On Friday, Dec. 20, 2025, Allied Achievers and Comrades Association (AACA) members got to meet a new mentor during their lunchtime meeting, Davidson’s Mayor Rusty Knox.
Mayor Rusty Knox ended his visit by posing for a picture with CSD’s AACA community and guests, including Executive Director, Mr. Smith (in blue). When asked about his favorite part of leading a town, Mayor Knox said, “This. I love coming to school and talking to kids.” He mentioned many schools he visits like Hough, Hopewell, North Meck and more.
The AACA is a club focused on creating a space for community and mentorship for high school students. It was founded by juniors Akhilan Kumaran, Max Shealy, and Liam Hogan. This is the club’s first year at CSD and so far Shealy, Kumaran and Hogan have given lessons on topics like self confidence and discipline. They also held a friendly competition at the beginning of the year for an AACA t-shirt.
The club’s home is in Mr. Yodice’s room and they meet on Fridays. Having the mayor join a club meeting was a special treat. Mayor Rusty Knox grew up in Davidson and is a singer. He would describe his music genre as “confused,” but says the closest comparable genre is Folk Americana. In the past, he has sold real estate to developers but since he became Mayor he finds that creates a conflict of interest. He now only sells houses.
Readers can find more Mayor Knox information at rustyknox.com.
The three AACA founders (from left: Shealy, Kumaran, and Hogan) were already listening intently to Mayor Rusty Knox when students arrived for the lunchtime meeting. He arrived during fourth block and walked through the school greeting people as the three founders led him to Mr. Yodice’s room. (Elena Cunningham)
Mayor Knox left an impression on students with his skill at answering questions, and many AACA students got to practice asking them. When asked about his favorite quote, Mayor Knox answered with a quote from his mother: “Don’t answer the question, question the answer.” (Elena Cunningham)
Mayor Rusty Knox shared that he is a “people person” and that he is very involved in the community he serves. “Besides being the mayor, I am a musician too, so I go to Williams Place and The Pines every other month and I go to seniors groups that meet in Davidson and I sing and I talk to them about town issues,” Mayor Rusty Knox said. (Elena Cunningham)
Every seat in Mr. Yodice’s classroom was taken at lunch on Friday with the number of AACA members and other students eager to hear from Mayor Knox. Mayor Knox shared stories of his experience in town government, music, and other areas of his life. He answered questions about anything from his favorite part of being mayor to his guitar collection. (Elena Cunningham)
Mayor Rusty Knox did an amazing job balancing keeping his visit positive with openly talking to students about issues the local community faces. He informed students that this area has the highest teen suicide rate in the state and Hough high school has a higher rate than any other NC public school. “Somebody’s missing the boat, as parents, as mayors, as peers, as preachers, as teachers, as police officers and firemen,” Knox said. He detailed some things he has been able to do within the town, like hiring a co-responder to be a non-threatening help and a domestic violence intermediary brought onto the team in January of 2025. (Elena Cunningham)
Junior Liam Hogan (front), a founder of the AACA, listened to Mayor Rusty Knox speak about what he has learned since becoming Mayor. Mayor Knox said, “My wheelhouse when I ran was affordable and attainable housing and mental health. I never thought I would sit on five transportation bills, much less chair one and co-chair two.” He was able to impart some of his accumulated wisdom in the beginning of his talk, explaining bus routes and other transportation issues. (Elena Cunningham)
Mayor Knox poses with CSD Civics teacher Autumn Michael. The two work together on the Davidson town board, and when he arrived, he made sure to come in and greet her fourth period class. (Elena Cunningham)
Mayor Rusty Knox shakes hands with CSD Executive Director Mr. Craig Smith. Lunch ended with a fire drill, but Smith and Knox made sure they got time to chat and take pictures together. Smith spent his lunch in Mr. Yodice’s room listening just as intently as AACA club members. (Elena Cunningham)
Kumaran, Shealy, and Hogan pose with Mayor Rusty Knox at the end of lunch. “I felt very proud. It was definitely one of our biggest achievements this year,” Akhilan Kumaran (‘26) said about bringing Mayor Knox in to speak with the club. “We thought it was a great meeting.” (Elena Cunningham)
Elena Cunningham is a sophomore in her second year at CSD. She spent her first year learning and growing in Creative Writing class and is excited to explore a new area of writing. She has loved reading (especially fiction) even longer than writing and her favorite book is The Outsiders for its characters and their dynamic relationships. A recent favorite is also the layered storyline of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross.
Elena also spends a large portion of time playing volleyball. She has bounced around positions since starting high school, mostly playing as a middle blocker (despite being 5’3”), and she loves changing positions because she is constantly learning new aspects of the game.
Quote -
“Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary”
-J.M. Barrie
Walk-up Song?
“Hall of Fame”
-The Script
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