HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST & SEPTEMBER. The fall athletic season is upon us and a variety of sports have begun. Men’s soccer, women’s tennis, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, and women’s golf are all back in action. Student-athletes are working hard in and out of the classroom studying, practicing, and competing at the top of their game! Your support is key to their success. It means the world to them when they see their peers in the stands. Be sure to come out and cheer on our Unis at a sporting event this fall!
Hadley Woods ‘25 is a senior on the NCSSM women’s volleyball team. Volleyball is an integral part of who she is as a person.
When I asked her why, she explained, “I’ve been playing volleyball since fourth grade, so for nine years. I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without volleyball. Playing has allowed me to see so many places and make so many friends who are spread all across the country. This sport has brought me some of my closest relationships and I couldn’t be more thankful for that.”
Woods’ favorite volleyball memory was in sixth grade when she took home her first win–that was the moment she fell in love with the sport.
The most anticipated sport at NCSSM has arrived: Textbook Pickup.
For most, this is the closest they’ll get to competing in the real Olympics. Students can be seen donning their uniforms ⎯ complete with laundry baskets, plastic tote bags, and suitcases, or coming with only a pair of hands. To many, this event is considered quite a feat and is seen as an Olympic sport. Students spend much time preparing for the challenge: sprints up and down the stairs, bicep exercises in the PEC weight room, and yoga to not tear any muscles.
Students arrive at the event with no warning of how many books they will be carrying back; numbers can range from 4-20 and vary in size. Got multiple science books? Dr. Martha Regalis’ class? Good luck with that. Humanities are normally smaller and more lightweight than the thick STEM textbooks (they can literally be used as weapons).
A Few Tips For Those New to the Event
First, eat a big breakfast. You are going to want to be fueled for the journey. The last thing you want to do is run out of energy halfway back to your dorm, for once you stop it’s hard to start again.
Second, get there early or find a time when it won’t be crowded. This will help you not become overwhelmed, or frustrated and you can finish the event without bumping into other students.
Third, don’t dilly-dally. You’ll forget a book you need or end up with one that has pages falling out. Get your stuff and get out.
Now, there are obstacles you will need to overcome during this event. Don’t trip on the sidewalk on Hill Street or slip on the stairs. Keep your fob on hand so you don’t have to fumble with finding it for 10 minutes. Choose the right uniform: you don’t want to not have enough room to carry all your books (I recommend a laundry basket or tote bag).
How To Win
Now, you may be wondering how this Olympic event is won. Some students have 4 books, others have 16. Some live on 1st Beall – a few steps from pickup – whereas others live on 4th West. How in the world is that fair? Well, this sport isn’t judged by how fast you grab your books or the amount you carry. It isn’t about if you got the first pick of the books or took the stairs instead of the elevator. It’s about community.
Community is essential to living here at NCSSM as good sportsmanship is to any sport; it revolves around lending a hand, offering support, and assisting one another. Do you see a student struggling to get textbooks up the stairs? Offer to take half. Did someone drop all their books on Hill Street? Help them pick up. Hold the elevator for others or plan with your roommate/hallmates for what works best for everyone. Does someone need an extra bag? Lend them one.
This sport has become a popular and competitive event here at NCSSM, and I am sure it will evolve in the next few years. Keep an eye out for more tips on how to best prepare for this challenge, as well as information on the other event in the NCSSM student Olympics: “Textbook Dropoff.”
For some students, the gym is their safe place: it’s somewhere they can go to release stress, meet new people, and get good plain ol’ exercise. Some go to lift weights while others run on the treadmill or get an intense bike ride in. Either way, everyone has one thing in common ⎯ they want to get a good workout. So, the question is: where to work out on (or off) campus?
On Campus:
Students at NCSSM can enjoy the gym, dance studio, and weight room all located in the Physical Education Center (PEC). The gym is open for certain hours to students who want to play a game of basketball, practice volleyball skills, or prepare for the dodgeball games later in the school year. The dance studio provides an open space for both the dance and cheer teams, as well as students interested in pilates or yoga. Finally, the weight room offers a diverse range of equipment to grow your gains. It can get crowded quickly though; the most popular hours are afternoon/evening once classes have gotten out. Be sure to keep on the lookout for after-check events with your hall; these are great ways to get a workout in while bonding with your hallmates!
Off-Campus:
Another popular option is Planet Fitness – about a 5-minute walk from campus. NCSSM students can be seen leaving campus with their gym buddies early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Planet Fitness is well-liked by students for its cheap fees and student discounts. The commercial gym boasts high-quality amenities which include a diverse range of both weights and cardio equipment. Not only is it open 24/7, but Planet Fitness states that it “has the best value on the planet.” With two different membership options ⎯ a Classic or Black Card ⎯ and the High School Summer Pass, students can find what works for them and their bank account.
Now, for those of you who find joy not in weights and cardio equipment but in pilates and yoga, Ninth Street offers two different options: Pure Barre and Yoga Off East. PureBarre offers a diverse range of classes throughout the week: those targeting strength and endurance, others flexibility and recovery, and some that incorporate both cardio and strength training. These workouts are low-impact and full-body, allowing you to get in some effective and satisfying exercise. The studio offers both a free first class and beginner classes for those just starting. Referring a friend can also earn you a free class; if this interests you, find another student and try it out!
Just down the street is Yoga Off East: it offers weekly classes that focus on core strength, stretching, recovery, and meditation. For newcomers, the studio offers three classes for $30 and has a membership option. If this speaks to you, feel free to grab a buddy and go check it out!
While there are many other options around Durham, those can be difficult to get to. Remember, you need a buddy when leaving campus. While walking is the most common mode of travel here, those with bikes can travel a bit further; if you and your friend both have a bike, you may have a larger pick of workout facilities.
Some things to keep in mind when choosing a gym or studio: accessibility, costs, transportation, and most importantly, if it’s realistic. To determine this, you’ll need to do something that you will do almost every day here at school: research. Happy gym hunting!
Every junior brings two things with them when they come to NCSSM: shower shoes and lots and lots of questions. In this article, I’ll give you 11 bits of advice I wish I had during my first year at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics:
If You Need Help, Ask for It.
To put it bluntly, every adult in Science and Math is paid thousands of dollars to help you fix your problems. The only challenge is finding the right person to ask. Don’t be afraid to ask teachers, Community Coordinators, and other administrative personnel for help when you need it — they’re here to serve you.
Go With the Flow.
Things will go wrong at Science and Math, it’s all but inevitable. Learning how to ride the wave of failure and stay calm when things aren’t going your way is one of the most important things you’ll learn during your junior year.
Work Hard to Learn Names.
During your first days and weeks at NCSSM, focus on learning as many names as you can. Oftentimes, simply learning someone’s name can be the greatest barrier to making a friend. By your first extended weekend, aim to be on a first-name basis with the people who live near you and at least one person in each of your classes.
Friend Groups are Flexible.
During your first semester at NCSSM, friend groups are extremely malleable. You’ll form and dissolve connections almost every day. Do not be worried if you don’t feel like you have an ideal friend group then, or at any point during your junior year.
Try New Things!
Living at Science and Math can be an amazing opportunity to reinvent yourself! Have a competition you always wanted to participate in? A sport you always wanted to try out for? There’s no better time to go out and give it your best shot. As the year goes on, however, remember to…
Manage Your Time Commitments.
You only have so many hours in the day, and a sizeable portion of those will be taken up by classes and homework. Balancing the remaining time between socializing, studying, and sleep will prevent stress and protect your health in the long run, especially during high workload times such as exam season. Google Calendar is amazing for visualizing your schedule, but it isn’t essential — use whatever works best for you!
Find Alone Time.
One thing you’ll notice quickly is that you’re almost always surrounded by your peers. Moments when you’re truly alone will be few and far between. Actively seeking alone time after school or during free periods can be super beneficial to your mental and physical health.
Talk to Your Teachers.
The teachers at Science and Math are some of the kindest I’ve ever met and will try their best to help you find academic success. Teachers here have high expectations, but they also know that NCSSM students will need extra support. Don’t be afraid to communicate if you have worries about directions or deadlines.
Clean Up After Yourself.
No one likes having to clean up someone else’s mess. Learning to leave common spaces just as you found them — or better — is an essential part of living independently at NCSSM. Getting in the habit of cleaning up after yourself in your room, on your hall, and in study spaces will keep your fellow students happy and healthy.
Complaints May Not Reflect Reality.
Complaining is Science and Math students’ number two favorite activity, just behind stressing about college, and just in front of complaining about stressing about college. A fair amount of the negative opinions you’ll encounter are overstated — don’t let them stop you from pursuing things you’ll enjoy.
Everything Will Be Okay, in the End.
As you get deeper into the school year, and stress begins to build up, remember that you are a student at NCSSM. You were chosen from a pool of exceedingly qualified applicants because you are smart, driven, and capable. Keep going with the flow, and you’ll be all right in the end. Science and Math students are quite good at building a bright future for themselves.
A year ago, I never would’ve imagined I would be at a soccer game in Chapel Hill between Manchester City and Celtic with four great friends, but on July 23, that’s where I found myself! I gained all four of those valuable relationships through a shared love of sports. Whether it was running cross country or watching a Carolina basketball game, we spent lots of quality time together with a common thread – athletics.
NCSSM is a huge adjustment for everyone. For most students, it’s their first time living away from home. In a very academically challenging environment, it’s important to participate in physical activities and make new friends outside of class. Both of these can be accomplished through participating in or supporting school sports. It feels great to get outside and move after a long day of learning and the friendships and camaraderie formed by being part of a team can last a lifetime.
I have made so many great memories with the friends I met through athletics. We got to see some players and the coach of Manchester City up close at the soccer game; I know that moment is something I’ll never forget. It was just another experience I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t participated in sports at NCSSM.
Don’t just take it from me! I asked Asa Zengerle, a rising NCSSM senior, about the impact sports made on him during his junior year. When posed this question he responded, “Being a part of NCSSM sports has been such a great experience. I played three sports during my junior year (cross-country, basketball, and spring track) and met so many awesome people during each one. My coaches and teammates were all super supportive and everyone on each team was always really competitive while still encouraging their teammates and cheering them on. Sports at NCSSM are one of my favorite things about the school and I’m excited to do them again this year.” Zengerle’s recollection of his experiences is exciting and encouraging to those considering participating in NCSSM athletics.
Being on an NCSSM sports team has extra significance for me. I came from a small early college with no athletic teams, so I was very excited to finally have the opportunity to experience the school spirit and pride of playing for and cheering on my school’s teams. I was not disappointed; I love the electric atmosphere at sporting events and it’s a great feeling to compete with NCSSM printed on my chest. I’m sure that is a sentiment shared by other students as well.
I can still imagine my group of friends huddled together in a cramped room yelling at the computer monitor that displayed a game you could’ve assumed our lives depended upon. College and professional sports bring NCSSM students together (or cause some healthy rivalry) just as much as school sports. It’s clear around campus that sports fans are everywhere. You can see jerseys worn to class and social events, big games on TV screens in hall lounges, and pennants on the walls of students’ rooms. Regardless of where your allegiance lies, you will be able to connect with others who support the same team. This is yet another way to bond with friends throughout your NCSSM experience.
There are so many different ways to immerse yourself in a place like this; the possibilities are endless. My love of sports connected me with so many great people and led to countless friendships and opportunities. If you’re looking for that group of friends you really click with or you’re just searching for a new activity to try, consider giving sports a shot! It will certainly be a decision you won’t regret. Go Unis!
Taking your first steps on campus can be daunting. The complex naming conventions of the campus buildings and the multistory floor map complete with tunnels, twists, and turns can catch your eye and take up your attention. However, as you explore this place, there are some unique characteristics to find that add to the clever, quirky personality of Science and Math.
Koi fish are fond of the art pond
Go ahead and stroll on out the Reynolds breezeway side door closest to Beall and follow the sideway to the right. You will end up at one of two established ponds on campus! The art pond is home to beautiful flowers, nice white noise, peacefulness, and some striking fish. If you take a good look into the water, you will find some colored creatures enjoying their time next to the art studio. A great way to reconnect with nature after a long school day!
Sidewalk stroll around school
While the sidewalks on the front of campus are often in use by students or faculty, the path on the backside of campus is much quieter. You may find a cross-country runner speeding over the slight hill along Sprunt Avenue or a neighborhood walker taking in the view of UniVille. The trail that follows the corner of the soccer field even allows a brief moment where you are fully one with nature, with trees on both sides.
Watts Tunnel delightful ducks
As you walk out of the Ground Watts classrooms heading to Reynolds, look to your right! The end of the wall boasts a myriad of doodles and drawings from past students. Some particularly intriguing drawings are those of happy ducks. Though a bit far from a pond, the impressive artistic skill used to create these birds adds some spirit to the dark, spooky tunnels.
Staircase surprises
NCSSM boasts many sets of staircases, and one of the most interesting is the stairs from the PFM up to the physics floor. You may find that the number of steps you take between floors changes as you go higher. This quirky architectural design is also portrayed in the ceiling heights of the different Bryan/Beall floors. Also, don’t forget about the ETC stairwell to the right of the entrance to the music suite. It is easy to breeze past that staircase and think you have to wander through the ETC to make your way to the Dry Lab, but there are stairs to get you there even quicker!
A variety of vending machines
Are you hungry past PFM hours? Is a need for sugar distracting you from work? Don’t worry, there are many vending machines on campus to feed your appetite! With several different versions across Hunt, Reynolds, and Bryan, a variety of snacks are easily within reach. However, be careful to note which type of food or drink is located where, as some are not found in all the machines. Also, be mindful of how you are paying⎯some machines prefer cash and some prefer card.
I encourage each of you to take up the challenge of seeking out each of these features and looking closer into some integral parts of the NCSSM landscape!
“I CAME, I DANCE, I CONQUERED” AT ASIAFEST 2024. ASIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION
By Lily Frank, Stentorian Staff Writer
“We don’t just want to highlight the cultures themselves – we want to highlight the experiences that NCSSM students have with their culture,” stated Leah Nikhil ‘25, one of the five officers of NCSSM’s’s Asian Student Association (ASA) alongside Nicholas Win, Olivia Chen, Aadiya Dasgupta, and Andrea Dela Pena. Together they form “NOALA”, as Dela Pena shared, symbolizing their commitment to “work collaboratively on different tasks and events, one being Asiafest.”
Every year, NCSSM students hold different events and activities outside of the classroom and within the community. From Koffeehaus in the pit beside Woolworth to block parties on Hill Street, students love to get involved. Of these, some of the most anticipated events are the cultural festivals, or fests. These fests are headed by ASA, the Black Student Union (BSU), and the Latin Student Union (LSU) to make Asiafest, Africafest, and Latin America Fest.
These fests, however, take a long time and are filled with careful planning and dedication.
“There’s a ton that goes into planning, so expect to see all five of us (NOALA) most likely huddled around a conference table in the library throughout the year,” Chen emphasizes.
Preparations start weeks or even months in advance: from the beginning planning stages to the dance practices late in the evening, these fests take hard work from everyone involved. As Nikhil puts it, “Leading up to Asia Fest, you face many hours of stressful practices, struggles, setbacks, and difficulties. But throughout these experiences, you make lifelong friends and learn so much about who you are, all while picking up some new skills and awesome moves you never could have imagined yourself doing before.”
All three fests focus on the cultural backgrounds of NCSSM students, or, as Nikhil states, “We want to acknowledge the way students feel about their culture and help them take strength and pride in their culture, as well as emphasizing the community and support they have here at NCSSM.” The festivals allow NCSSM students to connect with their heritage and how they live with their cultural background in their day-to-day lives in the classroom or within the community.
“We want Asiafest and ASA as a whole to both encourage students to learn about their classmates’ cultures and how special they are, but also encourage them to reflect on their relationships with their culture,” added Nikhil.
Asiafest, Africafest, and Latin America Fest allow students of various cultures to connect with and express their experiences. Still, it can only happen with the shared collaboration of seniors who step up to lead and juniors who want to join in.
To any juniors unsure of their place within the fest, Dasgupta says, “1000% join! While it may seem overwhelming at first, there are so many ways to be involved with the fest… whether that’s performing, leading an act, being a part of tech crew, ushering, and more. We can’t wait to introduce our juniors to Asiafest and see them do amazing things in it!”
With the school year starting, preparations for all 3 fests will also begin. As Win adds, “A great way to learn more and get involved in Asiafest is to attend ASA welcome and interest meetings.” ASA, BSU, and LSU are open to any interested students, so keep an eye out on social media or around the school for more information.
There is no better time to join than now because, as Nikhil states, “When you shine brightly on that stage for the first time side-by-side with your friends, proud of who you are and all the dedication and talent you displayed to get there, it is an exhilarating experience that you’ll never forget nor may get a chance to experience ever again.”
At NCSSM, there are a plethora of students who come from academically gifted backgrounds who have exhibited extraordinary levels of skill and unbelievable levels of determination. Many of these students have been declared among the “top students” at their home high schools due to their star-studded academic record, exemplary extracurriculars, and other achievements. When collectively gathering these students into one school, the institution becomes an academic powerhouse designed to shoot these students toward success. However individuals, during their time as students at NCSSM, may begin developing feelings of inadequacy, as they often compare themselves to their peers.
With numerous research and extracurricular opportunities at NCSSM, it can easily become overwhelming for students. This can often lead to students comparing themselves to their peers and feeling lacking in the differences. Those comparisons can often contribute to competition between students, which can lead to them constantly trying to do more to win an imaginary contest they’ve created in their heads that will continue for as long as they remain in this mindset. Eventually, if this behavior continues, these students will inevitably face burnout. Students may begin to feel discouraged and lose their motivation to do more while also feeling less motivated to keep up with their current commitments.
While knowing about these pitfalls does not prevent you from falling victim to one, being aware of your situation will make it easier to dig your way out if necessary. This school is filled with intelligent people who are on the path to doing great things – including you! It’s important to remember that everyone will progress at their own pace and everyone’s path is different, so focusing on your own is integral. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t rob yourself of happiness at the expense of trying to keep up with ever-changing standards based on the accomplishments and work of others.
MARCELLUS DAY – STENTORIAN STAFF WRITER, OPEN DURHAM
By Marcellus Day, Stentorian Staff Writer
It’s a dark and stormy night for NCSSM, as the ghosts and ghouls of Watts Hospital and old NCSSM students who didn’t complete their orientation on time seek new victims: the juniors. Fret not, they aren’t as scary as physics labs, and with this short guide, you will have all the tools you need to identify and deal with all the hauntings of NCSSM.
The Royall Nurse is the ghost of a heartbroken former Watts Hospital nurse. She went out past curfew to meet with her lover and never returned. That is, she never returned alive. She can be found roaming residential halls in search of juniors to hypnotize into breaking the 2-week rule, accompanied by the sound of her high heels clacking on the floor. If found, start over-explaining your comfort TV show that you binge-watched for the fourth time instead of writing your paper to her. She will soon realize that there is no hope for you and retreat.
The Phantom Plate Picker is a ghoul with sticky fingers. His death? While leaping out of bed at 8:25 a.m., knowing he had an 8:30 a.m. class, he slipped on a PFM plate that he stole and fell to his demise. He loves to steal plates from the PFM and place them in unsuspecting victims’ rooms, causing a great heap of paranoia yet an equal amount of laziness on the part of the victim. If you find yourself a victim, sneak the plates back into the PFM and return them.
These are the least of the frightening beings that we share this campus with. Be on the lookout, and if you see something, report it to the Unicorn Paranormal Activity Team. More guides will be shared throughout the year.
