Skip to Main Content
The Student News Site of Community School of Davidson

CSD Spartan Media

The Student News Site of Community School of Davidson

CSD Spartan Media

The Student News Site of Community School of Davidson

CSD Spartan Media

Conner Shelton

Conner Shelton, Sports Editor, Podcast Editor

Conner Shelton is a CSD senior who is returning for his third year of Journalism. Conner loves all things sports, so you will typically find his work in the sports section of the Spartan Sentinel. The ultimate goal that Conner has in mind is to become a sports broadcaster once he graduates. He wants to be just like his favorite sports broadcaster, Kirk Herbstreit. Conner has always enjoyed writing more than reading, so Journalism has been such a great fit for him over the past three years.

Conner loves to spend his time playing baseball and piano. Fun fact, he has actually been playing the piano since he was five years old. You will typically find him outdoors hanging out with his dog, Charley. He loves to watch all sporting events and will most likely catch at least every single day.

Additionally, Conner has a younger sister named Carsyn who is in 8th grade and has been at CSD her whole life. Food is one of Conner’s favorite things in the whole world, and he especially enjoys any kind of pasta. Conner is excited for his senior year and for the opportunity to produce more sports content throughout the year.

Quote?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

-Joshua 1:9

Walk-up Song?

Cowgirls

-Morgan Wallen

All content by Conner Shelton

Episode 18 – With the energy of MLB’s 2025 opening weekend peaking, CSD Podcasters discuss storylines for what’s to come

MLB is back for the new season and with opening weekend come storylines, predictions and hopes. Senior journalists and podcasters Ben Gallagher and Conner Shelton share their thoughts on everything from the Yankees new torpedo bats to the Braves starting out 0–4. Featuring original music from sophomore Gage Terry. Mia Kirsch and Conner Shelton podcast editors.
Conner Shelton, Ben Gallagher, and Mia Kirsch
April 24, 2025

Continue Reading

Episode 16 – Following the 2025 NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LIX

In this uniquely styled episode, recorded in multiple sessions throughout the entire NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl then edited into one episode, senior journalists Conner Shelton and Ben Gallagher (with original music by sophomore Gage Terry) take listeners with them on an informative and witty journey throughout the NFL postseason. Starting with the Wildcard round and moving through to the Super Bowl, the hosts highlight the players, the plays, the teams (and even the refs) that culminated in an Eagles win. Podcast editors Conner Shelton and Mia Kirsch.
Conner Shelton, Ben Gallagher, and Mia Kirsch
April 24, 2025

Continue Reading
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

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? ...

Continue Reading
Event participants of all ages begin the 2024 “The Sweet Fun Run” at CSD’s Spartan Park. The event welcomes participants of all ages to run, walk or roll four laps on the track enjoying a sweet treat in between each one. (Photo courtesy of The Sweet Fun Run club.)

Registration opens for third annual “The Sweet Fun Run,” a family-friendly charity event at Spartan Park

From an idea four years ago, the student event organizers soon hope to welcome the largest number of participants in the event's history.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor, Podcast Editor
February 12, 2025

During the 2022 academic year, two Community School of Davidson (CSD) freshmen had the idea of starting a family friendly fundraiser that combined eating and running while building school spirit. After...

Continue Reading
The Community School of Davidson (CSD) Spartans football team begins every game the same way. Before the game, they go out on the field while holding the American flag to show pride for their country and their team. (Photo used courtesy of Mack Sidden ‘25).

A Spartan football season to remember

11 seniors and a team full of heart transform a season with a highly unusual start into something special
Conner Shelton and Dylan Sherman
December 20, 2024

At the beginning of the season, the Community School of Davidson’s (CSD) varsity football team often wondered what could possibly happen next. As if losing a lightning shortened game wasn’t enough,...

Continue Reading
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.

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...

Continue Reading
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...

Continue Reading
Beautiful skyline and music couple to raise $24.5 million for those in western North Carolina who were affected by Category 2 Hurricane Helene.

Concert for Carolina raises needed funds for western North Carolina

Looking back at a once in a lifetime North Carolina concert to raise funds for Hurricane Helene relief
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor, Podcast Editor
November 13, 2024
In the end, Concert for the Carolinas was just that, a once in a lifetime evening that fans appreciated and cherished, one that everyone at attendance hopes will never have to happen again.
Read Story
  At the beginning of the season, the sight of anything Panthers-related made fans instantly unhappy. With the addition of new coaches and players plus a quarterback swap, Panthers fans have renewed hope heading as the 2024-2025 season gains traction.

A new hope in Carolina?

With a new coach, great new players, and a quarterback change, there is a new energy around the Carolinas Panthers football
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor, Podcast Editor
October 22, 2024
With a quarterback change and a win, there is more energy throughout the whole organization. Panther fans have hope for the future. Carolina has a great young coach and players who now bring the energy back to Carolina Panther football. The fans are even bringing back the old mantra from Panther great Sam Mills: “Keep Pounding.”
Read Story
For the CSD Spartans football team, it might seem like the weather has more to do with the schedule anything else this season. Hurricane Helene joins a thunder and lightning storm game postponement in a season that so far has been anything but normal.

Hut, hut, hurricane

Hurricane Helene blowing through Charlotte is just the latest twist in a (so far) unusual CSD Spartan football season
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor, Podcast Editor
September 27, 2024

When hurricane Helene came ashore Thursday night, September 26th, as the biggest storm ever to hit Florida’s “Big Bend” area, CSD’s football game against Mountain Island Charter had already been...

Continue Reading
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...

Continue Reading
This year was a busy one for student journalist, Callie Hobbs. As both a Sports Editor and Opinions Editor, she learned to use the power of her voice in stories, podcasts and photo stories on the Spartan Sentinel.

[Photo] Sharing my voice

Callie Hobbs, Sports Editor and Opinions Editor
May 20, 2024

This year was a busy one for student journalist, Callie Hobbs. As both a Sports Editor and Opinions Editor, she learned to use the power of her voice in stories, podcasts and photo stories on the Spartan...

A 1976 Yale women’s rowing protest opened doors for women athletes. High schools like CSD now offer equal opportunities for girls to play the sports they love.

Yale women’s rowing protest remembered

How a bold protest on the water led to a change in women’s sports everywhere
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
May 15, 2024

With the Civil Rights Movement, increasing women’s rights, political unrest and the start of the Vietnam War all happening at once in the 1960’s, the general behavior and acceptance in the United States...

Continue Reading
As she led her Iowa Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances and set the NCAA all-time scoring record, Caitlin Clark attracted more male viewers to a more exciting style of basketball.

The Caitlin Clark effect

Over the past few years, one athlete, the all-time NCAA college basketball scoring leader, Caitlin Clark, has greatly changed the landscape of female sports. Her career at Iowa was one for the ages however her story doesn’t just end there. Now a member of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark has the potential to become one of the greatest women's athletes of all time, breaking records humans have never seen and gaining viewership (and respect) for all current and future women athletes.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
May 4, 2024

Caitlin Clark runs off of a screen from her teammate in a conference game against Michigan State with five seconds left on a ticking clock. She calls for the ball, pump fakes her shot, then dribbles to...

Continue Reading
There is no proven way to get a perfect bracket so why not go with your gut or pick games and teams using whatever strategy makes you feel confident.

They call it March Madness for a reason

Bracketology and picking more than 60 games is just as hard as it seems.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
March 21, 2024

The end-of-season college basketball tournament is a basketball fan's dream come true. For fans there is nothing better than a ton of games, upsets and most of all filling out the tournament bracket with...

Continue Reading
Originally pictured in Spartan Park’s initial 2017 plans, construction of the long awaited and anticipated baseball field is nearing completion. If progress continues on schedule, both the junior, varsity and varsity teams will play home games on the brand new field before season end.

If you build it, they will come

CSD’S Spartan Park baseball field is about to become a reality
Conner Shelton
March 17, 2024

When CSD first began the construction of Spartan Park in 2017, planners had the dream of allowing student-athletes to be able to play the sports they love in an amazing complex that they could call home.  During...

Continue Reading

Episode 10 – Shining a new light on Electric Vehicle charging

Join CSD junior, Kate Saussele, as she chats with her dad, an automotive electrical engineer and solar powered proponent, about the differences between gas and electrical, powered vehicles, how the purchase of a used EV is changing their lives and how solar charging could become a more accessible and affordable way to keep your EV on the road in the future.
Kate Saussele, Conner Shelton, and Isabel Sands
February 22, 2024

Continue Reading
There’s nothing like Carolina and Duke when it comes to rivalries. And when the basketball teams face each other, team supporters show their colors.

The clash of the blue bloods

It’s the biggest rivalry in the Carolinas and CSD Spartans show their colors as the next chapter of the clash of the blue bloods looms.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
February 22, 2024

UNC and Duke is arguably one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. It is right up there with the Red Sox and Yankees baseball plus Auburn and Alabama football. Across the Carolinas, as the NCAA basketball...

Continue Reading
The Carolina Panthers are the worst team in the NFL. as the owner just fired another head coach. It shouldn’t be a surprise that a football and a trash can go hand-in-hand this season.

Keep “pounding?”

The Carolina Panthers are the worst team in the NFL and their owner just fired another head coach. What’s the problem? Who is to blame?
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
December 7, 2023

Another year and another Panthers head coach has been fired. This time Frank Reich has left the front of the line.  While the Panthers highly anticipated 2023 season has been an absolute disaster, Panthers...

Continue Reading
Oliver Morris (‘25) evades a tackle as he makes his way into the end zone to give the Spartans a score against Country Day.

The “Rematch”

CSD football looks to avenge their only loss and continue to advance further into the playoffs.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
November 15, 2023

It’s one thing for a football team to travel to a visitor’s field and win once, it’s another thing to do it twice. If the Spartans have anything to say about Forest Hill coming to Spartan Park to...

Continue Reading
GUTS is exactly what the title says. It is everything about Rodrigo that she has kept hidden inside. Some songs may be about failed relationships, but others are about the struggles of not being taken seriously as a girl, or discovering that your decisions are, well, your decisions. (Image by Conner Shelton and fair use album cover credit - Geffen Records)

[Photo] Olivia Rodrigo’s new album has “GUTS”

Isabel Sands, Arts & Entertainment Editor and Podcast Editor
October 2, 2023

GUTS is exactly what the title says. It is everything about Rodrigo that she has kept hidden inside. Some songs may be about failed relationships, but others are about the struggles of not being taken...

Colorado Buffalo head coach, Deion Sanders, celebrates a great play in a week one contest against TCU

Coach Prime is back in action

Deion Sanders, former NFL defensive back/receiver and MLB outfielder, has taken the sports world by storm (again) over the past couple of months.
Conner Shelton, Sports Editor and Podcast Editor
September 26, 2023

Over the past few years the Colorado Buffaloes have fielded very weak football teams. The last time they were ranked in the AP Top 25 was 2020. And that was for just one week. All of this was bound to...

Continue Reading
Load More Stories