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Antonio Mack '26

Surfing surprise

11/6/2022

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I think the most interesting thing that’s ever happened to me is when I almost died while on vacation in Mexico. Almost two years ago my family went on vacation to Mexico for a month. It was an amazing experience besides the fact that I almost died. 

So one day me, my dad and one of my brothers decided we wanted to go surfing in the ocean. I've never really had a fear of the ocean because I’m pretty confident in my swimming abilities. We went pretty far out given the fact that at that time I was significantly shorter than my brother and dad.  to the point where the water was up to my chin and every time a wave came I had to jump or else I'd get a mouth full of salt water. 

A rather big wave was approaching and I began paddling before I could even stand up the wave smashed into my back. And I was immediately pulled under the water so I started frantically grabbing my ankle searching for the safety strap that’s connected to my board in hopes I can use it to float. I felt down my right leg, NOTHING!! and then down my left NOTHING!!! again At this point the tide was tossing me around like a rag doll. As I kicked with all my energy I found my footing on a rock or what I thought was a rock. After that I jumped up with hopes of breaking the surface so that I could breathe. And then I took a deep breath and yelled HELP!!! Right before being submerged again luckily my brother noticed and grabbed me. 

After returning to land I learned that the rock I regained my footing on was the very edge of the continental shelf!! And I was close to drowning. I've never surfed again even though I’m significantly taller and even more confident in my swimming skills. The thought of me losing my life has instilled a fear of the ocean in my brain forever.

I’m 14 years old and my birthday is April 2. I'm originally from West Virginia, but my parents decided to move to Franklin County when I was only 5. I went to school there until very recently when I transferred to North Cross. Two out of my three brothers graduated from North Cross school and have been very successful. Given that information, it was almost guaranteed that I would become a Raider. 

One of the most inspirational things that my parents have told me is, “You gotta want it.” I hope one day to be a Division I student athlete, and I think NCS will help me get there.
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the Willis Hall Herald

Contact: willishallherald@northcross.org 
4254 Colonial Ave.
Roanoke, VA 240189
(540) 789-7289

Letters to the Editor: willishallherald@northcross.org 

Founded in 2010, and based in the Journalism elective, The Willis Hall Herald is the official student-led publication of the Upper School at North Cross School in Roanoke, VA. The Herald may be published in magazine form three times per year. GeoPrism: The Global Studies Journal may be published in magazine form once or twice per year. The Herald welcomes letters, commentary and submissions of original content that adhere to the Herald's dedication to factual journalism. Letters and other content must be signed and may be edited for length and Herald style. The Herald does not guarantee publication of outside submissions. Please contact Robert Robillard for ads. The Herald won Gold Medals from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2012 and 2015. 

The Staff

Editor-in-Chief ........................................................................................................................ Massoki Maka
Managing Editor....................................................................................................................... Eason Zhou
Social Media Editor.................................................................................................................... Eason Zhou
Website Editors...........................................................................................................................Eason Zhou
Opinion Editor.........................................................................................................................Massoki Maka
Graphics Editor................................................................................................................................... Dat Bui
Business Manager.......................................................................................................................Brock Miles
Features Editor......................................................................................................................................Nhi Le
Photography Editor.................................................................................................................. Eason Zhou
Arts Editor...................................................................................................................................Rabia Ferron
Arts and Entertainment Editor.......................................................................................Aadeetri Pandey
Sports Editor............................................................................................................................ Tristan Lange
Staff writers...................................... Rowan Anderson, Anne Bradley Cullen, Didi Dibetle, Lam Do, Antonio Mack, Aadeetri Pandey, Jiale Qin, Veronica Weston.
Graphic Artist .....................................................................................................................Gracean Ratliff
Op-Ed Columnists................................................................................................................... Helen Hertz

Advisor................................................................................................................................ Robert Robillard
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  • Home
  • News
    • Head of School Armistead Lemon
  • Sports 2022-23
  • Features
    • Profiles >
      • Student Profiles
      • New Teacher Profiles
      • Leadership Profiles
      • Seniors: Class of 2021
      • Seniors: Class of 2022
  • GEOPRISM
  • Opinion
  • Arts
    • Scary Stories
    • April Fools Day
  • Print Issues
  • Photos
    • Homecoming
  • Ads
  • Staff
    • Aadeetri Pandey '26
    • Anne Bradley Cullen '26
    • Antonio Mack '26
    • Brock Miles '24
    • Dat Bui '23
    • Didi Dibetle '24
    • Eason Zhou '24
    • Gracean Ratliff '23
    • Hania Raza '24
    • Helen Hertz '24
    • Jiale Qin '26
    • Kenzie Raub '24
    • Lam Do '26
    • Massoki Maka '23
    • Nhi Le '25
    • Rabia Ferron '26
    • Rowan Anderson '26
    • Tristan Lange '26
    • Veronica Weston '26
    • Robert Robillard
  • Resources
  • News Archive
    • Coronavirus
    • Student Profiles
    • Teacher Profiles
    • Sports 2021-22 >
      • Football: State Champs