NC Cyber October 2025 Newsletter

Hello Owls!

Welcome to the October 2025 North Carolina Cyber Academy Newsletter! We hope everyone has been enjoying the autumn season, and is looking forward to Halloween and the upcoming Thanksgiving season!

This month's Newsletter highlights some of the many amazing things happening each day at our school! Enjoy the Newsletter and Happy Halloween!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy is proud to honor Sarah Kincaid as this month’s Elementary School Teacher Spotlight recipient. Mrs. Kincaid currently lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and their dog, Boone. She loves to hike, read, collect rocks, and travel. Mrs. Kincaid got an opportunity this past summer to visit Estonia, where her family is originally from.

“I’m honored to be selected as the Elementary School Teacher Spotlight for October,” Mrs. Kincaid said. “Being the Spotlight Teacher this month is really kind, and it truly means a lot—it always feels nice to know that you are appreciated.”

Mrs. Kincaid has been utilizing the principles of Leader in Me - a program that NC Cyber Academy is using to improve our all-around effectiveness as instructors and leaders - to improve her teaching and her personal life.

“I love that we’re doing Leader in Me this year because I’m passionate about growing the whole person and helping set kids up with the skills they need to truly be successful—and most of those skills aren’t academic,” she said. “The 7 Habits have made a real difference in my own life, and I’m excited to see the impact they’ll have on everyone in our school community, from staff to students and families and beyond.”

This is Mrs. Kincaid’s ninth year teaching, and her third year teaching at the North Carolina Cyber Academy. We’re grateful to have her as part of our family!

“One of the things I love most about teaching here is the ability to really get to know entire families and build meaningful relationships with students on a deeper level by being part of their day-to-day lives,” she said. “I also love the flexibility and innovation that comes with teaching in an online environment. It allows us to rethink education in ways that truly put students and families first.”

Mrs. Bunch’s Science students at the NC Cyber Elementary School have been doing some interesting experiments this month as they examine “Matter in My World.”

Some students have engaged in projects with basic solutions that create a chemical reaction to cause expansion in a balloon, while other students examined the phenomenon of making an old penny look shiny again! Others got creative and created personas such as Matter Man! Another student put in used dots and toothpicks to create the models of solids and used confetti to create an animation of gases.

Take a look at these fascinating projects from our Elementary School students!

Here are some of our pictures from the North Carolina State Fair of some of our elementary students.

Paul Gieseking is a 4th grader and Sophia is a kindergartener at NC Cyber Academy!

The kids had an amazing time and learned a lot!

North Carolina Cyber Academy fifth grade student Lucas Diaz is not only proving to be quite a talented young cook, but he is also fascinated by scientific experiments!

Lucas recently recorded a couple of videos to his YouTube channel - one explaining his passion for cooking and demonstrating various cooking techniques, and another highlighting a scientific experiment known as the chemical balloon.

Lucas discusses three aspects of food science in this cooking demonstration.

First, he demonstrates how cooking eliminates bacteria like salmonella in chicken by seasoning and breading it, then cooking it to an internal temperature of 165°F. Second, he explains how alcohol evaporates during cooking, using vodka as an example, where three tablespoons of vodka are boiled for about an hour to reduce its alcohol content. Lastly, he shows how heat can change states of matter, using avocado toast with scrambled eggs as an example, where the liquid eggs solidify upon cooking.

In the chemical balloon, Lucas describes an experiment demonstrating a chemical change using vinegar, baking soda, and a balloon. The reaction produces carbon dioxide, which inflates the balloon, and causes fizzing and bubbling in the container. This experiment also shows an endothermic reaction as the balloon and container become noticeably colder upon contact. Lucas explains and emphasizes the visibility of the chemical reaction through observable changes in the balloon and the container.

We’re so impressed by Lucas’s initiative, intelligence, and creativity. Way to go!

Shout Out to NC Cyber Elementary School first grader Dakarii Lowe for his first quarter achievements, with perfect attendance and A honor roll!

We are very proud parents of him and he’s excited to be his second year here at NCCA!

A shout out to Ahyleen Maldonado for steadily working on her WIG goal and tracking it successfully!

---Ms. Monson

Shout out to our brilliant son Mansa who is becoming more responsible & independent with his schoolwork each and every day. He is truly embodying what he’s learning in his Leader In Me lessons, especially being proactive.

In Mansa’s free time, he loves to continue learning via BrainPop games and videos and always has something new & exciting to share with us. We are so proud to watch him soar and fall more in love with learning everyday.

Love, Mommy, DaDa & Adonis

NC Cyber Academy fourth grader Alexandria Diaz recently got her blue belt! She will be a Enderman for Halloween!

Brianna Folino, a fifth grader at the North Carolina Cyber Academy, is on a swim team called the Dolphins.

Brianna had her first swim meet earlier this fall, and won two ribbons. Congratulations!

Tymeek Jamison is a fifth grade student at the NC Cyber Academy Elementary School. Tymeek recently attended the Seaboard Festival in Hamlet, located in Richmond County, a big event every year in his local community.

Below are some photos from Tymeek and his family’s visit to the Seabord Festival!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School once again participated in a canned food drive as part of Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day on Thursday, October 23. Fairgoers could bring six cans of food to the fair gates to exchange for one free admission ticket.

Hunger Relief Day began at the N.C. State Fair in 1993, and since then fairgoers have donated more than six million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners. It has become one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in the state.

We are beyond proud of one of our rockstar educators, Ms. Amy Rose, who recently represented NC North Carolina Cyber Academy at The Power of Us - Elevating virtual Learning, Together VLLA (Virtual Learning Leadership Alliance) Conference in Charlotte, NC!

Ms. Rose presented “Visualize to Realize: Empowering Educators with Data Visualizations,” sharing her expertise on how data can be transformed into meaningful tools that empower teachers and impact student success.

Her leadership and innovation continue to inspire us all — thank you, Ms. Rose, for making NCCA shine on a national stage! #TeacherLeader #VLLA #NCCAProud #DataDriven

We are proud to recognize Jennifer Hall for her outstanding contributions to our school community! Ms. Hall serves as one of our dedicated ELA teachers and continues to demonstrate unwavering support for both students and colleagues through her commitment, energy, and creativity.

As a 2024 Teacher of the Year Finalist, Ms. Hall has distinguished herself as a leader in her field. She consistently collaborates with her peers, shares innovative ideas, and contributes resources that strengthen instruction across the middle school. Going above and beyond, she has generously provided graphic content and instructional materials that help colleagues better engage students and elevate the overall learning experience. One of her most notable contributions is the NC Cyber Middle Wallpaper, which she hand-drew. This creative work has been widely adopted and appreciated by teachers across the school, serving as both an inspirational and unifying symbol of our community.

Ms. Hall’s dedication to her students is equally impressive. Her lessons are designed to be student-centered, engaging, and meaningful, fostering literacy growth, confidence, and a genuine love for learning. She is deeply invested in ensuring that every student feels supported and challenged to reach their fullest potential. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Hall’s positivity, willingness to share her expertise, and collaborative spirit make her a trusted and valued colleague.

Thank you, Ms. Hall, for your passion, creativity, and leadership. Your influence extends far beyond your own classroom, and we are grateful for the lasting impact you have on both students and staff at NC Cyber Middle.

At the North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School, we’re kicking off our journey as a Leader In Me school, and first on the list is to learn all about the 8 Habits and how to be successful!

Family Challenge:

Talk with your child about one way they can take charge of their day. It could be anything from staying organized to asking for help when needed to starting an assignment early.

#Habit1 #BeProactive #LeaderInMe #NCCAMiddleLeads #StudentLeadership #ownyourchoices

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind “Have a plan.”

At NCCA Middle, we’re continuing our leadership journey with Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind.

Leaders set goals and have a vision for their future. This habit reminds students to plan ahead, stay focused, and make choices that align with their goals both inside and outside of school.

Family Challenge: Talk with your student about one goal they want to reach this month and what steps they can take to make it happen!

#Habit2 #BeginWithTheEndInMind #GoalSetting #LeaderInMe #NCCAMiddleLeads #StudentSuccess

Our 8th graders at the North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School are diving into hands-on science with NC BioNetwork! Each student received a lab kit to explore real-world investigations from the comfort of their own home.

Their first lab? Water quality testing comparing drinking water with outdoor samples using pH strips, phosphate tests, and more. Students practiced authentic science skills, analyzed data, and even explored careers in environmental science.

#VirtualLearning #HandsOnScience #FutureScientists

In early October, our NC Cyber Middle School counselors hosted a Special Guest for their College/Career Readiness Class!

Chef Jay Miller zoomed in to talk to their class! Many students have expressed interest in becoming chefs and this proved to be a wonderful opportunity for them and all students to learn about the world of work as a chef!

North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School AIG (Academically-Intellectually Gifted) eighth graders Katie Harrell and Dristi Shrestha joined other AIG classmates in putting together projects this semester related to their life goals and dreams.

In her presentation, Katie Harrell discusses her lifelong dream and plans to become a Veterinarian.

As her presentation demonstrates, Katie has already gotten hands-on experience shadowing a practicing veterinarian!

Eighth grader Dristi Shrestha came up with an Art Board!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School is excited to present our SECURE IT Cybersecurity workshops series for middle schoolers. These workshops are hosted in person for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Each student will attend once a month during the school year. Students will learn a variety of topics from cryptology to social engineering to generative AI.

Workshops run monthly on the following dates from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on North Carolina State's Centennial Campus in Raleigh. For more information, read below!

Reesie Rosario is a 6th grader at NCCA and has been enrolled at the school the the past three years. She started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at Gracie Raleigh during the summer of 2024. She trains 3-5 times a week typically and was promoted to her grey/white belt in August. This has become her passion, and she decided to start competing in BJJ tournaments.

Reesie competed in 2025 Fuji BJJ Raleigh Fall Championship, in which she competed against both boys and girls and won the silver medal for her weight class!

We are so proud of how much she's learned over the past year and how coachable she is. The best part of the day was when Reesie chased down one of her female opponents who had lost every match to tell her she did a good job. That behavior wins a gold medal as a human. Great job Reesie!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy was proud to have Patrick Taylor, who represents GTP Foundation, participate at the Southern Sectional High Performance Camp in Peachtree City, Georgia earlier this fall.

Patrick is a hard working, enthusiastic, and passionate young man, and so deserving of the opportunity to compete at this prestigious camp.

The Southern Sectional High Performance camp brings together the best 12 and under players from the Southern Section for an intense two day camp run by nationally-acclaimed coaches.

Way to go Patrick!

NC Cyber Academy Middle School eighth grade AIG student Siejahn Clark put together a fascinating project earlier this year. Siejahn put together a podcast about life in the United States Marine Corps. He interviewed two of his older brothers, who are both currently serving in the Marines.

In his military podcast, Siejahn discusses with his brothers their experiences and motivations for joining the Marines. Both of Siejahn’s brothers emphasize the importance of a genuine desire to serve, along with the benefits of the Marine Corps, including career advancement and long-term financial security.

One of his brothers plans to pursue a career in the cyber field, while the other has chosen a motor transport operator role. They both emphasize the rigorous training, including marching, martial arts, swimming, and land navigation skills required to serve as an enlisted soldier.

“It's not for just anybody,” one of his brothers said. “You have to actually want to do it. If you don't want to do it, and you just think that, oh, it's gonna be nothing, then I wouldn't say do it. But if you actually want to join the Marine Corps, and you know that's what you want to do, and you're gonna push yourself through whatever it is to become a Marine, then I would say yes.”

“I would say if you have an opportunity to join or give it a shot, give it a shot, even if it's not the Marines,” he added. “If you have a chance to join the military, join it, because it's only four years out of your life, and it'll set you up pretty good for the rest of your life if you use it right.”

The NC Cyber Academy expresses its gratitude to Siejahn’s brothers and their entire family for their sacrifices and services for the good of our great country. Special thanks to our Middle School AIG instructor, Mrs. Sieg, for her outstanding work with our bright and talented AIG students like Siejahn!

Listen to Siejahn’s podcast below!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy Middle School is excited to connect and learn together throughout the month of November!

Join us for engaging, hands-on experiences across North Carolina, from striking gold at the Reed Gold Mine, exploring science and history at the Imagination Station, visiting the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, to relaxing under the stars for Movies in the Park: The Outsiders!

Active links to flyers and sign-ups are available in ParentSquare, where all event details have been shared for our families.

We can’t wait to see our Cyber Owl students and families in person for a month full of learning, laughter, and connection!

#NCCAMiddle #CyberOwls #FamilyEngagement #LearningBeyondTheScreen #NCCAPride #WeAreNCCA

The North Carolina Cyber Academy has been recognized this fall by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for having the largest Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program in the State of North Carolina for Charter schools.

NC Cyber currently enrolls approximately 1,250 enrollments in CTE. The next biggest program - the Triangle Math and Science Academy, which has been established for many more years than NC Cyber - has approximately 1,100 students enrolled in its CTE offerings.

NCDPI officials agreed that the North Carolina Cyber Academy High School is now competing with regular local education agency (LEA) CTE programs in regards to size, credentials earned, pathways offered, etc. This is a tremendous achievement for our High School. Congratulations to Principal Dr. Vecchione and the entire staff for their hard work creating pathways for our students!

On Friday, October 17, a three-member North Carolina Department of Public Instruction panel interviewed the six semifinalists for North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year. One of the semifinalists, NC Cyber Academy High School instructor Colt Weaver, was among those interviewed and still in the competition.

Over the weekend, NC Cyber High School Principal Dr. Vecchione learned that Mr. Weaver is now one of two statewide finalists for the NCDPI North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year honor. The final phase of the competition will result in a virtual school visit that will include parent interviews, student interviews, staff and colleague interviews, etc.. These interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of November 5.

Mr. Weaver is the first-ever teacher from a North Carolina virtual school to reach the semifinal round of the NCDPI North Carolina Charter School Teacher of the Year competition, and now the first to reach the final round! Congrats to Mr. Weaver and all the amazing things he does each and every day in the classroom for our students! Best of luck in this final round!

Our October 2025 NC Cyber Academy High School Teacher Spotlight shines on one of our CTE teachers - Mrs. Melissa Sparks. Mrs. Sparks is a big reason why NC Cyber’s CTE programs have developed into the largest for charter schools in the entire state of North Carolina! Mrs. Sparks is new to our high school this year. Previously she taught at Davie County High School in Mocksville, North Carolina, and is a veteran educator.

As our Career Technical Education (CTE) program continues to expand, Mrs. Sparks has taken on great responsibility helping to create and build a Health Sciences pathway - new to the North Carolina Cyber Academy this school year. In addition to the new pathway opportunity for students related to Health Sciences, she has also chartered a new CTE organization: HOSA which stands for Health Occupations Students Association. HOSA is an international career and technical student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Technology Education Division of ACTE (Association of Career and Technical Education).

Not only has Mrs. Sparks brought a wealth of experience and attention to the North Carolina Cyber Academy and our high school, she also shares her knowledge at the state level as a Board Member of the North Carolina Health Occupations Student Association (NC-HOSA).

On the national stage, Mrs. Sparks is President Elect for the national Health Science Educators Association (HSEA) and will be installed as the National President this coming December.

NC Cyber Academy High School Principal Dr. Chris Vecchione and the entire NC Cyber High School faculty are thrilled to have Mrs. Sparks as a new staff member on the high school team! We are just as thrilled for the various opportunities and experiences that she has brought to the NC Cyber Academy High School for our students.

To learn more about HOSA at the school, state, or national level...feel free to reach out to Mrs. Sparks at msparks@myncca.com

This school year, the North Carolina Department of Public Education (NCDPI) has confirmed that the North Carolina Cyber Academy now has the largest CTE program for charter schools in the state of North Carolina. A special thank you to our CTE Department, and our entire school for supporting the rapid growth and expansion of CTE offerings here at NC Cyber.

We’re thankful and grateful to have you at our school Mrs. Sparks! Thanks for everything you do each and every day for our students and your NC Cyber High School colleagues!

North Carolina Cyber Academy is proud to announce that Gracie Rodriguez and Love Sessoms-McCall, 10th-grade students at our school, have been selected to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference this summer at NC State. The HOBY program is widely recognized as one of the premier youth leadership programs in the country, offering students a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a positive impact in their communities.

These students were selected based on their outstanding academic achievements, commitment to community service, and potential for leadership. This honor is awarded to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to making a difference and show a passion for community engagement. At the HOBY conference, they will join other high-achieving students from across the state to participate in workshops, activities, and discussions focused on leadership, community service, and personal growth.

"These students exemplify the kind of leadership and service we foster here. Attending HOBY will further equip Gracie and Love with the tools they need to make a significant positive impact on our community and beyond." ~ Ms. Christy Scott, High School Assistant Principal

The HOBY Youth Leadership Conference has a long-standing tradition of inspiring students to become future leaders. Attendees return home with new skills, perspectives, and motivation to make a positive difference. Howard's selection reflects North Carolina Cyber Academy's commitment to fostering leadership and personal development among its students.

Please join us in congratulating both of these wonderful students on this exciting opportunity!

About HOBY

Founded in 1958, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and developing our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation. HOBY alumni are active in community service and hold leadership roles across the world.

For more information about North Carolina Cyber Academy’s programs and student achievements, please contact:

Dr. Chris Vecchione

High School Principal

888-846-2998

cvecchione@myncca.com

Congratulations to our North Carolina Cyber Academy High School Class Officers for the 2025-26 school year. We thank all of our students who participated by voting on their fellow classmates!

We look forward to the leadership provided by our students in the following roles this school year. Congrats to all!

Class of 2026 (Senior Class)

Rebekah Ratcliff - President

Ula Ashaif - Vice President

Class of 2027 (Junior Class)

Kinaya Rogers - President

Breylan Ouellette - Vice-President

Class of 2028 (Sophomore Class)

Matthew-Joseph Martin - President

Gracie Rodriguez - Vice-President

Class of 2029 (Freshman Class)

Mariella Medina - Freshman

Chavis Allen - Vice-President

Throughout the last week of October, NC Cyber Academy High School students participated in a wide range of activities and costumes as part of our annual Spirit Week!

On Friday, October 17, North Carolina Cyber Academy High School students, teachers, and staff participated in Field Trips across the entire Tar Heel State!

From the State Fair to Community College tours, our students got to participate in a wide range of activities! Take a closer look at some of the fun activities and destinations that our students and staff visited this month!

Macy Edelbrock, 10th grade, looking through a stereoscope to view 3D images during the Poe House field trip on October 17th!

Alyssa Barrett, North Carolina Cyber Academy freshman, at the Grandfather Mountain field trip on October 17th.

A group of NC Cyber High School students made their way to Raleigh on October 17 for a campus visit at North Carolina State University. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about NCSU and the educational opportunities they have to offer!

The NC Cyber Academy CTE Department took a trip to the N.C. State Fair on Tuesday, October 21st. They had a great time going around learning all about agriculture and some fun facts about the state of North Carolina!

This past summer, the North Carolina Cyber Academy High School's National Honor Society Cohort 5 brought the heat!

After diving into the book Grit by Angela Duckworth—a bold exploration of passion and perseverance—they leveled up their learning by transforming it into a dynamic mentorship experience. Armed with insight and inspiration, they created powerful presentations to guide our newest members, Cohort 6, helping them set S.M.A.R.T. goals and put grit into action all year long. It’s leadership in motion—full of energy, purpose, and impact.

We’re beyond proud of both cohorts for turning a summer assignment into a movement of growth, connection, and true NHS spirit!

Check out Cohort 5’s inspiring Canva slides, linked and displayed below, to see their grit in action!

In the fall of 2023, Mrs. Fix joined NC Cyber to launch our Agricultural Education program. As an integral part of Ag Ed, FFA (Future Farmers of America) offers students leadership, growth, and career development opportunities. However, until now, no virtual charter schools in North Carolina had been affiliated with FFA.

Determined to change that, Mrs. Fix submitted several proposals to the State Agricultural Education Department—and in August, her efforts paid off. NC Cyber was officially approved as an FFA chapter!

Following this milestone, officer elections were held, and we are proud to introduce the first official officers of the NC Cyber FFA Charter Chapter:

President: Sophia Woodruff

Vice President: Mackenzie Prevost

Secretary: Mariella Clark

Treasurer: Jayden Watkins

Reporter: Alanna Carson

Sentinel: Alana Ellis

Congratulations to our new officers, and thank you to Mrs. Fix for making this exciting opportunity possible for our students!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy High School always encourages its students to consider joining one or several of the school’s many clubs. NC Cyber has a wide range of clubs for its High School students, including academic clubs, hobby clubs, talent clubs, and many other organizations designed to bring students with common interests together for camaraderie and time well spent together.

For our October Newsletter, we introduce four of NC Cyber High School’s clubs, along with more details about each organization and how to participate!

“Vocal Society is a club where you can sing your favorite songs, improve your singing skills, learn new techniques, and even share music you love with others,” said junior Cheyenne Carney. “It’s also a place to meet new people if you haven't met them already, collaborate creatively, and maybe even create a song together as a group.”

The Vocal Society meets every two weeks. NC Cyber High School students of all grades (9-12) and vocal/singing abilities are encouraged to participate.

“I know singing in front of others can feel nerve-wracking - whether it's singing in front of a big crowd or even a small group,” Cheyenne said. “I’ve felt those nerves myself. But this club is meant to help with that. We'll support each other, encourage each other, and I'll even share tips I've learned about overcoming stage fright and stepping confidently into the spotlight.”

“So if you have a love for music or just want to try something new, I encourage you to join vocal society. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You might surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it.”

For more information about the Vocal Society, email Cheyenne Carney at cheyenne.carney@students.myncca.com.

Students with interests in online gaming and STEM are strongly encouraged to consider joining the VESL ESports club at NC Cyber.

NC Cyber’s Esports organization, under the guidance of Mr. Luegers, has emerged over the past couple of years into one of best all-around programs in the state of North Carolina, competing at the highest level in numerous statewide competitions going back to 2023. Students are not only building friendships, but they are learning valuable skills that will help them in the new digital economy in the years to come.

“VESL is a school-oriented, third-party organization that allows students to create, compete and play in an Esports setting,” said senior Darius Rosa.

Esports creates a bridge between students’ current interests in regular competitive gaming, giving them the confidence to pursue success. Using Esports as a vehicle to teach, we can create a new generation of gamers and the competitive world that’s well-equipped and passionate about their work, and are ready to dive into the world of gaming.

STEM provides students opportunities to develop their respective skill sets, gaining work experience and building their technology portfolios so they will be more likely to be prepared for the future digital workforce. Students can choose a wide range of STEM-based challenges in order to compete and win prizes that include scholarship money, cash, and much more.

“It's sort of like miniature master classes to develop skills and gain work experience in the digital workforce,” Rosa said of VESL’s STEM offerings. “Most of it has a wide range of different challenges, events and leaderboards that allow you to win prizes such as scholarships, cash and a lot of other things.”

For more information about VESL Esports, contact Mr. Luegers at kluegers@myncca.com.

If you are passionate about a specific branch of science, desiring to learn more about a wide variety of scientific topics, or unsure about whether or not science is for you - but are still willing to give it a shot - then you should join Pick Your Brain, which is open to all NC Cyber High School students!

In Pick Your Brain, students cycle through a variety of scientific topics each week chosen by the students themselves. Mini-sessions and games are held on different topics throughout the school year. And if you’re the student who suggested the topic, you will get a chance to explain the topic to the fellow Pick Your Brain club members and nerd out to your heart’s content!

“Pick your brain is a science club that involves rotating subject matter,” said Pick Your Brain club leader Madison Smith, a junior. “The goals of this club - and what I hope you would get out of joining - are learning about a multitude of scientific subjects, engaging with your classmates’ interests, bonding over your interest in learning about science, having an outlet each week for your passion about science, and, most importantly, to have fun and nerd out.”

Pick Your Brain next meets on the afternoon of Friday, October 31 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., where they will be discussing the Universe. For more details about Pick Your Brain, or for access to the October 31 meeting, reach out to Club Sponsor Mrs. Perkins, or Club Leader Madison Smith.

Are you a fan of American and/or international soccer? Would you like to find a group of friends where you can discuss everything from the World Cup to Premier League, LFP, Bundes Liga, Ligue 1, Series A, Champions League, and everything in between?

The NCCA FC (North Carolina Cyber Academy Futbol Club) is a group of soccer enthusiasts who both play and enthusiastically keep up with the sport. The Futbol Club holds meetings every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and welcomes all NC Cyber High School students! Learn more about soccer around the world, participate in online watch parties with classmates, and connect with people to play soccer with!

For more information about NC Cyber’s Futbol Club, contact Kent Kaufman at Kent.kaufman@students.myncca.com, or Mr. Lefter at alefter@myncca.com.

NC Cyber High School students are invited to join the Student Lighthouse Team and help other students discover the leader in themselves! Leader in Me is a program that helps ALL students grow as leaders - in our school and in your own life!

Every single NC Cyber Academy High School student can be a leader! The Teacher Lighthouse Team is here to help find the leader in each and every one of our Owl students!

A Lighthouse Team is a group of student and staff leaders who will help our school implement and maintain the principles of the Leader in Me program, serving as a beacon for the entire school community to take care of their own success.

The following NC Cyber High School staff members are participating in our Lighthouse Team program. Students and parents are advised to reach out to any of these instructors and/or staff members to learn more about the Lighthouse Team!

Mrs. Ashley Heacox

Mr. Tim Buck

Ms. Melissa Anders

Ms. Erin Frye

Ms. Mackenzie Thomas

Ms. Tunita Hazelwood

Mr. Ryan Hinkleman

Mrs. Libby Sparklin

Mrs. Rachel Christian

Want to step up even more? Students will have an opportunity in upcoming November assemblies to learn more about joining our NC Cyber Academy High School Lighthouse Team!

Dear 11th & 12th grade students and families -

The North Carolina Cyber Academy is excited to share, once again, our class ring tradition and opportunity for Juniors and Seniors (only).

For the third year at NC Cyber Academy High School, we are offering class rings to students in the Junior and Senior Classes. The two previous years we offered class rings, the students that ordered them were very pleased with their purchases. Deadline for ordering Class Rings (Juniors & Seniors) is Friday, November 21st!

Currently there are three (3) ways to place your order for a Class Ring:

1.) You can visit the Herff Jones office at: 1031 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215,

2.) You can call the Herff Jones office directly to ask questions or place your order over the phone at: 336-228-7770, or you can

3.) Click below to review the ring designs, options, and place your order on the website directly.

In order to participate in the special you must order through the website or call our local representative directly at: 336-228-7770

We are asking Juniors and Seniors to make their selections and place their orders by Friday, November 21, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: you do NOT have to pay the entire cost of the ring when placing your initial order, you are just required to place a deposit. If you have any questions about ordering a class ring, please contact our Herff Jones representative directly at 336-228-7770.

The school is not part of the ordering process.

Congrats Juniors and Seniors for reaching this exciting milestone!

Mary Grace Baker, a junior at the North Carolina Cyber Academy and a member of the school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA), chapter, showed off her goat on October 16th at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh.

The judges were so impressed with Mary Grace’s entry that she and her companion took home the honor of Grand Champion in the Showmanship Class. Congratulations, Mary Grace!

NC Cyber Academy High School freshman Sara Hamid put together an interesting podcast earlier this year for one of her eighth grade Middle School AIG projects.

Sara put together a Teen Diary, where she touched on subjects related to her life including social acceptance as a Middle School student at NC Cyber, and insights related to her own experiences as an Owl student. Sara bravely takes on this difficult subject with grace and empathy.

The Teen Diaries podcast episode discusses the rising epidemic of insecurity among teens, influenced by factors like social media, academic pressure, and body image issues. Social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok create a highlight reel that fosters comparison and low self-esteem. The pressure to fit in and the fear of missing out (FOMO) exacerbate these feelings.

Academic pressure, driven by the belief that success is measured by grades, leads to stress and self-doubt. Body image issues are fueled by unrealistic beauty standards promoted by influencers. Overstimulation from constant news and information can overwhelm teens. The speaker suggests that parents can help by fostering open dialogue, encouraging self-compassion, and providing a supportive environment.

“So whether it's about looks, academics or social standings. It seems that self doubt is somehow creeping into teen lives,” Sara explains in her podcast. “It feels as if we're constantly under a microscope, and this can lead to negative thoughts. There are many factors that lead to insecurities, but one of the most significant is social media.”

“Snapchat and Tiktok both have positive and negative effects,” she continued. “On one hand, they allow for connection and creativity, providing a platform for self- expression. But on the other hand, they serve as a continual reminder of what you don't have. Studies have shown that the created lives that we see online can lead to feelings that make you feel like you're not good enough. We scroll through carefully-filtered photos and influencer lives that seem perfect, that sparked the idea that everyone is living their best life while we're struggling to find our place. The result is a dangerous cycle of comparison that can seriously affect teen self esteem.”

“So what can parents do here? First and foremost, it's essential to foster open dialogs about insecurities, share your experiences, share your feelings,” Sara added. “Share how you felt when you were a teenager. Share your like share your life. You know how you were, how you lived, as as they were when you were their age.”

We hope Sara’s transition from Middle School and High School has been a smooth one at NC Cyber Academy, and that she’ll get a chance to take advantage of all the many extracurricular activities and fun in-person Field Trip opportunities that our school hosts each month! We salute her for taking on such a tough subject with such easy grace in her podcast!

Special thanks to our Middle School AIG instructor, Mrs. Sieg, for her outstanding work with these bright and talented students!

Sophomore Gracie Rodriguez has emerged as a superstar at NC Cyber Academy High School over the past year! She was selected as a member of the National Honor Society, and participated in an interesting service project earlier this year alongside classmate Story King.

Gracie and Story sought to raise awareness about homelessness, which they did by working with a non-profit organization in Wilmington, North Carolina - Vigilant Hope - to assist local residents. Gracie participated in making posters for fundraisers, gathering participants and encouraging people to join their efforts, engaging and challenging residents to raise awareness of local homeless, and aligning their efforts to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 - “Good Health and Well Being.”

“During the first few minutes of trying to fall asleep during this challenge, I truly realized how uncomfortable it was to not have a sense of security. I decided to sleep in my car, and as time grew, I felt more claustrophobic by the minute - uncomfortable and paranoid,” Gracie explains. “The experience was really great for stepping out of my comfort zone and seeing ways I can help my community.”

Combined, Story and Gracie spent over six hours earlier this year on this project, including posting flyers around Wilmington, posting online, recording events including a Grocery Budget challenge, participating in a local Sleep Out, recording and editing video, and planning.

“I learned a lot about my community, how common homelessness is, but I also learned how many common resources there are to help others,” Gracie explained. “I realized there’s many non-profits out there than what I expected in my community. It truly helped me see the good in our community, and it was inspiring to be around those few in order to uplift and understand others. Over this project, I learned a lot on time management, communication skills, and project management.

Gracie recently learned that she and fellow NC Cyber Academy High School sophomore Love Sessoms-McCall have been selected to represent the Owls at the Hugh O’Brien Youth (HOBY) Leadership Conference on the campus of North Carolina State University in the summer of 2026.

"These students exemplify the kind of leadership and service we foster here. Attending HOBY will further equip Gracie and Love with the tools they need to make a significant positive impact on our community and beyond,” said Ms. Christy Scott, High School Assistant Principal.

We salute Gracie for her dedication to academics and local philanthropy, and we wish her all the best for continued success at our High School in the years to come!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy is proud to recognize sisters Emma and Olivia Weber of Youngsville, who are both highly-talented and promising young artists. Emma is a senior at our NC Cyber Academy High School, while Olivia is a freshman.

Both Emma and Olivia placed at the North Carolina State Fair for their respective artworks, which were graded, judged, and displayed for the thousands of Fair visitors to personally view!

Emma received a fourth place statewide ribbon for her vibrant, retro-themed take on a Canon automatic camera titled ‘The Swirling of Reality’, while Olivia came in second place across the entire state of North Carolina for her highly-detailed rendering of a honey bee. Perhaps in 2026 Olivia will be able to enter the State Fair representing the North Carolina Cyber Academy with her remarkably realistic, life-like animal creations.

Like many other high school students, particularly for seniors, fall is an active time of the year to search for an apply to colleges that may begin next fall. Being pro-active and applying early can make a big difference with your acceptance rates as well as available scholarships and grants being offered to ease or eliminate the pain of the high college costs.

Jace Hunter, a North Carolina Cyber Academy 12th grade student, is applying to 21 different colleges all over the nation. Some Ivy League colleges are very difficult to get into, with as low as a 3% acceptance rate, but with careful planning early in high school and early submissions, these rates can be improved tremendously. He has already received some acceptance letters but for many they do not make any final decisions until after January.

Jace wants to study neurological sciences and hopes to some day be a researcher that can help make important discoveries to help clinicians treat or irradicate little-known conditions such as early onset dementia and other cognitive or behavioral conditions.

This past week, Jace was able to visit and tour a few colleges in Massachusetts, including MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Harvard, and Western New England all of which have some of the best programs in neurological sciences. His stretch college is MIT however, just having good grades in high school and good references from high school teachers is not all that is needed.

These colleges are also looking for students with a strong motivation as well as leadership skills (this is why it is important to plan early and participate in extracurricular activities and volunteering opportunities with non-profits for example). Most if not all colleges will ask for essays to help demonstrate these values. MIT and Harvard for example, looks for students that want to use their education to be good stewards and make a difference in the world and will need examples to demonstrate values.

Check out some photos below of Jace’s college exploration trip this fall!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy High School is excited to host a Talent Show on Wednesday, November 5 at 5:00 p.m..

This year’s first place winner will receive $75, while second place will receive $50 and third place $25.

We're looking forward to seeing our amazing students showing off their tremendous talents!

The North Carolina Cyber Academy High School has announced the dates for its two marquee in-person events each spring - our annual Prom, and our annual Graduation ceremony.

This year's NC Cyber Academy High School Prom will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026. More details about location will be made available to students as the date approaches. Save the date!

In addition, the North Carolina Cyber Academy is proud to announce that it will be returning to the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University for our Class of 2026 Graduation ceremony. This year's Graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026. More details for seniors will be forthcoming as the date approaches.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Enjoy your senior year!