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Alexis Shafir rolls paint over a slab of wood she etched into art. She takes it over to the printing press in Bardo Arts Center, presses it down onto a surface and delights in the result on her paper, fabric or whatever else her imagination desires.

Every year for career day, Rhonda Summers’ high school had students write three jobs they wanted to hear about as a career. Summers only needed to write down one: pre-hospital medicine.

An estate gift from a retired Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ faculty member and his spouse, a current Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵstaff member, will establish an endowed scholarship fund to provide financial support to students working toward undergraduate degrees in psychology.

Amidst the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, Taylor Schenker spent her time looking for memories along the river. Photos floated down the current, creased, ripped and water damaged, lost from those whose lives were shaken by the storm.

Thanks to financial support provided by multiple scholarships, Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ senior Tryston Weiss is well on his way toward his goal of receiving a college degree before going on to earn both a doctorate in economics and a law degree and becoming a civil rights attorney.

The aroma of sawdust filled the air for weeks on end inside the construction management lab in Belk. Hammers were banging, drills were squealing and six different teams were looking to make their mark on the College of Engineering and Technology — while helping local dogs in the process.

One of Antonio Tyson’s greatest mentors in high school was his drama teacher. The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ student had a lot going on at home his senior year, and through that, his drama teacher was a shoulder to lean on.

While our habits and hobbies outdoors may vary, it’s a point of pride for most in Western North Carolina that nature is never far out of reach.

Be persistent. Be studious. Try, and keep trying.

Much like the holiday season, the annual GivingTuesday national day of philanthropy is fast approaching, and the folks at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵ will be seeking financial support for Catamount student-athletes and for excellence endowments that provide enhanced academic and extracurricular experiences for all students.