Last week, new and returning students moved in at N.C. School of Science and Math's Morganton campus

The dorm shared by Shikara Gangeyula and Dharini Guttula was a flurry of activity as their families and several senior-year students helped the girls set up their room at Morganton’s North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM) campus.

The two are friends, both residents of Charlotte, and both coming from Marvin Ridge High School in Union County. Their faces lit up with excitement as they shared their aspirations — Gangeyula wants to be a plastic surgeon, Guttula wants to go into political science.

Because it was junior move-in day at NCSSM, flocks of families gathered at various doors down the narrow hallway. Here and there a cart almost the width of the hallway passed through, pushed by an apologetic family member. Everyone backed against the walls to let them pass and assured them with a smile that they were not a bother.

After the cart passed, Guttula explained that her interest in political science was sparked by an AP Government class. What she learned in that class drew her to the topic of policies and laws.

Gangeyula said she is interested in anatomy and physiology. Health of the integumentary system (skin), specifically. Plastic surgeon feels like a natural fit, she said, because she also enjoys surgery.

“Realistically, ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’” Gangeyula started, describing how she got interested in the field. “From there, I took health science in school and anatomy and physiology to learn more about the skin.”

The girls’ parents beamed with pride.

“The kids are fortunate to get into NCSSM,” said Dharini’s father, Mohan Guttula. “A lot of our friends, they didn’t make it, so we are very happy for our kids to be here. I hope they make better (contacts), like references … to make their lives better career-wise.”

Dharini’s mother, Aruna Guttula, was also glad her daughter made it in.

“I would prefer her to be somewhere … (closer) to us, but it’s her dream to pursue something beyond the school programs (offered at her former school),” Aruna said.

Kalyan Gangeyula, Shikara’s father, said he and her mother Anusha Dhulipalla are excited because NCSSM opens a lot of doors for their daughter, particularly with its research programs and the mentorship she will receive.

Residential Life Assistants (RLAs) who are seniors at the school were also hard at work last week decorating their halls to welcome new and returning students.

RLA Emmy Miller said there were many ideas floating around before her team landed on decorating their walls with “Mamma Mia” references and crafting a stunning image of a sunset in one corner.

“I found construction paper and I had a vision,” Miller said, adding that another RLA, Campbell Shepherd, crafted buildings to fill blank space in the same area.

Classes started on Aug. 17 and continue through May 26.