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CSD Spartan Media

CSD Spartan Media

CSD Spartan Media
Brandon Amaya

Brandon Amaya, Deputy Sports Editor, Staff Writer

Brandon Amaya is a CSD senior. He attended CSD high school for his first two years but then moved to Florida for his junior year because of his mom’s job and is now back for his final year. He took Journalism in his sophomore year and is now back again. Brandon hopes to use the class as a way to expand and sharpen his writing skills. He hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism and wants to know more about the different styles of writing and media.

Brandon enjoys playing basketball and his favorite team is the Chicago Bulls. One of his favorite foods is pizza, specifically deep dish from Chicago. He also enjoys hanging out with friends and watching movies whether comedy, action or drama. Two of his favorite movies are Knives Out and DUNE (Part Two).

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

-Michael Jordan

Walk-up Song?

“24k Magic”

-Bruno Mars

All content by Brandon Amaya
From the original Hornets teal and pinstripe through the Bobcats black and orange with a racing checkerboard to the more current “Buzz City” look, changing jerseys mean changes in attitude, too.

The power of a basketball jersey

From the Charlotte Hornets to the CSD Spartans, the look of a jersey can make a big difference for fans and players alike
Brandon Amaya, Deputy Sports Editor, Staff Writer
February 17, 2025

The Charlotte Hornets have had a lot of different jerseys in their 35 years of being an NBA franchise. From their first jerseys being instant classics to some of the worst in the league (and everything...

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When asked to write about a person you love and share what makes this person special, Ben Gallagher (‘25) said, “The CSD Spartan mascot framed in a heart summarizes our school spirit. I love the Spartan mascot because it represents the community of CSD and school pride. Love isn’t just person to person but can also be used to describe the things we care for deeply and I do love my school.”

Photo story – The look of love ‘25

In an annual class exercise, journalism students share ideas and get answers to Valentine’s Day questions within CSD high school
Ben Gallagher, Callie Hobbs, Kate Saussele, Liam Bradley, Jaelyn Nguyen, Avery Nardone, Dylan Sherman, Mia Kirsch, Evan Mulligan, Elena Cunningham, Conner Shelton, and Brandon Amaya
February 14, 2025

Paired with images from Valentine’s Day at school, journalism students chose to answer one of the following questions in the captions. Why do you think Valentine’s Day is associated with the heart? ...

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Benjamin (Mack) Sidden is a senior and a sports photographer who is known for his unique action shot pictures. His talent hard work has quickly earned him a following on social media.

Spartan Questionnaire* (#10) featuring Mack Sidden (*where we take a break from AP Style writing and get right to the good Q&A stuff with CSD people)

Brandon Amaya, Deputy Sports Editor, Staff Writer
February 5, 2025

Community School of Davidson (CSD) senior Benjamin (Mack) Sidden (‘25) is a freelance sports photographer who has found a home along the baselines at basketball games and sidelines of football games....

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Before doors opened, student artists and staff apply, last-minute organization to the “Under the Sea” gallery. As one of four different areas, The gallery, housed, visual, ceramics, wood and other art during Arts Night ‘24. (CSD Journalism class photo).

Photo story – CSD artists light up Arts Night

From visual, wood and ceramic arts to music, dance, tech, production, photography and more, the annual Arts Night brought to life the incredible talents of Spartan students.
Elena Cunningham, Conner Shelton, Mia Kirsch, Ben Gallagher, Liam Bradley, Evan Mulligan, Kate Saussele, and Brandon Amaya
December 16, 2024

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, hundreds of Spartan students, families and friends entered via red carpet to a school transformed into a living, magical center of galleries, performances, interactive displays...

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Dylan Foltz (‘25) drives to the hoop in an early season varsity game. The excitement is high for both the boys and girls basketball teams as well as for the fans who return to Griffin gym for the upcoming winter sports season. (Photo used courtesy of Mack Sidden ‘25.)

Tis the season for winter sports

From basketball and cheer to indoor track plus swim and dive, winter athletes look to compete and earn wins this winter season.
Brandon Amaya, Conner Shelton, and Dylan Sherman
December 16, 2024

CSD’s winter Spartan athletes are back to bring life to Griffin Gym and the school during the cold winter months of the school year. With more than 100 athletes competing across multiple sports at both...

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The Community School of Davison is a unique type of school compared to a typical public school. Relationships are important and with its small classes and open windows even the very structure makes it stand out.

Opinion – My year away

What a year away from CSD (and then returning) looks like
Brandon Amaya, Deputy Sports Editor, Staff Writer
November 5, 2024
I do not take my time in Florida for granted because it showed me what really matters in my life and what a high school experience should be.
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CSD Class of ‘25 seniors, from left: Logan Cain, Aidan Lewis, Jack Parrot, Bo Watson, Owen Hamilton, Conner Shelton, Collin Klebe, Colby Thompson, Jack Suthard, Ben Gallagher, Jett Kerber ('24 CSD graduate) and Noah Watson. The group had a guys dinner before their last Homecoming dance on Saturday (and asked Taylor Worley to take a photo). They filled an extra long table at Hawthorne’s Pizza.

Photo story – Spartans show up and show out at Homecoming

CSD’s Homecoming 2024 in words and pictures
Elena Cunningham, Mia Kirsch, Ben Gallagher, Conner Shelton, and Brandon Amaya
October 27, 2024

In late October, as students settle into the rhythm of the new school year, finish fall sports seasons and wait impatiently for the holiday season (which still seems far away), Homecoming festivities at...

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Fantasy football fanatics, Ben Gallagher (‘25), and Dylan Sherman (‘28), share notes and data prior to NFL’s week four slate of games. On one of three major platforms, players must build their weekly starting lineup from their draft roster. Winning, and losing week to week often comes down to a certain receiver, or quarterback, kicker, or defense having a breakout game.

[Photo] Fantasy football season kicks off

Dylan Sherman, Copy Editor, Deputy Sports Editor
October 7, 2024

Fantasy football fanatics, Ben Gallagher (‘25), and Dylan Sherman (‘28), share notes and data prior to NFL’s week four slate of games. On one of three major platforms, players must build their weekly...

Junior, Sam Mack’s (‘26) jersey and pads sitting outside the gym mean one thing, fall sports are back. With more than 150 athletes competing across nearly a half dozen sports, fall Spartans head into battle.

Fall sports back in action

Spartan fall athletes begin their seasons
Brandon Amaya, Dylan Sherman, and Conner Shelton
September 23, 2024

With the new school year comes a new fall sports season.The CSD Spartans compete in the Catawba Shores Conference (Class 1A and 2A) of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). All...

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Spartan Day was created in 2012 as a last day, celebration for students to come together, pick up yearbooks and enjoy signing, and have some fun inside and outside.

Spartan Day – a unique year-end sendoff

Brandon Amaya, Staff Writer
May 11, 2023

The schedule for Spartan Day 2023 includes a full day of end of year, academics, food, games, and lots of fun.

Holt Grier and Brandon Amaya, both sophomores, like to hang out by their lockers in the Science Wing. Every CSD high school student has a locker in the building. They are typically arranged by class or advisory. “It’s a quiet place to work, almost like a little oasis in a busy building where there is lots always happening,” said Holt Grier (‘25). “I like hanging out there because it is secluded and it’s got good Wi-Fi so I can use my phone,” said Brandon Amaya (‘25).

[Photo] Spartan 24 – A day at CSD high school (Photo Essay)

Ben Gallagher, Editor in Chief
April 30, 2023

Holt Grier and Brandon Amaya, both sophomores, like to hang out by their lockers in the Science Wing. Every CSD high school student has a locker in the building. They are typically arranged by class or...

Ali Sharifi is a sophomore at CSD from Afghanistan and was on the varsity soccer team. We sat down with Ali for the great “Spartan Questionnaire” and this is what we learned.

Spartan Questionnaire* (#2) Featuring Ali Sharifi (*where we take a break from AP Style and get right to the good stuff with CSD people)

Brandon Amaya and Holt Grier
April 17, 2023

Ali Sharifi is a sophomore at CSD from Afghanistan who was on the varsity soccer team. Before attending CSD he went to Woodland Heights in Mooresville, North Carolina. You may know him as the winner of...

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Sophomore, Holt Grier, plays the role of Pinocchio after auditioning in January.

[Photo] Shrek, The Musical arrives at CSD

Sinclair Berry, Arts & Entertainment Editor
March 23, 2023

Sophomore, Holt Grier, plays the role of Pinocchio after auditioning in January.

While 2022 was a good year for movies, the first full year of movie releases after the pandemic, 2023 looks to be even better. So if you want to see some good action, adventure and sci-fi, now is the time to do it.

Coming soon – 3 great movies for 2023

Brandon Amaya, Staff Writer
February 12, 2023

2023 is going to be a great year for movies and these are just some of the ones that are going to be really exciting. One of the movies I am excited to watch is Guardians of the Galaxy. This might be...

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Grab the remote control and some popcorn and settle in for the holiday movies.

Top 10 holiday movies – Grab the remote!

Brandon Amaya, Staff Writer
December 11, 2022
‘From old-school classics to modern-day adaptations and everything in between, holiday movies are no further away than a click or two on the remote.“
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Queen Elizabeth, the second has passed away and the world will never be the same.

[Photo] “The Queen is dead”

September 17, 2022

Queen Elizabeth, the second has passed away and the world will never be the same.

Queen Elizabeth, the second has passed away and the world will never be the same.

“The Queen is dead”

Brandon Amaya and Evan Mulligan
September 17, 2022

That is the headline that is going around the world right now and it really is a shame that she is gone. Queen Elizabeth’s oldest son, Prince Charles, who is now known as King Charles made a statement...

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