Myers Park Hoofprint

The Myers Park High School Newspaper

Local/National

Project 2025

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Some of you read the title and are thinking what the heck is this project 2025? That’s what I said too when I initially began reading about it. Quietly, a conservative “manifesto” has been circulating through the media and politicians’ briefcases, spreading the promise of a more conservative America.

According to Mike Johnson, a Louisiana congressman, Conservatives focus on “Individual Freedom, Limited government, The Rule of Law, Peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, Free Markets, and Human Dignity.” Project 2025 goes deeper into the Conservative promise and what Conservative America looks like. Project 2025 is just one iteration of the conservative manifestos that are released every 4 years when election season is upon us once more. These conservative manifestos began in 1937, when US Senator from North Carolina, Josiah Bailey became concerned regarding the “move towards collectivism” as stated in The History Project. This led Bailey to create and present the nation with the first program of its kind, known as The Conservative Manifesto, which presented 10 principles of being Conservative. The 1937 manifesto set a precedent for there to be many more manifestos in the future to be made for the Conservative party to decide what Conservative America would look like. These manifestos plan out the future of America as envisioned by the ideals of the party that created it. So, why is this year different?

As we all know, this is an election year and one that matters a lot for several reasons. America functions as a 2 party system, with the Democrats and the Republicans having a majority of the votes. The Republican nominee for president is former President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee is current President Joe Biden, but there are numerous other candidates such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running as an independent. Many important issues, domestic and international, are at stake this election season, including student loan debt, abortion, gun restrictions, the Ukraine-Russia War, and the conflict in Gaza. These hot-button issues will assuredly be at the top of everyone’s mind going into the election season, alongside the outcome of President Trump’s current criminal trial which may lead to him being ineligible for the presidency. This all culminates in America being at an all-time high for political polarization, which is the idea of the divergence of political attitudes away from the center, towards ideological extremes. Americans are viewing the world in a black-and-white way, unable to listen to what the other side has to say. This state is only increased by Project 2025, which foreshadows what’s to come regarding America after a conservative wins the 2024 election. In a democratic republic, such as the United States, the creation of laws is devoid of political motivations. In contrast, Project 2025 states what is to come, such as “deleting the terms sexualorientation and gender identity…diversity, equity, inclusion, gender, gender equality, abortion, reproductive equality, and any other term used to deprive Americans of their First Amendment rights.” When we overlook the principles of America, we are unable to move forward as a country united in the tumultuous times of this world, such as climate change and world peace. 

As many young voters are beginning to exercise their Constitutional right guaranteed and protected by the 16th, 19th, and 26th Amendments, it is of utmost importance that we educate ourselves regarding who we are voting for and why we believe that they will be the best leader of the United States of America. Who you vote for determines the future of America. On behalf of all of the MP Hoofprint staff, GO VOTE!

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE 18 BY NOVEMBER 5TH 2024, YOU CAN VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION!!!

Food Feature: Park Road Soda Shoppe

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In the heart of Park Road Shopping Center, the Park Road Soda Shoppe takes customers back in time. The 1950’s style diner is reminiscent of retro Charlotte. Although the Soda Shoppe opened in 1999, the restaurant captures the 1950’s like a time capsule. The black and white tile, with wall to wall mirrors, and the sit-down bar make the restaurant one of a kind.

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Coca-Cola had gained its popularity. Soda was advertised for health and well-being, therefore pharmacies across the United States implemented soda fountains. Decorative countertops with wall-to-wall mirrors became the soda shoppe standard. During the time of the prohibition, Soda Shoppes were crucial alcohol-free locations that targeted both adults and children. With the introduction of Soda, American diner food soon followed and became very popular. During the 1950’s soda shops popularity had reached its peak. For all kinds of people, soda shops were a keen source of entertainment.

Sadly, many of these diners haven’t stood the test of time. Many were forced to shut down with new buildings and restaurants taking their place. Defying the norm, Park Road Soda Shoppe has stayed all these years. The simplistic yet delicious menu has all the classics of American diner food. The food service is quick and efficient. Tables open up quickly due to the pay ticket system. Customers walk in and admire the sleek yet spacious seating area. Faces of all ages are seen; families, elderly, and high school students visit regularly to dine. 

Myers Park senior and employee of Park Road Soda Shoppe Laurie Hannan shared the ins and outs from being behind the counter. As an employee for over two years, Hannan has gotten to know the “regulars.” These people keep coming back because “You can’t find food like this anywhere that’s good, affordable, and close by, as well as the staff too,” Hannan explained. She added that as you work more, the better you know your customers and what they want to order, and that, “When you know familiar faces are coming back every week, business is good.” The busiest day of the week is Saturday, with a line out the door with everyone waiting to find a booth. “The busier, the more stressful,” Hannan stated. “The more people, the more responsibility,” as an employee. For many, a trip to the shopping center ends up with a stop at the Soda Shoppe.

Some special delights include their hand pressed orangeade and lemonade. The soda shop’s dairy is delicious. The ice cream, milk shakes, and floats are a delicacy. The delights are a perfect pair with a hot dog. The Carolina dog is a North Carolina staple with chili, cole slaw, and mustard. Other staples include the burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, and the grilled cheese. The Soda Shoppe’s customers love the delicious menu. In connection with the good environment, the good food fills the restaurant on the weekend. 

For most of the 20th century, soda shops were a big part of American culture. The Park Road Soda Shoppe for the past twenty-five years has revived what once was. Located right in the Myers Park area, it is easy to take a break and grab lunch at the Soda Shoppe. 

Are American Sports Going International?

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When it comes to sports in America, there are 3 that come to mind. The MLB, NFL, and NBA are the powerhouses of American sports, but they are also beginning to have a growing international presence. With such a large potential for market expansion overseas, is it time for the quintessential American sports to go international? 

In 2023, the MLB averaged its lowest average viewership of the World Series ever, down nearly 2.5 million viewers since 2022. Viewership has been steadily declining since 2016, and the MLB has started to try to reverse the trend of their quickly declining fanbase. Other than the pitch clock, which was introduced in the major league last season, the MLB is growing its international fanbase. This has included the establishment of MLB International, which broadcasts games to international markets, and the scheduling of 4 international games during the 2024 season. Games have already been played in the Dominican Republic and Seoul, with scheduled games in London and Mexico City. The potential for market expansion in Japan, with Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) averaging around 28.7 million total attendees over the course of a season, and a massive interest in baseball from the whole Japanese population. 

The NBA is also trying its hand at finding a market internationally. Apart from the Toronto Raptors, 2 games last season were played internationally, in Mexico City, Mexico, and Paris, France. There were also 2 preseason games in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Similar to baseball and Shohei Ohtani, the NBA is also parlaying its success through foreign players. “They’re driving such significant interest in their home countries and around the world. Last season, we saw TV viewership grow in several European countries, and it’s no surprise that those countries are consistent with where we’re seeing the great European players playing and driving interest in their region,” said Samantha Engelhardt, the NBA’s senior Vice President of Global Strategy and Innovation. With the momentum heading in the right direction, what is the NBA’s plan to capitalize on its newfound international success? According to Engelhardt, there are three parts. Global outreach to kids, more accessible live games, and sharper market focus. These strategies, paired with the star power they already have playing for them should, in theory, be a recipe for success. 

In the 2024 NFL season, 9 games will be played overseas, including the NFL’s first matchups in South America and Spain. One market, however, is still vacant from the 2024 schedule. Australia and New Zealand are now among the select few areas of the world that will not have an NFL game. “At this time we do not have plans to play a game in Australia but are firmly committed to finding more ways to serve our passionate and growing fanbase in Australia and New Zealand,” said NFL COO Damani Leech in an interview with Sports Business Journal. The Canadian Football League (CFL) has never found success in the US, but the Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell thinks it might not be the same for the NFL. “I’m from Western New York and I spent a lot of time in Canada as a young kid. I have nothing but admiration for Toronto, I think it’s a great city. It continues to evolve; it continues to grow. It certainly could be a great city for an NFL team.” Although the awareness of football grows internationally, there are still a lot of hurdles for a potential expansion team. A lack of international athletes, time change issues, 4 different expansion teams required to maintain divisional equity, financial issues, and no international football culture all mean that the chances of a successful international team in the near future are slim. 

Three of the biggest American sports leagues are trying to go international. More international matchups, players, and maybe even teams seem to be on the horizon. If this trend continues, where will fans draw the line between a classic American league and an International powerhouse?

SAT Changes in the Ivy Leagues

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Many quiver at the idea of taking a test that combines all of their high school knowledge, but some students take this opportunity to show where they thrive and excel. Standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, which used to be mandatory, have become optional requirements when applying to college. This is due to factors like the pandemic and schools wanting to adopt the idea of giving students a choice in their applications. The Urban Institute states, “The number of four-year universities and colleges with test-optional policies has nearly doubled from 713 to 1,350 since spring 2020”. Many schools have adopted test-optional policies to best-fit students’ needs. 

However, test-optional policies create an issue for many universities. Acuity Insights states that “Widening the net of viable candidates is an intended consequence of test-optional admissions. The increased pressure on admissions offices is not.” Due to the bigger candidate pool and extra pressure, many universities take longer to accept and deny students. This is especially true for prestigious universities. Due to the large pool of applicants, it is harder for these universities to make decisions; consequently, they make misconceptions about many applicants. 

Dartmouth, a highly prestigious university with an acceptance rate of 6.2%, has dealt with this issue significantly. They have changed their applications to be test-required as of this year, which aims to benefit students rather than harm them. Sian Beilock, Dartmouth’s President, conducted an internal study on standardized tests, which revealed that standardized test scores outperformed high school grades, essays, and teacher recommendations in predicting students’ success at Dartmouth. Reinstating test scores will better help high-achieving students by understandably displaying their strengths. Additionally, implementing test-required policies will help admission officials make decisions in a faster and more timely manner. This is because admission officers will no longer have to look at applications in a lengthened manner.

Dartmouth has also decided to implement  application test requirements to better help low-income students. Economictimes.com states, “Unexpectedly, the researchers found that Dartmouth’s test-optional policy during the pandemic negatively impacted lower-income applicants. Many students from disadvantaged backgrounds chose not to submit their SAT or ACT scores, wrongly assuming their scores were too low. In reality, these scores could have demonstrated resilience and potential, potentially securing their admission”. This is because test results are a helpful tool for admissions staff to find high achievers, especially if the kid is attending a high school where admissions have a history of fewer details regarding the high school and their transcript. The change will benefit students by giving them more of an advantage, by showing their high-achieving qualities in a standardized form, more than just based on what their high school has to offer. 

The HEA group, a research and consulting agency focused on college access and success, found that only 18.5% of Ivy League students are low-income. This shocking statistic proves that college admissions are engineered to prioritize high-income students. This is because it’s much easier to stand out to college admissions when your parents can afford tutoring, sports programs, and essay editors that can set you apart. Standardized testing allows students to show how the school has served them, and it also displays how they can perform. Schools are also interested in looking at job success, Standardized test scores are also good indicators of college and job success. Ultimately, Standardized tests can offer evidence of and promote academic rigor, which is invaluable in college and as well as in students’ careers. Matthew Pietrafetta, Ph.D., Founder of Academic Approach, argues that the tests “create gravitational pull toward higher achievement”.

Whether or not standardized tests are beneficial, they do serve to demonstrate many skills that are the best fits into prestigious universities. They can be good indicators that show students’ success and help them get accepted into schools and programs. 

Reneé W(Rapp)ed

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Reneé Mary Jane Rapp is a name widely known by a variety of individuals: theater kids, original Mean Girls fans, pop/rock enthusiasts, or people with the simple yet chronic condition of addiction to Tik Tok. She rose to popularity with her role of Regina George on the broadway adaptation of early 2000s chick flick Mean Girls, playing the part from June of 2019 to March of 2020, when production shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rapp furthered her acting career by securing the role of Leighton Murray on a teen comedy series titled The Sex Lives of College Girls, and her singing one by visiting Los Angeles, Manhattan, Boston, and Atlanta on her first tour “Everything to Everyone: The First Shows and releasing her debut album, Snow Angel, in August of 2023. What many recognize her from is her most recent project, a Mean Girls reprise, which came out in theaters just a couple months ago, in January of 2024. Although it received mixed reviews, it is indisputable that the movie painted Rapp in a positive light for the general public. 

However, while most could list these facts about the actress/singer when prompted, many could not speak on her background. She did not simply emerge from a void of nepotism, she worked from the bottom up, making an honest living before stepping into the view of Hollywood’s eyes. Unlike most celebrities, who are derived from the glitz and glam of New York City or Southern California, Rapp comes from a region familiar to the majority of Hoofprint Readers: Huntersville, North Carolina, a well known suburb of Charlotte. Rapp attended North West School of The Arts, an arts school in the heart of Charlotte.

Rapp was born on January 10, 2000, approximately forty minutes away from Myers Park High School. She attended Hopewell High School for a couple years, before transferring to Northwest School of the Arts, abandoning her role of the varsity women’s golf team to fully pursue her passion for theater. Her theater teacher during her time at the school, Corey Mitchell, explained that Rapp “has a special distinction…There is a difference when that vocal ability is coupled with sincere emotions that can move an audience and that literally can excite an audience.” During her senior year of high school, she notably won Best Actress at Charlotte’s Blumey Awards for her performance as Sandra in the Northwest production of Big Fish. This win led her to receiving the nomination for Best Performance by an Actress at the Jimmy Awards In New York City, which she ultimately won as well. She stayed in Charlotte for a period of time after graduating, acting as Wendla in Theater Charlotte’s production of Spring Awakening. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical (local) at the 2018 BroadwayWorld Charlotte Awards as a result of this role. 

Denise and Charlies, Rapp’s parents, still reside in Huntersville, having moved to the town back in 1995 due to a job opportunity for Denise, who is a certified public accountant. That’s to say, although Rapp has moved on to bigger and better pursuits that Charlotte could not fully fulfill, she still has a connection to the Queen City. Rapp has only been in the spotlight for a couple of years, and still has ample time to establish herself as “one of the greats.” It can only be hoped that her fame won’t blind her too much, so that she will seldom forget about her roots, at Northwest and in Charlotte as a whole. It would be a shame to forget the beauty this city has to offer, even if such isn’t always obvious or acknowledged. Nevertheless, it will be exciting to see where her career takes her next.

H2-Overconsumption

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Photo contributed by Eleanor Haviland

The rise of the anti-single-use plastic water bottle movement has incited a rise in the reusable water bottle industry. In the past 20 years, names such as Camelbak, S’well, Hydroflask, and many others have rotated through the trend cycles impacting both our water consumption and our overconsumption of new products. A trip to Target or a quick shop on Amazon can supply you with the newest fad but the impact of this modern movement of always needing trendy water bottles could prove more harmful than it seems. With the increase of social media and influencers, water bottles have become more of a status symbol or collector’s item than a resource for hydration, affecting people’s pockets, the environment, and society.

     Staying on each water bottle trend comes with a hefty price tag. There have always been popular brands but when comparing to icons of the past: the classic green Gatorade bottle at $6 and a 32-ounce Nalgene is $16, with trends of the present: 30-ounce Stanley Cup is $35 and a 32-ounce Hydroflask is $30, the price disparity is glaring. Sometimes the water bottle itself isn’t enough and one needs accessories to enhance it . A rubber bottom to “protect” the easily dented metal, an interchangeable lid to match your mood for the day, or a cute silicone animal to cover your straw can all be purchased to personalize the hydration station. The sticker industry is also safe as long as people keep curating the perfect gallery on their water bottles only to misplace it the next month. Are these customizations super fun and cute? Yes. Are they also an arbitrary expense on top of the already stupidly expensive water bottle? Yes again. 

     Even worse than your bank account’s well-being is the health of our environment. While reusable water bottles are far more eco-friendly than their single-use plastic counterparts, the impacts of metal manufacturing and the bottle’s disposal method can prove just as harmful. According to Treehugger.com, many water bottle manufacturers use only virgin materials in production, despite the vast amount of recyclable stainless steel and aluminum available.” Not only is obtaining metal ore harmful to the ecosystem, but most of the United States’s supply is outsourced meaning tons of emissions from international transport alone. The carbon spewing doesn’t stop at mining, with manufacturing exacerbating air and water pollution. Treating, shaping, and painting the metal for these trendy water bottles involves the use of toxic chemicals that inevitably make it into our air and waterways and eventually wreak havoc on our ecosystems and human health. 

    Perhaps the biggest long-term effect of these water bottles is their disposal. The idea of reusable water bottles is to relieve the strain of extra plastic in our landfills but even worse than plastic in landfills is metal that can’t be recycled. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t just recycle metal with your cardboard and paper products, your decrepit dented receptacle requires specific after-life treatment at a metal recycling plant. Many bottles contain layers of insulation with mixes of aluminum and stainless steel making the recycling process difficult.  In many cases, if it isn’t easily melted down it is rejected by the metal recycling plant and sent to a landfill anyway.  In a landfill, the metal can potentially leach toxic chemicals to its surroundings, practically defeating the purpose of a reusable water bottle in the first place. 

     While buying a 40-pack of plastic water bottles is by no means better than refilling your Owala, it is important to consider moderation when feeling the urge to jump on the new water bottle bandwagon, and at the end of the day, we all need water somehow.

The Future of High School Sports

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Photo contributed by NCHSAA

Spring sports are in the air, and so is the change coming to high school sports. In the next few years, we will see some of the changes coming to high school sports as they are significantly changed in the years to come. In the fall, our school will have a new conference rival, the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness deals (NIL), and shift the responsibility of the NCHSAA as it currently stands. In the future, we will see an expanded classification system with conference realignment in 2025-2026.

One of the most impactful changes will be the addition of a new conference opponent to our sports teams’ schedules as Ballantyne Ridge High School opens its doors in the fall. The athletic teams will be known as the Ballantyne Ridge Wolves, wearing orange, gray, and Carolina blue. Ballantyne joined the conference two years after Palisades, another relief high school, opened its doors. The Wolves will be the 7th team in the conference and intend to offer all sponsored CMS sports with both JV and Varsity teams. The school’s athletics will be led by newly hired athletic director Jeff Smith and will be hiring coaches in the coming months.  

Another change is the adoption of the NIL policy for private school athletes. The main governing body of independent high schools, the NCISAA, approved NIL deals for private schools athletes in February. Under the rules established, schools can not use NIL to recruit students, and students are prohibited from doing deals that promote certain activities such as alcohol, gambling, and cannabis. The approved proposal was similar to that of the public school body, the NCHSAA, who attempted to introduce NIL to public schools last year but was shut down by legislators. The recent move by the NCISAA has raised fears that private schools will be able to lure public school students looking to receive NIL money, creating an increasing gap between public and private schools.

NIL was not the only thing impacted by the legislature, as politicians in Raleigh passed a bill that dramatically reshaped the authority of the NCHSAA. The bill handicaps the ability of the Association to raise money and provide scholarships and would give much authority to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt. The Association would have to work more closely with the Superintendent’s Office moving forward, with the full impacts not being for a couple of years. The most impactful implication is a potentially degraded championship experience, caused by the loss of corporate sponsorships. This could lead to games being moved from large venues to small school facilities which would create ticket crunches similar to last year’s regional game between Myers Park and North Mecklenburg.

While those impacts are still speculative, one of the most important changes is the expansion of the school classification system in North Carolina, moving from 1A-4A all the way to 8A, creating 4 additional classifications. The new classification would coincide with conference realignment in the 2025-2026 school year, and would provide room for growth for the NCHSAA as more schools are added. Hopefully this change will create a more even playing field between schools because schools would be placed according to average daily membership numbers, which correlates to school size. Some do fear that the new classification would disadvantage schools by taking away school performance as a factor in aligning the school, as was previously the case in the 1A-4A system.

Ultimately, high school sports will face many changes and challenges in the years to come. Regardless of these changes, one thing that will never change is how high school sports are such a significant part of the high school experience.  Our lives are forever touched by the experience of high school sports, whether we are athletes or spectators cheering on our teams.

MLB Baseball National League Preview

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Photo contributed by Creative Commons

Baseball is almost back, and MLB teams have begun playing in Florida and Arizona during the spring training period. Teams from the East Coast travel down to Florida, while teams from the West Coast travel to Arizona. Teams are figuring out how to use and manage players for the upcoming season, testing rookies, veterans, and new pieces who can make an impact. The National League hosts half of the MLB teams split between three divisions, and the 15 teams will compete during the 162-game season in order to make it to the World Series. 

The competitive nature of the National League East will be an exciting battle and the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, and Washington Nationals are the beasts of the East. The best record of the 2023 MLB season was 104-58, held by the Atlanta Braves, whose explosive home run-hitting offense led the league in hits, home runs, and runs scored. The Philadelphia Phillies have had the Braves number the past two years. Sending the Braves home early in the playoffs, stumping their historical regular season the past two years. The Braves-Phillies rivalry is one of the best in baseball; stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Bryce Harper will face off once again in the upcoming season. The Mets are pursuing a better season after a disastrous season. Down south, The Miami Marlins look to return to the playoffs, and all-star ace Sandy Alancantra has young award potential for the 2024 season.

The NL Central division with the Cubs, Brewers, Pirates, Reds, and Cardinals is unpredictable. Each year there is a surprise, like last year the Chicago Cubs fell out of playoff contention during the last week of the regular season. The Milwaukee Brewers look to lead the division again. Brewers lose the presence of their ace Corbin Burnes as he signed big money with the Baltimore Orioles in the MLB offseason. The Reds have promising shortstop Elly De La Cruz who shot out on the scene as a sweet-swinging rookie. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a young squad with great potential. The first pick of the 2023 MLB Draft, Paul Skenes, looks major league-ready. The Saint Louis Cardinals are in a rebuilding stage for next season. The five teams of the NL Central will battle for the full 162 games.

The NL West has been dominated by the Dodgers for a decade but a big surprise last season was the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks made it all the way to the World Series as a wild card. The Dodgers have loaded up on stars including Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The NL West is the Dodgers to take this upcoming season. Can the Diamondbacks make another Cinderella run? The San Francisco Giants have entered a rebuilding state, the Giants lack the quality pitching as they did back in the early 2010s. The early 2010s pitching led the Giants to three World Series victories. Down the road, the San Diego Padres are a star-studded team. Players Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, and Fernando Tatis Junior look to hit the ball hard next season. NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell is returning another year for the Padres to be their ace.

From east coast to west coast the national league is loaded with talent. Ball Clubs are looking to make big leaps. The 162-game regular season is a long hard grind for teams, Up-and-comers, injuries, surprises, and crazy things can happen. Every game will count as teams chase the top of the division for the whole season. While Spring Training ends the road to the World Series starts.

Keep Pounding High School Kickoff

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The 2024 high school football season will be kicked off in fashion. The Carolina Panthers are hosting a two-game Friday night event for the second straight year at Bank of America Stadium.  The Myers Park Mustangs, Independence Patriots, Weddington Warriors, and the Providence Day Chargers will all have the opportunity to duel underneath the brightest lights in town at the Keep Pounding classic on August 22 2024.. Tickets are already available for fans to purchase as the clock ticks down till the official kickoff for high school football.

At the Keep Pounding Classic press conference that took place on Feb 13, 2024 players, coaches, and former alumni came together to celebrate the exciting return of high school football. NFL athletes Thomas Davis Senior, Captain Muunerlyn, Ikem Ekonwu, and Hakeem Nicks were in attendance supporting their respective schools. Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekonwu, a tackle for the Panthers, played his high school ball at Providence Day. Super Bowl champ Hakeem Nicks got his start playing at Independence. Captain Munnerlyn, a former standout defensive back for the Panthers, currently works as the defensive backs coach for Myers Park. Lastly, Panthers legend Thomas Davis Senior is a Weddington supporter as his son is a sophomore phenom for the Warriors. These icons of the game were selected as honorary captains for the games in August.   Panthers Director of Community Relations Riley Fields stated, “Anticipation will be high for this year’s Keep Pounding High School Classic, and we are excited about the new double-header format.”Fields is expecting a “memorable experience for the high school football community”. Mecklenburg County Athletes have dreamt to play under the same lights as NFL stars such as Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Christian McCaffrey, and now this dream is going to be a reality. Between the four teams, the talent is deep, and each school is loaded with stars at every position. 

The four o’clock undercard game is the Myers Park Mustangs versus the Independence Patriots. Seven-time state champions, the “Big I” Independence Patriots are led by head coach DJ McFadden. His offensive expertise was once at Myers Park, where he called the plays for future first-round draft pick Drake Maye. Now his powerhouse offense is led by rising senior quarterback Justin Little and sophomore All-American running back Jayden Jones, a combo that makes the offense a threat. The Patriots made a deep playoff run, losing to the state-champion Weddington Warriors. Independence is a physical, strong, well-coached team looking for another deep playoff run in 2024. The Myers Park Mustangs offense returns with their most dangerous weapons. Rising Junior Brody Keefe is due for another monstrous season, and last season, the wide receiver caught a dozen touchdown passes and for over 600 yards. Rising senior running back RJ Alexander will lead the ground game for the Mustangs. Second-year head coach Chris James looks to lead the team to another conference championship and another playoff appearance.

The primetime matchup at 7:30 between the Weddington Warriors and Providence Day Chargers could be dubbed “game of the year,” as both of these teams are coming off state championship seasons in 2023. The Chargers have won the last three NCISAA titles, and the Warriors had a historic season en route to a state championship. David Sanders is the most highly touted prospect in North Carolina,  as he is ranked as the second-best player in the nation according to 24/7 Sports. Sanders plays offensive tackle and defensive end for the Chargers. Other Chargers include rising senior running back Ian Cline and defensive back Cairo Skanes. The Weddington Warriors rising junior trio, Thomas Davis Junior, Aiden Harris, and Drew Harris, terrorize opposing offenses. Questions remain on who will be the starting quarterback for the Warriors next season. Weddington has been a powerhouse for a decade, and Head Coach Andy Capone is a strong leader with an intelligent sense for the game of football. The primetime matchup will have everyone watching in August.

Moosehead Grill

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Photo contributed by Hank Thrasher

If you ever ask someone from the Myers Park area, “Where are the best wings in town??”, many will say Moosehead Grill. Montford Road is lined up with many restaurants and bars such as Angry Ale’s, Brazzwells, Park Lanes, The Roasting Company, and Moosehead. Moosehead stands out among the others. The unique restaurant design is an homage to the Pizza Hut that was leased in the same spot during the 90s. Each night loads of people find their way into Moosehead Grill to watch games, jam to music, or just the flavorful and diverse menu that features everything from wings to the quesadillas.

The Origin of the Moosehead

On the inside of the restaurant on the wall is a large taxidermied moose head. Owner Chris  Neilson explains the origin of the taxidermied moose, Nielsen stated, “The moose came from a Passamaquoddy Indian that hunted with my father in the Moosehead Lake region in Maine”, His father specifically got the moose mounted to be the restaurant staple. 

The Beginnings 

“We maxed out nine credit cards and had five friends invest to finance opening,” said owner Chris Neilson. Nielsen’s ambitious yet intelligent goal of opening a restaurant in Charlotte was driven by the fact that “in the 90s, there was nowhere to eat after 10 PM”. Partner Donnie Anderson and Neilson met a man named Ken Mullins, a restaurant supply store owner with, “a handshake, no contract” deal and, Moosehead got the equipment ready to start serving customers and they finally opened in 1996. Moosehead’s unique serving of fresh food till 2 AM. Their business hasn’t looked back with 28 years of success. Donnie and Chris took a high-risk chance and it paid off as they created the perfect bar & grill in the Myers Park area. 

Support a Small Business

Moosehead is a local staple. There’s nothing like it. When supporting small businesses, customers play an important role in boosting the local economy. Nielson stated, “I am able to create a sense of community and give back to our community.” He adds, “It takes years and is still a work in progress but we have built a team that works together to problem solve and continue to grow.” From the ground up, Moosehead is a true reflection of hard work and dedication to serve the community; as a result, Moosehead has grown into a business that is worth much more than a price tag.

Food Staples

13 unique wing flavors, potato skins, nachos, quesadillas, comfort food, and many more filling sides are the core of the menu. They also offer a diverse spread of wings, the household staple is The Uncle Donnie’s Famous Blackened Wings- given the name to pay homage to the original partner Donnie Anderson. The Bee Sting wings have the unique taste of honey and habanero. Similar to the Bee Stings, the Killer Bees have more heat with a hint of mango. The PB & J’s are the most interesting wing with; thai spices, peanut butter, and apple jelly. The original hot Buffalo offers a spicy kick as well as the Poison Poison wings which are made with Carolina Reaper peppers. Moosehead is the dream for the avid chicken wing enthusiast.

Moosehead’s “watering hole” for adults provides 17 draft beers and 10 different bottles. Moosehead supports local breweries by selling local IPAS like NODA’s Jam Session and Olde Meck Copper. Customers enjoy the late nights and the wide offering of drinks. 

Nielsen stated, “It’s the quality of the food, the environment we have created, and good staff that keeps customers coming back.” Charlotte has so much to offer, but no restaurant and bar compare to the Culture Chris Neilson and Donnie Anderson started back in 1996. Moosehead Grill serves the heart of the Myers Park Community. Nothing can beat the Moose!