Redhawk Times February/March 2016

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Inside:

REDHAWK TIMES

Feb./Mar. 2016 Vol. IV, No. 2

WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Blythewood, South Carolina

School group trips offer chance to explore world through travel

by Channing Cross, staff writer

p3: #BlackLivesMatter

p4: Did You Know?

p6: Wrestling Champs

p8: Supreme Court

Student government leaders on leaving their mark, goals & future of Westwood

by Michaela Pinapfel, staff writer

Student Body President Nick Hooks, senior, and Student Body Vice President Megan Knight, junior, took on the roles of representing the school and student body this school year. Working together, they created a lasting impact here through a variety of lunchtime activities, spirit weeks and pep rallies. We sat down with these two student leaders for a little Q&A about what they’ve accomplished as well as what they hope for the school’s future.

Redhawk Times: What have you done this year for Westwood?

Nick Hooks (SBP): I am currently serving as the Student Body President at Westwood High School and I, along with my Vice-President Megan Knight, have worked hard to help students enjoy their experience at Westwood.

Megan Knight (SBVP): I have worked to broaden our horizons in the community by helping out with the start of Student Senate’s One Can Make a Difference campaign.

RT: What are your plans for the rest of the year?

SBP: My plans for the rest of the year are to work hard on leading Westwood Student Council to another 4A Student Council of the Year title.

SBVP: I plan to contin- Student Body President Nick Hooks was interviewed by WACH 57 news on the importance ue this work by encourag- of young people voting. Some of our student leaders had the opportunity to meet Senator Marco Rubio and Congressman Trey Gowdy (R-SC) during a meet-and-greet at Lizard’s ing people to make their Thicket in Blythewood Feb. 15, 2016. As an added bonus, actor Mario Lopez (aka AJ difference by participating Slater) was there. in the campaign.

RT: What do you want to happen at Westwood?

SBP: I would like for Westwood to become the school that every student wants to attend. The school that overflows with students wanting to join our Redhawk family.

SBVP: I want to see the students put more into serving others without any prize or incentive.

RT: Is there anything that you want to change?

SBP: I love my school. However, we can do a better job of helping the trash problem at Westwood.

RT: How have you left your mark on Westwood?

SBP: I have played a significant role in the continued improvement of Westwood. Especially at such a young school, any change is significant because it can change our entire future as a school. We can add traditions or change traditions because it’s still so young.

SBVP: I believe that working with my student council, we have been able to start many traditions at Westwood High School that I can come back and be proud of 10 years from now.

RT: Why do you feel you have or have not left a mark on Westwood?

SBVP: I think I have left my mark because I have helped the planning and implementation of new traditions and programs in the school.

Over the past few years, students have traveled across the world to explore new places and cultures. School group trips offer students and teachers the opportunity to experience curriculum and expand on what is learned in the classroom. Just by hopping a plane, the students are off to discover a different lifestyle, a different world. Taking group trips helps give students a better education in a real life situation learning base.

Westwood assists their students explore new lifestyles by going to various places like New York, China and Japan., giving students a taste of the world and all there is to discover in it.

This year, the drama department took a trip to New York. While there, they got to take a broadway dance class, explore the streets of the Big Apple and shop on Fifth Avenue. While there, they learned what it takes to make it big.

“I learned about different cultures by visiting different parts of New York, like Chinatown,” said sophomore Carmen White. “My favorite thing was the plays and the restaurants because of the originality and the cultured food.”

Some trips coming up include a trip to China this year and Japan in 2017. To join either adventure, you do not have to be in a certain class or age to apply. All you have to do is go to the informational meetings, make your payments on time and stay out of trouble.

Why travel? Take Japan, for example. It has beautiful mountains for hiking and interesting food. One summer favourite is a cold-noodle dish using very thin sōmen noodles. A dessert that students might try while in Japan is a bowl of kakigōri – a fluffy hill of shaved ice flavoured with sweet syrup, sometimes drizzled with condensed milk or topped with sweet beans, fruit and a scoop of ice cream.

When traveling with a group, everything is planned: flights, hotels and activities. Group leaders organize adventures to cultural highlights within the country and make WASHINGTON--South Carolina, with its reputation for down-and-dirty politics, is where the ad war certain that students get more than just a taste of the coun- among the presidential candidates has blown wide open, in mostly negative bursts. tries that they visit.

A week before the Feb. 20 primary, Republican campaigns and outside supporters were targeting one For more information on the China trip, see drama another, with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and billionaire Donald Trump competing for the most direct hits. teacher Anne Richardson or for the trip to Japan, see EnOn Twitter, Trump was so mad at Cruz for challenging his conservative credentials that he threatened glish teacher Crystal Bailey. to sue over the Canada-born senator’s eligibility to be president.

Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich vowed to stay positive while Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., were competing for African-American voters, who make up over 55 percent of Democratic voters in South Carolina.

Cruz got some unwanted attention Friday after he was forced to pull an ad that targeted Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., when media outlets learned that an actress in the ad had been in pornographic movies. In the ad, a “therapy” session has disappointed conservatives talking about how upset they are at voting for a tea party candidate who betrayed them in Washington.

“Maybe you should vote for more than just a pretty face next time,” says a character, played by softporn actress Amy Lindsay as the group greets a newcomer wearing a Marco Rubio T-shirt. Lindsay is from Clear Lake, Texas, and a graduate of University of Texas at Austin.

The embarrassing incident, which the Cruz campaign blamed on the production company for not vetting Lindsay, generated huge media buzz--not exactly the kind the campaign wanted. ___ (c)2016 McClatchy Washington Bureau Visit the McClatchy Washington Bureau at www.mcclatchydc.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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South Carolina ads illustrate a bitter turn in presidential race

RT VOICES

#BlackLivesMatter Social activism spreads the word about the need for racial equality, justice in US What is #BlackLivesMatter and why is it important?

Hashtag brings awareness to existing problem, sparks discussions that may lead to change

by Ashli White, staff writer

by Carmen White, staff writer

#BlackLivesMatter was a hashtag formed in order to spread awareness and social activism around the world about the need for a focus on the importance of black lives in the United States.

Though there have been people calling for justice and equality related to equal treatment for African-Americans for a long time, the most recent revival of this social activism was sparked by the mishandling of the 2012 Trayvon Martin case, in which George Zimmerman was acquitted of murdering the unarmed teen. This sole case ignited a fire inside of many African-Americans and those of other races in the US. In the years following the Trayvon Martin case, there have been thousands of blacks murdered in the United States. These include, but are not limited to, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Michael Brown, Tamar Rice, Samuel Dubose and Eric Garner. #BlackLivesMatter is important and impactful in this day and age because it is a human rights movement that has now spread all over the world. Through the power of Twitter and other social media networks, this movement was able to gain so much attention and so many followers because it was quickly shared with the whole world.

By simply using this hashtag, people were and are still able to immediately express their feelings towards the topic and/or quickly organize peaceful protests in their communities. #BlackLivesMatter compares to civil rights movements of the 60’s because people have found a cause, and they are pushing to have their voices heard and for change to transpire.

However, without the civil rights activists of the 60’s, these new-age activists wouldn’t have the voice or the influence that they currently have.

Many artists and celebrities have also used their influence in the media to speak on this topic and what it means to them. The most notable of these artists is Kendrick Lamar, a young rapper who was born and raised in Compton, CA. His most recent album, To Pimp a Butterfly, contains many lyrics in which Lamar talks about the killings of black people in America.

However, some people are offended by Lamar’s point of view because he calls out the portion of the black community who riots about police on black crime, but refuses to acknowledge black on black crime.

In fact, Lamar calls himself out in the song The Blacker the Berry and refers to himself as the biggest hypocrite of 2015. It isn’t until the end of the song that he reveals why: “So why did I weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street when gang banging make me kill a (expletive) blacker than me? Hypocrite.”

Although this verse outraged people, Lamar is right. If we don’t want double standards when it comes to how police handle situations with people of color vs. people who aren’t of color, then we’re going to have to acknowledge that there are many innocent blacks who also are killed by fellow African-Americans.

2015-2016

REDHAWK TIMES STAFF

STAFF: Channing Cross, Ryann Felder, Jazmine Goodson, Amaya Johnson, Katie McCarthy, Abigayle Mabey, Mequel McDaniels, Maysia Miles, Julian Narboni, Michaela Pinapfel, Anisah Reed, Angel Salley, Mya Singleton, Ashli White, Carmen White, Hailey Zalewa PHOTOGRAPHERS: Darshawna Barnes-Mack, Jasmine John, Kelly Smeby, Lynn Washington FACULTY ADVISER: Mary Brebner

Editorial Policy The purpose of the Redhawk Times is to inform the students, faculty and community of Westwood High School of events and issues which affect them. The paper also serves as a communication link between the students of WHS and the community at large. Editorials reflect the opinions of the staff and/or individual journalists and do not necessarily represent the views of the faculty or administration.

The Redhawk Times welcomes submissions, which may be edited for grammar, inappropriate language and length. Please email submissions to mbrebner@richland2.org. Subscriptions are also available. For more information, please contact Ms. Brebner or a member of the staff.

To send a letter to the editor: RedhawkTimesWHS@gmail.com To advertise: mbrebner@richland2.org or 803.691.4049 x36072

After the murders of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, #BlackLivesMatter surfaced in social media.

The movement was founded by three women to spark communication in the black community and to fight racism.

Since its creation, blacks have come together and worked to bring awareness to the overall issue of violence in America, but there are also pieces missing in the puzzle.

In an article in the Huffington Post (“The Miseducation of the Black Lives Matter Movement”), an Iowan police officer said, “I am trying to understand the Black Lives Matter movement and the rationale behind the protests. They protest a white police officer that shoots a black man. But they don’t protest any of the numerous black on black shootings. A black police officer gets assaulted or shot and there are no protests. I don’t understand the difference in these deaths if all black lives matter.”

The most common misconception of #BlackLivesMatter is that there isn’t major concern about black on black crimes like there is on crimes that involve authority.

What many fail to realize is that black crime is mostly intraracial, meaning it takes place within the same ethnic group.

Also, intraracial crime doesn’t only exist in the African American community, it exists everywhere. For example, 84% of Caucasian murder victims were murdered by another Caucasian person, according to Cosmopolitan magazine.

There are many social factors that put blacks more at risk for crime involving authority. This could include the types of schools they attend, neighborhoods or the status of their living. In order to reduce this, actions and change toward the systems must be fought.

Since #BlackLivesMatter was created, there has been negativity along with positive results. But #BlackLivesMatter isn’t a fancy organization with one specific leader or a specific headquarters. It is a digital movement, and the downside graphic by Ashli White, staff writer of being digital is that freedom of speech can get in the way of it. The hashtag can be thrown into any post, and the information along with it can be derogatory towards the cause.

Another negative are the aggressive tactics of some of the users. In the 1960’s, activists of the Civil Rights Movement protested in respectful ways through the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These nonviolent activists made a difference by spreading love and unity in order to have their voice heard.

Today, there is no one specific leader to set the principles on what needs to be accomplished through the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Some activists have a stronger level of hatred and anger, which can and has led to negative, destructive actions, which makes the protests pointless.

Churches also played an enormous role in the Civil Rights Movement. The church was people’s guide for freedom and how to fight injustice. Without the help of the church, important values such as respect, love and forgiveness are hard to find in modern-day protest.

However, the influence of the church and of those original Civil Rights Movement leaders can still be felt. A prime example of the impact of the church is the Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston. Following the shooting of nine worshippers inside the church and as the police conducted a massive manhunt for the killer, Charleston residents came together to pray and give one another comfort. During the arraignment of Dylann Roof, loved ones from each of the victims stood and forgave him and hoped that he would find a relationship with Jesus. Not a single building was burned nor was there a riot. #BlackLivesMatters makes a difference.

Theater program brings home honors from weekend competition The Theatre program won First Place at the Palmetto Dramatic Association competition, held Feb. 19-21.

The performance of “Down Came the Rain” won first place in the play competition. The group included: seniors Will Ellis and Marilyn Guy - performance, senior Katelyn Robinson lighting design, sophomore Ashley Epperson - stage manager, and Emma Imholtz - crew.

The students will represent the state of South Carolina at the International Thespian competition on June 20-24 in Lincoln, Neb. The group also qualified for the Chapter Select Honor, winning first place this year.

Additional honors include: • Selected to perform in the Individual Events Showcase: Will Ellis for Musical Solo • Top 10 Finalist for the Blair Beasley Award: Marilyn Guy • Superior for Duet Musical: Will Ellis and Emma Imholtz • Superior for Solo Musical: Emma Imholtz • Superior for Solo Musical: Will Ellis • Judges Award: Best Creep Factor on Opening Sound: Down Came the Rain • Acting Honorable Mention for Down Came the Rain: Will Ellis • Acting Excellent for Down Came the Rain: Marilyn Guy • Superior Rating for Down Came the Rain • Will Ellis: Scholarship recipi- Theater team flashes the swag they won at weekend Palmetto Draent from Winthrop University matic Association competition.

FBLA News

FBLA attended the SC FBLA District II Leadership Conference Jan. 30 and brought home some wins.

First place in their categories: sophomores Destiny McElveen, McCoylon Stevenson-Gibbs and Cyonna Tindal and juniors Alaina Smith and Ryan Stout.

Second place in their categories: juniors Alicia Parson and Eyon Brown and seniors Evan Carrigan and Nathan Rosenberger.

District Honor Choir Seniors Kathryn McCarthy and Angela Heatley and junior Krystle Rodgers were chosen to perform as part of the District Honor Choir. The District Honor Choir performed on Feb. 2 at RNE then again on Feb. 9 at the District Showcase.

Finding a good job can be challenging but worthwhile

by Abi Mabey, staff writer

RT NEWS

Around the ‘Wood

There are three types of students at Westwood: those who have jobs, those who want jobs and those who don’t want them. These three different types of students all have different problems, and Schiria Wilson from our Office of Workbased Learning has the answers.

“The benefits of having a job as a high school student are numerous,” said Wilson. The list consists of, “communication skills, team building skills, collaboration and interpersonal skills.”

Those who aren’t looking for jobs may want to keep those benefits in mind.

For those who don’t have jobs but want one, Wilson said, “Students [should] begin with what they like to do. You may have heard the saying, ‘find a job you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life.’ This is saying that when you are doing something you enjoy, it does not feel like work.”

Not sure what you like to do yet? Consider doing a career assessment in Naviance. “This is a survey that can help you to see what career would be good for you based on your interests,” Wilson said.

However, even if you do know what you want to do, finding a job can be very difficult. Wilson suggests asking those who already have jobs or looking online.

With the area around Westwood continuing to grow, there are also plenty of new businesses opening. Senior Meleah Riddle was lucky enough to hear about her job at the new Chick-fil-A on Killian Rd. from Wilson. “Start with local businesses,” Riddle suggested.

Wilson strongly believes in preparation. “It can be a bit scary, which is why good preparation is so important. The more prepared a student is in terms of a strong resume, and interview practice and preparation, the more confident they will be going into the interview,” said Wilson.

Once the job is obtained, balancing school and work can be a struggle. “Time management skills are the key here,” Wilson said.

She also suggests the use of calendars and lists and to avoid procrastination.

Senior Brianna Brooks said, “I balance my work and school pretty easily actually. I didn’t take a job where I knew I would have to work too many hours and I made sure my schedule for school wasn’t as rigorous. It’s really all about finding how many hours you are comfortable with working and making sure you give yourself enough time to do what you need to for school.”

Any way it works, whether having a job, or looking for a job, junior Aaliyah Broadus, who enjoys her work at the Child Development Center at Fort Jackson, said it’s important to find something you’re interested in. “The more interested you are in the job, the more you’re going to go for it.”

Eating Disorder Awareness Week shines light on difficult subject

by Maysia Miles, staff writer

Some signs and symptoms include chronic dieting despite being hazardously Eating Disorder Awareness week runs Feb. 21-27. The four types of eating disorders are: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and oth- underweight, obsession with calories and fat contents of food, engaging in ritualistic eating patterns, depression, loss or thinning of hair and avoidance of social er specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED).

In America, one out of every 100 teens will struggle with an eating disorder, functions, family and friends.

Another eating disorder is bulimia nervosa. According to the National Eating which, in essence, is an extreme diet that never ends. Eventually, the diet will Disorders Association’s website, bulimia nervosa is also get more restrictive until it impacts the person’s life in a serious life-threatening eating disorder that includes negative ways. For example, instead of wanting to hang Need help or know someone who does? such behaviors as self-induced vomiting. It’s estimated out with friends, someone with an eating disorder would There are resources available. that up to four percent of females in the United States rather work out (usually for a long time), purge or stay will suffer from bulimia during their lifetime. Nearly home to avoid any possible contact with food or drink.

National Eating Disorders Association four percent of bulimic individuals will die.

According to the website EatingDisorderHope.com, An individual suffering from bulimia nervosa may the exact cause of eating disorders is still unknown. http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ reveal themselves through signs and symptoms, many However, it is generally understood that a combination which are the result of self-induced vomiting or other of biological, psychological and/or environmental abforms of purging. These include disappearance of large amounts normalities contribute to the development of these illnesses. of food, eating in secrecy, lack of control when eating, switching These can include any combination of the following factors: between periods of overeating and fasting and frequent use of irregular hormone functions, genetics, negative body image, the bathroom after meals. poor self-esteem, dysfunctional family dynamic, aestheticalA binge eating disorder is characterized by compulsive overly-oriented sports or careers (emphasis on maintaining a lean eating, or eating large amounts of food while feeling like you body for enhanced performance), family and childhood traumas can’t stop. According to EatingDisorderHope.com, 2.8 percent and/or cultural/peer pressure . of American adults will struggle with a binge eating disorder in One of the most pervasive eating disorders is anorexia nervotheir lifetime. Over five percent of individuals suffering from sa. Those who suffer from anorexia have a fear of weight gain not otherwise specified eating disorders die from health compliand a warped perspective of their body size and shape. cations, though just 43 percent obtain treatment.

Because of this, they diet and push their bodies until they beSome of the signs and symptoms of binge eating include continuing to eat even come dangerously underweight, putting their health and their lives at risk. Those when full, the inability to stop eating or control what is eaten, stockpiling food who are anorexic usually diet, fast and exercise excessively.

It is estimated that 1.0-4.2 percent of women have suffered from anorexia in to consume secretly at a later time, eating normally in the presence of others but their lifetime. This disorder has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness. gorging when isolated, experiencing feelings of stress or anxiety that can only be relieved by eating and feeling numb while bingeing.

Four percent of anorexic individuals die from complications of the disease.

I’m exhausted. Caffeine or a nap?

“Caffeine will keep you awake, but it’s no substitute for the restorative powers of sleep. A 90-minute prophylactic nap—that is, a snooze specifically intended to prep you for an all-nighter—can carry you for about 8-10 hours. (Meanwhile, 200mg of coffee will keep you going for six—and then you’ll crash.)”

Ramen Noodles...

Who knew?

1. The first instant ramen was considered a luxury item.

2. Only “Oriental” and “Chili” flavors of Nissin Top Ramen are vegtarian.

3. It would cost you only about $150 a year if you ate ramen for every meal.

4. Momofuku Ando invented “Chicken Ramen” in 1958.

5. China eats instant ramen more than any other country.

6. It’s the best-selling item at the Rikers Island jail, where it sells for 35 cents.

7. The first noodles ever consumed in space were ramen noodles, called “space ram”.

Which is better: Coffee or a Nap? Rowdy

Could use a nap right about now...

I didn’t know that had a name!

Petrichor: the way it smells outside after rain Purlicue: the space between the thumb and forefingers Wamble: stomach rumbling Aglet: the plastic coating on a shoelace Chanking: spat-out food Phosphenes: the lights you see when you close your eyes and press your hands to them Nurdle: a tiny dab of toothpaste Overmorrow: the day after tomorrow.

Ferrule: the metal part at the end of a pencil.

Lemniscate: the infinity symbol.

Huffington Post

What the What, Ramen?

Rowdy

mmmm...ramen.

Rowdy

That’s a lot of water.

do I really need to wash my jeans?

58 Everyday Things You Never Knew Had Names Rowdy

Mind-Blowing Facts

LOL. Chanking.

Halftime Magic sparks music sales growth Rowdy

“Let’s get one thing straight: If you haven’t washed your jeans in two weeks, there could be a colony of 10,000 bacteria per square centimeter living on your jeans. But this charming fact alone doesn’t mean you need to wash them more, at least according to the results of an informal 2011 research project at the University of Alberta in Canada. There, a student wore the same pair of jeans for 15 months.

When Rachel McQueen, an assistant professor of textile science, tested the jeans for bacteria, the levels were innocuous. Two weeks after washing the jeans, the bacteria levels were essentially the same. The lesson? If you haven’t washed your jeans in two weeks, you might as well avoid the laundromat for another 14.5 months.”

What about Bey?

Do I really need to wash my jeans?

Why do I sometimes see stars when I sneeze too hard (did my brain just It’s called an entoptic pheexplode)?

nomenon. In other words, it’s a visual hallucination, effectively which is arising from within your eyeball.

There’s also a phenomenon called prisoner’s or captives’ hallucinations. This is where your retina is tuning itself to the ambient conditions. You know how you go from a bright room to a dark room and your retina (over the course of about half an hour) changes its sensitivity.

Science Questions By

Chinese New Year’s Year of the Red Fire Monkey

Rowdy

I was born in the Year of the Dragon (2012)

Why do you see speckles when you sneeze?

Rowdy

Gesundheit.

Rowdy

*washes jeans immediately*

Do great minds really think alike?

“They do. Just consider the phenomenon of “multiple discovery.” Calculus, the polio vaccine, logarithms, the theory of evolution, the Higgs Boson model, lightbulbs, the jet engine—each leap was made simultaneously by more than one researcher. In 1974, a large study showed that 46 percent of research scientists made at least one multiple discovery, leading sociologists to conclude that great ideas weren’t solely the result of great minds...

As people try to fix particular problems, they use a cultural knowledge that has accumulated over time, which makes certain discoveries almost inevitable.”

What Happens to the Losing Team’s Championship Shirts?

US students can go to college for free in Germany The total student debt in the US has reached $1.3 trillion.

More than 4,600 US students are fully enrolled at Germany universities, an increase of 20% over three years.

“But Germany’s educational system is harder than ours!” While it’s true that Germany ranks higher educationally in many areas, in many cases, all it takes to get into a German University is a 3.0 GPA and an adventurous spirit (go to http://www.uni-assist.de/ to find out more).

“I don’t speak German?” Visit https://www.daad.de for a comprehensive database of programs taught in English only.

(Your excuses are slowly being eroded away!)

“I still have to live, though.

Isn’t that expensive?” You’d have expenses beyond tuition if you went to a US university, too. Depending on where you live, it can cost as little as $550/month to both live in Germany and go to university there. (Check out this article http://www. bbc.com/news/ magazine-32821678 -- they’ve got some interviews with US students studying in Germany.)

“For almost two decades, an international humanitarian aid group called World Vision collected the unwanted items at its distribution center in Pittsburgh, then shipped them overseas to people living in disaster areas and impoverished nations.

Beginning in 2015, after 19 years with World Vision, the NFL started working with Good360. After New England defeated Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX, Seahawks gear was distributed in Azerbaijan and Georgia.”

Is there a global catastrophe on the horizon?

Rowdy

Apocalypse now! (Or in three “minutes”)

Article info from

BBC News

How US students get a university degree for free in Germany Rowdy

RT FEATURES

Rowdy

I need to update my passport!

Cool Animal Facts You Probably Didn’t Know Rowdy

Poor, lonely cows!

How did the sport of golf get its name?

Some sources claim that GOLF is an acronym for “Gentlemen Only, Ladies Forbidden” but, according to ScottishGolfHistory.com, that is patently untrue. The name of golf is thought to originate from an old English word meaning “club”. Names for a medieval stick and ball game, from which the modern-day sport evolved, included colf, kolf, golf and chole. The first documented of the word ‘golf’ is in Edinburgh on March 6, 1457, when King James II banned ‘ye golf’, in an attempt to encourage archery practice.

How did the sport of golf get its name?

Rowdy

Fore! *ducks*

What happens to the losing team’s championship shirts?

Rowdy

Good cause!

Back-to-back Region Championships lead wrestlers to Elite 8; Individual State Championship

by Hailey Zalewa, staff writer Redhawk wrestling made it back to back region titles in wrestling on Jan. 28, pushing their record to 22-5 on the season.

Head Coach Ashley Powell said, “I am so proud of the way our kids fought and refused to lose.”

At the Lower State Individual Wrestling tournament on Feb. 21, senior Octavious Davis finished 2nd at 120lbs. advancing to the State Finals. Senior Evan Carrigan won his third straight Lower/Upper State Championship by finishing first at 132 lbs. He advances to the State Finals. Senior Deundhray Steele finished third at the Heavy Weight Division,which advances him to the State Finals as well. Davis, Carrigan and Steele wrestle Feb. 27 in the State Finals in Anderson, SC for a chance to win a state title.

“It is not an easy sport,” said senior Nick Hooks.

Wrestling is broken up into three periods that are two minutes each. During this time, the wrestler must try to pin his opponent by getting both of his shoulder blades on the ground until the ref calls the pin.

The team’s players are the ones who do the work on the mat, but they would not be regional chamTeam captain Evan Carrigan pins his opponent during pions without the coaching of a match.

Powell. Under his coaching, the team won 48 matches in the last two years and finished top eight in South Carolina last year. Powell won Region 4-4A Head Coach of the Year this year, the second year in a row the title has come to a coach at Westwood.

To perform well in the sport, team captain Carrigan said, “You must be able to push yourself past your breaking point on a regular basis.”

The team’s intense practices consist of running for 15-20 minutes, stretching,

Region 4-4A Coach of the Year: Head Wrestling Coach Ashley Powell

The wrestling team poses with their Region 4-4A Coach of the Year Ashley Powell after winning back-to-back Region Championships under his guidance. Several of Powell’s wrestlers also made it to the Individual State Championship.

practicing drilling moves and techniques and live wrestling. “Wrestling is a oneon-one sport that takes heart, strength and knowledge to beat the guy in front of you,” said senior Richard Hall.

Each wrestler is responsible for holding his own weight on the team in order to contribute to the success of the team. Hall said, “It’s a group of guys who fight together everyday working for the same goal.”

While wrestling is a serious sport, the boys know how to unwind. “Some of us often go out to eat with our coach after long weekends of wrestling. Our favorite restaurant is McDonalds,” said Hooks.

Judge tosses lawsuit by former UNC athletes over bogus classes

by Michael Gordon, The Charlotte Observer

Standing: Athletic Director Jason Powell, Principal Cheryl Guy, Emmanuel Scott, Malik Griffin, Head Football Coach Rodney Summers; Seated: Brandon Howard, Torrey Boone, Christopher McCarthy

National Signing Day brings five key players to table

by Katie McCarthy, staff writer Smiling students and proud parents. That was the scene in the gym on February 3 as students, parents and faculty crowded into the gym for the fourth annual National Signing Day ceremony. Westwood had five student-athletes who signed letters of intent to play football at the college-level. They are: Torrey Boone, who signed with Highland Community College located in Highland, Kansas.

Boone is an offensive lineman for the football team and was named an all-region and all-state player in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl this year.

Malik Griffin, who signed with Guilford College located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Griffin was named the 2015 Wide Receiver of the Year at the annual Westwood Football Banquet in January.

Brandon Howard, who signed with Johnson C. Smith University located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Howard is a four year lettermen and a kicker and punter for the football team.

Christopher McCarthy, who signed with Limestone College located in Gaffney, SC. McCarthy is an offensive lineman for the football team and was named an all-region player this year.

He was also selected to play in the Shrine Bowl and was named the 2015 4A Lineman of the Year.

Emmanuel Scott, who signed with North Greenville University located in Tigerville, SC. Scott is an offensive lineman for the football team and is also a three-year letterman.

Mecklenburg (N.C.) County judge on Friday dismissed claims by two former UNC-Chapel Hill athletes - including one from Charlotte, N.C. - that school officials undermined their educations by coercing them to take a “shadow curriculum” based on bogus classes.

Former Charlotte Christian and UNC basketball player Leah Metcalf and James “Cooter” Arnold of Mocksville, N.C., a fouryear member of the Tar Heels football team, claim in their lawsuit that they both had high academic aspirations when they agreed to accept athletic scholarships at the school.

Instead, they claim, they were blocked from receiving the elite education they were promised because their coaches and academic counselors funneled them into a series of “sham” courses offered by the Department of African and African American Studies.

Those classes, which often did not have a teacher nor require attendance, are at the center of a long-running scandal that has damaged the school’s international reputation for classroom and athletic excellence. For almost 20 years, the school used the curriculum to keep athletes eligible in football, basketball and other sports.

In legal briefs and during oral arguments before Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin, university attorneys said the case lacks merit.

UNC attorney Lisa Guilford of Los Angeles also told Ervin that under state law, the university could not be sued. Even if it could, the deadline for filing a complaint closed years ago.

At the close of the hour-long hearing, Ervin agreed.

The athletes’ attorneys, Geraldine Sumter of Charlotte and Cyrus Mehri of Washington, D.C., said they will take the case to the N.C. Court of Appeals.

Rick White, the university’s vice chancellor for communications and public affairs, said Ervin followed the law in reaching his decision. Meanwhile, he said, UNC has taken responsibility for the academic improprieties and has made necessary changes.

Asked if Metcalf and Arnold had indeed been boxed out of receiving a true UNC education, White said, “The full university experience depends on each student” and that a degree from the school is more valuable than ever. ___ (c)2016 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Run in the playoffs ends in second round Freshman Unique Drake makes her move against an RNE player.

by Hailey Zalewa, staff writer

and Athletic Director Jason Powell

The girls varsity basketball season came to an end on Feb. 19 in the second round of the State 4A Playoffs to a more experienced Rock Hill team.

The Bearcats of Rock Hill were able to avenge an earlier loss to the Redhawks in a Christmas Tournament in Charleston by shooting lights out in the second quarter to create a comfortable margin going into the half. The Redhawks were only able to get as close as 11 points at the end of the third quarter, only to see the Bearcats get hot again in the fourth to run away with a 21-point victory.

The girls set a record for most wins in school history finishing with a 19-6 record. The future is bright as all five starters (four freshmen, one sophomore) return next season.

Freshman Unique Drake led the Redhawks in scoring with 18 points as the Redhawks won the school’s first ever playoff game in girls basketball by a score of 43-41 against the Generals from Wade Hampton on Feb. 16.

Their victories are not without a lot of hard work behind the scenes. During every practice, the girls complete a series of drills and exercises and on days they don’t have practice, they are on the court, making it count.

“There’s a lot of running and conditioning,” said freshman Maliyah Lockett.

The girls must stay on their toes during practices, and during games. When on the court, the players are always thinking about what move they will make next in order to score the next points for the team.

With the hard work shown on the court, they continue to push their number of wins to the next level.

Although the team has a number of stand-out players such as Mya Belton, Maliyah Lockett and Unique Drake, it wouldn’t be a team without the work and cooperation from all of the players.

Senior Morgan Britt said that it is called a team for a reason. “There’s no such thing as ‘I’m better than you,’” she said. She adds that each girl makes sure to push the others to do their best, but to also push themselves. They care for each other like they care for their own family.

When asked what they would miss most about playing on the team when they graduated, the seniors said they’d miss the bond between the players the most.

Head Football Coach Rodney Summers resigns

RT SPORTS

Girls basketball makes history with 19-6 record

Rodney Summers has resigned from his position as Head Football Coach at Westwood High School.

Summers is taking over the football program at May River High School in Bluffton, SC, which is set to open this August.

Summers ends his career photo credit: GoFlashWin at Westwood with a 30-19 record and three trips to the second round of the playoffs. His best season was in 2014, which was Westwood’s first year in Class 4A. The team finished the season with a 12-2 record and a trip to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to Greenwood. Prior to becoming the head coach at Westwood, Summers was an assistant at Richland Northeast, Ridge View and Conway High Schools.

Westwood will be moving to Region 3-4A next year under the South Carolina High School realignment. Region 3-4A includes Ridge View, Richland Northeast, South Pointe, Lancaster and York High Schools.

Athletic Director Jason Powell has already started the search for a new head football coach and hopes to have a new coach in place before spring break.

Boys basketball ends season with 11-11 record With their eyes on the playoffs, boys basketball was on a roll, winning their last three games, with just one more team to beat before the playoffs. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as Spring Valley defeated them 72-59 and dashed their playoff hopes for the season.

The boys end the season with an 11-11 record, going 4-6 for the region.

With eight seniors set to graduate, Head Basketball Coach Terry Dozier will have his hands full next season.

However, with his trusty iPad and GoPro, Dozier is ready for the challenge.

Head Coach Terry Dozier, with his GoPro strapped to his chest, gives some advice to a player.

Football Booster Club hosts auction to benefit injured football player

by Anisah Reed, staff writer, and Jason Nussbaum, head of athletic training

The Redhawk Football Booster Club is hosting a “Taste of the Town & Benefit Auction” at Westwood on Saturday March 5 from 11am-5pm to benefit junior Mark Mickens and his family and help raise money to purchase essential items, including a wheelchair van.

Mickens was left paralyzed after he suffered a severe neck injury during a football game against Clover on Sept. 4.

In just a few short months, he is showing signs of improvement, some of which doctors said was not likely.

According to Mickens’s mother, Dot Mickens, his right arm continues to strengthen and gain more movement, and positive signs of muscle twitching and occasional movement of his left arm and toes keep him determined to work hard until he gets it back.

Mickens and his parents are positive and determined, and know that there is a bigger plan and purpose at work for his future, said Ms. Mickens.

“Our team, Westwood High and our entire district continue to keep MJ and his family in our thoughts and prayers,” said Head Football Coach Rodney Summers in September, shortly after the injury. “We will continue to support MJ and his family throughout his recovery process.”

Since then, the community has indeed continued to support Mickens and his family. Almost $18,000 has been raised through his GoFundMe account and Westwood and other schools in the

district have raised thousands as well. Earlier this year, a generous benefactor donated an electrical stimulation bike to Mickens. Many patients who have used it have seen vast improvements in their walking abilities.

As for the March 5 auction, “There will be food and games there as well. We hope everyone will also bring your family and friends, and let’s spread the love Redhawk-style,” said Ms. Mickens.

Mickens recently returned to school part-time.

“We know that the Redhawk family will welcome him back to the nest with wings wide open!” said Ms. Mickens.

To stay on track with his school work while he is home, Mickens has been taking online courses and works with homebound teachers.

He spends his time going to rehab three days a week, doing electrical stimulation treatments at home, and watching TV (most recently Game of Thrones).

He is also able to use Siri to send and read texts, which has helped him stay in touch with friends and family.

Physically, Mickens requires a wheelchair to get around, and needs help with his daily routine.

He is much smaller than before, having lost muscle as a result of the paralysis.

“I just try to keep my spirits up, have good faith in God. I just know one day I’ll be a miracle,” said Mickens.

Know your rights in police interactions Awareness of rules of the road will help in the long run

by Mya Singleton, staff writer If you watch the news, then you know that many acts of police brutality come from things as simple as being pulled over for a traffic violation. The police interact with the public every day but sadly it does not always turn out well.

We’ve seen results of police interactions gone wrong in the tragic stories of Walter Scott and Mike Brown. What if you were in this situation? As a citizen of South Carolina and the US, do you know your rights?

The basic rights you have when encountering police are these: the right to remain silent during an arrest, the right to remain silent about your immigration status, the right to refuse a search, the right to calmly leave, and the right to a lawyer.

The ACLU of South Carolina website (www.aclusouthcarolina.org/) has more information regarding your rights.

If you are arrested, then it is in your best interest to comply. If the officer writes you a ticket for a traffic violation then sign the ticket. Do not get out of the car unless instructed. Do not get confrontational, even if you believe you are in the right. That’s what the court is for -- you can appear in traffic court and argue your case. As many times as not, the judge will side with you and throw out the ticket.

The website SCjustice.org has a variety of tips that can help reduce your chance of being stopped by the police.

First, do not drive without a South Carolina driver’s license. Second, make sure your car is in good condition. For example, if your headlights are out or you forget to use your turn signal, the police can stop you for these minor infractions. Do not carry false documents because it is a serious crime. Lastly, wear your seatbelt and learn and follow the rules of the road as best as you can.

Deputy Rodney Bayne has some advice about the best way for Westwood students to stay out of trouble. “I always say, the people you hang around can make or break you.”

This is also important to consider as a passenger in a car with someone. For example, if the driver gets pulled over, and the police suspect drugs, both the driver and passenger can get in trouble. You need to know you are riding with someone safe, so that if a cop does pull the driver over, you do not have to worry.

If you feel that in some way a police officer has violated your rights, remember to stay calm. Be careful if you decide to record it on your phone, though.

The right to record your interaction has not been completely cleared by courts in South Carolina.

It does you little to no good to fight the issue on the streets. Your best bet is to remember as many details as possible and contact a South Carolina defense attorney as soon as possible.

Awareness of your rights in all situations that require law enforcement will benefit you in the long run.

Supporters of gay marriage celebrate outside the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down bans on same-sex marriage in a historic 5-4 ruling.

(Oliver Contreras/Zuma Press/TNS)

LGBT youth face multiple challenges, need support

by Amaya Johnson, staff writer On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage.

For years before this date, people have had to hide their true selves because they risked losing their job, getting kicked out of their parents’ homes or even being killed.

As time went on, influences came from different directions, such as famous celebrities and YouTube stars such as Tyler Oakley, Connor Franta and Troye Sivan posted videos of them coming out. This gained them major support from their fans and helped raise awareness of the challenges those in the LGBT community face each and every day.

One of the toughest challenges of the LGBT community is coming out.

No one knows the outcome of telling their loved ones, friends and family their sexual orientation. There is always the fear of loved ones rejecting them instead of accepting them for who they are.

Support through the journey is the most important thing someone can do for a friend or family member who is coming out.

Some families don’t feel the same. Some parents have thrown their LGBT child out of the house simply because the child came out to them. Without support, this can prevent the child from receiving the right education.

If a person doesn’t get the right emotional support or have a stable living space, this can increase the chance of homelessness. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 42 percent of the LGBT youth say the community in which they live is not accepting of LGBT people.

LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide as their straight peers. LGBT youth describe the most important problem in their lives as non-accepting families, school/bulling problems and fear of being out or open while non-LGBT youth are more concerned with classes, grades, college and financial pressures related to college or job, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Foundations and projects dedicated to the LGBT community try to help lower that percentage. One project dedicated to supporting LGBT people is the It Gets Better Project, which provides resources for the LGBT community and hopes to inspire change for the youth. One of the most important aspects of the project is the video portion, where those who’ve gone through the struggle of coming out and survived the aftermath share their #itgetsbetter story.

Just knowing others have gone through the same struggles and them helps many LGBT youth.

Obama likely to look to appellate courts for Scalia’s replacement WASHINGTON _ Kansas-raised and Stanford-educated, federal appellate Judge Sri Srinivasan could next secure the possibly mixed blessing of being nominated to the Supreme Court by a president nearing the end of his term facing a partisan Senate.

Srinivasan is not the only potential contender for a nomination that’s certain to spark an election-year fight but by no means guarantees confirmation. He is, though, among the apparent front-runners.

“I know very little about the politics of the nomination, but I know that Sri would be a truly outstanding nominee in all respects,” former Kansas-based federal appellate Judge Deanell Reece Tacha said Sunday. “He is exceptionally well-qualified; an outstanding jurist with a powerful intellect and deep respect for the law.”

In an email, she praised his fitness for the nation’s highest court. “I hope he will be given serious consideration,” she said.

But the calculations, always tricky when it comes to Supreme Court nominations, now include even more variables than usual as President Barack Obama confronts the election-year vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

“Nino Scalia was a legal titan,” Justice Stephen Breyer acknowledged Sunday.

One conventional option for Obama would be to offer maximum accommodation to the Republican-controlled Senate. Srinivasan’s colleague on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Chief Judge Merrick Garland, for example, is the kind of former federal prosecutor conservatives like. His name has been publicly mentioned in connection with past vacancies.

But with Senate Republican leaders insisting that the Supreme Court seat be filled by the next president, and with some ambitious rank-and-file Republican senators having the potential to stage a filibuster, even a classic middle-of-theroad contender could fail.

Such political posturing against any Obama nominee could, in turn, ratchet up the White House’s own political motivations. Selecting a female, ethnic minority or openly gay candidate, for example, might rally certain constituencies in November against Republican intransigence.

Several potential candidates could fit the bill.

Srinivasan was born in India and would be the first Indian-American nominee to the Supreme Court. Another one of his colleagues on the U.S. D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Patricia Ann Millett, has attracted court-watchers’ attention as well, as has former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, who is African-American.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch also might have some appeal; she would be the court’s first African-American female nominee.

Obama does have a deep bench to choose from. Since taking office in January 2009, he has placed 55 judges on the various courts of appeal, a traditional route to the Supreme Court.

Scalia had served on the D.C.-based appellate court before his 1986 elevation to the Supreme Court, as did three of the other remaining Supreme Court justices. ___ (c)2016 McClatchy Washington Bureau Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.