 Recently honored as First Team All Conference, Tinaishe Chikwata ‘26 never expected basketball to take her across the world, but now, as an international student from Zimbabwe, she is making a name for herself on the court.
Growing up in Zimbabwe, when Chikwata first picked up a basketball, she quickly fell in love with the sport. Her natural talent and work ethic got her to compete at a high level, catching the attention of coaches across the world. Moving wasn’t easy. Adjusting to a new culture, balancing sports with academics, and competing at a high level came with challenges. “The journey was hard,” she said. “Back home, basketball wasn't as competitive as here. It was easier. And I feel like, because it was home, it was more familiar.” But that didn’t stop her. “I came like something new, which was good, but it was also a bit demoralizing, because I didn't know what I was supposed to be training for, what to get ready for. But yeah, my coaches and my teammates helped me get to that stage.” Not long after arriving, she was already known for her skills. “She cheers a lot for our team,” Mercedes Herrera ‘27 said. “And knows how to shoot really well.” With all the hard work she put in during the basketball season, she won first team all conference. “I feel good about it. I'm very grateful and very thankful to all my teammates and my coaches, but I feel good.” After having the very successful basketball season she now has other goals in mind. “I'm gonna be playing soccer and hopefully some travel basketball” Outside of sports, Chikwata has a clear goal. “I always wanted to be a doctor,” she said. “And I'm trying to work towards that.”
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 In her last home meet of her senior season, Adelaide “Addie” Finch ‘25 dives into the pool, living her final moments of her high school swimming career. After being on the swim team for two years at North Cross, her hard work earned her two varsity letters. Being on the team has brought her so many good memories, but her favorite is “making snow angels outside between our sets during practice.” Her arrival to North Cross has had both: a great impact on the school, and a great impact on her. “North Cross has provided me with new experiences and opportunities” she said, “that I, otherwise, would not have had.”
 What happens when 14 different countries live under the same roof? Memories, friendships, and a whole lot of unexpected moments. For Jonathan Mack, this is what makes dorm life special.
“My favorite thing is the kids, the students,” Mack said. “You have 32 different students from 14 different countries. It gives you a chance to really see how people from other countries live and how they make adjustments and balance their culture and American culture.” Living in a dorm filled with students from around the world means plenty of unforgettable stories. When asked what the funniest moment so far was, he didn’t hesitate: “Probably scaring Jonas,” Mack said. “Coming out of the dorm, I was so excited that I scared him, and then I was like, ‘Cool, chill.’ And then he just fell out laughing afterwards because it was different. He wasn’t expecting it.” Mack also went to a boarding school for a year after graduating high school. His time at Fork Union Military Academy provided him with many experiences that help him understand the students in the dorm better. After graduating Northeastern University, with a degree in sociology, he ended up working several jobs involving juvenile mental health, therapist, advisor and coach. Because of this, Mack is more than just a worker in the dorm. His background, working in juvenile mental health and his own experience living in a boarding school, made Mack the perfect fit for his role in the dorm. More importantly, it gives him the chance to connect with the students on a more personal level. “I’m a voice of reason,” he said. “Because of my age, y’all kind of see me more as a parent than someone who can relate, but I can relate to your things. Some things I’ve experienced, I know how to help you get through. My experience, personal growth, and being a parent all help me guide students through life as a teenager.” Mack knows what it’s like to be a student in a dorm environment because he’s been there before. As a teenager, he was very involved in sports, always doing something. “I was a jock. I was an athlete,” he said. “I was constantly playing football, basketball, and running track. So this is a little different. Yes, we have some athletes here, but they’re not as competitive as the athletes I was around growing up.” Outside of sports, he admitted he has a passion for musicals. “I love musicals,” he said. “Especially ‘Sound of Music’. Nobody expects that.” Mack is a great addition to the dorm. He is someone anyone can talk to about anything and know he is going to listen and help. The advice he gives after his own experiences is “that everybody comes from different cultures, different walks, different backgrounds; so be patient enough and be willing to listen and understand, because not everything is black and white.” |
I am MonicaMy name is Mónica Koene Muñoz, and I am a soccer goalie and guitarrist. I come from Spain and I'm here as an international student. Archives
March 2025
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