Neuse breaks ground on new building
By Angelica Cortes 

On September 30, Neuse Charter School finally had a ceremony for the groundbreaking of the new building. 

Students, staff, family members, and NCS board members attended the ceremony. 

This is a huge milestone for Neuse Charter. Soon, the school will have a proper building so students can learn and thrive. 

The ceremony started off with a prayer by the pastor of Grace Community Assembly of God. Afterward, people of the Board began to speak highly of Neuse, its history, and its accomplishments.

The new building is expected to be completed in late August or mid-September. As soon as the building finishes, students will start moving into it. 

Joel Erby, high school principal of Neuse, said, “I’m excited because administration tried hard to design the building and colors and all that.” He also expressed hope that this progression will attract more students to Neuse Charter. 

David House, senior, thought that it was inspiring and that the gold shovels were an interesting feature.

Gloria Brindle, middle school teacher, said that her favorite part was when the national anthem was sung and when NCS senior and student council president Mark Fang spoke.

Brindle also said that she liked that there were community members present. She thought it was neat that they showed up to support us.

The results are in: 2013-2014 student council
By Sammie Atkins and Muhammad Malik 

Neuse Charter School had its high school student council election on September 23.

Student council is a group of students who help lead the high school. 

The council includes President Mark Fang, Vice President Ashlee Rouse, Treasurer Jarrod Sealey, Secretary Jonothan Foy, and Historian Jimmie Sanders.

Student council plans school dances, plans activities to get students involved in the community, and works with the staff and faculty to best represent the student body.

Rachel McInnis, high school English teacher and student council adviser, said, “This year, student council will focus on really giving a voice to the students. We will work to do what is best for the school and the student body.”

Mark Fang, the re-elected student council president, said, “I’m going to plan school socials and do anything I can do to make the students' year better.”

“I’m happy, but I’m sad the other people who ran weren't selected. However, I will make sure they have a voice in student council,” said Fang when asked if he was happy to have been elected once again.

Homecoming and prom were the top two priorities of Treasurer Jarrod Sealey. He said he is planning to make them fun and entertaining with the school's money. 

Vice President Ashlee Rouse is really eager to support and assist Fang, and she also planned to improve homecoming and increase student involvement in the school community.

Secretary Jonathan’s goals are to ensure that everyone stays on schedule, and to bring new and creative ideas to the other student council members.

“I plan on [setting up] an online scrapbook, taking as many pictures as possible, and representing the school,” said Jimmie, in response to a question about his ideas as an historian.

Nikita Lee, high school senior, said what she wants out of her student council is “to have them represent our ideas and listen to us.”

Controversy sparked between neighbor schools
By Haley Dupree and Dallyne Gardner

Recently Neuse Charter School was turned down by Smithfield-Selma High School.  

NCS asked if it could send students to attend SSS’s upcoming college fair, and principal Michael Taylor of SSS said no. 

Many were disappointed by that decision, because Neuse Charter is a smaller school and was unable to host its own college fairs and visits. Many at Neuse Charter thought that because of that, it would make sense for NCS students to attend college events being held at SSS. 

SSS Michael Taylor, recently told reporters with the Smithfield Herald that he did not want the college fair to become too crowded.

Neuse high school principal Joel Erby said that if he had been in Taylor's position he "would have [made] provisions and try to come up with solutions to the issue.”  

Recently SSS has invited NCS to send students to another college fair.

NCS to offer PSAT
By Jamal Boylan

The PSAT is an exam intended to measure academic readiness for college, as well as to prepare students for the SAT, a college entrance test. The PSAT is also often used to determine eligibility for scholarships.

Neuse Charter School is offering students to take the PSAT here on campus. The test is planned for October 16.