April 26, 2015

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Pepsi drops aspartame; Feds say ice cream is safe A3

Autism Speaks provides grants Helps children with the diagnosis learn to swim A7 SERVING SOUTH CAROLINA SINCE OCTOBER 15, 1894

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015

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IN SPORTS: Barons golf team aims for SCISA state title

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Muscle makeover More than lifting weights, bodybuilding is a lifestyle BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com Fifty bodybuilding competitors from all across the state, North Carolina and Georgia traveled to downtown Sumter to participate in the South Carolina Bodybuilding Championships at the Sumter Opera House on Saturday. The competition, South Carolina’s first allnatural bodybuilding championship, was RICK CARPENTER/THE SUMTER ITEM hosted by the Sumter Family YMCA through Tripp Shorter, left, and Stacy Jones compete in the masters 40-anda partnership with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation. over men’s bodybuilding preliminary competition Saturday.

Missy Corrigan, executive of community health at the Y, said this competition has been in the works for about a year. As an all-natural competition, participants cannot use any body enhancing substances during training, according to a news release from the Sumter Y about the event. Corrigan said the point of the competition is to show the results of natural and clean training. Participants competed in one of five overall categories: Men’s Physique, Women’s Bikini,

Special Olympics brings community together for friendly competitions BY KONSTANTIN VENGEROWSKY konstantin@theitem.com About 125 special-needs students and adults from Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties participated at the Special Olympics tricounty annual Spring Games on Thursday evening at Sumter High School’s Memorial Stadium. Friendly competitions included the 100-meter dash and walk, 50-meter dash and walk and the softball throw. The event brought many special needs students and adults together with community members in a fun and friendly environment, where nearly all participants were awarded a ribbon. “It’s wonderful to see all of the athletes showcase their abilities and have friendly competitions with their peers,” said Cylisa Quarles, special-needs teacher at SHS, who’s been a volunteer at the local event for more than 25 years. “This event builds participants’ self-esteem as they see what activities they’re good in.” SHS has a unique program that brings together special-needs and high school students through Unified Sports, a year-round physical education class where friendships are made. High school students and special needs students participate in various sports games together, even competing in events across the state and a national competition. “Special-needs students often don’t have the opportunity to participate in team sports and interact with other students,” said Logan Raabe, Unified Sports and

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Ret. astronaut nominates TSA student for national event BY ADRIENNE SARVIS adrienne@theitem.com

KEITH GEDAMKE / THE SUMTER ITEM

Stuart Ward raises his hand in triumph as he wins the 50- meter dash as Coker Scott runs alongside for encouragement. For more photos, visit theitem.com. P.E. teacher at SHS. “This program gives rewarding experiences for all students.” Raabe said there is a waiting list of nearly 50 high school students every year to enroll in the course. “It’s a life-changing experience for the high school students,” he said. “The spe-

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cial-needs students are always excited to see their high school partners in the program, and the high school students do it from the goodness of their hearts.” Vincent Watkins, a senior at SHS enrolled in the class, was one of the many stu-

dents volunteering at the event on Thursday. “Being in the class and being out here today at the Special Olympics really opens you up,” he said. “When you get to know the special-needs students, you

DEATHS, A10 AND A13

Information: 774-1200 Advertising: 774-1237 Classifieds: 774-1234 Delivery: 774-1258 News and Sports: 774-1226

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Dazjuan Butler, a ninthgrade student at Thomas Sumter Academy, has been nominated to attend the 2015 Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston for his academic achievements, leadership qualities and pasBUTLER sion for science and technology. According to a news release from the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, Butler was nominated by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, to attend the event. The NAFST is a membership organization that was chartered in 2014 to inspire elementary, middle, high school and college students to follow their passions in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. Davatri Butler, Dazjuan’s mother, said she is thrilled and proud of her son’s efforts to advance in school. She said its great that he takes the time to further his education instead of playing video games all day. Dazjuan Butler said he has been interested in electrical engineering ever since he was a child. He said he would watch as his uncle repaired computers and later began repairing devices himself. “Focused, bright and determined students like Dazjuan Butler are our future and he deserves all the mentoring

SEE OLYMPICS, PAGE A9

SEE SCIENCE, PAGE A9

WEATHER, A14

INSIDE

RAIN STILL LIKELY

5 SECTIONS, 38 PAGES VOL. 120, NO. 163

Warmer with a couple of showers during the day. Partly cloudy tonight. HIGH 79, LOW 51

Business D1 Classifieds D5 Comics E1

Lotteries A14 Panorama C1 Opinion A12

Pay Less For Your New Home. Act Now Before Mortgage Rates Rise.

Sumter: 469-0156 Manning: 433-4451 bankofclarendon.com ."//*/( t 4"/5&& t 46..&350/ t 8:#00 t 46.5&3


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