The Dream of Homeownership 

By John C. Haynes, Class of 2026  My parents built their first house on the southern end of Henderson County in 2002. They’d gotten married two years before, and were lucky to get good, high-paying jobs: my father at a real estate firm in Hendersonville and my mother as an accountant for the state government of South Carolina. As both my parents entered their careers, … Continue reading The Dream of Homeownership 

Halloween on Hold for Hendersonville 

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor  As we approach Halloween, it’s hard not to notice all the sights synonymous with the season. For the enthusiasts, this special night is preceded by hyper preparation for and anticipation of festivities that fill the last week of the October calendar, fairs and fall celebrations included.  Among the excitement to go hay riding, apple picking, and trick or treating is the … Continue reading Halloween on Hold for Hendersonville 

A New Start for Summer Ranson

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor About a month ago, The Carolinian featured a story about Foster Forward, a UNCG organization aiming to provide a system of support for students who’ve aged out of foster care. Summer Ranson is the vice president and has a unique, complex experience. She was fortunate enough to not age out but was still part of the system. “I intended to age … Continue reading A New Start for Summer Ranson

Valerie Sahket McConnell Speaks Candidly about Black Women’s Health

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor The current political climate is chaotic. Candidates are making promises left and right, the people are taking sides with fervor, and conversations about the most mundane subjects have the potential to become political in nature. Black women’s health has historically been absent from debates and bills, regardless of whether or not we’re in election season or who the candidates are.  For … Continue reading Valerie Sahket McConnell Speaks Candidly about Black Women’s Health

How to Find Your Personal Style

Shane Atkins There are many people today who have an awkward relationship with their personal appearance. There is nothing wrong with that, but what if there was a way that we could all actualize ourselves and tap into our stylish potential? As a stylist at Dillard’s, I have been helping regular people find their style for over a year. Every single person has a special … Continue reading How to Find Your Personal Style

Rilynn Harper’s Stand Against Bullying

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor When Saint James First Baptist Church in Troutman, NC, needed a guest speaker for their event at Tanglewood Park, ten-year-old Rilynn Harper didn’t hesitate to volunteer. She had an important message to share with everyone, no matter their demographics: “Be kind! Put yourself in other people’s shoes,” she said, sitting criss-crossed.  This is just one of the many tips she has … Continue reading Rilynn Harper’s Stand Against Bullying

Fostering the Future: A Spotlight on Natalie Paul 

Crystal Thompson, Features Editor  In 2008, Natalie Paul faced the same challenges most high school seniors do, but there was one difference: she was doing it alone. When she turned 18, all the difficulties of being independent, moving away to college, and maintaining a social life were compounded by the fact that she would soon age out of foster care. This meant she would have … Continue reading Fostering the Future: A Spotlight on Natalie Paul 

Twentynine Palms: A Desert Oasis

Arnulfo Martinezzavala When people think of California, they often envision a beautiful paradise of palm trees and beaches. That is not the case, however, at Twentynine Palms Marine base. The Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Combat Center is the world’s largest Marines training facility, with nearly 13,000 active duty military working there. It is constantly busy with Marines undergoing training. … Continue reading Twentynine Palms: A Desert Oasis

The Sad Girl Aesthetic: From Shakespeare to Tumblr

Bronwen K. Bradshaw Staff Writer In the years 2014 through 2016, I found my middle school self scrolling Tumblr for hours at night, looking at blog posts of Sylvia Plath quotes, Lana Del Rey Lyrics, and images of young, thin girls with captions like, “It kills me to love you.” I related with these people, thinking, “I’m young and sad, too!” Tumblr users somehow turned … Continue reading The Sad Girl Aesthetic: From Shakespeare to Tumblr