Nighthawk News

06/27/2025

Several members of the Nighthawk News Magazine and Shorelines Yearbook staffs recently attended the statewide North Carolina Scholastic Media Association Summer Institute. Students took classes at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Media and Journalism in news, yearbook, photography, design or broadcast tracks.
The three-day event concluded with awards, with Nighthawk News staff members earning 16 individual honors and the magazine as a whole earning All-North Carolina status and the prestigious Tarheel Award once again as one of the top news magazines in the state. Individual winners were:

-- Makenna Kerns, 1st Place News Story
-- Summer Newton, 2nd Place News Story
-- Isla Molton, 1st Place Sports Story
-- Aiden Pilot, 3rd Place Sports Story
-- Reagan Bembridge, 1st Place Personality Profile
-- Isla Molton, 3rd Place Personality Profile
-- Kirra Cox, Honorable Mention Personality Profile
-- Ashleigh Haney and Kat Gregg, 2nd Place, Staff Editorial
-- Ashleigh Haney and Kirra Cox, 3rd Place, Staff Editorial
-- Aiden Pilot, 3rd Place, Feature Story
-- Kenzie Brown, 2nd Place, General/Entertainment Column
-- Kat Gregg, HM, Review Writing
-- Charlotte Nultemeier and Shelby Chercka, 2nd Place, Graphic
-- Charlotte Nultemeier, 1st Place, Front Page Design
-- Ella Ogburn, 2nd Place, Front Page Design
-- Betty Morales Bravo, 3rd Place, Feature Photo

Recent graduate Ella Ogburn was recognized at the event for being a runner-up in the NC High School Journalist of the Year competition, receiving her $1,000 scholarship from NCSMA and the NC Press Foundation. Adviser Steve Hanf taught the Newspaper division of the camp.

06/06/2025

The Senior Edition of Nighthawk News Magazine is making its way around town and into people's hands – we'll have more than a thousand copies on hand at graduation tonight!

In case you haven't found one yet, here's a lovely PDF version you can peruse and share! https://online.fliphtml5.com/seaik/tdla/

As always, the print edition – especially a gigantic 52-page magazine like this one! – would not be possible without the support of our great community partners! Special thanks to the businesses who advertised with us for the summer edition!

Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill
Bad Bean Baja Grill
Mutiny Bay Adventure Golf & Full Throttle Speedway
The Gym
Rayolight Productions
Atlantic Dance
Holy Cow Creamery
Southern Bank
Boat Lift Service Company, LLC
Beach Haven Suites on Airbnb
Coastal Carolina Vacations and Sales
Southern Shores Realty - Outer Banks

Nighthawk News Magazine is the student-run publication of First Flight High School on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This 36-page edition was produced by 22 students in grades 10-12 in the FFHS journalism program. Questions or comments? Please reach out to adviser Steve Hanf at hanfst@daretolear...

06/04/2025

By Kayla Folkes, Staff Writer

Driving south in Nags Head, you pass a cluster of flashing lights and suddenly take a closer look. You see extravagant rides, food trucks and people with smile-covered faces. You hear laughs and the music of many games. You smell fresh funnel cakes and can practically taste the sweet cotton candy. Before long, you’re touching the fluffy stuffed animal you spent way too much money on winning at the carnival booth.

All five senses come into play in this experience that comes once a year known as the Soundside FunFair. This year’s event takes place June 5-8 from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Soundside event site in Nags Head. Many students love to attend as a way to kick off the summer when school has finally come to a close.

Read the full story at NighthawkNews.com !

05/05/2025

Congratulations to our amazing teachers! FFHS is lucky to have such incredible educators!🎉

04/29/2025

Seniors! Nighthawk News can’t wait to highlight the class of 2025! Please check your email and respond to the superlative and Q&A forms ASAP!

03/22/2025

Friday was a big night for First Flight Baseball! Former athletic director and coach, Ray Scott, was honored at Friday’s baseball game against Manteo, as the field was being named in his honor.

Community members, FFHS staff, Dare County Schools administration and family gathered for a celebration in the FFHS cafeteria and a ceremony at the field, where Scott threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Scott, who began his position at FFHS with the opening of the school in 2004 up until his retirement in 2018, crafting a long legacy, shared his sentiments: “It’s a great honor, a legacy that your family can come back and look at."

With multiple speeches made at the celebration, a common theme about Scott’s character was shared. “He’s a great coach, great person, and better friend,” said Chad Williams, the current FFHS athletic director. Many congratulations to Ray Scott for this honor!

03/06/2025

We hope you've enjoyed your copy of the winter edition of Nighthawk News Magazine. You also can read through a PDF version at the link below. As always, this edition of the newspaper would not be possible without the tremendous support of our community partners who advertise with us. Please let these businesses know how much you appreciate their support of the student-journalists at FFHS when you pay them a visit! You can even take advantage of 10 percent off at Morning View Coffee with our coupon!

Mama Kwan's Tiki Bar & Grill
Outer Banks Catering and Events
Bad Bean Baja Grill
Steamers Restaurant & Catering
Morning View Coffee House & Roastery
Southern Shores Realty - Outer Banks
Southern Bank
Coastal Carolina Vacations and Sales
Viva Mexican Grill
Beach Haven Suites on Airbnb

https://online.fliphtml5.com/seaik/trot/

03/06/2025

We hope you've been able to enjoy a copy of the winter edition of Nighthawk News Magazine as you've seen them around town! Here is a link to a PDF version as well!

Nighthawk News Magazine is the student-run publication of First Flight High School on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This 32-page edition was produced by 22 students in grades 10-12 in the FFHS journalism program. Questions or comments? Please reach out to adviser Steve Hanf at hanfst@daretolear...

02/21/2025

Stop in for some coffee before class starts at 10:30!

01/22/2025

1st snow day in 7 years! Stay safe and have fun Nighthawks!❄️☃️❄️

12/26/2024

When it's time to start UN-decorating for Christmas, remember that your tree can have new life on the beach! Learn more in this piece from Kirra!

By Kirra Cox, Features Editor Every year, as the Christmas season winds to a close, millions of Americans are left with decorated trees still shining in their living rooms. Out of the nearly 30 mil…

12/21/2024

If you haven't visited any – or all! – of the restaurants participating in the "12 Bars of Christmas," there's still time! Isla visits with some of them in this story, where you can learn more about the fun tradition!

By Isla Molton, Staff Writer Twelve local restaurants have been decking the halls this December with the “12 Bars of Christmas,” a festive tradition that brings the community together with everythi…