Despite new laws, bullying still prevalent

OPINION

BY BRITTANY MYERS, Freshman

Bullying isn't just about stealing lunch money anymore. It´s more about self-esteem, self respect, and intimidating others. Earlier this week, Fox News in Lakewood, Colorado, reported that a 9 year old tried to take his own life at his school due to bullying. Today, multiple news outlets reported that bullying could leave lasting mental affects on it's victims.

The Victims and the effects

Bullying is probably one of the most underrated problems in the school system. Year after year there's a suicide or someone out there contemplating it, children and  teens self-harming themselves, diagnosed with depression--the list goes on and on. But why isn't there anything being done to stop it?

Many students who have been victims of bullying may resort to skipping classes, avoiding certain places, or even skipping school altogether.

Newspapers were here yesterday and will be here tomorrow

OPINION

BY JAMES COLLINS, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD-The first newspaper in the US was printed on Sept. 25,  1690, called Public Occurrences written by a man named Benjamin Harris. This newspaper contained three printed pages and one blank. This was the only source of information and news given to the public during this time.

Nowadays people have so much technology to use the newspaper is often forgotten about or thrown aside. People usually find it more convenient to read the news online and able to have updated news all the time versus finding a newspaper to read.

Crawford Collins, the owner of First Choice Distributors (a newspaper distribution company) has been working with The State newspaper for over 10 years, “I find that now it seems that the newspapers are being sold to mostly older people like maybe age 50 and older. People nowadays want instant news that they can access whenever they want,” Collins said.

Art should be part of everyone's education

OPINION

BY JAZLYN GALLISHAW, Freshman

“Success can be more than owning a second home by the beach,” Actress Phylicia Rashad said. Most schools try to gear their students to go to college or join the military, but some students want to pursue the fine arts.

There are two reasons why students should have more fine art classes; they create jobs students don’t know about and they can bring out the creative side of someone or help relieve stress.

There are also many studies saying that students that take fine arts perform better in reading, math, and writing and it allows students to connect to the larger world around them.

Stress Overload

OPINION

BY CARTER PARKER, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- NPR reporter Patti Neighmond says most students are pressured by mountains of schoolwork assigned to them, which leads to becoming overly stressed.

While some students have recently proposed the idea of reducing homework and schoolwork, nobody has gone through with it yet.

Schools should reduce homework and school work to lower the stress of the students.

Blythewood High School Nurse, Connie Taylor, stated “If a student comes in here in regards to feeling overly stressed we would ask them if they would like to stay in our ‘quiet room’ and the assistant would speak to them and process what they’re stressed about.”

BHS News Show - Thursday, January 28, 2016

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BHS News Show - Wednesday, January 27, 2016

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BHS News Show - Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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BHS News Show - Monday, January 25, 2016

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BHS News Show - Friday, January 22, 2016

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Hart receives Global Summit scholarship

BY ANNELIESE GORDON, Senior

BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood High School junior Jada Hart has been honored as a scholarship recipient to attend the Education First Tours Global Student Leader Summit, Exploring Human Rights, June 25-26. in The Hauge, Netherlands. 

“I was not expecting to win because I caught on late to the information about the scholarship, but I was still really glad to try because this was something I wouldn’t want to regret,” Hart said. “It was really close to the deadline but had I not tried, I wouldn’t have the opportunity I do now.”
 

BHS News Show - Tuesday, January 19, 2016

1/19/16 News Show - Click HERE to view

Dietel leads award winning thespians

BY GIOVANNA DEXTER, F​reshman

BLYTHEWOOD‐ B​HS Drama teacher Sandra Dietel sits in front of the nurse’s office, working on her laptop. The area is loud and crowded with teenage voices, not the most ideal workplace.

Dietel wears her dark hair at her chin. She is focused, but passionate about her craft, and her smile is easily heard in her voice.

It is her turn on lunch duty, but even now, she works. Dietel is from Florida, earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida, and later, her graduate degree from the University of South Carolina.

She has been involved in theater her whole life, but a drama teacher wasn’t always her first choice.

"It felt like I died on the field"

Benton recovers from gruesome knee injury

BY JASMAINE SUMPTER, Senior

BLYTHEWOOD-- On the night of the friday game against Ridge View. Senior  Timel Benton, goes to catch the ball, while catching the ball he was tackled which resulted in tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus.

“This was the worst pain in my life, it felt like I died on the field” Benton stated.

Timel has been the wide receiver for the Blythewood varsity team and has played since his freshman year, and his injury set him back from playing his best his senior year.

Because of his injury, Benton had to sit out majority of his junior year and the beginning of his senior year. Even though he could not play football he attended rehab and still did upper body workouts to maintain his strength.

Busy Burns an inspiration to students

BY ANTHONETTE MAYNARD, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- Loud. Loud is a word that comes to mind when the name Iesha Burns pops into Kristin Claiborne’s head.

Iesha Burns and Kristin Claiborne are both female basketball coaches at Blythewood High School.

Though, loud is not the only word that comes to mind when Claiborne thinks of Burns.

“She is motivational, genuine, and kind hearted,”Claiborne said.

“The last thing that describes me is that I’m loud,” says Burns, while laughing. “I’m just naturally loud. I try to talk quietly but I can’t.”

Dennis Humphries fights against illnesses everyday

BY DAVID HUMPHRIES, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD – November 1986 was one of the finest days of Dennis Humphries´ life.

Coached by Hall of Fame coach John Jones of Spring Valley High School, Humphries was able to win the state meet in cross country as a senior with a time of 16:09.

He was a great athlete in good shape, but today simple tasks such as walking outside have become hard for him. In 2014 Humphries was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and sleep apnea and these diseases changed his life forever.

From Ethiopia to America: Muluken Hass' story of adoption

BY HARPER HASS, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- Muluken Hass goes up to home plate and gets ready for the pitch. A few years ago his life changed big time, he was adopted by Chris and Tricia Hass and their family in 2007, now he loves baseball, sports and his iPhone 5s.

Adoption process

The Hass family had moved to South Carolina not long before they added a new member to their family. They adopted Muluken Christopher Hass in July of 2007 from a country in Africa called Ethiopia. He was only 6 years old.

The adoption process is very long and complicated.

The adoption process can be very stressful, parents waiting for paperwork to be processed, social workers coming to interview and check the house. You have to go to many government offices for documents, and have background checks done. There's also a waiting game involved, you have to wait for your documents, the agency and many other things to be completed before you can bring your child home.

Bowen overcomes injuries for successful junior season

BY ASHA HARRIS, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD-- Junior Cortney Bowen anxiously awaits for the other team to set the ball and as she goes up for a block and comes down she finds the rest of her season will be on the bench.

“I was coming down from blocking and the girl that I was blocking, she floated into the net and her foot went under and I landed on her foot and my ankle rolled,” said  Bowen, “I’m out for two weeks on crutches, It sucks,” she continued with a sorrow look.

Bowen is a strong athletic young woman. Even through her injuries and the pain she goes through her days still bringing life to any room.

Swim coach brings enthusiasm to pool

BY CLAIRE DUPRE, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD - The pool was full of swimmers trying to beat their time. All the other team members were cheering them on to do their personal best.

Smith is making a big impact on the Blythewood community. She’s a Social Studies teacher, swim coach, and on top of all of that she’s a mom.

“In the fall, I am very busy while the high school swim season is going on. However, since I have taught for nine years, I have learned to balance coaching with my life as a teacher,” Smith said.

She lives a very busy life during the swim season. Her husband and 10-month-old son don’t get to see her that often, but both of them support her in what she is doing.

Busy mother of six becomes doctor

BY JAKOB LENKER, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD – It’s a nice, calm Friday afternoon, and most parents are looking forward to enjoying the weekend awaiting them.  Maybe they’ll get to sleep in, go see a movie, go out to dinner.

However, Charlene Lenker spends her Friday nights working on obtaining her Doctorate Degree.  Getting her degree has always been her dream, so she could help those in need through Occupational Therapy.

About Occupational Therapy

“It’s in the top 10 of the most sought out jobs,” said Lenker.  “It’s highly demanding for degrees, but there are very few who have the degrees you need, so you are able to negotiate a salary which is one reason why I like it.  I work with kids, ages 3 to 11 that are disabled.”

Kidney transplant gives Durant new life

BY CAROLINE REYNOLDS, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- John Durant needed a kidney and didn’t know who to turn to.

Joel Reynolds buttons up his blue dress shirt, and puts on his Organ Donor pin to get ready for the church service that morning. He gets in his truck, that has a license plate saying “Donate Life”.

Reynolds gave John Durant, his brother-in-law, a kidney when he needed it the most on June 15, 2011.

Durant has Alport Syndrome. According to the National Kidney Foundation, Alport Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes kidney and hearing failure. He was tested for Alport Syndrome at a very young age, even as little as an infant.

Stalvey amazes on the course

BY MADISON MULLINS, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- Parker Stalvey starts of her golf match by practicing swings on the course. Just before her first putt, Stalvey studies her surroundings and decides the best way to start off the match. An impressive swing hits the ball off the tee while it flies into the air triumphantly.

Golf has been a part of Stalvey’s life since she was only six years old, and has continued to be a part of her life today. Everyday Parker is at a practice with her team, at a tournament, or included in golf somehow.

Stalvey is a freshman this year, and it is her first time on a high school team.

A "Natural From the Start"

Stalvey started to play golf the very day of her sixth birthday.

Lyles transitions from BHS to USC

BY ALESSIA LYLES, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD -- High school is definitely a journey no one will ever forget. It is filled with so many memories that will last a lifetime.

Once high school is over, there comes the big step and transition into the real world. For some, the transition is college.

Many students have their own high school experience they will never forget, but their experiences are definitely not all the same.                

                                                  

Devonte Lyles is currently a college student attending the University of South Carolina. He graduated from Blythewood High School June 1, 2012.

Army Commander Helps Soldiers After Flood

BY INDIRA CHUNG, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- Captain Michael Chung of the U.S. Army helps his superiors, peers, and soldiers with a number of tasks on a daily basis. But the recent flood in Columbia has devastated everybody, including Cpt. Chung.

“As a commander of a basic training company in Fort Jackson, my responsibilities were to make good decisions during the time of crisis, such as getting a countability of all the drill sergeants, basic trainees, and soldiers,” Cpt. Chung said.

Cpt. Chung says he wakes up around 4 a.m. and is at work by 5 a.m., then trains the soldiers on a daily basis from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., still having time to ensure their safety.

Fulmer's patience, work ethic impacts alma mater

BY WILLIAM HALLIDAY, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- Josh Fulmer is one of the most dedicated teachers at Blythewood High School. Not only is he a teacher, but an alum of BHS as well.

“It is an honor to teach at the high school that I graduated from,” Fulmer states in a recent interview, “It was always a goal of mine to go to college and come back to the town of Blythewood and teach. Giving back to my hometown, and being a servant, has always been a career and life goal of mine.”

Fulmer is a special education teacher at Blythewood. His job is very challenging and requires patience.

Home business builds to top seller in S.C.

BY CATHERINE HOLT, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- READY, SET, GO! Crowds of people running down the aisles, pushing and shoving to get to what they want.

Kelly Graybill, the founder of Tot Trade, turned her home business into the largest consignment sale in South Carolina. Tot Trade, an extraordinary semi-annual event that attracts about 1,300 consignors and 4,000 shoppers.

Janice Holt, Graybill’s cousins said people go crazy for Tot Trade. I am so proud of Graybill and everything that she has accomplished.

“It really just started as the need to contribute to the family. I was trying to think, what could I do to still be at home with the boys, but still make a contribution to the family financially, because I have always worked,” Graybill said.

Formal Bengal Grayson Barber pursues soccer dreams elsewhere

BY HANNAH SAUNDERS, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD—With nine minutes left in Blythewood High’s 2015 boys’ soccer playoff game against Dorman High School, the crowd anxious and roaring, freshman Grayson Barber scored a crucial goal to tie the game 1-1 which led to a 3-1 Bengal win and an advance to the 3rd round of playoffs.

“Grayson has a fun personality and a positive relationship with the other boys. We will miss him as a person, not just as the goal scorer,” stated Blythewood varsity soccer coach Peter Wittig.

Barber, a former Blythewood native and resident, moved to Kansas City to play on an elite team known as Sporting Kansas City to further develop his soccer skills and pursue his dreams by experiencing new opportunities.  

From Copenhagen to Blythewood

BY KRISTIN GRONINGER, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD - On August 13, Amalie Madsen started a new part of her life. She flew from Copenhagen over New York to Charlotte to spend a year with her new family in Columbia, South Carolina, and to learn something about the American culture.

Amalie is a 15 year old girl from Denmark. She is making an exchange year in South Carolina, until June next year, and is visiting the Blythewood High School as a sophomore to see how American teens are in school, spend their free.

“Amalie has a different accent and she is dressing different, she has her own style,” junior Madison Bundrick said. Madison met Amalie in their painting class in school.

Navy veteran tells his story

BY ANTONIO FLORENCE, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD -- Veteran Orenthia J. Florence served in the Navy for more than 28 years. Serving his country with honor and respect, wearing a uniform to show his heroism and badges to show his accomplishments. He has certainly proven himself as someone to be admired.

"It was the biggest thing I'd ever seen"

Florence was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia, with his mother, father, sister, and brother. On a warm summer evening he and his family took a trip to a local harbor. There he noticed something that caught his eye.

Hardin making a difference

BY WILL GALLOWAY, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD- In October, 11 trillion gallons of water, enough to fill 636 million swimming pools, fell on South Carolina, displacing thousands and damaging billions of dollars worth of property.

One Blythewood High School senior, Kaitlyn Hardin, has stepped up to lead the relief effort after this crisis by helping the Richland 2 Flood Relief Project, an organization dedicated to helping flood victims within the school district and community.

Hardin is passionate about service, and has taken part in countless service opportunities and projects.

Gayle inspires through work ethic

BY NICOLE WELCH, Junior

BLYTHEWOOD--It is lunch time at BHS, and the halls are full of people laughing and talking with their friends, making Emily Gayle, who is intently studying her AP Physics notes, stand out.

Gayle, having a father who served overseas, is a junior with a story more interesting than most.

She was born in Charlotte, but has spent most of her life living in Blythewood.

“As a baby Emily was vocal,” Emily’s mother Ann Marie Gayle said. “High maintenance until she was one; when she started walking she became Ms. Independent, much like she is today; and when she started talking she became friends with everybody.”

George displays talent playing violin

BY PARKER STALVEY, Freshman

BLYTHEWOOD-- The stage is set and Rikki George walks onto the stage. The crowd applaudes and she sits down and begins to play.

Rikki George, a freshman at Blythewood High School, is a very talented young musician.

She loves to challenge herself while playing the violin and has very lofty expectations. But George knows success cannot happen without hard work and dedication.

Umsted brings fun into learning

BY HANNAH THIER, Sophomore

BLYTHEWOOD-- “My favorite thing about Ms. Umsted is the fact that she takes the time to set you up to succeed rather than setting you up to fail,” freshman Robert Thier said.

English teacher Alexandra Umsted is a first year teacher at Blythewood High School.

“My high school English teacher, Kayla Godson, inspired me to become an English teacher.  Before her, I didn't really like English.  She made reading and writing fun; her approach was much different than the other English teachers I had before her,” said Umsted, reminiscing over the past.

BHS News Show - Friday, January 8, 2015

1/8/15 News Show - Click HERE to view

BHS News Show - Thursday, January 7, 2016

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BHS News Show - Wednesday, January 6, 2015

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Chaisson Earns State Award in Pollinator Poster Contest

 Blythewood—Blythewood High School freshman Hailey Ann Chaisson has been awarded state recognition in the “Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators” conservation poster contest, sponsored by the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts. State winners receive cash awards and will now advance to the national competition, sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts.

BHS News Show - Tuesday, January 5, 2016

1/5/16 News Show - Click HERE to view