The Whirlie Post is the Grimsley student newspaper, dedicated to providing relevant news and impactful stories for the Grimsley community. Current Headlines Discover what's happening at Grimsley! Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. Hea dlines Check out other articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here Fact or Fiction? The Whirlie Post wants to hear from you! What stories, rumors, or little-known facts about our school would you like us to investigate? For example, is someone really buried in the auditorium? Tell us what you'd like to know, and we'll try to find out the truth! Tell us the story here Well, I heard... Our Vision Dedicated to creating a community in conversation with itself at Grimsley High School Learn More Letters to the Editor We welcome your respectful thoughts and opinions about the issues and topics discussed in these articles. We may publish your letter in an upcoming publication. First Name Last Name Email Subject Leave us a message... Submit Thanks for submitting!

Current Headlines Discover what's happening at Grimsley! Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. Fact or Fiction? The Whirlie Post wants to hear from you! What stories, rumors, or little-known facts about our school would you like us to investigate? For example, is someone really buried in the auditorium? Tell us what you'd like to know, and we'll try to find out the truth! Tell us the story here Well, I heard... Previous Headlines Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Connecting with Community at Grimsley There are so many different opportunities outside of the classroom at Grimsley High School. Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. Brooks Buddies Club Reborn Under Grimsley Student Club provides high schoolers with opportunities to work with Brooks Global students and teachers. Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. Ace the Second Semester: Study Tips for Success How to finish this school year off strong Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsely’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. Meet Nurse Stockton Keria Stockon is not just Grimsley’s school nurse, but a public health professional. Stress : How Does It Affect You Physically? Learn how stress affects your physical health, and ways to combat it. Renovations of Grimsley To Begin This Summer Bathrooms in Main, Vocational, and Old Science will be renovated. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter Opinion: Renovation Revolution We believe upgrades could transform Grimsley High School Cher Ami Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. From Purple Whirlwinds to Navy Whirlies: The History of GHS Even before being named Grimsley, GHS has long been one of the premier high schools in North Carolina. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Ostrander Jessie Ostrander knows that math isn’t for everyone, and she’s ok with that. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Brockett Jennifer Brockett, a new art teacher, loves the diversity at Grimsley. Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both.

Previous Headlines: 2024-2025 Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Connecting with Community at Grimsley There are so many different opportunities outside of the classroom at Grimsley High School. Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. Brooks Buddies Club Reborn Under Grimsley Student Club provides high schoolers with opportunities to work with Brooks Global students and teachers. Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. Ace the Second Semester: Study Tips for Success How to finish this school year off strong Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsely’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. Meet Nurse Stockton Keria Stockon is not just Grimsley’s school nurse, but a public health professional. Stress : How Does It Affect You Physically? Learn how stress affects your physical health, and ways to combat it. Renovations of Grimsley To Begin This Summer Bathrooms in Main, Vocational, and Old Science will be renovated. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter Opinion: Renovation Revolution We believe upgrades could transform Grimsley High School Cher Ami Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. From Purple Whirlwinds to Navy Whirlies: The History of GHS Even before being named Grimsley, GHS has long been one of the premier high schools in North Carolina. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Ostrander Jessie Ostrander knows that math isn’t for everyone, and she’s ok with that. Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Brockett Jennifer Brockett, a new art teacher, loves the diversity at Grimsley. Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both. Check Out Current Articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here

Previous Headlines: 2023-2024 Catch up on what you might have missed at Grimsley! Beloved Teacher Makes Musical Magic at Grimsley Marshall “MJ” Johnson celebrates his 20th anniversary leading vocal music at Grimsley. Grimsley Bathrooms to Be Renovated This Summer. Indoor cosmetic renovations, as well as bathrooms and AC will be addressed during summer renovations. Ramadan: My Perspective as a Grimsley Student What does this holy month mean to Muslims and what is the purpose of fasting? Film By Grimsley Student Wins State Competition Golden Dawn director and Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter aspires to be a successful filmmaker. Donuts: A Perspective A look at producer J Dilla and his unmatched legacy. Athlete Spotlight: Drew Mascia This Grimsley runner is not only an outstanding athlete, but also a hard worker! Giving Back to Grimsley Grimsley Goods finds ways to create a better Grimsley. Student Council Brings Back T.W.I.R.P. Dance Despite challenges, the Student Council hopes the dance will become a spring staple. Three Grimsley Poets Voted Finalists Poems by Nasir Crawford, Rainey Thompson, and Zai’ere Watson were selected in the GCS poetry competition. A Tribute to Molly Rotunda The Grimsley community mourns the loss of a beloved alumna. Objection Your Honor! Grimsley's Mock Trial Club prepares students for the future. Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Potts and Ms. Williams Meet two first-year teachers at Grimsley! Anxiety Is Real I struggle with anxiety in high school. Do you? “Overwhelmed” Grimsley Senior Charlotte Williams overcomes her anxiety. The Whirlie Cafe Exceptional students serve up coffee and gain valuable experience. Seminar Class Cooks Up A Storm GHS Seminar Class finds its sweet spot with a weekly baking competition. Swann Middle to Be Shut Down, Renovated Major changes to Swann Middle School bring mixed reactions from students and teachers. Athlete Spotlight Swimmer Ellie Hunt speeds her way through the water to a successful season. Catch the Beat: Praises for Legendary Chillhop Artists Nujabes and Shing02 engineer the chill sounds of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. Whirlie Trends Make Friends and Fun Fads in music and school essentials fuel self-expression, giving students a place to belong. What Happened to the School Newspaper? Join us as we dive into the history of the High Life. Check Out Current Articles from The Whirlie Post Read Here

Mental health or Work: Do you have to choose? Time management can help you have a healthy balance of both. By Vishruth Bhargava December 17, 2024 High school is tough, and many students find themselves stressing and sacrificing their mental health in the name of good grades. In fact, some students report that when they feel overworked and decide to take it easy on the schoolwork and studying, their grade starts to drop, which makes them stress even more. All this seems to be a vicious cycle, so what can stop it? Time is key to a better balance. One student says that because of the amount of time they spend on school work and studying, they are unable to really pursue hobbies and interests that make them happy, thus ruining their mood. Because of this common occurrence, time management is one way to improve your mental health while still getting your work done, and there are some methods to manage your time well that I find work well. Set a to-do list to picture how much you have to do for the day and how long you have to finish it. I recently started to use this method and it has worked wonders for me, especially if you are one to overestimate how much work you have. Limit distraction during work. Excessive distractions during work are usually not mentally rewarding and they just extend the amount of time you need to get work done. If working time extends then the amount of downtime you have shrinks, therefore diminishing your mood and mental health. I did this a lot and found myself with little time to do the things I wanted, until I realized that my phone was a big issue to my productivity. Try not to procrastinate. Procrastination is a big problem with me and, reportedly, with many of my peers. Procrastination is logically redundant because you have to do that work eventually anyway, so why wait? The human brain prioritizes happiness now over more lasting happiness later, according to Solvingprocrastination.com. This is why many people, including myself, procrastinate a lot. Despite this human nature, I recently cut back on procrastination due to something I realized that was dragging my mood. When a person procrastinates, the fun they have in the moment is ruined by the looming feeling that they have work to do, and they feel bad the whole day, but if they do work first and then play, they feel accomplishment after finishing their work, and they can enjoy their hobbies without that looming feeling of unfinished work dragging them down. Increasing productivity when working is an important part of having more downtime, but what you do with downtime is equally as important to maximizing your mental state and your mood. Stressful activities and dangerous activities can lower your mental state even further which is why it is important to choose activities that are soothing, fun, or exciting. Some things that Psychology Today recommends that can calm you down are: Taking a hot bath or shower Painting or coloring Listening to your favorite song Play a game you enjoy like Monopoly or UNO Or doing any other things that bring you joy Like all things in life, balance is key when dealing with improving your mental health. Finding the right balance for yourself can be the difference between a happy high school experience and burnout, so find a balance to maximize academic success and the happiness in your everyday life. Please speak to your counselor if you have any more issues with your mental health or if you have any more questions. Continue reading "Overwhelmed": Grimsley Senior Charlotte Williams overcomes her anxiety.

Team Captain Alaya Mesa (#4) has learned a lot from playing flag football. Photo curtesy of Alaya Mesa. Whirlie Girls Go To Flag Football State Playoffs In its second year, the girls flag football team continues Grimsley’s athletic excellence. By Juliet Fisher January 23, 2026 Grimsley had two football teams in the running for a state championship this year. There was a boys' varsity football team that won the state championship. And in only its second year, the Grimsley girls' flag football team made it to the state playoffs. The Whirlie flag football team finished the fall 2025 regular season with a 10-2 record after shutting out seven opponents, including Page and Northwest, and winning the conference. Grimsley only started a flag football team in the fall of 2024 as part of a larger initiative by Guilford County Schools to offer a more inclusive and safer alternative to football. This is the first year flag football had a state championship in North Carolina, and the team was excited to participate. They defeated Enloe in the first playoff round before falling to Southern Durham in the second round in late November. Coach Mike Kennedy has been coaching the team for both years. “I love coaching these girls,” he said. “They have so much courage, trying a new sport. Many of them didn't know anything about flag football before this team.” Flag football is the fastest-growing American sport. According to NFL Operations, the number of girls ages 8-17 playing flag football increased by 63% between 2019 and 2023. Flag football gained major recognition when it was added to the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. Last fall, the Grimsley team practiced every Monday through Thursday for 1 ½ hours. A typical practice began with some stretching. After stretching, the team came together to review some defensive and offensive techniques. At the end of practice, the team faced each other in a scrimmage. One of this year's team captains is Grimsley senior Alaya Mesa. This is Mesa's second year on the flag football team. Flag football has impacted her life in ways she never expected. “Being a team captain teaches you patience and helps you learn how to take accountability,” Mesa said. “Being a captain teaches you to lead with your heart and helps you become a better person.” Mesa leads with the same discipline, focus, and strategy she carries from her athletic ability. “As a captain, I really look forward to the team's energy,” she said. “It makes it easy to appreciate and connect with the team because their energy is so contagious and uplifting.” Grimsley junior Stella Lanier returned for a second year on the team. “My friends and I wanted to try it last year when it first started,” Lanier said. “I fell in love with the sport.” Lanier also plays soccer. “Playing soccer, there is a lot more pressure. Because flag football is such a new sport, we are all still learning together. It's fun.” “I am so proud of my team,” Coach Mike said. “I always remind them to play together as a unit. It takes everyone on the team to win.” Lanier reports the same. “Coming together as not only a team, but as a family and working together is one of the most important things I will take away from this team.”

Ms. Kelly Phillips in one of her classrooms. Photo by Briella Buterbaugh Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Phillips Despite not having a permanent classroom, Kelly Phillips has settled into life as a Grimsley teacher. By Briella Buterbaugh January 23, 2026 We give a warm welcome to many new teachers this year, one of whom is Ms. Kelly Phillips. Ms. Phillips teaches Honors Biology and Earth and Environmental Science. Her favorite thing to teach about is cells, saying “...all the things it can do are interesting.” Even though she teaches in the New Science building, it may be challenging to find her around the building. Ms. Phillips does not have a classroom, and spends her days moving around to different teachers' classrooms. “It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but now that I’ve kind of got into the rhythm and know what to expect, just like anything, it's gotten better,” Ms. Phillips said. Originally Ms. Phillips had no intention of being in the education field. She was offered a teaching job after graduating college and took it, starting at Alan J. Middle teaching Social Studies and Science. In addition to her teaching certification, Ms. Phillips has an early childhood development and psychology degree, as well as an academically gifted certification. “I like learning,” Ms. Phillips said, “and I feel like I keep pushing myself to learn new things.” She’s made a great impact on her students this year. Lily Wildman, a biology honors student, said, “I look forward to Ms. Phillips' class every day, she is truly one of the most kind, fun, and patient teachers I have ever had.” Ms. Phillips gives good tips and advice to students. “Don’t be afraid to take chances, don’t be afraid to make a mistake, and know that’s how we learn. Don’t put pressure on yourselves and understand we do encounter those problems; it's what prepares us for future situations.”

Grimsley High welcomes passionate first-year teachers Sarah Potts and Alecia Williams, who bonded with students over shared first-day nerves. With non-traditional paths to teaching, they're committed to inspiring young minds. Grimsley Math Teacher Ms. Sarah Potts, Photo by Jake Acosta and Kevin Massey Ms. Alicia Willliams, a social studies teacher at Grimsley Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Potts and Ms. Williams Meet two first-year teachers at Grimsley! By Mila Pucilowski Feb 29, 2024 The first day of school brings a whole new environment with new people and new expectations. This can generate feelings of excitement and nervousness, or a combination of both. Those feelings aren’t restricted to students. Ms. Sarah Potts and Ms. Alicia Williams are two first-year teachers at Grimsley high school. “It felt like being the new kid at a new school, but after the first week everything started to fall into place,” said Sarah Potts, a first-year math teacher at Grimsley. For Ms. Potts, it's not only her first year teaching at Grimsley, but her first year teaching at all. She has a degree in accounting and project managing. Before she began teaching she led a very eventful life, serving twelve years in the military as well as working at Honda Jet, Volvo and Mack Trucks. Ms. Potts has always loved math, so after her work in the military, she decided teaching math would be perfect. The best part for her is getting the students involved in math. “For her first year, she's doing an amazing job connecting with her students,” said Freshman Kennedy Goree. Ms. Williams also didn't plan to go into teaching. She originally went to school at UNCG for a degree in history. Then, she was offered a scholarship to join the Teacher Education Fellows, which required her to add education to her history major. “I always felt taken care of by my teachers,” Ms. Williams said.”So I wanted to be there for my students like my teachers were there for me.” She decided to take the scholarship and join the program. Throughout the program she was able to study abroad in Botswana, Africa. After finishing the program, she graduated UNCG with a History and Education degree. Ms. Williams went on to teach black history at Page High School for four years. But on her first day at Grimsley, she also experienced first day nerves. That morning, Ms. Williams decided she would stop at the welcome seminar for the freshman. While she was there, Principal O'Donnell talked about what to expect being new to the school, assuring them there was no need to worry. Soon, her nerves started to fade away. “Ms. Williams has always been there to help me achieve my academic goals,” said freshman Redas Wigyealla. Grimsley is fortunate to have first-year teachers like Ms. Potts and Ms. Williams who relate so well to their students, transforming first-day nerves into academic excellence.

After a decade without a student newspaper, Grimsley High School revives a nearly 100-year legacy with The Whirlie Post. Beyond reporting news and issues, the Post aspires to embody the spirit and diverse voices of Grimsley's student community - building connections and sparking change. A Vision For the Whirlie Post Creating a community in conversation with itself at Grimsley High School. By Ashley Crowell As you drive to school one morning, the first nine houses you pass look quiet and peaceful. Then, you come to the tenth house. It’s on fire, and there are police cars and fire trucks parked outside. Which house would you be curious about, one of the normal, peaceful homes, or the house that is on fire? For many people, that’s all news is—a place to learn about the exceptions to normal life, the house that’s on fire. And while that is an essential function of a newspaper, our dream is for The Whirlie Post to be so much more than news. The Whirlie Post can be a place to build community with fellow students, to learn about the different types of people who make up the rich, diverse tapestry of Grimsley High School. The Post can be a place where your opinions are voiced, creating a spark of change in our community. The student paper is also a place where we can celebrate our strengths as a community and work together to overcome our weaknesses. For nearly 100 years, Grimsley High School’s previous student newspaper, the High Life , fulfilled this noble purpose by chronicling the highs and lows of our historic school. From triumphant sports victories to issues important for students, the High Life was the voice of Grimsley Students. However in 2013, the High Life ceased to exist, present only in dusty editions stuffed away in the corner of the media center. A hundred years of history, forgotten, but not lost. The High Life was published from 1920-2013, and included important school events, sports, local news stories, and important issues for students. The paper featured articles about dress code for girls in the 1950s, Vietnam War protests in the 1960s and drug use in the 1970s. Looking back through those musty pages, one sees snapshots of history, watches wars come and go, clothes change from buttoned-up blouses to bell-bottoms to Bermuda shorts, and witnesses as Grimsley itself grows and changes throughout the years. Yet one thing remained constant; the newspaper continued to embody the spirit and voice of the students of Grimsley. The Whirlie Post aspires to become the spirit and voice of the next generation of Grimsley students, and to document the highs and lows of a high school community in conversation with itself. We are grateful for the legacy of the High Life and look forward to building on it to create a better community at Grimsley—and bring you news, too! Meet the Current Staff Ashley Crowell, class of '26, Editor, Website Manager and Staff Writer Jake Acosta, class of '26, Photographer and Staff Writer Georgette Beaumont, class of '27, Staff Writer Vishruth Bhargava, class of '26, Staff Writer Lincoln Casey, class of '26, Staff Writer and Website Manager Aissatou Coly, class of '26, Staff Writer Andrew Crowell, class of '26, Copy Editor Juliet Fisher, class of '27, Staff Writer Kennedy Goree, class of '27, Staff Writer Collin Hicks, class of '26, Staff Writer Kevin Massey, class of '26, Photographer Heather Monge-Ceciliano, class of '26, Staff Writer Sarah "Sally" Nagappan, class of '27, Staff Writer Chance Phillips, class of '26, Social Media Manager and Website Manager Mila Pucilowski, class of '27, Staff Writer Ava Lani Schmutzer, class of '26, Staff Writer Savannah Singleton, class of '26, Social Media Manager Heidi White, class of '26, Staff Writer and Illustrator Evan Post, Teacher Advisor Dimon Kendrick-Holmes, Exec. Editor News & Record, Community Advisor Linn Crowell, Parent Advisor For a complete list of past staff, click here

Grimsley mourns the loss of Molly Rotunda, a remarkable 2022 graduate whose vibrant spirit touched all she met. From choir to swim team, Molly encouraged inclusion and positivity at Grimsley, letting her light shine. Her community will honor her legacy of boundless joy and kindness to others. Photo from Biographie.filmi.com A Tribute to Molly Rotunda The Grimsley Community mourns the loss of a beloved alumna. By Kennedy Goree Feb. 29, 2024 Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Rotunda, class of 2022, is a Whirlie to remember. She made a huge impact on every community she was a part of, including Grimsley High School. Early Sunday morning on January 21, 2024, Molly passed away in a fatal car accident. She was 20 years old. Those who knew Molly remember her as a fantastic singer, athlete, and friend. At Grimsley she embodied inclusivity and positivity, leaving a legacy that should be honored. Molly was very active at her church, Christ United Methodist (CUMC), creating a space for her to foster meaningful relationships. “From Molly, I learned the value of jumping into opportunities with exuberance and joy,” said Pastor Katey Galyon, the youth pastor at CUMC. “Molly embraced every Sunday School class, Youth Group retreat, mission opportunity, and more with excitement. She let her light shine so brightly that others wanted to join her in whatever activity she was doing.” Through letting her light shine at church, she was also able to let her light shine at Grimsley. Molly loved to sing, she was very active in the choir and musical productions at her church and became a Madrigal at Grimsley. Whether she was singing at church or school, she always helped those around her to see the good in life, and how to share that happiness through singing. “Her positive mindset was an impenetrable defense against life's challenges.” said Marshall “MJ” Johnson, head of the Vocal Music department. “It really helped having her around every day to remind us of the good.” Molly was a lifeguard and swim coach at Green Valley, and in her senior year, Molly joined the Grimsley varsity swim team. Even as a senior, Molly was still not nervous to try something new. “I'm so glad that she chose to swim her senior year so that the team had that time to interact with her,” said Coach Susan Skipper, the swim coach at Grimsley. “She set a very positive example for everyone on the team with her indefatigable happy spirit.” Molly is remembered by her family and friends as being good at loving others. She made sure others felt included and like they mattered. Emily Phillips, a senior at GHS, said she and Molly grew up together at CUMC. “Molly never knew a stranger,” Phillips said. “She always positively impacted others around her and embodied Susan Norman Vickers’ [a former CUMC pastor] saying ‘Make a friend, be a friend.’ Molly encouraged togetherness and never left a soul untouched.” Out of the many communities Molly impacted throughout her life, Grimsley is so lucky to have been one of them. Molly continues to spread her light to others. “Molly was such a big bright light,” Phillips said. “She always had a smile on her face, always in a good mood, and always including everyone around her. I want to be like Molly when I grow up. I want to be able to make people smile, I want to make everyone feel included, I want my good mood to be contagious. … She spread joy. She spread happiness.”

Connecting with Community at Grimsley There are so many different opportunities outside of the classroom at Grimsley High School. By Kennedy Goree March 14, 2025 The best advice for making friends in high school might go like this: Find something to become connected to, whether it’s a sport or club, singing or dance team, that you enjoy doing and will lead you to people who will be some of your best friends. With nearly 2,000 students, the many ways you can connect with your school community is an important and essential part of Grimsley’s culture. Junior Antony Pena joined JROTC and the cross country team at Grimsley his freshman year. By getting out of his comfort zone, Antony has been able to make the most of his time at Grimsley. “My freshman year I started going to football games, and since I got involvedI in JROTC, we would clean up the stadiums the Saturday after the game,” Pena said. “Overall, the different experiences and friends I've made freshman year are what made the rest of my time here until now amazing. So don’t be afraid to try new things! Do a sport, join a club, whatever. It really does make all the difference with your experience here.” Another great opportunity to get involved in campus life is the Club Expo at the beginning of the school year. Different clubs set up tables near five points as a way to connect with new members. “I got connected at Grimsley through the club expo, and hearing my friends talk about the different clubs,” Sophomore Katia Lopez-Giron said. Lopez-Giron is involved in clubs such as DECA, (Distributive Education Clubs of America), and L’amities International, a pen pal club with students from France! “Getting involved has made me learn so many different skills and ways of thinking that have shaped me into who I am today,” she said. Alumna Andi Liegh Waldrop is a senior at Appalachian State University and took full advantage of the opportunities at Grimsley. She was a student ambassador, helped with the food pantry and sang with the Madrigals. “Getting involved shaped my high school experience because it gave me a feeling of belonging and purpose and allowed me to meet new people,” she said. “I gained skills such as leadership, time management, and communication, which has served me well throughout my college experience.” Grimsley alumna Emily Phillips put herself out there as a freshman and made a built-in group of friends through the volleyball program. “I found myself through my sport and friends groups so I knew what I wanted when choosing my college,” said Phillips, now a freshman at Averett College. These are only a few examples of how finding connections at Grimsley can improve your high school experience. Asking friends and neighbors about their experiences at Grimsley can be a rewarding experience and show just how much spirit and love Grimsley provides. Future Whirlie Roland Goree is an 8th grader at a small middle school. Goree is looking forward to meeting new people and having new experiences that will shape his high school career. “I can’t wait to attend football games,” he said, “and get involved in clubs that interest me.” Check out some of our articles about the different clubs and activities at Grimsley: Cher Ami : Club L'Amitié Internationale at Grimsley is building international relationships through pen pal letters. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Objection Your Honor! Grimsley's Mock Trial Club prepares students for the future. Giving Back to Grimsley : Grimsley Goods finds ways to create a better Grimsley.

Earlier this year stairways at Grimsley were redone, with more renovations coming soon. Photo by Kevin Massey Grimsley Bathrooms To Be Renovated This Summer Indoor cosmetic renovations, as well as bathrooms and AC will be addressed during summer renovations. By Ava Lani Schmutzer April 4, 2024 Long overdue and extremely welcome renovations will happen this summer at Grimsley High School. Though the school is No. 30 on the list of Guilford County schools to be fixed up, Grimsley is getting a headstart, with surface-level renovations beginning this year. The county finally will revamp bathrooms in the Main, Old Science, and Vocational buildings! Crumbling walls also will receive attention, and there are plans to fix the air conditioning in classrooms with AC units under the windows. Two years ago, Guilford County Commissioners toured Grimsley with the intent of finding out what needed to be done. The result? Commissioners deemed Grimsley the worst school they had seen, according to a Fox8 News report. “When you pass by this road, and you see this magnificent campus, you think everything is great, but until you go inside, then you will be amazingly disappointed,” said County Chairman Skip Alston. Grimsley was determined a top priority, but there had been no update on renovation progress until now. In 2020 and 2022, Guilford County voters approved bonds totaling $2 billion to build new schools and renovate or replace many schools in the county. Next door, Kiser Middle School is already receiving the benefits of these bonds, being completely rebuilt on both Grimsley and Kiser land. Grimsley’s full renovation is expected to cost around $50 million, but the school is getting a head start as of this summer. These plans have high standards to fulfill for students and teachers alike. Sylvia DiRosa-Taylor, a freshman, has come up with many more ideas for Grimsley renovation in her short time here, including a deep clean, new fans, windows, and doors, as well as menu refurbishing. ‘‘Having a clean and renovated environment, including the bathrooms and classrooms, will help foster a greater attention to learning and a better environment,” she said. “This is nicer for the students, the teachers, and everyone involved.” “I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s long overdue,” said Mrs. Requel Howard, a Spanish teacher. “I just hope that…Guilford County Schools provides the resources to maintain the new stuff over the course of time, because it’s fine to put in new stuff, but if you don’t keep it up and clean it and maintain it…it doesn’t do any good if you’re just going to neglect it.” Other teachers echo this sentiment, including Mrs. Lisa Mortenson, a social studies teacher. “We are going to keep using old buildings, which is wonderful for historic tradition, but we have to put in money to maintain them,” she said. “They’ve added electricity, they’ve added internet stuff - they should be able to maintain plumbing.”