by Shayla Leach

Every year, thousands of people gather in New York City to witness the sparkling spectacle of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The tree, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and towering above the crowds, is a beacon of holiday cheer in the heart of Manhattan. For many, attending the tree lighting or simply stopping by to see it in person is a cherished tradition passed down through generations. Families, tourists, and locals alike make special trips to Rockefeller Plaza, braving the cold to be part of an event that signals the official start of the holiday season in New York. But how did this iconic holiday tradition begin, and why does it capture the hearts of so many? The answer lies in a rich history filled with hope, unity, and the enduring magic of the holidays.

The tradition dates back to 1931 during the depths of the Great Depression. As Rockefeller Center was being constructed, the workers found a way to bring some holiday cheer to their difficult circumstances. They pooled their money to buy a small 20-foot balsam fir and decorated it with handmade garlands, strings of cranberries, paper, and even tin cans. Photographs from the time show the men standing proudly around their makeshift tree, a symbol of hope and unity during a period when many families struggled to get by. (read more)

by Shayla Leach 

On November 1st, 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) almost completely shut down. SNAP provides federal funds to low-income households to help citizens buy groceries and/or other nutritional items. SNAP benefits help feed more than 40 million Americans; however, as America is still in the government shutdown, the resources could be delayed or put on pause. This pause would leave families wondering when the next meal may come. 

The SNAP Program is a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income households to help them buy groceries and any other supplemental needs. Every month, eligible households receive benefits on their Electronic Benefits (EBT) card, which can be used to buy eligible food items in certain supermarkets and grocery stores. These benefits can be used to purchase fruits, vegetables, bread, meats and dairy products. The benefits cannot be used to purchase tobacco, alcohol or any foods that will be used for immediate consumption such as prepared meals from a deli. (read more)

by Shayla Leach

The Southeast Alamance Wrestling Team is began a tough season with their first invitational at Atkins High School on November 15. Head Coach Grant Gibson and the team have been working hard in pre-season focusing on strength and technique. 

Returning athletes are aiming to improve on last year, and new team members bring fresh talent. The schedule includes matches against some of the best teams in the region which presents the wrestlers with chance to gain experience and face strong competition. With high hopes and a strong work ethic, the team is ready to make an impact this season, both as individuals and together.

Wins and losses are always part of growth. Coach Gibson shared his goals for the season. “Our primary goals this season are centered on personal growth, resilience, and building a strong team culture. Wrestling is as much mental as it is physical; we want our athletes to develop resilience and learn from every challenge,” he said. Gibson went on to express a devotion to the team as a family "[I want to] create a team environment where every member feels valued and supported. It's about being a family,” Gibson said. (read more)

by Shayla Leach

Every November, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of both Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. 

Native American Heritage Month was officially designated in November of 1990 by President George H. W. Bush following a joint resolution passed by Congress. (read more)

by Shayla Leach and Brody Dixon

This year, the student population of Southeast Alamance had a global presence with four international exchange students. These students bring diverse perspectives from countries including Switzerland (Lisa Faeh), France (Simon Cremer), Türkiye (Hilal Dizdar) and Italy (Gaia Carrara). Beyond engaging in the high school experiences at Southeast and personal growth through creating new friendships, this year's exchange students are fostering an invaluable global perspective within our local community one conversation at a time. The Daily Trot was able to discuss different aspects of the experiences of Hilal Dizdar, Gaia Carrara and Simon Cremer. (read more).

by Shayla Leach

Each year, the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter sponsors a scholarship for Alamance County seniors who show the values of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. This year, Southeast Alamance High School selected senior Samantha Norwood as its representative for this prestigious scholarship program.

The Daughters of the American Revolution’s Good Citizens Program is an honor awarded annually to one senior per high school. Each DAR Good Citizen receives a pin and certificate as well as the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship. Samantha Norwood showed to the counselors and the administrators at Southeast the values needed to participate. Once selected, she had many reasons to choose to take part in the program.

Samantha said it was “pleasantly startling since I didn’t even know the DAR Good Citizens Program was a thing. I was pulled out of class by Mrs. [Joy] Toms and Mr. [Eric] Yarbrough, and they explained a little about what the program entailed as well as gave me some papers [to complete]. I felt honored that they chose me as their good citizen of the year!” (read more)

by Shayla Leach

There's a first for everything, and this year's Marching Stallions traveled to Montgomery Central to compete in their first marching band competition of the season, and they returned home with awards in every category (read more)