Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Maryanne O'Neill

The Science of Seasonal Depression

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Coming back from winter break is rough. The bleak days of January trudge on and on and the hope of Spring Break feels too far in the future to serve as encouragement. Although it feels like you’re the only one wondering when the day will come when you no longer freeze on your dark walk to first block every weekday morning, many people experience it. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or more popularly referred to as “Seasonal Depression,” is a common phenomenon of weather conditions causing prolonged feelings of fatigue and lethargy, in either winter or summer. But what is it?

Scientists believe the main cause of winter seasonal depression stems from the shift in our biological clock and circadian rhythm. Due to the shortening of daylight every winter, darkness is more common throughout everyday activities (previously mentioned, the freezing walk in the quad at 7:00 AM). The human body is conditioned to produce melatonin when it is dark, in order to promote sleep, then, when the sunrises, melatonin should wear off, allowing the body to wake up. 

So, when your body’s melatonin peaks later and doesn’t wear off until well into the day, the increased levels of melatonin foster prolonged feelings of grogginess and fatigue that last through the day. In response, the body doesn’t fully awake until later in the day, making it more difficult to fall asleep at night. This creates a perpetual cycle of insomnia, weariness, and stress – all symptoms of depression. 

Despite however looming it may feel, seasonal depression is not inevitable. There are plenty of ways to ward off the depressive cycle by allowing yourself the time and energy to feel better. Doctors have recommended bright light therapy as a form of treatment for SAD. I have friends who have invested in a sunlight lamp for just this! The light adjusts your circadian rhythm, and has been proven to help those who suffer from SAD upon consistent use. The lamp mimics the warmth of the sun in summer and tricks your mind into thinking you’re in the middle of summer break. 

The easiest way, although it may not always be appealing, is simply stepping outside for a walk or a run. The dopamine released from being on the move outside will counteract the melatonin in your system, leaving you feeling refreshed with the energy needed to move about your day. Also, just sitting outside to enjoy the apricity is enough to boost your mood, as the exposure to light is more than what you’ll receive in your home. 

Overall, if you too feel as though these next few months seem like the longest stretch of the school year, remember you are not alone in these emotions. Millions of Americans are affected by seasonal depression, and there are countless treatments and resources. Lastly, just remember, the sun will be here before you know it! 

From the Ashes

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On April 15, 2019, Paris’ most famous cathedral caught fire. The cathedral burned for fifteen hours, resulting in massive amounts of damage that would take years to repair. The cause of the Notre Dame fire is still unknown, although it is believed to have been some sort of electrical mishap. The flames destroyed one of the three spires, the majority of the roof, and the cathedral’s upper walls, as well as damaging historic relics and statues. 

Parisians watched the fire in tears, mourning as one of their greatest historic landmarks was engulfed in smoke. The Notre Dame has been an icon of Paris since its construction, beginning in 1163 under Bishop Maurice de Sully and coming to completion in 1260. The cathedral sits on Île de la Cité, an island in the Seine River, located in the first arrondissement of Paris. For centuries, it has been a place of worship and a testament to the Catholic Church’s contributions to art and architecture. 

The spire of the cathedral was a staple of the Paris skyline as well as French Gothic architecture. During the fire, it collapsed, sending burning rubble crashing to the floor. The roof was a unique aspect of the Notre Dame, constructed of wood from oak trees over hundreds of years old from the forests of Bercé in central France. The roof of the cathedral was known as la forêt, which means “the forest” in French. 

However, for the next five years following the fire, architects and historians worked to restore the cathedral of Paris to the best of their abilities. The process began only ten days after the fire was tamed, as investigators entered the remains of the Notre Dame to assess the damage and potential cause. From April 2019 to August 2021, the reconstruction project was held in a “safety phase” to clean the wreckage and ensure that the restoration would happen safely, so as to not cause further damage to the remains of the original building. 

The process of reconstructing the cathedral began slowly and took time, but each step in the rehabilitation was a celebratory accomplishment. In September of 2022, the stained glass windows were fully restored, after facing serious damage from the smoke and dust emitted from the fire. The 170 year old windows were miraculously strong enough to withstand the high temperatures and are now back on full display. 

Then, on December 16, 2023, a new spire was constructed – adorned with a new golden rooster and cross. The golden rooster represents the long standing national emblem of France, and was blessed by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich before being placed atop the spire. At last, one of the most significant symbols of Paris had been restored. 

Nearly three months later, the roof was completed and, this past September, the bells were reinstalled. Their return required a convoy of trucks, carrying the bells that weighed at over 3,500 kilograms and represented one the final steps of the reconstruction process. 

As the finishing touches were completed, French President Emmanuel Macron made his final visit to the reconstruction site for one last look before the grand opening. Finally, on December 7th, 2024, the Notre Dame’s doors were reopened to the public.

For the first time in five years, the thunderous organ sounded, welcoming people back into the sacred place of worship. An opening service, inaugural mass, and a televised ceremony paid homage to and celebrated the unveiling of the good-as-new Notre Dame. The cathedral, despite minor changes, holds the same historical and religious significance as it has for centuries. The art, sculptures, and limestone walls are each a testament to what the cathedral has withstood in its time.

Maryanne O’Neill: Editor’s Note

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This is my last first paper. When I woke up the morning of our first B-Day of the 2024-2025 school year, that thought rocked me. I realized I had spent my entire high school career waiting for what was next, and now, I was in the final stretch. I have been stuck in tunnel vision, only focusing on the next step since I first stepped foot on campus.

I remember applying to The Hoofprint, proposing my first article, and then, seemingly suddenly, I was named Co-Editor. These years went by in the blink of an eye. I have spent these past school years worried about whether or not I was doing enough to compete. I felt like I was in the middle of a marathon, and people were passing me in a casual sprint, and now looming college applications only amplify this feeling.

However, this experience is in no way subject to my time on The Hoofprint. In school, I feel as if I am constantly striving to achieve the higher standard that others appear to reach effortlessly. In some regard, this is the type of self-motivation that will take you places, but not if you are so focused on moving forward that you fail to truly appreciate what surrounds you. You’ll find that once you get to the place you have been focused on reaching, you will miss the process that got you there.  

In the words of lyricist, musician, and poet Aubrey Drake Graham, “There’s times when I wish I was where I was, back when I used to wish I was here.” These lyrics hit me at my core, as I begin my last year of high school, and I’m sure my fellow seniors will relate. I have spent so much time worrying about how to reach the end of high school, that I am uncomfortable with being so close to the finish line. The pressure placed on students, by ourselves or others, forces us to seek sanctuary. We countdown the days till summer, causing us to miss the significance of everyday things during the school year. 

My freshman year, I couldn’t wait to be in the stands like the upperclassmen, but now I wish I could spend one more football game on the infamous Freshman Hill (RIP). When I was a sophomore, all I wanted was to be the one to drive to school. Today, I savor the memories of morning walks from Ferncliff with my best friends. Last year as a junior, I couldn’t wait for June 7th, when I would be free of the chains that homework and pressure had bound me in, instead of thinking about the inevitable clock ticking down till graduation. 

When we graduate, we are not only leaving Myers Park, but we are leaving the version of ourselves that we have been for the past four years. Whether you thrived in high school or have hated every minute of it, there is something bittersweet about preparing to leave a place like this. You’ll miss the people you love, but you will also miss who you are here, where you have grown and evolved. 

For the class of 2025, our “lasts” are starting now, and mine have begun with this paper. I am grateful for all Myers Park has done for me and the people I have met, and I would not change my experience for the world. However, I know there were many times when my priorities kept me from being fully engaged in my high school experience.

To underclassmen, take it from me, a senior who has spent her years plagued with PowerSchool paranoia: instead of going through your time at Myers Park stressing about perfect grades or an abundance of leadership roles in clubs, I encourage you to spend time enjoying what can’t be put on a college application. When you feel swept up in the current of school, close your computer, step back, and take it day by day. These four years fly by, and we are lucky to have them.

Women’s College Basketball: Making Herstory

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Women’s College Basketball will forever be changed after this season. From Caitlin Clark dominating the league with her logo threes to the University of South Carolina being crowned two-time National Champs after an undefeated season, the 2023-2024 season shattered the stigma that surrounded women’s sports.

The excitement was not reserved for the final championship game. All season, players like Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and Kamilla Cardoso drew millions of eyes to women’s basketball in numbers that had never been seen before. For the first time, more viewers tuned into the women’s tournament championship game than the men’s, peaking at 24 million viewers.

On April 5th, the Final Four battled it out. Historic powerhouse and three-seed UConn faced one-seed Iowa in a neck-and-neck game that ended in a close score of 69-71, advancing Iowa to the final championship. The final score was determined by a controversial offensive foul call on UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards with 3.9 seconds remaining. Fans tore the referees apart for the skepticality of this call, claiming the outcome would have been different in the absence of the call. Despite the controversy, Iowa advanced to the final. 

Iowa’s final opponent was determined by the face-off of the Carolinas. South Carolina and NC State battled it out hours away from home, after State’s unpredicted tournament run. However, despite their success earlier in the season, the Wolfpack remained the underdogs to undefeated South Carolina. Kamilla Cardoso was an unstoppable force and claimed the Gamecocks’ spot in the final after beating  NC State 78-59. 

On April 7th, undefeated South Carolina faced off against the Hawkeyes in the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. At the end of the first quarter, Iowa led 27-20, but their lead didn’t last. The following three quarters were won by South Carolina, ending in a Gamecock victory of 87-75, and solidifying their undefeated season. 24 million viewers watched both teams make history, shattering the men’s championship game’s viewership of 14.82 million. 

One of the most notable attractions of viewership was Iowa’s prodigious point guard, Caitlin Clark. All season long, Clark made her presence on the court known with her three-pointers from behind the arc, naming her the leading scorer across the entire NCAA. 

Even with the fame, Clark has remained focused. In a post-game press conference, Clark said, “I don’t want my legacy to be, ‘Oh, Caitlin won X amount of games,’ or ‘Caitlin scored X amount of points.’ I hope it is what I was able to do for the game of women’s basketball.” The predicted first-round draftee led her team through a remarkable season to the final championship, but they weren’t powerful enough to stop undefeated the powerhouse of USC.

South Carolina is only the tenth team and fifth women’s team to go undefeated for an entire season and bring home the NCAA championship trophy. Head coach Dawn Staley led the team to never ending success, defeating every opponent that stood in their way. The Gamecocks have held a record of 109-3 over the past three seasons. 

The hype isn’t just for the collegiate level. With the recent WNBA draft, anticipation for the upcoming season is building. Clark was the number one overall pick, selected by the Indiana Fever, who have built an entirely new WNBA stadium in preparation for the predicted masses of fans coming to watch Clark play. LSU’s Angel Reese and USC’s Kamilla Cardoso changed from rivals to teammates after both being drafted by the Chicago Sky. 

This past season will go down in history as the most influential not only women’s basketball- but women’s sports as a whole. From leading scorers to record-breaking viewership, the popularity of women’s sports is just beginning. 

Ready or Not: Bridgit Mendler

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It is not every day that a Disney actor goes on to attend the University of Southern California, graduate with a Master’s degree from MIT, have four million monthly listeners on Spotify, be the CEO of a space startup, and be a mom. Bridgit Mendler breaks this mold. 

Mendler signed with Disney in 2009, starring in hit shows such as Wizards of Waverly Place, Lemonade Mouth, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, and her most notable role as Teddy Duncan in Good Luck, Charlie. Good Luck, Charlie is one of Disney’s most popular shows, with 7.48 million viewers. Outside of her Disney fame, she has played multiple roles in sitcoms and a Netflix Original musical. However, Mendler hasn’t been seen on screen since 2019, as she has been busy excelling in her alternate artistic field: Music. 

Mendler’s music career kicked off in the early 2010s with her contributions to the Lemonade Mouth soundtrack. With the movie’s success, Mendler signed with Hollywood Records in 2011. A year later, she released her one-hit-wonder album, Hello My Name Is…. Even if you aren’t a die-hard Mendler fan, chances are you have jammed to the album’s two singles, Ready or Not and Hurricane. Her album peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Top 200 and has recently seen a spike in streams over a decade later. Mendler embarked on two tours and released nine other singles over the years. 

Mendler isn’t confined to just Arts and Entertainment. In the late 2010s, she began to focus on her education, enrolling at the University of Southern California with a major in anthropology. When asked why she chose to attend college, Mendler shared that her parents had always encouraged her to “do everything.” Even after leaving USC, Mendler’s ambition kept her pursuing her education. In 2018, she announced she was attending MIT and majoring in humanity and technology, concentrating on improving social media. Mendler took to X to share her struggle with social media throughout her career, “I felt like there was a more loving and human way to connect with fans.” 

Why stop at attending just two major universities? In 2022, Mendler was enrolled at both Harvard Law School and MIT. This past March, she confirmed that she was just two months away from earning her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law, has her Masters from MIT, but is still working on her PhD. 

With her Bachelor, Masters, and soon-to-be PhD, Mendler created a new space startup, known as Northwood Space. Mendler and her husband, Griffin Cleverly, are the co-founders of this startup that aims to create “a data highway between earth and space” by making more ground stations for satellites. 

On top of acting, music, school, and space engineering, Mendler has embarked on a new endeavor: motherhood. Mendler and Cleverly adopted a four-year-old boy at the end of 2022, after fostering for many years. “Being a parent is the biggest gift and most defining experience there is,” Mendler wrote on X.

 Despite all that she has accomplished, Mendler has always prioritized others. Over the years she has worked hard with multiple charities and received numerous awards for her activism. She fights for environmentalism with charities like Disney’s Friends for Change and is vocally anti-bullying with organizations such as Common Sense Media. 

Mendler can do it all. Since the 2000s, she has been breaking boundaries set by the multiple industries she takes part in. In an interview with USA Today, Mendler said, “I want to know something outside of what I do.” From acting to music to school, her aspiration to learn and grow has made her the versatile and intelligent person she is today. 

Return of The Rom Com

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Photo contributed by Muse

There is nothing better than curling up with a cozy blanket and your favorite movie, but that experience gets ten times better when said movie is a light-hearted, sappy, and often predictable rom-com. The meet-cutes, the soundtracks, and the oh-so-overused plot lines and montages define this genre that is home to so many iconic films. Despite seeing their peak a few decades ago, rom-coms have been a source of entertainment for many decades, dating back to Shakespeare and the Greeks. 

Rom-coms entered their golden ages in the 1990s and early 2000s with hit films like Notting Hill and 27 Dresses. According to Statista, the genre peaked in 1999, grossing 835.83 million dollars in the United States alone.

Rom-coms offer comfort to their viewers, unlike any other genres. People are drawn to these movies for their balance of emotion and romance with lighthearted laughter and realistic characters. The stories commonly follow the same plot line: two love interests meet, then part ways due to an obstacle in their relationship, but ultimately realize their love for one another is stronger and reunite to end the movie with a trusted happy ending. Although the repetition of the basic plot may seem too predictable for non-rom-com fans, that makes the genre so inviting: the safe repetition allows you to relax, knowing you will never face a jump scare or disappointing ending. 

Despite their height in the early 2000s, rom-coms have seriously fallen off. They brought profit to Hollywood but could never reach the status of Marvel-like movies. With the rise of big-budget superhero films and dystopian series like Divergent and The Maze Runner, rom-coms didn’t draw nearly the same masses that these franchises did, and in turn, they weren’t as likely to receive awards. 

It wasn’t just the lack of revenue that started the downward spiral of such a beloved genre, but also the sexism from the industry that caused the fade-out of rom-coms. The term “chick-flick” was used to describe feminine movies such as Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You in a negative light. Although “chick-flick” has now been turned into an adjective for movies that appeal to mainly female audiences, it was used in the 2000s as a derogatory term to bash the success and status of rom-coms. Sandra Bullock, rom-com superstar from The Proposal, While You Were Sleeping, Two Weeks Notice, and dozens more, told The New York Times, “I think when everything swung toward the very masculine action-adventure, women got relegated to the arm piece, or the damsel in distress.” When the industry’s focus shifted, the rom-com died, and it hasn’t found the right time for a proper revival.

However, in recent years, rom-coms have been making a comeback in a new way. Anyone But You hit the box office late last year, bringing in a surprising amount of press. The movie was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing starring heartthrobs Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, along with long-time rom-com star Dermot Mulroney. Powell and Sweeney’s characters, Ben and Bea, reunite months after the one night they spent together and are forced to get along for Bea’s sister’s wedding. The classic enemies-to-lovers trope has every ingredient for a perfect rom-com: a charming meet-cute, stacked cast, a familiar plot line, and a killer soundtrack. After being released on December 22, 2023, Anyone But You has since grossed over $207 million internationally. More than 2.8 billion people flocked to the theaters and left dancing to “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, the movie’s catchy theme song.

The success that this movie has seen is creating the perfect opportunity for rom-coms to receive the second life they deserve. Rom-com fans can hope that the popularity of Anyone But You will catch on in the industry, and we will get more films like Say Anything and Pretty Woman.

Issue 5: Editor’s Note

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Hey, Mustangs! My name is Maryanne O’Neill, and I am one of the new Co-Editors for The Hoofprint. I am beyond excited for the year ahead and the papers we will produce. When generating ideas for my first editor’s note, I turned to those closest to me, asking my friends and family what came to mind when thinking of my interests. Each answer had a few common denominators: music, running, and The Hoofprint. If you know me, you know I am borderline obsessed with the newspaper, and the extensive list of all things Hoofprint in my notes app can attest to that. 

Despite my current unwavering enthusiasm for our school paper, freshman-year me was seriously oblivious to the amazing opportunity it brought Myers Park students. I grew up with a love for writing, but I had no plans to join the newspaper when a friend reached out and advised me to apply. Now, in my junior year, I still believe it is the best choice I have made at Myers Park. 

As you may have heard, applications to join the 2024-2025 newspaper staff were due March 8th, and the interview process for our new applicants has begun! I look forward to meeting our new staff and getting to know each writer. 

In the wake of meeting the new applicants, sometimes I wonder that if it weren’t for my friend’s direction, I might have missed out on the experience of writing for The Hoofprint. So, here are a few things I wish freshman-year me knew.

One of the most favorable aspects of The Hoofprint is the creative liberty you have as a writer. Articles can be about nearly anything, from Taylor Swift’s newest album to a report on an exciting club or a feature on a sports team. Writing about your latest interest is much more enjoyable than your English paper, and the newspaper allows for just that. 

As a student-led class, it is a collaborative environment where everyone has an input. At the beginning of each edition, we push all the tables together and bring an array of snacks to create a family-style meeting as everyone proposes their ideas for articles. In these meetings, each idea is valued and considered for the paper. No matter your interest, you will find a way to express your ideas through The Hoofprint. 

While on The Hoofprint staff, you can apply for leadership positions, such as Senior-Co-Editor, Production Manager, Social Media Manager, Podcast Manager, and many more. In my sophomore year, I was appointed Social Media Manager, which allowed me to create fun videos and share the exciting activities we have as a class, such as our Distribution Day parties and world-renowned Ping Pong tournaments. These different roles allow for personalizing your place within the staff to create a more unique experience. 

In my time on The Hoofprint, I have met some of the most creative, intelligent, and kind-hearted people that I know. With the small class size and collaboration, it is easy to form special relationships with the rest of the staff. Even as those older than me have graduated, we have stayed connected, and many alums have returned to visit. 

To those who love writing or are interested in journalism, The Hoofprint is for you. Whatever you are interested in or wish to pursue, you will find a place in the cozy atmosphere of S7. As a freshman, I had no idea how special this class would be to me nor how much I would continue to fall in love with expressing myself through writing. If you’re interested in becoming a part of this class, I hope you consider applying in the future! I can’t wait for you to love The Hoofprint as much as I do. 

Do it Like Duwe

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Photo contributed by UNC Athletics

Meet Duwe Farris, a Myers Park alum and current member of the UNC-Chapel Hill men’s basketball team. After graduating from Myers Park in 2019, Farris took his talents to the next level at UNC, following suit of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In his first year, he tried out for the JV men’s team as a regular student and played for the lower team in his first year. Then, Farris walked onto the varsity team in his sophomore year playing for Coach Roy Williams and is now enjoying his last year at Carolina as a fifth-year senior. 

However, before Carolina Blue, Farris proudly wore Kelly Green in the Myers Park gym. He was the MP men’s varsity forward, beginning his sophomore year and playing through his senior year. At Myers Park, Farris took full advantage of his opportunities, such as taking 12 AP classes and being a student-athlete. “I loved Myers Park so much. It helped me grow in so many different ways, academically and athletically,” Farris reminisced. 

In Farris’s senior year, the team was a 12th seed in the state playoffs but had a spectacular run, defeating Porter Ridge, Northwest Guilford, and Davie. They made it to the Elite 8 before a close defeat against RJ Reynolds. “That was awesome,” Farris said, “and it was with Caleb McReed, who is one of my favorite teammates ever, and Drake Maye, just a lot of really good guys.”

Now at UNC, Farris is part of a stacked roster with stars like Armando Bacot, RJ Davis, and Cormac Ryan. Being on one of the top ten teams in the NCAA, pressure is sure to weigh on the players. Over the years, Farris has learned how to deal with it and prioritize his team, “I want to be the best I can be and help in any way I can.” From his first year onward, he has managed the nerves of competing against his teammates in practice and the time management that comes with spending an average of seven hours in practice daily. 

Carolina fans named Farris and two other teammates, Rob Landry and Creighton Lebo, the “Biscuit Boys,” rooted from the Chapel Hill Bojangles 2-for-1 sausage biscuit deal if the Tar Heels score over 100 points in a game. Although Farris, Lebo, and Landry may not be a part of the starting five, they contribute to Carolinian’s love for Bojangles when they are subbed in to score the fans their biscuits, and the crowd adores them for it.

If you’re watching any UNC game, chances are you’ve seen Farris bring his contagious energy to the court. He constantly excites the team and crowd, regardless of the score, opponent, or whether they are away or in the Dean Dome. “With walking on, I knew I wasn’t going to be the guy hitting the game-winning shot. So, I thought really hard about what I could bring to help the team, and I realized I could bring energy, positivity, and encouragement and just be a good teammate. That’s my goal, every day,” Farris explains, and he does just that. His liveliness is seen through his cheers on the side and being the first to fistbump his teammates during water breaks. 

During his time as a Tar Heel, Farris has had his fair share of memories to last a lifetime. In his second year playing for “the big team,” UNC made it to the Final Four after defeating Duke in Coach K’s last game at Cameron Indoor. “That year is just so iconic… That was such an amazing, amazing run. That month was probably the best month of my life. It was so crazy but so great because we were in the Final Four.” 

Farris has achieved his dreams, playing in Carolina Blue under the Dean Dome. Looking back on what got him there, he thanks Myers Park, “I don’t think I am where I am today without Myers Park. I really love everything about it.” When watching March Madness, Mustangs can be proud to see our very own Duwe Farris in number 34. 

La-Man, La-Myth, Lamont Hayes

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For the past 22 years, the cross country and track and field teams have been overseen by Lamont Hayes, “Coach Hayes” to his athletes. Not only does Hayes lead some of Myers Park’s largest athletic teams, but his commitment is year-round, with workouts for the cross country runners at the Greenway during the summer, coaching over 140 athletes in the fall, and both track seasons in the winter and spring. In addition, he is at every home football and basketball game to support the teams and manage the scoreboards. 

Hayes is married and a father to two daughters, his oldest graduated from Myers Park and was a sprinter on the track and field team and his youngest is a rising freshman who does shotput and discus for the Randolph Middle School team. 

Hayes began his career at Myers Park in 2001 but has been running since 1987. He ran in college at Austin Peay, a Division I school in Clarksville, Tennessee, Hayes’ home state. Anna Gelbach Longwell, now known as “Coach Anna” to the runners, was coached by Hayes when she was a student at Myers Park and has since returned to Myers Park after graduating from The University of North Carolina Asheville in 2016 to join the coaching staff alongside Hayes. Coach Anna was a conference champion sprinter, her main event being the 400m, setting school records, and placing high in regional and state meets. 

Unlike many other athletic coaches at Myers Park, Hayes is neither a teacher nor part of the school’s administration. Hayes runs his own landscape company, as you’ll spot his landscape trailer on the back of “Gus”, the white Chevy named by his daughters, parked by the track after school. 

Over the two decades that Hayes has been leading the running programs here, he has watched the teams’ success grow and the athletes thrive. Myers Park holds county, regional, and state records across the board for each season, with multiple runners making it to national championships each year.

 One thing that distinguishes Myers Park from other schools is its level of involvement from the local community. Hayes is a shining example of someone who supports the school in several roles. His contribution to the school goes beyond coaching, as you’ll spot him keeping score in the booth at football, courtside at basketball games, or occasionally whipping out the mower to keep the stadium in its best shape.

People’s first impressions of Hayes might be that he is intimidating and tough, but his runners learn that he is very supportive and loves to joke around with everyone. He cares deeply for the teams and wants to watch every athlete succeed, no matter your pace or talent. When asked one thing that the student body and his runners would be surprised to learn about him, he shared that he has 5 tattoos!

Katie Zarzour, a graduating senior who has run year-round all four years and knows Hayes well, says, “Coach Hayes is the best because he makes you feel loved when you least expect it. Although he doesn’t show it very much, he loves all the girls so much and texted me almost every day during my concussion. His care, not only for us as runners but as people, is what makes him so special and what I will miss so much next year.”

“I enjoy watching young kids achieve their goals,” Hayes said, which he has been doing a lot recently, as the 2023 spring track season came to another successful close in early May after lots of triumphs at this year’s regular season and conference meets. He is an icon in the Myers Park community, and it is no secret that his runners adore him. He has led his teams to numerous accomplishments over his many years as a coach and will continue to do so as long as he is a part of the coaching staff.

The Super Search

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In the past 10 years, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) has gone through five different superintendents; not counting the current interim, Crystal Hill, who has been covering the job since December 2022 and onward, as a new search began February 2023. The last time CMS counted on a full-time superintendent was April 2022, when superintendent Earnest Winston was fired after just three years. 

The CMS superintendent’s responsibilities include overseeing day-to-day operations of the school district and focus on improving overall student achievement. They involve community and family participation in student success, as well as advancing the success of staff members. They look closely at the opportunity gaps, such as race and income, within the diverse population of the students and work on closing them. The next superintendent will continue to handle the challenges and aftermath that CMS went through during the pandemic.

In the last year, Hugh Hattabaugh was expected to act as the interim superintendent until June of this year, but he left well before a full-time superintendent could be found. Hattabaugh was vocal after his departure from the district, wishing the next interim would “maintain stability, maintain the work that’s going on in the district and get us to the finish line when they’re ready to hand the reins over to the new superintendent”, according to his interview with Ann Doss Helms, a reporter from WFAE, Charlotte’s NPR news source.

Before Winston and Hattabugh, the superintendent office still struggled to have a long-term resident. Hattabaugh had been the superintendent many years ago, until Heath Morrison stepped into the office in 2012. Morrison then resigned in 2014 and Ann Clark was named the interim for two years. Clark was replaced by a full time superintendent in 2016 by Clayton Wilcox, who was suspended with a unanimous vote in 2019 with no explanation to the public, and then Winston entered the story. 

Last year in April, Winston was fired for “unsatisfactory performance”, before his contract with CMS came to a close, making him the fourth superintendent to leave CMS before reaching the three year mark. A CMS board member, Ruby Jones, leaked a “confidential letter” alluding to a claim that the board had been acting indecorously and interfering with Winston’s ability to perform well in his position prior to his firing. In the letter, Winston’s attorney said that if the board was truly ready to let Winston go, they would have to satisfy his remaining two years salary, which he was later given.

With all the searches, interims, and full-timers, why is CMS incapable of finding a stable superintendent? Between each resignation and its matching statement to the public, there are a few common denominators. 

When Morrison stepped down in 2014, his message read, “There are the anticipated challenges such as developing a budget, promoting the district’s interest in the upcoming legislative session, and exhausting every avenue to reward our employees for the work they do. There are also always unanticipated challenges, which is why this job demands full attention and focus”. Hattabuagh had a similar story to tell, stating that the weekend work demand and “the challenge of day-to-day operations” were all factors playing into his interim resignation last year, along with family matters in Florida. 

However, the question has no concrete answer, leaving students, staff, and parents to wonder if it’s the school system to blame. 

With the current search for the fifth superintendent since 2011, finding a new leader will be pricey. CMS hired a consulting firm, BWP & Associates to conduct the search under a $48,500 contract. BWP is searching for a group of qualified candidates from February to April, with the goal of carefully selecting the most qualified applicant for the position. 

Until then, the district remains overseen by Hill, while fingers are crossed for a trusted superintendent to stay with the school system long term.