October 1, 2026
Listening for the Story
The best stories do more than show us another life; they reveal something of our shared humanity. At just 23, award-winning multimedia journalist Max Feliu, ‘21, is already building a career around that belief, reporting across borders, cultures, and media in pursuit of the deeper stories that connect us. Born in Barcelona and shaped by […]
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January 12, 2026
A Home Court Advantage
When Trey Murphy III, ’18, returns to Cary Academy as this year’s Commencement speaker, he comes not just as an NBA standout but as someone profoundly shaped by a community that nurtured his drive, steadiness, and sense of purpose long before he took the national stage. Ask him what he remembers most from his time […]
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October 1, 2025
From Code to Cure
When Mark Hallen, ’06, arrived at Cary Academy as a self-described “bookish” student with a budding interest in math and science, he could never have imagined that one day he’d help turn what once felt like science fiction into reality. Today, he is doing just that, leading a team of scientists in designing cancer drugs […]
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January 7, 2025
Making Change Drop by Drop
Social entrepreneur Serena Advani, ’13, is turning her passion for sustainability into a groundbreaking business that is as innovative as it is impactful. As the founder and mastermind behind Sea Drop—a preservative-free, waterless skincare line—Advani is making waves in the beauty industry by tackling two of its most pressing issues: plastic waste and carbon emissions. […]
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November 7, 2024
Reel Impact
Jamie Berger, ’09, is a passionate environmental justice advocate, writer, and documentary filmmaker on a mission to end factory farming. In 2022, her critically acclaimed feature-length film, “The Smell of Money,” exposed the environmental, social, and economic injustices perpetuated by one of North Carolina’s most powerful agricultural industries. Now, she aims to ignite a global […]
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January 22, 2024
AFFECTIVE CHANGEMAKER
A resolute advocate for democracy, Max Henning, ’11, is dedicated to harnessing the power of neuroscience and social and behavioral sciences for social good. What fuels his passion? A profound desire to explore how the biological rootsof emotion can profoundly influence—and potentially unlock solutions to—some of today’s most persistent global challenges. MINDFUL ORIGINS Henning’s initial […]
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August 17, 2023
Artful Healer
Emma Astrike-Davis, M.D., ’14, was in sixth grade when she helped her great-grandmother move into a nursing home after a prolonged hospital stay. She saw how deeply the loss of independent living impacted her great-grandmother, and she made the effort to visit frequently and bring artwork and furnishings to help alleviate that loss. When she […]
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January 30, 2023
Gridiorn Insider
Working in creative production at NFL Films, Kelly Bright’s, ’17, day-to-day life is enough to make your head spin. On Mondays and Tuesdays, you might find her poring over football game footage from the weekend, cutting together segments for both in-house and NFL-partner projects. (“We own all the rights to all of our football footage,” […]
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November 14, 2022
Speaking Truth
At 30, Josh Rowsey, ’09, is finally discovering his authentic voice—and empowering other young people to find theirs through the power and language of hip-hop. An artist, businessman, educator, mentor, and cultural ambassador, Rowsey defies singular characterization. “I’ve been blowing up boxes since my days at Cary Academy. I don’t live in a world of […]
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