Kick Bucs Student Voices
Our Podcast students host interesting conversations with current and former students and staff at Charlotte Country Day School AND every once and a while a name the general public may even recognize!
CCDS Student Voices: Zaria Ried

Zaria Ried is a senior special projects student. Special projects is a student lead class with a teacher as a supervisor. In special projects the curriculum is created individually by the student. Zaria combined digital art and collaging to create wonderful pieces. Her first piece titles âBubble Gum Popâ is focusing one two different aesthetics of different time periods. Her second piece âFinal Memoriesâ is a collection of her photos from childhood created into what memories look like for her.Â
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CCDS Student Voices: Austin Riess

Austin Riess is a Junior who took AP Photography this year and chose the image âSplash Shotâ as his submission for the 2025 Capstone Project. It is an interesting contrast of the neatness of the golf strike and the thoughts in the athlete's head.
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CCDS Student Voices: Johnny Barquin

Johnny Barquin is a Senior 2D/Design art student who has been working on their finale art project for their capstone student art exhibit. Today, he sat down to talk about his process and vision behind his pieces.
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CCDS Student Voices: Bridget Siesel
Bridget Siesel is a Senior 2D art student who has been working on their finale art project for their capstone student art exhibit. Today, she sat down to talk about her process and vision behind her pieces.
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CCDS Student Voices: Annika Mermans

Achilles talks with Art Student, Annika Mermans about her Capstone Art project.Â
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CCDS Student Voices: Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin is a senior AP 2D art student. In AP 2D Art students must complete sustained investigations and come up with a question to theme their artwork on. They then create a collection of assorted pieces to answer the question. Her sustained investigation question is how did people of the past preserve what the future would look like? Her pieces are titledÂ
âSpace GasâÂ
âArcade in Spaceâ
âUFO CrossingâÂ
âfashion of the futureâ
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CCDS Student Voices: Alice Stewart
AP Sculpture student Alice Stewart shares the journey of creating and the thought behind her final portfolio for class: pieces telling the story of a mother-daughter relationship from conception to adulthood, through both its ups and downs. Her art consists of multimedia pieces ranging from sculpted anatomical hearts to a sewn keepsake and each piece truly catches the eye.
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CCDS Student Voices: With Akansha Swamy

AP Sculpture student Akansha Swamy designed her final portfolio around various childhood myths and folklore and their histories. Her art is both whimsical and dark, given the backgrounds of certain myths, like the Tooth Fairy. Each piece tells its own compelling story.Â
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CCDS Student Voices: With Penelope Cole

AP Sculpture student Penelope Cole discusses the inspiration behind her final portfolio, which consists of several replications of different body parts: the lungs, the head, the digestive system, etc. Her art utilizes many different sorts of media, most notably stained glass and metal. Â
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Tips w/ Tadd Daniel at Charlotte Country Day School

You may not know too much about Charlotte Country Day Upper School instructor Tadd Daniel who is a history and yearbook teacher... but between the pages of history books, he has quite the history himself. Your host sophomore Julia Mazeine '26 talks to Mr. Daniel about his past jobs, college experiences, what brought him to Country Day and more. Get the scoop on our yearbook advisor!
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Mosaic '24: Olivia Brown

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Mosaic '24: Sophia Lane

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Mosaic '24: Evie Levine

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Mosaic '24: Kate Stajos

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Mosaic '24: Danielle Tuttle

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Mosaic '24: Mason Stanley

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Mosaic '24: Grace Mahaffey

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Mosaic '24: Kaiden Taborn

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Mosaic '24: Anohki Bajwa

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Mosaic '24: Merrit Goodman

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Path to Pro: Golf w/ Country Day Connections

How do you play golf in college? Once there, what does it take to make it on the PGA Tour? Your host Sophomore Austin Riess talks to two special guests to find out. His first guest is Senior Charlie OâShea who is currently committed to play at Appalachian State. The other is Mathew Goggin, a Charlotte Country Day parent and a current member of the Korn Ferry Tour. Both share their experiences in their Golf careers so far. Hear their advice on making it big: whether it's college or pro.Â
Photo courtesy: PGA Australia
T...
IB/AP & Senior MOSAICS Art Show: Spring 2024

Some say art is in the eye of the beholder, but what if you could hear from the actual artist? Join host Chibuike Ihekaire '26 as he talks to the Chartlotte Country Day School artists involved in Mosaic: the AP-IB-Senior Art Show for Spring 2024.
Artists:
Merrit Goodman
Kaiden Taborn
Anohki Bajwa
Mason Stanley
Grace Mahaffey
Olivia Brown
Sophia Lane
Evie Levine
Kate Stajos
Danielle Tuttle
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Weddington Farm w/ Public Speaking & Podcasting Students

A field trip to Weddington Farm quickly shows Charlotte Country Day Upper School students why this is quickly becoming an off-site learning center for students of all ages! These Public Speaking and Podcasting students began harvesting some bok choy and discovered that a lot of fresh produce in the cafeteria is grown at the farm!
Public Speaking students practiced being interviewed by answering questions that our Podcasters put into this podcast about the farm.Â
Find out the latest on this Country Day property!
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Stats w/ Troj: Laura Trojan CCDS Math Teacher

Teaching math to high school students may not sound like a lot of fun to some, but Charlotte Country Day teacher Laura Trojan has fun with her classes. She even makes math fun no matter what it takes! (One math game may have led to a concussion for this teacher who isnât afraid to take one for team.)Â Your host, senior Joshua Little, discovers how she is able to enjoy every single day teaching. Youâll also hear from students who have Mrs. Trojan and how much they enjoy her and her class.Â
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Blast from the past: Nancy Ehringhaus

Charlotte Country Day has many legends that have walked our campus, but one very special person joined host Parker Justice â26 in the recording studio to share her story. Director of Admissions Nancy Ehringhaus has served this community for 40 years. On this second episode of âBlast From the Past" she shares her favorite Country Day stories and talks about her journey to where she is today. Â
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Catching up with K at Charlotte Country Day

Many know her as the hard-hitting history teacher, but there is a soft side to Charlotte Country Day faculty member Olympia Koutsokalis, Join Senior Sawyer Krisko as he talks to Mrs. K about her time teaching and how she got into this field. Discover Mrs. Kâs family link to Greece and how she stays connected to her heritage in North Carolina. You will also hear from some of her students!
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Classroom to Pit Crew: Daniel Bach '21

When most students graduate from Charlotte Country Day, they head to College, but not Daniel Bach! This 2021 grad went from the classroom to a NASCAR pit crew. Join your host, Senior David Bach, as he finds out how his brother discovered his passion working for a racing team! You'll also hear from Country Day students on what it takes to work on pit row. Â
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The Work I Do Outside of My Private School

High School Senior Morgan Green gives us a glimpse into her work-life after a full day of school. Her story is not typical for students at the private school she attends in Charlotte. From a predominantly white school in South Charlotte to her job at a gas station on the East Side, Morgan is confronted with two very different environments. But she handles the hurdles well and will have her high school diploma in hand as she heads to college in the Fall of 2024!
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Stories w/ Springer: NFL Kicker Morten Andersen

Being inducted into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is one of the highest honors in the National Football League, but what does it take to become a member of this exclusive group? Join Country Day senior Brycen Springer as he interviews NFL Hall of Fame kicker Morten Andersen about his time in the league, and the effort and sacrifice it takes to be the best.Â
Photo courtesy of New Orleans Saints
Thanks for listening to our student produced podcasts! Check out more of them on Spotify or Apple under Kick Bucs Student Voices.
The Author In You: Alicia D. Williams

Have you ever thought about writing a book? Several of our Charlotte Country Day faculty have! Hear from these teachers as your host Nia Woodard â25 enjoys a conversation with award winning author Alicia D. Williams. Her journey to become an author included many career changes. Perhaps you will find inspiration in her words to put your book in writing, too!Â
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Mind Over Matter w/ Therapist Bailey Raines

She is looking forward to being a therapist in the future. So Charlotte Country Day matched her with a counselor for her Senior Externship. Join Mikayla Rusnak and therapist Bailey Raines as they have a casual and engaging discussion surrounding teens and mental health. Learn some easy exercises for managing stress and anxiety, and discover what a therapist wants students, parents, and teachers to know. Â
Picture courtesy of Sun Counseling and Wellness
Thanks for listening to our student produced podcasts! Check out more of them on Spotify or Apple under Kick Bucs Student Voices.
Off Stage w/ Jami Masters

She waltzed her way into Charlotte creating a popular dance studio! Join Junior Sally Sozzi, a member of the Jami Masters School of Dance Company, as she sits down with the woman who built this Charlotte dance studio from scratch. You'll also hear from Country Day students who are members of the Company. Jami Masters shares her passion for dance along with her process in creating and building her business!Â
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Brushes and Books w/ Sean O'Neill

He's well-known for the class "Writers Who Paint." Sean O'Neill has been teaching at Charlotte Country Day School for 30 years. Host Senior Liza Grasty sits down with this legend to find out more about what led him to teach, paint and inspire students for so long!
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Serving our Country after Country Day: Steven Cole '91

When Steven Cole graduated from Charlotte Country Day School in 1991, he knew he was headed to West Point but he may not have known all the adventures that lie ahead!
Listen in as this retired Army lieutenant colonel sits down with Junior Nolan Bates to describe his time here at Country Day and some of the incredible opportunities he explored after. You'll also hear from teacher and fellow alum Stephanie Harner, PE Instructor Al Pearman, and Interim Head of School David Mancos as they describe the characteristics of this student turned military man.
Thanks for listening...
Path to Pro: Baseball from Country Day to MLB

What does it take to make it as a college baseball player? Once there, how do you know if you can go pro? Your host Sophomore Austin Riess talks to two special guests to find out. His first guest is Army pitcher Jakob Vanderhave '23. The other is Burke Badenhop, a Charlotte Country Day parent and a former big leaguer. Both share their experiences in their baseball careers so far. Hear their advice on making it big: whether it's college or pro.
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Photos courtesy of Army baseball & the Milwaukee Brewers
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Path to Pro: Wake Forest Kicker & NFL Scout from Charlotte Country Day

What does it take to make it as a college football player? Once there, how do you know if you can go pro? Your host Sophomore Austin Riess talks to two special guests to find out. His first guest is Wake Forrest Kicker Matthew Dennis. The other is Max Gruder, a Charlotte Country Day alum and the Director of Pro Scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both share their experiences in their football careers so far. They also share advice on making it big either college or pro.Â
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Blast from the past: Country Day Legend Frank Justice

Ever wonder what it was like to be in high school in the 80âs? We canât go back in time, but you can talk to a beloved teacher from the 70s and 80s at Charlotte Country Day School. Frank Justice was also a Dean of Students in the late 90s. He sat down with Sophomore Parker Justice, who just happens to be his grandson, to talk about his fondest memories at Country Day. He also shares how students have changed and stayed the same over the past few decades. Â
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Stories w/ Springer: From the Congo to Charlotte Country Day

Around the world, the battle continues for equal rights for women. Join Country Day Senior Brycen Springer as he sits down with author and advocate Madame Monique Misenga Ngoie Mukuna. She shares her story of growing up in the Congo pursuing an education that is typically only promised to boys. This inspired her efforts to educate and fight for the rights of the next generation of women in the Congo. Youâll also hear from Country Day teachers as they weigh in on womenâs rights internationally.Â
For more about the education crisis in the Congo you can s...
Girl's girls: Avery Katherine Wood

Being a social media star isnât as easy as it may sound! Join Country Day School Sophomore Julia Mazeine as she talks with TikTokâs Avery Katherine Wood about the ups and downs of being an influencer. Hear the story behind this teen who has thousands of followers. Avery Katherine explains how becoming an influencer and going viral has affected her relationships with her friends and family, managing her school life and her plans for the future. Â
Photo courtesy of Avery Katherine Wood
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Lights out w/ Swim Coach Bob Peterson
Charlotte Country Day is home to the North Carolina State Champion girls swim team this year! This successful season where the boys placed 3rd in the state shows how far the Country Day Swim program has come. Your host, senior swimmer Sawyer Krisko, explores the long history of Country Day swimming with former coach Bob Peterson. Coach Bob spent almost 24-years building the program before the school had its own pool. Find out why âlights outâ became so important to Bucswim!Â
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