WS Chronicle

When it comes to showing school spirit and giving back to their alma mater, not many schools can compare with the alumni from Carver High School. To show their love for Carver, a few months ago several alumni formed a nonprofit to support various events, initiatives and programs at the school. Carver, which was founded in 1936 for Black students in Forsyth County, is the only original member of the Big 4 still remaining. The Big 4 were the four high schools in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County that served Black students during segregation. 

According to their website, Team Sting, LLC is designed to provide sustainability and to support the needs of the students at Carver High School. This school year Team Sting has helped support every sports team at the school and sponsored various events and other initiatives, including this year’s prom. 

Just last week Team Sting recognized Carver’s debate team. Last month the Yellow Jacket Debate Team earned the Model Delegation designation at the 2023 North Carolina YMCA Youth & Government Conference. 

Anthony Ingram, who graduated from Carver in 1993, said more than anything the purpose of Team Sting is to encourage the students at Carver and let them know that someone is in their corner. Ingram said when he attended Carver he received encouragement from teachers, fellow students and alumni, and he wants to bring that back to Carver Nation. 

“We want to celebrate every win the students have in athletics and academics,” Ingram continued. “And even when there’s not a win, we still want to encourage them because sometimes just a little encouragement can make all the difference.” 

Charice Talbert, (Class of ‘93), said earlier this year members of Team Sting sat down with staff to find out what were some of the needs. After that meeting Talbert said they immediately got to work developing a plan to support the students and staff. 

“We collaborated and came up with our own initiatives based on what we heard from the school staff and their needs,” Talbert continued. “Based on the need we heard just a few months ago, we quickly formed our LLC and just wanted to let the kids know that we are here.” 

Roselyn Dunlap (Class of ‘93), said Carver was the first school she attended where she had teachers who really cared about the students. “This is where I first experienced teachers pushing for you … letting you know that you are something and you can be something and I wanted to come back and give that to the students who are here now.” 

1994 Carver grad Shannon Brooks said although she didn’t attend Carver until she was a junior, from the moment she arrived at Carver she felt right at home. “Carver pretty much made me and saved me … I didn’t have the greatest experience at my previous high school and as soon as I got here I felt welcomed, I felt wanted.”

Brooks said her involvement with Team Sting is her opportunity to give back to the school that gave her so much. Brooks, who has been a volunteer at Carver for several years, said when she was a student, it was normal to see alumni at the school almost every day. 

“I saw so many people pay it forward and so when I got older, I said it’s a must that I go back and pay it forward,” Brooks said. “Somebody did it for me so I just feel like it’s my turn.”

For more information on Team Sting, LLC, visit https://team-sting-llc.mailchimpsites.com/.