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2023-2024 NEWS
SPRING EDITION 2024
Kickin’ it: Former DSA student turned young entrepreneur with “Mad Kicks”
BY CORA WILLIAMSON
Shelves cover the walls of the newest retail store in downtown Durham, Mad Kicks, lined with pristine sneakers of various brands. The unmissable black and white graffiti letters that illustrate Mad Kicks’ logo stand proud above the store located on 114 East Main St.
BY CORA WILLIAMSON
Shelves cover the walls of the newest retail store in downtown Durham, Mad Kicks, lined with pristine sneakers of various brands. The unmissable black and white graffiti letters that illustrate Mad Kicks’ logo stand proud above the store located on 114 East Main St.
Compiling more than a century of school history: Preserving DSA
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
Durham School of the Arts first opened as Durham High School all the way back in 1906, over one hundred years ago. With DSA now relocating to a new campus, one teacher and her students are working to preserve its rich history. Heather Pendrak, a teacher of Digital Design and Animation and Game Art and Design at DSA, has a plan in the works to render DSA’s campus in 3D so that it can be experienced in VR and 3D printed to be displayed on DSA’s new campus.
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
Durham School of the Arts first opened as Durham High School all the way back in 1906, over one hundred years ago. With DSA now relocating to a new campus, one teacher and her students are working to preserve its rich history. Heather Pendrak, a teacher of Digital Design and Animation and Game Art and Design at DSA, has a plan in the works to render DSA’s campus in 3D so that it can be experienced in VR and 3D printed to be displayed on DSA’s new campus.
MOVie REViews
“There Was No Mention of the Murders”:
Killers of the Flower Moon review BY HUNTER SEIB It's hard to recommend a film well over 3 hours long, but with Killers of the Flower Moon, the extensive plotting just makes its poignant message all the more clear. It's a rare honest film about America's past. |
Dune Review: a modern sci-fi classic
BY LIAM JONES Vast stretches of sand dominate a desolate landscape in which a single wrong step can lead to death. A foreign prince, exiled to the desert, gathers the power to avenge his family, massacred from brutal political maneuvering. |
DPS introduces interim superintendent Catty Quiroz Moore
amidst a difficult pay situation
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
The DPS Board of Education introduced their new interim superintendent and answered questions regarding the recent pay situation during a press conference on Wednesday, February 15.
amidst a difficult pay situation
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
The DPS Board of Education introduced their new interim superintendent and answered questions regarding the recent pay situation during a press conference on Wednesday, February 15.
“Find the money”: DPS Board of Education facing record high pressure
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
Rain drizzled from the dark sky onto hundreds of umbrellas, but the energy emanating from the crowd was far from dismal. Speakers in the center orchestrated the rally, each declaration punctuated with tremendous applause, animated affirmations, and the thunderous beat of drums.
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
Rain drizzled from the dark sky onto hundreds of umbrellas, but the energy emanating from the crowd was far from dismal. Speakers in the center orchestrated the rally, each declaration punctuated with tremendous applause, animated affirmations, and the thunderous beat of drums.
WINTER EDITION 2024
Tennis player Seth Cowden wins double gold at NC Special Olympics
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
Many people who know Seth Cowden will say he is one of the friendliest people they’ve interacted with. Not surprisingly, he brings this positive energy with him to the tennis courts.
DSA senior Seth Cowden won two gold medals for tennis at the NC Fall Special Olympics 2023. One medal was for singles, and the other was for Unified Doubles, with his sister Giselle Cowden as his partner. His success could be attributed to a mix of talent, practice, and a positive mindset.
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
Many people who know Seth Cowden will say he is one of the friendliest people they’ve interacted with. Not surprisingly, he brings this positive energy with him to the tennis courts.
DSA senior Seth Cowden won two gold medals for tennis at the NC Fall Special Olympics 2023. One medal was for singles, and the other was for Unified Doubles, with his sister Giselle Cowden as his partner. His success could be attributed to a mix of talent, practice, and a positive mindset.
Not here to be ranked: the ongoing online harassment of female DSA students
BY JAKE HILLYGUS “Hot but too chatty,” “Have you seen her softball uni?” “She’s too ghetto.” These degrading comments were just a few of the many on the now-infamous spreadsheet created by a group of DSA junior boys to rank and potentially compile personal information about their female classmates. |
Picture-perfect pastries: A guided tour to the bakeries of downtown Durham
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
There’s a chill in the air. ‘Tis the season for hot chocolate, sweaters and snowflakes, and most of all: warm, fresh pastries and bread. Luckily, Durham is anything but short of outstanding bakeries. Ninth Street Bakery is the longest running bakery around, and has achieved consistency in their artisan breads and pastries. Loaf is a smaller shop with a friendly atmosphere, beautiful bread, and seasonal pastries that make your mouth water. Sweets by Shayda is one of the newest woman-owned bakeries in downtown featuring colorful French macarons and pastries.
BY LUCIA HARRINGTON
There’s a chill in the air. ‘Tis the season for hot chocolate, sweaters and snowflakes, and most of all: warm, fresh pastries and bread. Luckily, Durham is anything but short of outstanding bakeries. Ninth Street Bakery is the longest running bakery around, and has achieved consistency in their artisan breads and pastries. Loaf is a smaller shop with a friendly atmosphere, beautiful bread, and seasonal pastries that make your mouth water. Sweets by Shayda is one of the newest woman-owned bakeries in downtown featuring colorful French macarons and pastries.
Art forever: DSA students showcase art in literary magazine
BY KAMRYN STALLINGS
Everyone gathers around the small table, anticipating the opening of the craft that took months to create. So many creative minds locked into one big creative piece.
BY KAMRYN STALLINGS
Everyone gathers around the small table, anticipating the opening of the craft that took months to create. So many creative minds locked into one big creative piece.
The desire for more: consumerism and its damaging affects on the holidays
BY ALESSANDRA POLANCO
It's the morning of Christmas, gift wrapping covers the floor and countless amounts of new clothing, shoes, and toys huddle around the Christmas tree.
Since the rise of economic inflation in America, prices have only skyrocketed and this has only been further enhanced by the continuous need for more. Through apps such as TikTok and Youtube, users have an easier ability to expand the way we consume materials as they allow people of all corners of the internet to connect to each other through the idea of new trends from the latest skincare to the coolest pair of sneakers. As time goes by, social media crazes do not only affect teens, but even young children.
BY ALESSANDRA POLANCO
It's the morning of Christmas, gift wrapping covers the floor and countless amounts of new clothing, shoes, and toys huddle around the Christmas tree.
Since the rise of economic inflation in America, prices have only skyrocketed and this has only been further enhanced by the continuous need for more. Through apps such as TikTok and Youtube, users have an easier ability to expand the way we consume materials as they allow people of all corners of the internet to connect to each other through the idea of new trends from the latest skincare to the coolest pair of sneakers. As time goes by, social media crazes do not only affect teens, but even young children.
Bull city skaters: a look into the Durham skateboarding scene
BY CORA WILLIAMSON
It is rare, nowadays, to walk around Durham and not see at least one person with a uniquely graphic skateboard in hand or underfoot. The downtown skatepark often buzzes with skaters of all ages; grinding down rails and scraping their bare sweaty backs on the concrete, only to get back up and try again.
BY CORA WILLIAMSON
It is rare, nowadays, to walk around Durham and not see at least one person with a uniquely graphic skateboard in hand or underfoot. The downtown skatepark often buzzes with skaters of all ages; grinding down rails and scraping their bare sweaty backs on the concrete, only to get back up and try again.
AI Chatbots: Artificially intelligent or real educational tools?
BY LIAM JONES
Students put in essay prompt after essay prompt, attempting to cheat. Teachers use the exact same tools to help plan lessons. As developments in artificial intelligence sweep the world, classrooms worldwide are forced to deal with the ramifications of such powerful tools.
BY LIAM JONES
Students put in essay prompt after essay prompt, attempting to cheat. Teachers use the exact same tools to help plan lessons. As developments in artificial intelligence sweep the world, classrooms worldwide are forced to deal with the ramifications of such powerful tools.
Is Jazz Dying? The evolution of jazz
BY NORA SHEPHERD
Out with the old and in with the new is what they say, right? Well, this can be applied to a lot of things: including the music we love.
BY NORA SHEPHERD
Out with the old and in with the new is what they say, right? Well, this can be applied to a lot of things: including the music we love.
A DSA snow day? “Snow way!” says new DPS policy
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
On a chilly winter morning, students wake up to see a blanket of white snow outside their windows. Just for the day, they are relieved of their academic obligations. School is canceled!
However, with recent guidelines, this may no longer be the case.
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
On a chilly winter morning, students wake up to see a blanket of white snow outside their windows. Just for the day, they are relieved of their academic obligations. School is canceled!
However, with recent guidelines, this may no longer be the case.
FALL EDITION 2024
Captured in the moment: documenting society at DSA
BY: LIAM JONES
Students line outside a studio, where a photographer sits, ready to capture subjects in every detail. As the photographer takes various pictures throughout the day, a portrait of a community begins to develop.
BY: LIAM JONES
Students line outside a studio, where a photographer sits, ready to capture subjects in every detail. As the photographer takes various pictures throughout the day, a portrait of a community begins to develop.
Fall arts festival: reconnecting with ancestral heritage through dance
BY: ALESSANDRA POLANCO
Lights, cameras, acción! With only a few hours before the show, DSA students touch up their makeup and run down their dance steps in hopes of putting smiles on their audiences' faces. Stages are being lit and decorations are waving in the air, but what has led them all here?
BY: ALESSANDRA POLANCO
Lights, cameras, acción! With only a few hours before the show, DSA students touch up their makeup and run down their dance steps in hopes of putting smiles on their audiences' faces. Stages are being lit and decorations are waving in the air, but what has led them all here?
Survivor spirit: Principal shares her story in finding her individuality
BY: KAMRYN STALLINGS
Dr. Tobias is the principal at Durham School of the Arts. She has been the head of DSA for 3 years. Although Dr. Tobias is a devoted educator who cares deeply for her students and staff, it took hard work and painful challenges to get to where she sits today. From immigrating to America at a young age, to working full-time with 4 children all while attending school, Dr. Tobias shares her impactful story on her journey to becoming the delightful woman she is today.
BY: KAMRYN STALLINGS
Dr. Tobias is the principal at Durham School of the Arts. She has been the head of DSA for 3 years. Although Dr. Tobias is a devoted educator who cares deeply for her students and staff, it took hard work and painful challenges to get to where she sits today. From immigrating to America at a young age, to working full-time with 4 children all while attending school, Dr. Tobias shares her impactful story on her journey to becoming the delightful woman she is today.
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2022-2023 news
SeNIOR EDITION 2023
Playing their part: Studio Honors makes a scene in Metamorphoses
BY: ELLA WILLIAMS
Actors move across the stage with the precision of a surgeon. The audience can’t help but gasp as a thrilling story is told right before their eyes. These actors have worked for years to get to this level, and their dedication can be seen in the work they produce.
DSA and ice cream
BY: XOCHITL GRAN
Pincho Loco, an ice cream store by ninth street, is owned by a student’s family who graduated from DSA. This year another student’s family began their own ice cream and crepe locality.
Winter edition 2023
Another leap for mankind: NASA’s mission to put humans back on the Moon
BY VIOLET DEWIRE
Smoke billows from the bottom of a massive rocket, illuminated by floodlights in the humid Florida night. A voice counts down: “3…2…1…and liftoff,” and the rocket takes to the sky, leaving Earth behind for a new frontier.
Climate anxiety or optimism?
BY DELPHINE LIU
Sunrise's new mural emphasizes disheartening climate truths, while illustrating a fight for hope.
2022 Midterm Elections
BY MORGAN ROYSTER AND DELPHINE LIU
The U.S. Senate is under the legislative branch that regulates federal laws. Laws by the House of Representatives are passed to the Senate to potentially be signed, debated, and voted on.
FALL edition 2022
Competition for cardinals in the Carolina community
BY JAKE HILLYGUS
Most people don’t think of Durham birds as the most colorful or exciting, but there are a wide variety that can be seen here, from the roseate spoonbill to the yellow-billed cuckoo.
Abortion's place in U.S. History
BY VIOLET DEWIRE AND LAYLA NIBLOCK
Two Durham-born red wolves join the fight to save their species
BY VIOLET DEWIRE
After four short years, two beloved Museum residents take a final look at their old home, and visitors and staff alike say their goodbyes as the golden-eyed brothers depart on their new journey.