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CURRENT NEWS

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE DSA FOUNDATION 
BY STEPHANY GUZMAN
"Most of it has to do with them wanting to support what DSA is providing to its students in a unique and profound way."
BATTER UP: DSA’S BASEBALL 2018-2019 
BY SRIKAR KALIGOTLA 
 "...we also want work hard to achieve the final goal of ours and if we have these mentalities we can achieve anything..."
SUCCESS IN A HECTIC WORLD: FORMER DSA STUDENT HECTOR MUÑOZ MAKES HIS MARK
BY CAROLINE BATTEN
"Find your escape. Be passionate. Be kind. Inspire. Leave a legacy"

Articles of the week

Remembering Kaffeinate
BY stephany guzman

On April 10th 2019, the foundation of DSA shook to its very core all throughout campus. While transitioning, students ran away from the catastrophe while teachers were met with an untimely sight; large clouds of smoke.
 Downtown Durham had been experiencing a surge of pipeline work days prior. It was not unusual to see people with heavy machinery alongside the sidewalk and roads. With the alert of a sudden gas leak, people from local businesses nearby were asked to leave for their safety. No one anticipated the worst was yet to come as a sudden, large scale explosion erupted not to far after. 


Many of DSA’s middle school students were the first to experience the intensity of the blast, so much so that it caused classroom windows to crack. With the ongoing panic of another possible outburst, everyone was evacuated and sent home to avoid further worries. As a result, the incident affected other buildings within the vicinity such as Toreros and Prescient [technology company]. Although, Kaffeinate Cafe took the most damage. 


The destruction of the establishment brought shock to DSA. People would go before classes to meet up with friends or grab a quick bite to eat on the go. With a welcoming ambiance, friendly staff, fresh coffee and delicious food, Kaffeinate was no stranger to providing the best service to those who were just a few blocks away. 


Alas, shock soon turned into grief as students, staff, and even administrators were made aware once news identified 1 out of 2 fatalities. Kong Lee, 61, father, husband and Kaffeinate owner had passed away just moments after arriving at Duke Regional Hospital. Lee was the embodiment of hard work, he had always wanted to have a place in which he could serve others. Kaffeinate was his home away from home, surrounded by endless love and admiration by all. Many will remember his caring personality upon greeting each and every  customer that walked through his doors.
As time passed on, vigils were held in honor of his memory while the community pay their deepest condolences to the Lee family. Currently, downtown Durham is still in recovering from such a tragedy. Some are left without work but the determination to rebuild goes on. 


Whilst most of DSA try to move on, it is undoubtedly difficult. Counselors were made available to fellow students soon after, to talk and reflect upon any lingering sentiments. On the day students were allowed back to class, some ensured a balance between moving forward and never forgetting. Teachers and students took it upon themselves to make a separate reminder of how the ‘Bull City’ will continue in the midst of adversity. 
Whereas the impact will leave a long lasting impression to those who experienced the event firsthand, it will forever be a reminder to all of DSA that taking a step forward is necessary to restore what has been lost.

Meet the “new” teachers of DSA

By oyinda ajasa
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