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INSIDE ▼ Walton becomes interim town manager PAGE 2A Friday, June 20, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 25
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Rocky River High School graduates didn’t go it alone by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Principal David Legrand told graduating seniors from Rocky River High School about a village surrounded by a forest. Three students went on a journey through the forest as a rite of passage with only lanterns.
The first student explored with curiosity. The second explored with
knowledge, having planned extensively. And the third grew discouraged – until the other two returned. They all made it through the journey together. Legrand told this story during commencement June 14 at UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena to emphasize three points: • Be curious – ”Curiosity is the spark behind every discovery, every breakthrough and every change-maker,” he said. “The more
questions you ask, the more doors you will open for yourself and for others.” • Confidence thrives in preparation – ”Excellence is never an accident,” he said, “it is a habit.” • We need each other – ”You'll never have all the answers, and that's OK,” he said. “The strength of a journey isn't in going it alone. It's in building a community that keeps moving forward together.” Together, the Class of 2025 set
a school record by accumulating $21 million in scholarships. Seventy-five students graduated with a grade point average over 3.5. Thirty-one students also completed fall, spring and summer internships. Other accomplishments included the JROTC program earning the Superintendent’s Gold Cup and the track and field team winning a state championship. “This is what happens when preparation meets curiosity and
people support each other,” Legrand said. Kaleb Garcia, a track star who served the past two years as Student Government Association president, compared high school to running a mile. He likened each year to a lap, with the fourth requiring runners to push through fatigue and senioritis. Story continues, see ROCKY RIVER page 3A
Independence principal: Embrace every moment
OLDER ADULTS ATTEND
SENIOR EXPO
By Amy Mims Contributor
Editor’s note: Amy Mims, principal of Independence High School, gave these remarks during commencement June 12 at Bojangles Coliseum.
Justin Vick/CMG photos
MATTHEWS – Charlotte Media Group brought dozens of businesses under one roof for a senior expo June 12 at the Levine Senior Center.
The free event allowed older adults to interact with businesses across the Charlotte region that specialize in serving seniors in industries like beauty, health, home repairs, housing, insurance
and technology. Nonprofits were also represented thanks to organizations like the Centralina Area Agency on Aging and Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center. The event included brunch and raffle prizes. See more photos at the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly’s Facebook page (@mmhweekly).
Forum to explore real estate in Charlotte region CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte Partners announced the June SCP Breakfast Club topic: “Exploring the State of Residential Real Estate in the Region.”
Local experts will explore key trends shaping the residential real estate market in south Charlotte. Topics may include housing affordability, supply and demand challenges, migration patterns, interest rate impacts, innovative housing product, development trends and what’s next for buyers, sellers and builders. The conversation will build
on the suburban sense of south Charlotte, with a common thread of overall residential development, and touch on related topics such as transportation and infrastructure in four jurisdictions: Mecklenburg, Union, York and Lancaster counties. Speakers at the event will include: • Ron Pappas, owner of New Leaf Development and former mayor of Waxhaw (moderator). • Lind Goodman, president of BSI Builder Services. • Jose Luis, District 4 representative of the Lancaster County
Council. • Pat Quinn, managing member of Stillwater Development & Stillwater Engineers. The event will be hosted in a panel format, so participants can share multiple perspectives. Attendees will also have the chance to ask questions and interact with the speakers following the discussion. "Our community is experiencing a pivotal moment in residential real estate, and this panel will provide important insights into the trends shaping our regional housing market," said Ben Mears,
board chair of South Charlotte Partners. "Residents and stakeholders alike will benefit from what is sure to be an engaging conversation." The breakfast will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. June 26 the AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne, 14819 Ballantyne Village Way. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Register at eventbrite. com. A limited number of networking tables are available. Interested businesses can email scltpartners@ gmail.com for details.
Beavers can be more than just a nuisance By Deb Coates Bledsoe Contributor
Did you know that a beaver is the largest native rodent in North America? It weighs 35 to 50 pounds and has a very large, flat tail that it uses for guidance in the water like a rudder. It can also be a source of communication, slapping its tail on the water to warn of danger. Breanna Walker, an education specialist with the Union County Wildlife Federation, gave a presentation June 11 at Wesley Chapel Village Hall on the “Benefits of Beavers.” “The beavers are not just about destruction,” she said. “They also create wetland ecosystems, which provide a habitat for ducks, amphibians and insect species. They’re architects. Their dams help filter out pollutants and they recharge our groundwater supplies.”
Photos courtesy of Deb Coates Bledsoe
Breanna Walker, an education specialist with the Union County Wildlife Federation, demonstrates the softness of beaver fur and shows the orangeness of their front teeth due to the amount of lead in their teeth.
Beavers can help control flooding by slowly releasing flood waters, minimizing impact downstream. They also reduce bank erosion, their dams create water for wildlife, create fire resistant landscapes, and can provide income for the landowners.
These are benefits, however, that the public doesn’t always see. “They just see the trees coming down,” Walker said. “We don’t think about the habitats they’re also creating. We don’t see how they’re helping other wildlife species.”
Nadia, a 13-year-old eighth-grader said she enjoyed the beaver presentation. She hopes to become a forest ranger one day.
Beavers are herbivores, only eating plants, bark and leaves. They are also crepuscular, which means, like deer, they only come out at dusk and dawn. Beavers can hold their breath for six to eight minutes, and they can swim up to six miles per hour. They are monogamous, choosing one mate for life. They have on average three to four babies or “kits” per birth cycle. They live in family units, rather than groups or colonies. Once the kits reach 2 years old, they are kicked out of the lodge to go find their own family. Much of the beaver’s day is spent building and/or repairing their homes, lodges or dams. The entire family works on these ongoing repairs. On the downside, because beavers are considered a “nuisance species,” they cannot be relocated. Story continues, see BEAVERS page 3A
Congratulations, Class of 2025. You are now a part of a proud legacy of Independence alumni, and you will always be Patriots. Today is a momentous occasion to honor your journey to excellence and the hard work and dedication that you have brought to this pivotal point in your life. It’s a day to express gratitude to those who have supported you along the way – those who have nurtured you, taught, cheered and comforted you during rough times. Today also marks a moment of reflection as you transition from one chapter of your life to another. A commencement speech often combines excitement with insights gained through experience. Today I want to share a lesson that only time has revealed to me: Life is filled with contrasts, joys and sorrows, highs and lows. Embrace the beauty of the joyful moments and recognize that it’s possible to rise and breathe again, even in the darkest times. In despair, we can choose gratitude and discover meaning over our experiences. As you continue through life’s journey, you will be measured on your achievements and how you navigate your struggles. Your resilience will determine your success. Remember that challenging experiences are not failures. You must be mindful to challenge negative thoughts, focus on your achievements, and recognize that challenges are temporary. Understanding how we cope with the negative experiences is essential. Focusing on the positive thoughts can move us forward during challenging times. Individuals who regularly express gratitude tend to be happier and healthier. I’ve started a nightly practice of writing down three joyful moments from my day. That simple practice has profoundly changed my perspective. I remind myself and others that these simple everyday moments are truly the gifts, and I capture those and share them as the daily highlights known as “the best part of my day” on social media. I encourage you to nurture happiness on days of celebration like today and carry that joy with you during tough times. Remember: many fulfilling experiences are ahead of you — exciting trips, moving to new places, volunteering, facing fears, meaningful relationships, new opportunities, your education and your career goals. Embrace every moment and trust in your ability to learn and grow when you face challenges. Class of 2025, as you leave Independence, focus on building resilience within yourselves. Understand that you can overcome any obstacle. Maya Angelou once said, “You may Story continues, see INDEPENDENCE page 3A