By Holly Hodges and

Ashley Redmond

Davie Early College

Davie County Early College High School kicked off the new school year on Aug. 6 by welcoming the fresh faces of freshmen and also embracing returning students.

With the first week of school also came the first of many Phoenix Phridays. These Fridays are filled with activities and community service opportunities that allow students to broaden their horizons and provide the chance to give back to Davie County.

The first Phoenix Phriday was full of fun activities as freshmen were welcomed and seniors were celebrated.

The day started off with a schoolwide town hall and the discussion of what it means to be “Better than Before.” The school  theme for this year centers around the principle of being a better version of yourself from the previous year(s).

Whether it be in academics or in a professional setting, students are taught the fundamentals of being exemplary, of representing what it means to be a Phoenix. As a Phoenix rises up from the ashes and is reborn, the students at DCECHS are expected to represent the essence of rising up to the occasion, stepping out of their comfort zones, exhibiting growth, and being Better than Before.

Next, the Early College welcomed a panel of alumni who came to discuss the importance of teamwork and empathy, which had been the school wide focus for the first week. They shared how the Early College had impacted their lives and gave key advice for college and careers.

Panel members included: entrepreneur Maddie Myers, Class of 2014 and owner of MaddieCakes bakery in Advance; Eric Powell, Class of 2014 and successful graduate of UNCSA and opera singer; Noah Hutchins, Class of 2016 and film major at UNC Wilmington; Mark Haldeman, Class of 2014 and product manager at NCino; Kirsten Buchin, Class of 2014 and student at UNC Wilmington; Shodeah Kelly, Class of 2016 and student at UNC Chapel Hill; Ranni Roscios, Class of 2015 and recent graduate of UNC Chapel Hill; and Kelsey Wooten, Class of 2013 and graduate student at Virginia Tech.

The final activity was painting “fish” rocks as a stapler. These rocks promote individuality and strengthen student bonds within the school and beyond. They will be placed outside in a “river” of students to represent unity and diversity.

The first Phoenix Phriday was an excellent way to motivate students and kickstart a great year at the Early College. In the future, Phoenix Phridays will include community service, such as participating in Adopt-a-Highway, reading to elementary school children, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, and much more.

Last year, Davie County Early College adopted a new creed – a vow to be epic. The creed goes: “We are Encouraging and effective. We have high expectations for all. We encourage equity of voice. We are Phoenix; who are present, punctual, prepared, productive and purposeful. We are Innovative, intellectual, inquisitive and make informed decisions. We invest in our community. We are a Collaborative environment that strives for continuous growth. We courageously step outside our comfort zones and celebrate our successes. We are the Davie Early College Family.”

The Early College enjoyed this EPIC start to the school year, and is looking forward to being Better Than Before.