REDHAWK TIMES
RT May 2015 Vol. III, No. 4
Order of the Redhawk recipients knighted during Renaissance Faire King Ralph knights sophomore Delaney Woodham, a recipient of the Order of the Redhawk. Other newly-knighted Sirs and Dames include senior Dalton Wilson; juniors Katie McCarthy, Abi Mabey and Landon Williams; sophomore Jada Ravenell; and freshman Justin Wright.
WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL Blythewood, South Carolina
French visitors from sister school say “Bonjour” to WHS By Alandria Haynes, Staff Writer
Fifty-nine French students and their teachers arrived on campus as part of an international cultural exchange with our sister school, Lycee Montdory in Theirs, France. The guests arrived on April 7 and departed April 16. The program, spearheaded by French teacher Bill McCormick, seeks to expose students to other cultures, with the goal of getting to know one another by experiencing cultures first-hand. Westwood is the only school in the district to have this type of partnership. Senior Markayla Walls was excited to see new faces on campus. “I learned that we have the same fashion. We’re honestly not all that different except the countries.” During the tenday visit, the French visitors shadowed students around the PE classes teamed up with the French students to teach them baseball school, went campbasics. The visitors then attended a baseball game downtown. ing at Cheraw State Park, visited Charleston and were treated to a good ole Southern barbeque, complete with a whole hog. A little skeptical at first, senior Raven Garrick-Duckett learned that some of the French students love math just as much as she does. Duckett said, “If I went to Paris, I would visit the Eiffel Tower and take many selfies!” Despite her skepticism, she ended up warming up to them and liked them. The French guests stayed with host families so they could fully experience the American way of life. One of the requests: to visit an American grocery store. Already familiar with the French culture, senior Ashli Cullum has visited France before, and she loved it. “France was beautiful, I have to go back the people were so, nice!” She enjoyed having the exchange students around, and she’s eager to go back. Seeing them reminded her of how great it was. In the next year or so, McCormick hopes to take a group of students and teachers to visit Lycee Montdory, building on the international partnership between our schools.
Teachers and Tiaras Contest entertains, raises money for cause
By Stephanie Seabrooks, Staff Writer
Swordsmen clashed. Knights jousted. Visitors feasted. Life-sized, human foozball games were played. Held April 17, the Third Annual Renaissance Faire brought a taste of times long gone to Westwood. But who organizes this event? Students and faculty pool their knowledge about the Renaissance era and work to put together a well-organized event. “Since the start of the Renaissance Faire, we have gotten really good reviews and responses in the Blythewood community,” said Dr. Anne Richardson, head of the Renaissance Faire Planning committee. With the help of fifteen teachers and a few parents, this year’s Faire was the “best planning that its been in the last three years,” said parent Robin Blume. Teacher Steve Wilson, logistics coordinator, said, “[I] want to keep everything organized so no one feels as if they were cut short by planning. A better layout was our key to success this year.” The wristbands were a new addition to this year’s Faire. They were designed to help keep track of those performing as well as people who helped set up and run the various booths. This newfound success has not gone unnoticed. Since the first Renaissance Faire in 2013, the attendance rate has tripled in size. As the years go by and more attractions are added, the Faire gains fans in the community. “To be honest, I believe that the elementary kids that attended had more fun than the actual Westwood students,” freshman and performer Ashley Epperson said. With every Faire that passes, the planning becomes more focused and organized. This does get to be very time consuming due to the amount of work and pre-planning required as well as the already loaded schedules of the planning committee. “Every year, there are more people wearing costumes and having fun at the different booths,” said Ashley Auspelmyer, member of the Renaissance Faire planning committee. “I hope that next year we can have more people participating.” Planning for next year is already underway, and the committee members hope to top this year’s Faire.
#TBT? No, it’s “Back in the Day” at the first Teachers and Tiaras contest! A “Throwback Monday”, so to speak. Held on April 13, Teachers and Tiaras showcased our multi-talented faculty (Who knew?) and, with the $5 tickets, raised money for Westwood’s Backpack Program. Teacher Anne Richardson said, “Congratulations to the contestants of Teachers and Tiaras for a fine contest last evening. Bob Stutts came in runner up with Barbara Soblo crowned as the winner and all the teachers did a smashing job-and all the money went to a great cause-The Westwoood Backpack Program.” Science teacher Barbara Soblo was crowned the Ultimate Redhawk Supreme, entertaining the crowd with her a capella performance. Richardson gave a run-down of the other winners. “Congratulations to Pasquail Bates who sold the most tickets and won the Audience Choice award, Lisa Faulkenberry and her amazing twirling batons, Cheryl Guy and her virtuoso piano playing, Kelsey Grant and her enthusiastic dance aerobics with students, Sharon Johnson and her beautiful rendition of Ave Maria, Terri Moss and her soulful performance of Hopelessly Devoted to You, ... Bob Stutts and his imaginative duet with an accommodating partner, and Steve Wilson and his 6 pack abs and fire extinguisher!” She added, “Kudos also to Janet Frick and students Jalil Bonds and Ryan Hiller for organizing the event, Baili Byrd and Nick Hooks who served as MC’s, the Westwood Drum Circle and Veneshia Stribling and the Westwood Dance Company and After a hard-fought battle, the victors emerged! Faculty participants (and winners!) Pasquail Bates, Barb Soblo and Bob Stutts show off their hardware. Crew who provided wonderful entertainment!”