By Joshua Galvan Colunga Hebert Julian Velez is the new Spanish teacher in room 130. Velez got into teaching when he was seventeen. He said it’s part of his heritage …
“I want to share all my experience with the students.” Read More
Latausha Simpson is taking on her first year as an earth science teacher at not just Riverside, but in America, too. Simpson taught in Jamaica for fourteen years before coming …
“I love to interact with people.” Read More
Photo by CJ Whittick EC teacher Rachel Gigliotti joins the 140 hall Fun. Inclusive. Challenging. Those are the words EC teacher Rachel Gigliotti used to describe her teaching style. Before …
“You guys deserve the best.” Read More
Stephanie Rose joins the science department Stephanie Rose is Riverside’s newest Biology and Marine science teacher, and she’s ready to assist students in whatever ways she can. Rose has taught …
“I want to experience the culture, the students, the food.” Read More
Photo by Daniel Weiner Timothy Omondi joins the science department Chemistry teacher Timothy Omondi brings science and teaching experience from Kenya to Durham. While Omondi is new to Riverside, he’s …
“It’s a melting pot of both academics and sports.” Read More
Photo by CJ Whittick Olivia Pulliam joins the English Department There is another Ms. Pulliam teaching at Riverside this year. Olivia Pulliam was hired over the summer to teach English …
“Being able to cultivate young people’s minds…that’s what’s valuable.” Read More
Theater teacher Thompson Jaffe joins Riverside’s cultural arts department By Sydney Ginsberg After a year teaching ELA at Explorers Middle School in Raleigh, Thomson Jaffe has made the jump to …
“I look for every student to grow.” Read More
Photo by CJ Whittick A Q&A with guidance counselor Corderius Cowans The Pirates’ Hook (PH): What made you want to become a guidance counselor? Corderius Cowans (CC): I think about …
“An opportunity that felt like home.” Read More
A Q&A with administrative intern Lakisha Perkins By Sydney Ginsberg The Pirates’ Hook (PH): Where are you coming from before Riverside? Lakisha Perkins (LP): I was a fourth grade teacher …
“I just like to know that students feel welcome in their school.” Read More
Assistant principal Kwame Stith speaks with sophomore NyAsia Watson during a class change. Photo by Will Gray RHS administration focuses on attendance, punctuality in 2026-27 By Will Gray This fall, …
New year, same rules Read More
A Q&A with college adviser Bethany Holmes The Pirates Hook (PH): Why’d you choose Riverside? Bethany Holmes (BH): “I work with Duke University and they actually match you with a …
“My door is always open” Read More
Guidance counselors Pamela Taylor, Kira Hague and Deonyha James speak in the hallway on Sept. 8. Photo by Kalissa Everett By Fiona Fehrman and Ashley Lopez Pineda The beginning of …
1700 students, 6 counselors, 1 busy start to the year Read More
The Pirates’ Hook (PH): ¿De dónde es usted? Yndra Aguilar (YA): Soy de México. PH: ¿Podría contarnos un poco sobre su trayectoria? YA: Llegué a los Estados Unidos cuando tenía …
“Un cambio de carrera.” Una Entrevista con la recepcionista Yndra Aguilar Read More
The Pirates’ Hook (PH): Where are you from? Yndra Aguilar (YA): I am from Mexico. PH: Can you share a little bit about your background? YA: I was brought here …
“A career change.” A Q&A with receptionist Yndra Aguilar Read More
Grass grows around the gazebo near the tennis courts on Aug. 28. A landscaping team cut it on Aug. 31. Photos by Rebeca Albani Rangel By Rebeca Albani Rangel & …
Students return to find extra long grass on campus Read More
The North Carolina Scholastic Media Association (NCSMA) selectedThe Pirates’ Hook as an All-North Carolina newspaper in its 2026 student media contest. The Hook earned the NCSMA’s highest rating for the fifth …
The Pirates’ Hook named All-North Carolina student publication for fifth straight year Read More
Foto por CJ Whittick La conserje de Riverside, Deysi Polanco, no pudo evitar sonreír al hablar sobre los logros académicos de sus hijos. Desde una edad temprana, ellos fueron estudiantes …
3 niños, 3 becas Read More
Photo by Saeed Lobbad Riverside janitor Deysi Polanco couldn’t help but smile as she talked about her children’s academic achievements. From a young age, they were responsible, independent, and hardworking …
3 kids, 3 scholarships Read More
Sophomore Edison Sava, senior Izabella Miller and freshman Abby Edgerton watch science teacher Tavia Webley react to winning the 2026 RHS Teacher of the Year award. Webley has taught at …
Tavia Webley named 2026 RHS Teacher of the Year Read More
(From Left) Assistant Principal (AP) Will Okun, AP Kwame Stith, principal Gloria Woods-Weeks, math teacher Anik Sen, AP Tammy Patterson, AP Gene Jones, AP Jasmine McKoy, and math teacher Christy …
“Honored and humbled” Anik Sen named RHS Beginning Teacher Of the Year Read More