Winter 2019 Nighthawk News Magazine

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N I G H T H A W K N E W S . C O M FIRST FLIGHT HIGH SCHOOL KILL DEVIL HILLS, NC VOL 16, NO. 2 WINTER 2019 FREE

The INTERN BUNCH

ON THE COVER

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fter putting our heads together for quite some time to brainstorm a cover image to depict this edition’s internship theme, the idea finally came to us: The Intern Bunch.

(We may or may not have borrowed the design from the classic situational comedy, “The Brady Bunch.”)

Coming up with the actual theme for this edition wasn’t any easier. After reviewing every recycled holiday idea in the book, our staff had its “aha” moment once we realized we had this idea under our noses the entire time. What better to write about than a program in our school which had gone from seven to 67 students within the span of four years.

First Flight’s interns may spend their days at the courthouse under the watchful eyes of district court clerks and attorneys, or as mechanics, dirtying their hands working side by side with professionals in the automotive field. You’ll be introduced to every corner of the internship program, from those who play with fish and clean up our woods and dunes to those who dream of designing houses and healing the sick.

Kathy Neal, who is in charge of the internship program, has made it a point to get students involved in internships. She believes putting them in realworld situations will help them be better prepared for the future, more so than writing a paper.

“I am so pleased with the variety of careers being explored this year, now including skilled trades,” Neal said. “As the diversity of career interests expands, we have so many wonderful professionals in the Outer Banks who are willing to share their time and experience with our students to help them make informed decisions about their chosen career path.

It is overwhelming in such a great way!”

Her help was invaluable in capturing photos of

First Flight Internship Coordinator Kathy Neal sits at her desk diligently working with files of the 67 interns who have come into her care this school year.

Since taking over the program in 2017, the number of interns has jumped from 21 to 67. Neal prides her students on branching out to the far corners of the OBX work force, gaining experience in careers from the courthouse in Manteo to beach houses in Duck.

Photo by Emmy Trivette/ Nighthawk News

our students at work, and if you run a business and would like her help with internship possibilities, she’d love to chat! Email her at nealka@daretolearn. org. By making this our winter cover story we hope it brings more awareness to the community about this program and encourages more people to get involved.

In addition to the feature stories on student interns that our staff has written, we hope you also enjoy reading our festive Christmas pieces as well.

Consider Camden Crook’s take on whether material or meaningful gifts are a better holiday purchase.

Maren Ingram takes you on a tour of the Outer Banks’

best Christmas light displays, and Cole Tomlin reassures us that the Poulos House tradition will live on.

There’s also plenty of non-holiday materials inside, including McCrae Walker’s take on the new “Star Wars” movie, Maddy Wagner’s feature about students with parents who are politically involved in our community, Versailles Dalessio’s coverage of the Good Guys vs. Cancer tournament and more.

Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoy the stories of the students and teachers from FFHS and others in our community.

– Emmy and Simone

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WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS 4 Meet the “Intern Bunch” of First Flight From land to sea, hospital to car shop, First Flight interns are taking on new work experiences on every terrain imaginable.

Despite lots of worried rumors in the community, the Poulos House tradition lives on thanks to dedicated family members now lending a helping hand.

FEATURES Flight community delivers T-Day 12 First treat to Ocracoke

Give the gift of music this Christmas!

From Beginner to Advanced

From one family to one whole island, the tradition of FFHS students and staff supporting locals on Thanksgiving continues to grow.

Enjoy getting to know the political parents of First Flight. Then flip the page and read about the talented Artists in the Spotlight Stella Nettles and Isaac Drummond.

OPINIONS 20 Check off your OBX winter to-do list Tatum Love shares several exciting things to do on a boring Outer Banks winter day.

Cassie Honeycutt touches on how hard the holidays can be for some families, while Michael Pearson is eager to wish you a very Merry Christmas ... or is that Happy Holidays instead?

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Study

Relax

Enjoy Outer the best Banks, coffee onNC the beach!

SPORTS 24 Meet the track team’s biggest fan Learn about how Tim Shearin cheers on the track team as runners travel to away meets.

Get to know more about Virginia Godley and Emily Byrum as they cheer in the New Year’s Day Parade in London. Don’t forget about the father-daughter duo of Emma and Ray Richards, as well as freshman wrestler Reagan Riddick as they begin their seasons.

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3 locations to enjoy Nags Head • KDH • Manteo 3

Finding your passion – as long as you don’t pass out

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By Simone Midgett Editor-in-Chief

enior Zoë Blankenship eagerly replaced her normal school outfit for a pair of scrubs and rushed out the door to make sure she was on time for her first day interning at Tidewater Skin Care.

She thought of all the different things she was going to experience: how many pimples she was going to have to see that day, or maybe a few odd rashes. She soon realized her internship was going to consist of much, much more.

“The first day of my internship I didn’t know that they did surgeries. I got to watch a surgery and I actually passed out,” Blankenship said. “I had to leave the room and I sat in the corner and passed out and when I woke up I just kept going on with the rest of the day.”

This experience has shown Blankenship what a day in the life of a dermatologist is really like. She has watched basil cell removals and melanoma surgeries, cosmetic procedures and full-body exams.

“I get to shadow one of the head dermatologists, Caroline Conkwright, and observe all of the surgeries and procedures she does, and on Mondays I help all of the nurses stock rooms,” Blankenship said.

Through Blankenship’s internship, she has had the opportunity to learn more about a field she has been interested in since middle school.

“It helped me figure out what I want to do when I am older and it helped me get my foot in the door and learn so many new things,” Blankenship said. “I thought dermatology was just popping pimples and giving people skincare tips, but it is a lot more hands-on, and I didn’t know dermatologists performed surgeries – they cut

out a lot of skin cancers and they take skin samples.”

Along with dermatology, there is an array of other internship options for students interested in the field of medicine. Another student who has taken advantage of the school’s internship program is senior Ivy Doyle.

Doyle interns with Dare County EMS. Unlike most of the internships students have, she puts in her hours over the weekend and spends her Saturdays at the station.

“Every Saturday I go to the station at 7 a.m. and I stay until 3 p.m. and I help them with chores around the station and then I will go with them if they run a call,” Doyle said. “Usually it’s like one call per shift because it’s really slow during the off-season.”

Even though there is less action happening for EMS during this time of year, this opportunity has shown Doyle what it is like to be part of a close-knit group that works together in the field.

“EMS is like a big happy family. We eat together and play games – when nothing is happening,” Doyle said.

And Doyle has still gotten to experience calls first-hand: “My first call was a car accident where this guy had a really nasty head laceration and we transported him to the hospital.”

While being a first responder isn’t exactly what Doyle has planned for the future, she stills believes it helps her be better prepared for her ideal career choice: a trauma surgeon.

“It’s really good to actually see the stuff that I want to see in the future, to prepare myself to be around it all of the time,” Doyle said. “I think it gives me a better perspective of pre-hospital care because a lot of surgeons just know what they do, but knowing what happens before they come in can be really helpful.”

Doyle and Blankenship may be interning at two very different sections

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Senior Zoë Blankenship prepares supplies for the exam rooms at Tidewater Skin Care. This is Blankenship's first year as an intern.

of the medical field, but they both are taking away the same experience: They both have a clearer understanding of their future.

“If you are iffy about something, definitely do an internship because you

get to talk to the people and providers about if they like it, how much they get paid, or if they would do something else,” Blankenship said.

Senior Simone Midgett can be reached at midgettsa0827@daretolearn.org.

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Call of the wild offers unique opportunities

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By Jack Voight Sports Editor

hen’s the last time you splashed in the sound or went diving with sharks in your classroom? Thanks to First Flight’s internship program, several students are getting to do just that – and a whole lot more – as they work with ecological businesses.

“I’ve always enjoyed this kind of stuff and I just felt like it would be a really cool internship and I could learn a bunch of new and cool things,” said senior Kenny Crawford, who has been interning at the Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese. “We just finished with a project on the erosion with the sound and how the marsh islands are disappearing.”

Crawford isn’t the only intern who works in Wanchese and worries about the environment. Senior Gabe Long also takes time out of his day to go and work in the field over the bridge for the Coastal Federation, a non-profit organization that works to protect the North Carolina coast.

“I noticed a lot of ocean pollution following Hurricane Dorian,” Long said.

Some students are even interning in places you may not even think would need a couple of environmental saviors. Seniors Gage Bernard and Barritt Grizzard are working with Jockey’s Ridge State Park,

a place most locals just know as a sunset destination.

“We’ll go drive around the dune and see if any major sand has shifted,” Bernard said. “Last weekend we actually cut down an invasive species of plants that were harming other plants in the area.”

While these students go out in the field to help keep the environment safe and collect data for models, senior Dean Torchia has a bit more hands-on work at the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo, a job that many kids may have dreamed of doing since they were in elementary school.

“I do touch pools and I (will be) diving in the big shark tank,” Torchia Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News said. “You have to do lots of cool dives Senior Dean Torchia pets the stingrays at the North Carolina Aquarium on one and training with the sharks so you of his many interning days. Torchia hopes he’ll soon dive into the shark tank. know your surroundings.”

It may sound like all fun and ences at these internships has only strengthened games to soon be diving with sharks, but Torchia said their resolve to make a difference in the community. there will be some difficulties that come with the job.

“I kind of want to go into something with marine “You have to clean it,” he explained. research or marine studies in college, so I think this Growing up in a beach community, the state of will help.” Crawford said. the environment has been a priority in the eyes of Junior Jack Voight can be reached at 21voightja99@ many students. Getting hands-on educational experi- daretolearn.org.

Interns lavish love on furry friends at SPCA

By Fiona Finchem Staff Writer

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hen you first walk into the SPCA, you immediately hear the rattling of excited dogs jumping in their cages, hoping you will take them home. Seniors Olivia Bowlin and Juliann Gotthelf are interning at the SPCA, surrounded by this excitement every day.

The SPCA has a full staff, but it doesn’t hurt to give the animals more attention. That’s why the SPCA loves having volunteers walk the dogs and help with training, cleaning and much more. Bowlin and Gotthelf help with anything they can.

“I usually go Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and most of the time I go up to two hours a day,” Bowlin said. “I volunteer at the SPCA because I enjoy working with the dogs and cats and I enjoy helping out the workers there.”

Bowlin and Gotthelf do more than clean up around the shelter. They also enjoy spending time with the dogs and cats.

“My favorite animal was Ace. He was a black and white pit bull, but he got adopted. I used to walk him all the time,” Gotthelf said.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

Dogs are kept in large kennels and can go outside to play and exercise.

Cats have smaller kennels, but they have a playroom so they don’t spend all of their time in cages.

“I walk dogs, play with cats and organize donations of food, towels, blankets and sheets,” Gotthelf said.

Spending hours on end with animals is a great internship. But it’s more than that for Gotthelf.

“I chose this internship because I have thought about veterinary medicine, but I am also thinking about nursing or something in the medical field,” Gotthelf said.

Looking for a career is a stressful thing for high school students, and internships are a great way for them to discover what they may want to do.

“It is so fulfilling to see our students grow and mature through their real-world experiences,” internship coordinator Kathy Neal said. “As they excel at their internships, the word is spreading in the community and future business sponsors are reaching out offering to partner in our students’ education. This year’s interns are opening doors and paving the way for our future interns.”

Sophomore Fiona Finchem can be reached at 22finchemfi99@daretolearn. org.

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Seniors Olivia Bowlin and Juliann Gotthelf pose with one of the SPCA’s many dogs. The two girls help out at the SPCA by washing, cleaning and playing with the animals.

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Interns focus on the road less traveled

By Emmy Trivette Editor-in-Chief

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hile there are high school students who’d rather take notes and watch videos in a school day, many others would much rather be in classrooms with paints and brushes, or whisks and spatulas in hand.

But what about a wrench? Or maybe an oil can?

“If a car’s broken, then you get to figure out what’s wrong with it and then fix it,” senior Myles Sillies said with a grin. “Then if something’s broken on your own car, you don’t have to pay someone else to do it.”

Though some students may not understand the appeal of mechanics or an education in the automotive industry, four First Flight interns are taking advantage of a hands-on learning experience in “the shop” this year.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect. I used to build stuff all the time,” senior Zack Norris said.

“Then when I started working on vehicles by myself, I started to realize more and more that I like to work with my hands – I don’t learn sitting down. I learn hands-on.”

Since the age of 5, Norris has been helping out his father with the engines of trucks, boats and cars in the family auto shop, which Norris hopes to run someday.

While Norris did briefly dream of being an architect, it was his internship working at Coastal Fast Lube which helped him realize that his future was in the family business.

“There’s a big demand,” Norris said.

“People will always need help having their vehicles repaired.”

And without these opportunities at their disposal, none of these interns would truly understand the equipment and work ethic needed to run a shop.

For senior Eli Mercer, this means understanding everything in a mechanic’s space, from the hundreds of tools lining the shelves to the hundreds of people walking in and out of a garage similar to one he hopes to own in the future.

“If it wasn’t for that internship, I wouldn’t be able to actually do what a mechanic would do,” Mercer said.

When he began his internship, Mercer was driving to Beach Ready Auto in Point Harbor in a 1990 Jeep Wrangler.

But after showing interest in a beat-up 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5, his employer gave him the “messed up” Toyota.

There was just one catch: Mercer had to fix it himself.

“They gave it to me as a gift for all my hard work, but the only catch was that I had to do all the repairs myself.

It was like $1,200 to fix it,” Mercer said.

But now, after Beach Ready shoved him right into independent work, Mercer feels much more comfortable

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around the shop and looks forward to jumping into trade school after he graduates.

Mercer plans to attend the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) for his associate’s degree in Auto-Tech and Heavy Diesel. Similarly, Sillies, who interns at Bayside Body Shop in Kill Devil Hills, also plans to attend ATI next fall for his associate’s degree in Auto-Tech.

“I don’t like ‘school, school,’ ” Sillies said. “So, instead of going to school for English and math again, I can just start working and hopefully get my own business one day.”

First Flight, like most public schools, is a core curriculum-based high school. While there are plenty of science, English, math and history classes offered, these interns recognize that Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes can occasionally be neglected.

“Some kids learn better different ways,” Norris said. “I feel like it would be better if they offered a lot more hands-on classes.”

This is why Mercer, Norris, Sillies and senior Luke Ash – who interns with the Meineke Car Care Center in Kill Devil Hills – take advantage of these internship opportunities.

“I just like working with my hands, and a car is like a big puzzle,” Ash said.

“I never really had any hands-on shop experience like I do now.”

Ash plans to attend Pitt Community College to receive a degree in welding, and he hopes to also earn all of his ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications in order to open his own business.

These students’ eagerness at being immersed in the automotive world speaks volumes to the effectiveness of First Flight’s internship program.

“When I’m there, time flies by and I’m always having fun,” Sillies said.

“I mean, I could just be there all day without a problem.”

Senior Emmy Trivette can be reached at trivetteem0626@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Senior Myles Sillies puts air in a tire at Bayside Body Shop during his internship. Sillies hopes to continue this line of work and eventually start a business in the auto industry.

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Senior Zack Norris changes oil at Coastal Fast Lube and explores the work needed to thrive in the automotive industry.

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Senior Eli Mercer gets involved in the everyday workings of the automotive industry by focusing on every part of every vehicle that comes in for service at Beach Ready Auto. He strives to be a mechanic through college and as a future occupation.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

On-the-job training offers fun, scary highs and lows

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By Cassie Honeycutt Features Editor

he nerves are natural for new interns, who want to do everything possible to avoid messing up and giving that new boss a bad first impression.

So as the security alarm blared and panic set in as she listened for the wail of police sirens, there was only one thing Jackie Montes could do. She called Keely Owens and explained that the simple task of changing a lampshade had gotten a bit more complicated.

Montes and Darci Kenny can laugh about it now, but that first interior decorating task for Owens and Indehouse Designs LLC turned out to be pretty stressful. Welcome to the real world: Right from the start of their internship, the seniors were helping Owens pick out wallpaper for a flattop home in Southern Shores.

“I thought it was going to be, OK, here’s papers, file them.’ Instead, it is, ‘Hey, today we’re going on a field trip. Who wants to go to this house in Southern Shores?’ ” Kenny said. “ ‘Let’s go look at it. What do we think we could do?’ ” Both Kenny and Montes wish to further their knowledge of interior design, so both were eager to intern with Owens. Kenny has wanted to do interior design since the beginning of high school and was enthusiastic to see where this opportunity would take her.

“Finally being able to get in with somebody who does it and see little things that you don’t think about and little ins and outs of it, it’s just really fascinating,” Kenny said.

Montes has also shared the interest of interior design ever since she was little.

“I picked this internship because I have always liked decorating and designing different things,” Montes said.

“This internship helps me see the big outlook on the job and gives me a good picture of what I’m going to expect later on and to pursue my career.”

Montes has enjoyed every part of the internship and is taking in every aspect of the job.

“I wouldn’t consider anything to be my least favorite part because it’s all part of the job,” Montes said. “Whether you take a long time sorting fabrics and looking at a list of prices to cancel out or a long time looking for the right furniture to put the home together, it’s all part of the experience. If you don’t do one or the other, then you will have a huge mess that you would have to do either way.”

On the first day, the girls were nervous and intimidated by the thought of interior designing, but Owens quickly NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

calmed their fears.

“She’s been so nice and open with us. She has never judged any decisions we’ve made,” Kenny said. “If we make a decision that’s obviously not a good idea she says, ‘Or we could do this.’ It’s nice to see somebody in a profession that I look up to who’s not a jerk or pretentious. She’s down to earth and that’s really nice.”

Kenny and Montes aren’t the only First Flight students who have taken advantage of internships in special services. Senior Jack Clagett is interning at Bayliss Boatworks in the exterior carpentry department.

“My favorite part is learning about the trade and learning all the various tools needed and all the other skills provided. And it’s all the little detail that they go into on the boats. It’s crazy,” Clagett said.

With an empty space in his senior year schedule, Clagett wanted to fill it with an internship and he managed to find one he was interested in after visiting with internship coordinator Kathy Neal.

“Growing up on a farm, always working with my hands and always doing stuff and getting dirty, I love the idea of knowing the skill versus knowledge,” Clagett said.

With the end of senior year approaching sooner than they know, these students are appreciative of the oppor-

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Senior Jack Clagett helps sand parts to be used on the products at Bayliss Boatworks. He gets to be fully immersed in the experience of the life of thew company.

tunity that has been given to them.

“As of right now, we aren’t missing out on college,” Kenny said. “It’s part of our curriculum and we get honors credit for the internship. There is really

no reason for not taking advantage of it. It only benefits you.”

Junior Cassie Honeycutt can be reached at 21honeycuttca35@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Kathy Neal/Special to Nighthawk News

Seniors Jackie Montes and Darci Kenny plan and create design ideas for Indehouse Designs LLC. The positive environment they work in makes it pleasant to explore the industry of interior design.

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Spirit of Thanksgiving delivered to Ocracoke

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By Maggie McNinch Staff Writer

tradition that was once confined to a basketball team has now been transformed into a school-wide event. The student body, previous and current staff members, multiple local restaurants and stores all worked together to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in Ocracoke.

Thirteen years ago, Athletic Director and boys basketball coach Chad Williams planned one meal to be prepared by everyone on the basketball team and then given to one family in Dare County that needed help. It quickly grew over the years into a project where 15 families were helped last year.

Now, those 15 families have been turned into 550 people due to the involvement of students and staff.

“We wanted to grow what the basketball team had normally done and we wanted to include as many students and staff as possible,” Principal Chuck Lansing said. “The idea came about when my dad and step-mom were down for the football game against Camden, and we were talking about what Coach Williams and the basketball team had normally done.

My mom started saying how we needed to do more, and so that’s the night the conversation started.”

Williams was there during the conversation and was immediately on board.

“The bad thing is that my (players) won’t be as involved as they had been in the past, but the good thing is that it’s for a much bigger cause and will help more people, and it’s become a much more school-wide project,” Williams said.

The goal to raise enough money to feed 550 people took a lot of intricate planning by the administrative staff. Delivering the meals also was a challenge: The plan was to leave Tuesday, Nov. 26, with four vehicles: one truck to keep the food refrigerated, one to keep it hot, another High Cotton truck with all the serving materials and a final car carrying some of the teachers who would be helping.

Together, they prepared the chicken on smokers overnight and then served the meals from about 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Everybody was so nice, very appreciative,” Lansing said. “I was proud that we were able to go down there and that First Flight was able to help that many people.”

Students in the culinary room supported the effort in a major way, using their cooking talents to whip up

many of the side dishes for Ocracoke families.

Culinary teacher Lisa Muglia had two of her classes make traditional Thanksgiving sides, including homemade mac-n-cheese, potato salad and coleslaw.

They were assisted by High Cotton head cook Jared Strawcutter, who visited the school on Nov. 25-26.

Muglia and her students have helped Williams and the basketball team in the past and were more than willing to help again.

“Just seeing the kids learn new things, and of course, anything to help Ocracoke is awesome,” Muglia said when asked what she liked best about it.

Sophomore Dylan Evans is a culinary student who helped make the mac-n-cheese dishes and who actually traveled to Ocracoke with his family to help distribute food. Evans and his family are part of Liberty Christian Fellowship, which has provided a Thanksgiving meal every year for the Dare County community, but this year decided to reach out and help Ocracoke instead.

“It was devastating seeing all that people had lost. There were cars crashed on the side of the road and buildings down,” Evans said.

Another student who helped was sophomore Philip Smith. Smith not only cooked some of the food, but also spent many days sitting with Lansing and others during lunch and collected money from those who donated.

“When I grew up, I didn’t have a lot, so I like to help people now,” Smith said. “I just wanted to make sure people in the school chipped in and helped out.”

While the original goal was to keep it a First Flight-driven initiative, the community was also able to lend a hand.

“Even without asking the community, a lot of people just showed up and helped,” Lansing said.

Publix donated desserts and bags to help pack things, Food Lion donated 30 hams and Barefoot Bernie’s donated 25 turkeys. High Cotton added barbecue chicken. Without these contributions, not nearly as many people could have been helped, even with students, staff and community members donating more than $3,300 to the cause. It was a big help to those in Ocracoke who are still going through difficulties brought on by Hurricane Dorian.

“I think that a lot of people think that once the news cameras go away, everything is fine, but it’s really not and there’s a lot of people still struggling down there,” Williams said.

Sophomore Maggie McNinch can be reached at 22mcninchma07@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Emmy Trivette/Nighthawk News

High Cotton head cook Jared Strawcutter works with culinary students to prepare the restaurant’s famous macaroni and cheese to take to Ocracoke.

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Photos submitted by Chuck Lansing

Principal Chuck Lansing (above) waits to unload food and supplies after FFHS teachers took a Thanksgiving meal to residents of Ocracoke. Art teachers Jenna Saunders and Alice Baldwin display the banner signed by First Flight students and teachers who donated to the cause.

Photo by Lela Ingram/Special to Nighthawk News

Chad Williams, Jenna Saunders and Thomas McGeachy get side items ready to pass out to families at the Ocracoke Community Center.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

‘It will live on’

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By Cole Tomlin Staff Writer

urning onto Ocean Acres Drive and cresting the final hill of the road, your eyes are filled with gleaming lights and cheerful smiles. Welcome to a Christmas paradise that fills both children and adults with uncontrollable joy.

Over the past year, there has been much speculation in the community on whether or not the “Poulos House” would go dark.

“As long as my husband Dennis and I are here, the tradition will go on,” said Diana Mueller, one of Jim Poulos’ three children.

Diana and Dennis, as well as the rest of the Poulos family, have played a huge role in setting up and maintaining the Christmas lights over the past few years, especially when their parents’ health began to decline.

“I would say my husband and I actively took a role in it five years ago,” Diana said. “And then we really became a huge part of it the last two years.”

These past two years have not been the easiest for the Poulos family when it comes to setting up for Christmas.

Especially when you take into account the amount of time the family dedicates to preparing everything for visi-

tors to enjoy the festive illuminations.

“It’s fun doing it, but the basement room itself takes around 30 days to set up,” Dennis said.

Family issues have played a huge role in the difficulty of getting everything ready. Last year Ann Poulos passed away. This year, Jim Poulos’ health has caused him to be much less involved in the lights than he has been in the past.

Still, the rest of the family has been able to take inspiration from the parents and get things done the right way for this 40th year on the Outer Banks.

“It was very hard this year,” Diana said. “It’s upsetting, but I know she’s with us. And it hurts that Dad can’t participate the way he wants to either.”

Dennis also feels that Mrs. Poulos has been with them in spirit throughout the process of getting the house ready this year.

“They say that people from your past come back to visit you in the form of butterflies and cardinals,” Dennis said. “We’ve been seeing them all over the place this year.”

Another question posed by the community this year has been what they can do to help the family in these hard times: “It’s nice to see that the community likes to help out because they enjoy coming to the house,” Diana said. “We’ll take any

Photos submitted by Diana Mueller

Ann Poulos works in the basement of the family’s house to prepare the traditional Christmas display in this photo from 2011. Below, family members such as Dennis Mueller work to keep the Poulos House tradition alive and well for all to enjoy.

help if they want to help out.”

The Poulos family also has a lot of grandchildren who are now growing up, so they feel confident that the “Poulos House” tradition is here to stay.

“As long as we’ve got anything to do with it and the grandkids are all on board with the tradition, it will live on,” Diana said. “Let’s just say, if it doesn’t work out and the tradition doesn’t move on and I’m still here on the beach, I might as well just pack my stuff and leave, because I’ll be haunted by all of the angry locals.”

Junior Cole Tomlin can be reached at 21tomlinco11@daretolearn.org.

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Music at Winter Lights never fails to delight

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By Kayla Hallac Staff Writer

he lovely allure of Christmas lights and the seasonal aroma of fresh pine and s’mores will get anyone excited about the holidays. The only thing that’s missing is a choir caroling door to door – or flower to flower, in this case – with peppy Christmas tunes to let the festivities begin.

The Elizabethan Gardens is a 10acre property that opened in 1960 as an imaginative portrayal of an Elizabethan pleasure garden. It’s meant to create a living memorial of Sir Walter Raleigh’s lost colonists. It has always been a beautiful site to explore in the summer, but come winter the gardens morph into a mystical palace.

The Elizabethan Gardens’ Winter Lights involve several seasonal events with everything from visits with Santa followed by family dinner to holiday craft workshops, or simply peaceful strolls among the lights.

“Gardens across the whole country have done this as a way to increase the education (of the gardens) because in the winter, there’s nothing blooming or growing, so they add lights to everything,” choir teacher John Buford said.

Winter Lights opened Nov. 30 and can be enjoyed until Jan. 19. Through December, the gardens are open Tuesdays through Sundays, then in January the lights shine on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, provided it does not rain.

(Check their website/call for up to date openings and closings).

While Winter Lights has become a yearly tradition to explore the beauty of the illuminated gardens at night, it’s also a time for Buford to bring his choir and spread holiday cheer through song.

“It’s just been a tradition since forever, so we always go,” said sophomore choir student Alexis Martello, who continues to perform each season since

elementary school.

On Dec. 14, the First Flight High School choir performed at Winter Lights during the event’s ninth anniversary. Buford has attended this winter celebration since the beginning.

“We like to put everyone in the holiday mood,” Buford said. “We do a rotation of songs and we try to do things people know.”

The choir sings its crowd-pleasing Christmas tunes in the big white heated tent on the Great Lawn. To kindle your holiday spirit further, the Gardens also offer a firepit to roast s’mores before or after you listen to the choir’s melodic tones.

Senior Elizabeth Montgomery made her Winter Lights performance debut this past season and loved the experience.

“It’s really fun, first of all, to see all the lights, but also be able to be a part of the magic of it,” Montgomery said.

“Having all the people watch us along with the lights is really cool.”

The unpredictable winter weather on the Outer Banks makes it difficult to always find something to do, but thousands of people look forward to this event each year.

“It’s just a tradition on the Outer Banks. It’s something to do, and at a time when there’s not much to do anyway because it’s cold,” Buford said.

“But this is one place where because of the lights and the magic of the season you don’t mind being cold for a little bit.”

Those who choose to explore the gardens create memorable holiday experiences. Between the choir and the stunning surroundings, they feel emotionally fulfilled.

“You see kids and families walking around saying, ‘look at this, Mom!’ And it just makes you happy,” Buford said with a grin.

As many as 5,800 people have attended in past seasons. This year’s

Photo submitted by John Buford

Different groups from First Flight and Manteo schools take turns offering entertainment at Winter Lights. Last year saw orchestra members play. This year, choir students performed.

grand opening night had over 1,000 people, huge growth from a decade ago when there was only about 300.

Buford claims it creates a “more intimate” experience than other gardens because of the opportunity to actually walk through, as opposed to driving through the lights.

“There’s something about walking through the woods and the landscape with the lights and the music playing, and maybe a cold breeze. It just makes you feel good,” Buford said.

Sophomore Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn. org.

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Trees of Hope brings people together for the holidays

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By Noah Kinnisten Staff Writer

or most people, the holiday season is a happy time when everyone can come together and spend time with their family.

But for others, the holiday season is not as jolly.

The Trees of Hope organization was started by Edith Deltgen, a German woman who moved to the Outer Banks years ago and has had a very difficult life – she has lost three of her own children to drug addiction, cancer and mental illness.

Trees of Hope involves messages on fabric strips being and wrapped around trees to signify grief, hope and healing for the less fortunate and for those who are struggling right now.

“There are messages hanging on the trees which are written by inmates at a prison where you could see a sign of hope and feel like there was change,” art teacher Alice Baldwin said.

“Someone from outside the community was helping them and giving them a gateway to express their emotions, and I was really feeling emotional.”

Deltgen contacted art teacher Jenna Saunders and asked if she thought her students would enjoy making strips and coming to help hang and wrap the trees with them. One day in November, all of Saunders’ and Baldwin’s classes walked to the Kill Devil Hills Library and hung and wrapped an assortment of these fabric strips around the trees to make a beautiful piece of art with an even more important message.

“She got all excited about having help because she does a lot of it by herself,” Saunders said.

Some students saw the trees as positive, while others viewed them as somber.

“A lot of the messages were about keeping hope and keeping the faith, so it’s really uplifting,” junior Dylan Custer said.

Added Saunders: “I feel like a lot of people took it pretty seriously.”

The trees brought out emotions that you wouldn’t normally see in a regular classroom environment.

Photo by Alice Baldwin/Special to Nighthawk News

Sophomore Aubrey Holland gets a boost from junior Robert Peters as art students help with the Trees of Hope art installation at the Kill Devil Hills library last month.

Photo by Alice Baldwin/Special

Juniors Jaylin Fisher, Cecille Ernst and Lily Scarborough work together to wrap a tree trunk during last month’s art installation.

“I definitely learned some things about my students, being in a different atmosphere and being in a place that they were willing to share,” Baldwin said. “I had a few students open up about things that they were dealing with in their family that I don’t think I’d see in the general setting of our classroom.”

Overall, the experience with Trees of Hope was taken in well throughout the community and opened the eyes of many.

“You could remember someone with a name or you could write a positive thought,” Saunders said. “It was something that you could just react to in a positive way.”

Sophomore Noah Kinnisten can be reached at 22kinnistenno93@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Alice Baldwin/Special to Nighthawk News

Junior Dylan Custer carefully places strips of cloth with inspirational messages on them around a tree trunk as FFHS students assist with the Trees of Hope art installation.

Christmas time is here, along with a new Christmas Mouse

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By Ross Sullivan Staff Writer

n April 12, The Christmas Mouse store in Nags Head was engulfed in flames. It burned down the building, leaving only parts of the structure and countless Christmas memories.

“That shop was more like home than a store because we had all been there five or six years together,” store manager Lisa Mitchell said.

After the fire, The Christmas Mouse temporarily moved into the Outer Banks Mall with a small NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

2,800-square foot store in that complex.

“We all like it: It is a lot easier to take care of since it’s only 2,800-square feet instead of 8,000,” Mitchell said.

Co-worker Beth Saunders is looking on the bright side and attempting to enjoy some of the benefits of having a smaller store.

“The biggest perk is there are no stairs,” Saunders said with a laugh.

The new store is seeing most of the same customers and still receiving good business, especially during the holiday season.

“I would say about the same (number of) custom-

ers,” Mitchell explained. “We have some new ones because of the new location and some old ones that haven’t found us yet.”

Following the demolition of the old store, plans were made to build a new full-size Christmas Mouse store in the same location as the old one that burned down. Local officials have seen preliminary site plans for the new store, which could be approved in January.

“This shop is really just a temporary stop along the way until we get back to our old place, ” Mitchell said.

Sophomore Ross Sullivan can be reached at 22sullivanro96@daretolearn.org.

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Christmas lights on the OBX Reporting by Maren Ingram, Staff Writer Graphic by Maren Ingram, Taylor Newton and Kejsi Zyka, Nighthawk News Photos by Maren Ingram and Taylor Newton and submitted by Paul Borzellino and Leslie Erickson

808 5th Street An Outer Banks specialty since Sterling and Linda Sadler began the tradition back in 1999, this Christmas house at 808 5th Street in Kill Devil Hills has all the bells and whistles, including snowmen and reindeer out front, and palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights. Join the Sadlers for their 20th season of this lively tradition.

The Poulos House To start with the obvious, the Poulos House at 622 Ocean Acres Drive in Nags Head has been in action for decades and is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike during the winter season.

With the help of the Outer Banks community, the family begins the rigorous set-up early in the year to ensure they have plenty of time to get the house up and running by Thanksgiving. Most visitors get out and walk around the large yard and even inside and around the house to view the array of decorations, which is what makes this house so special and a classic for the Outer Banks.

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206 Clamshell Take a trip down Clamshell Drive in Kill Devil Hills, and when you reach 206, you’ll see the beautifully decorated, musically synced Mennicucci house. The family partners with the Beach Food Pantry to give warmth to the community during the season. The yard is filled with an assortment of blow-up snowmen, colorful lights on the roofline and twinkling archways over the driveway. And once you sync up to radio station 107.9, the lights seem almost as though they’re dancing along with the beloved Christmas classics on your station.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

5111 Lunar Drive Drive down Lunar Drive in Kitty Hawk and you’ll see this house that’s complete with everything from Christmas trees made out of light formations to Olaf and Snoopy blow-up characters. Not to mention the twinkling tunnel leading into the backyard, which has a plethora of gigantic and colorful Christmas trees to peek at and snap a few photos of.

16 7th Ave House No. 16 on 7th Avenue in Southern Shores – a more recently discovered Christmas house – goes all out for the holiday season. Beginning Dec. 15, each level of this house is covered in all kinds of different holiday lights, an allure that makes the house look as though it’s entirely wrapped with lights from roof to ground. You really just have to see it to believe it.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

A Downtown Manteo Christmas Downtown Manteo has always been a sweet-spot for the Outer Banks, but especially in the winter, when all the shops and restaurants are decked out in Christmas lights and decor. Wreaths hang on the doors, lights line the doorways and hang from the trees, and the giant Christmas tree located in the center of the downtown area shines bright and tall.

Located right across from the Old Courthouse, this magnificent tree was lit on Dec. 6 and glows for the remainder of the holiday.

Winter Lights The Elizabethan Gardens are already a focal point of the Outer Banks, whether it be for visitors in the summer or for the Winter Lights festival in the offseason enjoyed by many. Along with Santa visits, a fire pit on the Great Lawn, and young choir singers, the magical Winter Lights at the Gardens is a perfect place to visit one chilly night in December or through January. It’s always worth the price of admission.

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From orchestra to work, Jimenez does it all

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By Katie MacBride Online Editor-In-Chief

icture this: After enduring an exhausting day of school, you’re on a five-hour nightshift at work, followed by a drive home where you voluntarily give your revenue to your family. You get a quick night’s sleep that is interrupted by a 5:30 a.m. alarm. You then slip out of bed and get ready for your morning class that starts before the first-period bell has even rung.

A student who completes this schedule almost every day of her school year is junior Ingris Jimenez.

Jimenez is a member of the FFHS orchestra, a class that starts at 7:10 a.m. every school day except Wednesdays. Her love for music motivates her to attend the early class. She has had a love for music from a young age, and with the inspiration of her private violin teacher, Leslie Erickson, Jimenez joined the school orchestra.

“I started to play the violin in the middle of seventh grade and I was re-

ally scared to do orchestra, but my violin teacher would always hype me up and tell me ‘Do orchestra, you can do it, it will teach you a lot.’

So I finally did it,” Jimenez explained.

“She had a large impact on me to do it.”

After overcoming her fear to join the group, Jimenez has grown to love the class and all of her talented classmates.

“Everyone in orchestra is really nice and they have such a great passion for music, so I am in an environment that I get to share my same passion with them. Just playing music makes me really happy,” Jimenez said with a smile.

Her love for music stretches past the walls of the classroom, as Jimenez aspires to make music a part of her future. Fellow orchestra members, as well as orchestra teacher John Buford, play a major role in Jimenez’s musical career.

“In orchestra there are a lot of students that I look up to and just the way they play inspires me because they play so beautifully and the way Mr. Buford conducts is cool,” Jimenez said.

“I want to keep music in my future, but I do not know if music will be a career path.”

Though Jimenez looks up to members of the orchestra class, she is also a unique and positive attribute to the class herself. Her hard work has been unaffected by the class’ early start and her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“Ingris has really stepped in and worked diligently and at such an early time of day, too. She is very focused and you can tell she is taking everything in that is going on and working her best to strengthen her playing

skills,” Buford said. “I think her determination and positive outlook makes her unique, yet in a way, she is similar to the type of student you find in this class. While most students haven’t even had breakfast, we are having class. It takes a lot of special people to make this work so brilliantly, and Ingris fits right into this team of hard-working student musicians.”

When Jimenez is not doing something music-related, she can be found at the Thai Room Restaurant, where she works multiple days after school and on some weekends.

“At the Thai Room I get to eat a lot, I learn so much about the restaurant and about life lessons, (the staff) always cheers me up and are always making me laugh,” Jimenez said. “It’s like my second family.”

Before becoming an employee at the restaurant, she was a regular customer. Jimenez frequently visited the Thai Room growing up with her father, Carlos, and on a visit around two years ago, she was asked if she wanted to become an employee. Jimenez happily accepted the offer and has loved working there ever since.

“One of my favorite memories was when I would eat dinner with the Thai students. One day they made a really big meal and I just sat down, talked to them, laughed – and it was summer, so I was in a good mood,” Jimenez said with a laugh. “Also one day in the summertime we had a lot of flies in the Thai Room because the door was open and (my boss) P Pai said for every fly that I got, I get 50 cents, so I killed around 12 flies.”

Jimenez’s love for orchestra and the Thai Room leaves her with very

little free time during the week. Not only do her two passions keep her busy, she doesn’t keep the income that she makes, but gives it to her parents.

“Growing up I would always notice that my parents would struggle and they have done so much for me. They have always tried to give me a better life,” Jimenez said. “Just working for them and giving up my money is sometimes hard, like, ‘Oh, I want this,’ but then I am like, ‘No they deserve it, they need it more than I do.’ I know one day in the future I will get to buy myself something, so I do it for them. That’s all I want to do.”

Jimenez’s parents have been a big factor in her life, from raising her, to supporting and driving her to orchestra, as well as giving her rides to work and giving her moral support when it’s needed.

“They have made me proud my whole life and one day I hope to be as strong and smart as my father and mother,” Jimenez said happily.

Junior Katie MacBride can be reached at 21macbrideka62@daretolearn.org.

Top photos by Emmy Trivette/Nighthawk News

Bottom photos submitted by Ingris Jimenez (Left) Junior Ingris Jimenez poses for a picture with Thai students who visited the Thai Room Restaurant. Jimenez started working at the Thai Room when her boss P Pai (right) asked her if she wanted a job on one of her visits to the restaurant. Jimenez balances work, school and even a zero-period orchestra class (above) during the school year.

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Political parents earn opportunity to lead local towns

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By Maddy Wagner News Editor

his November’s municipal elections have brought new representation to local boards, and for three First Flight High School students, they’ll see first hand how local government works now that their parents have been sworn in as newly elected officials.

On the Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners, junior Jude Sproul’s dad, Ben Sproul, has taken the top post as mayor, with sophomore Maren Ingram’s mom, Ivy Ingram, serving as a commissioner. In Nags Head, senior Taylor Brinkley’s dad, Kevin Brinkley, will serve on the Board of Commissioners.

The three were sworn into their new positions earlier this month, and for these students, watching their parents run for election and knowing they are now part of important decision-making in the community has impacted them greatly. Their parents’ campaigns have also taught them a lot about politics and about Dare County as a community.

Ingram reflected during election week about what it’s like to have a mother as a newly elected commissioner.

“It’s kind of weird, but it’s really cool to know that she’s up there and making some decisions and just being there in the community and for the town itself,” Ingram said.

But Ingram acknowledges that it was an odd experience during the campaign to have her mom’s name advertised all over the town on campaign signs.

Ingram said she believes the job is a great fit for her mom, and says her mom loves being a part of the community.

“How caring she is about everything like the environment and the people (in the community),” Ingram said.

A big part of the election, Ingram explained, was “realizing how much of the community supports my mom and is behind her and just knows her from the various things she’s done,” Ingram said.

For Brinkley, she noted that campaign season was

Photo by Cyndi Goetcheus Sarfan/Special to Nighthawk News

Ivy Ingram, Ben Sproul and BJ McAvoy stand together at the Kill Devil Hills Town Hall on election day, greeting voters.

Ingram and Sproul have children at FFHS, as does new Nags Head Board of Commissioner Kevin Brinkley.

hectic in her household.

“Just all the campaign signs we had to order, dealing with all the stuff my dad had to write, getting the signs out, people calling him and figuring out what houses to put them at,” Brinkley said.

But with all that chaos, Brinkley learned some lessons about running for office.

“You have to be really involved in the community, and really be able to devote a lot of your time to the community, and be able to talk to them,” Brinkley said.

Brinkley believes that this job will suit her dad’s outgoing personality well.

“He is very good with the community. He likes to meet new people and he’s not shy to introduce him-

self to people he doesn’t know,” Brinkley said For Sproul, campaign season didn’t change his life too much, but he said his dad brings important qualities to his newly elected mayoral position.

“I believe he thinks of others before himself and that, I think, is the best quality he has,” Sproul said.

He also weighed in on what makes a good elected official.

“The people in the office who create the least amount of problems for others are the ones who should be at the top,” Sproul said.

And for these three First Flight students, their parents are making a difference in Dare County.

Junior Maddy Wagner can be reached at 21wagnerma13@daretolearn.org.

Spanish NHS makes its debut

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By Kejsi Zyka Opinions Editor

itzia Gale had a dream. An idea she had been pondering since she came to teach Spanish at First Flight, but the timing was never right. Until now.

Welcome to the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (SHH), otherwise known as the Spanish National Honor Society.

Gale created the high school’s first chapter of the national organization to promote the Spanish language.

Gale knew she wanted to make a difference in the school since she started working here. She has been working with teachers from Ecuador and Arizona, and they all came up with the perfect idea to create a cultural community.

“We had been talking about ways to promote our culture and language, and one of the ideas was to create the Spanish Honor Society,” Gale said.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

But Gale doesn’t just hope to spread cultural awareness. She also plans to use this society to help communities in need.

“I plan to do fundraisers to raise money to help Spanish communities and get resources from members of other schools,” Gale said.

Language classes are mostly taken for only two years by students, considering that’s all they need to graduate. Gale hopes to change that with the SHH. “With this society, I hope that students consider taking Spanish 3 and 4. There are also great opportunities such as scholarships for students who are thinking of Spanish as a minor in college,” Gale said.

Gale isn’t the only one excited about this new opportunity. Secretary of the SHH, senior Elizabeth Montgomery, is eager about the achievements to come.

“I was kind of thrown into it, but it’s pretty exciting because it’s brand

Photo by Kejsi Zyka/Nighthawk News

A cake and other treats are ready to be enjoyed after the induction ceremony for FFHS’ first Spanish National Honor Society chapter.

new. I’m figuring it out just like Mrs. Gale is figuring it out,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery is also excited that the new honor society will give students the opportunity to use this language outside of classroom time.

“I’m really excited to have a new

environment where we get to speak and practice our Spanish,” Montgomery said.

Gale and her students hosted an induction ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the media center.

Senior Kejsi Zyka can be reached at zykake0914@daretolearn.org.

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A r t i s t s

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Strumming, singing, practicing, performing, praising

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By Peyton Dickerson Online Editor-In-Chief

ophomore Isaac Drummond is bored. As the clock ticks by in class, an idea pops into his head.

He clenches his fist and begins to tap a rhythm by alternating between his knuckles and wrist. He envisions a tune for the beat, and before he knows it – snap.

He’s reprimanded to focus, once again.

One of the most challenging things for Drummond is keeping music out of his mind. Especially when he’s trying to stay on task during class time, of course.

“Constantly throughout the day I get in trouble for tapping on desks with different stuff, and I always have a song in my head,” Drummond said.

As a child, Drummond spent time taking vocal lessons, practicing piano and performing on stage. With both parents being musicians, he’s been surrounded by music since day one.

“I guess it’s just a trait that’s passed down through my family,” Drummond said. “My family’s very musical, so I just got it.”

With his mom a vocal teacher, Drummond had the privilege of perfecting his voice at a young age right in his own home. Along with free vocal lessons, Drummond was given the opportunity to start performing at the Outer Banks Music Showcase, which was owned by his parents.

“The first time (I performed) was when I was 4 or 5 maybe. I got up on the stage and sang a ‘Lion King’ song or something,” Drummond said with a grin.

Singing is not the only musical activity Drummond has come to love.

Around the time Drummond was in third or fourth grade, he decided he was going to give instruments a shot.

“I started out with piano. From that I went on to play a little bit of trombone in middle school. I didn’t really like that,” Drummond said. “Then I went to guitar and bass guitar, which are my main instruments.”

Drummond decided he was going to take his talent to the stage, and started performing live. He has enjoyed playing bass guitar in Christian worship bands and other events such as the FFHS chorus’ fundraiser Cabaret Night.

His biggest event came just last month, when Drummond played bass

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guitar in the house band for Pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage is an annual conference for Methodist churches from all over the Southeast. The event in Fayetteville was attended by about 5,000 students and their youth group leaders.

“It was really cool how many people were at Pilgrimage,” Drummond said. “The connection (music) has with people, it’s hard to describe it. Once you feel it, you’re hooked on it for the rest of your life.”

Perfecting the skills to perform at these levels comes as a challenge to Drummond. It requires hours of practice, along with being strong-willed and determined.

“I practice daily, especially for bass guitar and voice, and I do take lessons for bass guitar,” Drummond said. “Practice is key to becoming more fluent in instruments or singing.”

When it comes time to perform, Drummond deals with the pre-show butterflies differently than most: “I’m not a naturally nervous person about really anything,” he explained. “But even the most steel-nerved people of all get nervous. It’s just a natural human thing.”

However, Drummond does not let this stop him from putting on his best performance. He strives to reach his potential while also finding joy in what he’s doing.

“There’s just those days that nothing works and you feel like you can’t do it,” Drummond said. “You’ve just got to keep on persevering and keep on going because you’ll get it eventually.”

Despite his musical talents, Drummond has other plans for after high school. He would like to go after a medical or law degree, and possibly pursue music as a second profession or intense hobby.

One thing Drummond is sure about is his passion for music. Every performance is important to him. Every time he picks up his guitar or writes a song, he is content.

“Music is something that’s like a universal language. Everybody enjoys music in some way, shape or form, even if it’s not a specific genre,” Drummond said.

“Music is one of those things that just keeps on giving back to you. Whenever you perform or practice, there’s always a little light at the end of the tunnel, and it always gives you a good, happy feeling.”

Junior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at 21dickersonpe28@daretolearn.org.

Top Photo by Emmy Trivette/ Nighthawk News Left Photo by Natalie Drummond/Special

(Above) Sophomore Isaac Drummond strums the bass guitar at Cabaret Night at First Flight, where students performed acts for an audience in the rotunda as a fundraiser for the fine arts programs. (Left) Drummond joyfully sings at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church, where he also showcases his skills on the bass guitar and piano.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

the Spotlight From finger painting to a future full of creativity

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By Kejsi Zyka Opinions Editor

ou may notice the petite girl with short brown hair and sweet personality in her own little world, doodling in her notebook pages as she sits quietly, ignoring the noise all around her. But what people may not notice about senior Stella Nettles is her talent for art, and the bright future she has ahead of her.

Nettles has loved drawing since she was a little girl. She knew it was going to be an activity that would later turn into more than just a hobby.

“I was probably 8 and I started finger painting in my elementary school art class,” Nettles said. “It was so much fun.”

Once Nettles started middle school, she knew she wanted to continue to excel at her craft, so she took all the regular art classes, then in high school she took Art I and II. She is currently taking Art III and will be going into AP Art next semester.

Nettles has found her art classes to be refreshing and fun instead of boring and unchallenging. Every artist has a theme to all of their pieces, a specific style that portrays their creativity. For Nettles, that niche has always been portraits.

“I definitely like drawing people, and I usually practice drawing celebrities because that’s easy for me,” Nettles said. “I use the graphite pencils, I paint the background, I get really focused and it takes just a day.”

As for her upcoming work, Nettles wants to keep it a secret.

Christmas is coming up and she’s not planning on ruining any surprises.

“Let’s just say it involves clay,” Nettles said.

A recent accomplishment for Nettles has been her drawing, “Cruel Nature,” which was featured in the Outer Banks Milepost. The goal was to carve out a certain image from a social issue.

Nettles was drawn to offshore drilling.

“That’s a big problem down here,” Nettles said. “People who don’t really live here mess up our beach, and it means a lot less to them then it means to us.”

One of Nettles’ biggest role models has been her mother, Holly Nettles, who is a self-employed artist. Art has always been a part of both of their lives, and Nettles aspires to have a similar career.

“Walking in her footsteps is a nice comfort in life and I want to follow a similar path,” Stella said.

Holly is proud of how far her daughter has come, and knows she has so much more to offer.

“Folks that don’t know her may think she’s quiet, but she has plenty to say, and I love seeing it come out in her art,” Holly said. “When she has the opportunity to study Photos by Emmy Trivette/Nighthawk News different mediums, techniques and disciplines, I think it will light Senior Stella Nettles conveys her creativity from the pen to the page. (Middle) Nettles doodles in her sketch book. (Bottom) Nettles displays her multi-perspective pen and ink piece which she entitled, a fire within her and allow her to ‘Flash.’ continue to express herself.”

Holly thinks that Stella has a lot of potential, and knows she will continue to use her talent to do what she loves.

“She’s much better than I was at her age,” Holly said. “Her talent is pretty true and she’s willing to put in the work to get better.”

As for her future plans, Nettles knows she wants to go to a fouryear college and receive a Bachelors of Fine Arts. But she still hasn’t made her decision on which school and what job.

East Carolina, UNC-Asheville and Warren Wilson are the top schools Nettles is considering because of their great art programs.

“Those are really good schools and I feel like they have a lot of culture around them that could help me with my art,” Nettles said.

Nettles is unsure of where her art will lead her and the kind of career she wants to pursue from it, but she’s sure of one thing – following her dreams, and staying calm and focused along the way.

“The key is patience and time,” Nettles said. “I definitely want to find a career that makes me happy.”

Senior Kejsi Zyka can be reached at zykake0914@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

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Nighthawks get nostalgic with

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

flashback Christmas pictures

Left page (from left to right): (top row) Sisters Cassie and Callie Honeycutt pose in their matching holiday pajamas. Freshman Brooke Hymiller unboxes an iPod Touch. Junior Maggie Beacham poses for a picture with her new American Girl doll. (center row) Junior Katie MacBride smiles for a picture with Santa. Junior Nevaeh Tucker poses for a picture under the Christmas tree. The Kovacs family - Emmalee, Hopelyn and JP - take a family picture. (bottom row) Junior Cole Tomlin smiles at the camera for a holiday photoshoot. Sophomore Gage Tomlin shows off his new toy. Sisters Hannah and Elizabeth Montgomery take a photo in front of their Christmas tree. Freshman Kai Collins pretends to be Santa by stuffing pillows under his shirt.

Right page (from left to right): (top row) The Tucker family – Kayla, Kendall, Koral, Kylie, Karter and Khloe – pose for a family picture in their holiday outfits. The Byard family – Emma, Dylan and Colin – visit with Santa. Sophomore Mason Gates holds up a new video game. (center row) Junior Lydia Surprenant smiles wide in her picture with Santa. Senior Izzy Requa smiles while holding a Christmas gift she decorated. Sophomores Maren Ingram and Fiona Finchem visit with Santa. Sophomore Joey Krieg dresses up as Santa with his dog Buddha. (bottom row) Junior Peyton Dickerson shows off her festive reindeer costume. Freshman Aidan Nicholson takes a walk on the beach in his elf attire. Junior Kestral Welch shows off her new Justin Bieber book.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

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Our View: Tuition dollars or trade school skills?

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Editors-in-Chief – Simone Midgett, Emmy Trivette News Editor – Maddy Wagner Features Editor – Cassie Honeycutt Online Editors-in-Chief – Peyton Dickerson, Katie MacBride Opinions Editor – Kejsi Zyka Photo Editor – Taylor Newton Sports Editor – Jack Voight Staff Writers – Emma Byard, Camden Crook, Versailles Dalessio, Fiona Finchem, Lexi Foster, Kayla Hallac, Kate Hamilton, Callie Honeycutt, Maren Ingram, Noah Kinnisten, Tatum Love, Maggie McNinch, Michael Pearson, Aliza Snow, Ross Sullivan, Cole Tomlin, Crae Walker Adviser – Steve Hanf

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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.

Stay current at NighthawkNews.com!

hile a four-year college or long to complete. Statistics show that university is the answer not many people even finish college. for many students who According to College Atlas, 70 percent are graduating high of Americans will study at a four-year school, it may not be right for everycollege, but less than two-thirds will one. Trade schools have always been graduate with a degree. an option, but because After trade school, you of an increase in Career won’t have mounds of and Technical Education student loans to pay off. classes and internship proMost importantly, you will grams within high schools, be able to go into the work a more positive connotafield immediately. And tion comes with the idea maybe trade school isn’t STAFF of skipping the “traditionfor everyone, either, as othEDITORIAL al” four-year college route. er post-graduate options More high schools have are being considered. Some either created or strengthened their students might consider starting a already-present internship programs. business, joining the military or taking This helps show students the value a gap year. of work and give them the comfort Before, it was about getting into in knowing that it’s OK to not want the most prestigious colleges or your a college education – an idea that dream school. People claimed that countless students across the country was the only way to be successful and can embrace. have a fulfilled life. However, things Now that high schools aren’t only have changed. Nowadays, there are just stuffing the idea of a structured college as many secure alternatives that can education down the throats of students, guarantee you a career and set you on it is much easier to spot the many the path to a happy, productive life. developing flaws in the 2019 college To clarify, taking an internship does system. not mean you’ve wished yourself away Let’s face it, tuition is not what it from college and onto the path of trade used to be. The increase in tuition in school. But the opportunity students recent years has given students anothnow have to gain real work experience er reason to second guess the value of – during a school day, for class credit – a college education. While some are is almost even more valuable than the fortunate enough to receive scholarcore curriculum being taught. ships and are able to afford tuition, not Kids who go into college are still everyone has this same luxury. Now, trying to come out the other end with especially with college students heada job. That’s why there’s college. In the ing into the job world with teeth bared end, though, it’s much more worth the and claws out, it’s more difficult than money to know that the four-year-or-so ever for college grads to find well-paydegree you just invested in will actually ing jobs. get you a job you want. And with internHowever, after trade school, in alships, no matter if you head to trade most every case, you can be guaranteed school or college, that’s part of the end a job. One plus is that it doesn’t take as goal: just some real-world experience.

IN OUR OPINION

Hawk Talk: Which character from the

“Baby Yoda, because he looks like a bean.”

– junior Kestral Welch

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“Chewbacca, because it is like a big fluffy wookie” – junior Ben Wasniewski

“R2D2: Beep beep boop boop.”

– sophomore Dominick Jones

“Yoda, because he is just green and doesn’t really get involved with anything.”

– sophomore Evan Foster

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ leaves fans wanting more

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tar Wars,” the beloved franchise that has defined pop culture and set the sci-fi movie standard for generations to come, sold out to Disney in 2012 for $4.05 billion.

Disney has since capitalized on its purchase with the release of “The Force Awakens,” in 2015 and a new movie every year since. The newest in this onslaught of films is “The Rise of Skywalker,” which is set to be the last movie of the newest trilogy.

Multiple trailers have been released so far and they’ve gotten a lot right. A wide range of locations are revealed, some fan-favorite characters have returned and the music is truly worthy of a finale.

But despite these aspects, the chances of this movie being decent are appallingly low.

The first movie of this new trilogy broke some of the series’ consistencies, though it kept a very similar plot to the original made in 1977. This left dedicated fans displeased and casual viewers with an OK, but hardly innovative film. Nostalgia played a huge role in the box-office success.

Due to varying issues, the second movie took the disappointment to a whole new level and turned out to be a total disaster. All of the problems with the first were amplified, but “The Last Jedi” lacked any of the nostalgia of the original films or even the remnants of a working story structure, relying on the “Star Wars” brand to promote sales.

Because of the second installment’s many problems and the first installment’s “safe” approach, we are

Photo illustration by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Junior McRae Walker poses with his wide array of ‘Star Wars’ memorabilia. Especially with Disney now in charge, new items flood the market with every new release.

now left with a shaky base for the final installation, which hits theaters Dec. 20.

The characters starring in “The Rise of Skywalker” have had no drastic growth, making them feel two-dimensional rather than well-developed. This

is especially true of the protagonist, Rey. Rey is able to overcome any obstacle she needs to. So no matter what new challenges the trailer teased, it all feels like another opponent for the “good guy” to trounce. She also lacks

moral depth, leading her to always make the “good” decision.

To exhibit the problems that arise from this development, “The Last Jedi” tried to introduce the seemingly most powerful obstacle and internal conflict at the same time. But because Rey is so perfect, the opponent was disposed of in a matter of minutes, along with the emotional baggage. It led to a cheap payoff after multiple movies of buildup.

In a film where the narrative is shaky and the characters are dull, what is there left to enjoy?

Visuals could be one thing.

With the locations and special effects shown, it seems there will at least be some eye candy to accompany the boring plot.

The title “Star Wars” is really what keeps bringing viewers back, and that’s what’s at the core of this issue. Disney doesn’t understand “Star Wars.” They borrow from previous iterations or use similar story points, and this has actually made for two pretty good films, but in the end, it’s just recycling.

When it comes to making their own mark on this bastion of nerdom, the company falls flat, and this is mostly because of its emphasis on money.

Their new series “The Mandalorian” is a prime example. Though conceptually meant to have a darker tone, the show isn’t able to come through on that idea because it has to be viewable by as many consumers as possible.

To be appealing to other audiences, it includes a cute “baby Yoda” and just a few scenes of lethal violence, despite being marketed as a grittier take on the franchise.

The fall of this brand will come when it oversaturates the market and degrades in quality. We’re well on our way there. In an attempt to make “Star Wars” inclusive, Disney has lost what made it a force in the first place.

Junior McRae Walker can be reached at 21walkermc92@daretolearn.org.

Star Wars universe is your favorite?

“Darth Maul, because he died.”

– freshman Logan Thiessen

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

“My favorite Star Wars character is Darth Vader because he is evil.”

– junior Grace Topping

“C3PO: He’s just cool. He’s funny and jazzes out sometimes” – freshman Bella Sarbora

“Han Solo: He is really cool. When he wants to do something he does it, and when he doesn’t want to do it, he doesn’t do it.”

– junior Braden Savona

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Twice the presents isn’t twice the fun

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hestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Families gathered around the Christmas tree as they grin from ear to ear and their laughter fills the room.

That may be the cheerful Christmas reality for the majority of people, but for me, Christmas is far from this idyllic scene; this will be my fourth Christmas since my parents divorced.

I wish there was another way to put it, but the holidays can just suck. There is no waking up on Christmas morning with both parents by the tree, there is no big happy family breakfast or the shared excitement of gifts and surprises.

Don’t get me wrong, having two Christmases has its perks, but it’s also really hard for kids with divorced parents.

The bickering texts and emails about scheduling, the not wanting to do something with one parent that you’ve already done with the other, the sadness of lost childhood traditions – that’s only a few of the many struggles that come with the holidays when you live in two households.

As a child of divorced parents, I find myself worrying about hurting their feelings

when I’m honest about mine.

It sometimes feels as if I’m choosing one over the other.

I always want to do what’s right and make them happy.

At times it can feel like I’ve become the parent.

When I am at one parent’s house for Christmas, I feel bad for the parent who doesn’t get to wake up with me on Christmas morning. And when it’s time to go to the next parent, it feels as though my heart is being torn in two.

I stuff my presents away, pack up, and mentally prepare to be holly-jolly a second time that day. There are so many emotions at that moment that my body almost doesn’t know what to do. I am excited to go see the other parent, but I’m sad about leaving the one I’m with.

I feel like many people take their parents being together for granted. I hear kids complain about how they have to be a part of family dinners or spend Christmas break with their parents. They have no idea how much they should cherish that time. Given how high divorce rates are, I know I’m not alone when I say I have very few memories of my family being happy together, all as one.

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

I don’t want you to read this story and think, “Oh, poor Cassie!” Definitely don’t do that. Don’t get me wrong, I love both my parents so much and I know they try hard.

I have a great life and love both my homes, but when the

holidays come around, there’s always a part of me that longs for the past when things were simple and we were all together.

For those of you who are fortunate enough to have no idea what I’m talking about,

enjoy every cheesy family Christmas moment – even the matching pajamas.

For the rest of us, let’s just enjoy the double presents.

Junior Cassie Honeycutt can be reached at 21honeycuttca35@daretolearn.org.

How to avoid a weary case of winter boredom

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aying in bed, you roll over and look at the time. It’s 3 p.m. and the infamous “are you still watching?” screen pops up on your TV for the third time. You don’t know what else you could be doing with your day, and then you get an idea: You could go to Walmart for the fifth time this week!

One of the major struggles that comes with living in a tourist destination is finding things to do in the offseason, when so many businesses and restaurants are closed and the chilly beach is not an option. Here are some options to consider:

located in Rodanthe, throws special events almost every month and offers a wide variety of shopping for all ages.

Take a trip to Avon Going down South is something not many people do regularly but is a trend some students love. The beaches on Hatteras Island are different than the beaches we see every day: they’re super wide, secluded, and you can drive on them. Real Watersports,

Try thrift shopping If you haven’t ever been “thrifting,” you must live under a rock. Thrift shopping is a relatively new trend, and a cheap and fun way to discover new clothes and other hidden treasures. Part of the thrill of thrift shopping is searching through every single

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Go to Seagreen Seagreen Gallery in Nags Head is absolutely free to roam, unless you plan on buying a cool piece of art, some jewelry or one of their various crystals. The backyard of the Seagreen Gallery houses chickens and bunnies. Almost all of their art lining the garden and inside the shop is made of recycled and reconfigured objects.

rack, trying to find that perfect piece that is unique and affordable to complete your outfit.

Visit Jockey’s Ridge Winter sunsets are easily the most beautiful sunsets the Outer Banks has to offer. So why not enjoy it with the best view on the beach? Grabbing a few cozy blankets and watching the sunset on the top of Jockey’s Ridge is almost magical. Across the road from Jockey’s Ridge, there are lots of different shopping options such as Kitty Hawk Surf Company, Life is Good and Kitty Hawk Kites.

Go surfing Surfing in the winter is one of the most popular activities for locals. The denser and higher energy of the swell makes the experience a lot more thrilling for some compared to the summertime. Even though the cold temperatures might be challenging, you can still have an unforgettable time.

Sophomore Tatum Love can be reached at 22LoveTa53@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Beat Santa at his own game

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t’s Christmas morning. The sun reaches the horizon as you and your siblings race downstairs.

Your family gathers in the living room and the madness begins. You tear through the gifts, creating a mountain of discarded paper. Before you know it, every present has been opened.

As you look around, you can’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. You realize that what made the pile of unopened gifts so exciting was the mystery surrounding them.

Now that they’re uncovered, they lose their appeal. After all, they’re just material items.

In our society, the holidays are a time of giving. Typically, this means purchasing a present or giving money for a gift that will likely be forgotten in a year. I’m all for the gift-giving practice and the ideals behind it, but what I don’t like is what this season of

“giving” has become.

Why do we feel the need to spend an exorbitant amount of money in order to show people how much they mean to us? In my experience, the best gifts, to both give and receive, have come from one’s heart, not their wallet.

If you really want to show someone how important they are, give them a meaningful experience. If you’re giving someone a thoughtful gift, you probably enjoy spending time with them.

An experience is a perfect opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and make memories that will last longer than any material item.

Take them ice skating, to a movie or a nail salon. If you’re feeling extravagant, a relaxing vacation might be just what they need. Or, if you’d rather save money this season, create a spa or movie night to enjoy at home!

If it’s not an experience you seek,

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

you can always take the sentimental route. Printed pictures are my goto gift; they’re thoughtful, cute and affordable! Just gather some of your favorite memories together, print them at your nearest Walmart or CVS, and watch your loved one’s face come alive as they flip through the photographs.

You can even frame your favorites or arrange them on a decorative photo board.

No matter how you choose to give this holiday season, remember that it’s the thought that counts. It’s the effort, your thoughtfulness, that people will remember more than the price tag.

Enjoy everything this season has to offer, especially the joy you receive from watching someone’s smile light up upon opening – or experiencing – your gift.

Senior Camden Crook can be reached at crookca0109@daretolearn.org.

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas? Tis the season of gifts, cookies and debates

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t’s a week til Christmas. You’re out doing your last-minute Christmas shopping, anxiously awaiting the big day, and make your way to the counter. You pay for your gifts and happily wish the cashier a “Merry Christmas” to spread your holiday cheer. However, your holiday spirit is greeted in return with the politically correct phrase, “Happy Holidays.”

In recent years, large retailers have begun to require employees to say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” in hopes of not offending customers. However, they still put up and sell Christmas decorations and advertisements.

If the phrase if offensive enough that retailers blacklist it, then why are people still fine with it in normal conversations or plastered on store walls? I understand that if someone is not comfortable with a certain phrase, they should not be subjected to hearing it. However, this becomes a problem when they are fine with that phrase when it is used by people they know.

Employees should be able to say “Merry Christmas” if that’s what they NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

believe in, especially if the people they are saying it to don’t mind hearing it in any other scenario – such as seeing it all over the store they are in.

The holiday season is supposed to be a time of happiness and cheer, but is slowly turning into a time of arguments and debate. The more time people spend getting wrapped up in holiday-specific phrases, the less time they spend focused on family and loved ones, which is what the holiday season should really be about.

This debate goes beyond words as well. For example, Starbucks has been torn apart by social media the last few years after releasing a plain red-colored cup during the holiday season, which many deemed not “Christmasy” because it didn’t say “Merry Christmas.” This year, Starbucks has gone with the “Merry Coffee” theme on its cups.

If a company wishes to release a product or say a phrase which can be associated with a holiday, they should have the right to do so without heavy criticism. However, when their employees utter a certain phrase, the company is torn apart on social media.

Certain organizations such as the YMCA also openly affiliate themselves with a certain religion, which allows them to practice celebrating a particular holiday with decorations and phrases without criticism from the masses.

The more people get into Twitter fights or long argumentative text

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

threads during the holiday season, the further they drift from what the holidays are really about.

The holiday season is supposed to be a time when people can put aside their differences and embrace being

together as family and friends, not a time to argue and fight about what they deem is right or wrong.

Sophomore Michael Pearson can be reached at 22pearsonmi74@daretolearn. org.

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COA classes come with unintended consequences

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s a senior, I finally have the schedule I’ve always wanted.

A newspaper class to keep me busy first thing in the morning, two AP courses made up of subjects I’m actually interested in, a quiet hour-and-a-half internship period and of course, a math class that only meets twice a week.

If I had it my way, I wouldn’t have taken math my senior year at all, but fortunately for me, with COA (Community College of the Albemarle), I can painlessly knock out my pesky math class and still receive advanced credit for it.

But there’s more to the system than just “knocking a class out of the way.”

If receiving the high-level credit is so easy, why isn’t everyone doing it?

Well, there’s the issue: That’s exactly what students have begun to realize.

At First Flight, academically advanced freshmen have the ability to take courses normally taken by juniors, and even seniors, during their last two years of high school. The freshmen take these classes, and within their first two years of high school, they finish almost all high school classes required to graduate.

So what do they have left to take?

Most could go the troublesome route and take tons of rigorous AP courses to finish out their high school career – but the trick here is realizing that the structure of a community college class is not nearly as intense as a College Board-created course.

In layman’s terms: COA courses are generally much easier to pass.

While the opportunity to earn college credits in high school has benefited students at First Flight and across the country, it completely undermines the point of high school.

The rigor of a COA class is only mildly comparable to that of a public university course: This much has been established by students and teachers.

This is not meant to undermine the legitimacy of the College of the Albemarle – no, what I’m trying to emphasize is that the kids taking hefty helpings of COA courses are usually not the ones who decide on attending a community college.

In terms of schedules, having a two-days-a-week class is almost exactly what you would find at most public universities, like NC State or UNC Chapel Hill. But in comparison, the AP courses offered in high school – in terms of course content – offer a more accurate example of college class rigor.

This isn’t an issue that can be solved with a black-or-white answer.

The only solution is awareness: know-

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

Younger and younger students are pushing to earn college credit in high school classes that they may not be prepared to take.

ing that, for the most part, walking into a COA class will mostly help you adjust to and prepare for the time management change of an actual college class, NOT prepare you for more intense college-level course content.

In this instance especially, it’s key to have an awareness of your strengths and weaknesses as a student. I know that I would never give up my COA Stats course for an AP Calculus class – my

weakest link is by far math. Taking AP Stats would be a yearlong struggle ending in a C or a B as opposed to earning an easy COA math credit ending in an A. So think before you act when you’re setting up your schedule for the next year or two, because COA may not help you do the most thinking in subjects you might need.

Senior Emmy Trivette can be reached at trivetteem0626@daretolearn.org.

Money is streaming out of our pockets for entertainment subscriptions

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etflix has gathered over 150 million subscribers since introducing its streaming service in 2007. In total, these subscribers spend almost 170 million hours a day streaming the thousands of TV shows and movies the service offers.

The crazy thing is that these numbers don’t even account for the amount of time people spend on other streaming services like Hulu, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.

I love all of these services and think they will continue to grow in the future as traditional TV will slowly decline in popularity.

The idea that you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want is appealing to almost everyone. On top of that, it’s supposedly a cheaper alternative to services such as cable TV or satellite, which starts at about $20 a month but can be as much as $100 or more.

The one downfall behind streaming services is that the idea began as a one-stop-shop for all your favorite TV shows and movies, but over time, TV channels have pulled their shows off of other streaming platforms so they can start their own services.

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This creates a problem because people have to start paying for more streaming services if they want to watch all their favorite shows, and that can end up making it more expensive than cable.

I understand why companies might want to start a service of their own. Using streaming services has become so popular as opposed to traditional TV, so it’s a good way to make money. However, I think it’s ridiculous how much money consumers are now spending on the services they want.

The basic Netflix subscription costs $9 a month, Hulu costs $5.99 a month, Disney Plus costs $6.99 a month and Amazon Prime Video cost $8.25 a month (but also includes a few other perks such as free two-day shipping on Amazon and a music streaming service).

So, just having these services alone costs about $360 a year, and some people pay for more services – even network stations are streaming, with CBS All Access another $5.99 a month – or have more than just the basic version of the ones listed.

As much as I enjoy binge-watching shows on Netflix or Hulu, I think it’s insane how much these prices

have increased over time.

Netflix started with an $8 basic subscription, and that same subscription now costs $9. However, there was a bigger price increase for the standard and premium packages. The standard subscription started at $8 and has risen to $13, while the premium subscription has risen from $8 to $16.

It would be much nicer for consumers if these companies could work out a deal where all the shows we want are on one platform.

This would obviously be a little more expensive than the individual services that are available now, but it would be much less expensive in the long run and overall more convenient for the average user to have everything in one place.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to get any cheaper any time soon. As time goes on, prices, as well as the number of streaming services, will probably continue to increase.

Although I think the prices are insane, the idea of a service that allows you to watch your favorite shows whenever you want is amazing. It’s because of this that most people – including me – will just continue paying for the entertainment until something better comes along.

Junior Aliza Snow can be reached at 21snowal92@ daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Good Guys team up again to fight cancer

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By Versailles Dalessio Staff Writer

“It’s an opportunity for us to come together for a common goal, raise awareness in the community, to bring good basketball to the community and just yet again, to honor my dad,” Williams said.

Participating in this event were Duke commit Henry Coleman of Trinity Episcopal School of Richmond, Va., along with Michigan commit Isaiah Todd from Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh. Another wellknown player who took part was Myers Park’s Drake Maye, brother of former UNC Tar Heel Luke Maye. Junior Dontrez Styles from Kinston and junior Terquavion Smith from Farmville Central also added to the spectacle.

“It’s a level of basketball that’s never been in Dare County before,” Williams said. “The athleticism and the talent level – the sheer number of Division I athletes at one time – is something that this area hasn’t seen before, and I hope (fans) will embrace it and realize that this is a showcase that’s actually now picked up national recognition.”

In order to make this project as successful as it was, a lot of effort was put in by a lot of individuals. Williams was excited to announce that Chase Patterson of Albemarle Landscapes and Tree Service has already committed to title sponsorship next year as well. Other sponsors including OBX Chevy Buick, Twiddy Realty, BSN Sports, Pizzazz Pizza, BEFCOR, The Farmer’s Daughter, First National Bank, Farm Bureau Insurance, OBX Motel Group, Towne Bank, OBX Hilton Garden Inn, The Ramada, Good Measure Graphics, Overton Corporation, and Doug Doughtie and the Dare County Sheriff’s Department also supported Good Guys vs. Cancer.

Williams also was grateful for the help of the team’s parents and his own family, who dedicated much of their time and energy into making the event work.

The players realize just how important this event is because of the great basketball and the great cause.

“It’s fun to play these teams be-

or the second straight year, First Flight hosted a great weekend of basketball for a Good Guy to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

On Dec. 13-14, the second annual Phenom Hoops “Good Guys vs Cancer Showcase” presented by Albemarle Landscapes and Tree Service was held in memory of Guy Williams, head basketball coach Chad Williams’ father.

Guy succumbed to cancer last December, but his memory lives on as part of this offshoot of the national “Coaches vs. Cancer” movement.

“Anytime you can get something that has a name ‘versus cancer’ in it, I think it raises awareness automatically,” Williams said. “Last year we were able to send a donation of around $12,000 to the American Cancer Society.”

The tournament itself raised more than $4,000, and donations in lieu of flowers continued to pour into the school in the following weeks after Guy Williams’ memorial service. Coaches vs. Cancer works alongside the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches and has raised more than $100 million for cancer research.

Partnering this year with Phenom Hoops – an NCAA scouting service – Williams was able to feature 21 high school teams, with three ranking in the top 100 in the country, including two players ranked among the top 20 in America. Yet the tournament also still had a local flavor as well thanks to participation from Manteo, Cape Hatteras, Ocracoke, Pasquotank, Camden, Hertford County and, of course, First Flight.

The five games played Friday evening and 10 contests spanning from 8 in the morning to 11 at night Saturday included defending state champions Farmville Central and South Central, plus nationally ranked Word of God. The big names were a big draw for basketball fans throughout the region.

Photo (above) Nighthawk News file Photo (below) submitted by Chad Williams

(Above) Coach Chad Williams presents a check for $4,000 to the American Cancer Society.

(Below) Williams poses with his parents, Guy and Betty Williams, and his children, Brody and Mason, for a family photo shortly before Guy Williams lost his battle with cancer.

cause it’s good competition,” senior Joe Davidson said. “It’s not really all about basketball during the tournament, but it’s about the cause that you’re going for and all the people that you’re helping by playing.”

First Flight faced the tall task of playing Word of God in the Friday night finale and Kinston to close the showcase Saturday. But his Nighthawks have never backed down from a chal-

lenge with a chance to show off their capabilities.

“It’s an opportunity for us to show basketball level-wise that we can compete with some of the best teams around, that we’re not scared to play against anyone, and we have some really talented players here,” Williams said.

Sophomore Versailles Dalessio can be reached at 22dalessiove31@daretolearn. org.

Pre-Order your copy of the 2020 Shorelines at YearbookForever.com or stop by the yearbook room.

A few spots remain for Senior Ads and Business Ads in our award-winning book, which was purchased by more than 440 FFHS families last year!

Contact adviser Steve Hanf with any questions about the book at 449-7000 or hanfst@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

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Bus driver goes the extra mile to support runners

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By Emma Byard Staff Writer

ctivity bus drivers have one expectation: to bring students to and from their activity safely. Bus driver Tim Shearin rises above and beyond this basic duty, however, for the cross country and track and field teams. Shearin is better known as the runners’ biggest fan.

“Getting to know (the athletes) and their families has been a terrific experience for me personally,” Shearin said. “I always look forward to the start of a new school year because I know that I will get to see ‘my kids’ soon.”

Shearin has been driving activity buses for five years. His first experience driving was with the cross country and track teams and he continues to drive for them whenever the opportunity arises.

“I have found that the athletes on the cross country and track and field teams are among the most dedicated athletes and students in the Dare County school system,” Shearin said.

Not only does he drive these athletes, but he also cheers them on in their events and creates a personal connection with them. Sophomore

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Photo by Emma Byard/Nighthawk News

Track team members Aidan May, Maggie McNinch, Maddy Wagner and Madison Pugh enjoy a visit with their biggest fan, bus driver Tim Shearin. After driving cross country and track athletes to each race, Shearin exits the bus and cheers on every runner.

Madison Pugh has known Shearin for the past two years that she has been running for First Flight, and can attest

to his affable personality.

“Mr. Tim is definitely just a welcoming person and he is always super

happy to see us, which makes us super happy to see him,” Pugh said.

Added junior Maddy Wagner: “He is really supportive of our running and he is always cheering for us. He always asks about how we do (after a race).”

Shearin has a reputation for caring and kindness after meets, as well.

“Last year, we were going to Chickfil-A and we had to guess a number he had in his head to see who got the closest to the number,” Pugh said. “I picked it and he paid for my dinner.”

Senior Aidan May’s favorite memory with Shearin involved an even bigger act of generosity.

“There was one time after a meet where everyone did really well and we went to go eat and he paid for everyone’s meal. I have made a good memory every time that Mr. Tim was the bus driver,” May said.

Going above and beyond the expectations of an activity bus driver has allowed Shearin to create these relationships and become a well-known member of the cross country and track teams.

“He is an amazing role model, and knowing that he is always supporting our team is great,” Wagner said.

Senior Emma Byard can be reached at byardem0329@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

London calling: Duo earns trip

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By Callie Honeycutt Staff Writer

lot of people go on winter vacations. From snorkeling with sea turtles and tanning in the Virgin Islands to kicking up snow and skiing at Snowshoe, the options are endless.

For sophomores Virginia Godley and Emily Byrum, their winter vacation this year is going to be in London.

“We made an All-American Cheer team. We’re going to perform in the New Year’s Day Parade in London,” Byrum said.

Godley and Byrum tried out at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp at UNC-Chapel Hill this summer. At camps across the country, more than 50,000 cheerleaders tried out and only about 5,000 made the team. Not all of them will make the trip, but hundreds of girls and boys do.

Like any other team, they have to practice. But with the team being made up of girls from across the country, it’s easy to see how this could pose a problem as they perform in the parade with a street-side audience of a million people and a TV audience of 20 million.

“You get videos sent to you,” Byrum said of how the cheerleaders are supposed to learn their moves.

“We’re group one and our dance is ‘Love Train,’ and when we get there we will have practices in the hotel,” Godley said.

To make an All-American Cheer team takes major cheering skills.

Godley has been cheering for eight years and Byrum for six years. They first started with competition squads and have since been on the First Flight middle and high school teams.

“My favorite part of cheering would definitely have to be performing,” Byrum said.

Added Godley: “My favorite part about cheer is getting to be with my friends every day.”

FFHS cheer coach Cindy McNeill has had multiple girls qualify for the UCA All-American honor and three participate in the parade. Byrum and Godley have been cheering with McNeill for three years.

“They are coachable,” McNeill said.

“When I need to tell them that they need to work on something, they work on it. They are constantly trying to improve.”

This trip will only help make them better. The girls leave for London on Dec. 26 and will visit for a week. They will go to places like Buckingham Palace, The Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben. “I’m most looking forward to going to all the museums and seeing the live play ‘Wicked,’ ” Godley said.

Then, Byrum and Godley are looking forward to cheering in London and showcasing their skills.

“I really feel like this will be a positive experience and it will help with my cheering,” Godley said.

Sophomore Callie Honeycutt can be reached at 22honeycuttca54@daretolearn.org.

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Photo by Callie Honeycutt/Nighthawk News

Sophomores Virginia Godley and Emily Byrum try out their All-American Cheer uniforms.

The Nighthawks will perform in the London New Year’s Day parade with other cheerleaders from all over the world for a huge audience in this annual tradition.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

27

Riddick wrestles with stereotypes on the mat

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By Lexi Foster Staff Writer

he wrestler walks into the gym with confidence and focus.

Competitors and fans stare in surprise and confusion. Contagious whispers break out and then, all of a sudden – courageous strangers come and ask the question: “What’s your name?”

Reagan Riddick.

What they really want to ask, of course, is why this freshman girl is competing in this male-dominated sport. Riddick always grabs the attention in the room, but it never fazes this phenomenal athlete.

“I always see them talking to one another and looking at me, then I know it’s about me,” Riddick said. “I don’t care because I’ve been in bigger areas and wrestled in national competitions.”

Riddick has only been wrestling for four years, but she has gone far beyond the accomplishments of the average 14-year-old athlete. At the 2019 National United Wrestling Association for Youth Summer Nationals (NUWAY) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Riddick went 13-1 – her only loss coming to a junior who was ranked 13th in the country – but pulled through to become a twotime NUWAY champion.

Still, despite performing at that high level, Riddick has to prove herself all over again this year as she moves from middle school to high school competition.

“It’s gonna be a lot harder than any other season I’ve had because I am a freshman girl and I could be going against seniors or juniors with four more years of experience, but I can definitely see the improvements in my technique,” Riddick said.

With the season just getting started, Riddick and the team have high hopes in store. Returning sophomore Jack Hawbaker happens to not only be Riddick’s best friend and mentor, but also a top performer for the Night-

hawks. He is confident this season will be something to watch, and not just because there’s a girl on the team.

Like his son, assistant coach Andy Hawbaker is optimistic about the Nighthawks’ abilities.

“The coaching staff has invested a lot of time adding new coaching methods to guide us into the future.

We are looking to create a culture that will outlast the staff,” Coach Hawbaker said. “We will see individual success, and having Reagan is an asset. What’s a better way to motivate a high school boy to work harder than getting outworked by a girl?”

Riddick can’t avoid the gender stereotypes on the mat. At some matches, her opponent will choose to forfeit rather than risk losing to a girl, or risk ridicule for not beating the girl convincingly enough.

Through it all, she continues to work on what she can control: Strength, conditioning, perfecting moves. At times, Riddick had doubts about wrestling, but her biggest supporters and source of inspiration keep her motivated.

“I have a little cousin that just started wrestling. Her name is Ansley.

She was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 6 but she just beat it,” Riddick said. “She’s always wanted to wrestle and now she can finally. She even attended one of the biggest national tournaments in the country recently.

She was a beast – she handled chemo, took her medicine and it paid off, which has always inspired me to stay strong.”

Motivation like that can lead to a successful season for any athlete in any sport – no matter their gender. Riddick sees herself as just another wrestler, no matter the stares and whispers.

“You’re no different from any other guy or girl,” she said. “You can do anything you set your mind to with hard work, focus and the drive to make your goal.”

Junior Lexi Foster can be reached at 21fosterle79@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Freshman Reagan Riddick eyes her opponent in the wrestling room during a recent practice.

Every match, she grapples with competitors and fans alike questioning her talent on the mat.

Photos submitted by Reagan Riddick

Prior to arriving at FFHS, Riddick was making an impression on fellow wrestlers at tournaments for girls, such as the NUWAY Summer Nationals that she won.

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

Family ties: Father-daughter duo stronger thanks to sports

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By Kate Hamilton Staff Writer

ay Richards was there for every free throw and every pitch. He saw the huge basketball glide off his daughter’s fingertips without trouble, and the once oversized mitt was now a perfect fit.

Sophomore Emma Richards began to flourish in her extracurriculars from a young age, with her dad far more than just a proud parent in the stands.

From the age of 10, Emma has had her father coaching her from one sport to the other.

“I’ve coached soccer, softball, basketball, and that’s all at the rec level,” Ray said. “Then AAU basketball, travel softball, and the high school level of basketball, which was not anticipated.”

Ray is a chemistry teacher and head coach of the girl’s varsity basketball team. As he heads into his second year of coaching, he is excited for what awaits this season, but he knows there will be some challenges.

“We’re a little bit of a smaller team than we were last year, so I think a few people need to do a little bit more and that’s been the real challenge,” Ray said.

Although it’s basketball season now, the Richards have an eye on softball season as well. Emma is involved in both travel and school softball teams. Emma is mostly known for her skills on the pitcher’s mound, but she didn’t get where she is today by luck.

Her father has helped her practice her pitching and given her private lessons to improve her skills.

Emma hopes to continue playing softball at the collegiate level. She knows she will have the support of her father when she does finally decide what will be the right path for her.

Having your father as a well-known figure in the school can be intimidating, but Emma sees her dad being a teacher and her coach as a good thing – at least for the most part.

“He definitely pushes me and gets on me more than the other girls, but it helps me,” Emma said. “If I get in trouble, he’s definitely going to be the first one to find out.”

This father-daughter duo is recognized for intense practices. Currently, Emma practices every day for two hours with the school’s varsity basketball team and then occasionally practices with just her father during the week and on weekends for both softball and basketball.

“When we are together, we really just work on form and basic things,” Ray said. “With any sport, the more tired you get, the more bad habits you get and it’s just minimizing the bad habits when we are playing.”

The two of them have a passion for the sports they are involved in. This father-daughter relationship has such a strong bond from spending so much time together and making memories at NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Sophomore Emma Richards watches the action unfold on the court during a game against Hickory (Va.) on Dec. 10 while her father – head coach Ray Richards – looks on from the sidelines. From soccer to softball to basketball, the duo has competed in countless games together.

Southern Bank proudly supports First Flight High School.

Photo by Aaron Jennings/Special

Emma Richards is also a standout on the softball field thanks to her father’s guidance.

each practice and game.

“We spend a lot of time together and we get along a lot better because of (sports),” Emma said.

A role model can be a celebrity, a friend or an icon – but for Emma, he’s someone a little closer to her heart.

“I look up to my dad,” Emma said.

“He has really pushed me to get me where I am and even though I might not like it, it has definitely helped me in the long run.”

Sophomore Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22HamiltonKa86@daretolearn.org.

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First Flight Winter Spotlight: A Q&A

Jordan High

Senior

How long have you been playing basketball? Since I was 3, so 15 years.

What are you going to miss the most? Definitely playing in front of the home crowd. Our student section is one of the best in the state and you can’t change my mind.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Go home, play with my dogs, then go to the gym and watch the JV boys game and varsity girls with the team.

Judy Williams Senior What’s your favorite part about playing basketball? The competitiveness of it, just because I’m such a competitive person.

What are you going to miss the most? Probably just being with the team and making fun memories and also just playing because I love it.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Probably go out to eat with the team and listen to hype music in the locker room.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? Barefoot Bernie’s.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? Either Tropical Smoothie or Waveriders.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? I think Michael Jordan is the greatest to ever do it, but I look up to Steph Curry because he changed the game and is an example of how everyone on First Flight plays.

What player do you look up to the most? Probably Regan Magarity.

She played for Virginia Tech a few years ago and we have similar positions and body type, and I got to meet her, actually.

What is your dream job? An NBA player because they make so much money for playing the greatest sport on earth.

If you become a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it?

Buy a Rolls-Royce, own an Applebee’s and spoil my dogs.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I’m a quarter Vietnamese and I eat half a jar of Claussen pickles every night.

What’s your favorite TV show?

“Seinfeld.” Kramer is hilarious.

Best teacher ever? Mr. Emery, because he teaches you about math and life.

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What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? Probably beating Currituck my freshman year for Senior Night. That was really exciting.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would definitely travel a lot, give some to my family to take care of them and donate some as well.

What is your favorite holiday?

I want to say Christmas but probably Thanksgiving just because you get to eat so much food and hang out with family and it’s really relaxing.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

When I eat popcorn I like to eat it with hot sauce and chocolate chips in it.

If you could be any animal, what would it be? A dolphin, just because I love dolphins.

Herman Hall

Henry Stecher

Junior

Junior

How long have you been swimming? Four years. I started outside of school in the eighth grade.

Why were you interested in swimming? It was one of the only things I did that I was semi-confident about.

Where’s the best place to eat after a meet? Chick-fil-A. I just really like chicken.

What is one of your pre-meet rituals? I sit in the shower until I legally have to get out and swim.

What is your favorite part about swim? Definitely the away meets. You get to take a really long trip with a bunch of really cool people.

What swimmer do you look up to the most? Probably Payton (Savage) because he could almost be a really good college swimmer.

What would be your dream job?

A McDonald’s manager.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Getting up early. It’s just a generally miserable experience.

If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Che Guevara, Danny DeVito and Blackbeard.

If you could be any kind of animal, what would you be? Some type of microorganism, because you have the lowest chance of being killed by a human.

What’s your favorite holiday?

Probably Christmas, just because it feels like it lasts a really long time.

What’s your favorite memory from track? Middle school conference meet eighth-grade year. I was trying to break the school record and three of us were neck and neck. Me and a kid from Hertford pull away a little and I’m maybe a quarter inch away from this kid, not even. We come down, lean way too far and fall over, roll out of it and jump up. I got the time and won. The timer asked if I was OK. I said, “Probably not, but I’ll be fine.”

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Definitely Zach Hughes. He is an incredible athlete, wins almost every time.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be? Steve Irwin, Ronnie Mac and Daniel Tosh.

What is your favorite holiday?

Why? Christmas, because you have an extended period off to do whatever you want, full sends. You get presents, too, but that’s not supposed to be why you like it.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Just don’t say dumb stuff, unnecessary stuff. It really aggravates me.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? To be outside, not stuck inside.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

My best friend is a homeschooled kid named Owen McCall.

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? “Forrest Gump.” Forrest Gump will make you cry.

What’s your favorite beach access? From First to Third, if you’re in that range you’re probably going to be smacking the lip.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / winter / / 2019-20

with Nighthawk student-athletes

Kiley Tucker

Sophomore

How long have you been cheering? I started to cheer for the school in seventh grade.

What’s your favorite part about it? I love just being with the team and having fun.

What’s your favorite thing to do before an event? We always have a team dinner and I just like to sit with everybody and talk.

What cheerleader do you look up to the most? Probably Abby Hite, because she’s always so enthusiastic.

What’s your favorite place to eat before games, or after? Sometimes for away games we go to Panera or Chick-fil-A. It’s pretty good.

What’s your favorite memory cheering? Oh, we pulled the fire alarm one morning at a 6 a.m. practice. We didn’t pull it – we actually hit it with our mat.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Probably when people are chomping gum in your ear.

If you could be any animal what would you be and why? Probably a dolphin because you get to swim in the ocean.

If you could be a millionaire by age 20 what would you do with the money? Probably travel with it.

What’s your dream job? I’d just do something helping people.

Anne Holcomb Senior

How long have you been swimming? About three years. My mom made me do a sport. I just didn’t want to run.

What is you favorite part about swim? Probably getting to skip a little of fifth period twice a week, and the away meets.

What is your dream job? A police officer – eventually a detective somewhere in a big city.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Probably a dog, or cat.

Like a house pet, just because they get to eat and sleep all day.

If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would it be? Sally Ride, Martha Washington and J.K. Rowling – yeah, that’d be a fun time.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people grab my feet in the pool.

If you became a millionaire by the age of 20, what would you do with all the money? I would invest it, put it in a savings account and then I would pay off my parents’ mortgages.

Tatum Dermatas Freshman

What’s your favorite memory from track? The girls team went running to the beach and we jumped in the ocean even though it was red flags, but it was worth it.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Every day, someone new on the girls track team inspires me to run my best.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be? My grandpa, my grandma and “The Rock.”

What is your favorite holiday?

Why? Christmas, because my whole family travels to Ohio for a visit.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people assume things.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? I think it would be super cool to get a scholarship for running.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I own a rescued scarlet macaw.

Chris Pokorny Junior

How long have you been wrestling? Since the seventh grade.

What is your favorite thing to do before a match? Stretch and just talk to the team.

What is your favorite part about your sport? Beating people up, I guess.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it?

Travel the world and save it afterwards.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? Tom Cruise, Ezra Miller and Will Ferrell because they’re all hilarious. Tom Cruise can be funny and serious and I’ve never actually seen Will Ferrell in a serious movie.

What is your favorite holiday?

Why? Christmas, because I get to hang out with family.

What’s your favorite TV show?

“Supernatural.”

Best teacher ever? Mrs. Saunders, art teacher, because she is a very easygoing person.

Best teacher ever? Why? I don’t like any of my teachers. Let’s just say Ms. Deal, by far, because she’s a fun teacher.

Go-to karaoke song? “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.

Go-to karaoke song? “Riptide” by Vance Joy.

Who is one of your favorite teachers? Mrs. Baz, just because she’s great all around.

What’s your dream job? Why? A pediatrician, because I like working with kids and babies.

If you could be any animal, what would it be. Why? A big dog. I like dogs.

What’s a lifelong dream of yours? I’ve always wanted to go skydiving.

If you could be any animal, what would it be? A pelican, because it would be cool to fly.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? Acting.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I can legally be considered a resident of Idaho.

Photos by Kim Crouch, Cassie Honeycutt, Taylor Newton and Emmy Trivette Reporting by Fiona Finchem, Kayla Hallac, Maggie McNinch, Simone Midgett, Emmy Trivette and Maddy Wagner.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

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