Throughout 2025, the Hook has been busy covering important stories affecting the Riverside and Durham community, discussing everything from youth culture to changes in our school system. Hook writers have given us plenty of articles worth shouting out for their impact and execution, so with the year coming to a close, here are some of our most notable stories of 2025:
12:
Infinite Campus rollout faces challenges at RHS
By Austin Wymore and Conrad Hamel
Seniors Austin Wymore and Conrad Hamel cover the difficulties involved in this year’s transition from Powerschool to Infinite Campus, gathering opinions from administrators and students. The story shines light on the impact of the transition and answers important questions about the decision.
11:
“Nostalgia is back”: Gen Z takes on digital cameras
By Tula Winton, Emmett Flynn, & Sofia Alvarez Pedraza
These students investigate teens’ preferences for digital cameras over phones, exploring the reasoning behind the trending phenomenon. The story explores the aspects of nostalgia, social media, and aesthetics, interviewing students and professionals.
10:
Immortalizing Athletes: Riverside Inaugurates Hall of Fame Class
By Nellie Purdy
This year, Riverside honored some of its all-time greatest athletes since the school’s opening in 1991. This inauguration was a historical moment for Riverside athletics and will continue annually from now on.
9:
Bullying down 100% after recent BMX assembly
By Sadie Irby
BMX cyclists visited Riverside this year as part of the NoHateTour, an anti-bullying tour in which grown men perform bicycle tricks to combat bullying around the country. Sadie Irby wrote about their success as part of an April 1 satire.
8:
“A hard piece to replace:” the engineering program adapts after staff losses
By Norah Lubeck
Senior Norah Lubeck covers the loss of PLTW staff at Riverside this year, including the loss of Mr. Tokonitz, Ms. Brown, Mr. Velogol, and Mr. Stallings. This story looks at the potential future of the engineering program, featuring student and staff opinions.
7:
Riverside welcomes teachers from the Philippines
By Conrad Hamel and Lucinda Dorrance
This year, Riverside’s cultural exchange program brought us four new Filipino teachers—Alvin De Leon, Michelle Famor, Luck Mejos, and Felix Lii Bullo. This story introduces the new teachers and the culture they bring to Riverside.
6:
Q&A with EC Teacher of the Year Nicholas Flippen
By Conrad Hamel
Nicholas Flippen won EC teacher of the year for 2025. This Q&A has him speak on what he does and why, illuminating his role at Riverside and why he won the award.
5:
Obituary: Jacqueline Brown
By The Pirates Hook
Riverside PLTW teacher Jaqueline “Jackie” Brown died in July this year at 61 years old. The Hook published an obituary celebrating her life as a CTE teacher and a woman of color.
4:
Students will not pay AP exam fees, according to state superintendent
Earlier this year, students received good news: the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) announced it would restore funding for AP test fees. After a scare that AP exams fees would be paid out of students’ pockets, NC senate revised the budget to include the exam fee coverage.
3:
Tortilleria Exxpress: A local hidden gem
By Saul Janiak Stein and Norah Lubeck
In this story, seniors Saul Janiak Stein and Norah Lubeck showcase Tortilleria Express, a local tortilla producer in Durham. The article explores the challenges the owner faces, the store’s history, and the shifting Durham population.
2:
Latin at RHS now at risk
By Austin Wymore and Oliver George
Riverside’s only Latin teacher, Melissa Lido, was forced to leave the school this year. With her, Riverside lost its entire Latin program. This article discusses the reasons for her displacement, the successes of the RHS Latin program, and the importance of Latin as a language.
1.
Gene Jones brings 40+ years of experience to Riverside
Gene Jones is Riverside’s newest assistant principle this year. Moving from Norfolk Virginia, he brings lots of administrative experience to the table. This article introduces Mr. Jones, exploring his teaching career as well as his impressive athletics career.
