Ciara Whimbush, Editor in Chief
One fateful day in 2013, Ciara Whimbush wrote a story about two girls visiting a witch’s house in the woods. Throughout the process, she stumbled across the thing that made her feel most like herself: writing. As Whimbush nears the end of her high school career, she excitedly looks to see how her writing and creativity can push her to new heights. In her new role as The Chant’s Editor in Chief, Whimbush aims to spread her adoration and appreciation for journalism to all students, both in and outside of NC. Alongside being published in The Chant, Whimbush has also been featured in the Marietta Daily Journal, The Legal Pad, and The Georgia Recorder.
Alongside The Chant, Whimbush holds the field of social studies in high regard, as she actively participates in organizations such as Rhizome, She Cares International, and Students 4 Ashwin that serve to uplift youth voices in civic engagement. Aside from typing away on her keyboard, her other interests include spinning her flag and rifle on the NC Color Guard, baking sweets, scrapbooking, and indulging in the latest reality television shows sweeping streaming services. During her third and final year at The Chant, Whimbush aims to become a better writer, an impactful leader and a conscious citizen of the world; through interviews, articles, and exploring outside of her comfort zone, Whimbush hopes that by the end of her time at NC, that she can make her first-grade self proud of how far she has come.
Find her on Instagram: @c1araaaaaa.
![During an election season, several Americans recall the extensive history — and conflict — with how voting has operated. The vast and often frustrating methods of voting used in decades past can allow modern citizens to appreciate the current methods in place, while also remembering the fond memories that occurred on the civic struggle bus. For Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics and honors government and economics teacher Dr. Pamela Roach, her knowledge and lived experiences of different voting eras allow her to cherish her civic duty, and teach her students to do the same. Although it may not be the most efficacious, I think voting is one act of political participation. You [can] write and email your elected representative, whether it's at the local state or national level. [That] has a place in democracy because how else will those elected officials know what we, the people, want? ‘We the people’ is a powerful phrase, and no one takes the time to actually go and let their voice be heard by these individuals. So yeah, your voice matters,” Roach said.](https://nchschant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/roach-photo-1-1200x900.png)
![For several government and politics educators around the U.S., an election season represents a key time to educate their students through tangible examples. In the case of Advanced Placement (AP) Comparative Government teacher Carolyn Galloway, this opportunity not only excites her but fervently aligns with her zeal for democratic processes. Through her personal and professional experiences with voting and government, Galloway encourages her students — both those who can vote and those who can not — to enter into elections informed about any topics on the ballot. “[Voting] impacts your government, especially on the local level, because not a lot of people vote on the local level. Who you vote for, how you vote, and whether or not you understand what you are voting for impact everything from who your tax commissioner is, to who your president is, to what ballot measures pass. All of those impact the way the government works for you,” Galloway said.](https://nchschant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/galloway-photo-2-1200x900.png)
![Magnet senior Sydney Ma believes in voting’s imperativeness; as she heads into her first election as an adult, she looks forward to using her voice on a grand stage. Although Ma celebrated her 18th birthday just shy of one week ago, the student fully understands young people’s cruciality at the ballot box this fall. “I think [voting] directly impacts our government because it is one of our given rights as American citizens that we are able to participate in voting in elections. I believe that because we were given that right, all citizens should utilize it,” Ma said.](https://nchschant.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Green-Illustration-Pet-Yard-Sign-1200x900.png)
