Peak Players production of Les Miserables wins Best Musical

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Apex Peak Players production of Les Miserables took home the trophy for 2015 Best Musical at the fifth annual Triangle Rising Star Live Showcase and Award show at the DPAC on Tuesday night. Seniors, Will Stapleton who played Jean Valjean, Joshua Menzies who played Javert, and David Flowers who played Marius, were all finalists in the Best Actor category.

To be nominated, musicals in the Triangle area must fill out an application. Judges from DPAC, Theatre in the Park, Raleigh Little Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Theater, Durham Arts Council and WTVD ABC 11 attend the performances of each show in order to select their regional finalist.

Diann Kearney reflects on past few weeks

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Diann Kearney began her position as principal on May 1. Upon Kearney’s arrival, she has found herself faced with many challenges. “It’s been really busy, as you might imagine. Coming to a new school the beginning of May, the busiest time of the year, it’s been a little bit challenging,” said Kearney. “I’m trying to walk around, go into every class several times, and meet teachers; then, remember what their name is, what they teach, and where they teach.”

Kearney expressed her impression of Apex so far, saying “I like how everyone is very friendly and the entire community is welcoming. They seem to be very patient and understand that it's going to take me a little while to learn the ‘Apex way.’ So far, it’s been really good.”

As far as changes go, Kearney doesn't have anything too dramatic planned. “At this time, I don't have any major changes on my list of things to do. We are talking about some adjustments, just to make things go more smoothly. I’m sure that after we go through this month and graduation that we might have some reflections of things that we can adjust, but I don't anticipate any significant changes.”

Prom proves to be a true Polynesian paradise

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Students were blown away by the effort put forth at this year’s prom. The “Polynesian paradise” took place at the Embassy Suites in Cary on Saturday night.

“My favorite part of prom was by far the people and the scenery. Those things combined really made the night feel alive,” said senior Jake Wnuk. The prom committee went as far as to bring a van into the venue and placed pineapples on every table, which attendees enjoyed taking home after prom.

VIP program presents at Apex tomorrow

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Apex High School seniors will view the “VIP for VIP” or Vehicle Injury Prevention for a Very Important Person program tomorrow April 28 during second and fourth periods. The program is scheduled prior to prom and graduation for students to use as a learning experience. The program focuses not only on driving while impaired and speeding, but also avoiding distractions that can cause an accident to occur in a matter of seconds.

The day will begin with a memorial vehicle placed in front of school. Keep in mind that two students lost their lives in the vehicle. The program is broken up into two different sessions. The 9:15 a.m. session will take place in the gym where students will hear from various speakers. These will include emergency services and parents of teenage victims, followed by a video presentation. The afternoon session will begin at 1:00 p.m. During these 30 minutes, students will sit in bleachers in the senior parking lot to observe a reenactment of a fatal car crash.

"What the HECK" News

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Obituary asks mourners not to vote for Hillary Clinton

• The family of Larry Darrell Upright added a strange request to his obituary. It is written, “the family respectfully asks that you do not vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016.” Upright was 81 when he passed away in a hospital in Concord, North Carolina. The family also asked that donations be sent to a Florida children’s hospital instead of sending flowers.

WCPSS names Diann Kearney principal

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Wake County Public School System named Diann Kearney as principal of Apex High School to begin Friday, May 1. Kearney has been principal of Martin Middle School in Raleigh since 2012.

Kearney sat down and discussed the principalship at Apex High School with Dr. Clint Robinson, area superintendent for southwestern Wake County, prior to her acceptance. “When offered the job, I was extremely excited to accept because I have lived in the area for over 25 years and understand what a great community and school this is,” said Kearney.

Kearney wrote in her introduction letter addressed to ‘Apex parents and families,’ “I consider it an honor and a privilege to serve in this role and I look forward to working with you to continue the many great traditions that have distinguished Apex High School over the years.”

Restaurant guide for prom night

Alexandria Sands & Maya Horton
Arts & Entertainment Editor & Staff Writer

It’s time to start making dinner reservations for prom night, but first you need to decide where you’re going to eat. Do you want Italian, Japanese, or American? Do you want an over-the-top atmosphere or a more casual vibe? We have a guide for the best places to eat in a half-hour radius of the prom venue.

Italian

Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering in Apex serves all the Italian cuisine you could ask for. Pizza, ravioli, pasta, and seafood are just some of the choices. Prices range from $10 to $20. The inside is cozy while the outside features an alluring patio and fountain.

Prom dress shopping guide

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Prom is sneaking up on us and girls are on the hunt for that one dress. Here are some of the hottest trends. The following dresses can be found at the following locations: Chique Prom, An Affair to Remember Bridal & Formal Wear, Jewel’s Formal, Kannon’s, and Kristina’s:

If you want to be the topic of conversation…

Two piece prom dresses are a new, unique trend this season. Above is a fun, an elegant, and a romantic example.

Fox 50 Lip Dub voting begins online

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The voting for this year’s Fox50 Lip Dub began March 30. The winning school will receive $10,000. Crabtree Valley Mall is sponsoring a $1000 prize to be rewarded to the most creative video. There is also a $500 prize for the video that demonstrates the most school spirit and teamwork.

Prom committee announces theme

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Apex High Prom Twitter account announced that the 2015 prom theme will be “Polynesian Paradise.” Prom will be held May 2 at the Embassy Suites in Cary, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

“The reason we chose Polynesian Paradise is because it is a super fun theme with a bunch of really awesome decorations,” said senior prom committee member, Jennifer Friedler. “I feel like it pleases most people because who doesn't want to go to like a luau?”

The committee has announced there will be free, unlimited snowballs provided by Pelican’s Snoballs. Students will also be able to send their music requests to the DJ via text message.

Tragic shooting occurs in Chapel Hill

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Three college students were murdered Tuesday evening on Summerwalk Circle in the Finley Forest Condominiums, home to many University of North at Carolina Chapel Hill graduate students. The students were identified as Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Barakat, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha.

Craig Stephen Hicks surrendered himself to deputies in Pittsboro after driving to Chatham County immediately after the shooting. Hicks has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Student Council hosts annual Mr. Apex February 20

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

The annual Mr. Apex pageant will be held Friday, February 20, in the Apex High auditorium. Mr. Apex is a male pageant where nine senior guys, who were nominated by their classmates, showcase their talents and answer questions. Student council uses the money raised by Mr. Apex for further activities that will benefit the school.

“We definitely had a big turn out last year,” said student body president, Trisha Bonthu. “It was good for raising money for student council.” Bonthu says there’s a lot to look forward to, including seeing the boys perform a dance choreographed by Meredith Bailey, Erika Forslund, and Jonah Creech-Pritchett.

Love Expert: Alex Sands on the perfect Valentine’s Day date

Alexandria Sands
Arts & Entertainment Editor

Valentine’s Day is landing on a Saturday this year and your significant other is expecting a perfect date. Here are some inexpensive and fun, local options.

Have a picnic.

Perhaps the least expensive and the most classic option for a Valentine’s date is a picnic. Pick up some subs or make some at home. Bring some snacks with you too. Find a spot at Lake Pine or Jordan Lake. After your meal, you can take a walk around the lake or trails. Walking usually tends to create a great, natural conversation and you can learn a lot about your date this way.

Dixon returns to Apex High

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

Dr. Thomas Dixon 

Doctor Thomas Dixon began his term as interim principal Jan. 2, after former principal Matthew Wight left to fulfill his duties as the principal of Apex Friendship High, a new high school opening the fall of 2015.

Dixon was principal of Apex High School prior to Wight. “I've probably done as many of these little interim jobs as anybody and coming back here just made me realize just how terrific this school is,” said Dixon. “Not that other schools aren't good, but this is just kind of a step above everything to me.”

Having grown up by the coast in Morehead City, he says him and his wife try to get down to the beach as much as they can. Dixon says he likes to read, walk, golf, and loves dogs. Currently, he’s caring for his new 9 month old golden retriever, the fifth that he’s owned,

Cougar mascot sports a new outfit

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

The Apex Cougar mascot was seen at Friday night’s basketball game with a new look, which is more mature with a full grown beard and more prominent bone structure. He was also wearing a new gold and black jersey.

“Coach Phillips decided to get a new and better one [costume] that is lighter. It’s way cooler in the new one,” said senior Eric Grimes, the face behind the mascot. “It’s just something new and fresh.”

"What the HECK" News

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

The inventor of the game “Operation” cannot afford an operation of his own

• You may remember the game of “Operation” from your childhood. The inventor, John Spinello, needs a $25,000 oral surgery that he cannot afford. Spinello has only made $500 from the game, collected when he sold the rights. Spinello said he plans to focus on the joy that the game brought children over the past 50 years rather than being bitter about his healthcare crisis. Donations for Spinello’s surgery are being accepted online.

Man behind bars for accidently sending “You have some weed?” to probation officer

• Ever sent a text to the wrong person? Alvin Cross, Jr. accidently sent the text “you have some weed?” to his probation officer, allowing the officer to search the man’s home and find a bag of cocaine. Cross was on probation after 15 years in jail for an armed robbery in 2006. Cross will be doing another year in prison due to his cocaine possession and poor texting etiquette.

Queen C is crowned alongside ten other girls

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

Cierra Brown, otherwise known as “C Breezy” or now “Queen C,” was crowned as the 2014 Homecoming Queen during halftime at Friday night’s football game against Cary. When announced, the student section cheered Brown on, giving her a standing ovation.

“I think I knew deep down that I might win,” said Brown, “but when my name was called and everyone cheered, it was so overwhelming. I just couldn’t believe how much of a positive reaction I had on so many people. That experience with everyone cheering, just made me want to continue to strive to be a better person every day and bring joy to others.”

WCPSS names Wight as principal of Apex Friendship

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

The Board of Education appointed Matthew Wight as principal of Apex Friendship High School on October 7. Wight will be leaving Apex High School January 1, 2015.

Apex Friendship will open in August, 2015 with an estimated 1,300 9th and 10th graders. Upperclassmen and those with upperclassmen siblings will stay at their current schools. Wight said, “This is a guess on my part, but perhaps as many as 30 percent of incoming freshman might be impacted.” He then added, “Based on the proposed district lines, it may impact Holly Springs more than Apex.”

Students just need to dance! Party in the 300s

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

Coach Todd and other teachers doing the Electric Slide

When passing the 300s classrooms on their Friday walks to class, students have come across something unusual: teachers breaking out into song and dance. Reactions amongst the students vary from excited to confused. Danita Jones explains, “It started last year. We were all standing in the hallway, talking about all the different changes that were being made in education. We started talking about what we could do to increase teacher morale, so we decided we would do something fun.”

Adam Oltmans claims the idea of Danceline Fridays was thought of by Mrs. Jones with support from Kevin Todd and himself. “At the end of the long week, you have a lot of pent up frustration and the weekend to look forward to, so it’s kind of like where those two meet- an explosion of fun and optimism… and dancing,” adds Oltmans.

Mr. Oltmans & Ms. Jones
dancing through the halls

“We’ve done the electric slide two weeks in a row but my favorite is probably Michael Jackson or Diana Ross,” Jones says. “I don’t think I’m the best dancer out there. I actually think Coach Todd and Mr. Oltmans probably have the best moves.”

Oltmans claims he will dance to anything, “Sometimes it’s just the freestyle groove, but I also like the robot.”

The trio encourages students to get involved. “It’s not Footloose. Dancing is not prohibited,” Oltmans says. “Their reactions reflect the boredom that students exhibit on a daily basis. They think that adults are boring and lame but they don’t realize they’re the boring lame ones. The kids need to get involved. It’s fun. Just dance.” 

Jones wants all the students to know, “Despite all the changes in education and all the things that make us sad, knowing that just a simple dance, small things like music on Fridays, 

                                                                            does make us happy. We love our job, we love 

                                                                            kids, and we love what we do.”

Can you identify these logos?

Alex Sands
Staff Writer

The results are in.  We polled 57 people to see how many logos they could correctly identify. Five of these logos were ones we thought would be more commonly known by an Apex High student. The other five logos are marketed towards a more mature crowd. Do you think you can identify the logos?

The first five logos that we expected the average Apex student to know: