Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Editor's Notes

Issue 6: Editor’s Note

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One random day *in 2018* I was scrolling through Twitter as I usually do after school (yes I do use Twitter) and landed on a four-minute clip from the podcast No Laying Up. The clip was from an interview they did with professional golfer Max Homa who had one of the worst seasons ever on the PGA Tour in 2017. He was talking about how he fought through it and became one of the best players in the world. While the entire four minutes captivated me one main part stuck out. Homa found a quote written by Jacob Riis that he turned into his life motto that helped him get through the hardest time in his career. The quote spoke about persistence, “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow, it will split in two, and I know it was not that last blow that did it, but all that had gone before”.Much like Homa, I adopted this quote as one that would define me. No matter the results or what was going to happen whether it was on the golf course, in the classroom, or life as a whole, no matter how much I was struggling I was going to keep pounding that rock, knowing that eventually it was bound to break. Reflecting on how much implementing this quote in my lifestyle has transformed me over the past few years, I started to think about how we shape our identities. 

Right now, in most of our lives, we are discovering who we are and who we want to be. As high schoolers, we face so many decisions: What classes do we want to take? Where do I want to go to college? What do I want to do when I get older? But the one that hits me the hardest is “Who do I want to be right now? I’ve changed so much in the last few years that for a while I did not really know who Reid Heaton was. What I realized is that the answer to that question has always been around me. Those answers resided in the people that surround me, my hobbies, my passions, and so much more. I know I want to have the infectious energy my brother has, I want to be willing to put others first like my Mom does, I want to be as hardworking and resilient as Max Homa, I want to spread smiles and joy like all my closest friends do, I want to do my best but have fun like Ronald Acuna, I want to be a good leader in S-7 like all the Editors before me. I would not know who I am today and who I want to be if not for all these things that are around me in my everyday life. I don’t know the person I would be if I hadn’t listened to that podcast clip, or the person I would be if I had not joined The Hoofprint my sophomore year, but one thing I do know is that both of those things helped me to understand who I am today, and who I want to be.

At the end of the day, I learned that if you want to figure out who you are and who you want to be, a good place to start is just by opening your eyes and observing what is around you. It may come in the form of a quote, a teacher, or a friend. I can confidently say that part of who I am today came from a quote about breaking rocks, and I hope that as you read this paper you may see something that can help you figure out the big question of  “Who do I want to be?”. 

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. 

Editor’s Note

By

I am a firm believer in luck. I also think if you are a kind person, then you will receive the same kindness back. I don’t know what I did to deserve what happened the first semester of my junior year, but it proves my point that that luck(or just bad luck) is real.

Everyone always says junior year is the worst, but my junior year was starting off on the right track. I was getting good grades, and going to San Diego with my mom. We were going to travel along the PCH to Malibu. At this point, I was a fresh driver in a car I got for my 16th birthday. Two days before my trip to San Diego, I got badly rear-ended driving to school. It happens, though, and I am glad no one got hurt. My mom still made me go to the first block, even though I was crying. On a positive note, My mom and I got our nails done that day.

My car was in the shop for a while, so I drove my parent’s car to school(for any seniors reading, no, I did not park on campus). While driving home one day, I heard a clunk but did not think much of it. Once I got home, I looked and couldn’t find my phone. I located my phone with the FindMy app. Turns out that “clunk” was my phone that I left on top of the car, so I got in the car to get it. Once I found it, I realized that it was run over so many times that the case fell off, the earbuds I had wrapped around it were paper thin, and my phone had more cracks than the Saharan Desert. I got a new phone, but it didn’t have a sim card, so I lost all of my photos that I didn’t upload to my iCloud. The worst part, though, was that I didn’t do my BeReals for four days. 

Not long after this, I filled my car with diesel on accident(what is the difference between gas and diesel anyway?) and had to drive my parent’s car to school again. When I was backing up, the door got caught in the ground and overextended. Basically, the door broke. The next day, I needed a turkey for NHS, so I went to Harris Teeter in the broken door car(which had a bungee cord holding it in place), sobbing, listening to “Last Christmas” on the radio station that has holiday music way too early. I get my turkey, go to the register, and the lady asks how much it was, and I say, “four-zero-zero.” She proceeds to say, “Are you sure?” I say yes. She goes to check, comes back, and says it’s 4 dollars. I start sobbing again and say I’m sorry that’s what I meant to say. I didn’t bring a bag, so I was wobbling to the car, lugging a huge turkey, and, once again, sobbing. Did I mention that I forgot to take a photo of me turning in the turkey, which was needed for proof that I donated?

It’s easy to blame bad luck on something that was definitely my own fault. Most of the stories I’ve shared are caused by my carelessness. You know when your parents would tell you to eat your veggies because there are kids who are starving?  Problems similar to mine are real and suck, but compared to others, they aren’t as life-threatening. Perspective is important in every scenario. It’s ok to wallow, but it’s good to laugh at what happened and understand that we are human; we make mistakes and deserve grace. Perspective leads to growth(I am more careful with expensive equipment now).

Sure, you can chalk my first semester up to coincidence or my carelessness, but maybe there was some bad luck there…of course, it depends on your perspective 🙂

Editor’s Note

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I grew up wearing Duke blue. As I scroll through old pictures, I’m not surprised to come across a girl with the largest grin spread across her face, little curly pigtails, and that same color t-shirt. I’m sure you can guess where this is going; living in Charlotte doesn’t provide the best outlet for my Blue Devil pride; believe me, I know. While my parental influence sparked my love for the better blue, their basketball program is what first drew me in. Before I had even picked up a tennis racket, I loved basketball. More importantly, I was convinced I would play basketball at Duke. I thought those girls were the coolest in the world as a 6-year-old: tall, confident, and hard-working. 

However, my aspirations may have seemed far-fetched,  as I was the shortest girl on the court. This didn’t stop me though, which I can attest to my level of determination today. Since that young age, I’ve wanted to be a part of a team, and while I thought it would be on the court, I’ve found that the sidelines are even better. 

I will never forget my first Duke basketball game in Cameron Indoor Stadium, now reminiscing on the fact that Coach K was the head coach. My eyes immediately gravitated toward the sea of college kids smothered in royal blue paint, wearing devil ears and crazy wigs. I loved this environment, and the sense of family, which can be encompassed in their hashtag #TheBrotherhood. 

Coincidentally, I’ve found this same electric environment within the Myers Park Basketball community. Myers Park students bleed green within the student section and cheer on their team. Just weeks ago, the fanbase demonstrated their pride by traveling to Chapel Hill to cheer on their team. There’s even a parallel in the hashtags: #FamilyHood. 

When news of the Championship game being played in the Dean E. Smith Center broke, the Cameron Crazie in me hesitated. I grew up with the strict mindset to never set foot in UNC and never wear a blue that resembled Tarheel colors. I decided to go to the game and looking back, I’m so thankful I could experience the intensity in the Dean Dome that night and be a part of Myers Park history. Putting the tense rivalry behind me, I began to see many similarities between the environment that night in the Dean Dome and Cameron Indoor. 

What jumped out at me, somewhat physically, was the student section. I’m the kind of person who loves to find community and surround myself with people who enjoy the same things, and the Myers Park student section is a prime example. Don’t believe me? Myers Park won The Charlotte Observer’s poll that was conducted in September of last year to determine which high school had the best fan base. Similar to Duke, it doesn’t end with the students; alumni, parents, and various fans play a significant role in supporting our Mustangs. The alumni pride demonstrates that the intensity and excitement are enough to bring anyone back, highlighting the fun atmosphere that the Mustangs create. This is part of the reason I had faith in myself that I could walk into the Dean Dome and not be disappointed, no matter the outcome. 

While our Mustangs faced greater success as State Champions than the Blue Devils in March Madness, I’m happy to say that both teams have shown me what community is truly about. People from all walks of life show out for what they care about, and that’s what matters. Whether you are a Blue Devil, Tarheel, or Mustang, you show up for your team no matter what, so in that case…MPUK! 

Watches: An Editor’s Note

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Personal branding and the art of establishing a unique style for one’s self is something that I’ve come to value in the last couple of years. As I continue to engage in conversation with all kinds of people and build connections inside and outside of the Myers Park community, I’ve learned just how important it can be to show an image that represents who you are, and one that allows others to remember you. While for some people it might be a nickname, t-shirt, or necklace, I’ve always considered my love for watches to be a part of my personal identity.

Whether that be my Citizen Promaster Diver or my Tissot T-Classic Gentlemen, there’s something about the sheer elegance and unique design that nonchalantly bounces off the bezel of these distinctive timepieces. 

Over the years, my fondness for watches and the art of buying and reselling them has garnered me compliments from a variety of individuals. More specifically, sporting these watches, whether that be in formal or informal environments, has given me the opportunity to appear sophisticated, regardless of the social situation. Beyond the apparent sophistication that accompanies my watches, my growing collection has led me to social media groups and online communities with people who share the exact same passion for my hobby. As I continue to learn more about the art of collecting watches and the different types of people involved in the hobby, I’m able to find myself in various interest groups, especially those concerning the economy and investing, another passion of mine. 

While many might consider watches to be the opposite of a reasonable investment, I’ve been able to learn about the luxury watch market and the extent to which investors are able to earn money buying and selling their watches. Learning more about the individuals involved in these online interest groups, I found it enrapturing that what once started out as a hobby and interesting thing to research online ultimately became a career or investment opportunity for these people. 

Regardless of investing or the act of owning a watch, I realized how important it is to build personal character through the development of one’s image. In other words, personal branding has allowed me to establish a side of myself that I feel confident and passionate about and look forward to sharing with others. As I continue to share this hobby with others, I’ve managed to engage in conversations regarding interests and personal hobbies, allowing me to further understand others and what they’re passionate about. 

My love for watches has also led me in the direction of learning more about clothing and other fashionable accessories. More specifically, I’ve managed to discover a new passion for specific t-shirt designs, including those that offer a retro appeal. 

Thinking in the direction of my past, I’ve realized just how effective it was to interact and learn about others, as my awareness of those around me ultimately inspired me to take action on various principles in my life, including my passion for watches. 

Without practicing things like this and exiting my comfort zone through interacting with people, I would have never discovered the various things, including watches, that allow me to showcase my identity. Ultimately, with both watches and other fashion-based interests of mine, I’ve been able to expand my desired self image and my understanding of others through connecting with like-minded individuals. While every individual has a personal image that is unique to them, my interests have led me to realize just how much I have in common with others.