Swim team enjoys successful season

BY LAUREN LENKER, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD -- Most people know about basketball, football, baseball, and many other common sports, but unfortunately, most people do not know about many other sports such as swimming and the fact that Blythewood High School has a swim team as a fall sport.

The BHS swim team was established when the school opened in 2005.

The team consists of coaches Coach Kristen Giese and Coach Nicole Smith, two male captains, two female captains, and 36 swimmers.

Robinson's passion impacts students

BY ANGELINA SAKALOUSKAYA, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD-- Blythewood High School English teacher Claire Robinson is a very enthusiastic, passionate, and energetic teacher.

Her original career plan was to become a guidance counselor.

“I wanted to be a guidance counselor and was misinformed that I had to be a teacher in order to become one,” Robinson said.

Working with students is one of the things she loves most about teaching.

“I like to work with students to see what they are capable of.”

Exchange student enjoying American experience

BY MORGAN ANDERSON, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD -- Herman Amundsgard is a Norwegian foreign exchange student living in Columbia, S.C for a whole year and attending Blythewood High School while he does it.

“I knew I was going to America, in almost every exchange program you can choose which country you want to travel to, but not where in the country. When I found out I was going to South Carolina I did not know where it was,” Amundsgard said on the topic of his first thoughts about coming to America.

Social networking changes student life

BY CIARA PURDAY, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD --While technology increases in its development, so does the access of the internet for young teenagers.

The internet is a great technology for students, but the Net can also lead to problems in a student’s life.

“I love my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter so I can keep up with friends’ posts,” sophomore Shelby Butler said.

Batman ready for life beyond Blythewood

BY SKYLAR BATMAN, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD--High school is a place to make memories, get prepared for college, have a blast, and friendships that may last a lifetime.

Alyssa Batman is a senior at Blythewood High School, and she thinks there's a HUGE difference between being a freshman and being a senior.

“My first day of high school was embarrassing, yet fun getting to meet new people,” Batman stated.

First day of high school is very nerve racking, meaning having to worry about meeting new people, finding classes in the gigantic school, and making first impressions.

The difference between Batman's freshman year to senior year so far is shes more involved in the school, plus freedom is a huge difference.

MLS players receive head injuries during FIFA World Cup

BY OSAGIE EKUE, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD -- During the FIFA World Cup, Major League Soccer players encountered concussions.

Every four years there is an annual competition that is played throughout the

world called The World Cup.

Hornets sting 7 victims on JV field

BY CHARLOTTE PALMER, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- Thursday, Sept. 4, the JV field was infested with a hornet nest under the bleachers, and as the crowd got loud, the hornets started to attack everyone in their path causing seven people to get stung.

The crowd noticed the hornets on the cheerleaders.

Spigner role model for Bengal students

BY EMERY TURNER, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD--On the night of the Miss Blythewood pageant which was meant to be all about the glitz and glamour of Blythewood High School Fletcher Spigner and colleague Marc Turner decided to dress up in 1970s leisure suits just to get a good laugh.

“Mr. Spigner has a very dry sense of humor and is very sarcastic but he is a very great leader,” senior Abby Truitt said.

Claiborne leads BHS singers

BY KALEN MATTOCKS, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD -- Using her time, skills, and musical ability, Kristin Claiborne represents an outstanding role model and teacher. She invests daily effort to make not only her choruses, but the girls basketball team and the acaBengals represent their best.e

She makes sure they sound great and play to their best ability. It is evident how involved she is at Blythewood High School.

Former student leaves legacy at BHS

BY JESSICA LORENZETTI, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD -- Although Bethany Mitchell graduated Blythewood High School last year, she has been sure to leave a lasting impression on everyone she came in contact with.  

“Bethany has a heart for people and always gives off a warm welcome to everyone she meets.  She never meets a stranger and is one of the sweetest and funniest people I have ever met," junior and former choir member, Taylor Farmer stated.

Dr. Hafner makes improvements for school

BY NIKOLAS JAMROG, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD -- Blythewood has experienced change since last school year in technology, student influence, and student accessibility thanks to the adjustments principal, Dr. Brenda Hafner, has made.

There have been an incomparable amount  of changes in the school that Dr. Hafner has been able to bring with her first year.

Foti brings worldly experience to classroom

BY HANNAH DUCHARME, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- Jason Foti, BHS World Geography teacher has traveled many different, fascinating places all over the country and world including Italy, Greece, Puerto Rico, and The Grand Cayman Islands Foti’s traveling experiences have not only influenced him as a person, but has also helped him become a better teacher.

“I’ve traveled all over the world. All the places I have traveled to include every state in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, The Grand Cayman Islands, Bahamas, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Germany, and the Czech Republic,” Foti said.

Federal food regulations pose complications for BHS students

BY CORRIE SANDERS, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD -- Enforcing the new rules of the 2010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act has affected the students on campus at Blythewood High School during the 2014-2015 school year.

Fundraising is the biggest issue that has impacted Blythewood High School’s sports teams and different organizations.

S.C. legalizes guns in restaurants

BY CAITLIN MOBLEY, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD-- On Feb. 11, Gov. Nikki Haley signed a law allowing concealed weapons in public places after a man was fatally shot in a South Carolina bar parking lot.

According to the new law, people holding concealed weapons permits are now authorized to carry guns in bars and restaurants as long as they are not drinking while inside.

Cheer team progresses from tryouts to competition

BY KOURTNEY VERMILLION, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD -- The cheerleaders of Blythewood High School do lots of work to prepare for competition season and progress over the season with summer workouts, tumbling classes, and practicing everyday.

Summer practices consist of running, lifting weights, and practicing choreography, cheers and chants.

Small animal course benefits students, their futures

BY ANNELIESE M. GORDON, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD --  Blythewood High School’s Agriculture Department offers a small animal course taught by Mr. Tom Willingham in Room 404 which benefits students seeking a career in the animal science field or have a passion for agriculture.  

In the course students are taught how to train with the in-class puppies and the care, nutrition and overall health of general animals through lab work and hands on instruction providing many benefits for those enrolled.