Whether it's our pets or our people, we all need outlets that keep us active, inspired and connected.

And that brings us to our final story tonight about a woman who's inspiring others in more ways than one.

To her students and colleagues, Carlo Dawson is known as the dedicated dean of students at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill.

But beyond the hallways, there's so much more to her story.

She's a poet, a performer, and part of a family where creativity runs deep.

Carolina Impact's Dara Khalid and videographer John Branscum introduce us to the many layers of Carlos talent and the artistic spirit that flows through her entire family.

(crowd talking) (pleasant music) - Good morning.

I like that.

That's, look at that.

That's cute.

- [Dara] Like most high school administrators, morning duty comes with the job.

- There's not too much going on.

I'm hearing a little bit of excitement, so I'm kind of trying to check and see what's happening over there.

- [Dara] For Carlo Dawson, the Dean of Students at Northwestern High School... - Hey, good morning.

- [Dara] She doesn't look at it like your average boring shift where you just give orders and make sure students behave.

- Right.

That's right.

You know what?

I forgot my hat.

- [Dara] No, this is her chance to really connect with students and make them feel seen.

- If I can give them some encouraging word before they go.

So I always say, good morning.

I always say, have a great day, you're doing great things, good morning.

- Which means you'll find her snapping pictures like a proud mom.

- I love it.

- [Dara] Of students in their matching PJs on Pajama Day.

- Yeah, you can get in it.

- [Dara] Or learning new dance moves or a TikTok video because it simply makes them smile.

- You know, instead of just saying, "Y'all need to go," you know, engage 'em and then say head on.

You know, because they're human beings.

- [Dara] Carlo has such a great relationship with the students.

You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you she's only been here for a few months.

And as assistant principal, Katrina Byers has seen firsthand, it didn't take long for Carlo to make her mark.

- She's so full of ideas, which is refreshing for our school, for her to come in and just kind of radiate that energy she has, positivity, bring ideas and the love for kids as well as the love and education.

- [Dara] Although Carlo has only been in this role at Northwestern for a few months, her journey in education began over 20 years ago, actually right here at Northwestern, where she was an English teacher.

So how'd she know this was the field for her?

- Well, I did not know.

I did not know.

- [Dara] In fact, she spent the first three years of undergrad at the College of Charleston as a biology major until she finally decided to switch majors and follow her heart.

- After I graduated school with an English degree, I went back home for a while and I was, I was working with the young people and my mom said, "You know you're teaching."

And I was like, really?

And she said, "I think you'll be good at it."

- [Dara] From there, Carlo was hooked.

And over two decades later, she still loves uplifting young people.

But something students may not know is that education isn't her only passion.

- Nowadays, I wonder what it feels like to be loved.

- [Dara] When she's not on the school's campus.

She's out and about performing her original poetry as Rock Hill Poet Laureate, an honor she was given by city officials in May.

- It's something that I dreamed about.

I'm just so excited about it because I get to give to others what poetry gave to me.

I get to be a voice for all those poets out there.

- [Dara] Carlo's love for poetry goes all the way back to elementary school when she first began reading poetic books of the Bible, like Psalms and Lamentations.

But what pushed her to start writing it herself wasn't poetic at all.

- I would befriend those who people picked on and then people picked on me.

And so I started to just write down everything that I felt in my journal, and I wrote it in the form of poetry.

Poetry really saved my life.

- Holding this journal here that has your memories from 12th grade year high school going into freshman year, What does it mean kind of as you're flipping through these pages?

- Well, I get to see a moment in time where I thought I had everything altogether and I didn't.

But I do get to see how important words have always been to me.

To the resting place, we'd go fishing for hours and hours and the sunshine, joy, and happiness we surely devour.

At the resting place, we never got bored or fidgety for we knew life there was pure simplicity.

(Carlos singing) - [Dara] Creativity runs deep in Carlos' family, her husband, daughter, and son all share that same artistic spark.

During family karaoke, her kids enjoy taking turns singing and hitting all the right notes.

♪ Joys the dream come true But their talents go beyond that.

- And the very last dizzying thing I could think about was this stupid thing from lit class.

- [Dara] Carlo's 15-year-old son Corian loves to act and has been in a movie, TV episodes, and several productions at his high school.

- Also sophomore year- - [Dara] Her 17-year-old daughter, Kyle is an artist.

- [Carlo] She's very athletic.

- [Dara] Her eye catching work has won competitions across Rock Hill and been featured in multiple art shows at her school.

She was even the illustrator for one of her mom's children's books.

As a sculptor and illustrator, Carlo's husband Christopher brought his wife's words to life and her book, "Why We Celebrate The Rich Legacy of Juneteenth."

It's a creative collaboration that he calls one of his most meaningful projects.

- It was great, so to be able to do those illustrations really made a bond for the two of us that's gonna last a lifetime.

You know, even when we're gone, that book is still gonna be there, and it still gonna represent what we did together.

- Whether Carlo's lifting her voice in song with her family, sharing poetry that inspires her community.

- Alright y'all, it's that time.

Let's head to climb.

- Or pouring her heart into her students, she leaves every space brighter, filled with her special blend of creativity, passion, and love.

- Hey darling, good morning.

Y'all have a good day.

- [Dara] For Carolina Impact, I'm Dara Khalid.