The renaissance spring 2015

The Renaissance

The student newsmagazine of Dutch Fork High School 1400 Old Tamah Road/ Irmo, SC Volume 23. Issue 3/ Spring 2015

Pg. 15 District 5 Spring Musical INSIDE: District 5 Spring Musical Grease

Editor’s letter

W

ell here it is...my very last issue of The Renaissance.

Three years of work and here is the end of what has been a major part of my life in the those years. I always figured people were kidding when they said that senior year will fly by, but believe me: it really does.

I can’t believe that in just a few weeks I will be walking across the stage of Colonial Life Arena shaking Dr. Owings’ hand and accepting an empty diploma cover. (In case you didn’t know, they mail the official ones so they make sure everyone actually passed.)

I have learned a lot from being on The Renaissance staff. I loved being Editor-in-Chief this year and being able to produce an awardwinning publication. This spring The Renaissance

won the Palmetto Award from the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association (marking it as the best scholastic newsmagazine in South Carolina). I am so proud of this year’s staff for producing a quality newsmagazine, and I know the excellence will continue next year.

As AP exams are now over and the summer draws near, there are endless possibilities upon the horizon. Some of you will be starting a new chapter and going to college; some will start their summer jobs; some may even begin summer reading.

Summer is the time for a break from school and all the craziness, but it’s also a time to prepare for what is to come. So take a breather, but also prepare for next year because it will be a crucial time in your life.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this issue of The Renaissance. We highlight some crucial points in students’ and teachers’ lives. We cover the teacher of the year, administrator of the year, and journalist of the year, the District musical and the importance of sports safety. I hope you enjoy the last issue of this year.

Michaela Baker Editor-in-Chief

(cover): Students perform the hand jive in the District 5 musical, Grease. Photo by Michaela Baker

The Renaissance Editor-in-Chief Michaela Baker Section Editors News Abby Beauregard Opinion Robin Hendricks Life Maddie Mason Sports Carina Leaman Web Jacob Sprankle Hayley Younginer Staff Eddie Bates Anna Maria Gardiner Jamie Gilbert-Fitzpatrick Josh Imholte Raleigh Norris Becca Spilka Rebekah Street Lacee Getter Adviser Amy Medlock-Greene Principal Dr. Gregory Owings

The Renaissance is an open forum for student expression at Dutch Fork High School.

The purpose of The Renaissance is to inform the student body about events affecting them, to influence its readers through responsible editorials, to entertain through feature content, to reflect the overall personality of the school and to bring buyer and seller together.

These goals will be achieved through fair, accurate and responsible reporting.

Unbylined editorials reflect the views of the majority of The Renaissance staff, but not necessarily the view of the school board, the administrators, the faculty, the adviser, the entire staff, or student body. All bylined editorials and cartoons reflect the opinion of the writer or artist. Advertisements do not reflect the opinion of The Renaissance or its adviser.

The Renaissance encourages letters to the Editor as they constitute a constructive avenue for opinion. All letters must be signed by the writer to be considered for publication.

The staff reserves the right to edit letters for poor taste, libel, grammar and space.

The Renaissance is published four times a year by students in the journalism classes.

The online edition, updated regularly, is available at www.foxfusion.org.

Contents

May 15, 2015

News

08

05 Mock Trial prepares for state 06 State titles for student and assistant principal 08 Catapult launch

Opinion 10 Staff editorial 11 Tech Tip recap 13 Book vs movie: Insurgent

15 Life

15 District 5 musical 18 Teacher of the year profile 23 Soda City

Sports

25 Tennis court facelift

28

28 Dangers of high school sports 30 Diving profile

news

inBrief

USC basketball takes final steps to final four The USC women’s basketball team advanced as far as the Final Four in this year’s NCAA March Madness tournament.

Dutch Fork alum and USC sophomore center Alaina Coates stepped onto the court determined to play her best. Although they lost to Notre Dame 66-65, the USC women’s team made history, making it the farthest they ever have gone in the tournament. “It feels great to achieve everything that we did throughout the season,” Alaina said. “It would have been better to go all the way, but to continue to build onto the school’s history was a great feeling.”

The Renaissance’s declassified Graduation Survival Guide 1. Make sure all debts have been repaid and all textbooks (and your iPad with case, charging brick and charging cable) have been returned.

2. If you have more than five unexcused absences in a year-long class (or three in a semester class), make sure you attend SAMP on the days provided by your guidance counselor.

3. Receive your cap and gown from Jostens and, if you purchased one, your coordinating stole.

Graduation day June 4 Graduation takes place at the Colonial Life Arena June 4 at 4 p.m. (All seniors and graduating juniors must also attend graduation practice at DFHS June 3 in order to be eligible to walk across the stage and receive a diploma.)

Make sure to bring your cap and gown to graduation and arrive at 3 p.m. for attendance and organization. If you have any questions about your graduation eligibility, contact your school guidance counselor ASAP. For other graduationrelated questions, see Allison Norwood in room 202.

Universal Lawn & Garden, Inc. Roosevelt Simon 803-238-4677

Two Princesses

4. If you do not have above an 85 average in your classes, study hard to pass your final exams.

Hire two of your favorite princesses for meet and greets, birthday parties and other events!

5. Attend senior celebration June 1 at 7 p.m. and graduation practice June 3 at 1 p.m. Both events will be in the arena.

Email two2princesses@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and Twitter! @two2princesses

04 | Spring 2015 | NEWS

Fake case, real competition Mock Trial uses preparation to gear up for State story by Abby Beauregard, Lacee Getter and Raleigh Norris • sketch by Lizzie Shephard

A

fter a strong showing at regionals, the Dutch Fork Mock Trial team came in ninth overall at the state competition.

“I think we did all right for our first time at State. We could've done better, but for our first time we did well,” junior attorney Jonathan Cannon said.

Mock Trial competes in a series of rounds alternating between the prosecution and defense. This year, nine of the 12 members of both teams returned to compete again.

“We all just have a lot more experience,” junior Allen Wilbur said. “Most people on the team at this point have been through an extra year of preparation [and have] been to a competition, and so they bring all of that experience into this year’s preparations.”

All the current team members have a familiar visual and understanding of being a part of a court case, from either middle or high school competitions.

“A lot of people last year had never been in mock trial before,” senior witness Zoey Johnson said, “but this

year everybody has experience.”

For those not familiar with the premise, the club deals with a trial, written and given to them by the State Bar Association. Depending on their role, they have to write both direct and cross examinations as well as an opening or closing statement (or know a witness’s affidavit so well they could take over their lives).

To compete, teams must not only learn the case, but the legal jargon that comes along with being in the courtroom as well.

“It gives you a chance to express yourself in a way that goes beyond what you learn in the classroom,” Jonathan said.

Because the skills aren’t learned in the classroom, the team has to put in the extra time after school to learn the case, objections, and relevant case law.

It takes time and effort, but with each year of experience the team can progress farther in the competition.

“We've become more cohesive and learned our material much more,” Jonathan said. “The flow is a lot smoother.”

The team’s cohesiveness stems from intense scrutiny of the case, with every member working to find something in the affidavits or exhibits that can help further the case.

“We have different perspectives,” junior attorney Albert Wang said. “We're a very diverse group.”

No matter the outcome, competing against the best teams from across the state helped advance the team’s level of play.

Going into next year’s competition, the team will be able to build upon the skills they’ve learned this year to continue to heighten their level of competitiveness.

“Since we've been to State before, we'll know what it entails and how to please the judges and gain higher scores,” Jonathan said.

Despite not scoring higher, the team is satisfied that their hard work paid off and is looking towards applying what they learned for next year’s case.

“It was a really good experience for the whole team,” Jonathan said, “and hopefully we'll do it again next year.”

NEWS | Spring 2015 | 05

news

Academic, personal bonds lead to state recognitions story by Abby Beauregard, Raleigh Norris and Lacee Getter • photos by Maddie Mason, Sarah Longshore and Amy Medlock-Greene

S

uccess comes in pairs, as both Assistant Principal of Instruction Sarah Longshore and senior Michaela Baker know after winning state-level awards with each other’s support, taking home both the South Carolina Assistant Principal and Journalist of the Year, respectively.

After three years of hard work on “The Silver Screen Report” and The Renaissance staffs, Michaela said she has finally seen it pay off.

“I had to start creating [my Journalist of the Year portfolio] back in December because I had to gather all of my work and then come up with a central design and theme for it and then I had to create my portfolio,” Michaela said, “so it kinda took two months to do it. But overall when it was finished I was really happy with how it turned out.”

The portfolio was designed to show off Michaela’s writing, design, photography, videography, multimedia, and web skills from her three years on both staffs. Despite the hard work of assembling the portfolio, it’s also something Michaela’s been waiting for for a long time.

“Winning South Carolina Journalist of the Year has always been Michaela’s dream and earning the award will help set her on a path toward success in the field of Visual Communications and Journalism,” adviser Amy

Medlock-Greene said. “The process of putting together that portfolio taught her as much if not more than winning the award itself.”

Michaela worked hard not only on the actual portfolio, but on the countless stories she’s covered throughout the years.

“I’ve seen her work diligently in the afternoons and the evening and even on the weekends,” Michaela’s mom, Pam Baker, said. “I am very proud of how hard she has worked.”

Michaela will continue her journalism career at the University of South Carolina next year, bringing with her the valuable experience she’s gained from working on two of the publications staffs at Dutch Fork.

“This has been a great experience for her. Being the Editor of the paper and being a producer for ‘Silver Screen’ she has learned so much on both of those facets of journalism. This has given her experience for later on and she could actually apply some of what she has learned now,” Michaela’s father, Carroll Baker, said. “As she goes to Carolina and as she gets more experience, it will definitely help her later on.”

But Michaela’s not the only person at Dutch Fork being recognized for her work ethic and ability to go above and beyond. Assistant Principal Sarah Longshore is is one of three finalists competing this year for the National Assistant

Principal of the Year (having won the South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year award earlier this year).

“It is so awesome that Mrs. Longshore and I both won a state title. We both actually wrote one of each other’s recommendations,” Michaela said. “I was cheering her on so when she first won her South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year Award; I was so happy. Then she became my cheerleader as we waited to hear if I won Journalist of the Year, and when I did it was great.”

In her seven years at Dutch Fork, Longshore has won the respect of both her students and her coworkers.

"She's one of the most outstanding administrators I've ever worked with,” Social Studies department chair Steve Cox said. “She's very professional and cares about the students and the teachers.

She's very intuitive when dealing with situations."

Longshore has worked tirelessly to maintain Dutch Fork’s current status as the top public high school in the state and said she proactively seeks to improve the quality of education in an everchanging world.

“You have to be a visionary and have really strong forward-thinking: someone who can identify areas of weakness in the school and then develop a vision for where you want to go with that problem,” Longshore said. “You also have to be

a lifelong learner (with the way technology is advancing) and just to keep up with accountability and trends in education, you always have to be reading and staying on top of things and research.

You can’t ever get stagnant in your own learning, looking to find whatever is out there to benefit your school.”

Longshore is an educator who said she believes she has just as much to learn from students as students do from her. Not only has she provided support for Michaela throughout the years, Michaela has done the same for her.

"We make a dream team,” Longshore said, “and I've actually learned a lot from Michaela because she has so much ambition and is such a go-getter. She has set goals for herself for the last couple of years. She's a big- picture person [who] can see the end of the road and her final destination. She's worked very hard for that award and I've learned a lot from watching her work throughout the entire process."

Both Longshore and Michaela are proud of the honors they have received this year.

“This is the first time in Dutch Fork’s History that there has been an Assistant Principal of the Year and Journalist of the Year under the same roof,” Michaela said, “I think it is so cool, and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Opposite page, top left: Assistant Principal of Instruction Sarah Longshore joins the other finalists for the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year award. Longshore was honored in Washington, D.C. during Assistant Principals’ week April 13-17. Bottom left: Senior Michaela Baker and adviser Amy Medlock-Greene show off awards from the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association. Top right: Longshore poses with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Right middle: Longshore and Michaela pose for a photo after the S.C. Journalist of the Year announcement. Bottom right: USC College of Journalism and Mass Communications Dean Charles Bierbauer presents Michaela with her award at the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association’s spring conference April 27.

06| Spring 2015 | NEWS

NEWS | Spring 2015 | 07

Flying high

Catapult launch teaches students cooperation story by Abby Beauregard, Becca Spilka and Jamie Gilbert • photo by Maddie Mason

F

rom The A-Team to Neon Ninjas, groups of physics students stormed the football field for the annual catapult launch April 9. Groups of students lined up side-by-side at the starting line, ready to launch their softballs 50 yards across the field.

“It was very hectic,” science teacher Andrea Jurgens said.

“There was so much going on at once that it was hard for me to focus on the launches.”

Students, teachers and parents swarmed the football field as they patiently awaited the first launch of the day. Students were dressed in costumes ranging from Powerpuff Girls to grapes to construction workers, all based on their team’s theme.

“The most exciting part about the launch was seeing everyone’s outfits,” senior Shantell Witherspoon said.

“There were so many creative and cute outfits.

They were really creative with everything, especially how they designed and decorated their catapults.”

The creativity of the project masks the hard work and countless hours students put into not only building the catapult but making sure it works. “[Building the catapult] was a design process that I kind of sketched out, figuring out the sizes and what we needed to purchase,” senior Garrett Dell said. “There was also a research process to find what design would work best.”

Sketching was the easy part.

In practice, the project required much more problem-solving and labor as things went wrong again and again and again.

“The most exciting part about building the catapult was getting to know the workers at Home Depot because we constantly needed help,” senior Breyana

Nesbitt said.

Students said different parts of the catapult were more difficult to build than others, making attention to dimensions and detail a crucial part of the building process.

“We faced difficulties building it such as the swing arm,” Shantell said. “Ours was too short, so we had to replace it with a longer arm. Then we were using rope for our catapult as the axle for the swing arm, but we later replaced that with a broomstick.”

Even after all the students’ hard work, there was no guarantee it would pay off on launch day by reaching the required fifty yards.

“I didn’t meet my expectations because our swing arm wasn’t as long as it should have been and overall our catapult was too small,” Shantell said. “We should have had better bungee cords to launch the softball a longer distance.”

Despite shortcomings, students said they still enjoyed the process of building their catapults and watching everyone’s projects on launch day.

“I thought it was a great day.

A bunch of people had great designs, and it was great to see all the different catapults and which ones worked best,” Garrett said.

Physics students say they not only benefit from the project grade but that they also acquired skills such as time management, cooperation with others, and basic engineering skills.

“It’s beneficial because it makes students learn to work in a cooperative manner and to use their time wisely,” Jurgens said.

“Also, this is what my engineers will be doing in the future.

They’ll be building machines to benefit humankind.”

Background photo: Students watch as senior James Bowen launches a softball from his team’s wooden catapult. Physics students participating in the softball launch created either a standard catapult or an air cannon.

opinion

Staff Editorial

Magnet concept is over-complicated fix to nonexistent problem

D

utch Fork High School is ranked one of the best high schools in the state.

It challenges its students, prepares them for the future, and pushes them to succeed.

But one of the best qualities that Dutch Fork has to offer is the number of opportunities for students to explore a wide range of interests.

So why all this talk of turning Dutch Fork into a magnet school? Why narrow the prospects of its students rather than foster their diverse interests?

Moving Dutch Fork towards a STEM focus wouldn’t necessarily eliminate the other departments, but it may fail to encourage an array of interests and activities.

Education is meant to enrich and nurture a new generation. We want wellrounded students entering the world, not single-function robots.

Additionally, the district is encouraging Irmo High School to focus on the arts since Dutch Fork has a focus in STEM. This focus, plus the addition of the all-magnet Spring Hill High School, encourages students to switch schools in order to pursue their desired major.

The main problem with this setup is that we’re encouraging students to select their career paths extremely early in life. This nuclear approach to education is what college is for.

Furthermore, plenty of students love Dutch Fork

and the opportunities it has to offer, but it’s difficult to attend a school that doesn’t fully support a love of the arts or other disciplines.

It’s forcing students to choose between the school they want to go to and the school they need to go to.

By focusing on one subject, schools are neglecting others. This negligence prevents students from reaching their full potential and confidently knowing what career path they may want to pursue in the future.

Any good school can deliver content, hand out homework and force test scores to rise, but a great school gives students the tools and the opportunities to explore a wide range of possibilities and discover their dreams.

The story: District 5 is magnetizing its high schools and reducing restrictions on school-of-choice.

Our view: Magnetizing schools is unnecessary and limits eductional opportunities.

Mandatory ACT causes case of majority rules without minority rights

L

ast year’s South Carolina legislature’s decision to remove the High School Assessment Program left a gaping hole in the curriculum.

Months after making the decision to cut the HSAP, the legislature decided it would be replaced by WorkKeys (which is more career-oriented) and the ACT (which would test students on both reading and math). Both tests are mandatory for juniors.

ACT testing in schools seems like it would be a good thing. For one, the District covers the cost of a test many students would choose to take anyway. It would take place on a school day, not on a Saturday, so students wouldn’t have to take time out of their weekends (and maybe they

10 | Spring 2015 | OPINION

column by Robin Hendricks would get to miss a couple of classes as a bonus).

This is all well and good for the students who would take the ACT anyway and wouldn’t miss out on essential instruction on those testing days, but for some, the situation isn’t all good.

First of all, testing for both the ACT and WorkKeys took place in April (in the middle of AP cramming), taking juniors out of class for hours at a time on two consecutive days.

Secondly, our regular bell schedule could not accommodate the ACT without some major modifications.

The ACT typically takes three hours without the writing section and three hours and 55 minutes (not counting breaks or the time it takes to read the instructions and fill

out all the necessary paperwork) with the writing. This would leave students returning to class in the middle of their third block, missing crucial class time (not to mention half of them missing their lunch).

Also, there are two college entrance exams for a reason.

Some people’s minds work so they would do better on the ACT, others, the SAT. It is not fair to force the same test on everyone, especially since the scores can follow the students.

According to the South Carolina law, the ACT is required for all students in their third year of high school, except in special cases (usually involving students with special needs). These special cases must be approved by both the District and the state.

Blanket standardized testing, like the mandatory ACT, is public schools’ biggest downfall. The idea that what is good for most is good for all is sheer ridiculousness. For some reason, society finds it easy to believe that adults do not fit into checkboxes, but lawmakers cannot extend that same courtesy to students.

If the state legislators took the time to create an exam that tested reading and math in a way that mirrored the ACT and offered that exam as a free alternate, most of the problems would be eradicated. Those who did not want to take a college entrance exam now could take a test that would not affect their future education prospects. And they wouldn’t have to miss so much class time to do it.

Kids In The Hall

Would you rather go to a magnet school or the school in your attendance zone?

Tech Tip Recap

Every Thursday, Technology Integration Specialist Susan Aplin posts a new tip in the “Tech Tips for Students 14-15” Edmodo group. Here are some of the highlights from the third nine weeks:

#1

Using Google Drive on iPad Google Drive allows students to have easy access to all their files, wherever they are.

Erin O’Connor

freshman

“I’d want to go to the school I’m zoned for because I have a lot of friends here, and I’m used to the school.”

Braxton Carr

sophomore

“I’d rather go to a school that I’m zoned for because I wouldn’t want to [lose] my friends over a profession.”

Using iPad to stay organized Two great tools to help stay organized are Apple’s Calendar and Reminder Apps.

#3

District Course Catalog and iBooks A new shortcut allows students to access the Course Catalog. The PDF can also be uploaded into iBooks.

Briana Stansberry

junior

“I would go to the school that I know will provide the best education and what I need.”

#2

Using Explain Everything app

#4

Explain Everything has many different tools useful for taking notes or creating projects.

Ryann Shealy

senior

“I’d rather go to the school I’m zoned for because everyone can try a little bit of everything.”

#5

Using Shmoop as study tool Shmoop offers test prep for many varieties of standardized tests and learning guides for many different subjects.

OPINION | Spring 2015 | 11

opinion

Not another Cinderella story review by Robin Hendricks

W

hat is sure to be the first in a long line of live action Disney remakes, Cinderella sets a high standard that will be hard to follow.

The new adaptation, starring Lily James and Richard Madden, follows the plotline of the original Cinderella story. Couple has daughter. Mom dies. Dad remarries. Dad dies.

Wicked stepmother makes daughter, Ella, work for her and her two daughters. Ella turns into Cinderella. And so on.

While a 105-minute runtime does not by any means make a long movie, it is considerably longer than Disney’s original 1950 Cinderella.

The new adaptation used the extra time to deepen the plot and further the theme: “Have courage and be kind.”

This is all well and good for a number of reasons, but the most important: although a few songs were interspersed,

Disney did not use the extra time to make Cinderella a musical.

Repeat: it was not a musical.

There are a few other differences between the 1950 animated version and this one: instead of first meeting at the ball, Cinderella and the Prince meet in the woods, giving them some extra time to get to know each other and making the whole plot a little less ridiculous.

It actually gave credence to the whole “true love” thing.

Whoever did the casting for Cinderella was spot on because Lily James did a beautiful job of portraying the classic Disney princess, with a little extra personality.

She was still the optimistic, hard working girl, but she also exhibited the traits of the oftrepeated themes of courage and kindness.

The movie has its faults, of

course. Some scenes were a bit longer than they needed to be (like both rides in the carriage and her dress’ transformation). Other scenes were rather cheesy, but that can be forgiven when considering the target audience. Because, really, it’s not made for cynical teenagers.

It’s made for children who would look at the pumpkin turning into the carriage with wonder. Children who would take the lessons to heart.

For the most part, watching the movie transports everyone in the audience, from every age and disposition, into that childlike mindset.

This movIe can enchant anyone, make their eyes wide and heart race even when they already know how the story ends.

It is magical and fantastical: one of those movies that can be seen a hundred times without a loss of love for it.

Google takes calendar to next level

O

nce again, Google has worked its magic and has made the lives of Android and iOS users not only easier, but more enjoyable as well.

With the introduction of the Google Calendar app, those who are desperate to organize their overwhelming schedules and long list of important dates are put to ease.

As Google states, “the new Google Calendar app helps you spend less time managing your schedule and more time enjoying it.”

One of the app’s most prominent features is its visual appeal. Schedules are brought to life through the use of images and maps.

For example, a date showing a trip to Paris is accompanied by a photo of Paris or a Google Maps image, while a scheduled dinner date has

12| SPRING 2015 | OPINION

review by Anna Maria Gardiner

the background of plates and silverware.

Along with images and maps, the app also is organized by color, based on what individual calendar the event belongs to. This makes it much more pleasing and interesting to view a display of events, rather than scrolling through the typically boring list of scheduled dates. It also makes it easier to keep different categories of daily life separated such as school, work, and sports.

Google Calendar further saves valuable time by au-

tomatically importing dates that are shared through Gmail. This is especially convenient for those who coordinate events through emails with friends, family, or coworkers. For example, if an email is sent regarding a restaurant reservation, flight ticket, party invitation, school-work deadline, or concert, the date will be directly imported to the Google Calendar app. For those who think that they can read an email and remember important dates on their own, yet constantly forget and miss

important events (yes, that’s me), this app will be a lifesaver.

Other small details of the app include its suggestions while creating events, such as selecting people who will be involved from your email or contact list as well as dropping a direct location so that when the appropriate time arrives, directions to the desired location will be easily accessible. The app also gives you the choice of viewing multiple days at once or solely focusing on different events throughout one single day, with only the quick tap needed to view different screens.

Overall, the Google Calendar app is the perfect app to add to a mobile device in order to stay organized, save time, and make the most of every day.

BOOK

MOVIE

vs

Robin’s rating: (4 out of 5 stars)

Robin’s rating: (3 out of 5 stars)





Insurgent surges series forward

Insurgent surges backward

Insurgent, the second installment of the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth, continues the series with constant actionpacked scenes that keep readers on their toes, never knowing what turn the story will take next.

The book begins right where the previous one ended, with Tris Prior waking from a gruesome dream to find herself in the very same train cart to Amity, seeking asylum from Jeanine Matthews and the rest of the Erudites who want to take over the government and want divergents like Tris to disappear. She, along with her brother Caleb, her boyfriend Four and the surviving “stiffs” must find a way to go on after the Erudite attack on Abnegation.

Insurgent holds nothing back when expressing Tris’ emotional trauma; it is clearly conveyed through her thoughts and actions. Unfortunately, the cause and effect between her own tortured thoughts and the reckless actions to which they lead is only privy to the reader and Tris herself, causing rifts in what relationships she has left.

Through her journeys around the city, she uncovers more about how each faction lives: what their ideals are and what it really takes to be a member of such polarized communities. In contrast, the reader begins to see how Dauntless is viewed by the other factions through Tris’ adoption of Dauntless behaviors. The lines between bravery and recklessness, selflessness and suicidal actions are blurred and then redrawn.

The tone is much darker in this novel than that of the previous one. There are not many moments where the heart races purely for the thrill of it all, but rather in terrified anticipation of what lies ahead.

Though the writing is rather simple, it is not an easy read. It is the story of a character as she declines solely from attempting to redeem herself.

It is a story of disillusionment. It is a story of relationships tested and mended.

It is a story of a girl with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder who learns to forgive herself.

It is a story not of a tragedy, but what happens after.

Insurgent, the big screen sequel to last year’s adaptation of Divergent, surged into theaters March 20, somewhat disappointing in comparison with its predecessor.

The film, starring Theo James (Four) and Shailene Woodley (Tris), explores what happens after the Erudite attack on Abnegation, beginning with the main characters’ stay at Amity (one of the other factions). It also follows Tris as she deals with what happened at the end of Divergent, moving to acceptance and, finally, forgiveness.

It is a meaningful plot for any movie to have, but it wasn’t exactly carried out in an intelligent, pleasant-to-watch manner. For one, it was rather rushed. Nearly every scene began in a new setting. Allegiances were discussed but rarely explained. Friendships were broken and mended in the blink of an eye. All in all, it was rather difficult to follow.

Secondly, it felt more like an introduction of what was to come than a story itself. Most that was included didn’t need to be, while what should have been included was not. It honestly felt like filler, which a movie–whether it is part of a series or not–should never be.

The movie took the recent, very popular route of dystopian stories as they made the “not like other girls” girl the one tool to defeat the overbearing government (which doesn’t make a lot of sense). But people seem to like that storyline, so who can blame them?

Of course, there were moments of pure awesomeness, too. Without getting too “spoilery,” just know that at one point Tris uses a cable to climb a floating, rotating building. That’s also on fire. Does she survive? Watch the movie to find out.

The movie also has insanely impressive composition. Every faction, or lack there of, is given a home that represents its values through structural and prop designs that can take a viewer’s breath away.

Overall, though, the movie is rushed to an ending that feels more like the beginning of a new story rather than an end to the current one. But because of certain moments, certain characters and certain set designs, Insurgent is still worth watching.

review by Robin Hendricks

~Tris and

~Tris and

other survivors take refuge in Amity

 other

~Tris cuts her hair



~Tris calls Tobias “Tobias”

 ~Tris calls

~Tris and Tobias have relationship issues

 ~ Tris and

~Many meaningful side characters

 ~Few

survivors take refuge in Amity

~Tris also cuts her hair Tobias “Four”

Tobias are a smoothsailing ship

meaningful side characters

Robin’s Choice:

BOOK

review by Robin Hendricks OPINION | SPRING 2015 | 13

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STANDUP PADDLEBOARDS •rentals •sales •summer camps •paddle fitness workouts 34 | Spring 2015 | LIFE

FREE Paddleboard Lessons!

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life

Grease is the word Spring musical brings District’s students together story by Rebekah Street • photo by Maddie Mason

D

istrict 5 theatre students gathered in the Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College to perform the theatrical interpretation of the 1978 hit movie Grease.

Students from all over the district have been preparing for this year’s musical.

“We started rehearsals on March 3. We spent every day, including several Saturdays, blocking the show, learning lines, choreographing dances and harmonizing songs,” Spring Hill junior Carrie Melton said. “[The] two weeks [leading up to the show we spent] getting ready for opening night.”

Along with working with each other to ensure the show would run smoothly, actors also learned how to portray their characters.

“My character has been more than fun to play,” junior Hailee Beltzhoover said.

“I’m Ms. Lynch, the mean old English teacher, who is constantly trying to keep the rambunctious Rydell High kids in order...especially Mr. LaTierre.”

While some cast members could relate to their characters easily, others played a counterpart to who they really are.

“I would say [my character and I are] pretty different, mainly because I try not to be so harsh with people,” Carrie said. “But at the same time, Rizzo and I have a low tolerance for dumb questions.”

Only one District musical is put together per school year, and it differs slightly from the smaller plays that individual schools are able to perform each year. According to the cast and crew, the District musical can be more challenging to put together.

“From the beginning, it [was] really difficult because you’re getting students from four different high schools together and trying to get them all together at the same time,” Dutch Fork choir teacher Josh Wall said. “But overall, it [was] a fairly smooth process because most of all [the students] have been in attendance for everything.”

The pros far outweigh the cons, however, as the annual District musical become a time where students who share the same passion are able to work together. “[Doing a District musical is important] for two reasons: One, you get to befriend amazingly talented people from all around the District that you would’ve never crossed paths with otherwise,” Spring Hill junior Logan Baldwin (who plays Danny) said. “Two, with a once-a-year District show, the overall quality of the show is far [better] than that of a regular high school show. There’s just more anticipation behind it, so more work gets put into it.”

With Grease being a wellknown Broadway musical and movie, it was key that the students had enough time to prepare for the show.

“I think we [did] well with the timing we were given,” senior Sara Alston said. “A lot of things certainly could have been better but I’m proud of how we brought it together.”

A period of seven to eight weeks is usually allotted for the yearly District musical; however this year, students were given only six weeks.

“The most challenging part about the musical this year is that we had only a mere month and a half to put it all together.

Because of that, the whole cast had to put on their best [performances] and work as hard as possible 24/7, which is not an easy thing [to do] with school and prom and exams,” Logan said. “But we pulled it off and I’m extremely proud of everyone.”

Students not only had the opportunity to interact with their peers from throughout the District, but work towards their dreams as well. “[Playing a lead role] is more terrifying than it is satisfying.

Being a lead sounds great and all, but then you get your script and see that you’re in almost every scene, dance and song and it’s just exhausting at times,” Logan said. “But nonetheless, my dream is to perform on stage. I couldn’t be happier.”

Left: The Greasers dance to “Greased Lightning,” one of the many musical numbers during District Five’s spring musical, Grease, performed at the Harbison Theater at Midlands Technical College April 22-25. Seniors Josh Bristow and AJ Jones are two of the Dutch Fork cast members.

LIFE | SPRING 2015 | 17

TEACHER PROFILE

Cancer cannot calm teacher’s drive in, out of classroom story by Maddie Mason and Jamie Gilbert-Fitzpatrick • photo by Eddie Bates

C

o m p r o m i s i n g , reasonable, and responsible are just some of the adjectives teachers and students use to describe engineering teacher Sondra Suarez. So it is no surprise that Suarez won the Teacher of the Year award for her hard work, dedication, and leadership.

“I think she’s very dedicated.

She has done some outstanding things for our department,” Career and Technical Education department chair Gail Gallman said. “She is a leader in helping the engineering program grow at Dutch Fork.”

Suarez said she enjoys teaching engineering, where she focuses on open-ended, hands-on projects to keep her students engaged. Her hard work and dedication has finally paid off.

“It was a surprise, and it was a nice feeling to be recognized and appreciated,” Suarez said.

Graduating with honors from Clemson University in 1981 with a degree in engineering instruction, Suarez pursued her passion for teaching in Chicago, Spartanburg and ultimately

Columbia.

“I like being around kids and I like helping kids discover what they can do and develop their skills,” Suarez said. “It seemed like a more creative outlet.”

Teaching wasn’t always what Suarez wanted to do, but she said she enjoys the chance she has to shape the future for her students and hone their skills. “[Teaching for me is] to let people know what their skills, talents and interests are and [to help them] develop along those lines of what they are interested in so they can take pride in their work and discover what they are good at,” Suarez said.

And Suarez’s students appreciate everything Suarez does for them.

“Mrs. Suarez is a good teacher because she’s always working with students and is willing to compromise with any difficulties that may be happening in the class,” senior William Blanks said.

“She’s very interactive; she feels like someone you can be friends with.”

William, who has taken all three of Suarez’s engineering

classes, encourages others to take her class.

“I like taking her class because it’s always a calm atmosphere and very relaxed, yet you still get a lot of work done. It’s always hands-on work and stuff that I like,” William said. “ [ S t u d e n t s ] should take her class if [they] like a teacher who’s reasonable and can understand that [everyone has a] bad day here or there and someone who is very likely to compromise.”

Winning the Teacher of the Year distinction is an especially a sweet victory for Suarez. Last year, she learned that she had developed breast cancer.

When she heard the news, she was shocked.

“When you first find out, you’re kind of in a daze. You have a list of things you have to do and appointments you have to make and you have to move heaven and Earth to make sure you can still get to work. You have a real set routine of medicines you take, and doctor’s appointments, and chemotherapy,” Suarez said. “You meet a lot of other people who are doing the same thing and the people are very supportive. Your hair,

eyebrows and eyelashes fall out. It’s not pleasant but it does grow back.”

Suarez started bi-monthly radiation and chemotherapy in the spring and it continued through the summer and into the school year where she often missed Thursdays and Fridays.

But even with numerous appointments, Suarez still managed to be strong for her daughters through the sickness that followed after the treatment.

“When she did have cancer she never once showed us that things were getting bad,” Suarez’s daughter, senior Marypat Suarez, said. “She always [put] on a strong face and continues to do that every day.”

Suarez still carries the weight of having one of the most lethal diseases on the planet, considering that 43 percent of those diagnosed do not recover. She said she still lives life for the present, not letting her past affect her future.

“You appreciate more that forever is finite,” Suarez said.

“So you want to make sure you do the stuff you want to do rather than the things you have to do.”

LIFE | Spring 2015 | 19

STUDENT PROFILE

28 | SPRING 2015 | LIFE

From sidelines to

center stage

Senior Josh Bristow shines on, off stage story by Maddie Mason, Jamie Gilbert-Fitzpatrick and Eddie Bates • photo by Michaela Baker

S

enior Josh Bristow is living a story for the ages, stuck in a war between two worlds: one on the 50-yard line; the other, center stage.

“Dance is the biggest change [to my high school life] without a doubt,” Josh said. “Before [dance], I got involved in all these scienceorientated things, and I lost a passion for [science].”

He said he found himself asking, “What am I going to do?”

It was at that point that Josh discovered The Wiz (a theatrical version of The Wizard of Oz). The rest is history.

“I auditioned for The Wiz my [sophomore] year in high school, and I got the lead role as the Cowardly Lion,” Josh said. “During the first rehearsal for dance I was really struggling with it and I asked [dance instructor Ginny] Haynes, ‘Hey so what can I do to get better?’ and she said, ‘Take my class.’”

And that was the start of what Josh now describes as his “passion.”

But there was just one problem: Josh was still on the

varsity football team.

That issue became a bigger and bigger problem the more Josh missed football practice to go to dance rehearsals.

His absences caught notice of varsity head coach Tom Knotts.

“I had a meeting with coach Knotts and he said, ‘Well if you don't come to conditioning today then you are off the team,’” Josh said, “and I didn't go.”

After Josh’s resignation from the team, he decided that telling his parents would be catastrophic. His dad breathed football. “[My dad] would come to every single game; he would be there early [and] stay late,” Josh said. “He would stop at the drop of a hat and leave his job and do everything to make sure that I had what I needed to be successful in football.”

However, his family's passion for Josh’s new hobby was less-than-stellar.

“I didn’t see [my dad] at The Wiz until the last night because I made him go. I didn’t see him at the dance concert until the last night because I made him go,”

Josh said. “You could tell that because I was not doing what he wanted me to...the relationship was definitely different.”

Haynes was there to guide Josh through those nowstrenuous times with his family.

“The special thing about Josh is that he is already an amazing person,” Haynes said. “Give him something that he is passionate about or has an interest in and his work ethic and drive is nothing short of incredible. It is something I wish for all of my students.”

Josh credits Haynes with a significant portion of his success on and off the stage. “[Haynes] is the best person I’ve ever known. She is the one that knew all of this information right as it happened to me. She was my confidant; she was the one that helped me through it,” Josh said. “If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be.”

Two years later, Josh reflects back on that transitional period between the field and the stage. “[It was] really difficult

because the thing that I didn’t like was taking me away from the thing that I loved,” Josh said. “[Now] I would say I’m very happy, and my dad and I are better than ever. I’m loving my dance experiences whether in school or out of it.”

Although Josh dances competitively for the Dance Department, he said nothing quite compares to acting. Josh is currently the head of the Drama club, and has been in two school musicals just this year. “[Josh] fills up the stage space and you can’t take your eyes off of him,” Haynes said.

“He belongs in the spotlight and the spotlight adores him.”

And being in the spotlight is where Josh feels he was meant to be.

“When I’m on the stage my goal is to touch someone through my performance,” Josh said. “If not, that’s OK, but I know for a fact that I am going to do the best to my ability, to go out there and touch someone's life with my performance. That’s much better than any touchdown.”

LIFE | Spring 2015 | 21

life

Soda City adds

flare

to Columbia E

story by Maddie Mason, Jamie Gilbert-Fitzpatrick and Eddie Bates • photo by Maddie Mason

very Saturday in downtown Columbia begins with the cheerful vibe from the Soda City Market; locals and vendors come out every Saturday to enjoy the market and sell their products.

“When Soda City started it was just one block in the spring and summer then it expanded to two blocks.

The people have been really receptive to Soda City,” vendor Ginny Scoggins said.

“As the market has grown, our business has grown.

It also gives people the opportunity to sample and taste our products which has helped the business grow even more.”

Although Columbia is not full of attractions, Soda

22| Spring 2015 | LIFE

City is on Main Street (one of the main attractions in the city), helping with the revitalization of the street and surrounding areas.

“I think by having it downtown it helps bring people into town and it really has helped revive downtown a little bit,” Scoggins said.

“Just having [student housing] here with all the college students, it’s just great.”

Students from outside the city limits go every week to Soda City to see what the local vendors have to offer.

“I like that [Soda City] is local. It is not ‘cheap’ but it is not too expensive,” senior Zoey Johnson said. “They sell food, which I like, and they sell hand crafts and

homemade stuff.”

Many business owners begin their business by selling their products at Soda City to gauge how the customers enjoy the products they’re selling.

“Two years ago we started with just a stand and we were going to see if our juices would sell and they did, so we’ve been here for most weeks,” vendor Virginia Arrington said. “We’re friends with the coffee people [at the market], so they encouraged us [to sell our products].”

Arrington said Soda City helps bring the community together because of the homey feel the once miniscule street market has acquired.

“It’s great [and] it’s only here,” Arrington said. “It’s just something fun that we

do. We really are passionate about offering something healthy to people.”

Vendors develop bonds with the people in the community and their fellow vendors. Vendor Era Pope said it is a great place to get connected with the products that people buy, because “people just don’t get to see how things are made.”

“We formed a lot of relationships and friendships with people that also vend here because we see them every week. So we kind of have a little community going on here,” Pope said.

“I think Soda City has an atmosphere that is just fun for everybody that comes here whether they’re a vendor or customer.”

Soda City (on Main Street from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday) is one of the attractions Columbia has to offer, but here are some more options if you’re looking for something to do over the summer:

1. Go to the beach Folly beach - 2-hour drive Myrtle Beach - 3-hour drive Hilton Head Island - 2.5-hour drive

2. Visit the zoo

Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is on Greystone Blvd.

Tickets are $13.95 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $11.50 for children (ages 2-12) FREE for children under 2

3. Attend a sporting event

Go to a collegiate baseball game ex: USC, Wofford, Clemson, Winthop, Coastal Carolina or you can go see the Lexington County Blowfish baseball team

4. Go to the lake 1. If you or a friend have a boat, plan a day on the lake.

2. Visit a lakefront park. The SCE&G park and ramp site is located south of the Dam and is one of the only public swimming areas on the lake. It is $3 per vehicle.

LIFE | Spring 2015 | 23

sports

Tennis courts get facelift Renovations made for boys’ season story by Rebekah Street, Carina Leaman, and Josh Imholte • photos by Anna Maria Gardiner

Tennis court gets new face for boys’ season

C

racks get filled in and land is once again flattened out as the Dutch Fork tennis courts are resurfaced.

The tennis players rejoice as they not only have a brand new surface to practice on, but their endless treks to other schools will be no more.

“Practice has been somewhat difficult because we have to send emails to some of the middle [school] players telling them to change from Crossroads to Seven Oaks depending on who needs to play or practice with whom,” tennis coach Jim Peyton said. “We are looking forward to coming back to Dutch Fork to practice and play.”

Right as the girls’ tennis season ended, District 5 provided the funds to give the courts a much needed makeover. The old surface was stripped, then re-poured and repainted.

“Resurfacing the court is always good because it flattens out the court and all the cracks, so it’s better friction,” senior tennis player Brett Winters said. “It’ll elevate our performance.”

Performance is not the only thing that will benefit from the new court surfacing.

“Courts have to be resurfaced for various reasons. They can become dangerous because of loose sand from the asphalt courts,” Peyton said. “The loose sand becomes a haz-

24 | Spring 2015 | SPORTS

LIFE | Spring 2015 | 35

ard because most of us run the risk of injury if we slip and fall.”

The absence of cracks will be a morale booster for those who will be practicing on the courts.

“The resurfacing will affect the team’s confidence because we are playing on nice courts that make us proud of our school. The resurfacing makes the courts look more efficient and professional,” sophomore Lauren Joch said.

Even though the courts have not seen a resurfacing job in a while, (more than 10 years according to Peyton), the condition of the courts was bearable.

“I don’t think the condition of the courts before affected my playing too much,” senior tennis player Caroline Sloop said. “I’ve definitely seen much worse condition of courts.”

Although the girls’ tennis team will not have an opportunity to practice on the fresh courts until next season, the boys’ team is eager to begin wearing it down.

“We hope to start [practicing on the new courts as soon as] the weather permits,” Peyton said.

“I think it will be really great to start off the new season with brand new courts,” freshman tennis player Morgan Campanella said. “It feels like it is a reward for winning state this year.”

REASONS A TENNIS COURT MAY NEED RESURFACING: • Natural tendency of asphalt to shrink as it weathers and ages (cracks) • Loss of flexibility in ashphalt • Expansion and contraction of asphalt caused by temperature extremes • Poor asphalt mix • Poor site conditions • Poor design • Poor construction • Overuse or overcontact (4-6 years) For more info: http://www.plexipave.com/tennis/resurfacing.html

Left page, top left: Junior Robert Kirtley, playing number one singles, slams a forehand cross-court shot to his opponent. Left page, bottom left: Sophomore Richard Zhao returns a serve, running towards the net for an approach shot. Left page, bottom right: Junior Saad Iftikhar glances across the net to decide what strategy to use next in his match. This page, above: Junior Evan Major warms up before his match.

SPORTS | Spring 2015 | 25

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Congrats to the Dutch Fork Girls’ Varsity soccer team’s graduating seniors on four great years. We wish our seniors continued success in the future!

Soccer seniors take next step

Varsity girls’ soccer team loses eight of its best players to graduation story by Carina Leaman, Rebekah Street and Josh Imholte • photo provided by Kathy Bass

G

raduation means green gowns and “Class of 2k15” key chains but for eight members of the girls’ varsity soccer team, it means the end of their careers as high school athletes.

These eight members make up one third of the team’s roster. But it’s more than the decrease in numbers that has the team worried.

“Our seniors this year and for the last three years have been leaders on and off the field,” girls’ varsity soccer Head coach Mike Mauldin said. “When teams lose players, usually they don’t lose leaders AND starters.”

The loss of those seniors can mean many things for the team. The team faces a game of catch-up when the seniors are gone to regain its current spirit and momentum with those players in the lineup. But regardless of the challenges the team now faces, the returning members are hopeful that next year will be no different from this one.

“Almost all of [the seniors] are starters, and it’s going to be difficult to replace them,” junior forward Hannah Baxter said. “But I think that once we as a team can figure out how to work on the

field without them being there, then we should be able to kick some butt just like we did with them.”

The current seniors are more than confident in the returning members to carry on their team and their legacy with just as much momentum and strength as they all did this year.

“I have faith that the juniors now will step up and lead as us seniors do now,” senior soccer player Mary-Jordan Hiller said. “I know they will strive for the same goals that we are this year.”

This year isn’t the end of the girls’ varsity soccer team’s worries, though.

According to this year’s roster, six players will graduate next year; six more will be gone the year after that.

Recruitment has to make up for future losses.

“I don’t wait until the last minute to do things,” Mauldin said. “I work ahead to gain more players for this coming year.”

Knowing that the seniors will be graduating is actually a benefit for the team for this year’s season.

“The seniors this year have done a great job with connecting with the underclassmen and making them feel comfortable on the field,” senior spectator Rachel Miller said. “They

work really well together and have great communication; they have really done a great job bonding.”

Putting their team into the underclassmen’s hands is not an easy task, but a necessary one. The seniors leaving say they are grateful for the bond and the strength their team shares now and that the team will continue to share once they are gone.

“Playing on the DFGVS team has definitely affected my goals in life by showing me how a team can be a family of girls working together for a common goal,” senior soccer player Hannah Liner said. “I never thought I’d be able to play college soccer, but DFGVS has prepared me for that over the past for years and I’m looking forward to playing at the next level this coming year. Without DFGVS I definitely wouldn’t be in the position I am today.”

Despite the looming loss of the team’s head players, the team will bounce back next year.

“Very seldom do coaches have this many seniors on their team,” Mauldin said. “It’s tough when you lose so many at one time. The problem with us is replacing the quality of the seniors we are losing, but I know that we do have girls that will step up next year.”

Above: The Dutch Fork girls’ varsity soccer team huddles with coach Mike Mauldin during senior night. Dutch Fork won against Spring Valley 4-0. This was coach Mauldin’s 200th win.

SPORTS | Spring 2015 | 27

sports

S

ports are meant to be fun and competitive, but they can often come with dire consequences.

Tragedy struck when Chapin lacrosse player junior Jack Enright was severely injured during a match against Lexington High School. He suffered a broken vertebrae.

“Dutch Fork lacrosse and the lacrosse community have rallied to the aid of Jack,” Dutch Fork lacrosse coach Reed Gunter said. “We have Jack in our thoughts and prayers, and we all hope for a speedy recovery.”

Chapin High School has been thoroughly supportive of Jack, and its students and staff are going the extra mile to make sure they can help him in any way they can.

According to Chapin senior Maddie Hunt, several fundraisers are underway and being scheduled in order to support Jack and his family. There is also a 5k run planned for May 30, as well as a Crossfit event. All funds will be given to Jack’s family.

Jack still has a long way to go before he will fully recover. The severity and nature of the injury he experienced is not one that is often seen in the sport of lacrosse.

“When compared to other sports, lacrosse players experience a comparable level of injuries.

The most prevalent injuries I’ve experienced are soft-tissue related and the occasional concussion,” Gunter said. “It is rare that a player experiences a season-ending injury.”

According to mayfieldclinic.com, only roughly 15 percent of all spinal fractures are caused by sports.

This unfortunate incident has caught the attention of lacrosse players across the state and will remind them to be cautious when out on the field. “[Hearing about the accident] made me take more cautions and understand the severity of the sport,” freshman Dutch Fork lacrosse midfielder Jimmy Byrne said.

The event has brought the community closer together as a whole.

“Since Jack’s accident, our whole school has really become more of a family,” Maddie said.

“When something bad happens at our school, we all come together as a whole and support one another in this time of sadness and grief.”

This incident has highlighted the danger of all sports, not just lacrosse. All types of injuries threaten all athletes: sprains, knee injuries, shin splints, fractures, and dislocations are five of the most common, according to myerssportsmedicine.com.

There need to be measured steps taken in preventing both minor injuries and major tragedies. The first step should be educating both athletes and officials on what causes common injuries, and what they can do to prevent them.

While sports can be potentially dangerous and no amount of protective gear can prevent one hundred percent of injuries, every athlete has his or her school behind them cheering them on, injured or not.

“Every sport has its dangers and risks, but we have to make sure that if something does happen, that we’re all there to support them and care for them,” Maddie said, “which is exactly what Chapin High School and our surrounding community is doing for Jack and the entire Enright family.”

28 | Spring 2015 | SPORTS

INJURIES IN HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS:

Recent player tragedy highlights sports’ risks story by Carina Leaman, Josh Imholte and Rebekah Street

Common sports injuries Concussions Sprains

Dislocations Fractures

Facts from castleortho.com and concussiontreatment.com

Long-term effects of high school sports injuries Decreased coordination

Reduced cognitive function Increased likelihood of arthritis Decreased bone density

Facts from everydayhealth.com, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.hss.edu

Do I have a concussion?

Follow this flow chart to see if you or a person you know might have this common sports head injury Did you have a recent head injury?

Yes

No

Do you have a headache?

You most likely do not have a concussion.

No

Yes Are you nauseous?

No

Yes Is your vision blurry?

You have a few symptoms of a concussion. Tell your doctor, get some rest, and avoid situations where you might hit your head again.

No

Yes Are you drowsy or sluggish?

No

Yes Do you remember what happened?

You have multiple symptoms of a concussion. Contact your doctor as soon as possible, or go to the emergency room for treatment.

Yes No

Symptoms compiled from healthline.com

Average cost of safety equipment

vs.

Average cost of treating an injury

Helmet: $74.95

Cleats: $37.95

Concussion medical bills: $2,772

Sprained ankle medical bills: $2,500

Info from sportsunlimitedinc.com, health.costhelper.com, healthcarebluebook.com and http://speech-language-pathology-audiology.advanceweb.com

Shin guards: $29.95

Get

ter

bet

!

soon

Fracture medical bills: $9,663 SPORTS | Spring 2015 | 29

Diving into summer

story by Carina Leaman and Josh Imholte photo montage by Carina Leaman

What do judges look for in the perfect dive?

1 2 3 4

Approach Smooth steps (or in this case, a hand stand) to begin the dive.

Takeoff The release from the board is often the key to the rest of the dive.

Position Straight lines and clean executions of dives strengthen the score.

Entry A vertical entry and small splash are the ideal finale to a great dive

T

he enticing smell of chlorine and echoes of splashes emanate from the pool year-round as athletes of all ages arrive for diving practice.

Diving is not thought of as a high school sport. It’s popular during the summer Olympics, yet seems to disappear from the radar after the medals are awarded; there simply isn’t a large demand for diving, from either spectators or athletes.

But for senior Marisa Rasnick, diving was the only alternative to giving up athletics all together.

“I started diving after I had to quit gymnastics because I hurt my knee,” Marisa said. “I dislocated it a couple of times, and I wasn’t allowed to do gymnastics anymore and I still wanted to do a sport, so I tried to find something that was similar.”

This seems to be the pattern for most athletes with South Carolina Divers. The twists and turns mid-air in diving are similar to the twists and turns involved on the uneven bars or floor exercises in gymnastics, allowing former gymnasts to begin diving with relative ease.

Diving also provides new challenges for athletes wishing to graduate from the floor.

“I did it [gymnastics] at The Little Gym, which is a smaller gym than most gyms, and it was time for me to either move up to a bigger gym to compete, or go to diving,” teammate Sophie Vrezyl said.

Overall, diving provides new platforms in the athletics world. According to Marisa’s mother Lisa Rasnick, it is a good sport to segue into, and there are more opportunities on the collegiate level.

Volumes of effort go into each dive, but what matters most comes before the athlete’s feet leave the diving board.

“A lot of people think that the most important piece is the entry, like you don’t want to make a splash, and that’s very important,” Marisa said, “but for me the most important part is the start, because if you don’t get a good takeoff from the board, then you can’t get a good entry.

You have to have the best takeoff.”

The key to the best takeoff is the mental preparation.

“The most important part of the dive for me is my mindset, because if I don’t believe that I can do the dive, I won’t do it,” teammate Sydney Bluestein said.

Marisa said she has pushed herself ever since she joined the team; her change in sports hasn’t changed her determination. “[She’s] fantastic; she’s very coachable, very driven [and] extremely talented [with] lots of potential,” Head H Group coach Bryan Pitt said. “She’s kind of the leader of our group, too, so it’s good to have people like her to help the younger [divers] come up into the [sport the] right way.”

Her influence has pushed her teammates to grow, even as she improves and looks towards her future in the sport.

“I think she’s just really good as a person. She’s really nice and encouraging,” Sophie said. “And I also think that she’s come a long way as a diver since she came here, and she’s just really nice to [have] on the team.”

As the year comes to a close and Marisa looks toward the graduation podium, the main focus is no longer on this season but on what may come in college.

“What happens this summer is not necessarily on our radar,” Pitt said. “We are training for the US diving summer season, but mostly we’re just trying to improve her mechanical technique, get her stronger, and get her ready for next year.”