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News

Dr. Proctor discusses retirement with Herald staff

Symposium exposes students to various careers

3/30/2020

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Alumni-award winner publishes about gun laws

3/30/2020

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Picture
By Tobi Bankole
​When the recipient of the 2020 Norch Cross alumni award was announced, a few faculty members could not contain their excitement. AP U.S. history teacher and Herald advisor Robert Robillard, seemed thrilled at the chance to engage with Dr. Caroline Light ‘87, a professor and accomplished author.
“It was exciting to see the school honor an historian,” Robillard said, “expecially one who publishes in and promotes the field of journalism.”
Dr. Light earned history degrees at Duke and Kentucky before becomin the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Women and Gender Studies (WGS) at Harvard. Her background as an historian gives her a unique perspective on current events, which is evident in her 2017 book Stand Your Ground.
“In the process of studying history, I actually transformed to become more of a journalist in many ways, and that’s where I am right now. I’m still evolving; I like studying the past, but the that way I approach the study of the past is to think about how we’re going to problem solve in the contemporary moment. I’m really interested in urgent contemporary issues and questions and problems that we’re all facing.”
Light is passionate about sharing her knowledge in a way that is accessible for young audiences. In her session with AP U.S. History students, she spent the time fielding questions and answering them in ways that were not only easy to understand, but conducive to more student questions and comments.
Mahum Hashmi ‘19 shares what she liked about the class period. “She had a unique way of thinking about things. Her opinions were really articulate and interesting.”
The room was packed not only with students, but with faculty and staff who jumped at the chance to hear Light speak. Questions were asked not only by students, but by Director of Upper School Mark Thompson and Chinese and yearbook teacher Nicki Dabney.
At the end of the session, students and faculty alike shared a laugh as Robillard asked Light to sign his copy of Stand Your Ground.
Transitioning from controversial gun laws to her other area of expertise, Light ate lunch with students to talk about the state of gender and sexuality education and information access at NCS. Informally, she engaged the small group of students about their experiences with intersectional education, and shared her thoughts on where to improve.
Nora Terrill ‘20 shared what she liked about the lunch. “She really wanted to know about our experiences, and you could tell that she genuinely cared.”
In the afternoon, all high school students got the chance to hear speak during activity period, when she officially accepted her award. She spent the duration of her speech talking about the importance of educating the next generation to discern between fact and opinion, expressing confidence in the students sitting before her. She shared how her experiences in graduate school shaped her perspective on the issues she teaches on.
While the students enjoyed this and it was directed at them, there were a few teachers who were moved.
“I found her very thought provoking, and found it necessary to do some self reflection,” said Dean of Students Stephen Belderes.
Weeks later, a small group of students had the opportunity to meet Dr. Light again in her office at Harvard. They saw a protest on behalf of one of Dr. Light’s close colleagues who was denied tenure, and listened to her speak on the injustices that she faces in the academic world.
She talked about life in Cambridge, from being a cyclist to art around Boston, and told the Harvard Model United Nations delegation about both the good and bad of being a WGS professor at Harvard.
“She talked a lot about how things weren’t perfect for her department,” says Tanner Vogel ‘22. “Like how they’re in a basement and don’t get a lot of funding.”
But above all, Dr Light’s message was hopeful. She shared exciting plans for WGS to move into a newer building, the influx of students she’s had over the past few years, and her vision of a future where WGS is valued even more.

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Construction Moves rapidly on empty campus

3/30/2020

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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 Ryan Thomas for ads. The Herald won Gold Medals from Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2012 and 2015. 

The Staff

Editors-in-Chief ................................................... Gracean Ratliff and Hania Raza
Assistant Editors-in-Chief........................................ Helen Hertz and Kenzie Raub
Social Media Editor......................................................................... Gracean Ratliff
Website Editors........................................................... Helen Hertz and Hania Raza
Copy Editor............................................................................................ Hania Raza
Business Manager................................................................................ Kenzie Raub
Features Editor.......................................................................................... Haley Vu
Photography Editor............................................................................... Eason Zhou
Arts Editor............................................................................................... Ani Eagan
Arts and Entertainment Editor............................................................. Nadia Hosny
Sports Editor.......................................................................................... Dania Nour 
Staff writers...................... Lauren Boone, Kerrigan Chaney, Jimmy Dickerson, Henry Schumm, Ryan Thomas
Advisor.......................................................................................... Robert Robillard
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  • Home
  • News
    • Ms. Armistead Lemon
    • Coronavirus
  • Opinion
  • Features
  • Profiles
    • Student Profiles
    • Teacher Profiles
    • Seniors: Class of 2021
    • Seniors: Class of 2022
  • Sports
    • Football: State Champs
  • Arts
  • April Fools Day
  • Photos
    • Homecoming
  • Print Issues
    • GEOPRISM
  • Ads
  • Staff
    • Gracean Ratliff '23
    • Hania Raza '24
    • Helen Hertz '24
    • Kenzie Raub '24
    • Haley Vu '23
    • Eason Zhou '24
    • Ani Eagan '23
    • Nadia Hosny '24
    • Dania Nour (PG)
    • Jimmy Dickerson '25
    • Ryan Thomas '25
    • Lauren Boone '25
    • Kerrigan Chaney '25
    • Henry Schumm '25
    • Robert Robillard
  • Resources