The Niner 9

The Golden Niner will be announced at halftime of the Homecoming game and will:

• Receive a $500 award and the Golden Niner Pickaxe
• Design a Golden Niner themed jacket or blazer of their choice 
• Be featured in UNC Charlotte promotional and storytelling campaigns 
• Have the opportunity to participate in notable experiences with Athletics, Admissions and other departments across campus
• Pass the Golden Niner Pickaxe onto the winner at next year’s Homecoming football game

Rupert Lartey

Year: Junior | Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Programming Chair; Student Alumni Society (SAS); Intramural Sports Official; National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Vice President; Black Organization Alliance Board (BOAB) — Coalition Chair; Black Student Union (BSU) — 25’-26’ Membership Chair; Organization of African Students; Niner Guide; SAFE Mentor; Mr. Crimson and Creme; CAB Event Staff of the Year; S-STEM Scholar; EPIC Scholar; FIT Mentee 25-26; FIT Mentor

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means recognizing that the greatest part of UNC Charlotte is its people. The smallest moments — a campus tour, a conversation or a mentor’s encouragement — can change someone’s path. So many people have invested in me, and I feel a responsibility to do the same for others. To me, being a Niner means serving others, building community and making sure the students who come after me have an even better experience than I did.

Dacien Montford

Year: Senior | Major: Exercise Science

Campus Involvement: President & Co-Founder of The Purpose Project; President & Founding Member of Brothers in Medicine; At-Large Coordinator of the BOAB; Secretary of the Pre-AA Association; 2026 Executive Leadership Mentee; Camps on Campus Counselor; 2025 Man of DiSTinction; 2025 Pinned Member of Collegiate 100; Mentor of College Mentors for Kids; FYTP Student Coordinator; 2025 Leadership Fellows Graduate; 2024 UTOP Mentee

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means having the courage to step outside your comfort zone and build a community rooted in collaboration and legacy. As a first-generation student and the oldest of seven siblings, I’ve learned that leadership is not only about your own success, but helping others see what is possible. I hope my Niner journey inspires my siblings and others to believe there is no ceiling on what they can accomplish.

Sammari Tate

Year: Junior | Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Engineering Visualization and Graphical Communication (ENGR 1303) — Teaching Assistant; Helping Hand Project — Design President; Oakhurst Campus Ministry — Member; National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) — Member; Engineering Academic Pathways S-STEM II Scholar — 2024-2028 Recipient

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means investing in a community that has invested in you and making this place your home. I believe we have a responsibility to leave Charlotte better than we found it. I try to live that spirit through mentoring engineering students, serving our community and supporting those around me. Being a Niner means bearing your pickaxe, chipping away at success and adding value to our gold mine — then leaving it better for those who follow.

Monisha Pirela

Year: Senior | Major: Architecture

Campus Involvement: Upperclassmen Senator and Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee — Student Government Association; President — H.E.R. Society; Arts + Architecture Honors Program; 2025 Transfer Champion Award Recipient

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
I believe Bonnie Cone would agree that being a Niner means building something that outlives you. Charlotte has taught me that ambitious goals and genuine support can coexist — and that receiving support creates a responsibility to extend it to others. I hope to carry forward that same groundbreaking spirit by designing spaces, building systems and creating opportunities that help others overcome barriers, pursue ambitious futures and leave something meaningful for the generations that follow.

Sanders Zendejas Leon

Year: Senior | Major: Exercise Science

Campus Involvement: Current Latin American Student Organization Co-President, previous Vice President, Mentorship Program Director, and Leadership & Operations Mentee; Current Internal Vice President for Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc., previous Secretary and Media Chair; Member of the Order of Omega Chapter at Charlotte; Previous Resident Advisor

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means being part of a community that feels like home. As a first-generation student, college was not always easy, but Charlotte gave me a place to grow, lead, build meaningful relationships and find a sense of belonging. I try to give that back by mentoring others, serving my community and helping people feel welcomed and supported. Being a Niner means carrying that pride with humility, compassion and purpose.

Alyssa Bissonnette

Year: Junior | Major: Management, Sociology, and Political Science

Campus Involvement: Levine Scholars Program; Business Honors Program; Niner Guides; ETHEL Undergraduate Research Journal

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
To me, being a Niner means surprising others with excellence. Charlotte is growing, creating opportunities and showing what’s possible because of dedicated students, staff and alumni. I try to carry that spirit by taking on difficult tasks, contributing what I’ve learned to the Charlotte community and giving back to future students. Throwing up a pickaxe is the easy part. Showing up each day and making our community better is real Niner pride.

Amanda Williams

Year: Senior | Major: Double: History & Philosophy

Campus Involvement: Resident Advisor, Wilson Hall; Student Accountability Board Member; Vice President of Academic Affairs, UNC ASG (statewide); Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society Vice President; LEAD Team Coordinator; Resident Students Association — Two Term President; Niner Guide; Office of Undergraduate Research Community Scholar; Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Member; Dale F. Halton International Study Scholarship Recipient

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means understanding that my Charlotte experience doesn’t belong only to me. Faculty, students and staff made room for me through mentorship, encouragement and opportunities, and I believe we keep our community strong by giving that support back. Niner spirit isn’t about being the leader everyone notices. It’s recognizing our shared responsibility for what this campus feels like for others. Charlotte made room for me; being a Niner means keeping that room open for someone else.

Ezra DeVane

Year: Senior | Major: Public Health

Campus Involvement: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (Chaplain/Strollmaster); Students Achieving First Year Excellence (Senior Mentor/Mentee of the Year); The Collegiate 100 (Co-Chartering Member/Vice President); Mr. Kappa Kappa (Best Talent/Most Congeniality); Leading Male for the Musical Theatre Dept. (Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde/Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret); Nationally Acclaimed in Vocal Performance (1st Place Contemporary Music, 2nd Musical Theatre NATS); Emerging Leaders (Emerging Leader of the Year)

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means carrying the spirit of Niner Nation with you in everything you do — being proud of where you come from, committed to growth and willing to create opportunities for others. Through mentoring, leadership, service and performing, I strive to leave Charlotte better than I found it. Above all, being a Niner means bringing others with you, leading with purpose and representing Charlotte with pride wherever you go.

Abbey Beam

Year: Senior | Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology

Campus Involvement: Pre Law Society; University Honors Program; Niner Guide; Vice President of Reignite Second Chance Scholars; Office of Undergraduate Research; Psychology Department Teaching Assistant; A Moment of Magic; Study Abroad Scholar x2

What Does Being a Niner Mean to Me?
Being a Niner means having the courage to act — saying yes to opportunities before you know exactly where they will lead and trusting that growth comes from taking chances. Charlotte has taught me to choose courage over comfort, embrace new challenges and create opportunities instead of waiting for them. Whether welcoming future Niners, conducting research or serving others, I try to lift people up and represent that spirit every day at Charlotte.

2025 Golden Niner: Abby Grace Bare

Abby Grace Bare is Charlotte’s 2025 Golden Niner.
A senior majoring in elementary education, Abby Grace was selected from the prestigious Niner 9 and is the fifth student to earn this honor in the University’s growing tradition.

An engaged and enthusiastic member of the UNC Charlotte community, Abby Grace serves as a teaching assistant at Niner University Elementary and is part of the University Honors Program. Her commitment to scholarship, leadership and school spirit reflects what it means to be a true Niner.

For Abby Grace, being a Niner means striving for excellence, showing up for others and celebrating the green and gold in every way, from wearing green on Wednesdays to knowing every word of the fight song. “Being a Niner means that you are a proud scholar and cheerleader of UNC Charlotte,” she says. “It means everything to me. I can’t wait to walk my children around campus someday and tell them about all the beautiful things that make this place home.”