After the grueling month that was September, while still trying to get back into the flow of neverending schoolwork, shining ahead like a golden prize was the promise of Fall Break.
This promise was gracefully fulfilled for some students of NCSSM but for others was nothing but a cruel joke in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Normally, students would fill out the fall break form, clicking the Asheville bus as their mode of transportation or would return home by getting picked up, a long commute looming overhead regardless.
On Thursday, September 26, as the hurricane steadily approached, students with homes in Western North Carolina were restless to see the effects left behind as we huddled in the Greynolds tunnel, feeling the weight of the continuous tornado warnings.
At this point, the Asheville bus was pushed back from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning because of uncertain dangerous road conditions. At this point my peers and I were overall disappointed, but grateful we still had the chance to leave. Many opted for the optimistic point of view where we got to stay overnight at our empty school, seeing it as a challenge rather than a letdown. However, this quickly shifted to the latter as the bus was delayed even further to Friday afternoon.
Many, including myself, began echoing the question, “Will we even make it back?” At this point, numerous students were not able to get into contact with their families and friends back home, unable to update them on the bus’ wavering plans of departure.
We were left behind and in the dark. Time stretched by slowly as we were on edge, unsure of our family and friends’ safety, and bound to the school’s premises which disallowed us from leaving.
For seniors, the option of college applications was available to kill time. For juniors, it was late work that needed to be completed. However, this proved to be useless as all attention and concentration was on our communities nestled in the Appalachian mountains.
According to Bella Rizzuto ’26: “Everything was up in the air. I didn’t know if my family or house was okay, at this point I hadn’t been able to get into contact with them for over a day.” Similar sentiments were echoed by the remaining students left at school.
Despite the situation, the CCs and faculty came together to try and make the best out of the very apparent, bad situation. The boxed lunches and breakfasts turned into outings to get pizza at Costco and a group trip to Chancellor Todd Roberts’ hospitable home. Despite NCSSM staff being flexible and understanding, the students were still frustrated as the new update regarding the bus departing time pinged on our phones. We are unsure of when the bus will be able to depart.
Slowly, as news filtered out of the mountains we were greeted with stories of flooding, collapsed bridges, and fallen trees on buildings.
From the fifteen students delayed, it turned to twelve and later dwindled to three left, spending the entire fall break on campus, unable to return home.
The Triangle region of North Carolina has plenty of exciting options for sports fans to indulge in. Whether you want to watch the tactical showdown of a soccer match or the fast-paced action of a basketball game, a wide variety of major sports are available. This comprehensive guide will detail all of the teams that a fan can see in the Triangle area.
The Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL) are the only team in the Triangle from one of the “Big Four” North American sports leagues; the NHL, Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Football League (NFL). The “Canes,” as fans call them, are consistently competitive at North America’s highest level of hockey, winning the Stanley Cup in the 2005-06 NHL season. Head over to the Lenovo Center in Raleigh for some exhilarating professional hockey!
UNC Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, and NC State Wolfpack
The Triangle has the unique privilege of being home to three college sports powerhouses, offering fans in the region the opportunity to experience a multitude of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I athletic events from field hockey to football. All three of these schools compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have plenty of national championships across all of the sports they field, so you are sure to see a high level of play when attending one of these events.
North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage are the Triangle’s respective premier professional men’s and women’s soccer clubs. They compete in The United Soccer League (USL) Championship and the National Women’s Soccer League respectively. The clubs’ home stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is the epicenter of Triangle soccer and a great place to catch a match. Fans can take a trip over to Cary to see goals galore scored by these two excellent clubs!
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team; the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They play at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, conveniently located in downtown Durham, and games there are always exciting–a great way to see upcoming Major League Talent play before they head up to the big leagues. The Durham Bulls bring the fun of professional baseball to the Triangle!
The Carolina Mudcats are the other minor league baseball team in the Triangle, but they play three levels below the Bulls as the Milwaukee Brewers’ single-A affiliate. Mudcats games are another great professional baseball option; lower-level minor league games showcase raw talent unlike the developed players of the higher levels who are on the cusp of reaching the major leagues. The Mudcats currently play at Five County Stadium in Zebulon but will be moving to Wilson in 2026.
The large selection of sporting events in the Triangle means that there is always something new to explore at just about any time of the year. With baseball and soccer in the spring and summer, football in the fall, basketball and hockey in the winter, and more, there is never a dull moment when it comes to Triangle sports. No matter what sport you choose, you’ll surely have a great time.
Students volunteer with staff at the NCSSM Mailroom. (Denise Burgette)
By Teresa Fang, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief
Service Learning coordinator Sue Anne Lewis and Mailroom staff organize a successful Western NC Supply Drive, thanks to students who have donated and volunteered to pack supplies and teachers including Ms. Gabriela Stefan who took shifts supervising the truck.
The truck, a 40-foot long container on wheels, was driven to Western North Carolina by Director of Residential Education and Housing Michael Newbauer on Friday morning. This supply drive was born out of a way for NCSSM to “support our community and neighbors in need” and “send as many supplies as possible to Western NC,” Lewis wrote in a October 2 email.
From October 2-12, items were donated to the drive via dropping them off directly at the truck in the Bryan parking lot or shipped as packages directly to the Mailroom. More than 120 students signed up to help pack those items in cardboard boxes, labeled, then carried to the truck, contributing more than 400 total hours.
“We repacked them to make sure baby bottles, baby formula, and the like, all went in a box and we labeled it. Batteries, first-aid kids, medicine, feminine products, stuff like that.” said Mailroom Manager Denise Burgette. “We had a lot of those. So we just took them all. The students that came over were just totally amazing.”
During our chat, she gave me a tour of the Mailroom storage, where she showed me a box of white shipping labels ripped off from packages. She says that Lewis plans to have some students write thank you notes to the senders.
“Within two hours, we had 372 Amazon packages.” Burgette said, describing the scene in the Mailroom on October 14. “They couldn’t fit on the shelf so we had them lined up on the dock, and there were extra tables for the students to work, breaking down packages and everything.”
In addition to just holding the supply drive, NCSSM partnered with local Durham business Lee’s 24-Hour Towing to bring a “Stuff the Truck” semitrailer at the parking lot at Club Boulevard and Broad Street. Students were also encouraged to sign a large “NCSSM <3 Western NC” poster in the Bryan lobby and share images on social media promoting the supply drives.
From left to right: RBio students Rishi Saroya ’25, Yvonne Shih ’25, Saachi Arun ’25, Ava Cummings ’25, and Anneliese Heyder ’25. Anneliese Heyder
By Anneliese Heyder, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief
For the Research in Science (“RSci”) students, the last day of the Summer Research and Innovation Program (SRIP) has arrived. Students can be seen hanging up their lab coats, cleaning their goggles, and wiping down their workspaces where they’ve spent most of their days. Lab notebooks are out, students hunched over them while furiously scribbling final comments, details, and any data they’ve managed to collect in the last few hours before they head home.
For students in the Mentorship program, the last day isn’t for two more weeks.
SRIP, NCSSM’s flagship 3-5 week program provides students with one essential component to their research: time. During this period, students are allowed the time–from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day–to dive into their projects.
Once that clock hits 5 o’clock though, students are allowed to spend their free time however they wish: maybe walking down Ninth St. for dinner, going to the movie theatre at The Streets at Southpoint, or playing a game of badminton in the ETC courtyard. On the weekends, students can sign up for numerous events: a trip to Falls Lake, Target, or take the bus to the farmer’s markets in downtown Durham.
SRIP is comprised of multiple research groups and opportunities. You have the RScis (RBio, RPhys, and RChem) and RHum, RCompSci, REXCompSci, and Entreprenuership, which all occur here on the Durham campus. Mentorship, on the other hand, requires traveling to other colleges or universities and doing research in their labs. Both options have unique opportunities and experiences, allowing you to explore your curiosity and strengthen your research skills.
Erin Bienstock ‘25, recounts her daily SRIP routine at the Durham campus.“Students would leave school at 8 [a.m.] and since my mentor is at [North Carolina State University], I would get to the lab a little before 9 a.m.” Bienstock said. “My schedule was different every day but I spent a lot of time making new fabric designs in [Computer-aided design (CAD), 3D-printing the designs, and testing them in the wet lab. I also researched companies to get quotes for new products we could experiment with.” She would finish her work by 4 p.m. and return to school by 5 p.m.
RSci days were similar: they were long days in the lab, with students bustling around as they focused on their goals for the day.
Jonathan Charleston ‘25 recalls the busy days in the lab during RBio, including “morning sessions,” which involved a group discussion of goals for the day and “Starting out we had our morning sessions which involved getting started for the day, any protocols we need to look over. Then we had our after-lunch sessions, where we did the bulk of our work.” he said, adding that each day was “about 8 hours.”
Each research project is different; each student has their own goals, deadlines, and struggles. Bienstock’s research is funded by NASA; she explains how she’s formed great connections with other students in the lab. Charleston is focusing onmaking prostate cancer testing more accurate and accessible by using a paper-based assay. These two projects are vastly different, but they allow both students to satiate their curiosity and develop their skills.
While everyone is working independently, SRIP allows the bonds between students to grow and evolve. Old friendships are strengthened and new ones are born. SRIP offers a collaborative environment, where students and mentors can offer their insight, opinions, and help to each other to see everyone succeed.
Bienstock reiterates this by adding, “This has made it easier for me to speak up and contribute my own ideas to the project.”
When I asked her about advice for juniors applying to the program she said, “I would tell anyone applying to Mentorship to read research on the subject you think you want to find a mentor in. This will give you a good idea of what your experience might look like and you can write your essays about the papers that really inspired you.”
“I loved how personalized [research] is.” Charleston said. “My project is very personal to me, and being able to tailor it to exactly what I want to do is probably my favorite part.”
Falls Lake State Recreation Area in the fall. UNC Institute for the Environment.
By Anneliese Heyder, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief
In the first and final few months of the school year, NCSSM residents all battle an invincible foe: Heat and its sidekick Humidity. These adversaries use the same tactics each year to challenge students: wading through a swamp-like heat, frizzy hair, red faces, and sweat stains everywhere. Students can be seen holding mini fans, chugging from water bottles with melted ice and practically sprinting to Bryan lobby from Ninth St. where they can gulp in the air conditioning (AC).
Luckily, there is a solution to the relentless problem–one that many students don’t know about. Durham is home to several lakes, rivers, and quarries where students can escape the heat, hang out with friends, and release stress while enjoying nature.
Falls Lake is a 12,500-acre reservoir located in Durham. It offers up to seven different spots around the lake to swim, fish, kayak and enjoy other outdoor activities. Sandling Beach, a popular spot, offers a small beach access with plenty of room to swim, take a nap, or play a game of beach volleyball. Beaverdam and Rolling View also offer access to beaches and safe areas to swim.
Eno River State Parks boasts several hikes, some leading to small swimming holes and quarries. One is Bobbit’s Hole, a popular summer hangout spot for locals. The old-fashioned swimming hole is deep, so a float is recommended. The spot is perfect for a dip on a hot day, and on the weekends it can get busy. Bring durable shoes, as it’s about a 1.2-mile hike to the quarry.
I asked Matt Czar, ‘25 about his thoughts on swimming holes in Durham. Czar lives in Durham and recently made a trip to the Eno. “When choosing where to cool off you should always keep in mind the size of your group and time constraints,” stated Czar. “If you have more time, anywhere between an hour and 2 hours, I would recommend going to Bobbits Hole. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the swimming spot then you would have about 30 minutes to an hour of swimming time.” Czar also suggested going to Coon Rock which he states “provides the most options and is the most overall enjoyable place to swim.”
Connelly Martin ‘25 also expressed her encouragement for students to visit the Eno. She recommended “bringing a towel or something to sit on, something to float on, and a speaker.” Martin had recently taken a trip to the state park, and when asked her favorite part she said, “The weather and the chance to get away from school and relax. It was fun to hang out with friends and take a break from technology and stress.”
The Durham heat can be brutal, and sometimes the best thing to do is wear loose clothes, stay hydrated, and stick close to the AC. However, when you have the time to do so, planning a trip to one of these nearby swimming areas will allow you to cool down while making memories with friends and enjoying the beauty of nature.
RChem students Nihar Kummetha ‘25, Matt Czar ‘25, and June Brewer ‘25. Luke Malta.
By Noah Fine, Stentorian Staff Writer
Research in Science (“RSci”) applications are on the horizon for juniors at NCSSM. What exactly are the RSci programs? Which one is right for you? What will you get out of the student research programs at NCSSM? What other research opportunities are there?
When people talk about RSci, they’re talking about four year-long courses: Research in Chemistry (“RChem”), Research in Biology (“RBio”), Research in Physics (“RPhys”), and Research in Computational Science (“RComp” or “RCompSci”). In addition, NCSSM also hosts Research in Mathematics (“RMath”). What sets these courses apart from other research opportunities?
Research starts during RSci students’ J-Term and continues through the spring semester into the Summer Research and Innovation Program (SRIP), and concludes in the fall semester of senior year. In addition, RChem, RBio, and RPhys (but not RComp) are double-blocked, which means that student researchers will be working on independent research during both F and G blocks. Double-blocking allows students the opportunity to dive into their research questions for twice as much time as in a normal class, in addition to SRIP, which is equivalent to a few months of normal class time. However, this also means that choosing to take an RSci is a large time commitment.
“Why would you want to spend hours and hours on an investigation if you aren’t enjoying it?” asked RPhys instructor Dr. Jonathan Bennett, who will be passing on the RPhys teaching position to Dr. Michael Falvo at the end of 2024.
However, RSci also gives students the opportunity to learn how to adapt when things don’t go their way the first time. “Usually there’s a point where students have had to deal with disappointment,” reflected RChem instructor Dr. Tim Anglin. “But they push through, and there’s always that time they bring me something and they’re like, ‘it worked!’”
Research in Biology (“RBio”)
In RBio, students will learn the ins and outs of research with model organisms. During J-Term RBio students spend between two and four weeks conducting a mini research project, setting a strong foundation for the skills they’ll need during the rest of the year: group work, wet bench techniques, and presenting their work, according to Dr. Kim Monahan, who teaches RBio alongside Dr. Heather Mallory.
After J-Term, RBio students begin to research questions that can be answered by studying a model organism. For example, a previous student researched multiple sclerosis by studying earthworms.
Organism choice is restricted by cost and regulations: E. coli could be a great choice, but A. mississippiensis, the American alligator, would not. Other popular organisms include C. elegans, plants, and embryonic zebrafish. Learning how to work with a student’s selected model organism—and how to adapt when their model organism produces unexpected results—is one of the core focuses of the RBio experience. Popular areas of study include neurodegenerative disease, genetic engineering, and more.
To an outside observer, RBio may feel like one big family of researchers. Dr. Monahan acknowledges that team building is “something me and [Dr.] Mallory work very hard on.” She says that learning how to communicate with peers, teachers, and those from other RSci programs is one of the most valuable experiences for an RBio student. Those science communication skills will come in handy during the spring when RBio students prepare an oral project defense, and in the late fall, when students are encouraged to submit their work to research symposiums and competitions.
Research in Chemistry (“RChem”)
RChem students solve problems using the language of atoms, molecules, and proteins. No prior chemistry lab experience is required, so RChem students spend the first two weeks of J-Term building a foundation of basic laboratory techniques, such as pipetting, as they work on a shared short-term research project. During the spring, students explore possible research questions and plan out experiments in preparation for project defenses in early April. For the remainder of the year, students work to synthesize and test chemical products.
In the past, students have enjoyed exploring environmental chemistry, polymer chemistry, and drug design. However, projects that involve research with primate cell lines or potentially dangerous chemicals may not be feasible. Finding creative ways to address problems while working around these limitations is at the heart of RChem problem-solving. The two RChem classes, taught by Anglin and Dr. Michael Bruno, work separately most days. However, there are always opportunities for collaboration between students, even those outside of RChem. In fact, Anglin says that he particularly enjoys projects that sit at the periphery of chemistry, as they allow him to collaborate with the other RSci programs.
Research in Physics (“RPhys”)
According to Dr. Bennett, each RPhys project is completely unique in terms of both research questions and techniques. Previous research topics include computationally modeling turbulent flow, building miniature ion thrusters, and a variety of quantum computing projects. Since it would be impractical to teach such a wide variety of research techniques, he explained that instruction throughout the year focuses on building the skills necessary to become a competent researcher.
Students focus on dissecting and evaluating scientific papers during J-Term, preparing them to develop a research question and write a proposal during spring semester. RPhys students then run experiments during SRIP and share their research through a poster and research paper in the fall. Students then have the opportunity to present at a professional physics conference and submit their research to symposiums and competitions. Dr. Bennett emphasizes building these skills in the hope that they will empower RPhys students even after leaving NCSSM.
Dr. Bennett highly encouraged applicants for the class of ‘26 to attend the upcoming interest meeting. “Go to that meeting, get the information, ask your question, and listen carefully to the instructors,” he said, and advised applicants to “be you, but do your homework, so you’ll be more informed [about what RPhys has to offer].”
Research In Computational Science (“RComp” or “RCompSci”)
RComp allows students the most freedom of the four RSci programs because any question that can be answered with computational methods is fair game. Past RComp projects have included facial recognition software for horses, automated dating of Egyptian hieroglyphic text, and analysis of fourth-down plays in football games.
RComp is currently taught by Mr. Bob Gotwals, who will be passing on the position to a new faculty member at the end of 2024. Dr. Daniel Egger, a professor from Duke University, is currently undergoing training to teach RComp starting in 2025.
Mr. Gotwals, who has led NCSSM’s Computational Science Department since 2006, warns that Research in Computational Science is not Research in Computer Science. For example, Mr. Gotwals advises students not to come in with the goal of learning Python code, but rather to think of Python code as a tool used to model whatever interests them.
In contrast to the other RSci programs, RComp has no traditional benchwork component. All experiments are run computationally, which means that students conduct research using either their personal computers or the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center’s supercomputer. Also unique among the RSci programs, RComp students have the opportunity to find a mentor in the field they’re researching, who can help them understand their problem from the perspective of a researcher in the field.
Research in Mathematics (“RMath”)
RMath is a single-semester, spring course. An application to RMath during the school year does not come bundled with an application to RMath during SRIP—they are separate classes, taught by different teachers. This means that spring RMath applications are open to both juniors and seniors.
In contrast to RSci programs, where students start by developing their own research questions, RMath students begin their research by choosing a problem from The American Mathematical Monthly (AMM), a prestigious peer-reviewed math journal. Problems from AMM have only been solved once before, by the researchers who originally proposed them. Next, RMath students work in small groups to find a solution and publish their results. Particularly inventive or elegant solutions may even earn publication in a later issue of AMM.
RMath students learn how to format and typeset papers in LaTeX (a software for typesetting documents), present their findings to others, and conduct research in pure mathematics. Popular areas of research include combinatorics, game theory, and advanced calculus, but projects modeling real-life scenarios are not the focus.
“This is RMath, not RAppliedMath,” says Dr. Michael Lavigne, who will teach RMath during SRIP 2025.
RBio student Henry Hanson ‘25 observes plates through a microscope. Vincent Shen.
Advice & Next Steps For Applying
Now you’re interested in STEM research at NCSSM-Durham. What are the next steps? Attend the Research and Innovation fair and interest meetings, and then reach out to the teachers of the classes you’re interested in! Dr. Monahan says that RSci teachers are “always open if you have a question,” and Dr. Lavigne has free copies of past RMath papers on his door for interested students.
Most applications will ask you to submit some sort of project idea. Don’t take this as something that’s set in stone, instead try your best to think of something that’s realistic and you would enjoy spending a whole year learning about. Seniors who are currently in RSci are a great resource for this. Don’t be scared of applying, especially if you think that your project ideas aren’t good enough for the programs that you’re interested in.
On the other hand, don’t try to change your interests just for an application or to cater to what you think the RSci teachers want. “Students shouldn’t be thinking about how they can serve the class, it’s the other way around,” says Dr. Anglin. Think of ideas that excite you, and RSci will meet you halfway.
Finally, Mr. Gotwals emphasizes that RSci and RMath are amazing opportunities for student research, but that it’s important to remember they’re not the only opportunities. Mentorship, Research/Research Experience in Humanities (“RHum” and “RexHum” respectively), J-Term Courses Research Experience in Chemistry and Research Experience in Biology, and the multitude of SRIP programs offered each year provide opportunities to conduct research in an entirely different way, with the option of freeing up space in your schedule to take more classes that interest you.
Research-intensive classes, labeled with “*R*” in the course catalog, are also an opportunity to learn valuable techniques used by scientists in the field through a significant research project.
If you are willing to accept the challenge, NCSSM has a research opportunity for you.
The modular units, also known as “Univille.” Louisa Weinard.
By Mabel Kennedy, Stentorian Staff Writer
From supposed fox sightings, bigger rooms, and an overall change in NCSSM culture, the non-Hill residents of NCSSM have been consistently curious about the much-needed insights into modular life, aka UniVille. After the first Interhall Visit (IVIZ) of the year on September 6, an event allowing students to explore and visit friends in 1st Hill, many questions have been answered: this article presents itself to answer the remaining few.
As this year’s Convocation’s speaker Katharine Stewart ‘85 notably described, it seems as though every graduating class has some misshapen anecdote about their years at this school. Whether that be the COVID-19 lockdown or perhaps something more relatable as the past year’s storm at Convocation, or the present Hill renovations.
It’s important to note the luxuries of the new modular units (“modulars”), primarily the bigger rooms in comparison to the previous ones in Hill House and the apparently substantial walk-in closets. All this to say the modulars aren’t free from their downfalls.
When asked if they would rather live on Hunt, Andrew Hattle ‘26 reported the vibe of the resident buildings was better. “They have ping pong but our hall lounge only has a foosball table, a TV, and some chairs. Hardly anyone goes into the lounge. But in the [Hunt] building at least one person in the lounge, just chilling.”
I found this to be the case across the board, with an apparent lack of lounge activity present. Could this be the case because of the new round of juniors or rather the lack of the long-serving Hill House? Either might be the case, but the bottom line stands that the modulars are evidently a quiet hall to reside in. Notably, the faulty water heaters, spotty air conditioning systems, and distance from the center of campus give the modulars an equal playing field with the rest of the resident halls.
However, with the 1st Hill IVIZ now complete, many wonder if the tradition of “Haunted Hill” will continue. Or is this it?
We can still look forward to this classic NCSSM event, revealed by Khalil Murray-Azam ‘25, who said the tradition was “in the works,” contrary to the student’s general assumptions that this event would no longer be hosted in the now off-limits Hill House.
Will campus culture change after the relocation of Hill House to the modulars? Some interviewees said there wasn’t much change, while some said there was. Even so, the common conclusion is that the modulars aren’t the same. Obviously, this was going to be the case but with the lengthy distance to key points of campus, it becomes a more important annoyance to anybody in this situation.
Adriel Simeon ‘25 recalled that at Hill last year, “All you had to do was to walk outside and you can see everyone, and a lot of people went inside the lounge just to hang out.” But after the relocation between the soccer and baseball field, “it just wasn’t the same.”
Murray-Azam echoes these sentiments.“Now at Happy Half people go in right at 10 pm, when people would still live on Hill they’d stay out right until 10:05 pm,” he said.
All this to say Hill–or should I say, the modulars–regardless of their location will always have their ups and downs. Yet the school year has just begun, leaving much to be known.
Sage plants in front of Bryan lobby. Vincent Shen.
By Lily Frank, Stentorian Staff Writer
On February 12, 2024, Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 305, requiring that all North Carolina state property would be planted with native N.C. plants and seeds. This included NCSSM’s campus within its radius of influence. NCSSM was ahead of the curve with efforts in October 2023 to fill gardens with native plants.
NCSSM, however, had never had permanent garden features. With students leaving every two years, it became clear that there was no way to create “continuity” within the gardens as they were now. As biology instructor Dr. Heather Mallory pointed out, “It’s been hard and sad to see students put effort into planting a garden, and then it gets full of weeds, and things take over.”
A few years ago, the area in front of Bryan was filled with bushes that provided little for the space they took up. However, an opportunity presented itself when the previously planted bushes were bulldozed, creating a completely new space.
Dean of Science Dr. Amy Sheck, Plant Facilities, and many teachers, including Mallory, have led the recent changes that blossomed around campus. As required by the Executive Order, these gardens are focused on building a beautiful native ecosystem as well as acting as “an educational asset” that allows for “data collection, data management, data analysis, and opportunities to look at mutualisms, predation, and other symbioses,” according to Sheck.
Planting began last October. “I think it was Halloween because people came in costumes. It was quite the scene, but we got it all done in one afternoon.” Sheck recalled.
Then, in April of this year, the meadow was planted on the slope along Beall lawn. Around five hundred plants went in, which amounted to about forty species of native seeds. The idea is to keep it watered through the first year, and then after that, the gardens will take care of themselves because they are filled with well-adapted, hardy native plants.
Since April, these plants have grown quickly, with flowers blooming in time for move-in this fall and tall grasses filling in the slope. These flowers drew in various pollinators, including bees, wasps, flies, and butterflies. According to Sheck, “35 percent of the food plants we eat depend on pollinators,” so making space for them within our environment, even on campus, is vital. This also gave the Ecology class at NCSSM a chance to take the first census of pollinators, which may act as the “beginning of a long-term data set.”
Yet, managing such extensive gardens poses its own set of challenges. Five hundred plants in one garden is a lot. On top of that, there are about six other central gardens on campus, which has created an issue.
“We’ve got all these wonderful gardens; we just don’t have enough people to maintain them,” said Mallory. Previously, they would hold “garden days” where they would pull weeds and mulch with students and staff who volunteered, or clubs such as the greenhouse or garden club would help out frequently.
“Garden TA was a specific way to have students get interested, gain on-the-ground experience, do the weeding for certain gardens, and make decisions about plantings.” Mallory stated. It was about “having a group of individuals take ownership of the gardens.”
Through Sheck, teachers, staff, and students, the gardens around campus now have a clear plan of maintenance and care and ways for everyone on campus to get involved–whether through senior leadership, volunteer events, or clubs. These gardens are meant for everyone on campus and can act as an educational and propagational tool to spread the knowledge and seedlings of native NC plants.
As Sheck put it, “I’d love to give away plants to students and employees each year and spread these fantastic native plants.”
With the stress of everyday life at NCSSM, it can be difficult to develop passions with your friends, much less start a whole band. But not for this group! Here’s the “scoop” about Big Spoon!
Big Spoon is NCSSM’s very own student-led band, playing the songs of their choice at a variety of school and community events. Big Spoon was founded in 2023 by Grand-Senior James Dudek ‘24,. who wanted to create something where students could come together to make music and build bonds. Along the way, he found some friends that shared his passion, and they started the band as we know it.
The History
The name was not always Big Spoon–the group thought of many possible names, including “Dubious Boobius” and “The After-Hours,” a reference to their late practice times. The final name came from one of the original members’ roles in the spring musical Beauty and The Beast, and from then on they were “Big Spoon.” They have since performed at every Koffehaus–the school’s monthly outdoor talent show–and created Unipalooza, NCSSM’s own spin on Lollapalooza, a mini concert full of music and friends.
Even though all of the original members of Big Spoon have graduated, Big Spoon is still at large! This year will be the third generation of Big Spoon, aptly named Big Spoon the 3rd. For long-time and incoming Little Spoons (the nickname for their fans), here’s what they’re stirring up!
Meet This Year’s Spooners
Shirley Tian ‘25: Hey!! I’m Shirley–classical pianist, indie-rock guitarist, and guitarist for Big Spoon the Third. My top artists right now are flipturn, Radiohead, and Fiona Apple.
Isaac Bosman ‘25: Hey I’m Isaac and I play lead guitar for Big Spoon. My top three bands are My Chemical Romance, Mayday Parade, and Blink-182.
Kahaan Khatri ‘25: Hello I’m Kahaan, I love playing piano, I have plans to learn guitar, and my favorite artist right now is Crying City!
Hazel Cochran ‘26: Hi! My name is Hazel and I’m so excited to be joining Big Spoon as lead vocals. I also play guitar, bass and piano, so you might get to see me on those too. My top three artists would definitely have to be le tigre, Mitski, and Ludwig Goransson. I can’t wait to get onstage and play music with the band, and I hope to see all of you there!
Anna Tringale ‘25: Hi! My name is Anna Tringale, I’m from Mooresville (originally from Detroit) and I’m the biggest, baddest bassist for Big Spoon this year! My three favorite artists are System of a Down, Stromae, and PSY!
Jiya Zaveri ‘26: Heyy, I’m Jiya and I’m from Greensboro (shoutout northwest!) and I’m on drumset for Big Spoon this year. Some of my favorite artists are The Neighborhood, Ethel Cain, Maneskin and Arctic Monkeys, and I’m so pumped to play for you!
Big Spoon The 3rd
This generation of Spooners plan to be just as active as the Spooners before them. To get the inside scoop, I interviewed lead member Shirley Tian and lead guitarist Isaac Bosman ‘, slightly adjusted for clarity:
What is your personal history with Big Spoon?
Tian: I started playing guitar about a year and a half ago, and I really enjoy it. I remember going up to the Physics department and playing their little pink guitar. I was already close with some of them (the members), and Linda [Xue ‘24] finally got me into it. They asked me to play “Bags” with them on the piano.
Bosman: I’ve always been into music with orchestra and guitar. James asked me to sing at the last Koffeehaus, which I said no to, but I did end up playing guitar. After that, I just started jamming with them.
What is your fondest memory with Big Spoon?
Tian: My fondest memory is goofing off with the band during practice. We’re all there to have fun, and it’s nice to just have fun.
Bosman: My favorite memory was Malcolm [Louigarde ‘25] screaming his heart out to “Butterfly Wings” at Unipalooza.
To you, what is Big Spoon all about?
Bosman: Big Spoon is all about the people and the music. We just get to make music with cool, talented people.
What advice do you have to anyone who wants to get involved with Big Spoon?
Tian: Reach out! We love it when people come jam with us. You can message us @bigspoonband on Instagram or reach out to me or Isaac @shirleybirleyy and @isaac.bosman.
Big Spoon plans to play at every Koffeehaus this year, and around May 3rd they will be hosting another Unipalooza! Come see them–there’s something for everybody!
The 2024 Olympics have once again brought the world together, celebrating athletic achievement and cultivating a sense of global unity. This international event that goes beyond borders allows athletes from all sorts of diverse places to come together to compete, share their stories, and inspire millions. This year, taking place in Paris, France, the Olympics have captured the world’s attention with its grandeur.
One of the highlights of this year’s games has been Women’s Gymnastics. Often considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles has returned to the Olympics with a determination to add to her already impressive legacy. After taking a step back during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to prioritize her mental health, Biles has come back even stronger. Her performances in Paris demonstrate her extraordinary talent but also showcase her perseverance and dedication to the sport. Biles has already made her mark in history by winning gold medals in the team, all-around, and vault events. Her routines, being of immense difficulty, are almost perfectly executed, leaving judges and audience members alike, mesmerized.
However, the 2024 Olympic Games have not been without their controversies. The boxing events have sparked ongoing debates over gender eligibility. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to gender tests by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed them to compete in Paris, which only furthered the discussions about fairness and the integrity of Women’s Boxing. The IOC and IBA are now in a public argument, with the IOC criticizing the IBA’s actions and transparency, while the IBA defends its stance. This controversy raises more general questions about gender testing and discrimination in sports, overshadowing many athletes’ achievements during the games.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a tribute to exceptional skill, remarkable achievements, and perseverance. Athletes have inspired millions with their dedication and talent, while the events displayed stories of resilience and triumph from competitors of all backgrounds. However, the games have also highlighted ongoing issues within sports, such as the debates surrounding gender eligibility. Despite these controversies, the unwavering commitment and years of hard work from each athlete have resulted in performances that will be remembered for years to come, making this year’s Olympics a truly spectacular event for fans worldwide.
