Many students spend their last week of summer dreaming up ways to avoid the first days of school. But junior Kelee Marcy has a good excuse for missing out on the first bit of the year.
    Marcy and his family spent the last month of their summer in Monrovia, Liberia. Marcy was there Aug. 1-28 and spent his time visiting his extended family and hanging out in the city.
    "We moved from Liberia in 2000 and this was the first time we've been back. It was great to see family that we haven't seen in nine years," Marcy said.

    When the lights on the stage dimmed, and the roar of the crowd shook the club, a kick of adrenaline pulsed through Lil MaQ as he braced himself to open for world renowned artists Mary J. Blige, R&B Singer Joe, and Music Soul Child at the famous Arena Nightclub in New York City.
    Senior Chris Denny, also known as Lil MaQ, is on his way to stardom as a R&B artist. See the video. (Note - not available from within the school because of internet filter).    

    This experience was a huge accomplishment, however this is nothing new for Denny. "Being on stage is something that's a major part of my life. It's powerful, it makes me feel like I'm doing what I need to do, which is to entertain," said Denny.
    Denny plans to graduate early and begin his career with one of the major record companies interested in signing him.
    "I met an executive from Atlantic Records, they've been talking to my Dad, and I have some major record deals on the table," Denny said.

  At an intense cheerleading camp this summer, four Riverside cheerleaders were named All-American cheerleaders as part of the Edge Cheer & Dance Inc. camp at N.C. State.
    Senior Rashanda Wellington, junior Addysen O'Brient, and sophomores Ashley Crabtree and Sarah Sporn were chosen based on individual try-outs in front of private coaches.  "The tryouts were pretty nerve-racking because we were in front of 150-200 people. We went up with four other people but we had to do things individually," O'Brient said.

    The Pirates' Hook leads the way as students try to improve the environment and follow the new trend, going green. The first ever Pirates' Hook stainless steel water bottles are available to anyone wanting to limit the environmental affects of plastic bottles.
    "A lot of things are going green in the area and we want to go along with that. So we decided to get everybody involved by selling water bottles that students can bring to school everyday instead of plastic water bottles," head editor, senior Abby Demarest said.