Prom 2016: Dancing the Night Away

East Wake High School's prom, themed Mardi Gras, took place Friday, April 29, 2016 at City Market, in downtown Raleigh from 8 pm until 12 am. Students walked in to a magical room, filled with hanging lights and Mardi-Gras themed decorations, and DJ Highrise's beats playing in the background.  Over the course of the evening, school administrative assistant Teressa Allmon introduced the seniors at a senior walk, a special moment for the class of 2016.  Later, principals Stacey Alston and Jennifer Newby announced the big news everyone was waiting to hear: Prom King and Queen. Tyler Burton and Tessa Perry were crowned and danced together in the spotlight. Junior Tyease Wooten remembers, "When I first walked in, I was amazed by how nice it was. I loved the lights and the location. I can't wait to do it again next year." Many other students agreed with this sentiment; they were happy to have the prom at City Market this year. In recent years, East Wake has held its prom at the Wendell Community Center but decided to move the venue for this year's event. Most of the students were excited by the change, which helped contribute to the formal atmosphere.

Driving to Live Campaign Makes a Frontal Impact on Student Drivers at East Wake

By: Samaya Edwards

Last year, more than 58,000 collisions involved teenagers here in North Carolina. Bad driving habits like texting while driving and speeding have become more prevalent among student drivers. It was essential to bring the severity of these issues to the attention of these student drivers.

Driving to Live was a presentation launched by state troopers at East Wake. It was directed towards student drivers to encourage them to stay safe on the road. With intentions to prevent roadside dangers, certain measures were taken to get the point across to drivers. For instance, more troopers were added to high schools to enforce driving laws, especially speed limit. For most students the presentation was intense and a little disturbing. Senior Amarachi Achonu was sitting in the front row during the presentation. Achonu says, “The assembly was very straight to the point. The officer came in and told us he had one job, which was he was trying to save our lives. He was very loud and very detailed with heart-breaking stories and gruesome descriptions. This made people in the room skirmish, and some people thought it was inappropriate, but I thought that it was just real. The hard truth doesn’t get watered down and I think that he achieved his goal and got through to a lot of people in the room. He really made them rethink their choices.” Achonu’s personal account of the assembly really summarizes the presentation as a whole. It shows how the officer was able to impact the students’ lives and emphasize the importance of driving safely.

Keep your eyes on the road! During East Wake’s prom week, a special car was put on display at the front entrance of the student parking lot. STEM director, Ms. Katoina Ford said, “Last week, the agency added more troopers to high schools  to enforce speed limits around work zones.The North Carolina Highway Patrol said the initiative is especially important as prom season gets underway across the state.” Having the car right out front of the school made drivers really consider the choices they made behind the wheel as they left and entered the student parking lot.

Protect That Pringle: The Pringles Challenge Comes to EWHS

Hard at Work: Ray Omabu, 9, Nuvia Maganda, 10, and Darreese Ingram, 12, test their contraptions by placing their Pringles in the center.

By: Nan Becerra

In Mr. Stephen Fister’s first period class, Introduction to Engineering Design, a Pringles Challenge project was given to his students.  He got the idea from a challenge on the internet--The Pringles Challenge. Their job was to design a product that would safely protect a Pringle chip while it was mailed through the US Postal service. Once they designed the contraption, students mailed their packages to a school in Mississippi and received packages from that same school. According to Mr. Fister, EWHS sent a total of nine packages, and we received ten. The main challenge was to construct the smallest and least massive package that also provided the most protection for such a fragile item--the chip.

Introduction to Engineering Design is a class where students learn about designing objects that are made in the real world of engineering. A top packaging engineer in the industry can expect a salary of $85,000, so this particular project provides real-life experience if students wish to go this route. In addition, the use of a software called “Inventor” helps the students make a 3D model of designs they want to make. This is what real engineers use to make items like airplanes and cars.

This was the first time that Mr. Fister has done this Pringles Challenge project in his class, and he looks forward to doing it in future years. Mr. Fister also teaches Digital Electronics and Engineering Design and Development. He anticipates a class of curious learners next school year.

Challenging Himself: Jaziah Rispress, 9, works on his design. “This project was a fun and interesting experience," Rispress said.

Seniors Pick Up Caps and Gowns

Senior Caylin Stokes is excited for her senior year and the graduation ceremony. She realizes it’s all coming to an end as she picks up her cap and gown.

By: Shawnie Green

As seniors wrap up their last year in high school, they have to complete a monumental milestone: graduation. It’s been a long four years but now it’s time for them to go out and experience life beyond high school. May 5th and 6th the seniors got to pick up their caps and gowns from Herff Jones for graduation on June 10th. For some it’s been a little bittersweet. Senior Nilasia Chavis said, “I’m so excited and I can’t believe it’s almost time, but I’m ready for this new chapter in my life. It has been an emotional ride.”

Graduation will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center on June 10th at 8 am.

Service Above Self

With club meetings twice a month, the Interact Club carries out two service projects a year: one project that helps the school or the community and one that promotes international understanding. “Interact Club is open to anyone who is willing to commit the time and help make an impact in their school and community. It’s a fun club to be involved with; we do a lot all throughout the year,” stated Mrs. Coble, the club's adviser.

By: Keely White

Interact Club won the Presidential Citation award this year. This would be the first time the Interact Club won this award and the first time East Wake earned the award in this part of the county. The main goal of the Presidential Citation award is to make a positive impact in the school and the community. To achieve this award the Interact Club had to work with their sponsor Rotary Club and complete five mandatory activities. To receive this citation award they partnered with the Rotary Club of Wendell and collected and delivered Thanksgiving dinners to needy families, they participated with Operation Christmas Child by donating gift boxes to needy children, they worked with the Salvation Army by partnering with Rotarians at the Zebulon Walmart to collect Christmas donations, they created gifts for teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week, and they are planning to serve with the Children’s Carnival on May 13th.

Interact is an organization for students who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care about most. Throughout Interact Club, you can carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections, develop leadership skills and most of all have fun!! Interact is seeking leadership roles for the coming year, specifically juniors or seniors. The club currently has 27 active members. To join, please sign up during the Fall Club Week 2016 or see adviser Mrs. Coble for more information.

Students Take Opportunity to Save Lives as Blood Drive Returns to EWHS

Safety First:  Before you are able to donate blood, you have to pass certain requirements. Iron level checks and blood pressure are just a couple of checkpoints Mrs. Sandra Tyndall had to go through before donating blood at a past blood drive event.

By: Nan Becerra

On April 22, 2016, EWHS was part of a blood drive again at here at the school. Ninety-three people registered for this life saving event, and 74 pints of blood were donated, meaning that 222 lives could be saved. Anyone at or over the age of 17 was able to donate a pint of blood, and one donation can help to save three lives. This event was also possible thanks to Rex Hospital and their mobile buses.

HOSA club sponsored the event, managed by adviser Sandra Tyndall. Mrs.Tyndall, who attended UNC-CH and later took graduate courses at NCSU, teaches various classes about the human body and health and shares her passion for how we can all give back to the community. She served as the event coordinator, and Mrs. Pamela Lister and Mrs. Glenda Davis, both teachers in EWHS's Health Sciences Department, helped to facilitate Friday's drive since Mrs. Tyndall had a prior commitment.

Many students who donated were nervous and afraid something bad might happen--at least for the first-timers that is. For other students, this was their second, third, or even more times, but the anxiety was still a factor for many students.  Alyssa K. Moody, a junior, has donated blood more than once and will still continue to do so. She said, “Giving blood has been a great experience for me; I would love to donate again. The staff is very friendly and always caring.”

Who's Got Talent?

Junior Julian Alexander shows off his dance moves on stage with Sophomore McKinley Patterson.  Alexander did not just dance; he also had another performance where he sang. “ I enjoy being able to show off my dancing and singing skill any time I get the chance,” stated Alexander.

By: Keely White

From singers to dancers to actors, East Wake High School has a variety of unknown, hidden talent. On Friday, April 22nd Student Council held a talent show run by Drama Club from 6-9 pm. The show was only expected to be two hours and fifteen minutes but ran over time due to technical difficulties.

Some of the Drama Club members acted like the candidates running for president, including Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. They stayed in character throughout the whole show and  introduced the singers, dancers and actors on stage.

The talent show didn’t just showcase singers and dancers. It had one student who's known for being the class clown, sophomore James Elledge, come up on stage and tell jokes. Junior James Roldan stated, ”James Elledge was really funny! My favorite joke was when he compared the school to the Nazis.” Roldan was at the talent show, showing his support for his girlfriend, sophomore Rachel Sumney, who sang “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Meghan Trainor.

Besides the performances from the many students, senior Hannah Rash asked her girlfriend of four months junior Mercedes De La Cruz Martinez to prom. Since Rash’s role in the talent show was playing Hillary Clinton, she had Megan Bostic, the school's art teacher make a sign to look like Hillary Clinton's campaign sign, and it asked De La Cruz to prom.

Overall, even with the show’s technical difficulties, it proved a great hit! Parents and faculty saw the students perform with courage and enthusiasm, and that made the whole show!

Sophomore Meaghan Sherron has the courage to go up on stage and sing with her guitar. “Ever since I was little I have always had a passion for singing and I have always enjoyed being on stage with my guitar,” stated Sherron.

East Wake HOSA Succeeds at 40th North Carolina HOSA State Leadership Conference

By: Samaya Edwards

While you took a beach trip, went to the mountains, or just relaxed at home, East Wake HOSA students spent their spring break attending a competition. HOSA stands for Health Occupations Students of America. It takes dedication to spend your vacation competing in health care knowledge and skill events. However, it definitely pays off for these future health care workers.

It was the 40th North Carolina HOSA State leadership conference that members of  East Wake HOSA students attended during spring break. The students were Hamza Ahmed, Ashlyn Barbee, Brooke Bouchelle, Samantha Fuentes Rivas, Logan Jackson, Madisyn Ledford, Noe Nunez, AJ Swaim, David Swaim, and Jhonaton Tudon. They were accompanied by their HOSA advisor, Sandy Tyndall. These students represented East Wake High School at the 2016 NC HOSA State Leadership Conference. The HOSA competitive events are created to measure the knowledge obtained by members in health science and biomedical science classes, related job training and other activities related to HOSA. In addition to the competition students attended health care career exposition, educational symposiums, and many different health care issues event forums. Focal points of the competition included three students from East Wake that qualified for the 2016 International HOSA Conference, which will take place over the summer in Nashville, Tennessee. Brothers AJ and David Swaim scored in the top ten for East Wake HOSA’s Community Emergency Response Team. Jhonaton Tudon also scored in the top ten for Human Growth and Development. Additionally, senior Lauren Thiede received a HOSA Scholarship, one of two scholarships for $500. East Wake definitely didn’t disappoint at the 40th North Carolina HOSA State Leadership Conference.

East Wake’s chapter of HOSA earned numerous recognitions for their hard work and effort this year. The recognitions include: 2016 Gold Star Chapter, National Service Project Award, State Service Project Award, Rex Blood Service’s award, HOSA 100 club, HOSA Century club, and Gold Star Advisor.

East Wake’s HOSA’s competing team cleans up nicely! The team is all smiles as they prepare to compete at the 40th North Carolina HOSA State Leadership Conference.