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  • Battle of the Buses: School Vans vs. Durham Go Buses

    Battle of the Buses: School Vans vs. Durham Go Buses

    (Wiki)

    By Mabel Kennedy, Stentorian Staff Writer

    As I walk around the perimeter of the school, a crisp but pleasant chill in the air, my friend and I pass by the long, dizzying row of white school vans. I began to wonder why there is a need for such an excess, it seemed unnecessary. 

    Perhaps it is just a result of overanalysis; however, paired with the circulating beliefs I’ve heard, it reinforces my curiosity. Statements like downtown seem dangerous, and there is a shared sentiment about the Durham buses being thrown around like they hold no weight. Are the plethora of school vans there for the sole purpose of being the ones transporting the students? If so, that would only further these beliefs that the outside world of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill is dangerous. 

    I then began to wonder why the topics of the public buses as rough or unsafe were viewed as the truth. Was it the fact that locals make use of them too? That it’s not full of other peers from the same sheltered bubble that this school can turn into? Or is it the fact that the majority of people that you will find riding the bus are black? These are questions I cannot answer and probably don’t have a definite answer to; however, the subject of the school being a sheltered place is definitely one of interest. 

    The reality is that many of the residential students here rarely leave the school grounds, or if they do, it’s to the comfortable stretch of 9th Street. This could be the result of the burdensome workload, but it can cause a limited worldview and create a bubble around NCSSM. Although downtown may not be a walkable distance for some, the free buses are available and easy to use, and downtown has been nothing but hospitable in all the months I’ve been here. 

    Now, my experience has not been everyone’s, however, I’d still argue that both downtown and the buses are safe and something that should be taken advantage of more often before we have to start paying for bus passes.

  • The Service Learning Requirement Is Designed To Fail Students

    By Marcellus Day, Stentorian Staff Writer

    At NCSSM, we brag about forcing our students to do community service, because we are an educational organization and not the justice system when someone commits a minor crime. From the moment we’re accepted, our objectives are made clear: stay on top of insanely hard classes, complete random courses about how to be a good person, and apply said courses to real life by doing 60 hours of community service- or don’t bother graduating. NCSSM’s policy is crafted with good intent; since the school is responsible for removing intellectual talent from local communities, why not force students to babysit kids at their local YMCA? However, a policy meant to help shape students into active members of their communities is not designed with all students in mind. 

    First, let’s walk through the numbers. Students are required to complete 60 hours of community service by Thanksgiving of their Senior year. Fair enough, right? This number seems reasonable until you consider the amount of time it takes to be a student at NCSSM. Including classes (~40 hours), one sport (~7.5 hours), one club (~3 hours), the on campus service requirement (3-4 hours), and taking care of eating and sleeping (77 hours), it takes around 130.5 hours a week to be a student at NCSSM.. That leaves a total of 37.5 hours a week to do other activities. Which, at face value, sounds like loads of time, assuming you don’t bathe, you’ll teleport to where you need to be, and that you have no friends or family that want to hang out with you. Essentially, it is nearly impossible to complete community service hours while at school, since one simply does not have the time. 

    Obviously, this issue can be easily solved; just complete the service requirement over breaks and summers! However, this simple solution is not accessible to many students as it makes one crucial assumption: that everyone’s home life is just like their school life. Being at NCSSM means a guaranteed roof over your head, three meals a day, support for mental and physical health issues, and a safe environment. This may not be the case for every student at home, and could prevent a student from completing the service requirement. The truth is that living away from home comes with its own set of financial obligations that every student’s family might not be able to cover without the student working over breaks. For many students, the service learning requirement simply isn’t a priority at home, and even if it is, what counts towards the service requirement?

    In order to be logged for the requirement, the volunteer opportunity must be in North Carolina (excluding online programs based in NC), and the student must not accept any type of payment for the service. So here’s an issue: what does one do when there are no opportunities in their area? Let’s take my hometown, Princeville, as an example. Suppose you search “volunteer” on Google Maps in my hometown. In that case, three results pop up: A Habitat for Humanity, which apparently is located inside a building that is currently being renovated into apartments with no phone number or website, a volunteer firefighter station which only accepts volunteers who have graduated high school, and a community outreach center, which doesn’t exist anymore. But why rely on Google? I’m an active member of the community, so I should go out to find more options. Princeville has a library and a senior center, both of which are not accepting volunteers at this time, a retirement home that requires volunteers to be  18 or older, and various churches, in which I’m not sure if they would love my help, considering I’m transgender. To keep it simple: there is no opportunity in my hometown, and I’m sure other students from rural areas feel the same way.

    NCSSM’s current remedy for this issue is to provide on-campus service opportunities during the school year (remember those 37 hours of free time?). They can be great means of gaining additional hours, but NCSSM has recently limited which on-campus services count. So, does NCSSM offer enough service learning hours on campus for students who cannot get them elsewhere? I would answer no, especially not accessible hours, as these events often conflict with clubs and sports. Besides, having to do all your hours on campus defeats the purpose of limiting on-campus opportunities in the first place. 

    The Service Learning Requirement fails all students by not being accessible to any student who does not have certain opportunities. While it tries to make up for it in various ways, it doesn’t change the fact that the policy was not intended to serve students but to serve NCSSM’s institutional ego. So while our current and future juniors stress out about meeting an arbitrary number, I wish our failed seniors a happy credit recovery. 

  • Creating “Cabaret’s” Kit Kat Club

    Creating “Cabaret’s” Kit Kat Club

    (NCSSM Yearbook)

    By Lily Frank, Stentorian Staff Writer

    The Promethean Players of the Drama Department recently put on this year’s musical, “Cabaret.” The show, which ran from March 14-16, transported audiences to 1930s Berlin, where the decadence of the Kit Kat Club masked the looming rise of the Nazi regime. Directed by Adam Sampieri, with assistance from Leslie Knight and student directors Marcellus Day and Robbie Stoffle, the production brought to life the tale of an American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, played by Aadi Kucheria, as he arrives in Berlin and becomes entangled in the lives of the city’s residents, including the performer from London, Sally Bowles, played by Faith Wagoner.

    Unlike last fall’s lighthearted show, “Puffs,” “Cabaret” takes a much darker turn. Student director Robbie Stoffle emphasized the stark contrast. “It starts out fun but does not have a happy ending. As things outside get darker and darker, the things inside get happier and happier until it’s too late.” This mix of festivity and despair was a defining element of the production, mirroring the political and social turmoil of the period in which the show was set.

    “Cabaret” follows the members of the Kit Kat Club, which, as Stoffle puts it, “has taken its own form throughout many different decades” and can be equated with 1930s Germany’s version of “Brat Summer,” through the carefree outward appearance of the club. The Emcee, played by Julian Burke, serves as the Master of Ceremonies, guiding the audience through the story with a mix of humor, charm, and unsettling detachment. But, more than just a host, the Emcee acts as a symbolic figure, reflecting and responding to the shifting political and social climate around him. He provides commentary on the unfolding events, highlighting the increasingly relevant rise of the Nazi Party and the characters’ varying levels of complicity or ignorance.

    Stoffle noted, “There are many, many parallels between the events of “Cabaret” and what’s happening in politics today in the U.S. The timing has only gotten better and better—almost too well.” The show’s themes of political apathy, rising extremism, and societal complacency are frequently exemplified by the Emcee. “Cabaret” serves as both a historical reflection and a warning about the dangers of ignoring warning signs in a shifting political climate.

    In addition to its historical and political themes, the production explored gender fluidity within the Kit Kat Club. Stoffle highlighted this aspect of the show, explaining how the club represented a space of freedom and self-expression, something that was eventually threatened and dismantled by the Nazis. “That same targeting of queer expression is happening in the U.S. today. We wanted to make that parallel clear.” The show’s portrayal of gender nonconformity and its suppression was a stark reminder of how history continues to echo in modern times.

    At its core, “Cabaret” can act as a cautionary tale. “The reason we tell stories like “Cabaret.” even though they’re sad, is to remind us of what’s happened in history,” Stoffle said. “Because history repeats itself.” 

    Beyond the heavy themes, “Cabaret” also fostered many friendships among its cast and crew. “A lot of seniors at NCSSM get to know juniors through the musical, and people definitely make friends they otherwise wouldn’t have made,” Stoffle noted. Long rehearsals and shared challenges brought the team together, forming a close-knit community dedicated as they worked together to tell this story. One of the cast’s pre-show traditions was performing a dress rehearsal for an audience of stuffed animals, a small moment of calm and lightheartedness in an otherwise busy production. “We all took stuffed animals from our rooms and set them up in the audience to watch our final dress rehearsal,” Stoffle recalled.

    The team behind “Cabaret” was extensive. Sampieri devoted countless hours to directing, ensuring that every aspect of the performance was polished and meaningful. Leslie Knight served as assistant director, providing additional support for the production. Mr. Rowe, the technical director, managed set construction and lighting, often staying late to help cut wood and hang lights. Miss Perez led the pit orchestra, an essential component of “Cabaret’s” immersive experience. The music was an important piece in this production, with numbers like “Willkommen” and “Cabaret” setting the tone for the performance. The pit’s role was particularly crucial given the show’s musical integration with the actors’ performances, ensuring seamless transitions between dialogue and song. An audience member noted that the performance left them “wanting to watch it again, to notice all of the subtle foreshadowing, and to listen to pieces like If You Could See Her, again.”

    Bringing such a complex and emotionally charged show to the stage required immense dedication from the entire cast and crew. “Cabaret” was a unique story told through beautiful set design, complex characters played by uniquely talented NCSSM students, and musical accompaniment that brought the production together. With a dedicated cast, a committed production team, and a timeless story, “Cabaret” will be a memorable show for all who watched and were involved in its production.

  • Prom Preparations, Advice, and Expectations

    Prom Preparations, Advice, and Expectations

    (Teresa Fang/Stentorian)

    By Anneliese Heyder, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief

    It’s that time of the year again, the annual dance that NCSSM hosts at the nearby Museum of Life and Science: prom! In the weeks leading up to the anticipated event, there is much to do; reservations for dinner need to be made, locations for pictures need to be decided and students must decide who they are going with and what they are going to wear. There’s a lot to do, so here is a quick guide and some free advice on how to navigate this fun event. 

    First, dinner reservations. Durham boasts a myriad of restaurants, many of which serve unique cuisines. You can find almost any kind of restaurant downtown; Greek, Indian, American, Italian, Thai etc. However, some restaurants do not take reservations and are first come first serve. If you are going with a large group to prom, it is probably better to look for restaurants that can accommodate large party sizes. Don’t wait til the last minute though; restaurants book up quickly!

    Finding a place to take pictures isn’t as difficult as you might think; Durham and most of the triangle area have multiple scenic parks and gardens for photos. Downtown also offers a vibrant, fun background for pictures. However, most NCSSM students end up at Duke Gardens; famous for its botanical sceneries and beautiful architecture, Duke Gardens is one of the top places for prom pictures. There’s plenty of space to spread out and lots of opportunities to get pictures with friends (and family!). 

    The prom is held at the Museum of Life and Science, a quick drive from NCSSM. It is decorated according to the year’s theme – Medival Promenade is this year’s choice – and will have food, drinks, and a DJ! The museum offers plenty to explore and even more opportunities to take photos with friends. The prom is from 8 pm-12 am, with an After-Prom Pizza Party at 12:30 am. 

    Remember, if you are leaving campus overnight, you must fill out a form; if you are using your car, you must also request permission. However, NCSSM does provide transportation to and from the museum. All this information and more can be found on the NCSSM Prom 2025 website. 

    Seniors and juniors alike are looking forward to the “promenade” this year, with some seniors having mixed opinions on their experiences last year. 

    Hannah Stevens ‘25, stated, “I really liked the snow cone truck, and I enjoyed having the dance at the museum.” When asked about something she disliked, she added, “I felt there wasn’t much for me to do once I got there.”

    Adryel Christie ‘25 also chimed in. “I went in there thinking there would be lots of food; there was indeed not food, only small snacks and plates.”

    Christie also noted that he had not gone to dinner before, and he and Stevens recommended eating a full meal before attending the prom. 

    Stevens said they ate at the Pomodoro Italian Kitchen when asked where they went last year. “I recommended it,” Stevens said. “It was chill.”

    Juniors Rebekah Switzer and Atha Brantly are both looking forward to the butterfly garden at prom. When asked about their opinions of this year’s theme, Brantly stated “It will be either really good or really bad.” 

    MacKenzie Sanford ‘25 stated that she enjoyed the idea of having prom at the museum, but felt that it decreased interaction. “Because you are in the museum, there’s not a lot of intermingling between groups – you are kind of spread out.”

    Regardless of whether you go with a date, a friend, by yourself, or with a large group, prom is a night where people can dress up, make memories, and indulge in good food and dancing. The night will fly by, and while it may be a first for some, it is the last for others. Enjoy the memory of your high school prom, as it’s a memory you will look back on for years to come.

  • Presidential Statement From Israel James, SBP

    By Israel James, Student Body President ’25

    As we near the end of our time here at NCSSM, I find myself not just reflecting on those moments that defined our experience, but on the people who made it truly unforgettable. When I embarked on this journey as Student Body President, I promised to lead for, and not over, the student body. And that’s exactly what I’ve tried to do, whether it was listening to your ideas, advocating for your needs, or creating new opportunities that would leave a lasting legacy.

    One of my most proud accomplishments is organizing the Inaugural Annual Alumni Career Fair, a thought that came from a brainstorm between student government and the alumni association that evolved into a spectacular event connecting students with graduates who were once in our shoes. It was a reminder that innovation is not just located in the lab or on a research poster, but also in how we build bridges for each other.

    And wow, did we have fun this year. I don’t think any of us will ever forget the chaos and the hilarity of spoons, watching people sneak around campus, spoon on the nose in a desperate attempt not to get out. Or the Lock-Ins throughout the PEC, where we played basketball to dodgeball after inspection, reminding us that NCSSM is as much heart as it is brains. Prom at the Museum of Life and Science was out of a fairy tale, and viewing everybody looking sharp taking pictures at Duke Gardens was like being in a movie. Walking through downtown Durham or 9th Street after submitting Orah passes. Going to the Eno River to have fun with friends. The annual Watermelon Club race and how watermelon was scattered all across Hill Street. Speaking of Hill, we were able to see Hill House’s transformation in the new renovations that took place earlier this year.  

    This year, the Class of 2025 became more than just students, we became a family. From singing Taylor Swift during the power outage of our junior year to celebrating each other’s accomplishments across every discipline, our bond grew deeper, stronger, and more meaningful. We’ve been role models to our juniors, showing them what it looks like to lead with kindness, creativity, and courage.

    Where do I even begin naming all of our accomplishments? Our student body received national research awards, wrote peer-reviewed articles, launched innovative start-ups, won athletic tournaments, created amazing and inspiring art pieces, and was accepted into so many spectacular schools. Another major accomplishment is getting to this point. The long night study sessions and the projects we spent hours working on has finally paid off. We really did lock-in this year!

    We showed that greatness comes in many faces and from many different places. And we accomplished all of this while attending the #1 Public High School in America, as ranked by Niche, a title earned day in and day out.

    To our faculty and staff, thank you for believing in us even when we did not believe in ourselves. Your mentorship over the past two years have been the keys to our success. And to Chancellor Roberts, thank you for your unwavering leadership and for reminding us that education is not about success, but about purpose.

    As we go forward from here, I want all of us to carry the NCSSM unicorn spirit with us in all that we do. Keep asking questions. Keep building communities that represent the values we lived here. And also, give back whether that be through mentorship, giving, or  sharing your story with future Unicorns.

    We are the new generation of changemakers. And though we’ll be all over the world pretty soon, we’ll always be part of this legacy. I want to stay connected to all and each of you. If you’re celebrating something like a graduation, wedding, job offer, probate, or anything that you want to be celebrated for, I will always love to show up. I want to keep showing up for you as you’ve been showing up for me.

    Thank you for believing in me to serve as your president. Thank you for making NCSSM a place where brilliance thrives. I am so proud of us, how much we’ve grown, how hard we’ve worked, and how we’ve carried ourselves through it all. 

    Here’s to the Class of 2025: the changemakers, the trailblazing unis, my friends for life.

    To our bright futures ahead,

    Israel M. James

    Student Body President, Class of 2025 

    North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics 

  • Class of 2025 Commit to 47 Colleges

    Class of 2025 Commit to 47 Colleges

    (NCSSM)

    By Teresa Fang, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief

    As the academic year comes to a close, 322 seniors of NCSSM-Durham’s Class of 2025 have reported their college destinations. The seniors are set to attend a wide array of institutions, from Ivy League universities and top research institutions to liberal arts colleges and public universities across the country.

    According to Program Assistant Pam Oxendine, NCSSM Counseling Services worked with seniors from May 1-5 to complete their final transcript requests. After May 1, seniors self-reported their decisions to the department, which has released data on the colleges the class of 2025 committed to for The Stentorian. As of May 14, 2024, college commitment data was available for 322 out of the total 342 graduating seniors (94 percent reporting), including early decision, early action, and regular decision commitments.

    Unsurprisingly, the most popular destination is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where 169 NCSSM-Durham students—more than half of those reporting, or roughly 52 percent of the senior body—will enroll this fall. NC State University follows with 68 students, continuing a long-standing pipeline between NCSSM and the state’s flagship STEM university.

    Beyond North Carolina, students are spreading out across the nation. Four students will attend Yale University, another four will enroll at Columbia University, and four more are heading to Stanford University. Duke University, located just minutes from campus and a popular research partner for many NCSSM students, will welcome 13 undergraduates this fall.

    The class also boasts acceptances to all eight Ivy League institutions, with students enrolling at Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Princeton, UPenn, and Yale. Other notable destinations include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2 students), the University of Pennsylvania (5), Carnegie Mellon University (3), Georgia Tech (5), and the University of Chicago (2).

    Smaller liberal arts colleges are well represented too. Students will attend Barnard, Davidson, Haverford, Swarthmore, Spelman, and Williams. One student is heading to the United States Air Force Academy, and another to McGill University in Canada.

    Two students have chosen to take a gap year before continuing their academic journeys.

    Altogether, the Class of 2025 reported plans to attend 47 different colleges and universities, showcasing the diversity of interests and ambitions that define the NCSSM experience.

    Here is a full breakdown of college destinations for the class of 2025:

    College# Attending
    Appalachian State University1
    Barnard College1
    Carnegie Mellon University3
    Case Western Reserve University1
    Coastal Carolina University1
    Columbia University in the City of New York4
    Cornell University4
    Dartmouth College1
    Davidson College1
    Duke University13
    East Carolina University1
    GAP YEAR2
    Georgetown University1
    Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus5
    Harvard University1
    Harvey Mudd College1
    Haverford College1
    High Point University1
    Howard University1
    Johns Hopkins University1
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology2
    McGill University1
    New York University2
    North Carolina A & T State University1
    North Carolina State University68
    Northwestern University1
    Princeton University1
    Rice University1
    Spelman College1
    Stanford University4
    Swarthmore College1
    United States Air Force Academy1
    University of California-Berkeley1
    University of California-Los Angeles1
    University of Chicago2
    University of Michigan-Ann Arbor1
    University of North Carolina at Asheville1
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill169
    University of North Carolina at Charlotte1
    University of North Carolina at Greensboro1
    University of North Carolina Wilmington2
    University of Pennsylvania5
    University of Southern California1
    Vanderbilt University1
    Wake Forest University1
    Washington University in St Louis1
    Williams College1
    Yale University4
    TOTAL Reporting322
  • Big Spoon Moshes at Unipalooza ‘25

    Big Spoon Moshes at Unipalooza ‘25

    (Louisa Weinard/Stentorian)

    By Mabel Kennedy, Stentorian Staff Writer

    “Having practice is really fun but when you’re doing it for that much time and you know that when you go back to your room you’re just going to have to work on homework and do other stuff SSM students have to do, it starts to drag.” This is the reality for most of the openers and NCSSM’s very own Big Spoon’s members. As Hazel Cochran ‘26 states above, UniPalooza wasn’t all fun times, a lot of hard work was put into it. 

    UniPalooza, the name, a spin off of Lollapalooza, is, I’d argue, one of the most important cultural events of the school year. This year it was headlined by Big Spoon the Third and supported by … On the humid grounds of Blawn, dozens of students gathered to support this event on an unsuspecting Friday afternoon, more specifically, May 9th. 

    Students had generally good things to say. As the #1 Curls on campus, our very own  Sadie Albright said, “I liked how everyone came together, however, Scotty Doesn’t Know was a choice…he definitely knew.” I can agree with this statement and so can various anonymous sources saying other points such as, “I wish Kahan had a solo, the technical difficulties were not that noticeable, and it wasn’t as hype as last year.” 

    The actual show wasn’t all I was interested in however, it was the musicians’ experiences that stood out to me the most. As it was touched on above, the stress and hardwork the band members put into this show were admirable to say the least. Big Spoon had to learn and memorize around 2 hours of songs to play though and began practicing early on. For three weeks before this event, Big Spoon practiced everyday for 2 hours, adding up to a total of 14 hours of practice a week. Perhaps a seemingly low amount but then added onto the initial stress and expectations of schoolwork, the workload becomes intense. However, when asked, there was no tension between the band members at all, a surprising fact based on the apparent strenuous practices 

    Big Spoon’s legacy is also an interesting one. When asked if they’ve figured out any of the members for the next generation of the band, rising seniors Jiya Zaveria and Hazel Cochran stated that, “it was still in the works,” despite them being sad to see their seniors go. Big spoon is a band that is flexible, an ongoing legacy rather than something concrete. The sound may be different next year, members will be different but it’ll still somehow be Big Spoon. Jiya and Hazel will continue the traditions that we know and love, Koffehouses and UniPaloza, but also hope to continue writing and performing their own songs while making a push to perform at more non-school venues (shoutout Local 506). 

     From Mayday Parade to Janelle Monáe, inspiration for the Big Spoon members came from a lot of places, something that’s evident in their song choices for Unipalooza. Members had the chance to pick two “save songs,” stated Hazel Cochran’26, songs that had to be included, even if the other members didn’t want to. However, the setlist wasn’t just made up of “save songs,” agreed upon covers and originals were sprinkled into the recipe as well. Seemingly, the band came together in a lot of ways, from their practice and writing sessions to the big performance, Big Spoon became a new band this year that the student population surely will be sad to see go.

  • Grandma Club

    Grandma Club

    (Teresa Fang/Stentorian)

    By Louisa Weinard, Stentorian Staff Writer

    With the stress of a heavy academic workload heavy on their minds, it’s easy for NCSSM students to forget to appreciate the small joys present in everyday life. That’s where Grandma Club comes in—a sweet new edition to the slate of clubs offered on campus, this club offers the perfect outlet for students to embrace life’s simpler pleasures in community. 

    Led by a devoted group of juniors nicknamed the “Gran Jury,” Grandma club provides a welcoming space for students to play cards, crochet, knit, craft, sip tea, snack cookies and candies, and enjoy the presence of other “old souls.” According to Celia Cecchini, one of the club leaders, Grandma club was founded on the belief that “a person does not have to wait to be a ‘grandma’ or ‘grandma age’ to do the things they like or enjoy the subtleties of life.” This philosophy has held true through events like their tea and cookie social, valentines card making event, and many other creative opportunities. Special guests, such as Dr. Cooper, have even joined in to help teach students to crochet, emphasizing the club’s focus on community and celebrating a “grandma mindset” accessible to all.

    While still relatively young, Grandma club is excited to expand and take on more elaborate events in the future. Rising seniors and incoming juniors: keep an eye out for club meetings and exciting opportunities to connect with fellow students, take advantage of free food, and embrace your inner grandma qualities!

    (Teresa Fang/Stentorian)

  • The [Dying] Legacy of Happy Half and Hill Lounge

    By Anneliese Heyder, Stentorian Editor-in-Chief

    With the weather turning from spring to summer, the later sunsets and the reminder that last day of classes and finals are around the corner, students in the past can be found socializing with friends whom they may not see till term, anxiously gossiping about final projects, or just enjoying the warm weather outside during the last 30 minutes before check. However, as you walk down Hill Street and past Hill Lounge, the campus is quiet; students aren’t packed together, throwing footballs with the steady stream of chatter flowing down the road. Hill Street and Hill Lounge are dark and ominous, with no student life. What has become of the beloved Happy Half tradition? Is there any way to save it, or have we accepted that some traditions die off and others must be born?

    For those unaware, Happy Half is a time during the last half an hour before check at 10 pm where students can chat with friends, hang out outside, and unwind from the stress of the day. During the months when the weather is warmer, Hill Street is noisy, with lots of student chatter. Even in the colder months, students could be found congregating in Hill Lounge, playing foosball or ping pong. For students, it’s a nice thing to look forward to after classes and studying all day. However, it has quite literally “died off”. Instead of the yells of classmates to “Meet at Happy” in the library or the whispers of “I’ll tell you at Happy” during class, there is nothing. 

    Some seniors have opinions about why that is. 

    Felicity Lipchak ‘25 shared that she believes that Happy Half declined due to the Class of 2024 leaving last year, and that the current seniors didn’t protect the legacy. 

    Zoe MacDonald ‘25 also voiced a similar opinion and added, “The former classes would be disappointed to know that Happy Half has ceased to exist. Class of 2026, it’s up to you to bring it back before it’s gone.”

    Other seniors recall some of their favorite memories from Happy Half. 

    Connelly Martin ‘25 shared, “Happy Half was once a place that I found lots of joy and socialization with my peers from all across the student body. And now, as I’m reaching the end of my senior year, Happy Half has transformed into something that is not attended by many. It’s slowly dying, which is sad for me to see, as it was once a place of such joy, every night.”

    Lipchak shared her favorite parts of Happy Half.  “I loved just going out to talk to everyone after long days, especially when we were gone for long weekends or breaks; everyone would go out for the first half we were back. There were great conversations. And that’s how a lot of like friendships were built. And now that doesn’t happen at all.”

    However, when asked what the junior class thought, these were their responses. 

    Morgan Price ‘26 stated, “I’ve never been to Happy Half”, which adds to the point that the nightly tradition is becoming less and less popular among both the junior and senior classes. 

    Lilly Ferry ‘26 chimed in, saying she thinks the importance of Happy Half was relayed to the juniors, and that the junior class “were busy and didn’t care.” 

    When asked her favorite memory of Happy Half, she said she liked to attend and sit in the hammocks and watch the spikeball games. 

    There are certainly other traditions and annual events here at school. The annual watermelon run hosted by the Watermelon Club, the Holi events during the spring, senior skip day and senior sunset/sunrise, and many more. These traditions have lasted and endured, which raises the question of why Happy Half hasn’t?

    So what does this mean for future classes at NCSSM? Is Happy Half gone for good? It’s up to the current juniors to decide if they want to keep the tradition alive or allow it to rest for good. If so, what new custom will they bring to the table, and what will it have in store for the rising juniors? Only time will tell…

  • Flyest Faculty Fits

    By Caroline Downs, Stentorian Staff Writer

    There is no doubt that Ms. Stefan is the fashion expert of Fourth Bryan. From a tasteful fanny pack to a purple monochromatic fit, she is guaranteed to make a statement while staying comfortable. If you want to add some Stefan flair to your next outfit, adding some knee-length boots would also keep you warm and cozy!

    Dr. McInnis, although a millennial, awes us all with their trendy fashion pieces and expert combinations. Whether it’s a pair of funky earrings or a flowy skirt, their wardrobe is no doubt the envy of their students. 

    Dr. Mallory’s beautiful dresses and perfect pairings suggest that she has a keen eye for fashion. Paired with a mid-length skirt, her sneakerhead style is both trendy and chic. When asked about her favorite outfit, Mallory said, “I really love these pants, which I bought when I was on spring break in Cartagena a few years ago. I’ve never seen anything else like them.” After choosing one of her favorite statement pieces, she loves matching it up with simpler pieces to show them off. This summer, bring out your colorful sundresses and bold statement pieces for a Mallory-inspired look!

    Mr. Ji’s quirky t-shirts will brighten up a morning lab block. His graphing calculator t-shirt is sure to get you excited about math! To spruce up your wardrobe this year, try finding a signature statement piece like Mr. Ji’s many pairs of neon glasses. 

    Mr. Severance’s bold prints and pattern mixing are nothing short of iconic. When creating his outfits, Severance likes to experiment with matching patterns and colors. His favorite outfit features a floral shirt and matching purple pants: “I like the bold color of the pants as they aren’t your standard black, khaki, or blue.” Top it off with a man-bun and you’re sure to have a look that dazzles. Patterned shirts are all the rage this season as we try in vain to imitate Severance’s signature style!

    Dr. Cantrell is an expert on preppy and timeless fashion. Dressed to the nines even for an evening class, Cantrell manages to look both professional and effortless as his students file into the classroom already wearing pajamas. When asked about his style, Cantrell provided a thoughtful statement about the story behind his clothing – he considers how the choices to wear a certain article of clothing influences our self-expression. He also addressed his style evolution in eloquently nostalgic prose: 

    “As you grow older, or so I have found, what you would be is strangely related to who you once were or wished to be, as you imagine that relation in sensations of memory. So these clothes—an old hunting jacket and boots, both from LL Bean, a wool tie from Orvis, a cap from Paul Stuart and, for inclement weather, a slouchy tweed hat from Brooks Brothers (before it was sold in bankruptcy to some soulless purveyor of ‘brand names’)—these, with wool sweaters which always somehow smell of wet leaves, old tweed jackets, and shabby corduroy trousers, create or conjure up a kind of wondering continuity between a younger self who, in memory was green and carefree, famous among the barns

    About the happy yard and singing as the farm was home,

         In the sun that is young once only

    and the self of an older sun awakened to ‘the farm forever fled from the childless land.’ I have

    worn some version of this ‘outfit,’ for fifty years or more, first walking in mellow autumn light

    over the fields and along the mountain streams of our family farm in my early teens with poetry

    in my head, and now wandering in another world, following that other, younger self into a time

    ‘out of grace.’”

    The next time you wear your favorite outfit, consider what led you to these choices, and how you might look back upon your current life as inspiration for your future self.