Emma Coffey is one of the many new faces joining The Blue and Gold staff this year. Emma was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She has been at Carmel since 5th grade and is now a senior. She is savoring every moment of her last year of high school by spending time with friends and family, working at Swoozies Boutique in South Park and playing on the Varsity volleyball team. Emma is the senior setter for the team and has played for the past 11 years. Emma has had many accomplishments in her time at Carmel, but one that she feels most proud of working towards her Capstone diploma she received through AP Seminar and AP research. Her research followed the training tactics involved in the foster care system. This was sparked by an interest in family law that is a potential path that Emma is interested in pursuing during her time at University.  Emma hopes to attend The University of Alabama next fall to study finance in her undergraduate years, working towards attending law school. Her career goal, as of now, is to become an attorney.  Similarly to her research writing, Emma had an interest in The Blue and Gold due to her desire to learn about different writing methods through journalism and broaden her skills in a variety of styles. She also worked as an intern for the Charlotte Observer during her sophomore year of high school and attended the University of Chapel Hill Journalism Camp for 3 years. Emma is The Blue and Gold's External Affairs Correspondent and will help cover the feature stories produced this school year!

Cody Smith is new to the Blue and Gold staff this year. Cody, born and raised in Charlotte, is a junior this year and has been at Carmel since kindergarten. He has enjoyed his years at Carmel and has built many valuable relationships. He joined The Blue and Gold because he had an interest in interviewing people and sports, and he enjoyed The Journalism and Media I course his freshman year. Cody adds a special flare to the paper with his passion for Carmel and local sports. Though Cody enjoys any and all sports, he cheers for the Charlotte Panthers and is looking forward to covering their season. In his free time, Cody also enjoys playing basketball, a passion that started when he was in 2nd grade. He also enjoys listening to all kinds of music. He spends his time focusing on school and his passions. He is aiming to get a business degree to possibly go into sports management. Cody’s enthusiastic and passionate personality adds energy to the staff and paper that is sure to shine through in his writing.