Established 2006 Volume 7 Issue 5 March 2012 South Pointe High School Rock Hill, S.C.

Marlana Mayton and Dasherriah RiceReporter and contributor

“Driven, bossy and a planner” are three words assistant principal Denise Khaalid used to describe herself during a press conference interview with the Jour-nalism I class following her selection as the 2012 Assistant Principal of the Year by the S.C. Association of Assistant Principals (SCAAP).

Just days earlier, Khaalid had learned she had been picked from all the state winners as one of three finalists for the National Assistant Principal of the Year. Then, on March 10, the Na-tional Association of Secondary School Principals chose her as the winner at its annual confer-ence in Tampa, Fla.

“I am in disbelief,” said Khaalid.

She said she was inspired by both her mother and father, who had always told her to follow her dreams, something she has always kept with her. Both parents watched from the audience in the grand ballroom where Khaalid was presented with a big check for $5,000 from the NASSP and sponsor Virco, an educational furniture corporation. This winner’s sum can be used for personal professional development or a school-wide project, and Khaalid plans to use it to buy a poster-maker machine and to pay teachers for extra summer work to continue developing the assignments and rubrics for student portfolios.

“Remember who you are, and whose you are,” her maternal grandfather Nathan-iel Brockman, a pastor, had always told her -- meaning a child of both their family and of God.

Because of her upbringing and faith, Khaalid said she remains confident her ca-reer is her mission in life. “I believe God

directs my path,” she said.Khaalid relishes the rewards that

come, sometimes years later, in hearing that she inspired a student because the stu-dents inspire her, she said. She tearfully re-called receiving a call once, when she was a teacher, from a grateful mother thanking Khaalid for taking time to express that she cared for her daughter, who at the time had been contemplating suicide. The one-on-one talk with Khaalid had led the troubled student to realize someone at school really did care and then to talk with her mother

about her suicidal thoughts. Placing high expectations on both her-

self and those she leads was instilled at a young age in this assistant principal.

Khaalid was born in Greenville and raised in Irmo. She is the oldest of four children. Her parents still reside in Irmo and are still married.

Khaaild’s father, Marion Reeves, was the first black football player at Clemson University. He later went on to play in the National Football League for the Philadel-phia Eagles and in the Canadian Football League.

Mother Patricia Reeves always set high expectations for her children. To her daughters, she stressed the importance of women being independent and not just fin-ishing high school but also college.

Students at South Pointe High School may recognize those beliefs communicated

daily by Khaalid in her role as curriculum principal, as she encourages them to take the most difficult courses they possibly can.

In high school, Khaa-lid kept her grades up in honor classes, but she also had her fun times singing in chorus class and playing volleyball.

“I took a lot of cho-rus classes in high school, thinking of being a singer, and I did a lot of musicals and became very nervous,” said Khaalid. “That’s when I realized I didn’t have that kind of talent.”

After high school, Khaalid majored in English and minored in Secondary Ed at Winthrop University, where she earned a schol-arship. Winthrop was near to a boy she was dating at the time and it was close to Charlotte.

“I felt like Clemson was in the country so I didn’t want to go there and I didn’t want to go to USC be-cause it was too close to where I lived,” said Khaalid on her school choices.

Khaalid said she stayed on top of her grades at Winthrop and would tell the senior Stallions, “Don’t get drunk on freedom” in college. She never smoked pot in college but had friends who did. At one point she wanted a tattoo, but she never got one.

Khaalid meet her husband, Ken, in college and they were married for 13 years

but then divorced. Their daughter, Dara, a sophomore at South Pointe High School, was also on hand in Tampa to see her mother be named the nation’s top assistant principal.

“I’m very proud of my daughter, and we have a close relationship,” said Khaalid. After they returned from Florida, Dara also expressed how proud she is of her mom for winning the national award.

Khaalid had her first teaching job at Sullivan Middle School in 1995. She became a literacy coach in 2002 and later became an admin-istrative intern at Rock Hill High

School, from which she was hired by Dr. Al Leonard when he began work on South Pointe High even before its opening in 2005. Leonard had also been Khaalid’s principal when she taught English at Sulli-van. Khaalid wants some day to be princi-pal of a school, but she said she preferred to start with an elementary or middle school because administrating a high school is “the big time,” with so many different du-ties and responsibilities of a large campus with extensive programs.

Khaalid herself administers a number of the many programs here at SPHS. Her official title is principal in charge of cur-riculum and instruction. The press release issued by the NASSP lists the many duties that title has involved over the past seven years. She led faculty as they redesigned the master schedule to include 212 and

Khaalid wins national titlePointe Time, developed common syllabi and exams within departments, established a uniform grading policy and set a standard homework policy. She also helped start the C.O.L.T.S. Academy and ensure the International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs were open to all stu-dents, not just a select few thought “smart enough” to do the challenging work.

“Khaalid increased the school’s em-phasis on literacy, particularly for strug-gling students, by reducing class sizes, and providing high-interest reading material, professional development for teachers, and targeted small group instruction,” the NASSP press release said.

“Outside of the building, Khaalid maintains relationships with local colleges and businesses. As the school’s dual-credit coordinator, she worked with a technical college to grow the program to nearly 100 participating students. In addition, after identifying a need in her school, she forged a partnership with an area credit union to offer students financial literacy workshops. Although she wears many hats, Khaalid always keeps her focus on providing a rig-orous and equitable education to each of South Pointe’s 1,389 students,” said the press release.

Khaalid said she got the call about being a finalist for the national award as she was walking into her office. “I was shocked,” said Khaalid. “Nationals to me is a big thing.”

After rigorous interviews, essays and presentations Khaalid had finally made it to Florida, where the competition was be-ing held. Her trip was from March 7 though the 10, when the winner was announced.

The venue the award ceremony was held in was a huge grand ballroom. The fi-nalists’ names were written on the back of chairs for them. An announcer called the names of the three finalists as they came up onto the stage.

“I felt good about what I did,” said Khaalid about the presentation that she showed the judges.

Although she returned to school im-mediately and had to hit the ground run-ning to complete teacher observations, Khaalid will finally take time to celebrate in Washington, D.C., April 18-21 when the other finalists and state winners will be honored at a three-day event, including a black-tie gala.

Assistant Principal Denise Khaalid snaps after a student performed a poem at the annual Literary Magazine Poetry Slam on Feb 17. Khaalid supports Stallions at all types of school functions, from athletic games and matches to performing arts.

Khaalid poses with her daughter, sopho-more Dara Khaalid, after the slam.

Shirley Nicholson/Contributor

Shirley Nicholson/Contributor

Page 2 March 2012

Mary Hannah NeilNews editor

Editor-in-Chief in training

Joshua DavidsonReporter

In today’s society, words have differ-ent connotations than they did 20 years ago.

“I’ve been here (in the field of special education) for over 20 years and the words have been changed five or six times,” XXXX teacher Missy Pusey said.

Previous professional jargon for peo-ple with special challenges were trans-formed into offensive labels, such as idiot, moron and imbecile.

One specific word that has commonly been used in recent years to classify people with handicaps and mental disabilities is now being used in an inappropriate and de-rogatory manner--the term “retarded.”

“It’s one of my pet peeves,” stated Pusey. “If I see someone say it on my news feed, I unfriend them on Facebook.”

“It’s very offensive to everyone no matter what. For some people, they have

people in their family that are handicapped and that word shouldn’t be used to describe them,” senior Taylor Snyder said.

Snyder and five of her fellow students--Hannah Henderson, Kaiti Gebhart, Steph-anie Aliano, Lindsay Wooles and Brittani Hawkins--from Robertretta Patterson’s second block English 101 class felt the same way as Pusey, terribly offended when they hear someone say something is “re-tarded’ in reference to a goof up.

Ideas began floating around as to what they could do locally to “Spread the Word to End the Word,” a national initiative to raise awareness of the hurt caused by peo-ple who throw around the word “retarded” even in what some think of as a “harmless” way.

Gebhart came up with a solution to spread awareness about the use of the “r” word while working on research for the English class.

“My paper is on hurtful words and the word “retard” came up a lot, so we were

talking about the Facebook group, ‘Spread the Word to End the Word,’ and the six of us decided to make shirts. We asked a few other people to join the cause and it turned out to be around 50 people.”

The six also sponsored public service announcements on SPIN in the Morning, one of them featuring state champion head varsity football coach Strait Herron, whose son Dalton is autistic.

“I always try to spread awareness. This makes me feel like we’re heading in the right direction,” Herron told the televi-sion audience during the morning show.

Gebhart also added that another order for the shirts is going out because so many people wanted one to help spread aware-ness.

Wooles shared her contributions to-wards the movement. “I have told ev-eryone I know about it. I have spread the awareness to the Central Child Develop-ment Center and posted on Twitter about it. I am also in the process of writing a letter

Spread the word to end the wordStallions participate in national campaign to end R-word

Rileigh Glasgow/Contributor Rileigh Glasgow/Contributor

The participants of the nation-wide movement “Spread the Word to End the Word” gather with teachers and students of the special ed class March 7. A small group of students sold the shirts to raise awareness on campus of how words can hurt.

(left to right) Seniors Hannah Henderson, Stephanie Aliano, Brittani Hawkins, English teacher Robertretta Patterson, Taylor Snyder, Lindsay Wooles and Kaiti Gebhart are the six students who brought the movement Spread the Word to End the Word to South Pointe. The students found out about the movement through Facebook while working on a essay assignment.

O’Brian BrownReporter

When the Stallions are mentioned, the first thought might go to the state champion football team or region champion wrestlers or basketball players. Chorus might not be the first thing that pops into mind, but South Pointe has a talented choir lead by teacher Beverly Laney.

Among those recognized for there ex-cellent contributions are seniors Hydeia Wade and Rachel Henderson and junior Ashley Beachum. Wade and Henderson both received superior awards.

“I was excited to get superior,” Wade said. “I have been singing since I was two. My mom inspired me to sing because she played music and sang all the time. A lot of people think singing is easy, but it’s not. There are a lot of mediocre singers who think they’re good, but it takes hard work and dedication,” said Wade.

“I was very happy and excited. I al-ways had the love to sing as a baby, but as I got older my parents supported me to do what I loved and my teacher taught me to never give up and always encouraged me in what way she could,” said Henderson.

Although Beachum didn’t earn a supe-rior, she received an excellent rating.

“I was a little disappointed because I knew I could have gotten superior,” said Beachum. “At the same time, I was relieved because I had done much worse in my au-dition, but I had overcome my fears. As I grew up, there was always music around the house and it just stuck with me. That’s when I stared singing in church.”

When Wade, Beacham and Henderson were asked if singing will be a part of their future, all three gave different responses.

“I plan on continuing to sing after I’m done with high school. I received a schol-arship for $1,500 for my first year of col-lege because I sang a classical song for the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,” replied Wade.

“After high school, I will be in the chamber choir of whatever college I go to. I’m more interested in the musical theater than classical music,” Beachum said. “I definitely could see music being a part of my life after high school.”

“I would love to perform to millions of people. I have a backup plan just in case that wouldn’t work and that’s to go to col-lege and become a music teacher,” replied Henderson.

Not only did South Pointe succeed on the field this year but also in the chorus competitions. Battling with some of the state’s best and winning, South Pointe con-cert choir members have been in the upper echelon for the last six years.

South Pointe’s choir program contin-ues to look to the future on their path of excellence.

Chorus students receive high ratings

to Dr. Phil.” With awareness rapidly spreading

throughout South Pointe, it’s kind of hard to not notice the effect that the movement is having on people’s perspectives and their selection of vocabulary.

Excellent Vocal Solo:Ashley Beacham

Superior Rating:Rachel HendersonHydeia WadeShivam PatelSade’ MooreTim HoganDanarian CuretonBobby FarisChristian CouchMona BaileyBrittani Hawkins Allie WhiteKristi SwigerAnna MckeownJustin Norwood

l

This is the t-shirt campaign participant wore on Mar. 7 to raise awareness of how words can hurt.

Hydeia Wade, senior

March 2012 Page 3

Mary Hannah NeilNews editor

Ashli Simmons Sports editor

It was 7 p.m. when the National An-them was played in the school auditorium, indicating that the time had come. The ceremony for varsity football players to get their state rings has started. Varsity as-sistant football coach Calvin McCullough led the Leap Day ceremony with a prayer.

Head football coach Strait Herron then came up to acknowledge the ninth grade football team. Freshmen Austin Johnson, Bree Minor, Brandon Fisher and Demon Davis were all awarded the Stal-

(left to right) Seniors Matt Hutches, Manzey Miller, Albert Hughes, Corey Neely, JaRyan Jennings, Montay Crockett and Tay Hicklin stand as a broadcaster from WHRI presents them with The Coaches’ Award.

Athletic director Michael Drummond presents varsity football head coach Strait Her-ron with a plaque on Feb 29.

God, family and South Pointe“

”Dr. Al Leonard

Ciara Burris/SPiN

Taylor Snyder/SPiN

Ciara Burris/SPiN

Taylor Snyder/SPiN

lion Award. Junior varsity coach Robert Hellams

then came up to give out awards for his squad. Sophomores Damorris Jackson, Josh Brice, Whit McGuirt and Spencer Strong also won awards. As Herron came back on stage, he recognized everyone who supported the football team, as well as the cheerleaders.

Eugene Robinson was introduced as a guest speaker. Robinson played in the NFL for 16 years.

“You get yourself back up,” Robinson said, trying to encourage the players for next year. “Everyone can’t do what you do,” Robinson told the state champions. “Don’t eliminate yourself from the prom-

ise.” He then described Herron as genuine

and said he would have loved for him to have been his coach. They embraced each other as Herron walked up to the stage.

The evening’s high point had then come, the awards for the varsity football players. All-Region players were sopho-more Isaiah Rodney, juniors Dakota Maz-ingo and Devin Person, and seniors Corey Neely, JaRyan Jennings, Montay Crockett, Dreon Gordon and Tay Hicklin. A number of players were recognized for their Player of the Week honors.

The boys took a few pictures. Then guests heard Herron challenge, “Are you ready? What we do?”

Varsity Stallions replied enthusiasti-cally, one last time for the 2011 football season: “Hunt!”

Then it was time for the finale, calling out the names of each player--the seniors all the way down to the freshmen. The var-sity football team was awarded their state rings.

“Do not think that doing it once is enough!” Herron said to the boys as they admired their new jewelry.

Captains Crockett, Neely, Hicklin and Jennings then presented the head princi-pal, Dr. Al Leonard, with the state trophy and Leonard ended the ceremony saying, “God, family and South Pointe!”

“What we do?...Hunt!”

Football Stallions wrap up season with annual banquet

Page 4 March 2012

Mary Hannah NeilNews editor

Varsity football team celebrates Read Across America

(left to right) Junior Devin Pearson, senior Brandon Bechtler, senior Tay Hicklin, senior Montay Crockett, junior Alex Simms, senior Corey Neely, senior JaRyan Jen-nings, junior Dakota Mozingo and sophomore Isaiah Rodney poses with Dr. Seuss books. Feb. 29 the varsity football players read to Finley Road Elementary School to honor Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday week.

Senior Montay Crockett reads “The Cat in the Hat Comes Back” to a first grade class.

Ciara BurrisManaging editor

“For a while he stood silent. Then fi-nally he said, with a very bad shake of his very old head ...,” senior offensive lineman Ben Strong read aloud to a first grade class at Finley Road Elementary School.

The South Pointe varsity football team celebrates Read Across America week each year at the elementary level. Feb. 29 a few varsity football players were selected to participate in the reading to the kids. The guys paired up to read a Dr. Seuss book to a class.

“The reason the guys read Dr. Seuss books is because it’s also his birthday week,” said wide receiver coach Welvin Simpkins.

Senior Corey Neely and junior Dakota Mozingo read “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” to a kindergarten class. Neely questioned the kids toward the end of the book, asking about a picture of a bear that he had seen on a previous page.

“I felt like a role model; they were looking up to me as I read,” Neely said.

Many of the boys were standing or sit-ting in a rocking chair as the students were looking and listening in amazement.

“It was pretty funny listening to the kids laugh at the book,” junior Devin Pear-

son, the state champion quarterback, said. Simpkins stated that he thinks it’s im-

portant for older kids to read expressively to younger kids.

“It’ll help me with my reading skills when I become a father,” said Pearson.

Sophomore Tay Robinson-Locke and junior Rasheed Lindsay read aloud “Green Eggs and Ham” to a first grade class.

Senior JaRyan Jennings reads aloud and shows the illustrations from the book “The Cat in the Hat” to students at Finley Road Elementary School.

For a while he stood silent. Then finally he said, with a very bad

shake of his very old head ...

“

”Excerpt from Dr. Seuss’ book “The Butter Battle Book.”

Senior Ben Strong sits in front of a first grade class reading “The Butter Battle Book” by Dr. Seuss.

Photos by Ciara Burris

March 2012 Page 5

Brianna-Marie Ealy Opinion editor

Marlana MaytonReporter

We live in a technology based world, no doubt about it. Knowing what’s going on in the online social world is made possible by Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. But without a click of a button or swipe of a finger we wouldn’t be able to view this new world sans a very small but powerful machine. A cell phone. But is it distracting us from school life? Or is it helping access a world of new education? Distractions come in many shapes and sizes in a classroom. It could be the kids talking in the back or the know it all stu-dent asking endless questions. But could it be your cell phone? “Sometimes,” said junior Haylee Snyder who had her phone in her hand while being interviewed. “But the world relies on technology.” Teachers also have to deal with stu-dents and cell phones. When asked if students using their phones out bother him, science teacher John Keith replied, “Sometimes. It aggravates me when a student does any activity that distracts their focus on learning.” Just knowing that your phone is there can divert your attention. “You feel like you have to check it,” said assistant principal Denise Khaalid. The smallest vibration or chirp can alert you to the other world in your pocket, which students favor more than their lesson in class.

“I focus better when it’s away, but

when it vibrates that is a different story,” said junior Monica Mayer. Other students don’t feel that they are distracted by it. Some think of it as a tool to further their education. “It can be cut off and put up; it doesn’t matter to me,” said soph-omore Mac Mc-Cormick. Students agree that phones shouldn’t just be a part of their life outside of school. “You can’t live with-out your phone,” said senior Jon’Quesha Peterson. But trying to combine phones and classroom activities can be difficult. One student doing something wrong can cause this privilege to end. On the other hand, cell phones can open a whole new door in education. Being able to have les-sons, grades, dictionaries and calculators at your fingertips is a brilliant idea.

“I use the calculator in my math and engineering class,” said McCormick.

Foods teacher Laura Kick has tired to incorporate cell phones into her classroom activities.

“There are also warm up interactive sites I have used for students to text in their answers to the warm up. I will pull up the web site and they can actively see how many students have the answer cor-rect or not. Sometimes all of the choices will be correct and sometimes none of the answers will be correct. It’s a game!” said

Kick.Some schools have adopted a new

way of teaching called Flipped Class-rooms. A Flipped Classroom deliv-ers instruction online outside of class,

and students do “homework” in class. Key parts of the flip include reduction in class lecture through social networking and online video access of content deliv-ery so that class time is freed for better teacher/student relations and individual tutorials. Using cell phones in class could allow a student to obtain online lessons.

English teacher Joe Koon had been exploring flipped classrooms. “The district sent me and three others to investigate the implications of the flip and is, at least for the moment, very supportive and even excited about the possibilities.” When asked if Flipped Classrooms were a good idea, Khaalid said, “Anything that will help a student master the content and

Teachers should no longer ‘flip’ over phones

The phones seen here show examples of how phones can be helpful and also harmful to the school working environment.

Marlana Mayton/SPiN

STAFF

Editor-in-chief...................Taylor Snyder

Managing editor..................Ciara Burris

News editor...............Mary Hannah Neil(Editor-in-chief in training)

Features editor......................Erin Fields

Opinion editor..........Brianna-Marie Ealy

Centerspread editor...........Jarvis Carter

Sports editor..................Ashli Simmons(Managing editor in training)

Photography editor..........Kendra Harris

Copy editor......................Blake Roberts

Webmaster..............................Alex Culp

Reporters.....................O’Brian BrownJosh DavidsonSierra GilmoreKaylia Givens

Skylar JacksonVinita Maigur

Marlana MaytonOlivia Smith

Contributors.................Kaelyn Jiran Shirley Nicholson

Renada MasseyKelsey Davis

Daherriah Rice

Executive Producer ofSPiN in the morning......Catherine Allen

Adviser.................................Cindy Koon

Principal...............................Al Leonard, 2009 Journalism Education

Association Administrator of the Year

SCSPA 2011 Palmetto Award Winner 2010 SCSPA Sweepstakes Award Winner

could help.” Students take pictures of notes and search for examples online in many classes already.

“Cell phones should be used in class, because they are going to be used anyway and they might as well be used for good,” said freshman Sabrina Jackson. Technology isn’t going to fade away any time soon. Education needs to learn and adapt to the changes in generations. It should take advantage of the technol-ogy that we have today to keep students interested.

“There has to be a lot of work from teachers and students alike to make it the useful tool it is,” said Keith.

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“Yea, It made me wanna help, be-cause the age group he’s doing it with, it’s wrong because it’s child abuse.”

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Page 6 March 2012

Briann-Marie Ealy Opinion editor

THE MOMENT OF

Vinita Maigur Reporter

There is one moment in my daily life where I would love to be left silent, to the point where I could hear a pen drop. I am talking about the “Moment of Silence,” something offered every day in our public schools. It bothers me to see that so many of our students don’t use this moment to their advantage.

One of the reasons would have to be that some students don’t understand what the “Moment of Silence” truly is. It’s a law in South Carolina that every public school must start the morning with one minute of silence; it’s also a time to be quiet, pray, reflect and/ or meditate on what lies ahead for that day. It opens a time to show respect for those who have risked their lives for us and or have lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

“Moment of Silence” is a concept that is taken very lightly around our country. I understand that prayer is no longer al-lowed over the Public Address system in school, and that teachers are not allowed to share their religious beliefs in the classroom, which is the intent of the First Amendment’s “Establishment Clause” in separating church and state. So maybe teachers worry about whether to make students be quiet during the “Moment of Silence.” As a result, the special moment is ruined by talking.

With school administration and teach-ers enforcing students to be silent during the “Moment of Silence,” students could finally think for themselves. It gives them time to reflect on personal issues and

lets them grow and establish values and morals that they can use in their everyday lives. It allows students and teachers to have some type of open communication on the prospect of people whom you will never meet battling it out on the front lines for our freedom.

The “Moment of Silence” was estab-lished in the early 90’s and is still being used everywhere. Government officials use it for a sign of respect not only for soldiers but for everyday people in our communities or in some type of historical or tragic event. Churches use the “Mo-ment of Silence” for members who have served in the community.

The “Moment of Silence” is asked for when the American Flag is flown at half mass. You would have to do something very significant to have had that kind of remembrance.

South Pointe has a unique expecta-tion on the “Moment of Silence” during the morning. Principal Al Leonard says teachers are expected to enforce the rule of staying silent and that there are conse-quences for students who do not follow them. Teachers have the right to talk to a student who is being disrespectful during the “Moment of Silence,” but if it later be-comes a problem, the teacher is supposed to write a referral. Leonard also said that administration is there for support when teachers need to enforce the rules of the school and being consistent on the rules that they enforce.

Teachers have particular rules for us to follow other than the school rules that are set. It’s hard for student to keep up with each teacher specific rules in the

classroom when it comes to this issue of the “Moment of Silence.” On the contrary, no one prepares or teaches you what to do when teachers break this rule. Teachers should know that talking during this time not only reflects badly on them, but also on our school, and above all, on our state.

Teachers are supposed to be good role models and teach students the right and the wrong way to act in the classroom and in the real world. Whether or not you like it, teachers, you are the role models, and students do look up to you for advice, for the way you act and for the way you live your life.

The “Moment of Silence” is a touchy subject for most, because it has to do with laws and regulations and rules, all of which should be followed fully and in-tensely and the breaking of which should not be tolerated.

I think of it in this way: do you stand and put your hand on your heart during the National Anthem at a sporting event? Do you take pride in this country to respect it enough to be silent during that one minute during the school day? If you do, then be the person to stand up and say something about it. If you don’t like the fact that others are talking during your time or reflection, then make time to talk to your teacher after class (respectfully) and if action isn’t taken, go talk to your administrator and see what they can do to help.

Everyone has their First Amendment right to speak up and to be heard.

“Congress shall make no law re-specting an establishment of religion

SILENCE

or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” The First Amendment to the U.S. Consti-tution states.

In addition to being so careful not to violate the establishment clause, teachers and fellow students must realize this law also protects the free exercise of religion by students who are using the “Moment of Silence” for this purpose.

Most of the time it only takes one person to say something before it springs into full gear and changes the way people look at the situation.

The 2012-2013 student handbook should be edited to include South Pointe’s expectations for “Moment of Silence” so that teachers and students will fully understand how important it is. Conse-quences for violating the daily ritual and the ways they should be handled should be included.

So with all due respect, public schools have one of the best ways to let everyone pray, reflect and meditate during the morning, without having anyone really know, or judge you for what you are do-ing. Everyone’s beliefs maybe different, but I believe that we all should feel the same way when it comes to the “Moment of Silence.”

All I am asking for is common ground, some change and most impor-tantly, silence.

Submit: A story about something significant that changed your life or an issue related to the school that you feel should be brought to the light.How:Submit to spinopinioneditor@ymail.com or to the folders located around the school.*Please include your name, grade, and fourth block class.

Voice of the

Stallions

for a break !!! What are your plans for spring break?

South Carolina

Colorado

Craig Galeota, social studies teacher1. Going to Kiawah Island, taking my family for a trip that involves golfing, fishing, and riding bikes.

Langston Kennedy, junior1. Going on college visits, probably USC

Tyreece Brice, sophomore1. Playing basketball and with her (Jessica Peeler)

Jessica Peeler, junior1. Spending it with him (Tyreece Brice)

Kendra Harris, junior1. Traveling to Denver for a family reunion.

Time

for a break !!!

New York

Christian Hope, junior1. Heading to Oklahoma to see family, and Tennessee or Atlantic City.

Asyiah Ortiz, senior1. Probably going to New York to party and shop

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Washington, D.C.

Sarah Ellis, special ed teacher1. My family is coming to visit me from Pennsylvania

Eliza Wilcox, senior1. Going to New York to see plays on Broadway and museums.

Kay McNutt, guidance counselor1. Going to Washington, D.C.

Illustrations by Jarvis Carter and Renada Massey, photos by Kendra Harris and Kaylia Givens

Page 10 March 2012

Erin FieldsFeatures editor

Olivia SmithReporter

Getting discovered is what every rising star dreams of.

South Pointe seniors Rachel Henderson, Andre Orr, Shivam Patel and Treyvon Washington all auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” on Feb. 3 in the convention cen-ter in Charlotte, N.C., all with hopes of reaching stardom.

It was unknown if they have made it to the next level at press time.

A couple of the students sang their hearts out, while the others exhausted theirs by dancing.

For instance, Henderson and Patel each performed their own musical number, hoping that they could wow the judges.

“Prepare for anything. The more confident you are with your audition piece, the more prepared you will be for anything the judges will throw at you,” Patel advised anyone trying out for one of the talent search shows.

Patel sang a John Mayer song, “Waiting on the World to Change.” The whole time he was hoping that he wouldn’t forget the words, something a number of “American Idol” group week contestants got eliminated for.

He said he sang constantly -- morning, noon and night -- looking for new opportunities and his next chal-lenge to overcome.

His best friend Henderson was there with him to sup-port him as he was there to support her.

“I told Rachel that I had school, but she didn’t listen and convinced me to go do it anyway,” said Patel.

Henderson never gave up her dream, even though she was also nervous about forgetting the lyrics to the song “Beautiful Disaster” by Kelly Clarkson.

“I get inspired when I’m up on stage singing my heart out for people. When I’m up there the audience’s reactions gives me an intense rush, which reminds me why I love singing,” said Henderson.

Henderson got up at 12 a.m. to arrive at the “Ameri-can Idol” audition at 1:30 a.m. in Charleston. She slept on the concrete and made new friends, all while waiting in line for a chance to audition. When she got in front of the four producers it was 11 a.m. She had 15 seconds to sing her audition piece, which was, “You’re no Good” by Linda Ronstadt. After she had sung, the judges contem-

plated their decision and they said,” You’re talented but unfortunately you’re not what we are looking for.”

On the bright side Henderson got interviewed multiple times and ended up on the show in the season’s opening segment of televised auditions. She appeared to a national audience, talking about her dream of singing.

“It was all worth while,” said Henderson, who plans

to audition for multiple singing shows, including “Ameri-can Idol” again.

Henderson also won the S.C. Solo and Ensemble scholarship for $400 for her freshman, sophomore and junior year of college. She was in the National Honor Choir this past year in Chicago. She has also been in the All State chorus for three years.

Although, Patel and Henderson each vocalized their own performances, Washington and Orr choreographed theirs as a team. “I was nervous that when we got into the audition place that the judges wouldn’t like us or that they would talk down on us,” Orr said.

Washington and Orr partnered up in middle school, and they have been dancing with each other ever since.

Before auditioning for “America’s Got Talent,” Orr and Washington participated in the school’s talent show, last year’s showcase “Road to 106,” and the community showcase at Emmitt Scott Center.

They also performed at a church, where they won an “Iron Award.” The “Iron Award” is an award that is given to a person that puts their talents towards the church.

They performed an original hip hop choreographed dance to an instrumental tape, trying to impress the judges.

“The support that I get from my family and friends inspires me to keep doing what I know how to do, dance,” said Orr.

Even though these students are talented, they all needed some type of support in some way shape or form.

The belief that they could actually win it was enough for them to follow their dreams of becoming the next winner of America’s Got Talent and becoming a star in the eyes of millions.

And the first step toward that dream is trying out.

South Pointe’s got talent

Fanpop.com

1. Do you have a favorite app that is unique or helpful?2. What does this app help you do?

Shelly Restificar, sophomore1) My Fitness Pal2) I’m required to count my calories for

soccer, so it’s really helpful.

Rileigh Glasgow, sophomore1) Gas Buddy2) It helps me find cheap gas.

Kyle Brandt, sophomore1. Bank of America App2. I use it to check my bank account.

John Keith, teacher 1) Flashlight for iPhone2) It helps light up dark spaces, it gets

pretty bright.

Adam Eason, junior1. Barcode Scanner2. It helps me find better deals.

Kiss my

Photos by Erin Fields

March 2012 Page 11

Erin FieldsFeatures editor

Kendra HarrisPhotography editor

• Get a limo • Reduce chances of driving under

the influence or driving drowsy• Know the risks and consequences

of sex, drugs and alcohol• Talk to parents about plans for

the night• Have an escape plan for a bad

situation• Have time to call and check-in

with parents • If driving to prom limit the pas-

sengers• Have cab numbers programmed

in phone• Make sure you have plenty of

rest the night before• Consider going to breakfast,

bowling or see a mid-night movie after prom

• Have cell phone charged • Never leave drinks unattended• Drive on well lit roads • Know where you are, and where

you are going• Get phone numbers of friends’

prom dates• Be careful of alcoholic beverages • Don’t let friends’ drink and drive• Do not accept any drinks from

someone you do not know. If you leave your drink, discard it and get a new one

• Take extra money or have a responsible person available for transpor-tation for a safe ride home or in case an emergency arises

• Do not allow anyone in your car or limo who has drugs or weapons.

Ciara Burris/ SPiN

Be smart on the Big NightSa

fety

tips

for p

rom

:

Page 12 March 2012

Erin FieldsFeatures editor

1. What TV shows can you not go a week without watching?2. What attracts you to this show?3. What is this show about?4. Does this show help you with life problems?

Students click through life

1. “The Bad Girls’ Club: Las Vegas”2. “The Drama”3. “It’s about competition and jealousy.”4. “No cause. I don’t have drama in my

life; I just watch it to laugh.”

O’Brian BrownReporter

Teens spend a lot of their time involved in school and after school activities, whether it’s wrestling, football or anything else. The time not spent involving school may be spent at home doing something that’s been around for decades, watching TV. I went on a voyage to find out what TV shows that teens feel obligated to watch every week. Believe it or not, TV is a very important piece of our overall makeup. The people we hang out with usually tend to watch the same type of shows.

1. “Law & Order”2. “The killing and the suspense.”3. “People solving murders and stuff.”4. “No, because I just watch it ‘cause that

kind of stuff interests me.”

1. “My Wife and Kids”2. “It’s funny and I like it.”3. “A family that does funny things.”4. “ No cause; I don’t have them types of

problems.”

1. “Dragon Ball Z”2. “I used to watch when I was a little kid

all the time.”3. “Cartoon characters fighting each other

over dragon balls.”4. “ Yes, it helps me calm my nerves when

I watch it.”

Stallions under the spotlight1. What movie, television pro-gram or commercial were you in?2. How old were you when made your first appearance?3. How did you get the chance to earn your spot on film?

Catherine Allen, senior

1. “I was in commercials for T-mobile, Krispy Kreme and Lexington Medical Center. And I just got done with a movie called ‘Secrets in the Snow.’”

2. “I was in my first commercial freshman year.”3. “I auditioned for them.”

Erin FieldsFeatures editor

You think you know your classmates, but one thing you may not know of is the famous side of them. Wheth-er it was their 15 minutes of fame or their passion for acting since day one, everyone seems to have a different story of their moment in the spotlight.

These Stallions seem to realize that some people were born to steal millions of hearts with a song; others have big dreams that seem impossible to achieve but end with their name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Your favorite rapper or movie star had to start out somewhere, whether they were on an endless road of achieving their lifelong dreams or fame unintentionally came to them. If they can do it, anyone can. Several Stal-lions believe that and are already living their dreams.

Ishmael Wilkes, senior

1. “I auditioned for American Idol in June and didn’t make it. But I auditioned for America’s Got Talent in February and made it through.”

2. “I started with American idol last year.”3. “I auditioned; my grandpa motivated me to start

singing when I was about 4 or 5 years old.”

Kirby Stegall, sophomore

1. “I played as one of the little girls in the movie The Patriot.”

2. “When I was about 4 or 5 years old.”3. “The movie was filmed mostly on our land.”

Lights, camera, action!

Chasmine Strong Devin Pearson

DaQuan Robinson

Santerria Tyler

March 2012 Page 13

VARSITY

SOFTBALL

“My freshman year I lead the team in their first victory of the season.”

“A Rock Hill High girl hit a ball between right field and center and I dove to the ground and caught it.”

“When I hit my first homerun.”

“In ninth grade I made a triple play at Lewisville. I was at shortstop, the ball was hit to me and I threw it to third. And she threw to second and they tagged the runner out.”

What is your greatest achievement in your softball career?

Stephanie Markfort, junior

Lindsay Bradley, junior

Caroline Skaggs, junior

Jessica Peeler, junior

Lady Stallions start season with 1-2 record

Page 14 March 2012

Sophomore makes name for himself

Sophomore Tyreece Brice passes by the Chester Cyclone defender on his way to score a basket. Although the Stallions lost to the Cyclones 62-71, they clinched the Region title.

Sierra GilmoreReporter

“When I hit a three pointer at my AAU tournament last year that led us to the regional championship game. I felt great because as a team we really wanted this,” said Stallion Tyreece Brice.

Brice, a sophomore, stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs 175 pounds and he’s known for his versatility on the court for the varsity boys Stallions, the reigning Region champions. He also helped his high school team win at Regions for the first time last month.

Brice has been playing basketball since he was four years old, starting in the church league.

What does he like best? “Hard to say; I just love it,” Brice

said. “It makes me feel like I have no problems.”

When Brice played for Saluda Trail Middle School, the Wildcats won conference titles for both seventh and eighth grade. Both games were against Fort Mill.

Brice has been playing varsity basketball since ninth grade. His sopho-more year he started every game and can play point guard, shooting guard and small forward. He averages 14.1 points a game and his free throw per-centage is 80.

The most points Brice has ever scored was 30 and that was in his AAU tournament.

“My goals as a basketball player are to make great decisions in life and as an athlete,” Brice said. “I want to continue to bring great leadership to the team and others. I am looking for a great D1 School and will work hard to get there.”

Brice likes AAU better mostly because it allows him to travel and do what he loves. He enjoys the competi-tion that’s all around the country, not just in South Carolina.

“I do want to be a State Champion for basketball, something that South Pointe hasn’t yet done,” he said. “It’ll be amazing to be a part of the first team that wins State in basketball, especially after we’ve already made history by winning our Region. We can only keep rising higher.”

Brice was also nominated this year as All-Region along with teammate Manzey Miller, a senior.

“It was an honor to be designated as an All-Region player,” Brice said.

First-year varsity coach Melvin Watson thinks highly of his sophomore standout, calling him “very coachable” and saying he puts his team before himself, the most important traits in a player, according to the former profes-sional baller.

“Tyreece reminds me of Raymond Felton (a national champion University of North Carolina Tarheel who now plays with Portland Trailblazers) because they both shoot well,” said Watson, who was inducted into the University of South Carolina Hall of Fame in September. “They are also built alike. Brice is good, no doubt, and I know he’s capable of be-ing great.”

The new coach and his team went to the second round of the Region 3 AAA playoffs before losing by only one point.

“It was heart-breaking when we lost that game because we had it in

the bag, but I knew we came out and did what he had to

do. We just came up short,” said Brice.

Brice also runs track, participating in the long jump, 4X1, 100 and the 200.

“Honestly, I enjoy running track. It helps me out in basketball as far as speed and conditioning. I’m pretty good at it also. My favorite event would have to be the 100, all because you find out how fast you really are and time doesn’t lie. It’s also competitive and I like that about it too,” Brice said.

One ingredient to success, Brice thinks, is having parents, a girlfriend and friends who support him. “There’s nothing like having the support system, not only on the court but in whatever you do,” Brice said. “It feels great to know I have people in my life that have my back and love me like they do.”

(above) Tyreece Brice runs in the first track meet of the season against North-western and Nation Ford on March 13. (above right) Brice (22) makes a jump shot at the Feb. 7 basketball game against Chester High School. (below right) Brice dribbles around a Cyclone point guard during the senior recognition game.

Brice was named All-Region basket-ball player along with senior Manzey

Miller. Brice and Miller were the only two to make All-Region.

Kaylia Gviens/SPiN

Kaylia Gviens/SPiN

Art Illustrated by Taylor Snyder

Kaelyn Jiran/Contributor

March 2012 Page 15

Junior Kelsey Davis kicks it at the end of the 400 meter race. Davis came in third place.

Sophomores Madison Goode and Victoria Burdette trade off the baton during 4x8 relay at the South Pointe track meet. The Stallions hosted rivals North-western and Nation Ford March 13 for the season opener.

Photos by Kaelyn Jiran/contributor

Stallions clinch second at first meet

Senior JaRyan Jennings (fourth from the left) in the 110 hurdle race tries to gain speed to beat a personal record. Jennings came in second, earning the Stallions points.

Senior Darius Wilson races to the finish line as he gains speed over the Trojan in the 100 meter dash. Wilson came in first over the Trojans and Nation Ford Falcons.

Sophomore Malecha Cousar races head to head with a Northwestern Trojan in 4x8 relay at the beginning of the season opener. Cousar placed in the meet, getting South Pointe extra points.

Expectations: Act like a state champion.

-Coach Calvin McCullough

Page 16 March 2012

Kendra Harris Photography editor

Photo essay by Brianna-Marie Ealy

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B G V O L L E Y B A L L S U R O H C

Stallion sudokuCandyLand:The main point of

the board game Candyland is to find the lost king and, of course, make it to the end first. You get to play this game as a color-ful childshaped game peice. Throughout your adventure you meet characters like: Lord Licorice, King Kan-dy, Jolly, Lolly, Mr. Mint, The Gingerbread People, Gloppy, Plumpy, Queen Frostine, and Gramma Nutt.

Twister:In the game of

Twister you and your friends place your hands on colored circle spaces. The point of the game is to keep placing limbs on the colors you’re required to until someone falls. Whoever hits the ground is eliminated.

Stallions StampedeNewspaperFootballTennisSoccerVolleyballGolfBasketballKoonThomasLeonardKhaalidNicholsonDeytonWashingtonEnochPhotography

TheatreChorusArtGamersGreenStudent

CouncilCreative

WritingEngineeringCulinaryYearbookBookPromGuidance

Sorry:Sorry is a game

where you play with three other players. You and other players move game pieces around the game board until one player gets all four of their game pieces to the center of their color.

Monopoly:Monopoly the

board game is a game where real estate is the game. You buy certain buildings and railroads. The downfall to Mo-nopoly would be that the game can go on and on and on. There really is no way to win Monopoly.

Clue:Clue is a

murder mystery style board game. In this game each person picks a character and tries to figure out who killed who, what weapon was used, and where in the large mansion they were murdered.

Row 1:4,7,2,5,6,1,8,3,9,Row 2:9,5,3,8,7,2,1,6,4Row 3:1,6,8,3,9,4,5,7,2Row 4:5,2,4,7,3,8,9,1,6Row 5:7,9,1,4,2,6,3,5,8

Row 6:8,3,6,1,5,9,2,4,7Row 7:6,1,7,2,8,5,4,9,3Row 8:3,8,5,9,4,7,6,2,1Row 9:2,4,9,6,1,3,7,8,5

All work and no play? Never!

Answers