We are off to a great start to our school year. There are so many great things happening
all around us, thanks to the best students and staff on the planet!!
Congratulations, Journalism, on this new website; it looks FANTASTIC! I appreciate
your hard work!!
-Mrs. Absher
Kai Cicatello, Freshman
I am Kai Cicatello, a freshman, at Brunswick Early College High School, I am an editor and writer for The Firebird Times. I have always liked to write ever since I was a child. I would read and write things out.
As a student I am pretty average. I do not have necessarily exceptional grades but enough where I can pass. I spend my time doing some of his favorite hobbies; singing, reading, and talking with friends.
I am usually around my mother or my best friend Michael Ford. These people have influenced my life greatly, my mom taught me valuable life lessons and Michael has taught me that even though I might be dorky people will still value me for who I am.
I love my family and have always been very family oriented my whole life. My two younger sisters mean the world to me and I love having them as my younger sisters. I usually spend my dad’s weekends hanging out with them either going to our favorite spot, (which is a bridge over a pond) or just doing silly Tik Toks. I hope to one day have children of my own and be a good role model and father for them.
Spring is my birth season. I was born on May 8th regardless of the gorgeous flowers and peaceful rain. Spring will always be my favorite since I love nature so terribly much. I was raised all around the grass and trees so I am no stranger to the wonderful, wild outdoors.
The opportunity I get to have when writing for The Firebird Times is one of which I am really happy and grateful to have. It gives me a place to have a voice and to write with emotion and sincerity. Being a writer is more than just putting words down on a paper, it is about the experience and lessons you get taught along the way of figuring out a story.
I really do feel honored to be able to get this opportunity to write and to share it with so many others with the same passion. Journalism is not just a club or class, it is a community.
Amber Reis, Junior
When it comes to Journalism, I see myself as an editor. Now that this is the second time I have been in this class, I have more experience than I used to which allows me to have a better point of view.
I also like this because I can have more access to each of the stories that are submitted. I love seeing everyone’s different writing styles, and seeing what stories they have to tell.
My family consists of three other siblings, of which I am the youngest, but I was raised as an only child. As a result, I became more independent and tend to be very introverted.
Because of this I’m not a very big people person, instead I’ve become more attached to animals, especially dogs.
I prefer activities like reading, spending time with my dogs and doing pour art. Reading is by far my favorite activity because it allows me to get away from any stress or complicated things that are happening.
Another outlet I have is through music, mostly country. Artists like Morgan Wallen, Dylan Scott and Hardy are my top favorites.
Another one of my favorite things is the evening. Seeing a sunset is often very calming for me because everything becomes more muted.
As for my favorite time of year, that would be fall. Fall brings out perfect temperatures, simple reds and oranges instead of everything being green.
It also brings out some of my favorite foods and scents like pumpkin spice and apple pie.
While I’ve never been outside of the country, I have gone to many states throughout the U.S. including, New York, California, and Illinois, as well as passing through a few to get there.
However, I have always wanted to go to, or live in one of two places. Mexico and Texas.
In my opinion, Mexico has a very unique culture, one of which I want to explore and become involved with. Texas on the other hand has always been simple, secluded, and simply set in tradition.
L. Ford, Freshman
I take a journalism class at Brunswick County Early College High School and for a majority of the time I write stories. It is a fun class to take and it helps me get my creative thoughts out on paper and get other people’s opinions on them. Now a little about myself.
As the oldest child out of three other siblings I feel entitled to power according to Google. I am not sure if that is true or not but that is up to other people's depiction. I love my brothers very much but they are the most annoying creatures on the planet.
One of my favorite times of the year is winter. I would rather take the colder crisp air rather than the humid warm kind. The holidays also take place at this time which I thoroughly enjoy because I get to hang out with family and give back to them. I also do not go to school.
When I am not doing school I tend to just do normal teenage activities like play games and go to Walmart for fun because that is the best thing you can do in North Carolina.
My favorite celebrities are Margot Robbie and Timothee Chalamet. I love Margot because she plays some of my favorite characters in movies and she is one of the most stunning women I have ever seen. For Timothee Chalamet, he just looked good in Wonka.
I have not been out of North Carolina much, as I grew up here. However, I do go to Florida every year to go see my mom’s friend and it is one of my favorite things to do. The most interesting place I have been is Mexico. I do not remember doing much there but it was pretty cool.
Enough about my personal life, I am excited to progress through my journalism class and develop my writing and critical thinking skills. As well as building relationships with my peers and getting out of my comfort zone when talking to others.
Ma'Kenzy Frink
I am Ma’Kenzy a Freshman at Brunswick County Early College High School, and a writer for the Firebird Times. I enjoy uncovering exciting stories and reimagining them in ways everyone can connect and understand.
I really like being creative and getting to know people with different personalities and backgrounds.
I got 2nd place in a county art contest for a pastel drawing inspired by Georgia O'Keefe, one of my favorite artist. She is a well-known and respected artist for her depictions of floral art. I would really like to create more art that represents our school, and collaborate with people to make them.
I mostly hang out with my best friends Amelia, Genevieve, and Kai at school. The three of us value and want the best for each other. So they are part of the reason why I actually want to stay at early college.
Outside of school my personality shines through the most at night. This is when I can be the most creative and intuitive for trying out new things with makeup or something as simple as creating more art for my room.
Since I have a love for the art of music and dance, I am a member of the Dance Club. I also enjoy just listening to music and making my own routines in my free time. This passion makes me want to review things and see what other people think through interviews.
Being part of journalism has helped me grow as a person and branch out more. We are like a little family that is always ready to help each other reach our full potential whether it’s improving my writing skills or being more social. I can’t wait to see what we create this semester.
Max Elliott, Freshman
As news and events are continuously being made, do students really know what’s occurring? Well, I’m Max Elliott and as a member of Journalism, I plan to make this happen.
I’m a Freshman here at Early College. I come from a family with eight children with an age range from 8-19, (me being the middle child, tied with my brother, Aspen at 12). At home, I spend most of my time listening to any type of music except rap, and metal, as well as watching gaming videos on YouTube or just binge-watching Attack on Titan. A few things I’m good at doing are writing, digital art, and keeping calm in heated situations.
I enjoy the evening and nighttime the best since it’s dark, and there isn’t much arguing around the house, due to all the siblings. I also enjoy spring and fall since the temperature isn’t too hot or cold.
My favorite people to be around are my parents and my grandparents (on both sides of my family). My parents influence me the majority of the time, and I’m glad that they are there to help.
I go out during the day to some of the places around North Carolina sometimes. Some of the places I have been to include Raleigh, Rockingham, Myrtle Beach, Goldsboro, Beaufort, and Wilmington. I plan to go to the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park this summer and hike on some of the trails with my grandpa and my brothers.
After coming to BCECHS, I have become more social with people, and more confident about myself. I love Journalism because I have the ability to express myself through writing. I want to be involved in school media because I want people to know about the things that are going on in school, and I wanna hear them talking about the things that I wrote. Hearing them talk makes me committed to continuing to do these things.
Braydon Sessa, Freshman
My name is Braydon Sessa and I am a freshman at Brunswick Early College High School.
There are so many cool, unique, and different things about me but in my opinion, the most important thing is what I want to be when I get older.
I would like to go to college at Appalachian State and major in business/ financing because when I get older because I would like to own a designer clothing store that sells good quality clothing and shoes. I chose this kind of business because it seems like there is much money in that line of work and I want to be rich to be able to provide for my family and make them happy.
Another important thing to me is music. I love Eminem and Bruno Mars. I feel that their music really resonates with me and just sounds good overall. My favorite Eminem song would be “So Much Better” Which was released in 2013 as a part of his album “The Marshall Mathers LP2”. My favorite Bruno Mars song is “Talking to the Moon” released in 2010 in his album titled “Doo-wops and Hooligans” This song just sounds really nice and thats why I love it.
Friends and loyalty are very important to me. My favorite people ever are my friends who stand by me no matter what. I don't hate anyone and I try to be cool with everybody I meet.
Someone who influences me would be my Mom. She makes me strive to become a better person and she is alway there for me whenever I need her. However, my body language and vocabulary is influenced by who I hangout with. The longer I hangout with someone the more I adapt to their way of talking and acting. It is a really weird trait in my opinion.
Overall, I strive to be a very unique and social person and I am glad that I can share some facts about myself 🙂.
Ava Holt, Freshman
My name is Ava and I’m a freshman in our wonderful wonderful school :)
I have 2 cats who I love love love love with all my heart! Their names are Whiskers and Juno. I’ve had whiskers for almost 6 years, and Juno for less than one.
I want to be in charge of an advice or gossip column one day because that seems super duper fun. I actually joined this class for some super duper fun!
Some of my hobbies include talking, thinking, and writing-- all because I love having thoughts. Verbalizing them is pretty cool too if you know what I mean. I know you can, since we’re on such a similar wavelength, huh?
Some fun facts about me are that I hate Kansas, grew a radish once, and can’t whistle. The last fun fact actually made me kinda upset once since I was trying super hard to whistle and then just came to the conclusion it wasn’t real.
I also met a donkey once. He lives on my grandpa’s farm in the mountains. It was a pretty cool donkey, but I unfortunately don’t like donkeys either so there was only so much bonding that could be done.
Despite my innate skill and passion for journalism I don't actually wanna be a journalist in the future. I wanna be something that has to deal with astronomy. Astronomy and journalism are totally related though, so don’t worry too much.
And that’s my staff bio. I don’t know you but you know me, a comforting thought that lulls me to sleep each and every night.
Sleep peacefully, have fun, and live it up tigers.
Violet Azimi, Freshman
As a person who has a lot to say, journalism is an amazing outlet to express myself.
Hi, I am Violet Azimi and I am in the Spring 2024 Journalism Honors class. If you know me, I talk a lot, I have a lot to say about a lot of things. If we are talking about a subject I'm particularly interested in, I can go on and on.
Teachers would most likely describe me as “chatty” or “social” but at the end of the day I always get my academics done.
I am the eldest child of three, so I have always felt I have been more of an independent person. My dad passed away when I was 8 years old so that really took a toll on me and changed me as a person. I was in a dark place but I found myself through music and writing.
That experience made me who I am today. I love music and now I am interested in pursuing writing as a full time career.
My mom has always been a big role model for me, she is a writer and has just published a book. I look up to her in every way possible. I take my love of writing from her, as well as my range of knowledge on different topics.
My dad was the musician of the family, as well as working as a teacher. For a while I thought I would want to be a teacher. I love sharing knowledge and teaching others about things that I am passionate about and enjoy. I have found I can still pursue similar things, through writing and journalism. As for the musical aspect, I can express myself through playing guitar! This can go hand in hand to writing, as I write my own songs.
I am originally from New York, where i was born and raised, we moved to North
Carolina in 2021, and so far I've enjoyed it here. At first it was difficult to adjust to life
down here, especially with no friends. But i’ve found my people, i have found the beauty
in the south, coming from the city.
I am very excited to share my thoughts and opinions on various topics. I appreciate having an outlet where others will be able to hear me.
Jordyn Semidey, Freshman
Do many people really know me? Many people just know my name and nothing else, but that's going to change. Hi, my name is Jordyn Semidey. I am a middle child out of all 4 of my siblings. Their names are Jasmine, Justice, and Jonathan.
All are names start with a J which confuses a lot of people. When I am not in school or not hanging out with my siblings I like to take naps. Napping is my favorite thing to do. I also like to skateboard around my neighborhood.
My top favorite people in the world are my best friends Brie, Langston, Cynthia, and Allyson. These people have been my day ones and I love them so much. Speaking of my favorite people, my favorite celebrity is Billie Eilish. I love her music a lot. Her music has got me through my highs and lows.
One thing I would say that I am good at is skateboarding. I am pretty good at that. I don’t know any tricks yet but I will get there one day. Speaking of getting there one day, if I have always wanted to go to Italy or anywhere in the European continent. It's really beautiful over there and I always wanted to go.
Something that I accomplished is getting into this school. Many people told me that it was extremely hard to get into but I did it and I am so proud of myself. One reason I wanted to come to this school and join Journalism is because I want to write better. I am not the greatest at writing but I hope to get better at it.
That's me summed up in a few paragraphs. Hope you learned something new about me and how interesting I am.
Olive Price
As a fellow Student with a willingness to help and a life full of undone mistakes, I am here to stay and earn my right to be in this class. I strive to be an editor but in all honesty, I will do anything that feels right.
With getting into this school a year ago I never would have thought that I would be in a journalism class helping work on my school's digital newspaper. Actually I thought I would be in ISS for some reason. To everyone's surprise I have never been to ISS (yet).
But the real reason I joined this class was so I could learn to write better. I feel that this would help me in the future with further reading courses I take as well as getting my voice out.
I feel like in the world we are in now, its hardest to get my voice out to people who would actually listen. I feel like this class gives us an outlet to creativity and a voice.
My favorite time of day would be the night. This is because it is really pretty and I think that this time of day (usually) is when people are the calmest and it makes everything over all better.
The night time is when I am the most productive, opposite of when I am at school. I think this is because my attention span is very small but when I'm at home I need an excuse to be in my room so instead of being unproductive on my phone.
Laura Askue, Advisor
I am the advisor of the Firebird Times, and one of four English teachers here at the Early College. This year is my 14th at this school and my 24th in education. I have an undergraduate degree from UNCC in English and Communication Studies and a Master of Science degree from Longwood University in Literacy and Culture. I received National Board Certification in English Language Arts/ Adolescence and Young Adulthood.
I have become an empty nester this year- it is just my fiancé and me at home. I have two daughters who graduated from ECHS- one is at Appalachian State University now working to become an English teacher herself, and the other is planning to attend there in the spring with aspirations of becoming an editor. The Firebird Times is the sixth newspaper I have worked with in my life, after my own high school newspaper and several other community publications, including The Teen Scene, which is where our journalism program started. I am so excited to see this one finally come to fruition to give the students a voice.
This website represents our school’s first venture with our own student focused publication. The students have conceptualized, researched, written, rewritten, and designed this website from the beginning with the help and support of the awesome professionals in our school community, as well as with the help from alumni who funded our podcast equipment through a Donor’s Choose project. I am so excited to see where we will go from here!
