Ms. Jennifer Brockett is a new art teacher at Grimsley. Photo by Kevin Massey Meet Your Teacher: Ms. Brockett Jennifer Brockett, a new art teacher, loves the diversity at Grimsley. By Juliet Fisher December 17, 2024 This school year Grimsley High School welcomes several new teachers, including a new art teacher, Ms. Jennifer Brockett. Ms. Brockett teaches Art I and Art III honors. Even though Ms. Brockett is new to Grimsley, she is certainly not new to teaching. This is her 21st year teaching. In previous years she has taught art at all different levels including IB and AP art. In her free time, you can see her running, traveling, or trying new restaurants with her husband. “My husband and I love to eat. We love to try new places and foods,” Ms. Brockett said. As a kid, Ms. Brockett was really into art and still is to this day. Her main medium is painting, but she likes doing a little bit of everything. Her experience in many art mediums allows her to bring diverse projects to her students. Ms. Brockett used to teach in Tennessee and Texas. She discovered Grimsley when she and her husband moved to North Carolina because of her husband's new job. “I knew I wanted to teach at an IB school,” Ms. Brockett said. “Grimsley was highly recommended, so I knew it would be a great fit.” Ms. Brockett knew she always wanted to work with kids. In some of her earlier jobs, such as a snowboard instructor and a daycare worker, she knew she wanted a teaching aspect in her job. “I love being around kids and their positive energy,” Ms. Brockett said. “I knew ever since my early jobs I wanted to work with them in my future.” Ms. Brockett loves to teach because she likes getting to know all different kinds of kids and discovering their personalities. “Every student is unique,” Ms. Brockett said, “which makes Grimsley such a fun and diverse place to be.”

Musical Traditions at Grimsley: Open Mic Night Grimsley’s Modern Band stars in a night filled with Grimsley’s musical talent. By Mila Pucilowski February 26, 2025 Over the years, Grimsley High School has built up many valued and loved traditions. One of those is Open Mic Night. Open Mic Night is a music department tradition. The event happens four times a year and is run by Grimsley's modern band and their teacher Marshall Johnson. Marshall Johnson, called MJ by his students, has been teaching at Grimsley for 22 years. He started the Modern Band program at Grimsley in 2019. “My personal philosophy is that you need to meet students where they are at musically, not try to jam everybody into a one size fits all kind of option.” MJ said. Because of this, Modern Band classes offer opportunities to learn how to play instruments such as bass, guitar, keyboard and drums, and collaborate with other students on popular songs for Open Mic Night. The songs range from “Hey Jude” by the Beatles and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” to Taylor Swift's “Red” and “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter. “I think I’ve just gotten even better as a musician,” said Junior Andrew Crowell, the keyboardist for the Modern Band. “I wasn’t sure how I would do when I first signed up for the class, but I’ve learned a lot about playing music, and I”ve discovered a lot of musicians and songs through preparing for open mic. I’ve added a lot of new music to my library.” Over the five years of the Modern Band Program, “we've continued to add more and more talent to the program,” MJ said. Open Mic is the perfect place for these students to showcase their talents, as well as gain the experience of setting up for shows and performing live for crowds. “It feels good to know that there’s a lot of talented musicians at Grimsley, and it’s really fun to be able to perform music with other people my age,” Crowell said. Performing "Jump" by Van Halen are Modern Band students Grey Davis, guitar; Noah Dupont, bass; Andrew Crowell, keyboard and Elijah Blow, drums at the February Open Mic. Modern Band student Sophomore Nate Fitzgerald’s favorite part of Open Mic Night is “having moments where everyone comes together, actually makes a song and being able to show it off, and have people watch.” Open Mic is also a great opportunity for people who aren't in a music class to showcase their talent. It's also a perfect place to hear different types of music. The evening features anything from metal bands, rock, to instrumentalists playing saxophone in jazz songs. Even if you're not interested in performing, Open Mic Night is still a perfect activity to hang out with friends and meet new people. The next Open Mic is April 3rd. “I love Open Mic, it's always a fun experience to get dressed up with my friends and go listen to good music,” said Junior Genni Porter, who's been attending Open Mic for years. Open Mic started in the early 2010’s before the modern band program even existed. The event was an expansion of the previous tradition called Coffee House, started in the mid 1990’s by Grimsley Madrigal singers to perform songs for each other. But once MJ started Open Mic Night, the two merged together with a mix of singers and bands performing for the night. Now it's more of a performance night for the modern band classes to showcase what they've been working on throughout the year. However, the concert is still open to performers outside of modern band. Open Mic Night has evolved throughout the years and become the perfect place to watch emerging musical talent at Grimsley High School.

Grimsley Senior Alexander Carpenter poses for a photo. Photo by Kevin Massey Film By Grimsley Student Wins State Competition Golden Dawn director and Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter aspires to be a successful filmmaker. By Ashley Crowell April 4, 2024 Many people dream of being famous one day, becoming a successful musician, athlete or actor. One Grimsley student is already well on his way to achieving his dream “to become a renowned filmmaker, a name that everybody knows,” said Grimsley senior Alexander Carpenter. Carpenter’s latest project is Golden Dawn , a post-apocalyptic style film that was recently named the winner of the NC Filmworks competition. His project has been shown in several film festivals in the state and also will be featured in the Grimsley Playmasters Film Festival on May 17. As part of the competition, the filmmakers are given a required prop, line of dialogue and a selection of film genres from which to choose. Golden Dawn follows three characters in a post-apocalyptic world who are going to steal gold from a cult. “It’s a pretty wild story, but it works well,” said Carpenter, laughing. Carpenter created the film for the competition with some of his classmates in the IB Film class taught by Mr. Matthew Ringrose. “Some of the crew I had worked with on other projects, making films and acting,” said Carpenter. “Some of the crew were working on The Haunted Tour at the time and so I was able to ask them.” Carpenter and his crew had just one week to create the film as part of the competition. “The filming process was kinda tough because there were so many other productions going on, like The Haunted Tour and a bunch of testing…so scheduling was really hard.” Despite having many challenges during production, including microphone malfunctions and restricted shooting times, the team managed to finish in time. “My favorite part of the production was how smooth everything came together,” said Carpenter. Carpenter has had lots of practice putting together film projects and working to have everything come together. “I used to make short little films with a GoPro camera that I had and a couple of other cameras,” said Carpenter. “I was always interested in how people made films and made special effects for films, and that got me interested in editing and putting things together.” Carpenter is well on his way to becoming a successful filmmaker, having won this competition the previous year, yet he continues to seek opportunities to grow and learn more about his art. “The inspiration for this film was kind of an improvement on my project from last year…and I wanted to do a better job of storytelling and creating a more fully designed set.” Storytelling remains the foundation for Carpenter’s films, and he continues to use all of the different elements of filmmaking to tell that story. “Since film is a mostly visual medium, the ability to tell a story through what you’re seeing on the screen, and not necessarily just some dialogue, is something that I really look up to.”

Giving Back to Grimsley Grimsley Goods finds ways to create a better Grimsley. By Carter Watson April 4, 2024 All throughout Grimsley, a spirit of engagement develops as students come together to create a positive impact within Grimsley and throughout the community. Grimsley Goods, a student-led organization, focuses on the food and clothing insecurity in our school’s community. From food drives and clothing donations to teaming up with local organizations, students work together to ensure that every Grimsley student has access to nutritious food and winter coats. This club reflects the dedication and empathy of Grimsley students who understand the importance of assisting and supporting one another. “Grimsley goods is a simple way to help others in a significant way by providing food security and support for those in need,” said Allison Lunsford, a sophomore and an active member of Grimsley Goods. “This club is significant to me because it provides an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Grimsley.” With the Grimsley Goods Club service learning has become a popular way for students to give back to Grimsley. Service learning not only gives back to the school, but also allows students to enrich their own experiences. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen, participating in a cleanup service, or even tutoring underclassmen, Grimsley students continue to explore ways to engage in their community and contribute to making a difference in the lives of others. As Grimsley students continue to find and research ways to give back and contribute to our community and our school, the future of Grimsley looks brighter than ever. With each act of service and moment of kindness, students are not only making a difference but also laying a foundation for future students and a caring society. In the halls of Grimsley High School, the spirits of activism, service, and compassion are thriving, inspiring each and every one of us to strive for a better tomorrow.

“I listen to Snoop Dogg Affirmations, and my friends don’t let me get into my head about things,” Freshman Cammie Stoutz said. Seeing the Light When There’s No End In Sight Tips on how to combat burnout during the 3rd Quarter By Kennedy Goree February 11, 2025 Freshmen fever, sophomore slump, junior jam, and senioritis are all sayings that convey the same thing: burnout. Whether you are in your first or last year of high school, burnout can hit hard, especially in the second semester. With the third quarter upon us, certain strategies can help ease the stress and tension, while still motivating you to achieve your goals. Support from friends and family makes a world of difference when searching for motivation in the remaining months of the school year. Stepping back from your course load and spending time with the people who mean the most to you can help you put things into perspective. “My favorite thing to do when I am burnt out is take a break and hang out with friends,” Sophomore Catherine Bowers says. Showing yourself just how amazing you are can inspire you to finish the year strong. “I listen to Snoop Dogg Affirmations, and my friends don’t let me get into my head about things,” Freshman Cammie Stoutz said. Positive affirmations and friends that remind you how incredible you are ,while providing you with a refreshed sense of self-worth, can really make a positive impact on your second-semester success. Lastly, setting goals can remind you what you are working towards. “Reminding myself that if I don’t work hard to reach my goal of going on to college” helps “keep my goals in sight,” Junior Aubreigh Duckworth said. Goals can be a constant reminder and motivation of what you are working towards. Everyone’s goals are different, whether they are short-term or long-term, and visualizing your future will help you enjoy the present. As we approach the last quarter of the school year, keeping these tips in mind can improve your success for the rest of the year.

Through intricately layered beats and chillhop vibes, Japanese producer Nujabes pioneered lo-fi hip hop before his untimely death. His collaborations with MC Shing02 produced beloved albums, but it was Nujabes' solace-filled sound that crossed cultures to make him the godfather of lo-fi. Catch the Beat: Praise for Legendary Chillhop Artists Nujabes and Shing02 engineer the chill sounds of Lo-Fi Hip-Hop. By Jake Acosta Jan. 29, 2024 Production and instrumentals are seen as the spine of music, essential for creating a song. Hip-Hop is prominent in the world of production, especially for the kind of samples and methods that were utilized to make the music. Amidst this soulful atmosphere, one producer stands out in the realm of jazz-rap, using samples from across the globe and flipping them in a way that no other could even imagine. Nujabes, a Japanese record producer and audio engineer, has left a lasting influence on every corner of hip-hop. Pronounced noo-jaa-buhz, he has achieved this legacy despite only releasing two studio albums during his lifetime. From his early mixtapes he released through cassettes, to his first studio album Metaphorical Music (2003), and even working on a soundtrack for a widely beloved anime, Samurai Champloo (2004), to his eventual death in 2010, Nujabes has left a legendary mark on hip-hop forever. Jun Seba Yamada, known by stage name Nujabes, was a hip-hop producer who worked through the early and late 2000s and embraced a jazz-centered, hip-hop sound mostly through sampling. Nujabes’ sound is warm and reassuring, focusing on intricacy and making the most with the depth of his samples. These elements of his sound are what makes most hip-hop fans deem him as the godfather of lofi. The subgenre of LoFi Hip-Hop embraces a softer and cleaner sound, usually through instrumental beats featuring no vocal performance. This is commonly regarded as “chillhop”. Nujabes pioneered this sound and generally did it better than anyone ever has, expressing and communicating exactly how he felt through these instrumentals. Oftentimes when he would have MC’s on his tracks, they would translate into words exactly what Nujabes was aiming for regarding the emotion of the beat. And Nujabes brought the best out of everyone he worked with, one MC in particular being Shing02. Shingo Annen, known by his stage name Shing02, is a Japanese MC and record producer who worked primarily with Nujabes while Nujabes was still alive, even releasing a posthumous record they had worked on together, titled Luv(sic) Hexalogy (2015). Shing02 and Nujabes have been working together since 2001, their first track together titled Luv(sic), which features a young Nujabes introducing Shing02 to his production potential with the best he had at the time. From there, Nujabes went on to further emphasize how meticulous his beat- making process was, and also went on to create 5 more parts to the Luv(sic) series, excluding remixes and alternate versions. These versions were never released together until 2015. Five years after Nujabes died in 2010, Shing02 released Luv(sic) Hexalogy under Nujabes’ name. This album compiled of every song in the Luv(sic) series (parts 1-6) along with remixes and alternate versions of every track, as well as the additional song Perfect Circle and its instrumental. Luv(sic) Hexalogy is beloved by hip-hop fans of all kinds for its peace-inducing, universal tone. Shing02 writes on the tracks about previous loves/friends in his life that have passed away, how they changed his life and his devotion to them through music and everyday being, along with giving thanks to the current friends that surround him. This along with the insanely deep instrumentals from Nujabes that bleed solace and appreciative reminiscence, the match couldn’t be any more perfect for such a given message and composition within a song. This is done all throughout Luv(sic) Hexalogy. Luv(sic) pt 2 emphasizes this perspective through writing. On this track, Shing02 writes about a late lover from the past and how they surfed through life together, writing that he and she couldn’t have met at a better time even if they planned it. He narrates their relationship stages, and how they developed their love for each other, and then her eventual passing and his gratitude to have had the opportunity to to know her. On the other hand, Luv(sic) pt 4 brings perhaps the deepest Nujabes instrumental ever done in his career, with the utilization of his signature drum break being the structure for his soul-lifting samples of piano and sax. The way he includes record scratching to enable Shing02 to begin rhyming, and then follows it up with an ethereal saxophone sample that drives the main melody is something no one else can do, at least in the same way. Nujabes has left a lasting impression on hip-hop fans of all kinds and of all ages. Even people who wouldn’t consider themselves as hip-hop fans give their praises to Nujabes. Whether it’s because of his intricacy or consistent depth, or because listening to one of his beats feels like you’re talking to him face-to-face, or you just like chillhop, Nujabes has brought cultures around the world together in celebration of the most beautiful form of poetry the world has to offer, hip-hop.

Photo from Guilford County Schools Brooks Buddies Club Reborn Under Grimsley Student Club provides high schoolers with opportunities to work with Brooks Global students and teachers. by Ava Lani Schmuzer March 14, 2025 A Grimsley student has rejuvenated a club that connects high schoolers with Brooks Global Studies Elementary. Despite facing challenges after Brooks moved to a new location, the Brooks Buddies have persevered and now assist teachers in the classroom each day. Club President Georgette Beaumont is a Grimsley sophomore who went to Brooks Global as an elementary student. She had looked forward to becoming a Brooks Buddy, but during the Covid pandemic, the club was discontinued. Beaumont recalls how Buddies from Grimsley would hang out and play with elementary schoolers during lunch and recess. “I remember my classmates loving the program and getting excited to see their ’buddy’ every month,” Beaumont said. “So naturally, when I came to Grimsley, I was excited to be a part of the club that had meant so much to me as a kid.” When she discovered the club had died, Beaumont decided to put in the hard work to resuscitate it her freshman year. “I took it upon myself to revive the club,” she said. ”It was a challenge that involved constant emailing back and forth with teachers in order to find a new sponsor. Eventually, I found Ms. Kiss, who was interested in the goals of the club and willing to help out.” After an abundance of excited Buddies showed up at the interest meeting, participants were selected. “We were able to officially start the club last February (2024), and it has flourished ever since!” Beaumont said. However, this endeavor was not without its setbacks. In December, Brooks Global migrated to its new location on Ashland Drive by the Greensboro Arboretum. No longer right next door to Grimsley, the school wasn’t available to many Buddies who didn’t have consistent transportation. “I had to find new, reliable students who could drive themselves or could rely on their parents to drive them,” Beaumont said. “Eventually, we were able to find replacements and restart Brooks Buddies at the new school!” Adapting to this change, students now assist teachers, perform tasks and help children learn to read in the mornings and afternoons of each school day. By fostering connections with elementary students, high schoolers learn about education, patience and leadership while gaining service learning hours in a field that interests them. The club also enables students from other Guilford County high schools to participate, like Berkeley Willis, a Page sophomore. Through Brooks Buddies, he has gained service hours and a spot on student councils. “Being a part of the club now has given me significant insight into my own strengths and values. Working with these kids helped me to realize that I enjoy teaching, at least in the capacity that I am doing it,” Willis said. “For the future, being a Buddy gives me experience when I need a job, and it looks good to colleges.” Cultivating connections is another key component of the club. Brooks Buddies have the chance to reconnect with old teachers while creating new bonds with elementary students. “So far I’ve worked with teachers who I already had a prior connection to,” Willis said. “Buddies helped deepen that connection.” Each day, Brooks Buddies like Catherine Bowers, a Grimsley sophomore, help out and contribute to the learning at Brooks Global. Usually, Buddies read with children one-on-one or find other ways to assist in their learning. “One of the kids that I read with is extremely funny and outgoing,” Bowers said, “Whenever I arrive, he asks if he can read with me first.” “Through working as a Brooks Buddy, I have learned how to more effectively communicate and teach kids who are younger than me,” Bowers said. Through this club, students can not only make a positive impact on their community, but also grow and learn through the process.

Meet Your Librarian: Ms. Kiss Tiffany Kiss is new to the Grimsley Media Center this year. By Georgette Beaumont February 26, 2025 Tiffany Kiss has not always been a librarian, and she did not initially think of it as a career path. “I never considered it until I started going to book festivals with one of my daughters,” Ms. Kiss said. “This planted the seed, but then it took me a few years to make the decision to go back to school to pursue my master's degree in library and information science,” At the beginning of the school year, Ms. Kiss transitioned from teaching English at Grimsley to becoming the school’s media specialist and librarian. “It has been very easy,” she said. ”I feel extremely fortunate that I got to teach at Grimsley before transitioning into this role.” Ms. Kiss enjoys the everyday responsibilities of a librarian, which include maintaining the library’s resources, overseeing the clubs at Grimsley, supporting students and teachers, and managing the school’s website. One of Ms. Kiss’s main jobs is to decide which books and resources to add to the library's collection. Each year, she conducts an inventory and analyzes book circulation to determine which genres are popular or in need of updates. She also performs a diversity analysis to ensure that the library's collection reflects Grimsley’s demographics. However, what she finds most rewarding about her role is helping students. “I like helping students find new books to read [and learn] how to utilize their technology resources,” Ms. Kiss said. ”Often, they come to me for help with different things when they aren't sure who to turn to.” Of course, the job comes with challenges. "I think that sometimes it’s hard to balance various levels of comfort with technology and technology fixes," Ms. Kiss said. Despite these challenges, she truly enjoys being a librarian. "I love my new role in the library, and I love working with Grimsley students and teachers!"

Students enjoy music, dancing and snacks in the transformed cafeteria. Photo from Cooper Dunning Student Council Brings Back T.W.I.R.P. Dance Despite challenges, the Student Council hopes the dance will become a spring staple. By Mila Pucilowski April 4, 2024 Doing something for the first time hardly ever goes quite as expected. There are always some problems bound to arise. For many years the T.W.I.R.P. dance, traditionally known as “The Woman Is Requested to Pay,” has been a fun and popular feature at Grimsley. After being discontinued since COVID, this year’s student council decided to bring it back as a spring dance targeted at underclassmen, who can’t attend prom. And their problem was, understandably, spreading the news to the more than 2,000 students at Grimsley. Many students said they didn't go simply because they didn't know until the week of the dance. Because there was very little advertisement until the last minute, many people already had plans or were unprepared. In retrospect, the Council could have done a better job “advertising it to underclassmen and, if we were to do it again, having more preparation on how to sell tickets,” said Sophomore Class President Cooper Dunning. However, despite this, the 250-ticket quota was met. The dance took place in the Grimsley cafeteria with food and music. Many students said it was a great night to get together with friends. “T.W.I.R.P was one of the best nights I've ever had!” said freshman student Zoe Thomas. “It was so much fun hanging out with my friends. I really enjoyed myself.” Though many students enjoyed the dance, they commented that the dance felt empty, with some students leaving after only an hour or so. “Obviously we would like a more well-attended one…there were comments while at the dance that it felt empty, but I think that we can equate that to the fact that the cafeteria is so big,” said Dunning. However, some of the students stayed the whole night until the dance ended, talking and laughing with friends and grabbing snacks on their way out the door. The faculty and Student Council haven't decided whether to continue T.W.I.R.P next year. “I think if we were to continue it in the following years,”said Freshman President Katie Lyles, “it would hopefully have more participation, and become something like a school trend.”

Sophemores Vivian Peña and Waad Hamad practice crocheting. Photo provided by the Needlework Club. Tight Knit: Grimsley Needlework Club Started by Two Sophomores Club founders want to spread the joy and fun of needlework. By Mila Pucilowski December 17, 2024 With so many clubs at Grimsley, it's hard to pick which ones to pursue. There are clubs dedicated to almost anything from arts to cooking to philosophy. There's something for everyone! With so many differing interests and hobbies, new clubs are popping up every year, like the Grimsley Needlework Club! Sophomores Claire Slate and Faith Chenail founded the club this year. Slate was first taught knitting in third grade by her longtime best friend, freshman Samantha Balkind. She eventually took up crocheting during the pandemic. Chenail also was taught how to crochet by a friend in 7th grade and has been doing it ever since. Being taught by their friends inspired them to want to teach others as well, and so the club was started. After lots of struggle to find a sponsor, Mr. Bretan, the Hebrew and AP Human Geography teacher at Grimsley, agreed to be their advisor. By the end of September, they were finally able to hold their first meeting. “I remember feeling super anxious seeing everyone who showed up for the first meeting”, Slate said. “I was already nervous but there were a lot more people than we expected, but it also made me excited seeing how many people were interested”. For their very first meeting, almost the whole classroom was full. There were students who have been crocheting or knitting for years and ones who were completely clueless about both. The club is inclusive for any experience level. Even for those just starting out, it's a great place to be around friends who can help them learn. Experienced needleworkers can come and pass on their knowledge to others, or just relax with their friends and work on their current projects. The first meeting went over the basics of crocheting with the material they provided for the club members. By the end of the meeting all nervous feelings were gone, and Slate was looking forward to the next meeting. “There was a good energy, which made me excited,” she said. In the meetings since, they have been making progress teaching everyone the basics. In the future, the club leaders want to serve the community. “We eventually hope to work towards making things to donate to hospitals, ideally small gifts and warm things to give to patients,” Chenail said. Where: Room 102, Mr. Bretan When: Every Monday, 4:30-5:30 pm Insta: ghs.needleworkclub Remind code: @grimsleyne or text @grimsleyne to 81010

Mr. Post Named Teacher of the Year The beloved IB English and Philosophy teacher is held in high regard by both teachers and students. By Ashley Crowell March 14, 2025 You can learn a lot about teachers by their classrooms, and Mr. Evan Post’s room has a lot to say. Full of posters of philosophers, art from students and even a stuffed platypus, his room reflects the varied interests of its occupant. For International Baccalaureate students in English and Philosophy classes, the thoughtful debates, complex books and philosophical concepts Mr. Post teaches make his room come alive. Mr. Post is a loved and respected figure on the Grimsley campus and has earned the admiration of not only his students, but also his colleagues. “He’s literally like a professor,” said Ms. Sarah Lord, an Advanced Placement US History teacher at Grimsley. “He’s extremely knowledgeable, patient, he’s very understanding, and he provides support to all of us as teachers and students. He’s what you strive to be.” His colleagues showed their respect for him by naming him the Teacher of the Year for Grimsley. “It’s nice to get the feeling that my colleagues think a lot of what I’m doing or think I’m doing a good job, particularly given that I think we’ve got so many good teachers here,” Mr. Post said. “Their esteem means a lot to me for that reason.” Mr. Post chuckles as he muses that perhaps when his students return for a 50th high school reunion, they will hobble over to a plaque in the main building, see his name and reminisce. “I do like the idea that, as I’m looking ahead towards retiring sometime in the not too distant future, I’m gonna become one of the ghosts of Grimsley,” he said. But for those who know him, he will be remembered for more than just a few awards. Mr. Ben Barnard coordinates the IB and AP programs at Grimsley and is a friend of Mr. Post. They have taught together for nearly 20 years now. “He works harder than any other teacher I know,” he said. “He’s really good at giving feedback to his students. He really takes their learning to write as his goal. He’s really developed the craft,” said Mr. Barnard, who teaches IB Theory of Knowledge. “I think he really cares about his students, he cares about his colleagues, and he cares very much about what he does.” Noah Levine, a senior in the IB Program at Grimsley, has benefited from Mr. Post’s teaching for two years in English and Philosophy. “Mr. Post is an inspirational teacher and mentor who is generous with his knowledge and his time,” Levine said. “I consider myself fortunate to have had Mr. Post.” Mr. Post engages with his students in his philosophy class, encourages them to ask questions and raise objections, and takes their thoughts seriously. Nikhil Nataraju, a junior in the IB Program who is also in IB English and Philosophy, often participates in the class discussions. “I would describe him as a teacher who strives to make a positive impact on a child’s education,” Nataraju said. Mr. Post has been a teacher for 31 years, and he has been teaching at Grimsley close to 20 years. And while he said recognition is nice, it’s not why he does what he does. “I like learning,” Mr. Post said. “I like to think my students learn, but the thing that motivates me is my own learning. By being in the classroom I’m putting myself in a position of having to keep learning, because I teach very bright students who ask interesting questions, and I’m always trying to be better at helping them understand.” Mr. Post has taught several different classes at Grimsley, including creative writing, and different levels of English including AP. But for the past few years he has been teaching IB English SL and IB Philosophy. In addition, he supports student-led clubs by acting as an advisor for The Whirlie Post and the Philosophy Club. “I love the things that I teach,” Mr. Post said. “I love the books that I teach in my English classes, the ideas that I teach in my philosophy class, the arguments that I teach them and philosophers. These things are nourishing to me. I really enjoy that.”

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. By Georgette Beaumont December 17, 2024 In 1899, Grimsley–then called Greensboro High School–opened its doors for the first time as a separate entity from the elementary school. Today, it stands as one of the oldest high schools in the state, carrying over a century of history and pride. Greensboro High School was originally housed in the former St. Agnes Church, which was located near the Greensboro Public Library on Church Street. The inaugural school year saw only a handful of students being instructed by four teachers in seven courses. However, news spread quickly about GHS and the church soon became overcrowded. In the fall of 1911, the school moved to a new building at the site of Weaver Academy and underwent a name change–this time to Greensboro Central High School. While at the Spring Street campus, GHS flourished. Students participated in a multitude of extracurricular activities–including a strong band and chorus program, sports such as horseback riding and football, clubs, newspaper, and an all-male cheer team. The mascot “The Purple Whirlwinds” was also adopted during this time. Despite the success of GHS, a shocking study done by Drs. G.D. Strayer and N.L. Englehardt of Columbia University in 1920 found that all the Greensboro city schools, GHS included, were physically substandard. Greensboro residents, albeit surprised by the findings, took on the challenge and initiated a school-building program. In 1927, following significant delays due to a lawsuit, the school board purchased a 129-acre property on Westover Terrace and began construction on a revamped Greensboro High School. In the fall of 1929, three decades after its opening, GHS, now known as Greensboro Senior High School, welcomed 1,300 students in grades 9 to 11 to the Westover Terrace campus. Unfortunately, the Great Depression loomed on the horizon and GHS was by no means exempt from its challenges. In 1933, the school’s art, music, drama, and vocational programs were all discontinued, as well as many clubs and services. Teachers were forced to resign in droves, and the school year was reduced to 8 months. However, the GHS community was strong, and emerged from the 1930s and 40s with a distinguished music program, of which the band was headed by the renowned Mr. Hazelman, a wide range of extracurricular clubs, and numerous state championships. The 1950s and 60s are considered to be GHS’s second golden age, during which both academics and student life thrived. The first AP class at Grimsley, European History, was introduced during the 1964-65 school year. The football team continued to thrive under Coach Jamieson, and traditions such as May Day were at their peak. Also during this era, the student body voted to change the school colors from purple and gold to the current navy and white, and the mascot name was changed to be the “Whirlwinds,” more commonly referred to as the “Whirlies.” In 1962, GHS experienced its most recent significant change: a name change. On January 16th, 1962, Principal A.P. Routh was called by the county school officials and told that due to the opening of additional high schools in Greensboro, GHS had to change its name. They warned Routh that if a new name was not selected in three hours, the school board would choose one for them. Routh and his staff, scrambling for an alternative that would allow the GHS moniker to remain, settled upon Grimsley Senior High School, named for Superintendent George A. Grimsley, whose idea it was to establish GHS in the first place. Grimsley has remained the school's name ever since, a reminder of GHS’s long history that continues into the modern day. Special thanks to Mr. Peter Byrd ‘74, Grimsley’s historian, for his assistance in the creation of this article.