Cary Spotlight | Issue #452

Wake County Schools Hit by Data Breach, Wake County Teen Graduates NC State in One Year, NC Courage Acquire U.S. Star in Blockbuster Trade

In this Cary Spotlight Issue…

💭Spotlight Hook Trivia

😀 Meme of the Day

❤️ You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Jan!

📰 Wake County Schools Hit by Data Breach, Transitioning to New System

📰 Wake County Teen Graduates NC State, Inspires Students to Save on College

📰 NC Courage Acquire U.S. Star Jaedyn Shaw in Blockbuster Trade

😋🍴 Discover Cary (East & Drink): Zest Review

☀️ Cary NC Weather

🏛️ Support Cary Local Businesses

📅 Lots Of Events This Week (The Week at a Glance)

Question: Which country is both in Europe and Asia?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Discover Bee Banhmi, a local business sponsor of Cary Spotlight. They do catering, online ordering, home delivery and in-store. Great food made with quality ingredients.

“Dined with you today and had forgotten how fresh your ingredients are and how tasty the food is! Thanks for making me feel like I am visiting Family when I come in to eat. Friendly staff welcomes you in and eagerly share their knowledge about the choices to ensure you get exactly what you want/need! Love Bee BanhMi!” ~Lorraine Cross

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You’re So Sweet: Thank You, Jan!

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How $11 Can Bring Joy to Someone’s Day in Cary, Apex or Morrisville
Small acts make a big difference. For just $11, MOM Wishing Widows Well hand-delivers bouquets to brighten the day of widows, seniors, and those facing loneliness for Valentine’s Day.

Wake County Schools Hit by Data Breach, Transitioning to New System

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) is dealing with a data breach affecting the PowerSchool Student Information System, which exposed sensitive information of students, parents, and staff.

The breach, confirmed in January, occurred in December 2024 and affected schools nationwide. While student Social Security numbers were not accessed, other personal details, including names, addresses, dates of birth, and contact information, were compromised. Staff data, including some Social Security numbers and work email addresses, was also exposed.

In response, WCPSS has urged individuals to take precautionary measures, such as freezing credit and reviewing financial and credit reports regularly. To bolster security, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction plans to replace PowerSchool with Infinite Campus as the state’s Student Information System by July 2025. WCPSS continues working with PowerSchool to secure its systems and prevent further breaches.

To learn more information about the PowerSchool data breach, click here.

Register for half-marathon or marathon: use code "Spotlight" (case insensitive) for $20 off

Wake County Teen Graduates NC State, Inspires Students to Save on College

Credit: Sydney Ross

Richard Basile, a 19-year-old graduate of NC State University, has turned his academic success story into a platform for helping others. A former Panther Creek High School student, Basile earned 70 college credits through North Carolina’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program before graduating high school in 2023. The program allowed him to take dual enrollment courses at Wake Tech Community College, giving him a significant head start on his college education.

Basile enrolled at NC State as a junior in early 2024 and completed his undergraduate degree within a year, graduating as valedictorian. His intense course load, which included 30 credits in a single semester, was demanding but strategically planned. Now, Basile is using his experience to educate students and parents about the CCP program, offering guidance on applications, course selection, and how to maximize its benefits.

Basile has already accepted a full-time position with Cisco as a communications specialist and plans to pursue a law degree. His story highlights the value of dual enrollment as a tool for reducing college costs and accelerating academic and career goals. Read Full Report 

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How long have you lived in Cary, NC? (More Options)

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NC Courage Acquire U.S. Star Jaedyn Shaw in Blockbuster Trade

The North Carolina Courage have made a significant addition to their roster by acquiring U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Jaedyn Shaw in a trade with San Diego Wave FC. At just 20 years old, Shaw is under contract through 2026 and arrives as a highly decorated player both in the NWSL and on the international stage.

In exchange, the Courage sent $300,000 in allocation money, two seasons of an international roster spot, and $150,000 in intraleague transfer fees, with the potential for additional performance-based payments in 2025. Shaw’s career trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. Since joining the NWSL in 2022, she has amassed 13 goals and four assists, playing a vital role in San Diego’s success, including their 2023 NWSL Shield victory.

Internationally, Shaw has earned 21 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team, scoring eight goals and contributing to their 2024 triumphs at the Olympics, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and SheBelieves Cup. Her dominance in the midfield earned her the Golden Ball at the Gold Cup as the tournament’s best player.

Shaw’s addition strengthens the Courage’s midfield and aligns with their dynamic style of play. After attending the U.S. Women’s National Team training camp in January, she will report to the Courage for preseason training. Read Full Report

Credit: Zest Sushi and Small Plates

Zest Review

Zest Sushi and Small Plates is one of the local restaurants nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below. Here are the results from our last reader poll (see below). Check out their menu on their website: Zest Sushi and Small Plates

Address: 175 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Reader Poll Results (Issue # 444)

Zest Sushi and Small Plates (7 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (please share your recommendation) (4) 🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I have never been there but I might give it a try (3)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

Zest Sushi and Small Plates

Click to share 3 things you love about this place or recommend an item people should try on their menu.

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Each initiative reflects a different facet of Dr. King’s dream, from fighting food insecurity to fostering community connections and caring for the planet. Together, they offer residents of Cary and beyond a chance to make an impact and to carry forward the ideals of equality, service, and compassion.

Upcoming Local Events

Looking ahead to events happening in Cary, NC for the rest of the week.
Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information.

January 17th (Friday)

January 18th (Saturday)

January 19th (Sunday)

January 20th (Monday) MLK DAY

The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇

Turkey is a transcontinental country, uniquely situated in both Europe and Asia. The country’s smaller European portion, known as Thrace, lies west of the Bosporus Strait, while the larger Asian section, Anatolia, extends eastward. This strategic location has made Turkey a cultural and historical bridge between continents, featuring landmarks like Istanbul's Hagia Sophia and the ancient city of Troy. Turkey’s geographical diversity reflects its rich history, blending influences from various civilizations.

For more information, visit Turkey's Official Tourism Portal.