for people to manage their lives, especially when managing personal concerns like family responsibilities alongside their passion.
“[I face difficulties] all the time… And not just my responsibilities from work, but my family life also deserves my time and attention. I just have to be honest about expectations and ask for feedback before I overload myself with things I cannot actually complete,” Zapata said.
Even if work takes time away from their personal music, for those people who can find ways to incorporate it into their jobs, there can be great rewards
“I teach kids of all ages how to play music and how to play in a band being able to introduce kids of all ages to the music and bands that inspired me and made me who I am today is also a remarkable privilege,” Ellis, who works as the Music Director and General Manager at School of Rock Chapel Hill, spoke of his career
As with any artistic endeavor, it’s difficult to make a living out of music alone. Many musicians take on other jobs to supplement their earnings
“I pick up odd jobs here and there to supplement music work and other creative paying gigs,” Zapata, currently working at a houseplant shop and Drum Team Collective, described.
Sometimes it may seem impossible to find a way to balance everything, like the cobbledtogether structure of your life could collapse if even the smallest thing changed. But if someone’s passion is truly what they want to do, there will always be a way; all they have to do is keep striving for it.
“If you don’t believe in your art, who will?” Ellis concluded.
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
The bell rings and students stream into the cafeteria to get lunch, joining the two lines and funneling in to get their trays. This year, however, these students may notice some changes with their lunches.
At all Durham Public Schools, lunch and breakfast are free this year. Additionally, a new menu was developed with youth input Because of these changes, more students are eating the school lunch. Still, difficulties persist, such as student complaints about quality and the strain of increased meal production on cafeteria staff
“Now that lunch is free this year, the participation even went up a lot of students are coming in, looking to see what we have, and some will walk back out, but the numbers are great,” Tonya James, cafeteria manager at DSA, reported.
In order to make breakfast and lunch free for all students, DPS was eligible for and implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which was established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service division The program grants federal reimbursement to districts based on how many students are eligible for free meals One hope people have for the free meals is that they will destigmatize eating school lunch or being eligible for free meals.
“Free meals for all students is an integral part of our district's commitment to equitable education and services, regardless of the school a student attends In addition, we believe free meals for all will begin to
address the stigma associated with school meals,” Linden Thayer, Assistant Director of Food Systems Planning at DPS, stated.
Along with the price change, there have also been changes to the school lunch menus. The new menu design is intended to have more vegetarian and culturally diverse options, more seasonal fresh fruit, and a greater variety of ingredients It also features ‘Build your own bowl’ options each week, such as the burrito bowl.
“The new menu was first developed based on design work conducted by Unbox, DPS's Youth Food Policy Council, the School Nutrition Services Innovation Team, and state/national best practices,” Thayer explained.
DPS’s Unbox program is new, with its first group of 16 students that participated in the 23-24 school year spanning 9 schools and 6 grades It facilitates youth input on school lunches and is likely responsible for some of the positive changes this year The program is continuing this year, so students can be optimistic about the future of school lunch This year, DSA students still have critiques and identify room to improve.
“The burrito bowl is good, I just wish there were more sauces and toppings to go with it because I feel like currently it’s a bit bland,” sophomore Josh Resuello commented.
Since lunch is free for all students, more are getting school lunch, which means more meals need to be produced and served The increased demand can be difficult to meet with limited space and staff.
“We are constantly on the floor Because, you know, the lines are so long on both sides, so it's been very busy,”
James expressed.
Both students and staff have hopes for school nutrition in the future. For one, James hopes to have more serving lines so that lunches can get distributed faster.
“Free meals for all students is an integral part of our district's commitment to equitable education and services.”
“Hopefully the new DSA will be ready [the cafeteria] should be wide open,” James noted. Nutrition services at Durham Public Schools have room to grow. For now, free lunch, DPS inclusion of students in its conversations about school food in their Unbox program, and an increasingly diversified menu are all positive steps towards a fresher future
“We have a vision of DPS SNS being a focal point of student AND staffs' day, a place to gather and enjoy a shared meal, with delicious meal options that meet a wide variety of allergies, preferences, and cultures,” Thayer concluded.
Jhesser Dubon. a junior at DSA, holds up his cheeseburger, courtesy of the cafeteria School lunches like this are now officially free for all students this year.
(ABOVE) PHOTO CREDIT: DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A sample menu for a week in October features vegetarian options and a “build your own bowl.” More changes such as these are possible with DPS’s Unboxed program and federal CEP funds.
BY: ROSA KLIEN
It's 1996, and a building that stood empty for three years has gained a new life once more. It has not just withstood the test of time, but it has also proven the transformative power of education, breathing new life into a once-abandoned space.
Michel Tharp, a math teacher, dedicated his years from 1997 to 2011 at Durham School for the Arts, leaving a lasting mark on countless students. His tenure at DSA coincided with its growth, from its humble beginnings to the esteemed institution it is today.
"The first class started with only 100 students at most," Tharp recalled fondly. "There was only a sophomore class and below, so I got to see the first graduating class of DSA."
DSA's journey is a testament to the transformative power of education. It was once Durham High, a school segregated by race that catered to white students, but after desegregation, it became a predominantly black institution. The school district closed its doors as a traditional high school in 1993. It reopened as a middle school, Durham Magnet Center, and grades were added each year until it spanned 6th through 12th grade. Mr. Tharp was hired in 1996 as a math teacher, marking the beginning of a new chapter
“I moved up with the kids, and by the 3rd year, we were doing calculus," Tharp explained.
Math was not the only subject developing at DSA. As the students got older and the school welcomed underclassmen and upper high school students, some students decided the school needed a new identity Durham Magnet School was not enticing enough, so the idea of an arts school, Durham School of the Arts, came to light. As the school grew, the importance of equality among teachers grew.
“There's always been a sort of comradery in the faculty, that was something that made [DSA] special,” Tharp recalled
The fellowship among the teachers made it feel more like a community for the students. Everyone acted in each other's best interests, helping create a healthy environment for learning. Students could develop their love for the arts and get productively involved with academics.
"The purpose of school is to let you explore; part of why the school is a school of arts is because the arts are so broad,” Tharp said.
Mr. Tharp helped many students
overcome their fear of math, just like he helped Wallace through after-school tutoring. He still does tutoring today, for free, for kids in his neighborhood.
"I hated math and was terrified to take calculus. He was very understanding and supportive. He never made me feel like a failure, even if I sometimes failed the class," Anna Wallace, a former student of Tharp’s recalled.
Tharp believes that learning should be a journey, one that is enjoyable and makes students want to learn. He continues influencing the people around him, making kids want to learn and enjoy studying. Mr. Tharp is everything someone looks for in a teacher: friendly, open, helpful, and kind.
"I hired a private tutor, stayed after class with Mr. Tharp, and earned the only C of my academic career. It is also the grade I am most proud of. If I had a different calculus teacher, I would not have learned as much as I did because I wouldn't have had the confidence to ask questions," Wallace concluded.
The former classroom that Mr. Tharp once taught in is still used as a math classroom. It is now used by Mr. Maultsby’s calculus class, which was also what Mr. Tharp taught.
Down
1. DSA's senior parking lots nickname?
2. What is Tyler the Creator's new album?
3. Who is DSA's cafeteria manager?
4. What is replacing paper testing?
5. What was the famous student band at DSA during 23-24?
Across
6. What was the name of DSA after it was Durham High?
7. Who is the Mexican god of death?
8. Hurricane that wiped out the Western Mountains in NC
9. What did Mr. Tharp teach at DSA?
10. What are the dancers that take part in the Fall Festival named?
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PHOTO CREDIT: ELLA ADAMS
