A promotional image for the film "Beautiful Boy”, starring Steve Carrell and Timothee Chalamet. Photo Credits: Amazon By Mitch Jasper, Co-Editor in Chief of The Spark In America, over 59 million people are suffering from some form of addiction. This is a commonly found and well-recorded statistic. However, an alternate statistic that is significantly less researched is how families are affected by their loved one’s struggles with addiction, and just how important showing thos

Respect is given to the recovered. Respect is given to the success stories.  Respect is given to the survivors, not the surviving. The man on the street is in need. Not needy.  Maybe he put himself there, but it is not his fault if that is where he dies. He came into this world through the love of a mother, and left because of the hate of the system they preached so loud they couldn't hear his cries. He is a father and a son. He cannot get to where you are because you do not

They will lie. This is the most important truth. They will lie. They will tell you you didn't hear it right or you don’t understand or  that isn't what happened. They are lying. They have always been liars. They will tell you that your neighbors are enemies, that your body is theirs to control, that it is dangerous to speak. They are Liars. They shot a man in the street. They have told a thousand lies, and they will tell a thousand more. Don't lẹt yourself believe. Though it

This country is a melting pot.  At least that's what they used to tell us. Of different cultures, backgrounds, And we liked it that way. America was an idea. An idea shaped around liberty and justice, For ALL. No set race. No set religion. No set voice. But things are changing. We are being told new things and new ideas, Ideas that go against what we used to stand for, All while they keep their mouths shut about others, Keep their heads low. It's hard to know what is true and

Katherine Hemrick, member of The Spark Listen to the newest currated playlist from The Spark through the following link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Zooa6AwPagetLfQr8LjV5?si=Jm2bwIrnQeSC16NdhgUeBg&pi=SOW44dizTjWKe

This photo essay highlights Willard Watson, an influential storyteller in Appalachia known for his contributions as a musician, woodworker, and moonshiner.

This photo essay from The Spark compiles images of the Blue Ridge Parkway and popular song lyrics.

This is a student submitted poem by Lauren Peviani

This poem is a student submission by Aspen Hickman

For many young artists, the prospect of turning their creativity into a career can be daunting. Often, when students voice aspirations to become a potter, painter, photographer, or everything in between, their hopes are vehemently discouraged by those skeptical of an artist's ability to succeed and support themselves. Holly Carrico is one of the many local artists who has overcome these doubts and found a way to bring creative spark to her work through starting a handmade jew

This photo essay highlights a local painter in Boone, Chandler Thornton, and what her art means to her. It can be accessed here:

This photo essay highlights the ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia and it's history as a town. It can be accessed through the following link:

Photo credit: Mitch Jasper Energy cannot be created nor destroyed,only transformed from one form to the other.  I like to think that applies to us,  That when all of our leaves fall Our branches turn from green to white And finally  When our trunk gets shoveled up That we don’t end there And that maybe  Maybe We can flourish once again But even if we can’t  Even if our energy truly is destroyed, The animals will remember us  As the great oak who sheltered them from harm The c

This bandana was created by Katherine Hemrick with the dye from dried flower petals. She steamed a cloth with the dried petals to allow the dye to soak in.

Photo credit: Selah Greer Beneath this soil, there is music. The beat cradled in the bosom of ashen mountains, Pounded out by tireless paths, By the Cherokee stallion and the wagon train. The soil’s stain passed down to my skin,  the spirit of the untamed Indian burning beneath my eyes   Beating out her path, bareback, against the march of progress. But the wheels still come, carve ruts into the hills, The white man folds his stained soul into the waiting mountain- An outlaw,

Students at The Spark’s poetry night brainstormed themes and messages on flashcards that they wanted to communicate through their poetry during the poetry workshop. Below is a poem written by a student during the workshop.

Selah Greer, Editor-in-Chief of The Spark This photo essay highlights the Watauga County Heritage Quilt and student submitted poetry on the topic of heritage. It can be accessed through the following link: https://sites.google.com/wataugaschools.org/heritagepoetry?usp=sharing

This photo essay by The Spark highlights Floyd Larry, an indie-rock musician. It can be accessed through this link .

This google site from The Spark showcases student submissions for a scary story contest centering around this image of an abandoned house. It can be accessed with the following link: The Haunted House

This photo essay from The Spark highlights poetry from their October Poetry Night at Blue Deer on King. It can be accessed through this link .