“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.”

At Grimsley High, music, fashion, and gear trends build community and healthy habits. From Swifties bonding over the Eras Tour to stylish backpacks organizing assignments and colorful water bottles spreading hydration, fads give students expressive ways to connect. Whirlie Trends Make Friends and Fun Fads in music and school essentials fuel self-expression, giving students a place to belong. By Kennedy Goree Jan. 29, 2024 At Grimsley, trends helped students make new connections with each other and build healthy habits this school year. The Eras Tour and movie hit the world, backpacks were still an essential fashion accessory for back-to-school, and Stanley Cups made hydration trendy. Taylor Swift was as popular as ever at Grimsley with the US Eras Tour ending and the release of the Eras Tour Movie last fall. The diversity in the style of music Swift creates assures there is something for everyone, building bonds among her fans. The following Taylor has gathered creates a safe space for Swifties to express themselves and make new friends over a common interest. “My love of Taylor Swift has helped me connect and make memories with my friends,” said Lily Koesters, a Grimsley freshman and avid Taylor Swift fan. “From going to the Eras Tour movie, listening to her music, and talking with someone new about her music, Taylor Swift has not only helped me strengthen my friendships but also make new ones!” One thing every Grimsley student needs is a sturdy bag, and some of the most popular options were Jansport and North Face backpacks. The many color options, styles, and pockets make a perfect backpack for back-to-school. Not only do these bags allow students to express their individuality, but they also help build healthy organization habits. Since there’s lots of stuff to carry from class to class, these bags are very comfortable to wear during class change. “My backpack has not only helped me stay organized,” Emerson Griener, a freshman at Grimsley, said, “but the sleek design makes it fashionable and comfortable to wear around school.” Staying hydrated is vital to staying healthy and engaged during the school day. A school favorite, Stanley water bottles, achieve that. The unlimited variety of colors and styles makes it easy to find the perfect cup for individual tastes and match to other school supplies. Stanley makes it convenient and fun to hydrate throughout the day, a habit that is vital to student success. Juliet Fisher, a 9th grader said, “My Stanley has helped me build my habit of staying hydrated, especially at school, and the colors are so cute.” From music to backpacks and water bottles, trends add a sense of fun to student life, creating bonds and fueling success at Grimsley.

Renovations of Grimsley To Begin This Summer Bathrooms in Main, Vocational, and Old Science will be renovated. By Ashley Crowell February 11, 2025 Every Grimsley student knows which bathrooms to avoid, which is pretty much all of them. If anyone’s wondering, those in the cafeteria are the cleanest. While Grimsley High School is full of beautiful outdoor areas, historical buildings and unique artwork, there are some parts, like the bathrooms, that are products of its long history. However, in 2025, the school has finalized plans to address some of the most pressing needs of the school. When students of Mr. Evan Post, an English and Philosophy teacher at Grimsley, returned from winter break, they were shocked to discover the door to his classroom had moved several feet down the hallway! His door was moved to make room for the new chair lifts that are currently being installed at the foot of the stairs. These chair lifts are meant to make it easier to travel from one end of the hallway to the other for students who cannot use the stairs. “We have a growing population of students who are wheelchair bound, so we have to address that,” Principal O’Donnell said. When they saw that the ramps they had previously used were not sufficient, the administration began to look at options at the end of last year for making the 3rd floor of the main building more wheelchair accessible. Construction began on the chair lifts on January 29 and should be completed by the end of February. The next project on the list will be the long-awaited renovation of the bathrooms in the Main building, the Vocational building, and in the Old Science building. The construction will take place at the end of the school year and into the summer, to be completed in time for next school year. “It’s a simple thing; it's a bathroom. But it’s the simple things that make life easier,” Mr. O’Donnell said. Another exciting development is the construction of a new complex for baseball and softball fields. In order to make room for the new Kiser Middle School building, the former baseball and softball fields were torn down. However, after completion of the Kiser building, most likely in the summer of 2025, construction will start on the new baseball and softball fields. With the move of Brooks Global Studies to another campus, their former building site will become the Grimsley softball and baseball complex. Preliminary plans for construction are in process, and the demolition of the old Brooks building is planned for the spring of 2025. The hope is that the softball and baseball complex will be opening in the summer of 2026. These smaller renovations are not part of the large renovation of Grimsley, and as of right now there are no definite plans for that. Grimsley is #30 on the master plan for Guilford County Schools. However, the administration saw the need for the chair lifts and the bathroom renovations, and was able to find the funds for the projects. One challenge that the administration faces for any plans to renovate Grimsley is the historical nature of the school and its campus. The Old Science, Vocational, Main, and Old Cafeteria buildings are on the historical list, and so they have to be mindful when they renovate those buildings, particularly the exterior. “We’re gonna have to get the input of all stakeholders, past and present and future to make sure that we’re honoring the building, the integrity of the building, the historical nature of the building,” Mr. O’Donnell said. “We also have to make sure that it’s meeting the needs of our students, not just today, but meeting the needs of our students in 50 years and what school will look like then.”

Athlete Spotlight: Drew Mascia This Grimsley student is not only an outstanding athlete, but also a hard worker! By Kate Medina April 4, 2024 Although all of the sports offered at Grimsley are demanding, track and cross country are among the most physically rigorous. This sport is one of the most admirable to do well in, as it requires a great deal of mental fortitude and dedication. Grimsley runner Drew Mascia embodies these traits, as evidenced by her impressive times and hours of hard work. Although only a junior this year, Mascia is a top runner and has carried Grimsley to many victories already this year, including Guilford County and Metro Conference championships for girls cross country. Her many accomplishments include running a 5K in 19:11 and a mile in 5:16. To a non-runner this may not sound very fast, but to anyone who understands how hard it is to achieve those times, this is a feat deserving of respect. Despite being injured at the moment, Mascia has a successful career in track and field ahead of her, with great things to come! Q&A Q: What got you into running, and when did you start? A: I started running in middle school to get better at soccer and I hated it at first, but after a while I started to like it more. Q: What are your plans for the future regarding track and cross country? Do you plan on running in college or professionally? A: I definitely plan on running collegiately as of right now, but I’m still pretty early in my recruiting process, so I have no idea where I will end up! Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of sports? A: I love to read and I love doing fun artsy things like painting and sewing when I have free time, but sometimes it totally feels like all I do is run and workout. Q: How are you working around being injured this year? A: Getting injured has absolutely been super challenging as it is much harder to stay motivated, and I’ve had to learn how to be patient. It isn’t an experience I would like to repeat, but I also think it has taught me a lot and reminded me the importance of having a life outside of running. Q: What are some ways you balance the demands of being a student athlete? A: Time management is something I struggle with, and it can be really hard to not procrastinate when I’m tired after practice. I usually go to bed super early and wake up early to do homework after my morning workouts so I can be more productive. Q: What do you believe are your major achievements in your sport? A: I honestly think my biggest accomplishment is just always working as hard as I can and staying focused when I just want to go home and take a nap! Q: What are your pre-game and post-game rituals/routines? A: I always have my pre-meet oatmeal in the morning before a race and I like listening to music, but I usually turn it off about 30 minutes before, so I can relax and focus on the race. Q: What are your goals for this season? A: I had a lot of exciting goals for this season before getting injured, including qualifying for states and going sub 5:10 in the mile. That has definitely shifted a little, and now I am primarily focused on being patient and getting a few healthy races in before the season is over! Mascia is committed and willing to put in the work to achieve her goals. Although being injured may have thrown a wrench in her plans, she is sure to come back stronger and better than ever!

Poet Zai'ere Watson, Photo by Kevin Massey Poets Rainey Thompson (left) and Nasir Crawford (right) Three Grimsley Poets Voted Finalists Poems by Nasir Crawford, Rainey Thompson, and Zai’ere Watson were selected in the GCS poetry competition. By Ashley Pritchett April 4, 2024 Three Grimsley students were voted finalists for their submission of poems in Guilford County Schools’ High School Poet Laureate Project. In March, judges from different schools selected Nasir Crawford, Rainey Thompson, and Zai’ere Watson after carefully considering and critically analyzing their submitted works. Crawford, a ninth grader, is one of the winning contestants of the poetry contest. He is the author of the poem “Why the Sky?” In his poem, Crawford describes his delivery of an alternate perspective of the accompanying world that we are swallowed by. Crawford depicts the stress of societal restraints as he embodies a bird flying through the wind passing the sun. “I want to fly past the sun, and see how far I can get without using my eyes.” The remainder of the poem highlights tumultuous times and the hardships of life that can result in growth, regardless of the scars left behind. Crawford describes his poem as painting a verbal visual of himself. Crawford explains how he is able to sow himself into his poetry like a seed and bloom along with the formation of the poem. Initially, he was inspired by rapper Tupac Shakur’s poem, “The Rose That Grew From Concrete”. “When I saw Tupac’s work for the first time,” said Crawford, “ideas began to flood my mind.” “I revert to poetry to indulge in the ideas that my mind creates,” said Crawford, “and I try to display those pieces into characteristics that attribute to the person I find in myself in the foundation of my poems.” “Poetry uncovers your soft spot,” said Crawford. “People see me as a big tough guy and wouldn’t expect me to write poetry, but I’m really a chill laid-back person.” Another one of the winning contestants is Rainey Thompson, a junior. She is the author of the poem, “The Flow.” In her poem, she alludes to the feeling of her mind whirling, emptied of coherent thought as if she is in a dream. “I spin around in circles, traveling along with the air, Getting caught up with the leaves.” Thompson tries to draw a picture of stillness caught in a rapture of the effects of personal emotion and its contributing attributes in her poem. “I create a pathway between dreams and nature by comparing and connecting them to capture the essence of time passing by,” she said. “For I get restless, and I find myself walking through the green fields.” Most of her poems follow a scheme that pertains to nature and dreaming. “I seek to display the feeling of going places you never may have dreamed of going,” said Thompson. “I hope to continue to write and share my works with others.” She is eagerly looking forward to the next step in the advancement of her poetry. “I’ve always loved to write, even since I was five.” Grimsley’s final winning contestant is Zai’ere Watson, a 10th grader. She is the author of the poem What is love? In her poem, she peers into the depths of limitless love. “Love is a journey, an endless quest,”she said. “I delicately unravel the presence that love takes over in our lives.” “It’s the strength to forgive, to heal the pain, to cherish the moments when two hearts remain.” Watson said she tried to take a universal emotion, capture it, and give it a story in her poem. “Love can be unspoken yet heard, it is located in the pits of our hearts and stretches out towards others like the branches of an evergreen tree,” she said. “It’s the power to uplift, to inspire and create, a love that transcends a love that’s innate.” Watson strives to redefine the meaning of love in her own way and elaborates on the mental strife that comes along with love. “I like to place specific reminders throughout my poems that remind the reader that love is found within hope and grace and that we are love,” she said. “For in the depths of love’s embrace, we find solace, hope, and grace.” Watson is able to express herself through her poems. “Writing is my safe haven. I like to go with the flow as thoughts and ideas flood my mind causing me to place pen to paper and write down my thoughts,” she said. “I like to refer to my poems as 12 a.m. poems because they’re random and I often write them at night, “ Watson said. “I hope that I am able to deliver a message to my readers that they can interpret for themselves.” Why the sky? By Nasir Crawford I wish I could fly Everyone is asking me for a reason why I wanna fly past the sun and see how far I can get without using my eyes. Why? Because I am who I am for a reason it’s no reason for me to lie I'm going to just fly as high as I can until the day I die The reason why is that there is no limit to the sky. So if there is no limit to the sky. There should be no limit in my eyes or my mind Sorry if i got off subject but some of you needed to be remind. Remember who you are you can become anything you want no matter the scars You keep moving forward because as soon as you look back that’s When everything falls apart Im not like the teachers imma tell you what it really is They keep the truth away from you just to hide you and their fears You gotta face your fears to get where you wanna be no matter if it comes to tears Now let me tell you a lil about myself And how i made it here without no help even when i had to put everything on the shelf Might be a lil cook but ion care its not for anyone else The Flow. By Rainey Thompson I spin around in circles Traveling along with the air, Getting caught up with the Leaves, Going nowhere. I search for something in the Sky, I search for something in the Stars. I land down on Jupiter And travel on to Mars. Then I catch a ride with the wind Back to earth again. I land safely on the grass… and The weather is fair. But then my bones being to ache From sitting. For I get restless, And I find myself Walking through the green fields, Searching for something else .. Somewhere. What is Love? By Zai’ere Watson In the tapestry of life, love weaves its thread, A force that’s felt, in words left unsaid. It’s a gentle touch, a warm embrace, A connection that time cannot erase. Love is a journey, and endless quest, Through highs and lows. We give our best. It’s the strength to forgive, to heal the pain, To cherish the moments when two hearts remain. Love is a language, unspoken yet heard, A symphony of emotions, no need for a word. It’s the power to uplift, to inspire and create, A love that transcends a love that’s innate. So let love guide you, on this path we share, Embrace its essence, handle it with care. For in the depths of love’s embrace, We find solace, hope, and grace.