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Rising Use of AI at Charlotte Catholic
Students at Charlotte Catholic High School are turning to Artificial Intelligence to help complete homework, study for tests, and practice skills. AI has quickly become a tool that students rely on for almost any class when they need extra assistance. Students commonly use AI to create practice materials that help them study more efficiently. Sophomore Evan Miller said, “I mostly use AI to make practice quizzes for chemistry, math and English. It saves me time and helps me

Gianna Renaldi


Split Superbowl Shows
Super Bowl LX took the nation by storm on Sunday, February 8th. As the Seahawks faced the Patriots, Americans found themselves divided between two halftime shows, the NFL’s performance by Bad Bunny and Turning Point USA’s alternative show headlined by Kid Rock. In late December 2025, the NFL announced that Bad Bunny, an up and coming Puerto Rican artist who recently won a Grammy for his album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” would headline the halftime show. The decision sparked back

Erik Vazquez-Kew


Senior Scholarships Swarm In
Currently at Charlotte Catholic, 88 students have received 204 different scholarships, generating $11,014,000. Since not all students have reported their scholarships, these statistics are expected to continue rising until the deadline to report, which is mid-April. The majority of the scholarships received by seniors renew for four years, with the requirement that the student must retain a certain GPA. Additionally, the counseling office reported that this year students hav

Alexis Rand


Superbowl Makes Sales with AI
The NFL hosted its 60th Superbowl with the Seahawks playing against the Patriots on Sunday, February 8th. While most people initially turn the TV on to watch the game, viewers often remain engaged watching the million-dollar ads between plays. This year, a 30-second commercial spent a record breaking $10,000,000 on its production, marking a significant increase from the $7-8 million range seen in 2024 and 2025. While commercials growing in cost is a constant trend, there wa

Annie Duncan


Short But Sweet Catholic School’s Week
Charlotte Catholic High School celebrated Catholic Schools Week from Wednesday, January 28th to Friday, January 30th on campus after two snow days canceled the first part of the schedule. The shortened week still included service projects, themed dress down days, a raffle, and a pep rally. Students returned on Wednesday and gathered for an all‑school Mass. Throughout the day, theology classes hosted vocational visitors who spoke about their careers and faith paths. Students
catholicchronicle


Jack Efthimiou’s take on “David”
Angel Studios, Inc. released the animated film “David” on December 19, 2025. It features a cast that includes Phil Wickham, Asim Chaudhry, Miri Mesika, and Mark Wingert. The movie’s vibrant animation and Christian musical numbers tell a story of the young King David, whom Christians know from the Bible. “‘David’ was produced on a $60.9 million budget, most of which Angel Studios says was crowdfunded,” according to Forbes. Angel Studios wanted to distribute one million ticket

Jack Efthimiou


Homerooms are on the Court
One way Charlotte Catholic celebrates Catholic Schools Week is by hosting its annual basketball tournament in which the winner gets the honor of playing the teachers in a final championship game in front of the whole school. This year, homerooms are grouped by grade level, and were split up into four different brackets: the Freshman Bracket, Sophomore Bracket, Junior Bracket, and Senior Bracket. To play in the 3v3 tournament, students needed to have three or more students o

Farris Carinci


Christmas Comes to Catholic
After returning from winter break in January, students turned conversations to the Christmas gifts they received over the holidays. Students from all grades compared presents and discussed the trends that seemed to shape Christmas this year. One of the most noticeable trends among students was the popularity of specific brand-name items. Owala water bottles popped up around campus in the weeks following break, as well as clothing from stores such as Alo and Free People on d

Gianna Renaldi


Cougars Cross the Country on Winter Break
Many families at Charlotte Catholic spent their winter break traveling to both new and familiar destinations. Whether they visited family or sought a brand new experience, all students enjoyed their break from school. Multiple students traveled out west to states such as Colorado and Wyoming. Sophomore Evan Miller visited Yellowstone National Park with his family. While he was there, he saw hundreds of bison in herds spread across the park, as well as elk and a few moose. He

Farris Carinci


SOTM: Garrett Gifted Football Career
Senior Garrett Nowlan, the starting running back on the Charlotte Catholic varsity football team, has been named December’s Student of the Month. He was chosen for this recognition because of his accomplishments on the field as well as his commitment to academics. Garrett has been playing football for ten years, and the sport has impacted much of his high school experience. This season, he rushed for over 1,000 yards, led the team in touchdowns, and served as running backs c

Gianna Renaldi


Mr. Dorsett’s Journey to Catholic Education
Mr. Dorsett has taught at Charlotte Catholic for five years and always manages to keep faith and music as two of his top priorities. Not only does he teach students about God in the classroom, but he also spreads God’s love when he sings at Mass. Mr. Dorsett helps everyone be more connected to the Catholic faith, which is his main goal as a religion teacher. Even before working at Charlotte Catholic, Mr. Dorsett has always loved singing. He sings each Sunday at St. Ann’s Cat

Katie Parks


Catholic Christmas Decoration Dilemma
As Christmas approaches, families at Charlotte Catholic begin to set up their decorations for the holiday. This raises the question, “Should Christmas decor be set up before or after Thanksgiving?” Although many families in Charlotte have already decorated their houses prior to Thanksgiving, the majority of students claim that the decorations should be set up after this holiday. Most students believe it is better to set up decorations after Thanksgiving to maintain appreciat

Farris Carinci


Seniors Skip School for Spiritual Sabbatical
Charlotte Catholic seniors traveled to Camp Thunderbird for the annual senior retreat on November 10. Originally, this retreat was two days, and students would stay overnight bunking together in the camp’s cabins. However, this year the retreat lasted only one day, and the following day was an excused absence. Since COVID-19, the retreat has been only a day long, with the plan of returning to two days this year. For an overnight trip, the school required more volunteer chape

Annie Duncan


Mr. Conrad Continues Career at Holy Trinity Middle School
After two decades of service at Charlotte Catholic High School, Mr. Conrad has come full circle. He returned to Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School, not as a student this time, but as its new principal. A proud graduate of Holy Trinity’s first-ever class, Mr. Conrad’s homecoming marks a new chapter for the school and for a leader deeply rooted in its mission. Mr. Conrad’s move from high school to middle school leadership brought an unexpected jolt of energy to the school. “I

Erik Vazquez-Kew


What Neighborhood Houses the Best Treats?
Don’t knock on it ‘till you try it. When Halloween rolls around in Charlotte, kids and parents strategize for the ultimate candy haul. While costumes and spooky decorations set the mood, the real prize of the holiday is finding neighborhoods that hand out the best treats. From full-size candy bars to Halloween-themed goodie bags, some areas truly amaze trick-or-treaters. Most residents participate in community-wide events and use apps like Nextdoor’s Treat Map to signal thei

Erik Vazquez-Kew


Seniors Surprise with Successful Costumes
With Halloween right around the corner, Charlotte Catholic students are getting ready to dress up and celebrate for the occasion. Every year, the senior class exclusively wears costumes during the school-day, bringing the holiday’s excitement to the classroom. For school halloween costumes, most seniors dress in pairs or groups, all in colorful unison. This year, Kylie Martin, Coco Bork, Jill Boyle, Abigail Ayres and Annie Duncan are dressing as characters from the movie Tro

Annie Duncan


Families Deck the Halls for Halloween
As Halloween approaches, Charlotte Catholic families have begun to accessorize their houses with festive decorations. According to the National Retail Federation, 78% of shoppers are expected to buy Halloween decorations this year, which reflects an upward trend in the popularity of decorating for the holiday. Additionally, the projected amount of money people will spend on decorations this year is $4.2 billion, which is a $1.6 billion increase from the previous record set i

Farris Carinci


What Do Students Deem the Best Candy?
As Halloween approaches, families in the Charlotte Catholic community prepare for trick-or-treaters by stocking up on candy. Most students view candy as a symbol of Halloween because the sweet treats are so important to the holiday. The confectionary industry anticipates record highs in spending on Halloween-related items, according to Forbes. In the United States, Americans are expected to shell out upwards of $3.9 billion on candy alone, an 11% increase from last year’s $

Jack Efthimiou


Everyone Kneads to Try PopUp Bagels
Students at Charlotte Catholic have been raving about PopUp Bagels, the new bagel place in the Ballantyne Bowl. Growing from an at-home bagel shop for friends and neighbors to a well-known restaurant and retail chain, PopUp Bagels has become the new obsession in Charlotte. PopUp Bagels started during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a side project for Adam Goldberg, a popular restauranteur, to run out of his own kitchen in Westport, Connecticut. Goldberg’s bagels started as

Katie Parks


SOTM: Striker Scores Athlete of the Week
Every week since the mid-1980s, the Charlotte Observer recognizes outstanding high school talent by choosing an Athlete of the Week. For the week of September 18th, Charlotte Catholic junior Rex Bumgarner was selected for the prestigious award. Rex has quickly made an impact on Charlotte Catholic soccer. He started as a striker on the varsity soccer team and became varsity captain in just his first year. In addition to his high school accomplishments, Rex is a starter and ca
Gray Farrar


Simpson’s Seasonal Success: Patch Procures Pristine Pumpkins
Pumpkin season is in full swing, and for Charlotte locals, that can only mean one thing: Simpson’s Pumpkin Patch is back on the mound at Carmel Commons shopping center. Throughout October, right off Pineville-Matthews Road, this beloved roadside stand offers a variety of seasonal fixtures like pumpkins, flowers, corn, and gourds. They have become a staple of fall decorating for generations. Simpson’s has been a fixture in Charlotte since the 1950s, with the stand across from

Erik Vazquez-Kew


A Sweet Success: Candyland Homecoming
Charlotte Catholic held its annual homecoming dance on Saturday, October 11. This year’s Candy Land theme brought funny, candy-inspired decorations to the school gym. The PTO and members of the student council helped organize and decorate the event. Tickets were $30, and teachers checked students in at the entrance before they entered the gym. Once students left, they could not come back inside. The dance ran from 8 to 10 p.m. and had a strong turnout, with an estimate

Gianna Renaldi


Class Representatives Return
Charlotte Catholic students selected three representatives from each grade this month during Student Council elections. The school eliminated several officer roles from previous years to refocus the student body. Administration reduced the council’s size to ensure each position is meaningful and representatives can better serve their classmates. They explained that in the previous structure some roles did not contribute. Dean of Students Sarah Danser said, “We just felt lik

Gianna Renaldi


Charlotte Catholic Community Comes Together on Club Day
In the midst of all the back to school commotion, Club Day at Charlotte Catholic has come around again. On Wednesday, September 17th, club leaders lined the hallways with their stands and sign-up sheets, eager to gain new club members. Campus ministry has to approve of all clubs before they become official, so student organizers spend time prior to club day carefully planning their presentations. The co-founders of the Golden Hearts club, sophomores Chloe Loiko and Carter

Alexis Rand


SOTM: Hoffman to the Hokies
While other teenagers who hope to commit to NCAA Division 1 athletic programs must wait until fall of their junior year, senior Alex...

Annie Duncan


Today’s Freshmen, Tomorrow’s Philosophers
As the 2025-2026 school year kicked off, Charlotte Catholic added several new courses to the curriculum and extended the freshman course...

Farris Carinci


SOTM: Smith Shadows Special Surgeons
This past summer, senior Caroline Smith impressed her friends and family by taking her interest in medicine to the next level. At...

Annie Duncan


Christmas’ Cougar Campaign
This past weekend, on March 29th 2025, Charlotte Catholic accepted a new addition to the Cougar family—a real Cougar. It all began when...

Thomas Mees


Happiness on a Stick
On March 12th 2025, Charlotte Catholic students and their parents received an email detailing the upcoming change in cafeteria services...

Meara O'Farrell


Mr. Smith and His New Drive
It is with great sadness that Charlotte Catholic announces that Mr Smith, the Senior AP literature teacher has decided to resign starting...

Virginia Gaston


A Rewarding Retreat
Every year the students of Charlotte Catholic venture forth on a retreat with their respective grades. The retreat offers a way for...

Sydney Toebben


Spirits Will Be Raised with a Grande
Charlotte Catholic has recently announced the new addition of a Starbucks franchise in the cafeteria. The spirit store will be removed...

Sofia Fusco
Roommate Roulette
As seniors finalize college decisions, classrooms are filled with chatter about all things housing. As seniors scroll through the various...

Meara O'Farrell
Seasonal Allergies Bring Spring Sniffles
March is supposed to be a sign of new life and the renewal of sunny days, but for people with seasonal allergies it marks three more...

Cate Kellgren
Roommate Roulette
As seniors finalize college decisions, classrooms are filled with chatter about all things housing. As seniors scroll through the various...

Meara O'Farrell
SOTM: Sara Steps Up and Stands Out
As a top-ranked Irish dancer in North America and a top student academically at Charlotte Catholic, Sara Divittorio excels in all she...

Ann Douglas O'Brien
Seniors Bond Over Breakfasts
On February 28, CCHS held its first senior breakfast, a new event in which the school provides the seniors with food before school...

Mary Pat Kolenik


Valentine’s Day Around the World
Valentine’s Day, an exciting holiday where couples exchange gifts of love and appreciation and spend quality time together, is in a few...

Sydney Toebben


Tik Tok’s Time is Running Out
Tik Tok, a popular social media app, was banned in the United States on January 18th only to return to users' phones 24 hours later....

Virginia Gaston


Cockroaches and Conversation Hearts
Everyone is familiar with the chubby cherubs and chalky conversation hearts that represent Valentine's day, but February 14th hasn't...

Meara O'Farrell


Time to Rhyme
Charlotte Catholic’s Poetry Club seeks to prove that poetry can be fun for all. The club utilizes fun prompts and a casual, friendly...

Sean Lynds
Meeting the Long-Term Substitutes
With the recent resignation of a couple of Charlotte Catholic faculty members, the administration has turned to two new long-term...

Andrew Shepard
Sisters are Slacking: Signless Sadies
Three weeks before Homecoming, most people would be looking for dates and outfits, but three weeks before CCHS’ Sadie Hawkins Dance, this...

Virginia Gaston
New Year, New Beginnings
Towards the end of every year, thoughts of how to do better in the upcoming year are welcomed by many and ignored by others. Those that...

Sofia Fusco
Stirring up the Snow with Snow Day Superstitions
Weather-control rituals have been a part of human culture for centuries. While these rituals have diminished in significance over time,...

Madi Hertzig


Students Plan X-Mas Getaways
During the holidays, families commonly travel to see loved ones or create special memories around the globe. For students at Charlotte...

Mary Pat Kolenik
The True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas is the annual celebration of Jesus Christ’s birthday. Though the true meaning of the holiday is to remember our Savior, it...

Katie Parks
Cougar Christmas Traditions
The origins of Christmas stem way back to circa 0 CE, the approximate year that Jesus Christ was born. Christmas is a day of celebration...

Andrew Shepard


New White House Christmas Tree An NC Native
Christmas is two weeks away, bringing fun decorations and annual festivities. People decorate by putting up stockings, lights, and most...

Sydney Toebben
Buy Low Sell High: New Club Teaches Students to Beat the Market
With more than 100 clubs, Charlotte Catholic has an afterschool activity for everyone. One of the new clubs this year is the Finance...

Madi Hertzig
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