By Junior Natasha Rivera
Vocab
Domain- the domain of a function is the set of inputs accepted by the function. It is sometimes denoted by or, where f is the function. In layman's terms, the domain of a function can generally be thought of as "what x can be". More precisely, given a function, the domain of f is X.
Range- the range of a function may refer to either of two closely related concepts: the codomain of the function, or the image of the function. In some cases the codomain and the image of a function are the same set; such a function is called surjective or onto.
Vertical- something that is standing upright or perpendicular to the ground, like a straight line going up and down. It can also refer to the direction of gravity, up or down. Vertically arranged structures or objects
Horizontal- Horizontal is a direction that runs from left to right or right to left, like the horizon line. It's the opposite of vertical, which goes up and down. Think of it as lying flat, parallel to the ground
Holes
Product of Powers- when multiplying two or more powers with the same base, you can add the exponents while keeping the base the same
Quotient of Powers- when dividing powers with the same base, you can simplify the expression by subtracting the exponents
Exponential sequence- A sequence of numbers has an exponential pattern when each successive number increases (or decreases) by the same percent
End behavior- refer to how a function's graph behaves as the input (x) values approach positive or negative infinity
Similar- refers to figures that have the same shape but not necessarily the same size
Rational- a number that can be expressed as the quotient or fraction of two integers, a numerator p and a non-zero denominator q. For example, is a rational number, as is every integer.
Irrational- all the real numbers that are not rational numbers. That is, irrational numbers cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers
Complementary angles- either of two angles whose sum is 90°
Supplementary angles- either of two angles whose sum is 180°.
Theorem- a statement that has been proven to be true based on axioms and other previously established theorems
Vertical angles- each of the pairs of opposite angles made by two intersecting lines.
Transversal- a line that passes through two lines in the same plane at two distinct points. Transversals play a role in establishing whether two or more other lines in the Euclidean plane are parallel
Corresponding angles- the angles which are formed in matching corners or corresponding corners with the transversal when two parallel lines are intersected by any other line
Alternate interior angles- pairs of angles that are located on the inside of two parallel lines, and on opposite sides of the transversal
Congruent triangle- Two triangles are said to be congruent if they are of the same size and same shape
Similar triangle- if they have the same shape but not necessarily the same size
Angle bisector- a line, line segment, or ray that divides an angle into two equal angles
Segment bisector- a line, ray, or segment that intersects another segment at its midpoint, dividing it into two equal parts
Relative property- positions an element according to its normal place in the document flow, allowing it to be moved relative to that position without affecting the layout of other element
Symmetric property– t if two things are equal, it doesn't matter which side of the equal sign they are on; you can interchange them
Transitive property- if two quantities are related to a third quantity in a specific way, then they are related to each other in that same way
Addition property- These rules are known as the properties of addition. There are three basic properties of addition that are used while adding numbers - the Associative property, the Commutative property, and the Identity property of addition.
Subtraction property- two sides of an equation remain equal if an equal value is subtracted from both sides, no matter how large or small that value is
Multiplication property- if we change the order of the factors of a number, the product remains the same
Division property- if two quantities are equal, dividing both sides of the equation by the same non-zero number will result in an equivalent equation
Substitution property- if two values or expressions are equal, one can be replaced with the other in any mathematical expression or statement without altering its truth value
Segment addition postulate- if point B lies on line segment AC, then the length of segment AB plus the length of segment BC equals the length of segment AC
Angle addition postulate- if a point lies in the interior of an angle, then the measure of the whole angle is equal to the sum of the measures of the two adjacent smaller angles formed by that point and the rays of the original angle
Congruent supplements- if two angles are supplementary to the same angle (or to congruent angles), then those two angles are congruent to each other
Congruent supplements- if two angles are supplementary to the same angle (or to congruent angles), then those two angles are congruent to each other
Linear pair postulate- if two angles form a linear pair (are adjacent and their non-common sides form a straight line), then the measures of the angles add up to 180 degrees
vertical angle theorem- when two lines intersect, the angles opposite each other (called vertical angles) are congruent (equal in measure)
Triangle sum theorem- the sum of the interior angles of any triangle is always 180 degrees
Base angle theorem- if two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite those sides are also congruent
Interiors on the same side- same-side interior angles, which are two angles formed when a transversal line intersects two other lines
Side-side-side (sss) congruence- if three sides of one triangle are congruent to three sides of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent
Side-angle-side (sas) congruence- if two sides and the included angle of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding two sides and included angle of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent
Angle-side-angle (asa) congruence- if two angles and the included side of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding two angles and included side of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent
Angle-angle-side (aas) congruence- if two angles and a non-included side of one triangle are congruent to two angles and the corresponding non-included side of another triangle, then the two triangles are congruent
Sss for similarity- if the corresponding sides of two triangles are proportional, then the triangles are similar
Sas for similarity- if two triangles have two sides proportional and the included angles congruent, then the two triangles are similar
Hypotenuse leg congruence- if the hypotenuse and one leg of a right triangle are congruent to the corresponding hypotenuse and leg of another right triangle, then the two triangles are congruent
CPCTC- corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent if two triangles are proven congruent, then their corresponding angles and sides are also congruent
Side proportionality- if a line is drawn parallel to one side of a triangle and intersects the other two sides, then it divides those sides proportionally
Mid-segment theorem- if a line segment connects the midpoints of two sides of a triangle, then that line segment is parallel to the third side and half its length
Lateral area- if a line segment connects the midpoints of two sides of a triangle, then that line segment is parallel to the third side and half its length
Sine- the trigonometric function that is equal to the ratio of the side opposite a given angle (in a right triangle) to the hypotenuse
Cosine- a trigonometric function that is the ratio between the side next to an acute angle in a right triangle and the hypotenuse.
Tangent- a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point, but if extended does not cross it at that point
Mean- a quantity representing the "center" of a collection of numbers and is intermediate to the extreme values of the set of numbers. There are several kinds of means in mathematics, especially in statistics
Standard deviation- a measure of the amount of variation of the values of a variable about its mean. A low standard deviation indicates that the values tend to be close to the mean of the set, while a high standard deviation indicates that the values are spread out over a wider range
Survey- a method of data collection used to gather information about people and their behaviors or opinions by asking them a list of questions
Observational study- a type of research study where researchers observe and record phenomena without directly intervening or manipulating variables
Horizontal stretch/compresión
Formulas
Slope intercept- y=mx+b
Vertex form of a parabola- y=a(x-h)2+k
Cube root- f(x)=a3(bx-h)+k
Square root- f(x)=x
Polynomial long division
Synthetic division
Quadratic- x=-bb2-4ac2a
Product of powers- aman=am+n
Quotient of powers- amanam-n
Power of a power- (an)=anm
Direct variation- y=kx
Logarithms- log(a)=cbc=a
Logarithmic function- f(x)=logax
Cylinder properties- volume: r2h base: 2r(r+h)
Cone properties- volume: 1/3r2h base: rs+r2
Sphere properties- volume: 4/3r3 base:4r2
Pyramid properties- volume: 1/3baseh surface area: base arealateral area
Center radius- (x-h)2+(y-k)2=r2
Arc- n3602r
Sector area- r2central angle360
By Sophomore Sadie Chapman
Throughout this whole school year our graduates have been enriching their education and creating a pathway for their future career with internships. Each graduate is responsible for finding an internship that they are interested in, and on April 15 they shared their experience at the Career Exploration Experience Showcase.
Nathaniel Brown had a very impressive internship because he was practically a full time history teacher at South Brunswick High School at only 17. When asked about his daily tasks, he stated, “I would actually get up and teach a lesson to students, make lesson plans, grade papers, observe, and work gate duty for sport games.” All of this hard work totaled over 600 hundred hours, which is definitely a grand achievement because the minimum required hours was 75.
Emmy Russ on the other hand had two internships, one as a lab assistant at BCC and the other as a teacher assistant at Waccamaw K-8 School. While working in the lab she would test samples and make reports on them, but as a teacher assistant she graded papers, made copies, and helped students with their learning. Although Russ does not want to become a teacher, she did learn a valuable lesson. Russ stated, “I learned the importance of having a positive impact on the people around me. Especially those who are younger, because they need to have a good influence.”
Internships can also lead you to discover your career path. This happened with Griffin Waters who interned at For Kids Only Child Development Center and learned he would like to join FKO after graduation. Waters was very impacted by his experience and realized that helping the kids with special needs was more than a job, and instead something he is very passionate about.
In conclusion, internships can be used to prepare you for your career or they can even help you decide your future. As Waters stated, “it is important to not take the internships for granted… Actually try and make it a focus.” When choosing an internship, don’t just pick a random one. Find one that you’re passionate about and know will benefit your career. After all, internships are more than a learning experience, they are a pathway for your future.
By Sophomore Lydia Laux
Aftermath of the B-Ball Tournament and FIREBIRD Dance Performance
If you were one of the many who unfortunately missed the BCECHS Basketball team competing in the yearly tournament, continuing to read is recommended. This month the BCECHS Basketball team competed in the tournament. The team placed second overall, compared to placing second and third last year. While the results are not as desirable as they hoped, the team is still proud of their performance and the advancements they have made as a team this year.
In a turn of events multiple injuries occurred at the event. Sophomore Eliana Morris stated, “Summer Taylor had a previous injury and it had healed enough for her to be able to play and perform the dance but then her foot got twisted while playing and now she's in a boot. Even though she was injured she continued to go through the game and be a really strong part of the team.”
The BCECHS Dance team performed their rendition of the Dallas cowboy cheerleaders “Thunderstruck” performance during half-time and it was a huge success. The team had been practicing every Wednesday and Friday to perfect this widely known routine, and to adjust it to fit their talents. Sophomore Nattaleigh Gobble stated, “Even though I didn't know all of the moves as well as everyone else I had a lot of fun and I am glad that I ended up doing it”.
While the players were busy on the court and the dancers were ruffling their pom poms, the audience was busy at the concession stands. This was a big part of the event and a big hit with the people who were cheering on our school. Morris, who is also on the dance team, enjoyed the table saying, “while the dancers were preparing for our performance we were promoting and enjoying what the table had. There were snow cones, cotton candy, pizza and candy. They had everything you'd want at a basketball game”.
In conclusion, this year's basketball tournament was a huge event. The team worked extremely hard and their skills progressed on multiple levels compared to last year and the dance team showed their school spirit loud and proud with their performance that received multiple rounds of applause.
By Junior Makayla Procter
This past Saturday Cape Fear Voices and Teen Scene held an outstanding awards banquet not only to raise money but to honor their writers. The mission of the banquet was to motivate young teens to write and adults to continue to write. Jan Morgal-Swegle one of the editors for Cape Fear Voices stated “It is the only fundraising event we do and we do it to be able to purchase equipment that will help our teens do better in their writing skills and in school. We also do it to showcase the talent that is resident in the Cape Fear area.”
There are several generous sponsors that help make this night a success. Some sponsors include the Brunswick Art Council, and First Bank and we also have some new sponsors including JBG Painting, Z's barbershop and Judy Budd with CONNECT. We are entirely grateful to all these sponsors who support the arts and the youth and adults that are striving to pursue their writing.
The Cape Fear Voices Teen Scene awards banquet is so much more than just an event where people win prizes and sponsors donate money. It is an opportunity for those who have a passion for writing even when people tell them to quit. Swegle also stated “My father died many years ago, but every once in a while, I look up to heaven and say, "Look at me Papa, I'm a writer. Mr. Decker did that for me.”
This year I partook on the process of creating this event and it is safe to say it was an experience like no other. Working with such an intelligent and dedicated group of individuals ranging from teens to adults was truly remarkable. Throughout this entire process we worked as a team not as competitors, we strived to lift one another not to bring each other down, and focused on critiquing one another not to sugar coat our mistakes. While the planning for this event was definitely work I learned so much that I will strive to uphold it in my future endeavors.
Working with this group has also helped me to come out of my shell and use my voice to represent both myself and others. My mission as a journalist is to travel the world fighting to reach the voices of the unheard and I strongly believe that having gone through this experience has prepared me for that goal.
Cape Fear Voices is an outlet for the outcast, a safe space for the fearful, and a microphone for the quiet. The Banquet was a way to celebrate that. Teen Scene inspires young teens to actually use their voices instead of just talking over them like most adults. The phrase “To be seen and not heard” does not intertwine itself into Teen Scene and never will.
By Freshman Josie Baroski
On Apr 12, 2025 members of the community came together to celebrate the excellence of journalists working on The Teen Scene, as well as writers on Cape Fear Voices. This event presented an evening of recognizing individuals devoted to writing authentic, truthful stories about various topics.
From New Year’s Resolution by Kaleigh Aull to The Importance of Equality in our Society by Makayla Procter to Gullah Geechee: Not Just a Celebration of Rice by Gabriel Hughes, our students at Brunswick County Early College put forth their best effort in creating stories that can be enjoyed by all. Their dedication to journalism is evident in the spectacular pieces they write and thus they should be recognized for this hard work.
Kaleigh Aull, a graduate at Early College, won the Scholarship Award. She received $200 along with the title. Aull believes that participating in The Teen Scene assisted in furthering her writing capabilities, as well as taught her speaking skills. In the fall, she is going to NC State and majoring in English, with a concentration in creative writing. “This award will affect me positively because it will assist me in paying for college,” says Aull. She regards receiving an award from The Teen Scene as a high honor.
Junior Makayla Procter also won an award at the banquet. She was named Freelance Writer Of The Year. A freelance writer is essentially one who does it all. They can write on various topics and show flexibility within their writing. This is definitely true of Makayla Procter, who uses her writing to engulf the reader in the topic.
She gives credit for her win to Gerald Decker who guided her to the writing path that she is on right now. She feels that her dedication to The Teen Scene also helped her win this award. It looks like her hard work paid off!
“Winning this award has given me motivation to push myself even further in the future to strive to be the best reporter I can be. I plan to do so much with my career and winning this award has proven to me that other people see my goals and potential which makes me confident that I am heading down the right path,” says Procter, The Teen Scene Freelance Writer of the Year
Freshman Gabriel Hughes also won an award. He received Reporter of the Year at the banquet. During his time as a The Teen Scene writer, he has not only written many outstanding articles but has also gone out into the community to collect information in order to enhance his understanding of the topics he is writing about.
Hughes has reported on the founder of The Teen Scene, Gerald Decker, as well as many others with interesting stories to learn about. Gabriel has talked to and told so many peoples’ stories through his work, which is why he deserves the award that he received. He believes that his hard work on The Teen Scene projects such as the STEM project report done by him and Procter contributed to his win.
“I put my heart and soul into this. I really connect with everyone I talk to, and that’s what I feel like helped me win this award.” says Hughes. He feels that this experience of networking and writing will help him achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer in the future.
Decker described the banquet planning as a great deal of work.
“We had to come up with a budget of expenses, reserve the space, develop a marketing plan and a division of labor for implementing the plan. I went all over town talking to individuals and groups like the Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce looking for sponsors. Ms. Swegle ordered the meals, trophies, and certificates, and selected the winners based on input from several judges, and arranged the seating assignments. Ms. Bryans took on doing most of the work on the monthly publication and worked with the teens to do their video productions.”
When choosing the winners, Mr. Decker said he looked for stories that were creative, interesting, and held the reader’s attention. He also took into account how well the public received the articles of each writer. This factor is measured in likes each article gets on The Teen Scene website.
“The growth of our group has been excellent. We now have a small group of dedicated writers who are willing to work outside their comfort zones and try new things. We have hope that this group will have the dedication to run The Teen Scene very soon. This next year, starting in June, I think will be our first group of the Communications and Leadership Academy that I have wanted for several years,” Decker says in response to the growth he has seen in his teen writers of the year.
This event would not have been possible without so many special people who support The Teen Scene. Mary Beth Livers, who was the event sponsor, is one of those individuals. She is on the Brunswick Arts Council. Another sponsor is Carl Parker who has been donating and helping out The Teen Scene for several years. He is notably the president of Brunswick County NAACP. Other sponsors include Drawfire, Duke Energy, Deb Pickett, Signature Wealth Strategies, Farm Bureau, Jan Lydon, First Bank, and Mary Lou Wong Chong. The Teen Scene is lucky to have so many people who want to help them out.
This banquet presented a time of rejoice for excellent journalism. Congratulations to all who won! Not only was it an honor to be in attendance, it also inspired me to continue working hard at improving my own writing skills. We hope to see you next year at the 6th Annual Cape Fear Voices/ Teen Scene Awards Banquet!
By Freshman Brayden Summerlin
Early College had great success with all fundraisers held this semester, and it has been greatly acknowledged. The World Chocolate fundraiser to benefit these projects has been extended. Chocolate just doesn't go out of style, and this extension allows students to continue working toward school goals.
Assistant Principal Anthony Tantillo said, "With the leftover chocolate, we will try to sell at the upcoming basketball tournament on April 5 and the Benefit Concert held by our National Honor Society at OWA on April 3rd."
Expanding on the excellent benefits from that positive fundraiser, Beta Club held a Bingo Night at OWA on the night of Friday, February 28. Not only did it raise money for more exciting activities, but it also brought families across our community for a night of fun, laughter, and competition with their Bingo cards.
Students’ school lives will be positively impacted by these fundraisers.
"We will use the money to fund for college field trips; we would love to take kids on field trips for them to see good schools around, and money will also go to pay for textbooks and access codes.” says Principal Denise Absher.
It makes a huge difference in our school since it provides many opportunities for students to be engaged and celebrate their academic achievements, show their goofy outfits in spirit weeks, and have not just an educational experience here at Early College, but a school year full of fun memories all from the effect of fundraisers.
This is an amazing phenomenon that has happened in our spring semester, and that profit isn’t to be forgotten. In future years here at Early College, there will be continuous fundraisers for students from all grade levels to participate in them like the current School Supply Drive hosted by Rho Kappa that started March 24th and is running until April 4th!
Fundraisers will always have a lasting effect by building community, relationships, and raising awareness for an important cause, leading to more sustained support. This is what our school is all about: the five R’s: Respect, Relationships, Responsibility, Rigor, and Relevance.
Our Firebirds are excellent, and fundraisers just elevate their education even more. We will always strive to grow in opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and prepare us for a lifetime of success.
What Students have to say about Mrs. King:
Peyton Shaw: “She’s so kind”
Ahnaf Vasquez: “Mrs.King is really nice. She is always giving me snacks.”
Kaleigh Bennett: “I just really like how she does the lessons. I liked how she taught Romeo and Juliet. I thought it was an amazing way to read something that might have come off as boring another way. She’s also very nice and easy to talk to.”
Grace Sanchez: “Mrs.King really deserves it. She’s really helpful, like during study hall she helped me with my math. She is also really funny, sweet, and patient.”
Kaleigh Aull: “I had Mrs.King her very first year teaching and I was in her CEP class. It was very fun, it became one of my favorite classes. She’s just a really fun teacher, so I really enjoyed her class.”
Talia Sawchuk: “I have had Mrs.King’s class twice, and during my sophomore year she had us do a play, Romeo and Juliet. It was such a fun experience and as someone who doesn’t like English classes, she made that class something amazing.”
Wade Batton: “I love Mrs.King. She has such a fun personality. I love her room because it has such a cool vibe with the flower decor.”
Mia Bixby: “She’s always been really nice and helpful.”
Corbin Lizewski: “I had Mrs.King first semester of freshman year first thing in the morning. I remember walking into her room; it was pretty laid back. It didn’t feel like a classroom and instead a place I could interact with others and be comfortable. It had a chill atmosphere, and she was a cool person to be around.”
Phala Lupton: “Mrs.King is always great. She was a wonderful teacher when I had her.”
Ava Robbins: “Mrs.King is always very positive, very bright, and encourages everybody.”
Addie Frank: “Mrs.King is the best. She makes sure I’m awake every morning when I walk in the door. She also puts all her time and effort into making sure we do well and succeed.”
By Junior Makayla Procter
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars, also known as the VFW, awards a teacher who was nominated by a faculty member who has noticed the hard work and dedication that the teacher puts into their career. This year our esteemed Mrs. Foster was awarded Teacher Of The Year.
Gerald Decker, founder of Cape Fear Voices and Commander of the Leland VFW Post 12196, who granted Mrs. Foster this award stated, “The VFW recognizes the hard work and dedication of our teachers. We feel that the basis for a strong America begins with our educators. Those who are noted for their continued commitment to excellence should be recognized for their work to ensure the leadership of America and freedom in the world”
According to Principle Denise Absher and the person who nominated Mrs. Foster for teacher of the year “In her classroom, she cultivates a supportive atmosphere where students learn to take ownership of their academic journey. She emphasizes the importance of staying organized, working strategically, and approaching challenging mathematics concepts with persistence and confidence. Through her guidance, students excel in math and develop essential life skills like self-discipline, responsibility, and problem-solving.”
According to English teacher Laura Askue, “ Mrs. Foster works hard to make sure students understand math through engaging lessons and collaboration with other teachers. Her students consistently demonstrate growth on important tests. We at BCECHS are lucky to have her on our team.”
Mrs. Foster has left an impact on every student she has taught, she makes learning enjoyable, and creates a safe environment for her students and fellow faculty members.
Being recognized by the communities of The VFW is a great honor. It takes a special teacher to be granted teacher of the year and that is what Mrs. Foster is. Foster states in an interview “I’m truly honored to receive this recognition from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 12196. Their acknowledgment means a great deal to me. I share this award with my students, colleagues, and Firebird community who inspire me every day. Teaching is more than a job - it’s a calling, and I’m grateful for the chance to make a difference.”
Askue also states “ Mr. Decker is a strong supporter of our students and their teachers. He loves to see students challenged and supported and wants to recognize teachers who make a difference.” Mr. Decker has always supported local schools in any way he knows how and has left an immense impact on students and teachers of Brunswick County.
Although Teachers are extremely overlooked, teachers are the foundation of American education and career paths. We would not have doctors, nurses, accountants, car salesmen, lawyers and so much more without our teachers' diligence and dedication.
Teachers are guides, encouragers, resources, supporters, and even sometimes just a shoulder for students to lean on when they have no other. Teaching is not just about giving homework and five page essays that occupy your schedule, teaching is about guiding the youth who will eventually be the world's future in which we depend.
By Junior Gabby Okun
Alumni Career Day was a special day for Firebird students, we got to learn about different careers from past students who used to attend the high school just like we are right now. Before we got to our session, most of the students got split into three different panels with three different alumni students at each panel. They would introduce themselves and what they did for their career, then give the other students the floor to ask questions about their careers and how they face challenges or how they became successful in their career.
After the panels, all the students headed to their individual sessions. Each student was paired with a different alumni based on their career interests. In my sessions, I met with a Front-End Manager from Nothing Bundt Cakes: Shaye Vogt, Owners of MooTown: Monica and Daniel Clements, and a Hearing Impaired Teacher who is also a Lifestyle Photographer: Katie Smith.
In the Nothing Bundt Cakes panel, Ms.Vogt taught us about her experience in being a front-end manager at Nothing Bundt Cakes. She also told us about her friend’s experience in becoming a baker and how to be able to work as a baker as well. Ms.Vogt also shows us how much she loves her job and even feels like her job benefits the customers. For example, she said that if an order was messed up or was not exactly what the customer wanted, she would give them a free cake. Even if there are mistakes, she still likes to put a smile on the customers face. Wanting them to have a good experience and enjoy her service.
My next session was with MooTown, where I met Mr. and Mrs. Clements, who have been together since their Early College High School days. They shared their journey of transforming MooTown from a small, rundown ice cream shop into a fantastic business in Sunset Beach, thanks to their passion for entrepreneurship and management. They even mentioned plans to expand into a mobile business to boost their income.
One key takeaway from their talk was that you don’t necessarily need a business degree; what really matters is having a vision and the drive to turn it into reality. Hearing this made me realize that setting goals can really help you find ways to achieve them. It also gave me an idea to maybe one day start a business of my own.
My last session was with Ms. Katie Smith, a lifestyle photographer and a hearing impaired teacher. She shared her journey as an impaired educator, particularly her experiences with young kids who often hesitate to ask for help, even when they were deaf. She worked hard to teach them that seeking assistance is perfectly fine.
Katie also showcased her social media and shared various photos she had taken for people, including some of her former classmates. She mentioned that her father was a big influence on her decision to pursue photography and that she even used his camera during her high school days. It was clear from her words and the enthusiasm she exuded for photography that she truly loves what she does.
Each career path came with its own unique experiences and passions. No matter where they started, every alumnus demonstrated how Early College played a significant role in shaping their careers. Without this school, they wouldn't be who they are today. Early College High School has proven that these ambitious firebirds have reached impressive heights in their goals and have found great success in their professional lives.
<---- Play the two videos and recording at the end!
Lyrics-
Firebirds soar
Rising up from the ashes
Starting a new life
Going through this journey
In our firebird home
Always rising, never falling
Nothing can hold us back
Even when the winds of life
Try to push us down
We stay strong and
Soar through it all
Keeping our goals in sight
Early College
We thrive, gain knowledge
Together we find our way
Starting from nothing
Now we have the world
Firebirds fly together
Before we're out on our own
By Cathryn Adams and Laura Askue
Congratulations to fifth year English Teacher Megan King as she is announced the Brunswick County Early College Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year.
Each year the staff votes on qualified teachers who demonstrate substantial dedication to the school community.
In the nomination and voting process, staff were asked to explain why they voted for King. They said:
“She builds meaningful relationships with students and provides individualized support.”
“She is considered a cornerstone of the staff, making a significant impact on students, teachers, and overall school success.”
“She is passionate about improving BCECHS and enhancing the student and teacher experience at ECHS.”
“I teach English because I believe if you can enjoy English, you can enjoy life. Life consists of complex characters, themes, plot twists, and symbols. When you can take the time to notice and appreciate the beauty of the world around you, it’s really beautiful,” King says.
“Mrs. King has a calling to teach. She exemplifies dedication, passion, and excellence in all she does. She holds high expectations and provides unwavering support to students and staff alike. Her commitment to the Early College journey and her love for teaching make for an invaluable part of our community. She is a distinguished alumnae and first hand understands what it takes to be successful,” says Principal Denise Absher
King is passionate about working with Freshmen. She is the English I teacher and has contributed to the Freshman Success Class.
King graduated from Early College in 2017 as the second Firebird graduate from her family. Brother Tyler Smith graduated in 2010.
King demonstrates passion for improving the teacher experience as the head of the Sunshine Committee. She bakes with love each month to celebrate birthdays and plans parties to celebrate milestones in staff members’ lives. Last month she threw a baby shower for Math Teacher Leah Brown ahead of the birth of her son.
“I strive to create a positive working environment. I work with a lot of incredible people and I want them to feel appreciated,” King says.
The English department is proud of their team.
English Teacher and 2024 Teacher of the Year Shelby Leonard says that King “always provides wonderful ideas to make content engaging to students. She makes things obtainable and easy to digest in her classroom for freshmen new to ECHS. She is an integral part of our English Department group and I cannot wait to work together as the two Teachers of the Year for ECHS next school year.”
In fact, King makes the third member of the English team to be recognized as TOY as Department Chair Laura Askue served in 2016 and 2021. She says, “I’m so proud to be working with this amazing team. Mrs. King and Mrs. Leonard make coming to work fun.”
History Teacher Kaitlyn Sanchez says “Megan King is an incredible educator. She is dedicated to the Early College Network and to student excellence. She brings a fun energy to our school culture while maintaining high standards. She goes above and beyond to create effective educational systems in her classroom and in our school. We can't think of anyone more deserving, and we are thrilled to celebrate her!”
In a heartfelt moment of recognition, Principal Absher states, “Ms. King has a calling to teach. She exemplifies dedication, passion, and excellence in all she does. She holds high expectations and provides unwavering support to students and staff alike. She understands what it takes to be successful.”
Peyton Shaw: “I love Mr.T. He’s so silly.”
Ahnaf Vasquez: “He’s really nice and a really cool guy. He also plays the guitar pretty well.”
Kaleigh Bennett: “I think he’s pretty neat. I like his energy and he’s pretty funny. I’m glad that he’s the assistant principal.”
Grace Sanchez: “Mr.T is really great. In my opinion, he’s one of the best assistant principals. He always has a smile on his face and is really enthusiastic and passionate. He makes the school a very comfortable place to be.”
Kaleigh Aull: “Every time I see Mr.T it is so fun to watch him do his job. He’s a positive force around the school, so I’m glad he’s been here and helped influence all the kids with his kindness.”
Talia Sawchuk: “Mr.T makes the whole vice principal job appear very fun when it is supposed to be mean and scary. He’s a great vice principal.”
Wade Batton: “He’s always there when we need him.”
Corbin Lizewski: “Mr.T? Amazing. Any issues I have had, I have gone straight to him. He’s optimistic about anything and is super relatable. Definitely a 10/10 assistant principal.”
Phala Lupton: “Mr.T always appears out of nowhere with a happy little smile.”
Ava Robbins: “Mr.T is very loud and excited. You can never find him, but when you do you’re in for a treat.”
Addie Frank: “Mr.T is hilarious and I love all his fun socks, because they’re just the best and we share that. He’s also always happy.”
Significant Fall 2024 Stories
By Makayla Procter
My freshman year of high school I was volunteering with a third grade class. I had worked with these kids all year and had formed a bond with every single one of them. It was a normal day of class. I was walking around helping the students answer the questions on their homework from the previous night.
All of a sudden the school wide intercom comes on and the class goes silent. Music starts playing and not the kind of joyful music you hear at a party or a celebration. It was a sort of cold and ominous sound that was blaring from the speakers in all classrooms. At first I thought maybe someone was playing a prank on us because the school tends to joke a lot with their students. Especially on Fridays when I was volunteering.
Then I looked over at the teacher. Her face dropped and she turned pale then I knew something was wrong. The kids were dancing and jumping around to the music because they thought it was a playful joke. They were eight to nine years old so they never really thought anything of it.What else would you expect of them in this kind of situation? They shouldn’t have to worry that their lives may be in danger at school.
I looked over at the teacher again and I knew to take the kids in the corner, turn the lights off, hide and remember not to make a sound. Something I had heard all my life and practiced over and over again throughout schooling. I believed our lives had depended on it. Immediately after I got the kids to stay quiet they started to realize something was not right and most of them began to cry. Seeing these children so scared for what was going to happen to them when they were just starting life was so hard. Especially when I could do nothing about it but comfort them.
While I comforted the children the teacher went through protocol and tried to see if other teachers were in lockdown as well. When she was done she ran to the corner that we were hiding in and began to comfort kids as well. These children cried their eyes out because they were scared what would happen next and I was scared too but I couldn't let them know that.
We sat there in terror with kids huddled together, scared and uncomfortable. The music kept playing over and over again in our ears as if it was replicating a taunt in our faces. Finally the music stopped and the intercom made sound again only this time it was a familiar voice.
We were told we were safe and that the music was just an accident. That’s what they told the kids. A few minutes later we heard a rumor that the system had been hacked and they were assuming it was a prank from an unknown person.
My friend that was also volunteering was only a few classes down and the kids in that classroom didn’t even hide. They had no idea if this was a serious situation or not yet they danced around to the music like it was some sort of celebration. In most cases these kinds of situations are just threats that never result in anything more than a lockdown but in some cases like the Sandy Hook or Columbine attack sadly it is not just a song that plays over the intercom or a prank played by a random humorous person.
The rest of the day I am distraught at the idea of what could have happened and what has happened to kids at other schools who didn’t get to hear that intercom say that they were safe or that it was just an ignorant prank. And the parents that didn’t get to run to their children with open arms when those drills were over because sometimes it is not a prank or a drill or an accident. Sometimes it's a threat on innocent lives who have everything to look forward to.
One wicked person can stop the life of hundreds from graduating high school and college, from having birthdays celebrated with friends and family, from growing old, from having children, from having grandchildren, from experiencing the ups and downs of life.
More than 330,000 children and teens have been through school attacks since the first infamous Columbine attack April 20, 1999, where the lives of 15 were taken, including the two attackers. The students that attended are still haunted to this day by the horrific event that occurred.
Children live in fear as soon as they step into the doors of their school.At a young age kids go through drills to prepare for an active shooter and continue these drills to adulthood. Kids should walk into school feeling relief and joy knowing that they are going to learn the ways of the world around them and spend time with their friends but instead they have to go through drills and tests like soldiers just so that they know how to stay alive when someone wants to take their life from them like it is just a purse a thief can steal in a dark alley.
Hide in the corner of the room with the lights off and don’t make a sound. We tell our kids this as one of the first things they learn in school. Not one plus one, not who was the first president, not how to read. They learn how to fight for their lives at as young as five years old.
The survivors of the SandyHook attack in 2012 graduated this year and there were 20 empty seats where those young kids should have been sitting. SandyHook is a famous attack but not the only one. Hundreds of seats have been empty in the place of those kids who didn’t make it out of those schools.
The Uvalde school attack is another well known attack that has left grief all around. This attack occurred in Texas May 24, 2022, Tragically taking the lives of Nineteen children and two teachers. The children were stuck in there for over 45 minutes with an active shooter.
As a student at a high school I am always worried about what could happen. I don’t feel completely safe because there are evil people out there and they are only getting worse. Students and teachers risk their lives everyday to either give or receive a simple education. Why is it that to learn we have to learn in fear?
By Brayden Summerlin
Sunset Harbor Rd. Source: Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
Regarding the impact of severe weather on our state and ones nearby, the year 2024 has been unpleasant. Over the past few months, the East Coast has suffered from road obstructions, torrential levels of flooding, and the danger of loved ones being harmed. The severe weather, in mind? It was a series of weather disturbances, one after the next with minuscule time between each. As a result of Tropical Storm Debby, a prevalent storm, our first day of school was disrupted. We were out for the rest of the week. Later, from a large, no-named storm, the town of Southport in Brunswick County, had roads completely closed due to collapsing and being unstable for transportation. After that, an actual hurricane hit North Carolina. Hurricane Helene made landfall on Asheville, around the last days of September. News reports included pictures of an abundance of debris and ruptures in neighborhoods. Recently, Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, hit Florida on Wednesday, October 9th. Just before landfall, it was a Category 5. The state experienced major amounts of rain and power outages. Overall, we have endured many effects and as a result of that, it is crucial to grasp.
The first storm: Tropical Storm Debby. It was a normal morning on the first day of school. In those 20 minutes, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Suddenly, the whole school was asked to go downstairs as we were in a tornado drill. Voices on the walkie-talkies expressed that these tornadoes were near our vicinity. Time passed, and we were still down there. Eventually, BCC decided to close and ECHS had an early dismissal. It was nearing the middle of the day. Everything happened so suddenly. The only consistency was rain and thunderstorms. Returning to school seemed unlikely in that week. We were told to do our work online. Having workdays without meeting all your teachers yet was quite an experience. The nuance of those three days was apparent. In due time, the storm left and it was back to school. At least that time, we weren’t going to be interrupted. Not until about a month later.
The no-named storm. It was unexpected. The forecast predicted nothing of what was to come. Countless videos that day were posted online of flooded neighborhoods and reactions including the phrase, “How will we be safe?” It was a frenzy of no stops and breaks. Video after video talking about the effects of the storm. So many people who lived in Southport and Boiling Spring Lakes had no way of getting out, they were secluded with only themselves. Days passed, and there was no update. Just cancellations for each day of school. What could they do? The county was stunned. Lots of highways had no stability. Eventually, we got to go back. Conditions improved and it was secure again. Everything was back to normal! However, this wasn’t the end for North Carolina.
Another day was canceled. Forecasts of another storm, Hurricane Helene, coming to our state. This time, Asheville was the target. Shocking, a place with mountain ranges and high elevation will be threatened by a hurricane? Yes. The damage was catastrophic. Three months’ worth of precipitation now turned into a couple of days. Monumental flooding was driving the city in a whirlwind. News was being reported talking about the destruction inflicted on North Carolina. Our state made national news. This was very serious. In late October, we won’t neglect what has happened. For the most damaged areas, there are counties in our state raising awareness. Even in our school, with the fundraiser that Mrs. Sanchez is in charge of. The impact of severe weather is not to be dismissed, only signified. We cannot forget because hurricanes and storms will continue to damage our societies, businesses, and homes. It will never end. There will always be threats due to hurricanes. The best thing to do: Whatever we can to aid.
In conclusion, severe weather has caused our society to worsen by creating problems concerning our travels, seeing friends and family, and most importantly, it created suffering. It may not seem like a prominent issue anymore since it has been nearly a month, but the chances of it happening again aren’t inevitable. Additionally, these extremities are fueling climate change which is not good for our planet that we need to keep safe and sound. Therefore, we need to stay on alert and do what we can to help whether through a drive or a fund for donating to those required. Making an emergency plan and being aware of an upcoming storm is a great way to protect ourselves. If we all practice better safety and encourage awareness of these occurrences, the risk of potential harm will decrease.
By Kat Totten
Media Marketing is the use of strategies that initiate consumer interaction or interest through different media outlets. In recent years many companies have utilized media marketing through apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok to gain viewer attraction. Many advertisements are aimed to target a specific clique of people that the company feels resonate most with the product or idea they are presenting.
One example of a great use of media marketing is Dove’s #ShowUs campaign. This campaign was launched on March 27, 2019, and was designed ‘for women, by women’. This was a campaign targeted around combating the lack of inclusivity for women advertised in the media everywhere.
In a global survey conducted by Dove in 2019, approximately 70% of women say that they still do not feel represented in the images they see online everyday. Many of the models we see modeling for bigger brands tend to lack diversity of race, ethnicity, and body type. Dove global Vice President Sophie Galvani states “Dove understands the impact that unrealistic images of beauty can have on a women’s body confidence”.
In response to this phenomenon, Dove collaborated with Getty Images and Girlgaze to create a photo collection with over ten thousand pictures of women that don’t necessarily identify with the ‘Beauty Standard’ that society has come to accept as normal. This campaign was a huge success, causing many women to speak up regarding their disappointment in the beauty industry, and bring to light how many women have come to develop a corrupted sense of what defines beauty.
This campaign has been used to evoke change in the beauty industry today, as we can see with the growing diversity of model’s in brands such as Nike and Good American. Of course there are still brands who stray away from proper diversity in their advertising, however Dove’s campaign was a massive step in the right direction for gaining inclusivity for all women of different races, ethnicities, and body types.
By: Damiya Marlow
Have you ever been to a Graduate Sunrise or something as amazing as this event?
You may be wondering, What is the Graduate Sunrise? This event symbolizes the graduates beginning of a new year. Recently, this event was held in Holden Beach, on August 16, 2024, as stated by Josie Tharp. You are probably curious as to why this event happened, According to Mrs. Absher: “Two years ago a student named Kelsey came to me with the idea to gather graduates to acknowledge it was there last year at the Early College.” Let's get into the how part, as stated by Mrs. King : “This project which is a part of the National Honors Society which was started about 3 years ago was created by Tori Neal who has now graduated, but this year our President of Beta, Angel Deras kept the project going for the graduates to experience”. According to other peers, Mrs. King, Mr.Tantillo, Mrs.Absher, graduates and alumni who were present at that moment said it was an amazing time and very calm. It was shown that everyone who attended the event enjoyed bonding with each other for their last year. We are hoping to have a similar experience toward the end of the year to symbolize the ending of a year for them.
By : Kat Totten
Although most people are aware of what the Mona Lisa is, many people do not know the full history behind this famous oil painting.
Leonardo Da Vinci, the famous artist behind the Mona Lisa, was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. When Da Vinci was 15 years old his father apprenticed him to an artist by the name of Andrea Del Verrocchio. It was in this workshop where Da Vinci would come to receive extensive training in painting, sculpting, and technical-mechanical arts.
The precise date of when Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa is unknown, as are many other factors such as who is it in the painting. There are many theories about who is really the person depicted in the Mona Lisa. Many famous artists believe that it is actually Da Vinci himself in the painting, and it was a self portrait.
Another theory, and perhaps the most well known, is that it was a portrait of Lisa Gherardini Del Giocondo, wife of a wealthy Florentine. This painting is thought to have been commissioned for the Giocondo’s new home, as a way to celebrate the birth of their second son, Andrea. However, this has never been confirmed and there is no real evidence of this claim.
Da Vinci continued working on the Mona Lisa until his premature death in 1519. So the question many scholars ask is, if this painting truly was for the Giocondo family, why wasn’t the painting delivered to them upon Da Vinci’s death? Despite the painting never officially being finished, why wasn’t it at least given to the family who it was made for rather than King Frances I in 1519?
This painting is unsigned and undated, and although many pieces at this time began adding records of the sitters name or social status, no such status can be found on the mona lisa. There are also no recorded records of a commission for this painting among any of Da Vinci’s papers.
So who was the “Mona Lisa” as depicted in the painting? The short answer is we don’t know. All of history points to this portrait not truly being who it is believed to be. Was it truly Da Vinci in the portrait? Was it a secret lover of his that had never been put on record? Unfortunately we may never find out.
The reason the Mona Lisa has had such a huge impact on the art world is because of the timeless beauty it emits and the complexity of the piece considering its time of creation. The Mona Lisa was put into the Louvre Museum in Paris, France after the French Revolution, and continues to attract millions of tourists from all over the world.
Although we may never find out the true identity of The Mona Lisa, Da Vinci was still an incredible artist and it isn’t hard to acknowledge that he is one of the most influential artists to ever live, continuing to inspire and encourage artists today all around the globe.
By Makayla Procter
The women's suffrage movement occurred in 1848 at a Seneca Falls convention yet girls and women everywhere are still fighting for their rights now in 2024. Women were not granted the right to vote until the 19th amendment was formed in 1919 which basically said that the government was not allowed to deny people the right to vote based on their sex. This still did not include women of color.
The beginning of the women's suffrage movement was 176 years ago and for decades women have continued to fight for their right to vote, work, speak, and live with the same rights that a man has. When women are not facing the band of laws wrapped around their bodies, they are facing humiliation and persecution just for the gender they were born as.
Growing up I have seen so many women silenced by the booming voices of others. Bosses, co workers, peers, friends, members of the same community, and even fathers go through life condensing women's egos to build their own.
As a child when a boy is mean to a little girl she is told that he has a crush on her and to just ignore it. That teaches young girls to accept the abuse that leaps from the hands of boys in order to keep the peace and not risk hurting the boys’ feelings. The girl is taught to sacrifice her morals to spare the boy's heart.
As girls grow they are taunted, touched, and tamed by the boys in their society and they are told that they should take it as a compliment because that means the boy thinks they are pretty. This leads to independent women being expected to seek the refuge and contentment of men that surround them like lions on the prowl for their next prey.
Women like Susan B. Anthony, or Malala Yousafazi have spent years fighting for their rights just to be at an equal standpoint with men just for society to deprive them of equal opportunities and treatment in today's world. Women who fought decades ago are still trying to conquer their rights that every man around them has. They have had to watch as the world continues to disregard the voices of women like a piece of trash that is to be thrown away.
The word feminism is feared in today's society because people assume it means the hatred of men. As women we do not need to hate to feel equal, we just need to be heard. Emma Watson stated at an international women's day Q & A “ Men think it’s a woman's word, but what it means is that you believe in equality, If you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist.” Feminism is not about women’s superiority to men but the equality that we desperately long for.
Women can’t even have equality in regards to how much they pay on a product. There is a phrase in society called the “Pink Tax”. According to the National Organization For Women “The pink tax, a theory that companies market products to women that are more expensive than nearly identical products targeted toward men, is a crucial example of gender and income inequality.”
The pink tax is just another economic example of the difference of treatment from women in society to men.
As a young girl in America, I should not have to see how women are viewed at a lower surpurity than men at every corner I take.
At a very young age girls began to hear whistles and shouts from across the road that are centered in their direction by men much older than them. They are told to ignore it and don’t antagonize them because it could be dangerous. Women put up with this torment to again keep the peace of the men around them.
So many women are silenced by the fear that the grasp of men will tighten around their necks that they stay quiet. According to RAINN The Criminal Justice System Statistics, only 310 out of 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police per year. Women fear to speak up for themselves because they will not be heard and even if their voice was heard across nations, few would actually take the time to listen.
Women are often told that if they speak on their assault it will ruin the man's life. So here we are again sacrificing our hearts for the protection of men and yet there is no one to protect us.
In Palestine, the Talibans have created a law in which women are not allowed to speak in public or hear each other pray. According to The Guardian, “New Taliban laws that prohibit women from speaking or showing their faces outside their homes have been condemned by the UN and met with horror by human rights groups.”
Women also must cover their entire body and faces in order to avoid invoking temptation in the men around them. Women hold a special bond within each other and now they are not even allowed to speak to each other without fear of prosecution.
Women are often viewed as beauty and no brains or just something pretty to look at like we are some kind of precious heirloom that people are told not to touch, but this only makes them want to violate us more.
On several occasions women have been asked “What were you wearing?” when speaking out about their assault. In society's opinion, it is on women to cover up and not antagonize or provoke men to do unlawful things to them. Yet it is rare that men are punished for what they have done.
A woman could scream for help with every last ounce of her breath and the only rush of acknowledgment is the blame that leaps from the tongues of society seeking for a way to blame her for the man's actions and justify his violation upon her body and mind.
At the most recent Golden Globes comedian Jo Koy states “ Barbie is based on a doll with big boobies.” When comparing the Barbie movie to Oppenheimer. Few people are able to grasp the dire and desperate sensation that the Barbie movie will invoke in young and older girls' hearts everywhere. The Barbie movie is about empowerment and equality and is instead seen as a new hot topic for boys to poke fun at and is seen as silly and meaningless to those who don’t suffer at the hands of men.
Women have been fighting for equality for decades and have never backed down no matter what prosecution they have faced. It is important as a society to have equality. Not just rights for women but fair treatment of both men and women. We should all be equal, not separated in superiority based on our genders.