Libdy Lopez, a nursing assistant at Chatham Hospital. 'This past year was very overwhelming. Everything was so new and scary. It was definitely a good experience to see the COVID patients who made it out and go back to their families.' (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff photo by Peyton Sickles
Chatham Central High School students await graduation last June. (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff photo by Simon Barbre
Theodore McCollum, front, drives a ball last spring during a SABA fundraiser. The school, set to open next fall, focuses on using the arts and culturally responsive teaching to close the achievement gap and empower Black and brown boys.
Staff photo picked by James Kiefer
Dora Interiano and her husband José hold up their U.S. citizenship certificates, which both received December 2020 with the help of Chatham Literacy. (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff Photo by Peyton Sickles
Chatham Charter School student Landon Oakley embraces his mom after graduating from the school last May. Chatham Charter kicked off graduation season in Chatham last year, with ceremonies able to happen in-person this year after 2020’s highly modified celebrations due to COVID-19. (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff Photo by Peyton Sickles
Andrea, a 4-year-old Pre-K student, creates a town with signs, animals and people at Bennett School in October. Chatham education advocates have emphasized the importance of accessible and quality Pre-K for children. (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff photo by Kim Hawks
A roadside memorial for 18-year-old Northwood student Bryan Vilchis, who died in a car crash in Pittsboro on Old Graham Road Saturday on Oct. 23. One week and a day after the crash, 16-year-old Desmond "Junior" Patterson also died. 'This is an extremely painful time for our Northwood staff and students,' said Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson. 'We grieve with Desmond’s and Bryan’s families and mourn their loss.' (Picked by Hannah McClellan)
Staff Photo by Peyton Sickles
Commissioner Franklin Gomez Flores pictured at a Match vaccination clinic — spearheaded by the Chatham County Public Health Department and the Hispanic Liaison — which administered 280 first doses of the Moderna vaccine. 'To me, it (the vaccine) brings hope,' Gomez Flores, the first person to get vaccinated that day, said. 'A lot with what’s going on, with what my family’s gone through, what the community has gone through, it’s hope to actually get things going back to how they were before COVID.'
Staff photo picked by Kim Hawks
Wesley Hart recounted his experiences as an ordnance officer — working with weapons and ammunition — in his book "WWI: In My Words." Hart, 102, was awarded the French Legion of Honor in a ceremony on Aug. 12.
Staff photo picked by Simon Barbre
Dr. Amanda Hartness of Chatham County Schools (from left), Pittsboro Commissioner Kyle Shipp and Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of Chatham County Schools, pose after an August fundraising breakfast for the Boys & Girls Club of Pittsboro. Shipp helped spearhead efforts to start the club, which finally opened its doors in October.
Staff photo picked by Simon Barbre
Peppercorn, a coffee shop located in downtown Siler City, closed Jan. 15. Owner Joan Underwood said she decided to close the store after 12 years in business. 'I am sending you this note today to let you know that after much thought and consideration we have decided to close Peppercorn in downtown Siler City,' she posted on Instagram. 'Thank you so much for your support and loyalty for the last 12 years! It has meant that we could do what we love most, making coffee and building our community!'
Staff photo picked by Peyton Sickles
H.O.P.E., or Hispanic Oral health Prevention and Education, is a program that seeks to offer Spanish-speaking patients critical oral health education and individualized care at Vidas de Esperanza, a medical and dental clinic in Siler City. Here's a shot from a September clinic.
Staff photo picked by Peyton Sickles
St. Julia Catholic Church parishioners celebrated and revered the Virgin of Guadalupe with multi-day festivities in December associated with the church’s traditional celebration. Each Dec. 12, Mexican and Mexican-American Catholics across the country congregate to honor and pray to the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico’s patron saint.
'It should be something very special this year since we can gather again as a community to celebrate the great feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe,' Father Julio Martinez said ahead of the event. He leads St. Julia, which is over 85% Hispanic.
Staff photo picked by Peyton Sickles
Lysandra Weber stands at her cutting table in her then-recently purchased studio in downtown Pittsboro last February. Weber is the founder and owner of Geekchicfashion, a clothing store featuring modern, comfortable and handmade designs.
Staff photo picked by Peyton Sickles
The Siler City Fire Department performed a controlled burn on a house on E. 11th Street in early 2021. The fire department was awarded one of the state’s best fire suppression ratings in September, an evaluation which represents the department’s general preparedness and can decrease property insurance costs across town.
Staff photo picked by Peyton Sickles
Wesley Hart, a 102-year-old Chatham County resident, is awarded the French Legion of Honor from Vincent Hommeril of the French consulate in Atlanta. Hart's ceremony took place Aug. 12 at New Salem Church in Pittsboro.
Staff photo picked by Kim Hawks
Mack Thorpe, the unit commissioner for Boy Scouts Troop 911 in Silk Hope, is on a mission to make sure the troop doesn’t die. In September, the troop had just four members — all set to graduate this year.
Staff photo picked by Kim Hawks
Bundled in warm clothes, spectators look on as runners approach the finish line at the NCHSAA state cross country meet last January. The two-day championship event, typically held in early November, featured over 760 participants from across North Carolina.
Staff photo picked by James Kiefer
A bank of the Haw River. This picture has graced many an update stories about Pittsboro's drinking water woes, and for that reason was picked by Taylor Heeden.
Staff photo by Kim Hawks
A greeting for students hangs in the doorway of Jose Cerna's classroom at Chatham Central High School last February. The photo was taken during the first day of the second week of in-person hybrid learning — the first time CCS high schoolers attended school in-person since before the pandemic.
Staff photo picked by James Kiefer