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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

Elena Cunningham

Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager

Elena Cunningham is a junior in her second year of Journalism. She is excited to build on her first year and do even more across many areas of the Spartan Sentinel. In her first year, Elena’s passion for creative writing helped inspire the Creativity Corner, a new dropdown on the website which features student and teacher contributions including art, poetry, haiku and short stories.

She loves reading and wants to have a job in publishing one day. Elena’s most recent favorite book is “In the Wild Light.” When she is not holding a book, Elena enjoys playing varsity volleyball and lacrosse.

Elena came to CSD in her freshman year from Pioneer Springs and maintains friendships with lots of people from both schools. Her favorite things to do with friends include walking around Birkdale, playing beach volleyball and conquering escape rooms.

Favorite Quote: “You are your best thing.” – Toni Morrison, “Beloved”

Walkup song: Glitter & Gold – Barns Courtney

All content by Elena Cunningham
“Reasons”

“Reasons”

(Personal Poetry) By Isabelle Adams (‘26)
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
April 30, 2026

Reasons For what must be the hundredth time, I see you standing there, framed in gold by the sunlight that kisses your shoulders. The wind that gives life to your hair and blush to your cheeks does...

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Sightings of Carolina and Duke gear are common at CSD. While basketball typifies the UNC vs. Duke rivalry, no sports are safe when it comes to showing a thumb up or a  thumb down. North Carolina sports, even at the college level are high level across the state.

Opinion – The air around here

If native Tarheel, “His Airness,” Michael Jordan, is not proof enough, there are plenty of other reasons that illustrate why North Carolina is the greatest state in the nation for sports

North Carolina is a diverse state not just geographically, with mountains and the ocean just a few hours apart, but also anywhere you look in the sports scene. There are great athletes that came from...

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CSD alumni and University of Michigan freshman, Kate Saussele, center, is decked out in Michigan gear and surrounded by friends. Michigan has “so much school spirit!” she said. (Image courtesy of Kate Saussele.)

A day in the life of a college student – A big time at Michigan

Kate Saussele (‘25) says everything is bigger - including schedules, clubs, the football stadium and school spirit - at University of Michigan
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
April 12, 2026

(As told to Elena Cunningham) What does a day in your life at Michigan look like?  My Mondays and Wednesdays start at 10 a.m. so usually I wake up a little later and walk to my first class, Art...

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Natalia Modia (‘30), dancing as Lenore Dove, is lifted by students in her “Songbird” cast during a dress rehearsal at noon on Tuesday. The show featured three separate casts, so Modia was one of three Lenores who performed each with a different student in the role of Haymitch, the main character.

The curtain closes on ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’

CSD brings back “The Hunger Games” franchise for a 9 show dance performance featuring more than 200 students (Article includes a 48 image gallery)
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
March 8, 2026

On Monday, Feb 23, 2026, Community School of Davidson’s (CSD) middle school dancers opened their dance performance of “Sunrise on the Reaping” for dress rehearsals. They continued dress rehearsals...

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An Auvi-Q is a type of epinephrine autoinjector that is needed during an emergency allergic reaction. Doctors recommend that people with anaphylaxis (to food or other allergens) carry two epinephrine injectors with them at all times. This is among the many responsibilities people with allergies learn to manage, but allergy management doesn’t look the same for everyone. For example, Cheez-Its contain milk, but baked in. Some people with dairy or egg allergies can have baked goods containing dairy. This is because of the chemical reaction that changes the composition of the allergen. However, this is not an option for some people with more severe allergies.

Food fighters

Editorial: For high school students living with food allergies, learning self-management and advocacy teaches life lessons
Max Shealy and Elena Cunningham
February 22, 2026
The first day of school can be overwhelming for somebody with an allergy. Even the food celebrations for spaces such as advisory lunch and senior sunrise require navigation on the first day for individuals with allergies. The stress in potentially life-threatening allergic reactions can be overwhelming. So what is it like to have a food allergy?
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Snowbanks in the south are rare in the winter, but CSD had two in the span of a week. 11 inches of snow paralyzed the Davidson community has school shifted to remote.

Dear winter, we give

Second winter storm in a week dumps record amounts of snow in the Charlotte area. Schools close and learning shifts to remote as neighborhoods shovel out

(Compiled and edited by Dylan Sherman and Carter Burch) When Community School of Davidson (CSD) students woke on Saturday, January 31, 2026, and saw nothing but the heavy snowfall brought on by winter...

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CSD families awoke on the morning of January 25, 2026, to see snow and ice covering everything from front walkways to sidewalks and roads. The storm, which was forecast to cause major damage, was largely underwhelming.

Winter storm Fern barrels through the Southeast, largely spares the Carolinas

Ice, sleet and snow closed schools and altered daily lives, but did the preparation and abundance of notice match the outcome?

North Carolinians awoke on Sunday, January 25, 2026, to a soft blanket of snow covering the ground. A rare winter wonderland had transformed the otherwise winter grey and dormant surroundings into something...

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Inside My Mind

Inside My Mind

(Visual Art - Clay and Glaze) Bailey Lowman (‘27)
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
January 22, 2026

Artist Statement —- “Inside My Mind” shows the natural system of the human brain. The brain is a system of knowledge and emotions. The effects of the brain’s systems can cause chaos. The emotions...

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A student’s desk shows the three weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break mean a full, busy schedule with everything from academics and extracurriculars to an SAT for some.

It’s the most _____ time of the year

As CSD students return from Thanksgiving break, a range of emotions fills the air
Elena Cunningham and Kennedy Donley
December 8, 2025

The Community School of Davidson (CSD) High School has an unwritten rule that students do not have homework during Thanksgiving break. Instead of spending the five days away from school in front of screens...

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Carolina

Carolina

(Personal Poetry) Elena Cunningham (‘27)
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
November 13, 2025

When I leave I want to carry the Carolina clay on my clothes. I want to come back in the summer when city heat is stifling and feel wind whipping curls back into my hair. I want barely...

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A CSD American History class completes a lap around the high school building during a learning period. The simply practice, started as a way to give students a break from desks and classrooms, follows Dr. Ernest Boyer’s model for successful learning.

[Photo] Let’s take a lap

Akhilan Kumaran, News Editor, Features Editor
October 8, 2025

A CSD American History class completes a lap around the high school building during a learning period. The simply practice, started as a way to give students a break from desks and classrooms, follows...

From left: Kennedy Donley (‘26), Gracyn McRorie (‘26), Kelly Rogers (‘27) and Lizzie Shields (‘27) prepare for takeoff on Frankie’s go-cart track. The Association for Applied Sports Psychology says team-building activities and shared experiences can help foster mutual trust and cooperation. (Photo by Coach Betsy Miller)

Photo story – Hard hitters and fast friends

CSD’s girls varsity volleyball team builds off-court connections and friendships during a team bonding event at Frankie’s
Elena Cunningham, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Content Manager
September 29, 2025

What is the difference between being teammates and being friends? Different answers may include shared qualities like a sense of humor or just whether or not a friendship “clicks.” The Community School...

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A larger than life Spartan mural along the gym hall welcomes students daily and serves as a visual reminder of the spirit and energy that fill the school. From pep rallies and advisory to service learning and sports (and lots more in between) it’s a great time to be a CSD student.

26 reasons why the 2026 CSD school year will be a special one

Welcome back, Spartans. Here’s what the Journalism team believes makes the cut.

As CSD students come back and prepare for another year, excitement is high in one of the most unique high schools in the state. Here are the Journalism staff’s picks for 26 things that will make this...

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“In Between”

“In Between”

(Personal Poetry) Susan Ban (English Teacher)
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Editor, Creative Content Manager
May 15, 2025

I rest and wrestle within the wide line I’ve scrolled in the sand this sacred space the reminder to every purpose under heaven there is a season.   While in the between of...

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“Under the Influence”

“Under the Influence”

(Visual Art) Emma Nowak (‘26)
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Editor, Creative Content Manager
May 7, 2025

This piece is a self-portrait and a tribute to everything that makes the artist who she is. The image of Nowak is surrounded by pictures, notes, stickers, and other mementos that represent important people...

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“Through the Years”

“Through the Years”

(Visual Art) Austin Parrish (‘27)
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Manager, Creative Content Manager
May 7, 2025

This piece features pieces of different photographs of the artist at different points in his life, arranged to make one abstract picture with a red-and-blue background. The art “shows the different fragments...

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Ceramic house hanging

Ceramic house hanging

(Ceramics) - Mia Kirsch (‘25)
Elena Cunningham and Mia Kirsch
May 3, 2025

This ceramic wall hanging depicts a house scene with a table and chairs, a window and a bookshelf. There are plants on the bookshelf and table, which also holds two coffee cups. There is a cat sitting...

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“Beneath the Afterlife”

“Beneath the Afterlife”

(Digital Art) Jaelyn Nguyen (‘25)

The digital art piece shows a river filled with fragments and orbs from different worlds and timelines. It is inspired by manhua (Chinese comics). Nguyen has been “mesmerized by Chinese traditional art...

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“The Hunger Games” features many characters who break gender stereotypes, including Katniss Everdeen, the main character, and her partner in The Games, Peeta Mellark. Both use their differences as strengths, but they have almost “gender-swapped” weaknesses as well.

Opinion – Breaking the mold: Gender roles in “The Hunger Games”

Only by going against tradition can we become stronger, more complete and more self-aware
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Editor, Creative Content Manager
April 7, 2025

From a young age, we, as students and young adults, watch others to exemplify how to live our lives. We notice how people look, speak and act, as well as how they are received by others. From these observations,...

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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

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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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.

Photo story – AACA brings Davidson Mayor Rusty Knox to CSD

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.
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Editor, Creative Content Manager
February 3, 2025

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...

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Origami birds hang on display in CSD’s Arts Commons. Though they may look different, they are, to a degree, the same. Or are they?

Birds of a feather

(Personal Poetry) Elena Cunningham (‘27)
Elena Cunningham, Student Life Editor, Creative Content Manager
December 16, 2024

Birds of a feather flock together So the pillow makers can have uniform stuffing Handed to them. All in one place. So easy. Why would you pick brown birds out of big, diverse groups when...

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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.

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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Just a month into his new job, Craig Smith agreed to sit down with the Journalism, Media Productions and Photography classes for a first ever, student-driven press conference. Filling the band room, Smith shared his history and motivated students to be their best selves.

A new voice, a direction, a challenge

CSD’s new Executive Director, Craig Smith, takes questions at a student-led press conference and challenges Spartans to be their best selves

During the summer of 2024, Craig Smith was hired as Community School of Davidson (CSD) new Executive Director, replacing founder, Joy Warner, and subsequently a team of three administrative leaders. He...

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Akhilan Kumaran (‘26) shows sophomore JT Peterson (‘27) an AACA shirt and tells him about the club. The idea for this new club came after three classmates bonded in AP Government class and decided other students might benefit, too.

Club culture adds to student learning

Clubs play a major role in a CSD education and three juniors are putting a new idea to the test
Elena Cunningham and Macy Balmat
October 7, 2024
“We just started out helping each other outside of class, in class, and then we wanted to spread that across the school,” Akhilan Kumaran said.
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