On Monday, August 25, 2025, students arrive at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte for the first day of school. CMS welcomes more than 141,000 students back to classrooms
KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH
Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Through the lens of our visual journalists, a moment in time is captured and becomes part of our history.
Each week the Charlotte Observer will present a selection of images that document communities.
This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper and on our online Edition at eedition.charlotteobserver.com
Students arrive for the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte on Monday, August 25, 2025. CMS welcomes more than 141,000 students back to classrooms KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Students get started on their first assignment of the day during the first day of school at Elizabeth Traditional School in Charlotte on Monday, August 25, 2025. CMS welcomes more than 141,000 students back to classrooms KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Country music artist Jason Aldean peforms Friday, Aug. 22, 2022 at the PNC Pavillion in Charlotte. Tracy Kimball tkimball@heraldonline.com
Country music artist Jason Aldean peforms Friday, Aug. 22, 2022 at the PNC Pavillion in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
A wooden coffin of a longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler lays inside Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
A mourner touches the casket of former Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Humpy Wheeler was the president of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC for more than 30 years. Wheeler, a legendary promotor for events at the speedway and was described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.” Wheeler died at the age of 86. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Pat Wheeler, center, glances over at the draped casket of her husband, H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, Jr., at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Humpy Wheeler was the president of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC for more than 30 years. Wheeler was described as the “P.T. Barnum of motorsports.” He died at the age of 86. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
In support of Pastor Kelvis Reid, a 65-year-old pastor from Gastonia, his family had bracelets made. Pastor Reid collapsed on Christmas Eve after experiencing multiple cardiac arrests. He was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a rare and often fatal disease, and placed on life support at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center. Reid became one of the few patients in the region to receive a dual heart and kidney transplant. Today, not only is he alive, but he has returned to the pulpit and recently completed a 5K. John D. Simmons For the Observer
A rendering shows food vendor updates coming to the main concourse during a Spectrum Center Hardhat tour for construction updates in Charlotte on Monday, August 25, 2025. Construction is expected to be finished and opens on October 19th for the first of two performances by music artist Billie Eilish. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Grimsley Whirlies fans cheer on their team during action against the West Charlotte Lions in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, August 22, 2025. Grimsley defeated West Charlotte 28-27 in overtime. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Grimsley Whirlies quarterback Faizon Brandon, right, fights for yardage in the red zone as West Charlotte Lions’ Davion Jones, left, looks to make the tackle during the fourth quarter. The teams were competing in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, August 22, 2025. Grimsley defeated West Charlotte 28-27. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
West Charlotte Lions fans cheer on their team during action against the Grimsley Whirlies in the Keep Pounding Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, August 22, 2025. Grimsley defeated West Charlotte 28-27 in overtime. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Tyler Crawford glance up toward his Let Gaza Live sign during a "Bread Not Bullets" rally in Davidson, NC on Monday, August 25, 2025. The rally held by a coalition of North Carolina peace and justice organizations. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
