May 2019

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The editorials, unless signed, are the consensus opinion of the editorial staff and do not necessarily reflect the views of the adviser or the school administration. The newspaper welcomes letters to the editor. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for space and clarity.

All letters must be signed, however, the newspaper will withhold names upon request with good reason. Advertisements in the newspaper are paid.advertisements and are not the opinion of, or the endorsement of, the newspaper or school administration.

Madarang, Aahliyah Lee, Ella Whithaus, Emmer Rice, Mya Dulli-Ray, Jonathan Delago- Garcia

Del Castillo, Ariel Fabito, Brisa Rabadan, Abby Martiez, Braeden Hillard, Kaitlyn Busch, Ben Neal, Simone Brooks,

* Editors: Mair Famet, Joseph Laird *Photo Editors: Fabian Hernandez, Javier Morales *Staff: Elijah King, Alexis

www.riverside.dpsnc.net

3218 Rose of Sharon Rd. Durham, NC 22712 Jeymy Rivas, Katherine Aparicio, Tai Gordon, Stacy Colindres, Destiny Chitambira, Justyn Ramseur, Eva Flowe, Phillip

OPINION

Pirates' Hookok

Ms.Williams: l have all the feels Class of 2019, It has been an honor to be your principal for the last three years. I have been able to see you all grow and mature into young adults who are ready to begin a new phase of life. I have all the feels about all of you leaving Riverside! There hasn’t been a day that goes by that I do have multiple positive interactions with so many of you!

You all have a keen sense of humor and are always willing to lend a hand and smile when needed. Even though many of you are still working on your punctuality, you still smiled back at me whenever I asked, “How did you have time to stop at Starbucks or Chick Fil’ A when you’re late?” or exclaimed, “C’ mon Seniors!”

When I think about how full the dance floor was at prom, I am elated because you all had so much energy for two hours straight! Then, I think of all of your accomplishments, from scholarship dollars, to ACT results, to leadership positions, to certifications and I become encouraged for not only your future but our future! My use of exclamation points should tell you all how much I will miss you!!!!! But on to an inspiring message for you all...

I know some of you are super excited about this new journey while others are super anxClase de 2019, Ha sido un honor ser su directora durante los últimos tres años. He podido verlos crecer y madurar y convertirse en jóvenes adultos que están listos para comenzar una nueva fase de la vida. ¡Se me llena el corazón de tantos sentimientos hacia todos ustedes que se van de Riverside! ¡No ha pasado un día en el que tenga múltiples interacciones positivas con tantos de ustedes!

Todos tienen un gran sentido del humor y siempre están dispuestos a echar una mano y sonreír cuando sea necesario. A pesar de que muchos de ustedes todavía están trabajando en su puntualidad, todavía me sonríen cuando pregunto: "¿Cómo tuviste tiempo para pasar a Starbucks o Chick Fil 'A cuando llegas tarde?" O exclamo: "Vamos Seniors!”

Cuando pienso en lo llena que estaba la pista de baile en la fiesta de graduación, ¡me quedo eufórica porque todos ustedes tuvieron tanta energía durante

ious. A bunch of you are surely somewhere in between those two emotions, and that is all expected. So feel those emotions, but do not let them stop you from either enjoying this transition or moving full speed ahead.

Part of the beauty in growing is embracing every feeling that comes along. Jelaluddin Rumi, a poet, said it best in this poem:

The Guest House This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice. meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

So in your last weeks of high school, feel the happiness of accomplishing this goal, feel excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, feel eager about forming new relationships, feel anxious about being in a new place, feel sad about changing relationships, and feel confident in your decisions. I am optimistic about your future and wish you all nothing but success!!! And as always, Roll Pirates Roll!!!!

dos horas seguidas!

Luego, pienso en todos sus logros, desde dinero de becas, a resultados en el ACT, a posiciones de liderazgo, a certificaciones y me siento alentada no solo por su futuro sino también por nuestro futuro. ¡Mi uso de los signos de exclamación debería decirles a todos cuánto los extrañaré!!!! Pero a lo siguiente, un mensaje inspirador para todos ustedes ...

Sé que algunos de ustedes están súper emocionados con este nuevo viaje, mientras que otros están súper ansiosos. Seguramente muchos de ustedes se encuentran en algún punto entre esas dos emociones y eso es todo lo esperado.

Así que sientan esas emociones, pero no dejen que les impida disfrutar de esta transición o avanzar a toda velocidad. Parte de la belleza de crecer es aceptar todos los sentimientos que surgen. Jelaluddin Rumi, un poeta, lo dijo mejor en este poema:

La Casa De Huéspedes Este ser humano es una casa de huéspedes.

Cada mañana una nueva llegada.

Una alegría, una depresión, una mezquindad. viene algo de conciencia momentánea Como un visitante inesperado. ¡Bienvenidos y entretengan a todos!

Incluso si son una multitud de dolores, quienes barrieron violentamente tu casa vacía de sus muebles, aún así, tratar a cada invitado con honor. Él te puede estar aclarando para un nuevo deleite. El pensamiento oscuro, la vergüenza, la malicia.

Encuéntrate con ellos en la puerta riendo e invítalos a pasar.

Estate agradecido por lo que venga. porque cada uno ha sido enviado Como una guía desde más allá.

Entonces, en las últimas semanas de la escuela secundaria, sientan la

The Guest House This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice. meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond."

— Jellaludin Rumi felicidad de lograr este objetivo, sientan entusiasmo por las posibilidades que se avecinan, sientan ganas de formar nuevas relaciones, sientan ansiedad por estar en un lugar nuevo, sientan pena por el cambio de relaciones y siéntanse seguros de sus decisiones. ¡Soy optimista sobre su futuro y les deseo a todos nada más que éxito! Y como siempre, Roll Pirates Roll !!!!

Parte de la belleza de crecer es aceptar todos los sentimientos que surgen.

May 2019

Class of '19 By the numbers

420 399 1805 1268 473 305

7 5381

Graduating Seniors Juniors who claim they aren't addicted to nicotine Pictures of homework air dropped People who got less than 5 hours of sleep

Tik Toks made Pairs of AirPods

Sports scholarships

Trips to Chick-fil-A

Thank you Hook sponsors!

Bob Fullenkamp Steve Schewell The Kaiser-Potter Michael Reckhow family Richard and Scott Hill David Ascher Steven Unruhe Sarah Reckhow AA Espenshade Dawn Blanchard Suzanne Wasiolek Ellen Reckhow Diana McNeill Barbra Laird Joe Neff In memory of Lenny Gay Bonds May To become a sponsor email bryan_christopher@dpsnc.net

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Prove them wrong, show them up

By Joe Laird Syndrome from The Incredibles is obsessed with becoming a superhero. He wants to be Mr. Incredible’s sidekick, but he’s not good enough.

His story reminds me of my 2009 Little League season. I was eight, and the season was difficult because I skipped a division and played with more experienced teammates.

The team had an end-of-year party at El Corral to celebrate the season. After the party ended I went to thank my coach for the season, and he gave me the worst advice I’ve ever received.

He told me, “If you want to get better at a sport, you’ll need to pick one.”

My family and I were furious. I had played baseball, basketball, and soccer my whole life, and the fact that a coach would tell me to pick one when I was only eight was ridiculous. We couldn’t believe it.

I spent the next six years doing the opposite. I played soccer, basketball and baseball at Brogden.

At Riverside I found a home with both the baseball and soccer teams (I dropped basketball...I saw my fate as a 5’9 white boy and decided to quit), and eventually found myself as a varsity starter and captain for both of the teams. I wouldn’t trade experiences I’ve had in these programs and friends I’ve made for anything.

On the baseball team I spent three years on the varsity team. We had a playoff win last year, and I’ll never forget my only high school home run and a handful of walk-off wins. On the soccer team, I spent two years playing varsity, which was highlighted by an incredible 2018 Bull City Cup final against Jordan and 2018 state playoff appear-

ance.

I feel I’ve experienced more and become a better athlete by playing multiple sports. I might not be the best player on the baseball and soccer teams, or the most technically skilled, but I’ve grown as a leader and learned from the hundreds of games I’ve played in.

I also learned that people are always going to think you can’t do something. I haven’t had a lot of struggle in my life (again, privileged white boy), but there were a lot of times where I thought about quitting one of my sports.

Syndrome probably thought about giving up on becoming a superhero, too.

Even though he’s a villain, he still had to overcome people doubting him. He obsessed about the conversation he had with Mr. Incredible. “It tore me apart,” Syndrome said to Mr. Incredible during one of their encounters.

“But I learned an important lesson.

You can't count on anyone, especially your heroes.”

It was unhealthy and almost ruined the world, but I can relate.

Even though my coach was just a normal Dad from Durham coaching a little league baseball team, for some reason his words stuck with me. Maybe I should’ve gotten over it by now, and he probably doesn’t even remember the moment, but it’s motivated me for all this time. I’m just glad I didn’t try to destroy the world as a result.

• GRAPHICS BY ARIEL FABITO

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Pirates' Hookok

Keep ya head up

By Mair Famet When ninth grade hit, just like Louise I didn’t take school very seriously. I liked the socializing, but not the learning.

My environmental science teacher kind of gave me a bad first impression on how class is supposed to work in high school. She barely taught us, didn’t motivate us to complete work, and even lost our work when we did turn it in!

I honestly didn’t care about anything. I had a lot going on at home and I didn’t understand the importance of my GPA. Basically the environment, the fights and drama - it was all funny to me. I wasn’t really focused on my work.

Sophomore year I realized I liked to write and started taking honors classes. I mostly took honors classes to rise to current expectations and fit in with other students. I started to turn in my work and stay on top of school. I was an exceptional student, to say the least, ran for junior class secretary and eventually joined the marching band.

Then I joined newspaper, and my inability to sit quietly and listen was actually a good thing.

I started out as a staff writer, then became the editor of the opinion section my spring semester junior year.

That’s when I realized I wanted to do this for a living.

The thrill of seeing my story in print made me feel some type of importance.

A good journalist has

to ask questions and talk to new people all the time.Just like Louise, it was hard for me to find what I was passionate about. All I knew was that I wanted to become successful in something that I loved doing. I just liked having fun all the time and I had that with writing and reporting.

When I became head editor, on of my very first assignments was Investigating three RHS students’ arrests this winter and it was a very Louise thing to do. This was my first investigative piece and I was so determined to find out what really happened besides what other news sources reported.

I remember calling the district attorney's office three times a day hoping to speak to them. I never got my answer, but enjoyed the process so much that I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Just like Louise, I go into things head first, not actually thinking about an outcome. I always think I can shrug off a problem and never have to deal with the consequences. That may not always be true, but one thing I take way from high school is to always have the attitude of a winner. Looking defeated will not get you anywhere. Through the good times, the uncertain times, and the sad times, I remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Spotlight: Myles Sanford

By Ben Neal Myles Sanford is often recognized as Famous Los’ brother, but the all-conference athlete has made a name for himself at Riverside, too.

Sanford’s older brother, Carlos, is a Riverside graduate who gained massive popularity through social media and music production. Commonly known as “Famous Los,” Carlos has over 1.2 million Instagram followers, as well as thousands of streams on his songs.

Myles said he first felt pressure coming into the school due to his brother’s fame.

“Especially with basketball, I felt like I had some shoes that I needed to fill,” he said.

But he filled those shoes and more, finishing his senior basketball season with stats like a 40 percent three point percentage and a spot on the Tri-6 All Conference team.

“Throughout my basketball career I realized I was my own person, and

my hard work and success proved that,” Sanford said.

Not only did Sanford make an impression on the court, but also in his classroom every day.

“One of my favorite things about Myles is how genuine he is,” said English teacher Matt Smith. “He has an unapologetic passion for Drake, he’s funny, he’s never unkind, and he is always humble.”

“Myles is overall a great person and he gives great advice," said senior Elijah Winston. "He helped me out this year with weighing out college options.”

Once he leaves Riverside, Sanford plans to attend North Carolina A&T in the fall and major in information technology.

Senior Myles Sanford showing off his dub after a win during basketball season. Sanford will attend NC A&T this fall. ° PHOTO BY BRIAN AMIERCH

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recycle this

paper!

May 2019

Blackbeard Awards Spring sports edition

Sophomore Nick Jimenez was thrown into arguably the most difficult position on the lacrosse field and handled the pressure beautifully Jimenez, moved here from Florida in the fall and had never played lacrosse before.

“Jimenez has shown tremendous growth throughout the season and was able to fill a really important slot for us,” Bolen said.

Jimenez finished with 98 saves on the season, second-most in the conference. The men’s lacrosse team finished 3-12.

Senior captain Molly Woods led the lacrosse team to a historic season for the program as they finished with a record of 6-6.

Woods led the team in goals with 37.

She also led the team in total points and finished tied with Zoe Tallmadge and Evie Foraker for most assists.

In addition to having a great year statistically, Woods also filled a big leadership role on the team.

“Molly is one of those players that always wants to do better. That’s what makes her such a good team leader,” said coach Kirsten Steele. “She strives to help everyone on the team and that is what we needed this year.”

Jacob Dye is a sophomore on the men’s tennis team. He was ranked first on the team and competed in both singles and doubles matches.

Holding the number one spot on the team is not easy. Dye played against the best in the conference and played hard all season.

“He is the perfect example of a never give up attitude," said head coach Steve Rochkind. "Jake played against guys that were bigger and stronger than him and still never got discouraged.”

Even though Dye’s record on the season was not the best on the team, he is only a sophomore, and has shown a lot of potential for improvement.

All season long, sophomore Stephanie Barbosa she was a main source of both leadership and offense for the Lady Pirates soccer team.

“She was consistent for us all year,” said head coach Eric Long. “She was always aggressive and always looking for a way to put us ahead.”

“She always seems to have a positive attitude that lifts the rest of the team up,”said sophomore teammate Emeline Van Deman.

A two-year varsity starter, Barbosa had 15 goals and 13 assists in 2019, which led the team in both categories. In addition, she was one of the three players to play in all 17 games this season.

Jakayla Carr is a leader on the softball team, despite her being just a sophomore.

This is partially due to the fact that she has been playing for six years, longer than many on the team.

“She played almost every position throughout the season and served as the foundation for our defense,” said head coach Cynthia Smith.

In addition, Carr led the team in stolen base success rate, at 68%.

This year was full of improvement for the softball team. After years of struggling to find enough players, they had a full roster in 2019. The team finished 2-9 on the season, beating cross town rivals for both of their wins.

Senior Ray Palma has been a part of the baseball team all four years of his time at Riverside.

Throughout his career he has always been one of the more vocal members of the team, and that is part of the reason he was chosen for this award. “[Ray is] A hardworking leader that the team needed,” said coach John Nevola.

Palma led the team with a 2.50 ERA and had one of the best batting averages at .345.

By Braeden Hilliard

lt's about to be Ogre

By Alexis Del Castillo There’s a certain ogre who reminds me more and more of myself. He is the voice of the voiceless and Princess Fiona’s beauty and beast. He is Shrek.

At first, he couldn’t stand the sight of others in his swamp because all saw him as a freak, but by the end of the movie he had everyone living in his swamp celebrating the fall of Lord Farquaad, whom he defeated with nothing but brawn, brains and a talking donkey as his sidekick.

I used to live in a swamp of my own.

When I was a freshman I didn’t like meeting new people or talking to anyone.

I felt most comfortable when I was either alone or in such a large group like the audience when Fairy Godmother was performing on the piano in Shrek 2.

Then, during my junior year, I took a class that dragged me out of my comfort swamp. To get a good grade in newspaper journalism, I had to do one-on-one interviews to gather information for the articles I was writing. It was no easy feat, but as time progressed I was able to communicate in ways that use to be hard.

I remember interviewing Ms. Brooks in 2016. That was the very first time I had interviewed anybody. Even though she was very sincere I could not help but feel some anxiety. It took countless interviews with students and administration on topics such as socialism, new infrastructure and whether or not rock was dead to finally change my mindset.

These skills gave me the ability to make new friends, meet new people and push me to do things I would have otherwise been too afraid to do. Such as meeting with Frank Stasio.

U n s u r e about whether I want to follow my dreams and become a touring musician or try podcasting/radio talk shows, as I have always enjoyed them and are a great way to find out about people and topics. With the help of my journalism teacher Mr. Christopher I reached out to

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Stasio. On March 14 I met the WUNC radio talk show host after reaching out to him for career advice. Since Stasio works as a radio talk show host of his show, The State of Things where he talks about topics from superheroes to immigrant rights, he has had experience working with and around musicians so he has a unique perspective on both of my career interests.

As soon as I stepped inside the office I was in awe of what it actually takes to have a successful radio talk show. There were over a dozen cubicles, state of the art recording equipment, and a creative office for ideas where he and his team list all possible future show ideas. After waiting about 15 minutes for his show to end I greeted him and we talked about my future and how he could help.

We talked for 30 minutes about movies and TV shows, then about what it takes to do either of my career choices. He explained that music and broadcast are more alike than I realized and that no matter what direction I went in I was going to have to learn my way around a studio and that the creative process is necessary no matter what field of work I chose, especially since both of my options are art focused.

I had never communicated with someone like that. His natural progression of the conversation was seamless, as he tied in a story from The X-Files to what direction to take in life. He said it isn’t just creative skill that will make you succeed, but also the ability to communicate effectively to your audience and having connections within the business.

That day made me realize how much I’ve changed. If he had told that to me a couple of years ago he would’ve scared me out of either career path, but now his advice seems more like instructions than obstacles.

Remember, this isn’t your swamp, it’s our swamp. All it takes a little push to get on your path. I used to be a timid little teen who didn’t know what to do with my life, but now I’m a confident ogre.

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Pirates' Hookok

Class of '19

Take Charge and be yourself

By Simone Brooks Numbuh 5 is a fiesty, driven character who likes to kick butt. Like me, she has an older sister that pushes her to do better. My sister and I are two different types of people. She likes doing hair, I hate getting my hair done.

She wants to obtain a criminal justice degree and I want to study marketing.

My sister and I don’t always get along, but at the end of the day she pushes me to do better and vice versa.

Numbuh 5 has book smarts and streets smarts, too. Throughout my high school career I have had to have both of these traits. I know who to hang around or talk to, when to finish my work instead of hanging out, etc. Numbuh 5 makes uses common sense in every situation and she takes all her group projects seriously. We both have always had to be the step up leader when groups can’t make a decision. One time, when I was working on a group project In chemistry (and of course everyone in my group was was my friend) I ended up having to do most of the main work and still helping my group.

In Kids Code Next Door, in operation F.E.R.A.L (the team is on monkey island trying to take the code) Numbuh 5 shows that she doesn’t want to be leader of the sector. She always says I don’t want to lead,but deep down she wants to be in charge and eventually takes over.

Numbuh 5 is also comfortable being by herself. That one took me awhile to figure out. When I started my high school career I wanted to be everyone’s friend. I thought all my friends from middle school would not switch up on me and always b e there.

At the end of my freshman year all those friends I thought were gonna stay were fading away, so I had to learn that it is okay to be by yourself sometimes.

Sophmore year was different. I started the Critical Damage step team with the

life lessons as well.

Beatriz Aguayo Moreno help of Ms Brown-Hicks and Koye Shout out to Mrs. Holmes for beAnna Clifton Fuller. Being a part of CD taught me ing so welcoming to everyone!

Shout out to Mr. Bolen for being about true work ethic. We practiced the biggest bro.

Brian Aimerich every Tuesday and Thursday and Shout out to Mr. O’Hara for being Shakira Cole teaching steps and helping the girls Canadian.

Shout out to Ms. Williams, for being with their personal problems helped a really good principal to everybody Delsaan Alston me be a true leader. that is attending Riverside.

Shout out to Mr. Privette, for alMy junior year was the hardest Stacy Colindres year for me. My classes became more ways being there for me and pushing Shout out to Mr. Glickenhaus, difficult, and the work piled up. I was me to be the best student I could be my entire 4 years! thank you for writing my recommenalso exhausted because I just started dation letters. They worked. working my job and wasn't getting Jessica Alvarado Duran enough sleep. Even though I smiled Shout out to Ms. Foster for being Sophie Columbia through my pain I felt alone because a nice person to me and making Shout out to Mr. Bolen for being no one understood me.

English class fun and also shout out an average homeroom teacher for Starting Mr Norman’s Ap Psyto my counselor Ms. Williams for two years and giving okay life adchology class while also taking three supporting me in joining the Marine vice. I appreciate it. other classes, and working my job at Corps.

Nakaya Crawley Bojangles was hard.

Nyah Ashe Thank you Mrs. Boliek for putting Senior year went by so fast, I was For the OCS program teachers up with me for all these years and able to work in the office,meet new for being the best and helping me not turning me away despite all of students, and share my experience graduate. my problems. with students.

Jess Autry Josiah Davis Class of 2019 sounded so far away Shout out to Dennis for providing Shout out to my favorite teacher, in the start of freshmen year but now live music in the parking lot during Ms. Baily for helping me get out of that I’m here, I’m determined to to lunch. trouble when I fought that boy. keep chasing my dreams. I’m attending Christian Bonilla Alexis Del Castillo Chowan University next year to pursue Mr. Glickenhaus for being the Shout out to Mrs. Knaub for being a degree in business and marketing chillest dude at Riverside. a cool teacher for the three years and a career in advertising. that I’ve been in her class.

Jennifer Delcid My high school experience overall Shout out to Ms. Boliek, for has been a blast. I have grown. I have Jacob Bowers always being there when somefought battles. I have eaten cafeteria Shout out to Dr. Huber, the greatone needs her, and for being like a food. I’ve made new friends. But most est teacher of all time. second mother to all her students importantly I have learned that it’s Simone Brooks including myself. LOVE YOU JBO. okay to not be liked by everyone, it is Shout out to Ms. Webly for being okay to dress how you want, it is okay Matthew Dickerson there when my brother died. to be different, and most of all it is Major shout out to Ms. Knaub Nick Brown okay to just hold your own against the for helping me when no one else Everyone in PLTW I really ennaysayers. Numbuh 5 became a great would.

Helping me make my dreams joyed the program and teachers. leader of her sector, and I know one a reality.

Zaria Brown day I will be a great head executive Jennifer Dominguez Shout out to Sgt. Mitchell and of my Advertising business and Shout to Mrs. Holmes for listenMajor Bailey. just like Numbuh 5 I will stay ing and putting up with me and my Abigail Browning determined and strongcrazy life.

Mrs. Boliek, thank you for always willed.

DeMonte Downey having full confidence in me and Shout out to Ms. Tucker heeee. always standing up for me!

Joala Downey @Dr. Huber the legend.

Shout out to Ms. Allman, for Felix Braun always forgiving me for being late Ms. Simpson. to class.

Tamara Campbell

Shout out to Mr. Crowl and Mrs. Duncan for putting up with me.

Robert Chase

Shout out to Mr. Davidson for being a great mentor.

Destiny Chitambira

Shout out Mr. Nguyen for being a great math teacher and teaching us

Chelsea Duritan

Shoutout to Major Bailey for always having the funniest dad jokes and sweetest advice!

Manny Enamorado

Shout out Mr. Harris for letting me use his classass as my state of the art studio.

Fareeda Eraky

Shout out to Ms. Tucker for always being there during C Lunch and to Ms. Prater for telling the best college stories I've ever heard!

Ariel Fabito

Shoutout to Mrs. Foster for dealing with my mental breakdowns since '07.

Katherine Falzone

Shout out to Mr. Davidson for always being helpful and supportive and taking us to Disney!!!

Mair Famet

Shout out to Ms. Kuroso for always listening to my complaints.

Sophie Feierman

Shout out to Alayna’s lunch leave pass.

Thomas Fuller

Shout out to Mrs. Boliek, for always pushing me to do my best.

Nicholas Gore

Shout out to Mr. Christopher for always being funny and a good teacher.

Mackenzie Hale

Shout out to Mrs. Boliek for always covering my shoulders and teaching me what onomatopoeias are, and all your love and support.

Shout out to Mrs. Duncan for letting me call you Mrs. Taylor for the past 4 years and for the amazing dance experience.

Michael Hammer

Shout out to Ms. Foster for saving my life.

Varyssa Henderson

Shout out to Mrs. Boliek for dealing with me and helping me build my character. Also, thanks for all the protein shakes.

Cole Hinson

Shout out to Mrs. Simpson for test and quiz corrections.

Tiyah Hinton

Mr. Turner for being an amazing art teacher and making me become a better artist and for finding talent I didn’t know I had. Thank you Mr. Turner.

Joesph House

Shout out to Mr. Groff for being the teacher of one of my favorite classes.

May 2019

Shout Outs Janisha Hughes

Shout out to Mrs. Duncan for teaching me all about dance, Mr. Nguyen for supporting me, Ms. Brown for helping me get a better handle on the many skills of art, and last but not least Coach Bell for helping me learn more about my future career and for just being absolutely amazing.

Duncan James

Bless up Mr. Kearns, always coming in clutch with the grading system in his class. Also can I get a Yee-Yee Mr. Kearns?

Sigrid Jensen Oyaski

Shout out to Mr. Stallings for existing and being the literal best.

Amber Johnson

Shout out to Mrs. Knaub, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Webley, & Mrs. Kisler for pushing me to be the best I can be! Always supporting me no matter what.

Joe Laird

Shout out to Mrs. Foster for doing 100 recommendations for me.

You’re the goat.

Malik Leazer Knaub.

Daniel Lovely

Shout to Mr. Roberson for having the funniest class but failing me.

Gabe Luther

Thank you Mrs. Boliek for putting up with me for all these years and not turning me away despite all of my problems.

Alex Marban

Shout out to Ms. Tucker, Mr. Desmond, Mr. Nyguen, Mr. Crowl, Mr. Nevola, Ms. Bell for making my high school experience good.

Christian Matiz

Shout out to Mr. Paton for being an amazing teacher and making American History 2 fun.

Destiny May

I want to shout out Mrs. Webley for being the best teacher. I want to also give a shout out to Ms. Jenkins for helping me through high school at my lowest time. Trinity smallwood, Krista Vann, Keniya Richmond, Mirr Starr-Samuels for being the real MVP on the softball team.

Mercy Neal

Shoutout to Ms. Twietmeyer for letting me stare out the window at

birds in the back of biology.

Elizabeth Nguyen

Shoutout to Mr. Strand, Coach Owens, Mrs. Simpson, and Mrs. Malone for letting me catch up on my lack of sleep at night in class.

7 Rebecca Riggsbee

Shout out to Mrs. Boliek for how she has helped me through my years.

Bryan Rivera

Joshua Nixon

Shout out to Mr. Nguyen for being a cool teacher and helping me in math.

Brayam Ortiz-Rangel

Shout out to Mr. Nguyen for helping me out with my homework.

I shout out Mr. Mann for being the man!

Evelyn Rodriguez

Shout out to Mr. Twietmeyer for Myles Sanford staying and having amazing stories Mr. Paton for being the best teachto tell during lunch. Glad he was so er. Ms. Bell for her hard work at alike to Hartman, Felt that Hartman RHS. Mr. Privette for being his guy was still here. and writing my recommendations.

Kimberly Padilla Rangel

Both Sgt and major for helping me through out my time in riverside.

You guys are the absolute best.

Ray Palma

Ben Shamblin

Mr. Tim Brown for being an awesome physics teacher.

Abigail Shelton

Shoutout to Mr. Norman, for Shout out to Mr. Lang for being always putting a smile on my face! my political punching bag since And to Sarah Bell, thank you for freshman year. showing me how to get through hard times and for always being there, Katie Parler you’re by far the best human being!!

Shout out to Mr. Desmond for putting up with Tenisce and me sophoGrace Shelton more year. Shout out to Ms. Allman Shout out to Mr. Flippen for alfor making me take the elevator too ways being himself and making his much 2nd semester. Shout out to Ms. kids the happiest kids.

Refvem for her Instagram stories.

Masala Smart

Tyrique Patrick

Mr. Kearns is the GOAT.

Dennis Pulliam

Shoutout to Mrs. Simpson for being the best teacher ever.

Mr. Ngyuen

Alexander Tayyeb

Shout out to Mr. Harris, Weiss, Nguyen, Nevola, Kearns, and Crowl, Samuel Tucker Coaches Owens, Dickerson, and Shoutout to the goat Mr. Harris, Morgan, and Mrs/Ms. Tucker, Prater, The legend Swanson, and the absoStone, and Friedlander for being lute god Coach Spell such good teachers and having the Kwishawn Void wills to survive all of us and doing Shout out to Ms. Knaub for just such a good job. being a goat.

Shani Quintero

Ms. Bell because she’s hardworking

Alayna Rainey

Shout out to Ben Shamblin for stealing Dr. Huber’s keys.

Justyn Ramseur

Shout out to Mr. Strand, for being the only teacher I have added on Pokemon Go.

Eric Rasmussen

Hiatt Von Alten

Shout out to Stallings for being cool with me breaking his tool.

Natasha Waters

Shout out to Ms. Prater for giving an Oscar-winning performance as every character in Hamlet.

Clarissa Woody

Shout out to Mr. Stallings for always answering my questions

Shout out to Mr. Nguyen for helpDaryl Wright ing me out with my homework.

Shout out to Kwishawn Void for Shoutout to Mrs. Foster for dropbeing the brother I never had, and so ping us hints on our reading quizzes. desperately needed.

Matthew Rigsbee

Shout out to Mr. Weiss for always starting class 15 minutes late.

High school experiences are a work of art

By Ariel Fabito

Inside Out is a masterpiece.The concept, the visuals, Bing Bong and most importantly the character Riley make the movie a work of art.

Like the movie, my life so far has been a work of art. Though it may seem far-fetched to relate a 13 year old to me, I can’t help but see the similarities in myself and Riley.

Riley in the beginning of the movie is seen as a happy-go-lucky girl and happiness is her main emotion.

However, she loses herself and falls into a state of depression before finding herself again by the end.

As cliche as it sounds, I feel like every high schooler feels that way about their Riverside experience.

It has its ups and downs, but mine were amplified.

If high school was a roller coaster, freshman year was my high while junior year was my low. That was when my life was dictated by a boy who played me better than he played golf. In the fall semester I was more than happy with myself, and the guy I was talking to was who I could credit for my confidence. He made me feel as if I was on top of the world and helped me find the positives in any situation. However, that changed in the middle of the year when he started dating another girl.

He was the joy to my sadness, and all of a sudden I had lost all

joy in my life- wow so dramatic. In the moment that I lost him, I felt like Riley when all of her Islands of Personalities shut down. I had to figure out what life was like as one person, to remember what it was like to be “me” and not “we”.

Out of frustration I would have random bursts of anger, similar to how Riley lashed out on her parents at the dinner table. I didn’t want to be sad about him so I chose to just ignore my problems and try to move on from it right as he moved onto another girl. Because I chose to ignore my problems my anger towards small things began to flourish.

I would give up on school work the minute I didn’t get a problem, lash out on my friends whenever they had snarky remarks, and get upset with my parents anytime they attempted any conversation.

I learned that the way I handled my problems was not beneficial to me. I only ignored my problems and never faced them head on. Sometimes it’s okay to be sad and pity yourself.

In Inside Out, it’s only after Riley breaks down that she realizes she is not okay. I had the same realization after two months of constant tantrums.

When an individual has the time to recognize their issues and takes time to find the positives in them, it makes for an easier and more informative healing period. Understanding that I was played like a golf ball was not a fun experience, but the heartbreak helped me realize my self-worth and valuing independence over the dependence of others. No one is going to be there for you, but yourself at the end of the day, so it’s best to just try to be happy with yourself before you try to commit your life to someone else.

Agnes Scott College Sophie Feierman Alamance Community College Nyah Ashe Appalachian State Ainsley Dickerson Claire Sterling Elizabeth Wilson Mackenzie Hale Sophie Columbia Auburn University Cole Rasmussen Aveda Institute Chape Hill Jennifer Delcid Nataly Orozco Bowling Green University Matthew Dickerson Case Western Reserve University Jacob Bowers Chowan University Simone Brooks Danville Community College Nicholas Gore Durham Tech Anthony Carbajal Cruz Bryan Rivera Chiara Rosati Duncan James Deontae Bailey Brandon Baburam Edgar Munoz Trujillo Evelyn Rodriguez Gabe Luther Janisha Hughes Jason Cardona Nicholas Gore Jennifer Delcid Jonah Wyche

Daisy Garcia Eddie Maldonado Katherine Falzone Bryan Rodriguez Katie Parler Rebecca Riggsbee Leonardo Finazzo Robert Chase Sheenah Wright Tamara Campbell Toriyon Jones Roger Bush Amia Gatling Simone Pervis Elise Roth Jalen Royster Brian Ayala Estephany Fuentes-Gutierrez Pablo Ruiz Logan Pruitt Anjel Velasquez-Gonzalez East Carolina University Andrea Brito Domilig’e Hunter Jalyn Gilchrist Christian Johnson Varyssa Henderson Abigail Shelton Grace Shelton Thomas Fuller Michael Hammer Dennis Pulliam Samuel Tucker Sierra Hunt Elon University Brian Aimerich Mair Famet Embry Riddle University Devin Wickward Full Sail University Brandon Baburam

Gap Year Katherine Falzone Georgia State University Delsaan Alsten Goucher College Josh Aguiar Isabel Young Guilford College Jennifer Dominguez Iris Newlin Maria Mendoza Harvard University Gabe Ashe-Jones High Point University Clarissa Woody Courtney Linden Ithaca College Natasha Waters Johnson C. Smith University Zaria Brown Malik Leazer Jalen Brooks Jada Jones Asia Dean Diamond Evans Liberty University Devin Wickward Linwood College Andy Tate Livingstone College Miyah Robinson Lynchburg College Jessica Autry Military Armand Cardenas Curtis Powell

Olivia Morris Jah'legeue Rojas Elis Pas Zuniga Sebastian Lugo Christian Matiz Kimberly Padilla-Rangel Davontae Mccrae Daisy Nunez-Lopez Brandon Huffman Jonathan Trujillo-Deleon Cassandra Vardejo Jessica Duran Isaac Blankenship Dajavin Blanks NC Agriculture & Technology Caleb Taylor Daryl Wright DeMonte Downey Destiny Chitambira Jalen Adams Jevon Johnson Joala Downey Jordan Jones Kwishawn Void Myles Sanford Shani Quintero Tiyah Hinton North Carolina Central University India Johnson Aisha Holmes Jennifer Lopez NC State University Alexander Tayyeb Ariel Fabito Audrey Mullin Caroline Ballard Chris Allen Daniel Primus Elias Zauscher Emily Maxwell Eric Wennerstrom Hiatt Von Alten Joseph House Leonardo Tapia Mason Pickett Molly Woods

Naylea Jacobo Sigfried Fullenkamp Pitzer College Mira Tobin Rutgers University Fareeda Eraky Shaw University DeAnthony Bright Spelman College Tenisce Richelieu Tennessee State University Kenda Kanyua University of Georgia Sigrid JensenOyaski UNC Chapel Hill Anna Clifton Ayla Smart Cameron Ludwig Elizabeth Nguyen Ella Thomas Joseph Laird Matthew Rigsbee Mercy Neal Ray Palma Shelby Ung Zoe Tallmadge UNC Charlotte Alexander Simpson Beatriz Aguayo Moreno Ben Yeyeodu Cole Hinson Eric Rasmussen Felix Braun Jacob Burns John Hilton Jordan Macmillan Justyn Ramseur Kojo Buansi Martina Tran

Zach Archer UNC Asheville Benjamin Shamblin Alayna Rainey Gustavo Nunez Vivanco UNC Pembroke Jatavian Hart UNC Greensboro Alex Marban Amber Johnson Brayam Ortiz-Rangel Chelsea Duritan Matthew Lin Khalil Taylor UNC Wilmington Stacy Colindres Andrew Tran University of South Carolina Eve Foraker Allison Nichting University of Texas (Austin) Mira Tobin Virginia Tech Nicholas Brown Joshua Nixon Virginia Wesleyan University Tommy Le West Virginia University Manny Enamorado Sierra Hearne Western Carolina University Abigail Browning Nakaya Crawley Dezeray Rosemond William & Peace University Janiah Poole

Wingate University Alyssa Iacono Winston Salem State University Tyrique Patrick Jordann Baker Ezia Simmons Workforce Hector Arredondo Ramirez Denilson Alvarenga Ayala Hannah Bailey Martrelless Benbow America Cabrera-Boyzo Jayden Cooper Joshua Cotton Jamieon Crank Jaden Crenshaw Terel Curry Josiah Davis Toni Diaz-Diaz Naoni Dockery Armando Dominguez Griffin Duncan Christian Galeas Cordell Gamble Brenda Gomez Roderick Gibbs Ryan Guerrero Fuentes Jemari Holloway Kazon Hopkins Joan Jarillo Noah Jolley Dalyn Kincy Josue Lopez Willian Marroquin David Martinez Gabriela Palacios Dejuan powell Hector Ramirez Angie Rapalo Bryan Rivera Jalinn Ryals Kened Sanchez Felipe Vasquez Coby Vasquez David Walker Kenneth Wright

10

Pirates' Hookok

Becoming unapologetically me

By Destiny Chitambira Henrietta “Suga Mama” Proud from Proud Family is the animated version of me.

Like myself, she’s sassy, straight to the point and not afraid to speak her mind. To people who don’t know her she comes off as mean or aggressive, but deep down she’s lovable, loyal and caring.But I wasn’t always like this. I didn’t come into high school with an outspoken attitude. I was that nervous kid that walked into the wrong class on the first day of school, I was introverted, and I was scared of what people would think of me. I wanted to try out for a solo in chorus, but I was so scared of what people would say about my voice that I punked out and never signed up.

I went through a lot outside of school during my sophomore year that started to change me.

I was betrayed by someone that I put a lot of trust in and it really broke me down. My attitude changed at school and at work.

I became disrespectful towards some of my teachers. I showed up to work with an attitude, rolling my eyes whenever I was unhappy about squeezing lemons or washing dishes (I’m surprised they didn’t fire me).

I had a lot of built-up demons that I was letting take over me.

I wouldn’t say that I was depressed, but I know that I was really angry. People that I thought were my friends let me down, and I also began pushing my real friends away.

Then, one day at work, my boss fussed me out. She said that she was disappointed in me and also shocked in my behavior. Tired of being mad at the world, I decided to get to the root of

my issues.I sat down one day and began to assess my actions. I became mad at the person I’d become.I learned that I needed to let go, I was holding on to things that happened in the past, things that I had no control of.

Junior year I popped out. I joined advanced chorus, which required more responsibilities, a larger workload and better time management skills. I built stronger bonds with my chorus friends and participated in my first musical, playing Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. I made real friends - people that I could trust - and I realized I wasn’t alone anymore. I realized that I didn’t need validation from anyone as long as I was happy with myself.

My attitude had improved and I was overall a happier person.

Senior year has been my best year. Although I am still growing, I love the person that I am becoming. Life outside of school still is not the best, but I am getting through it. I participated in marching band and played Grandma Addams in The Addams Family. I also auditioned for my first solo in chorus and nailed it.

This fall I will be attending North Carolina A&T University. The younger Destiny probably would not have chosen to attend this school simply because she’d have been afraid of meeting new people and putting herself out there. If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to stop looking for approval from others and to be yourself.

Remember that everything does not have to be perfect, and as long as you’re happy with yourself no one else’s opinion matters. I am independent and not afraid to do things for myself.

I had to grow into this person and this person had to grow onto me.

Like Suga Mama, I am unapologetically me.

Senior Jalen Adams: “I got robbed of my state championship but it’s ok though.”

Beatriz Aguayo Moreno: "What's moves?"

Brian Aimerich: "Oh how the turn tables."

Elizabeth Alvarado Duran: "Speak softly and carry and big stick." - Roosevelt Denilson Alvarenga: "My name is unique, and so is the pronunciation."

Zachary Archer: "There isn't any shame in being weak, staying weak is."

Jess Autry: "Goodbye everyone, l'll remember you all in therapy."

- Sheldon J. Plankton Jordann Baker: "Everything negative - like pressure, challenges - are all an opportunity for me to rise." - Kobe Bryant Caroline Ballard: "It really be like that sometimes."

Jacob Bowers: “Oh how the turntables.” Michael Scott Felix Braun: "Oh how the turn tables."

Simone Brooks: "Y.O.L.O." Zaria Brown: "What about your friends" - TLC Abigail Browning: "Makeup looks pretty on the outside, but it doesn’t help if you're ugly on the inside. Unless you eat the makeup."

Jacob Burns: "Well I tried."

Tamara Campbell: "Sometimes I tell myself to be petty but then I remember God is always watching."

Robert Chase: “To extend one's knowledge, one must first reach for it.” - Robert Chase Destiny Chitambira: "Let me drive the boat."

Anna Clifton: "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." - Wicked Stacy Colindres: "And I- OOP!" Sophie Columbia: “It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.” -Mark Twain Nakaya Crawley: "Can’t believe how quickly time passes. PEACE!" Josiah Davis: "Don't give up and don't give in until you reach the end."

Donaven Daye: "If it don’t make dollars it

don’t make sense!!!"

Jennifer Delcid: "When life gives you lemons make orange juice, and let the world wonder how you made it." - Unknown Matthew Dickerson: "Some of us carry our hearts in our hands." - BGSU Rugby Jennifer Dominguez: "I keep waiting to meet a man who has more balls than I do." - Salma Hayek DeMonte Downey: "They know I’m the one so it’s no way you can stop it." - Lil Uzi Vert Chelsea Duritan: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I read that one on a can of lemonade. I like to think it applies to life." - Andy Dwyer Manny Enamorado: "My chopper presidential, comes through and gives a speech."

Fareeda Eraky: "I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

- Bill Cosby Ariel Fabito: "Are you Guava Juice's sister?"

- Everyone Katherine Falzone: "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere." - Belle, Beauty and the Beast Mair Famet: "These spirits!"

Sophie Feierman: "It’s a doggy dog world."

Thomas Fuller: "In reality I'm 5’4 stand on my money now I’m 6’6." - Lil uzi vert Melenie Garcia: "Si se puede."

Nicholas Gore: "Don’t mess with me or it’s the last thing you’ll ever do."

Mackenzie Hale: "I would like to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever invented copy and paste.

Thank you!"

Michael Hammer: "Either work hard or you might as well quit." - MC Hammer Varyssa Henderson: "If you can’t handle a little heat, you can’t handle me cuz I’m straight fire. Period."

Cole Hinson: “What’s going on?” - Crazy Frog Tiyah Hinton: “Don’t let people discourage, let you down or stop you from doing anything in your life.”

Joseph House: "I'm gonna game end you."

Janisha Hughes: "What I learned in boating school is..."

Rukhshonai Jabborzoda: “Tajikistan is not in Russia.” - Rukhshona - exchange student from Tajikistan Naylea Jacobo: "Get in shape, study the tape, play with some intensity" Duncan James: Ezekiel 23:20 Jevon Johnson: "I'm ill enough to kill cancer, baby I'm chemo."

Amber Johnson: "Life is better when your're laughing; why be bothered?"

Christian Johnson: "What she don't know won't

k

May 2019

11

The new kangaroo

Quotes hurt her."

Joe Laird: "Leaders go to school."

Malik Leazer: "Can I get a number 10 or a kids meal with a hi-C?" Daniel Lovely: "I know all I really wanna do is get money & take care of my family." - Meek Mill Gabe Luther: “Excelsior.” - Stan Lee Jordan Macmillan: “Jordan... you should’ve done engineering.” - Mr. Velegol Alex Marban: "ALBUM COMING SOON SLAT+**" Christian Matiz: "You’re disrespecting a future U.S. Air Force soldier." - Matiz Destiny May: "Aloha a yes yess."

Mercy Neal: "Sporks have nothing to do with Communism." - Ms. Simpson

Joshua Nixon: "l'd say l'm serious about my quote, but l'm just JoshN'."

- Me Brayam Ortix-Rangel: “SLATTT.” - Playboi Carti Kimberly Padilla Rangel: "Like always I’m just going to fall and hope for the best."

Ray Palma: "Those were the days man, how could I forget?"

Katie Parler: "My pleasure."

Tyrique Patrick: “10 bands on a Friday you ain’t make that in 5 days it’s to easy.” - big 4X Dennis Pulliam: "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." - Gandalf Shani Quintero: "Grind don’t stop."

Alayna Rainey: “The freedom to, as a woman, be in school.” - Cole Infinito Justyn Ramseur: "That is not correct." - Me Eric Rasmussen: "Eric’s too lame to do a senior quote with me you guys."

Cole Rasmussen: “They got it wrong, my name is Eric.”

Matthew Rigsbee: "WWCD?" - Nick Falise Bryan Rivera: "TRAVIS LA FLAME IS THE GOAT." Evelyn Rodriguez: "There's a balance for everything."

Chiara Rosati: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” - Dr. Seuss Jalinn Ryals: “Gave so many pages of my life to people that I lost some chapters.”

Ben Shamblin: "Hmmmm."

Grace Shelton: "She believed she could so she did."

Abigail Shelton: “We know, we know, we got it.” - Chance the Rapper Alexander Simpson: "Hummingbirds are the sharks of the sky." - Jordan Maron Masala Smart: "Every day above ground is a good day."

Claire Sterling: "I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not too sure."

Leonardo Tapia: “The real snack is the one holding the bag.”

Caleb Taylor: "They say cheaters never win but I'm graduating."

Alexander Tayyeb: "Ultimate Frisbee isn’t a ReAL sPorT."

Samuel Tucker: "l guess l've been working so hard, l forgot what it's like to be hardly working."

- Michael Scott Kwishawn Void: "Quantumly Zooted" Natasha Waters: "Why do today what you can put off til tomorrow?" - my Grampy Eric Wennerstrom: Teacher: If your work isn’t on time there will be deductions! Me: “Read 12:45pm.”

Clarissa Woody: “Every adventure requires a first step.” - Cheshire Cat Daryl Wright: "HONEY, WHERE’S MY SUPER SUIT?" Isabel Young: "One Direction is the main thing I'm doing and I'm 100% dedicated to the group."

-Zayn Malik

By Justyn Ramseur Switching from a tiny private school to Carrington and Riverside made me feel like the “new kangaroo on the block,” just like Austin from the Backyardigans.

Austin is the purple kangaroo from the Backyardigans who at first doesn't know the other characters and is pretty shy at first. I went to Liberty Christian School, a private Christian school from preschool, until seventh grade. When I switched to Carrington for the eighth grade, I acted a lot like Austin.

It was a drastic change. Not having to wear a school uniform and catching the bus was very different for me. Coming from a school that had roughly 300 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade to a school with over 900 just in grades 6-8 was crazy. And not knowing anybody didn't help.

Making friends wasn't the easiest thing for me. I am a pretty quiet kid until I really get to know somebody. But despite that, I made a few.

I met Jacoria and Heather that fall. Jacoria would always laugh and joke when we would talk to each other, which was much needed.

Heather and I had three classes together at Carrington, and looking back I think she is one of the first people to start to crack my shell. We would hang out during lunch and talk constantly during Math class, but still get A’s.

My best friend Alyssa, whom I have known my whole life, went to Liberty and then transferred to Lucas. We adjusted to life at a big, public school together, and she provided good advice.

I felt like I could be myself around all three of them and not be judged or talked about. They made my transition to public school not super bad.

The next school year I came to Riverside and found myself in the same situation again. I didn't know anybody other than Jacoria because my other friends all went to different high

schools. I was very shy during freshman year and didn't even know that many people. During my sophomore year, I began to make more friends and somehow let them talk me into doing different sports and clubs. Thanks to Clarissa, Sherri, Jahna, and Will, I became a part of ultimate frisbee, cross country, student government, and lacrosse, which are all things I had never done before. I complained to them like crazy at first, but I’m glad they talked me into it. Without these clubs and sports, I would have never become friends with some of the people I am friends with today.

l encourage anybody who is shy or quiet like me to find a club or sport to be a part of, even if you have never done it.

I encourage anybody who is shy or quiet like me to find a club or sport to be a part of, even if you have never done it. The people and coaches will make you feel included and you will make at least a couple of good friendships.

I have always been there for the people I call my friends, just like Austin. After he became friends with the other neighborhood kids he would put their need over his and would help them in any way he could. Which all of them appreciated. I‘m excited to go to UNC-C and I'm looking forward to participating in clubs like ultimate frisbee, and I'm looking forward to making some life long friends.

12

Pirates' Hookok

Estirate, pero no te quiebres Por Stacy Colindres Todos dicen que el tercer año es difícil. El mio fue imposible.

Por querer ahorrar dinero para la universidad y aumentar mi GPA, me inscribí a clases en Durham Tech Community College al mismo tiempo que tomaba clases en Riverside. Ese mismo año tomé clases AP por primera vez. En ese tiempo pensé que podría manejarlo todo. Como estudiante de segundo año, pasé las clases de honores, coro y arte, así que me inscribí en las dos clases AP más fáciles de Riverside y de Durham Tech, un colegio comunitario que acepta a todos los que aplican. ¿Qué tan difícil podría ser?

Estaba completamente equivocada. Durante mi primer semestre en Durham Tech tomé ENG 111, una clase de escritura e indagación y MAT 171, una clase de álgebra de precálculo, junto con AP World History y AP Environmental Science en Riverside. De la nada, pasé de hacer lo mínimo en las clases de honores a pasar cada noche despierta tratando de terminar mis tareas. No estaba preparada para un cambio tan masivo.

Mis calificaciones en la escuela comenzaron a afectar mi salud mental y física. Las tareas por la noche y las clases a las 8 de la mañana habían arruinado mi horario de sueño. Cada día escolar se sentía como un borrón. Estaba tan cansada mental y físicamente que me resultó imposible prestar atención en la escuela. Cada vez que tenía un descanso en Riverside todavía tenía que ir a Durham Tech y viceversa.

A mediados de octubre, estaba llegando a mi punto de ruptura. Ya había alejado a la mayoría de mis amigos y no tenía el apoyo mental que necesitaba. Como futura estudiante universitaria de primera generación, no tuve el corazón para decirle a mis padres, porque no quería decepcionarlos.

Terminé ese semestre en Durham Tech con un GPA de 1.4. Mi GPA en Riverside se redujo a un 3.0.

Al final de ese semestre me dije a mí misma que nunca permitiría que eso volviera a suceder.

Me hice más abierta con mis emociones con mis amigos. También comencé a usar los recursos disponibles para mí en Durham Tech, como asesoría y tutoría.

El siguiente semestre obtuve un GPA de 3.00 en Durham Tech mientras tomaba PSY 50, un curso de psicología general y ENG 112, una clase de escritura e investigación. En Riverside también tomé Civic Honors and Honors Spanish 2 y obtuve una A y una B. Mi tercer año dio sus frutos. Debido a que tomé tantas clases básicas, pude tomar todas las optativas en mi último año. En mi último año en Durham Tech tomé Habla Pública, Sociología y Español, y en Riverside tomé arte y dos semestres de periodismo.

Cuando vi The Incredibles 2 hace unos meses, la experiencia de Elastigirl me recordó a mi experiencia de tercer año. A Elastigirl se le presentó una oportunidad única para liderar la misión de volver a legalizar a los superhéroes y tuvo que decidir si valía la pena dejar su vida en espera. Dejé a un lado mi escuela secundaria típica para ahorrar dinero para la universidad. Ambas eventualmente tuvimos problemas con lo que estábamos a punto de arreglar: Elastigirl con Evelyn, una villana encubierta que intentaba lavar el cerebro de los superhéroes y usarlos para establecer su propio plan malvado y yo con mis calificaciones y mi salud mental.

Me graduaré de la escuela secundaria con más de 30 créditos universitarios y seré la primera de mi familia en asistir a la universidad. Comenzaré en UNC-Wilmington como estudiante de segundo año este otoño con una beca por valor de $ 7,138 renovable por los 4 años.

A todos los estudiantes de primer año de la universidad, futuros estudiantes de Carrera y Promesa de la Universidad, o cualquier estudiante de tercer año: no estoy tratando de asustarlos.

Los animo a todos a aprovechar los recursos disponibles para ustedes. Pero lo más importante, mantengan su salud mental como una prioridad.

Pero aún así los aliento a todos a alcanzar su máximo potencial como yo lo hice. Puede doler, pero valdrá la pena.

Pero todavia los aliento a todos a estirarse a su maximo potencial como yo lo hice. Puede doler, pero valdra la pena.

Class of '19 I, Jalen Adams, hereby leave my wrestling weight class to Josh Cox. I, Chris Allen, hereby leave my girl Josie for Cael Laird.

I, Zach Archer, hereby leave my swim cap to Ryan Weaver so he can make the Olympics and I can maybe go.

I, Jess Autry, hereby leave Mackynzie the best pair of peepers. Ella and Maya my bad jokes, Ava my bunnies, and my senioritis to Camryn.

I, Jacob Bowers, hereby leave nothing.

I, Felix Braun, hereby leave nothing.

I, Simone Brooks, hererby leave my fave kissing spot to my friend Nuvea.

I, Jake Burns, hereby leave nothing.

l, Zaria Brown, hereby leave my ROTC name tag to whichever freshman gets it.

I, Tamara Campbell, hereby leave the past in the past and move forward.

I, Destiny Chitambira, hereby leave Macey Owen my sarcastic comments and side eyes in chorus, and to Candice all of my rifles and flags from Color Guard.

I, Anna Clifton, hereby leave my grades to Doriz.

I, Shakira Cole, hereby leave Riverside High School and go to college and get a good paying job.

I, Stacy Colindres, hereby leave translating along with my spot in the newspaper room to Abby and my nonexistent lunch leave pass to Jeremy.

I, Josiah Davis, hereby leave my favorite Riverside t-shirt.

I, DeMonte Downey, hereby leave my jumpshot to Marcus Burroughs - that’s my guy. Leave my jersey number to a real one only no fakes.

I, Chelsea Duritan, hereby leave my sanity, humor, and senioritis to Mariah Harrington and Kyle Hawkins. Good luck to senior year! Love you both!!

I, Manny Enamorado, hereby leave my seat in

the back of the bus to the juniors on the lacrosse team.

I, Ariel Fabito, hereby leave my parking spot to Llio Moyers (please don't paint over my spot) and the lacrosse team to Mimi Haase (I love you).

I, Katherine Falzone, hereby leave all of my things to my siblings to split evenly however they choose.

I, Mair Famet, hereby leave my TA position to Nicky, Javier my mac and stool, Fabian my photo skills, and Jeremy my cheat sheets.

I, Sophie Feierman, hereby leave my olive oil to Olilah Coleman and Levi Price, with the advice that sharing is in fact caring.

I, Thomas Fuller, hereby leave my off key singing to Noah Mofield.

I Nick Gore, hereby thank all my golf players for handling a great season and wish all my friends a great future.

I, Kenzie Hale, hereby leave Kelly a pair of goggles and all our blonde moments, Maddie my Harris Teeter reciept, and Noah a hug.

I, Michael Hammer, hereby leave my car to Katie Hammer, large dent and all.

I, Varyssa Henderson, hereby leave my choreo to Candace and my patience of Jbo to Noah.

I, Cole Hinson, hereby leave my parking spot to Drew Marley and my starting spot on lacrosse to Ikey Harrison.

I, Joseph House, hereby leave absolutely nothing to anybody.

I, Janisha Hughes, hereby leave my captain role of the majorette team to Gabby.

I, Duncan James, hereby have nothing left to leave, this place has drained me thoroughly.

I, Sigrid JensenOyaski, hereby leave the JCL to Graham and Haynie, and the responsibility of getting my sister to come to school to Harper.

I, Amber Johnson, hereby leave my color

l, Brayam Ortiz-Rangel, hereby leave my clout tokens to Rossember Merlos Campos.

13

May 2019

Senior Wills l, Thomas Fuller, hereby leave my offkey singing to Noah Mofield guard gloves to Candace and my terrible jokes to Blair!

I, Joe Laird, hereby leave the soccer and baseball teams to Cael Laird and the title of best white basketball player in the school to Leo Kaiser-Potter.

I, Malik Leazer, hereby leave my favorite classroom to the student who can recite to me the worlds best vine.

I, Daniel Lovely, hereby leave my rank to all the young fellas.

I, Gabe Luther, hereby leave the position of riser gremlin to Noah Mofield. I would also like to leave my cook out parking space to Lauryn Grace Murphy.

I, Alex Marban, hereby leave all my misery and stress to the underclassmen plus while they’re at it check out my mixtape on SoundCloud!!

I, Destiny May, hereby leave one of my stanky purple softball socks to Nakhia Alston and the other one to Trinity Smallwood.

I, Mercy Neal, hereby leave many broken glasses to the theater department.

I, Elizabeth Nguyen, hereby leave my lunch leave pass and car to Mya Mathews.

I, Joshua Nixon, hereby leave a wish of good luck to Calvin Hetes.

I, Brayam Ortiz-Rangel, hereby leave my clout tokens to Rossember Merlos Campos.

I, Kimberly Padilla Rangel, hereby leave all my books to Yacky and my coffee to Andrea.

I, Ray Palma, hereby leave Republican Club to whomever has the will and dedication to continue it.

I, Katie Parler, hereby leave my senior clout to Ben Neal, my scooter to Jase Franks, LeMoNaDe to Sherri Nela, and, last but not least, my shoelaces to Rudy Fuentes.

I, DJ/Dennis Pulliam, hereby leave my job in the front office and student services to whoever is able to handle it and do the job correct.

I, Alayna Rainey, hereby leave my passing English grade to Ella for when she doesn’t graduate.

I, Justyn Rameseur, hereby leave my Chickfil-A cookies to Sherri Nela.

I, Rebecca Riggsbee, hereby leave the chorus to all of the rising seniors.

I, Matthew Rigsbee, hereby leave my goggles for my boy Ryan Weaver.

I, Myles Sanford, hereby leave my basketball locker to Jikari. I leave my jersey number to no one bc they don’t deserve to wear it.

I, Ben Shamblin, hereby leave my stupid ideas to Caleb Yueh.

I, Abigail Shelton, hereby leave my captains band to Macy Owens and my killer dance moves to Bella Alfero.

I, Grace Shelton, hereby leave all the jellybeans at Harris Teeter to Nathan Compton and my parking spot to my escape twin, Camryn Atkinson.

I, Masala Smart, hereby leave my track uniform to Landin I, Leonardo Tapia, hereby leave the fate of the Ultimate Frisbee club in the hands of Luca Makarushka-Napp. The designs for jerseys are also available to use.

I, Alex Tayyeb, hereby leave the fate of Ultimate Frisbee in the hands of Luca Makarushka-Napp and whoever else in interested in playing.

I, Mira Tobin, hereby leave my car to my sisters, Willow and Ivy. I, Kwishawn Void, hereby leave my number 4 jersey to Ben Davis and my seatbelts to Riverside soccer for years to come.

l, Samuel Tucker, hereby leave my parking spot to any alpha male that drives a pickup truck.

I, Hiatt Von Alten, hereby leave Frolfing with the boys to Cael Laird.

I, Eric Wennerstrom, hereby leave at least one functioning bus to the tennis team and a watch to Jared Austin so he can get to practice on time.

I, Molly Woods, hereby leave the women’s lacrosse team to Mimi Haase and my muddiest cleats to Josie Sanfelici.

I, Daryl Wright, hereby leave my velvet durag to Osman Portillo-Bejarano I, Jonah Wyche, hereby leave my will to live, but I used that up years ago.

Stretch, don't break

By Stacy Colindres Everyone says junior year is hard. Mine was impossible.

In an effort to save money for college and raise my GPA, I dual enrolled at Durham Tech Community College. That same year I took AP classes for the first time.

At the time I thought I could handle it all. As a sophomore I breezed through honors classes, chorus and art, so I signed up for Riverside’s two easiest AP classes and courses at Durham Tech, a college that accepts anyone. How hard could it be?

I was completely wrong.

During my first semester at Durham Tech I took ENG 111, a writing and inquiry class, and MAT 171, a precalculus algebra class, along with AP World History and AP Environmental Science at Riverside. Out of nowhere, I went from doing the bare minimum in honor classes to pulling all-nighters on a daily basis. I was not prepared for such a massive change.

My grades in school began to affect my mental and physical health. The all-nighters and 8 AM classes ruined my sleep schedule. Every school day felt like a blur. I was so mentally and physically tired that I found it impossible to pay attention in school. Any time I had a break at Riverside I still had to go to Durham Tech and vice versa.

By the middle of October, I was nearing my breaking point. I had already pushed away the majority of my friends and lacked the mental support I needed. As a future first generation college student I did not have the heart to tell my parents because I did not want to disappoint them.

I ended that semester at Durham Tech with a 1.4 GPA. My GPA at Riverside dropped down to a 3.0.

That winter I told myself I would never let that happen again. I became more open about my

emotions with friends. I also started using the resources available to me at Durham Tech such as advising and tutoring.

The next semester I got a 3.00 GPA at Durham Tech while taking PSY 50, a general psychology course, and ENG 112, a writing and research class.

At Riverside I also took Honors Civics and Honors Spanish 2 and I got an A and a B. Ultimately, my stressful junior year paid off.

Because I took so many core classes, I was able to take all electives as a senior. My senior year at Durham Tech I took Public Speaking, Sociology, and Spanish, and at Riverside I did art and two semesters of newspaper.

When I saw The Incredibles 2 a few months ago, Elastigirl’s experience reminded me of my junior year experience. Elastigirl was presented with a unique opportunity to lead the mission of making superheros legal again and had to decide if it was worth putting her life on hold. I put my typical high school aside to save money for college.

We both eventually encountered problems what we were able to fix - Elastigirl with Evelyn, an undercover villain trying to brainwash superheroes and use them to exact her own evil plan, and I with my grades and mental health.

Overall, I will graduate high school with more than 30 college credits and become the first in my family to attend college. I’ll begin at UNC-Wilmington as a sophomore this fall with a $7,138 worth scholarship renewable for all four years.

To all the future college freshmen, future Career and College Promise students, or any future juniors: I am not trying to scare you. I encourage you all to make use of the resources available to you. But most importantly, keep your mental health a priority.

I still encourage you all to stretch to your maximum potential like I did. It might hurt, but it will be worth it.

My grades in school began to affect my mental and physical health.

14

Pirates' Hookok

Spotlight: Matthew Dickerson Two years ago, he found a home on the rugby pitch. Next year he'll compete for a national title.

By Emmer Rice Paying for college is daunting, but most people find relief through scholarships.

That’s why when Matthew Dickerson, a senior at Riverside, tells people that he is going to play rugby at Bowling Green State University, who won the 2018 D1 National Championship, and not get a cent in financial aid for it, people are shocked.

Dickerson is good, to say the least. He plays for the Chapel Hill Highlanders Rugby Football Club and won the State Championship his first year playing.

When it comes to financial aid, however, skill doesn’t seem to have much of an effect.

“Rugby is considered a club sport, not a varsity sport,” said Dickerson. “You don’t get any financial aid.”

So why would someone willingly attend college out of state and dedicate so much time to a sport that won’t help cover tuition? Well, it turns out this is nothing compared to what Dickerson has dealt with in the past.

He lived with his biological parents when he was young. During this time, they physically and emotionally abused him.

“It was two unstable people trying to make a relationship work,” Dickerson said. “It didn’t.”

When he was five years old, his father left the family, but the cycle of abuse continued when his mother began dating. It finally stopped when she joined the military.

His grandmother, whom he currently lives with, was granted custody of Dickerson and his two siblings. But he and his grandmother constantly fought, and in 2012 he was sent to foster care. He began playing sports to avoid going home to his foster families. By the time he was a freshman in high school, he was playing five different sports.

Dickerson moved back in with his grandmother in 2014, and came to Riverside in tenth grade. As a result of his hectic schedule and homelife, his grades suffered and he remained closed off. But in 2017, rugby changed everything. Dickerson says that sports, especially rugby, is a major part of how he deals with his anxiety and depression.

2017 was also the first year he met his coach, Jason Niemiller.

“He’s a leader, and he goes after his goals really hard,” said Niemiller, “You know, he’s an independent kid. He didn’t have a lot of guidance. It makes him a really inspiring person.”

Niemiller has played an essential role in making Dickerson the person and player he is today.

“He showed me doors and opportunities that I didn’t know were available,” said Dickerson.

Niemiller sent videos of Dickerson playing to multiple colleges, and ended up getting four responses. One of the four was from the rugby coach at Bowling Green, Tony Mazzarella. The university is located in Northern Ohio, and Mazzarella invited him to tour Bowling Green with him and his son. Now, he’s committed to the university and plans to study sports medicine.

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• PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATTHEW DICKERSON

(Top) Senior Matthew Dickerson tackles opposing team's player. (Bottom) Dickerson scores a try while his teammates cheer him on fromt the sidelines. He began playing for the Chapel Hill Highlanders in 2017 and will play collegiately at Bowling Green State University in Ohio next year.

May 2019

15

Class of '19 Superlatives Most likely to become a crazy cat lady Sigrid JensonOyaski Most likely to go bankrupt after one night in Vegas Toju Omamofe Most likely to become famous on social media Ariel Fabito Most likely be a good father Jacob Bowers Most likely to get really into Crossfit Brian Aimerich Most likely to win the lottery but lose the ticket Michael Hammer Most likely to finesse freshmen for their money Manny Enamorado