By: Calvin Sonntag and Matthew Shelby

The classes of 2019 and 2020 have left their Legacy gift to the school; the Cougar statue outside in the courtyard. It was given to appreciate the class of 2020 and the circumstances they went through, including attending old Apex, Green Level, new Apex, and having their senior year cut short by Covid. The statue was installed in the courtyard on October 26th. The statue was led in creation by Timothy Christiansen (TJ), who is also the Teacher of the Year. He also created several other sculptures around the Raleigh area. His most notable statue other than the Cougar statue is the life size rhinoceros at the Crabtree Valley mall. TJ is also the teacher of the construction classes here at Apex. His classes also help create the rock work underneath the statue, which is made of chicken wire, cement, and paint. If you are interested in TJ works, the link to his website is www.tjchristiansen.com.