Call him what you will—A poetic philosopher, a peach ring enthusiast, or an impulsive singer—no matter which one you use, it’s undeniable that the level of personality Nelson Stallworth exhibits is destined to leave an intangible impression. The easy-going yet confident nature of Stallworth’s personality ensures that his legacy here at Enloe won’t soon be forgotten.
We interviewed a handful of Stallworth’s close friends to peer deeper into the interpersonal world he’s nurtured, starting with Connor Wood, who met Nelson in elementary school and immediately hit it off. They proceeded to attend Carnage Middle School together, and then Enloe High School presently. “He’s just so easy to talk to and fun to be around,” says Wood. “You can almost talk about anything with him and you never really know what’s going to happen. It’s always enjoyable though.”
In addition to commenting on the vast list of his talents such as soccer and basketball, all of Nelson’s closest friends seemed to always mention one thing without fail: his knack for writing, the very skill that landed him a spot on the Eagle’s Eye in 2022. Among his extensive arsenal of hit articles, including everything from outer space tourism to artificial intelligence, there lies a common denominator. In every Nelson Stallworth article, you will find fluid diction, thought-provoking questions, and the embedded tone of a curious social critic. Even though this is most obvious in articles such as OpenAI: The Future, for Better or Worse and The Genius of the Stranger: Romanticizing the Mundane, Stallworth manages to provide this unique voice in less-serious articles like Fry & Mighty–All French Fries Ranked which hierarchically categorizes the iconic fast food side. These articles are quintessential ‘Nelson Pieces’, and you won’t regret reading any of them.
An example of Stallworth’s brilliant mind was brought up when close friend Griffin McHugh recalled his most memorable moment with the future UNC-Chapel Hill student. He informed us about the film Poodle Sheisty, a student film made by Nelson about a man who believes himself to be a superhero with poodle powers, but in reality, he’s just insane. “The absolute funniest film I’ve ever seen in my life,” remarks McHugh. We can infer that his boundless creativity sprouts from his passion for all things arts and entertainment, especially anime, such as Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Samurai Champloo.
Creativity flows through Stallworth’s veins, but that is so very evident in his work. According to long-time friend and collaborator at the Eagle’s Eye Akshat Yadav, what goes under the radar is Nelson’s sage-like insight and brilliance. “You’d be surprised about the deep stuff [Nelson] has to say,” says Yadav. “He always chooses the most eloquent words when writing,” says Lucas Guzman, who met Nelson during virtual schooling, after mentioning how serious Nelson’s attitude regarding his responsibilities was.
When you take his predispositions into account, his avid distaste for AI art becomes logical, as seen in Is AI Art Art at All? His keen sensibilities and unique tastes carry over to the music field as well. Valuing raw passion and true creativity, Nelson was understandably drawn to artists like Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, and Michael Jackson. His favorite albums include Late Registration, 10 Day, and Acid Rap. Beyond Hip-Hop and R&B, Stallworth has a tasteful appreciation for pop classics Thank U, Next by Ariana Grande, as well as some of Taylor Swift’s work, which only goes to show his open-mindedness and willingness to expand his boundaries when it comes to human pursuits.
In the realm of more curricular endeavors, Stallworth has proven himself an incredible scholar over his years at Enloe. A long-time member of the Black Student Union, Nelson has demonstrated immense organizational leadership and innovation. His aptness for impressive grades precedes himself, evident by how often his peers mentioned his academics in awe during our interviews. The best way to portray just how determined and dedicated to education Nelson is is to mention his acceptance and commitment to continue his academics and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he will be studying Biology. His intellect is vast and striking, meaning there isn’t a shadow of a doubt he’s destined for greatness. “He’s a wise individual who, even though he has a funny personality, is caring and personable. He has lots of wise things to say,” continues Yadav. “I’m really glad to have known him for the past few years. He’s been a fantastic friend.”
