ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Published by students of
Wilson Hall for Grades 6-12
Sumter, South Carolina
Volume 29, No. 1 October 2014
ISIS
By Jim Mayes
ISIS is a radical Islamic terrorist
group that has
seized control of
large areas of
Syria and northern
Iraq. ISIS stands for
the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria, also
known as ISIL, the
Islamic State and
the Levant. It is believed that ISIS consists of about
20,000-40,000
soldiers whose
goal is to inflict as
much suffering as
possible without
showing any mercy.
ISIS claims it will
not stop until its
flag is flying above
the White House.
It originally started
as one of the numerous rebel
groups engaged in
Syria’s bloody civil
war against Syrian
President Bashar alAssad and his
regime. ISIS is made
up of Sunni Muslims
that are led by Abu
Bakr al-Baghdadi.
This group has
claimed to have
formed an Islamic
Caliphate because
of all the territory
they have claimed.
ISIS gives the other
Iraqi minorities
such as Christians,
Yazidis, and Shiite
Muslims the choices
of converting to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
Mr. Fred Moulton, Headmaster, has a bucket of ice water dumped on his head by senior Walker Ard and junior Sam Watford as part
of the ALS Ice Water Challenge during a pep rally organized by the varsity cheerleading squad.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
By Catherine Clark
The ALS ice bucket challenge has become widely known through social media and is helping raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a disease which has no cure and affects the nerve cells
in the brain and the spinal cord.
People around the world challenge their friends and family to pour an ice cold bucket of water on them and also pay at least
ten dollars to the ALS Association. The alternative to completing the challenge is donating 100 dollars to the ALS Assoc. The
challenge actually starts with someone being challenged by another, then that person challenges a few others, and so on.
As of September 30, over $100 million had been donated to the ALS Assoc. through this fundraiser, the most successful in the
association’s history. People all over the world have accepted the ALS Ice Bucket challenge, and as a result thousands of people are learning about the disease and are eager to donate money for the cause.
The ALS ice bucket challenge originated from a golfer in Sarasota, Florida, Chris Kennedy. He was challenged by one of his
friends to complete a challenge formerly called “the ice bucket challenge.” Chris decided to donate money to the charity of
his choice, the ALS Assoc. The reason behind this decision is that one of his relatives was suffering from ALS.
Once Kennedy posted the video of his completion of the challenge on social media, it went viral and people started donating to the ALS Assoc. Not long after that the challenge began to be called the ALS ice bucket challenge.
The purpose of the challenge is for people to gain an understanding of the disease. The point of the ice cold water is to show
the challengers the feeling of being paralyzed from the freezing water.
Freshman Liza Lowder said, “Most people are annoyed by being challenged, but I was happy to do it for the cause. Although
the water does not simulate the feeling of being paralyzed completely, it leaves you with somewhat of an idea of the hardships the ALS battlers go through.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
{}
Page 7
“I believe we all take pride in a
job well done. I think the aesthetic beauty of our campus is one
of the factors that exemplify our
pride in our school.”
Mr. Fred Moulton, Headmaster
Page 5
EDITOR
Logan Lee Alderman
STAFF
John Wells Baker
Mary Paisley Belk
Page
Thomas Brown
Caroline Clark
10
Catherine Clark
Betsy Cunningham
Connor Curtis
Hunter Hendrix
Rhett Howell
Page 9
Jim Mayes
Cate McCreight
Thomas McGinnis
Campbell Mims
Page 15
Mary Margaret Munn
Grier Schwartz
McLendon Sears
Sallie Spencer
Drew Talley
Easton Ward
Page 14
ADVISORS
Mr. Sean Hoskins
Mrs. Elizabeth Hyatt
Pediatricians
Suggest Delay in
School Start Time
Wilson Hall
By Cate McCreight
By McLendon Sears
Pediatricians around the country are suggesting that schools delay start times to
at least 8:30 am. According to
Yahoo.com, it has been proven that students in general suffer from sleep loss.
Doctors say that the average teenager
should sleep between eight and nine
hours per night. Based on research, however, the average senior in high school
sleeps less than seven hours per night.
Being sleep deprived has been the main
cause for poor grades, bad health, and
even car crashes. Although a time change
would allow students more time to sleep
at night, many students would not vote for
school to begin later. Junior Grier
Schwartz said, “No, schools should not
delay start times because students have
to get used to waking up for real life jobs.”
More than 40% of schools across America start before 8:00 am. Junior Edward
McMillan said, “I would like to keep the
schedule the same because a later start
time means a later dismissal.”
Most students are required to get up before the sun rises in order to catch the
school bus. Mrs. Emily Wilson, a middle
school math and science teacher, said, “It’s
all about the circadian rhythm. Sunlight
sets your body clock. We should get up
when the sun rises.”
This year Sumter Young Life is undergoing a significant change as Wilson Hall and Sumter High
School are separating for club and campaigners.
Young Life is a Christian organization that has
reached out to high school students all over the
world since 1941. Anyone in grades nine through
twelve are welcome to join.
With the two schools doing club and campaigners
together, some students have not felt as close as
they could and separating could change that. Sophomore Drew Renyolds said that he is sad that he
will not be able to see his Sumter High friends as
often, but he thinks it is a great opportunity for the
students at Wilson Hall to have their own club.
Club is a weekly event when the high school students gather to hang out with friends, sing songs to
popular music, play games, and hear a short devotion. Club is usually organized by the Wilson Hall
Young Life leaders, Miss Hallie Barber, Mr. Will
Hancock, a 2012 Wilson Hall graduate, Mr.
William Lynch and Mr. Steve Pink.
Another benefit is that students might feel more
comfortable walking into something where they
know the people there, instead of going somewhere where they do not know the people from another school as well. Senior Talmadge Johnson
said, “I believe Sumter High and Wilson Hall splitting will eventually be a change for the better because it will give each school more pride about its
individual groups.”
Campaigners is a time of gathering with the students who regularly attend club and want a more
in depth devotion and discussion. It is typically held
at the home of a student or a leader.
In the past Wilson Hall and Sumter High students
have gathered together on Monday nights for club,
but recently a change has been made. Junior Catherine Kelley said, “After two years of being together
it makes me sad to split, but I am so excited for the
change and I think it is for the best. I can’t wait to see
what is in store for Wilson Hall Young Life.”
A benefit of change within the new system is that
it will unify the Wilson Hall students in a new way.
The students from both schools are both somewhat
disappointed in the change, but are excited at the
same time. Sophomore Danielle deHoll said she
will miss being with Sumter High but it will benefit
Young Life so more people will want to come. Wilson Hall Young Life has grown over the summer and
she thinks the separation is necessary for Wilson
Hall.
September 8 was the first club for Wilson Hall and
the turnout was strong, with a total of 83 students
attending.
Students who are sleep deprived have
been known to be more likely to suffer
from depression, obesity and suicidal
thoughts. Mrs. Susan Harvin, Academic
Dean, said, “I agree with the delay of at
least 30 minutes, because I do believe
students need more sleep to function well
in the mornings.”
Students across the country do have busy
after-school schedules, so 30 minutes of
extra sleep could be helpful. Junior Dalton Miller said, “Due to extra curricular
activities during the evening hours, I think
students would thrive if schools delayed
start times.
Senior Raines Waggett disagrees with
Dalton and said, “Students should learn to
manage their own schedule and get the
amount of sleep needed for them to be
alert during school hours.”
Freshmen Kate Smith, Eadon Lee and Liza Lowder enjoy a Renaissance feast in their English I Honors class
taught by Mrs. Stacey Reaves. As part of their studies of Renaissance literature, students dressed in period
costume and dined on common American food that was given creative Renaissance names.
PAGE 3
21
Advanced
Placement
Scholars
Because of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced
Placement (AP) Exams, 21 students received recognition from the College
Board. About 22 percent of the 2.2
million students worldwide who took
AP Exams performed at a sufficiently
high level to earn an AP Scholar
Award. In May 77 Wilson Hall students became eligible to receive college credit by earning a score of 3 or
higher on at least one exam.
Three
National
Merit
Semifinalists
Seniors Kendall Brogdon, Simmons deHoll
and Raines Waggett
have been selected as
National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. They
are the only students in
Clarendon, Lee and
Sumter counties to receive this recognition,
according to the National Merit Scholarship Program
publication. Semifinalists show exceptional
academic ability and
potential for success in
rigorous college studies. More than 1.4 million students in nearly
22,000 high schools
entered the 2015 National Merit Program by
taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT which served
as an initial screen of
program entrants. The
16,000 Semifinalists
are the highest-scoring
entrants in each state
and represent less than
one percent of each
state’s high school seniors. They have the opportunity to continue in
the competition for one
of 8,000 Merit Scholarships that will be offered in the spring.
The following seniors received the AP
Scholar Award for earning a 3 or higher
on at least three exams: seniors Emily
Bell, Kendall Brogdon, Simmons deHoll, Carter Dwight and Ryan Norris.
Sophomore Sallie Spencer hits senior Will Watson with a whipped cream pie
during the Pie the Player pep rally held on Spencer Field.
AP Exams, which students take after
completing challenging college-level
courses taught at their high school,
are graded on a five-point scale (5
being the highest). Most of the nation’s colleges and universities
award credit, advanced placement,
or both for grades of 3 or higher. To
qualify to teach an AP course, teachers must attend an intensive AP workshop held during the summer. Wilson
Hall offers 16 AP courses
Four National Commended Students
Seniors Chase Belk, Carter Dwight, Gigi Moore and Addie Singleton have been named Commended Students
in the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation
are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. These students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT.
Waggett & Thevenet are
Mr. & Miss Wilson Hall
Each fall the upper school faculty nominates students for the honor of Mr. and Miss Wilson
Hall and the Mr. and Miss for grades 9-11. When nominating a student the faculty considers
the following factors: above average academics, participation in athletics and/or extracurricular activities, outstanding citizenship and excellent character.
From the list of faculty nominated candidates, students in grades 9-11 vote for their own class,
and all students in 9-12 vote for Mr. and Miss Wilson Hall. While voting, students consider the
same criteria the faculty considers when choosing the most well rounded representatives of
their class and of Wilson Hall. The following students received this honor:
Mr. and Miss Wilson Hall
Mr. and Miss Sophomore
Raines Waggett and Laura-Clare Thevenet
Drew Talley and Diamond Crawford
Mr. and Miss Junior
Mr. and Miss Freshman
John Ballard and Kate Whaley
Bryce Lyles and Madison Reaves
PAGE 4
Dr. Zacharias to Speak
at Mission Series
CAMPUS
IMPROVEMENTS
By Thomas McGinnis
By Logan Lee Alderman
To enhance the facilities, the school
made some improvements to the campus during the summer. These changes
consisted of repaving the parking lot,
installing new lockers, and creating an
inviting entrance to the high school
building where the main office is located.
hall was removed completely, helping to alleviate congestion. Previously, the traffic flow caused
students to practically trample one
another. The removal of those specific lockers helped because there is
not as much traffic through that area
during busy times of the day.
Mr. Fred Moulton, Headmaster, said,
“I believe we all take pride in a job
well done. I think the aesthetic
beauty of our campus is one of the
factors that exemplify our pride in
our school.”
Senior Samantha Wild said, “I like
the new lockers because they open
the halls for students to walk. Even
though they are small, I have adjusted
since the beginning of school.”
The parking lot has been in rough
condition for the past few years and
needed serious attention as it was to
the point where it was causing problems to people’s cars. The parking lot
was repaved and sealed to hopefully reduce these problems.
Exterior changes were made to the
school as well. The main reason for
enhancing the entrance was to designate and highlight the location of
the main office. In the past, it was unclear where visitors should enter the
school when coming to the main office because the entrance was undistinguishable.
New lockers were added to the
upper school hallways. Previously,
the halls were lined with larger lockers with two units stacked on top of
each other. But it was clear to almost
everyone that the hallways were
congested during class changes,
lunch time, and dismissal of school.
In order to solve this problem, smaller
lockers were installed which created
more space in the hallway. The administration noticed that students
had extra space that was not used in
the old lockers so the smaller size
would help to widen the halls.
The bank of lockers at the end of the
Mr. Stan Whittle, an English teacher,
said, “When I first came to Wilson
Hall four years ago for an interview,
I did not know where the front office
was located, so it was a wise move
in that respect. It is impressive and
eye catching.”
Mr. Ben McIver, a Latin teacher, has
a degree in landscape architecture
and was able to provide the design
and the supervision of the construction of the project. Members of the
Building and Grounds Committee of
the Wilson Hall Board of Trustees
also offered input into the project.
Sixth graders
Kate Thigpen
and Camryn
Bateman pull
classmate Hunter
Ives in the Baron
Drag Relay, one
of three events in
The Baron
Games pep rally
sponsored by the
Student Council.
Dr. Ravi Zacharias
Dr. Ravi Zacharias is scheduled to
visit Wilson Hall to address the student body and the Sumter community
on November 18 as part of the annual
Mission Series. His understudy will
be speaking to middle and high
school students during an assembly,
then Dr. Zacharias will speak to the
Wilson Hall and Sumter communities
during a program that evening in the
Nash Student Center.
Mrs. Laura Barr, Director of Development, coordinates the event
and anticipates a standing room only crowd. She said, “The Mission Series was designed to bring in well-known inspirational
speakers who might offer our students, as well as the greater
Sumter community, a message of encouragement, a challenge to
leadership, and an invitation to live for the greater good. I think
that has been accomplished in significant ways and I believe that future speakers, particularly Ravi Zacharias in November, will continue this amazing tradition.”
This is the fifth year of the Mission Series which is generously
funded through an anonymous donor who wanted to give our students and community the opportunity to hear a positive message
about faith and hope.
Dr. Zacharias is a Christian apologist who has been speaking
around the world defending the Christian faith for over 40 years.
He is the President and Founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and has 11 offices around the world.
Dr. Zacharias first began to develop his ministry when he was invited to Vietnam in 1971 and evangelized to not only American soldiers, but to Prisoners of War and Viet Cong. He is now a famous
speaker who takes years to book in advance to speak.
His primary mission is to reach out and challenge people who
shape the ideas of culture using the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr.
Zacharias’ message explains that every major religion makes exclusive claims about truth, but only the Christian faith has the unique
ability to know Jesus Christ.
Dr. Zacharias has authored over 20 books including several bestsellers and two Gold Medallion winners. Several of his books have
been translated into Russian, Spanish, Thai, and other foreign languages. He also hosts two radio programs. He has spoken twice at
the Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations in New York City,
and he has addressed leaders at the White House, the Pentagon,
and the CIA. He continuously consults key leaders, senators, congressmen, and governors.
Dr. Zacharias was born in India and immigrated with his family to
Canada when he was in his twenties. A former atheist, he overcame
many obstacles during his teenage years including an attempted
suicide, a pivotal point in his life.
Dr. Zacharias and his wife, Margie, live in Atlanta. They have three
grown children.
Campbell Mims contributed to this article
PAGE 5
IN MY
OPINION
We Need Technology
in the Classrooms
The question today in most schools is should students be allowed to use electronic devices during the school day? I believe
that with today’s technology, students should have access to
electronic devices for school related purposes.
Logan Lee Alderman
Having these devices will be beneficial to students and teachEditor
ers. Using a laptop in class makes note taking easier and more
precise. If a student needs to look up information they will have internet access immediately.
Wilson Hall students are seen carrying approximately six to seven binders or notebooks at a time because each class has to have materials for students to jot their notes down. With a laptop, tablet, or
iPad, students would be down to one device that has all their information and notes for every class
without having to carry around heavy binders. Hopefully, this would minimize students having to
make frequent trips to their lockers to get their binder for the next class since they have an electronic
device for that class instead.
Concordia University’s website posted the article “The Pros and Cons of Allowing Digital Devices in
the Classroom.” It stated that digital devices give students the ability to instantly search for an answer
via the internet if they felt uncomfortable asking a teacher aloud in the class.
CHEATING
is Never the Answer
By Mary Margaret Munn
Wilson Hall has a very strict Honor Code that
students are expected to follow. Sadly, some
students break that Honor Code often. I believe that those students should face significant consequences.
The first offense should be a zero on the assignment. The second offense should be a
zero on the assignment and in-school detention. The third offense should be expulsion.
The internet gives students an endless array of learning options from learning a new language, doing
math problems, or looking up musical and instrumental videos from which to learn. There are many
ways to enhance a student’s knowledge on any subject matter.
Although students should be allowed to have access to electronic devices, school administration
should have rules and regulations regarding which devices would be allowed and the limits of their
use. Phones ought to be prohibited, in my opinion, because students would have the ability to text or
call people and disrupt the class. Social media, games, and any nonacademic perusing should be
prohibited during school. Learning, note taking, and accessing information should be the only acceptable ways to use electronic devices during the school day.
Many schools have already advanced with the technology and allow, and in some cases require, students to have an iPad, tablet, or laptop for school. Ben Lippen School, Hammond School and Robert
E. Lee Academy are just a few independent schools in the region that have advanced to the digital device system.
At Wilson Hall some teachers allow students to have electronic devices in class for note taking and
research. In my own experience, Mrs. Elizabeth Hyatt, Mrs. Cheryl Landstrom and Mrs. Stacey Reaves
allow students to have them present in class. The world is evolving in the technical realm so I believe
our school should evolve in that manner as well.
I believe the consequences should be strict
because it will help our students be prepared
for college. If one is caught cheating in college, he is kicked out of school.
The current policy involves administration review on a case by case basis. I believe violators should be dealt with the same way. If
students are cheating they should get the
same punishment as another student found
cheating. I think it is important that all cases
should be dealt with equally.
I do not believe that any one student should
be given special treatment and not receive a
strict punishment. Also, the students giving the
information should be punished. The Honor
Code states, “On my honor, I have neither
given nor received aid on this assignment.”
Junior Delaney Johnson, a member of the varsity volleyball team, officiates for the StudentFaculty Volleyball Game, which the students won, that was held during a pep rally.
PAGE 6
Male Students Should
be Allowed to Have Facial Hair
By Rhett Howell
Wilson Hall is known for being a very well respected private school in the state of South Carolina. Our school also is known
for having stricter school rules. One of these rules prohibits
male students from having facial hair.
The rule states: “Students must be cleanshaven and may not wear sideburns below
the base of the ear.” The rule exists to
maintain a clean-cut appearance. If this
is the case, then why are male faculty and
staff members allowed to have facial hair?
They are able to appear professional while
having facial hair.
If the staff members and male faculty can manage to look respectable, so
can we as male students. I also believe that if they
can do it, we as students should be allowed
to do the same in order to be fair.
We could also participate in No Shave
November, which raises awareness for cancer and those who lose their hair in the process
of chemotherapy. Finally, we should be allowed
to grow facial hair simply because it is just fun to
do. Keeping a beard or mustache trimmed is not difficult.
Many iconic people in the entertainment and sports world have
facial hair, not to mention the many male students in college that also
have it. I believe that if the administration made a change or altercation
to this facial hair policy many male students would gladly and eagerly accept the change.
Cell Phone
Usage at School
By Thomas Brown
Cell phone usage is always a heated topic because many students
would like to use their phone during school. Wilson Hall’s rules are for
the betterment of the school, but it would be a great benefit for the
students to be able to use cell phones. Our current rule about cell
phone usage is that students may use them on campus either before
or after the regular school hours.
Many students in the middle school and high school have either a
basic phone or smartphone that they often use. Smartphones, in particular, may be used for learning if cell phones were allowed, and
students should be able to use them for educational purposes.
For example, smartphones allow students to access the internet and
find information related to the material they are studying. They could
also look up unfamiliar words or concepts. Having internet access
via phone will save kids time, allowing them to get to reading
quickly rather than going across the room, grabbing a dictionary
and flipping the many pages to find the word.
Also, on many occasions students may need to text their parents to
request that they bring them the forgotten lunch or to sign a paper
due that day. Our current policy requires phones to be taken if used
during the school day. There should be no punishment for contacting
one’s parents. If cell phones were allowed, it would not be a problem.
Smartphones may be cheaper than buying an expensive laptop or
desktop computer. Smartphones are small, portable, and fit in a
pocket unlike big, bulky laptops and computers. Schools usually do
not have computers in every classroom for student use, so schools
should either purchase more computers or allow smartphones.
High school students should be trusted with their own phones. As
students mature, they are held accountable for their actions. Those
making good grades and focusing on their work should have the
privilege of using their phones.
Seniors Chase Belk and Holland Johnson are dressed for Neon Night,
the spirit theme for a varsity football game.
PAGE 7
ETC.
BRAVE
BECOMES A BARON
By Betsy Cunningham
Senior Pawat Dumrongkiate, also known as Brave, is
from Bangkok, Thailand, and has chosen to attend
Wilson Hall this year. He said, “My first impression of
Wilson Hall was the friendly environment of both the
students and the teachers.” Before coming to Wilson
Hall, he attended Socastee High School in Myrtle
Beach.
Brave’s father is an orthopedic surgeon and his mother,
previously a registered nurse, is a homemaker. He has
a 17-year-old sister who lives in Thailand with the family.
Brave immerses himself into the American culture. He
likes to play the guitar and the organ, and he enjoys
singing. Golf, tennis and basketball are three of his favorite sports, and he also likes to bowl for fun. He said,
“I am very interested in investing in stocks, and would
love to be a part of that one day.”
His host parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fort, live in Horatio. Brave said he enjoys the company of his host
Seniors Bethany Knaff, Taylor Hall, Brave Dumrongkiate, Teresa Deng and John Eagle
Miles enjoy watching a pep rally in the Nash Student Center.
brothers and sisters, who are also new to Wilson Hall this year: junior Myles Abshire, sixth-grader Jennie Fort, fourth-grader Eliza Fort and second-grader Edward Fort.
One of the main factors that stood out to Brave about Wilson Hall was the spirit
and tradition it offers. He said, “I believe that community is one of the most important aspects in a school, and I think that Wilson Hall has the best spirit and tradition of them all.”
Spotlight on Mrs. Erter
By Hunter Hendrix
Mrs. Mary Anne Erter has been a staple on the Wilson Hall faculty
for 24 years. She teaches Pre-Calculus and Algebra II and is the advisor for the High School Math team. Junior Mary Margret Munn said,
“Mrs. Erter is a good teacher and is always willing to help her students succeed.”
Mrs. Erter grew up in Sumter, attended Hillcrest High School, and graduated from Coker College. She taught at other schools for eight years
before coming to Wilson Hall in 1991. Junior Lauren Hill said, “She is
a great teacher and is always open for help whenever you need it.”
Mrs. Erter enjoys teaching at Wilson Hall for many reasons. She said,
“I enjoy watching students get difficult concepts.”
With a teaching career that spans 32 years, Mrs. Erter has made a
difference in many people’s lives. She stays after school many days to
help students correct their mistakes. Junior Olivia Maklary said, “I like
how she challenges us to do our best.”
Mrs. Erter has not only helped students, but she has been a mentor for
many teachers. Mrs. Micki Harrit, Math Department Chair, said, “She
has been my mentor since I started teaching at Wilson Hall.”
Juniors Chandler Stone and Grier Schwartz, dressed to the spirit
theme of preppy, pose for a photo at the Baron Family Tailgate
Party held before the first home varsity football game of the
year when the Barons defeated the Ben Lippen Falcons 42-14.
PAGE 8
She lives in Sumter with her husband, Mr. Jack Erter, who is an attorney, and they have two children who graduated from Wilson Hall.
Their daughter, Dr. Caroline Erter Burns ‘91, is Assistant Professor of
Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Assistant Biologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and two daughters, nine-year-old Lillie and six-year-old Charley.
Their son, Dr. Jay Erter ‘95, practices hematology/oncology and internal medicine. He and his wife, Noelle, live in the Nashville area.
The young adult books Divergent, The
Giver, Maze Runner, and The Fault in Our
Stars have been transformed into major motion pictures. These books skyrocketed to
the top of the best seller lists. Teens, who fell
in love with the books and could not set
them down, had to keep zooming through
the pages. The authors targeted our age audience, tested the waters, and came out
with huge successes. They turned these novels from different genres into major motion
pictures that were very successful.
Senior Simmons deHoll sped through Veronica Roth's The Divergent Series and has
seen the movie multiple times. Simmons
said, "I like how closely the movie followed
the plot of the book; it made it more enjoyable. Also, it contained a great cast and
contained a ton of action."
Junior Mary Margaret Munn enjoyed the
emotional ups and downs contained in John
Green's The Fault in Our Stars. She and her
friends were so moved by the movie that
they were warned by others in the theater
to keep down the sobs. She said, "The movie
was like the book. I think teenagers want to
go to the movies after they read the book
because they can get more description
about the story after actually reading the
novel."
Sophomore Sara Lanstrom read and saw If
I Stay by Gayle Forman. She said, "In the
ninth grade, I read If I Stay and was ecstatic
when the trailer came out. Then I saw the
movie and it was surprisingly almost identical to the book!"
Senior Kendall Brogdon read James Dashner's The Maze Runner and anticipates seeing the film on September 19 in theatres. She
said, "I enjoyed reading The Maze Runner.
It was an excellent book; extremely suspenseful. I am definitely interested in seeing
the book come to life! I think we enjoy these
movies because we can relate to them. The
characters are generally teenagers like us,
and the plots are engaging and actionpacked."
Mrs. Susan Harvin, an English teacher who
saw and read both The Fault in Our Stars
and The Giver, said, "I was very impressed
with both movies; normally the movies do
not mirror the books. The visualization of
words allows young adults to appreciate
the novel on a different level. I love to see
books come alive."
Senior Hanna Niebuhr read and saw Lois
Lowery's The Giver. She said, "I thought the
movie was exactly like the book. I believe it
will be a blockbuster!" Summer reading
does get some props as The Giver was a
mandatory read years ago. Who knew it
would become a hit movie?
PAGE 9
Mrs. Stacey Reaves, an English teacher,
read and saw Diveregent, The Fault in Our
Stars, and The Giver. She said, "All three
movies were well done. They don't exactly
mirror the books but are as close as possible for the big screen. The authors do such a
good job the first time around so the producers of the movies already have a script
written. I believe the book is better because
you get to create characters in your mind."
Shining
a Light
on Jiyeon
By Mary Paisley Belk
Sophomore Jiyeon Baek,
one of the newest members of the Wilson Hall
family, starts off the
2014 school year with a
new outlook and attitude. Jiyeon took a
chance to come to our
school for the full U.S.
educational experience.
She said, "I came for a
better education in the
U.S. Everyone is generous and accepting at
Wilson Hall, but it is a little challenging."
She previously attended
school in Korea. Jiyeon
said, "High school in
Korea was from 7:00
am until 9:00 pm. All
classes were mandatory,
with no choice in schedule or wardrobe. We had
Juniors Elliott Kissam, Jiyeon Baek, Betsy Cunningham and Mary Margaret Munn are dressed for Hawaiian Night, the spirit theme for
a varsity football game.
seen so many trees and enjoys the natural beauty of our
area as it is very different from her home town.
to wear uniforms, and they were very strict."
Jiyeon said, "The McElveens, my host family, are very nice
and friendly, and Sumter has a very beautiful natural environment." Jiyeon lives with Mr. and Mrs. Jay McElveen. Their
son, Jack, is a new sixth grade student at Wilson Hall.
Jiyeon , who is very pleased with her new temporary family and home, has never experienced a place like Sumter.
Jiyeon said she is used to a very busy life and appreciates
he slower pace in our town. She also said she has never
In her free time Jiyeon enjoys dance and has been dancing since middle school, and she is fond of basketball and
soccer. She also has a special interest in English and literature.
While she is enjoying her experience in the U.S., Jiyeon
does miss her parents, Il Hyeon and Eun Ju, and 13-yearold sister, Jisu, who remain in Korea.
Burgess Welcomed
to Junior Class
By Grier Schwartz
Junior Tony Burgess transferred
from Sumter High School because
he and his family were ready for
a change in environment. “I felt it
would be a much better way to
finish out my last two years of
high school,” he said.
Tony is a member of the varsity
football team and Spanish Club, and he plans to try out for the varsity
basketball team. “I knew I could get a better education while participating in extra-curricular activities,” Tony said.
His first impression of Wilson Hall was very positive. “I was impressed
with how organized everything was at the school.”
Tony first came to Wilson Hall in March when he and his family came to
our Open House. The Open House is designed for prospective students
to come and see what Wilson Hall is all about.
Tony lives in Sumter with his seven-year-old sister and his parents, Mr.
Robert Burgess, who owns a barbershop downtown, and Mrs. Diane
Burgess, who is a
teacher with the
Junior Tony Burgess autographs a varsity football team photo
Sumter School Disfor a lower school student during the annual Baron Media Day.
trict.
PAGE 10
Miles Attends
Furman Band Camp
By Sallie Spencer
Senior John Eagle Miles attended a
jazz band camp this summer at Furman University. He signed up
through their website and auditioned before he was chosen for the
competitive program. After the audition, John Eagle was named first
alto saxophone in the Concert Band.
He said, “Before I went to Furman, I
believed I had traveled far down the
road of the musical world. After I
left, I realized that I’d barely started
the journey towards mastering
music.”
John Eagle has played the saxophone for almost three years. He enjoys playing in the Instrumental
Ensemble at Wilson Hall with his fellow students. He was in the Basic
Music Theory and AP Music Theory
classes taught by Mr. Scott Warren.
Mr. Warren said, “His summer experience at band camp gave him valuable experience playing in a
saxophone section of a large wind
ensemble which will prepare him for
further band and orchestral settings
at university and beyond.
Furman’s camp is a unique experience designed to help students,
ages 12-18, fuel their musical enthusiasm and boost their playing skills.
Young musicians from across the
country come to Furman with expectations of taking their performance skills to the next level. Students
are challenged in daily rehearsals,
musicianship classes and master
classes.
In reflecting on his experience at
camp, he said, “My favorite parts
were the atmosphere, the other students, and the professors. All of
them made me feel welcome. They
all kept encouraging me to play.”
The purpose of attending this camp
was to sharpen his natural skills and
talents and John Eagle came back
with excitement to see what is in
store for him next. He said, “I learned
things that were subtle such as embouchure, and things more obvious,
such as my neck strap was too
loose.”
Seventh grader Naomi Yoder and sophomore Taylor Heath enjoy the Pie the
Player pep rally held on Spencer Field.
Yoders Return to Sumter
By Cate McCreight
Entering their first year at Wilson Hall, freshman Moriah Grace Yoder
and seventh grader Naomi Yoder are welcome additions to the school.
They moved here from Birmingham, Alabama.
Moriah Grace is on the J.V. cheerleading squad and she enjoys watching movies and hanging out with her friends. She said, “All the people
here are very hospitable and really nice.”
She previously attended Mountain Brook Junior High School. She said
that Wilson Hall reminds her of her old school because the people are
similar and everything is pretty much done the same way.
Naomi is also on the J.V. cheerleading squad. She enjoys reading,
playing the violin, and dancing. She said that she enjoys everyone
here, but Sumter is very different from Birmingham.
In Birmingham Naomi attended a private school, Webster Christian
School, which was a small school. She was taught by one teacher and
had nine people in her grade. She said that Wilson Hall is very different, size wise, but in a good way.
When asked why they chose Wilson Hall, the girls said that their parents had told them nothing but good things about the school and it reminded them very much of their old schools.
The sisters are the two youngest of five children in their family. They
have two brothers, 28-year-old Caleb and 26-year-old Micah, and a
sister, 25-year-old Christian.
Senior John Eagle Miles plays the alto saxophone with the Instrumental Ensemble, directed by Mr. Scott Warren, at the Upper School Awards Program in May.
PAGE 11
Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Yoder, lived in Sumter previously. In
the early 1990s, Mr. Yoder was the youth pastor at Trinity United
Methodist Church, but was later called to be a pastor at Mountain
Brook Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama. At the beginning of
the summer, the Yoder family packed up their things and moved to
Sumter as their father was called to take the position as Christ Community Church’s pastor.
ISIS…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Introducing the
Glaser Sisters
Islam or paying a fine, and if they
do not, they will be killed. Its dream
is a unified ISIS state. They are so
extreme that al Qaeda leader
Ayman al- Zawhiri considers them
too extreme for al Qaeda (CNN).
By Betsy Cunningham
Junior Callie Glaser and her sister, eighth grader
Abbie Glaser, are two of Wilson Hall’s newest editions. Their family is a part of the United States military, and they were stationed in Lorton, Virginia, for
the past four years. They moved this August to Sumter
and are living on Shaw Air Force Base.
The United States is concerned because ISIS is responsible for committing genocide across the
country of Iraq, taking over the majority of the newly democratic nation. ISIS beheaded American
journalist James Foley and claimed
it will kill more citizens from the
U.S. and its allies.
Their father, a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, is
currently deployed to Afghanistan. Callie said, “Our
mother is our support system, and we are so thankful
for her.” The sisters also have two brothers, eight-yearold Caleb and nine-year-old Luke who attend school
on Shaw AFB.
The Glaser sisters are athletic and have been involved in many after school activities. Callie, who
enjoys playing lacrosse and field hockey, is on a Junior Callie Glaser and sophomore Greyson Young parlacrosse club team in Virginia and will spend many ticipate in the first pep rally of the year, Ships & Sailors,
weekends throughout the school year traveling up which was organized by the varsity cheerleading squad.
and down the East Coast to participate in tournaMiddle School. Callie said, “It is definitely a culture
ments. She is a member of the varsity cross-country
shock after living in a large town and going to a very
team.
large school, but everyone at Wilson Hall has been very
Abbie is very interested in lacrosse and basketball friendly, and I hope to graduate from here.”
and is currently on the J.V. volleyball team. She said,
The Glasers chose to attend Wilson Hall out of all the
“I am so glad I decided to try out because I love
other schools for many reasons. First, they wanted the
Coach (Teresa) Alexander, Coach (Kristall) Hanson,
academic classes that our school has to offer. Next,
and all of the girls I have met.”
they loved the proximity to Shaw AFB. Lastly, they have
After moving from Lorton to Sumter, Callie and heard of the diligence and integrity that Wilson Hall inAbbie were in awe of the differences. Callie previ- stills in a person. Abbie said, “I am so glad that I have
ously attended Pope John Paul the Great High come to Wilson Hall because it is a very nice school,
School and Abbie was a student at South Country and everyone is so welcoming.
President Obama recently authorized the use of air strikes against
ISIS to slow down its advances and
pressure on the minority groups
that are attempting to flee persecution. Also, Australia, Great Britain
and France have joined the U.S. in
delivering water and food supplies
to the refugees trying to flee ISIS.
Connor Curtis contributed to this
article.
ALS…Continued from page 1
Mr. Bruce Lane, assistant athletic
director, freshman Breland Land,
sophomore McLendon Sears and
junior Sam Watford are among
the faculty members and students
who participated in the ALS Ice
Bucket Challenge. Mr. Lane said, “I
had two of my former players
challenge me. I thought it was a
great cause and also I really enjoyed being a part of it.”
The ALS Association is the only
national non-profit organization
fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on
every front. Sam said, “I love the
ALS ice bucket challenge! It’s a
great way to raise awareness
while giving humor to everyone
watching.”
Sallie Spencer contributed to this
article
Sophomore David Tussey and senior Talmade Johnson, members of the varsity football team, visit with second grader McKinley Kelly during the annual Baron Media Day.
PAGE 12
Hola, Me Llamo Señora Savon
Mrs. McDuffie
Goes Full Time
By Caroline Clark
By Mary Margaret Munn
Mrs. Annalie Savon, a new high school
Spanish teacher, was welcomed to the
Wilson Hall faculty this fall. She was
born in Cuba and moved to Miami,
Florida, with her family when she was
six years old. Mrs. Savon graduated
from the University of Miami and
earned a master’s degree from the University of Memphis.
She came to Sumter because her husband’s military position was relocated
to Shaw Air Force Base. Mrs. Savon’s
first reaction to Sumter seemed to be
a promising one. She said, “My first impression of Sumter was that it is a small
town different from where I grew up.
But I think I am going to like the fact that
I will get to meet and know the people
here, something that is not really possible in a big city like Miami.”
Mrs. Savon’s first teaching position
was as a graduate teaching assistant
instructing college level classes. With
this being her first year as a high
school teacher, Mrs. Savon said, “I previously taught at the University of
Memphis which I really enjoyed, but
since it was a big university I never got
to develop a relationship with my students. I have noticed that here at WilMrs. Annalie Savon participates in the Student-Fac- son Hall the teachers really get to
ulty Volleyball Game, which the students won, that know their students and I am looking
was held during a pep rally coordinated by the Stu- forward to that.”
After teaching part time for two years, Mrs. Molly McDuffie is now teaching six English classes. Mrs. McDuffie
said, “Since I enjoyed teaching part time I am especially
thrilled to be able to teach full time now.”
This year she is teaching seventh grade literature, senior writing, and English II, and she is helping with the
yearbook. Mrs. Stacey Reaves, English Department
Chair, said, “I think she’s a wonderful addition to the English Department. She is personable and well liked by the
students and faculty.”
Before joining the faculty, Mrs. McDuffie served as a
long-term substitute teacher for the fourth grade, fifth
grade and seventh grade. She also served as the Athletic Association President.
Mrs. McDuffie has a good rapport with her students.
Junior Jay Barnes said, “I like Mrs. McDuffie because she
makes her class fun and keeps the class interested.”
Her favorite part about teaching at Wilson Hall is how
wonderful the students are to work with. She said, “One
of the benefits of teaching at Wilson Hall is I not only
get to interact with the students in the classroom, but I
also get to watch them participate in sports and their
other extra curricular activities.”
Mrs. McDuffie, who has lived in Sumter for 18 years, is
married to Dr. Scott McDuffie, a gastroenterologist, and
they have two sons who graduated from Wilson Hall.
Drew ’12 is a biology major at Clemson University and
Parker ’14, also a biology major, attends the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Junior Lauren Goodson said, “I like her because she is
willing to go the extra mile for her students to succeed.”
dent Council.
After experiencing a couple of weeks
at Wilson Hall, Mrs. Savon, who teaches Spanish II, III and IV, said, “Wilson Hall is a very
friendly and welcoming school as the students and faculty have made me feel at home. It
is also a school that is full of hard-working students.”
Having such a limited amount of Spanish background, many students are taken by surprise
when they hear the amount of Spanish Mrs. Savon speaks. Junior Hannah Grace Calvert
said, “Mrs. Savon can be intimidating with the amount of Spanish she speaks during class,
but I am amazed at how fluently she can speak the language.”
Mrs. Savon possesses an undeniable fluency in the Spanish language and turns heads of
the people who pass by her classroom while she is teaching. Junior Lauren Goodson said,
“I am grateful we have a teacher with a true, native background. I feel confident that each
student will learn so much from the new curriculum she is bringing to Wilson Hall’s Spanish program.”
Mrs. Savon is very understanding and open to answering any question the students have.
Junior Mary Margaret Munn said, “I can tell this is going to be a tough year but Mrs. Savon
is always willing to slow down and help us when we need it.”
Mrs. Savon’s fluency and knowledge of Spanish has truly impressed Wilson Hall as a
whole during the short time she has been employed at the school. Mr. Scott Warren, a
French teacher, said, “I am enthusiastic about Mrs. Savon teaching here because she brings
native speaking ability and experience teaching at the university level to Wilson Hall. I
foresee her taking our Spanish program to new levels.”
Campbell Mims contributed to this article
PAGE 13
Mrs. Mollie McDuffie and senior Jim Mayes pose for a photo
after receiving the Brabham Award at the Upper School
Awards Program in May.
SPORTS
Atkinson Wins Equestrian
National Championship
By Caroline Clark
Driven by her hard work and dedication, junior Audrey Ann Atkinson won the Individual Varsity Horsemanship Championship and also placed as the
Individual Varsity Reining reserved champion during
the summer in Oklahoma.
Audrey Ann currently competes in horse shows
sponsored by the International Equestrian Association where the horses are randomly selected for
each rider. When she competes individually in the
Paint Circuit, Audrey Ann rides her paint horse
named Jackson.
Competitive horse riding has been Audrey Ann’s primary focus for about eight years. She possesses
vast experience in the sport because she trains at
McMillion Farms and Beaver Creek Ranch in South
Carolina, Valentine Stables in North Carolina, and
Autumn Rose in Ohio.
Audrey Ann spent countless days during the previous school year training from five to seven hours a
week, and she also rode up to five hours a week during the sweltering, summer days. She said, “It was a
rewarding feeling to know all of the dedication I had
put into training for the championship had paid off.”
She said, “I dedicated the entire beginning of my
summer to training. I traveled locally and out of
state to work with various trainers.” In order for her
to achieve her goal, Audrey Ann spent long, laborious days at the barn constantly improving her riding
skills.
Junior Audrey Ann Atkinson won the Individual Varsity Horsemanship Championship at the International Equestrian Association National competition held in Oklahoma during the summer.
Since riding is her true passion, many people have
helped Audrey Ann in accomplishing her goals. She
said, “I am so thankful for my parents and coaches
for the all of the time and effort they have dedicated
to my riding.”
Tisdale Excels at Motocross
By Jim Mayes
Sixth grader Sam Louis Tisdale has become a very
successful motocross racer. Motocross is a form of
motorcycle racing held on off-road tracks.
Sam Louis competes against other people his age
from all over the country. “I compete about twice a
month, mostly in North Carolina,” he said.
Between playing football and going to school, Sam
Louis finds time to include his passion for motocross.
“I devote about two hours each week,” he said about
his time committed to the sport.
During the summer Sam Louis competed in the Rotax
Grand Finals in Louisiana where he competed with the
best from his age group from other states. “I won the
point series at my home track,” he said.
PAGE 14
Rory on
the Rise
By Drew Talley
For the first time in several
years, golf is gaining a
new face as the sport’s
leader. Rory McIlory, a 25year-old native of Northern Ireland, is taking the
place of Tiger Woods at
the forefront of the golf
world.
He is the victor of four of
golf’s most prestigious
major tournaments, most
recently the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open
Championship. Senior
Thomas McGinnis said, “I
am glad that someone besides Tiger is becoming
the face of the sport. It is
beyond time for a
change.”
McIlroy’s father is credited
for placing a bet with a
few fellow golf lovers that
his son, 15 years old at the
time, would win the British
Open before the age of
26. McIlroy was 25 years
old when he did just that,
winning the British Open.
His father and a few of his
father’s friends became
$171,000 dollars richer
that day.
Freshman Walker Jones
said, “Rory has been a
streaky player, but he is finally getting his personal
life together and his golf
game is really coming into
form.” This year McIlory’s
winnings in the tournaments have been
$7,340,096, more than
anyone else on the PGA
tour.
Some are not happy about
the change, though. Senior
Raines Wagget said, “I am
not too happy about this.
Tiger is my favorite golfer
of all time, and to think
that someone could be
topping him is upsetting to
me.”
Tiger Still
in Slump
By Rhett Howell
Professional Golfers’ Association sensation Tiger Woods
had high hopes of coming
back from surgery and play
like he did in his prime. The
season kicked off with the
Farmers Insurance Open, but
Woods withdrew for medical
reasons. This marked the beginning of one of his worst
seasons yet.
Tiger failed to compete in the
biggest golf tournament, The
Masters. He also did not compete in another major tournament, the U.S. Open. When he
did compete, he would either
withdraw during the tournament, miss the cut, or would
finish near the bottom or middle of the leader board. He
only finished in the top 25
once in the 2014 season.
I grew up watching the
world-renowned golfer do
nothing but win. I remember
the last major he won in
2008, the U.S. Open, when
he won with only one good
knee. That was his last major
win.
Dr. Patrick New B Football Coach
By Drew Talley
The B football team is under new leadership as Dr. Richard Patrick takes over the head coaching duties. In his new
role, Dr. Patrick brings a new game plan for the offense. Seventh grader Emory Moore said, “Since I am a receiver
I really like the way he controls his pass plays to get the whole offense involved.”
Dr. Patrick is planning to structure his offense around what the varsity is running today. He said, “We are running
a scaled down version of some of the varsity offense.” With this offense, the players will have a grasp of what
would be expected if they eventually play on the varsity team.
Because of his past experience as an assistant coach, his players seem accustomed to his style of coaching. Seventh grader Bryce Spittle said, “Coach Patrick understands how we play the game and knows how to lead us.”
With becoming the head coach, there is some added pressure to coaching. Dr. Patrick said, “It has been a great
challenge being the head coach. There is a lot more work involved and this makes me appreciate the work that
Coach Moore and Coach Lane do, but I have enjoyed the challenge so far.”
Dr. Patrick’s strategy is to get his players ready for the next levels of Wilson Hall football. Mr. Glen Rector, Athletic Director, said, “Coach Patrick’s goal is to establish a feeder program that would consistently help in preparing his players with the fundamentals that our J.V. and varsity teams use.” This style lets the players know what
to look forward to as they climb the ranks of their playing career.
Sixth grader Keaton Price said, “I love the way that Coach Patrick is allowing everyone to play and try to play
at positions that they want to.” Dr. Patrick is working to allow the players to try out different positions to see
which one fits them the best.
Seventh-grader Campbell deHoll said, “I can tell that everyone is enjoying the way that he is coaching our team.”
Dr. Patrick said, “This year we have a good mix of talented young players and several returning players who are
showing good leadership. I am looking forward to what this team can do when everything clicks,” he said. Mr.
Todd Hoover, Mr. Steve Hudson and Mr. Chad Smith assist Dr. Patrick with his coaching responsibilities.
McLendon Sears contributed to this article
The 14-time major champion
winner (second highest ever)
who has earned 79 wins on
the PGA Tour (third highest
ever), is now 38 years old
with plenty of time to restart
to when he was the best in
the world.
He is not lacking the talent or
the mindset to get out of the
slump, but what he lacks is
health. Woods has been criticized as not being 100%
since he came back from surgery. Junior Christian Salzer,
a member of the golf team,
said, “He is not physically
ready to return.”
Junior Coker Lowder, who
also competes on the team,
said, “I believe he is still
going through pain issues.”
Freshman Courtney Clark and her sister, junior Caroline Clark, smile as the varsity volleyball team goes on to defeat Laurence Manning Academy 3-1 in the Nash Student Center.
Continued on page 18
PAGE 15
Mr. Pink Joins
Coaching Staff
By John Wells Baker
Despite having an experienced coaching staff, the Wilson Hall varsity
football team decided to add
one more, Mr. Steve Pink.
He will be help Mr. Chuck
McCord coach the defensive backs and will be assisting
with the defense as a whole. He previously helped
coach at Sumter High School and has experience in working with linebackers and defense.
Being a Young Life leader in Sumter, he has much experience in working with young people and interacts great with the team members. Senior Talmadge Johnson said, “I believe
Coach Pink is not only a great coach, but a great role model.”
Mr. Pink will be leading Young Life for Wilson Hall’s club so he will really be able to connect with the players and the Baron fans. Mr. Bruce Lane, head coach, said, “Coach Pink
brings enthusiasm, knowledge, and a strong relationship with our players through Young
Life.”
Junior Christian Salzer, who has made a verbal commitment to
play golf at N.C. State, makes a put at Sunset Country Club during a varsity golf match last spring.
Mr. Pink brings plenty of enthusiasm to the team members and is helpful because he
knows most of the students personally. He said, “I really enjoy working alongside a
great coaching staff and the great support from the community. I really look forward to
spending time with 42 high school guys on the team each day.”
Salzer Commits
to NC State
By Grier Schwartz
Junior Christian Salzer knew what he wanted to do from a
young age: play collegiate golf and try to get on the tour. He
has recently completed half of that lofty goal. Just before
the school year began while he was in West Virginia for a
golf tournament, the North Carolina State University golf
coach approached him and offered Christian a golf scholarship.
Christian knew he wanted to attend NC State, so he accepted and made his verbal commitment. “I loved the city of
Raleigh when I first visited. The coaches and facilities are
some of the best on the east coast,” he said.
A verbal commitment lets that school know that you have
intentions to compete for them although it is not official yet.
Christian will have to sign his letter of intent within the next
year for his plans to become official.
He had an outstanding month of golf in June, not finishing
outside of the top 10 in each tournament in which he competed. “All of my hard work over all the long, hot summers
has finally paid off,” he said.
Christian has been a member of the Wilson Hall golf team
since the sixth grade and has helped improve the program
over the years. “We have improved every year. The last two
years we have come in second place at the state tournament. I want to change that and win a state championship,”
Christian said. He said he has high hopes for the team this
spring and anything less than a state championship would
be a disappointment.
Eighth grader Reina Pollock swims in the Wilson Hall Invitational held at the Sumter
Aquatic Center. The girls JV/B team went on to win the nine-team event.
PAGE 16
By Thomas Brown
In the fall of each year, college football teams begin their seasons, playing some tough games and trying to get the first
win. Teams are trying their best to win the conference, get into higher level bowl games, or best of all, capture the national championship.
Coming off a strong season, beating every team pretty badly and having a close game in the national championship
with the Auburn Tigers, the Florida State Seminoles are the favored team to win the title again this year. Returning quarterback Jameis Winston, known for being a great quarterback but a poor decision maker off the field, is hoping to “do it
big” this year again.
A few other favored teams are the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oregon Ducks. Each team usually has a pretty balanced team overall. Junior Christian Salzer said, “I think there are many teams playing good but I’m predicting Auburn to
go all the way and win the championship.”
Throughout the coming season, there are some big match ups that may come
down to the last minute. South Carolina Gamecock fan and junior Tradd
Stover said, “I’m disappointed with South Carolina’s team and
first week performance, but in the matchup versus the
Georgia Bulldogs, I hope that they can get it together
and beat them in a few weeks (the Gamecocks
defeated the Bulldogs).”
Students from South Carolina are always
thinking and talking about the Carolina/ Clemson rivalry throughout
the year, and they have varying
opinions about the final regular
season game for both teams.
Sophomore Cantey Jacocks
said, “It’s still a little early to
tell the end result, but if
Carolina plays how they
played versus Texas A&M,
then Clemson will definitely beat Carolina.”
This matchup will be held at
Clemson University on Saturday, November 29. Sophomore Campbell Mims said, “I
believe South Carolina and
Clemson both have an even
chance to win, but I do think Carolina will come out on top.”
PAGE 17
Mrs. Buley New JV Tennis Coach
By Catherine Clark
Although Mrs. Diane Buley is the new J.V. tennis coach, she is not new to Wilson Hall as she is also the girls B basketball
coach. The team is rather young and some are new to tennis, but team members are working to improve their skills.
Mrs. Buley stepped into the J.V. coach position knowing that it would be a difficult journey of learning and improving. Mrs.
Buley said, “We are a very young team so my primary focus has been to help them understand how to play the game.
Basically, I am looking forward to them growing into their game and working towards developing their techniques.”
This year there is only one returning player to the team, eighth grader Shelby Guldan. She said, “Coach B has a lot of
different approaches to coaching, but she coaches very well and I have definitely improved on my game.”
Mrs. Buley has put a lot of time and effort into the new tennis players to help them excel during the season. One of the
new players is seventh grader Gracen Dowling. She said, “I think Coach B is a very good coach because I have just
started tennis and I feel as if I have improved a lot since she has started coaching.”
All of the new players have shown improvement from Mrs. Buley’s hard work as she is well known for having the ability
of building young athletes’ skills. Mr. Glen Rector, Athletic Director, said, “One thing I know about Mrs. Buley, after
working with her in basketball, is that she would focus on the fundamentals.”
When tennis season ends, she will continue coaching girls B basketball. Mrs. Buley said, “What I like best about coaching for Wilson Hall is being around the kids and helping them improve their fundamentals of tennis.”
TIGER…Continued from page 15
Many fans of the game
and avid golfers believe
Woods could still surpass
the mighty Jack Nicklaus’s
major win record. Many
fans also believe he will
have the most PGA tour
wins before it is all said
and done.
In order for this to happen
he needs to become physically stronger and rehire
his old swing coach, Butch
Harmon, who he had when
he seemed to be invincible
and unbeatable. The success and the wins will
come in due time for the
man simply known to
many as Tiger.
Senior Mackenzie Lecher returns a serve during the varsity tennis match at the Palmetto Tennis Center when the Barons defeated the Generals from Thomas
Sumter Academy 7-2.
PAGE 18
LeBron’s Trade
By John Wells Baker
Baseball Prodigy
Mo’ne Davis
After winning two National Basketball Association Championships with the
Miami Heat, the famous NBA basketball player, LeBron James, made a huge
move back to his original team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
By Easton Ward
James, an Ohio native who was selected as the first overall pick in the 2003
NBA draft, decided to move to the Miami Heat in 2010. James played four
years there and led them to four NBA finals appearances and two championships. After four years he decided to move back to Cleveland for the 20142015 season. As much of a surprise as it was, the Cavalier fans were not upset.
With James being one of the most dynamic players in the NBA he will surely
lead the Cavaliers to some more wins, but he does not come cheap. He reportedly inked a two year, $42 million deal. Senior Cody Hoover said, “If he’s
making more money, then I don’t see a problem with him trading teams.”
With James trading teams, he puts the Cavaliers at the top of their conference. LeBron has been to know to completely change the team around. Senior
Raines Waggett said, “I think the Big Three should have stayed together. I think
it would have been a better decision for him to stay in Miami. With LeBron
completely dominating in Miami, nobody really expected him to trade teams
but he wanted to go back to where he came from.”
Senior Tal Johnson added this,” I think it’s funny how the Cleveland fans hated
him when he left, but embraced him when he came back.”
Easton Ward contributed to this article
Only 18 females have played in the Little League World Series, and
two played in 2014. Of those 18 girls, 13 year old Mo’ne Davis is the
first to win a game and pitch a shutout.
Davis clocks in on the radar with a 70 MPH fastball. Sophomore
Campbell Mims said, “She’s unlike any pitcher I’ve ever seen.”
Davis played on a team from Pennsylvania called the Taney Dragons. She and the Dragons made it all the way to the semifinals, but
fell short one game of the world championship.
Her performance in the world series earned her a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame and she is the first
little league player to make the
cover of Sports Illustrated.
Sophomore Greyson
Young said, “I
wouldn’t say she
paved a road for
other females, but she
definitely made
a statement.”
Senior Raines Waggett, the 12th Player, carries the school flag as he leads the varsity football team onto Spencer Field. The Barons went on to defeat the Ben
Lippen Falcons 42-14.
PAGE 19
The Manziel Era Football Hype
By Thomas McGinnis
Johnny Manziel, also known by his registered trademark nickname
“Johnny Football,” is the 21-year-old flashy quarterback for the Cleveland Browns professional football team. He attended Tivy High School
in Kerrville, Texas, where he played football and baseball. He gained
much attention for his football ability which included record-breaking
statistics.
autographs for money. With his eligibility in question for the 2013 season, the NCAA reached an agreement with Texas A&M to suspend
Manziel for the first half of the team's first game of the season against
Rice University. The NCAA acknowledged that Manziel did not receive any money for the autographs but he still inadvertently violated
NCAA rules.
Manziel began as a receiver during his freshman year but by his junior
year he started as quarterback. He was one of the top recruitment
prospects for his class, heavily recruited out of high school, and he accepted an athletic scholarship to play for the Texas A&M Aggies.
At the end of his sophomore season, Manziel announced that he
would forgo his junior season in order to enter the 2014 NFL Draft
where he was projected to be a first-round pick. Manziel was selected
in the first round as the 22nd pick by the Cleveland Browns.
Manziel played for the Aggies from 2011 until 2013. He was red shirted
during the 2011 season and did not play in any games.
The Cleveland Browns’ first preseason game was a sell out. The game
drew a record-breaking 2.82 millions viewers on the NFL Network.
However, his preseason performance has been unexceptional.
Before being chosen as the starting quarterback in 2012 season, he
was arrested and charged with several misdemeanors resulting from
a late-night fight. All of the charges were dropped, except for his guilty
plea for possession of a fake driver’s license.
He gained national attention after he led Texas A&M to a 29-24 upset
over the number one ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. As a freshman
during the 2012 season, he was named the Southeastern Conference
Freshman of the Year and College Football Performance National
Freshman of the Year Award. Additionally he became the first freshman and fifth player in National Collegiate Athletic Association history ever to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single
season.
Manziel won the Heisman Trophy, the top individual college football
award, and the Davey O'Brien Award. He was the first freshman to ever
win either honor.
Prior to Manziel’s sophomore season, it was reported that he signed
Junior Alyssa
Nether performs
a stunt during
the varsity
cheerleading
squad’s half time
routine on
Spencer Field.
He was fined $12,000 for an obscene hand gesture he made to the
Washington Redskins’ bench after a loss. Sophomore Cate McCreight
said, “I think Johnny Manziel is an awful role model for today's youth.
He doesn't have any respect for anyone around him.”
Not only has Manziel gained national media attention by his athletic
ability, arrests and on-field antics, but he also has the fourth best-selling NFL jersey and the second highest merchandise sales nationally
among all NFL players. The jerseys are not your standard team colors
as they have large green dollar signs on them which represents
Manziel’s money-sign hand signal.
Some football fans believe he is overrated, over hyped, and destined
to fail in the NFL, but Browns fans are passionate about their team and
their new star quarterback. Junior Grier Schwartz said, “He is a spectacular player, but his off the field activities make him a person for people to hate.”