Staff and Student Features
Connor Maccabe Applications and Scholarships For Baseball
By Ryan Kurz
Connor MacCabe is a football and a baseball player for Hilton Head High School. Connor is hoping that he can get a scholarship for these sports. So his applications look better than most because he has played two sports.
There are thousands of universities that you can pick as your favorite one. A person has a favorite maybe because their parents went there, or their favorite college team is there, or they just like the campus vibe. Connor said, “My number one school is any that will give me a scholarship. If not, I will go where they let me play.”
Not many athletes can get a full ride scholarship to a college. Connor is hoping that he can get one to any school ,but if not, he was at least hoping to be a walk on. Connor says, “No I don't have any offers yet but there are still some choices like being a walk-on or going to juco.”
There are many colleges in the area to visit like USCB, Clemson, and USC. Connor said “No I haven't gone to any official visits, but I have gone to Clemson for the games.”
One thing Connor can do if he doesn't get a scholarship to play is be a walk on. As a walk on there is no money but you do get a chance to play on the team. Connor said “Yes I love baseball and if I have an opportunity to play as a walk on that school is my number one choice.”
Many people submit their application to a university. These reasons are area, atmosphere, and respect like Harvard. Connor said “I want good social clubs and definitely don't want a college in the city or if they let me play.”
Connor said” I don't like the atmosphere in a city, there is something about the smell, the people, and the looks. I prefer more rural colleges like clemson.”
There are more types of scholarships than just athletics there are scholarships for academics, art, etc. Connor said “No, I haven't applied to any scholarships because I don't really have time to.”
Many people go to college for only two years instead of going for the full four, or they go for extra to get their doctorate. Connor said “I think the full four years is the most beneficial for a good pay.”
HHIHS Student Conference Speaker
By: Jake Heitman
Here at HHIHS we as hungry learners and members of the local community always strive to ensure we do our part in and out of school. Anthony Bynum, HHIHS student and IBDP candidate, is no exception, and he was recently invited to speak at The Penn Center’s 39th Annual Heritage Days Celebration. Anthony Bynum explains why he was invited to speak and what the event was.
“”The event was held on beautiful St. Helena Island, and was held at the Penn Center, a school founded in 1862 with the intent of educating African-Americans and most notably members of the Gullah community here in the Lowcountry,” is what Anthony had to say about the Penn Center.
When asked why he was invited he responded,” I was invited to speak at the event because of the tutoring program I recently founded at the elementary schools.” When asked further about what the program is he said, “Before school a few days a week me and a few other student volunteers make our way over to the elementary school and help students out with whatever they need. Whether that be tutoring students in their various school subjects, playing games with them, or even just sitting and listening to a student who's going through a tough time.”
“The theme of the conference was how our paths and decisions as people inspire our futures” is what Anthony had to say when asked what the theme of the conference was about.
When asked how long it took for Anthony to prepare his speech and other remarks he said, “preparing for the conference was a lot of hard work. It took me at least two weeks and a lot of long nights in order to finish my speech to properly portray what me and other students have accomplished in the local community.”
Overall, Anthony Bynum is a prime example of what we here at HHIHS in terms of not just being a stellar student, but a member of the community.
Garrett Simons Wins $5,000 Scholarship
By: Lucy Morales
Hilton Head Head Island High School student Garrett Simons won the 2023 R.D. Bennett Community Service Scholarship presented by The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina for the Washington Youth Tour he went to this summer. He was awarded with five thousand dollars.
Garrett states, “The Washington youth tour gave us a scholarship opportunity to do a service project. What I did was called the “making birthdays bright” project.”
Garrett donated over 200 birthday boxes to over a dozen food banks in Jasper, Hampton and Beaufort counties. Each box had everything a family needs to celebrate a birthday.
Garrett did this project in collaboration with Pockets Full of Sunshine, a local nonprofit, which helps special needs adults and does activities with them.
Garrett was one of six students to complete projects for this scholarship.
Garrett exclaims, “I was really happy because I won the scholarship. I put so much work into this project and have done a lot for my community with it. Mr. Schidrich pulled me out of class and then surprised me with fifteen different adults and balloons. It was nerve wracking.”
Garrett’s love for the community is shown through this scholarship.
All About Ms. Canavan
By: Ellie Mastrorocco
From a small town in Massachusetts… called Boston, Ms. Canavan moved to Hilton Head Island two years ago and began teaching at Hilton Head Island High. She has been teaching for 20 years now.
Ms. Canavan was born and raised in Hyde Park, but lived in Gloucester before moving to Hilton Head. “Aside from my family and dear friends, the one thing I really miss about home are the gorgeous beaches that I was surrounded by. If you ever make it to Gloucester, you really need to visit Wingaersheek Beach or Good Harbor Beach!”
She earned her BA from Bridgewater University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Her degree was in English with a minor in Secondary Education. After teaching for four years, she earned her first MA in Education from Fitchburg University in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. In 2016-2017, Ms. Canavan took a sabbatical from teaching and moved to Ireland for nearly two years. She earned a second Masters in Irish Studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She exclaims that “it was an amazing experience that I will treasure forever!”
Currently teaching English 4 (H), English 4 (CP), and English 2 (CP), she says if she had to pick a favorite thing to teach it would be English 4, British Literature with some of her favorites– Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, and Hamlet. When asked about her favorite and least favorite thing about HHIHS, Ms. Canavan said “I really appreciate how well mannered most students are not only to the faculty but to each other. One thing I wish were different is the daily schedule, our days are very long and I worry it is not the best for students.”
Ms. Canavan’s best advice to students is to utilize class time by listening and paying attention. “You will be amazed at how much you will retain when you pay attention in class that will later serve you well on tests and essays. Also, understand that your teachers want nothing more than for you to reach your potential and to succeed. Talk with them when you fall behind or have external situations that are detracting from your learning, they will help you, I promise!”
David Morales, The Student Athlete
By: Angel A.
The Seahawk Times interviewed senior student David Morales. David is a soccer athlete who is trying to go to college for soccer. The journey towards being a collegiate student athlete is very difficult, the athlete has to contact a lot of schools to be able to be looked at. David told the Sea Hawk Times,” I’ve emailed a lot of colleges, some have responded and some haven’t. The ones that have responded have said that they were going to go to my games.” Is applying for college difficult for high school athletes? David said that being a high school athlete trying to play in college does make it difficult for knowing which schools to apply to? Some schools that you apply to might accept you for academics and not for sport and some schools accept you for sports but not for academics.David is also part of FCA. David said that being part of FCA is a fun experience, he has never been in a club before. When he found interest in the club, he heard people talking about the activities they did,which really interested him. Is high school going to be missed? David said,” I’m going to miss high school and leave for college, all the friends I made throughout the years are going to be gone and I'm going to have to live on my own.” Is it scary being a high school athlete and not having committed yet? David responded with,” It’s a little scary but I just have to be patient and work hard, then my time will come where I'll decide where to go to college.
Hilton Head Island High School student wins artwork submission for poetry competition
By: Mia Heitman
A student at Hilton Head Island High School, Lily Friday, won the artwork contest for the highly acclaimed poet Miho Kinnas. Her artwork was displayed on a tote bag along with the poem for the Hilton Head Crescendo event.
Miho Kinnas, a local poet and translator, wrote a poem that was chosen to be used in the poetry portion of the Hilton Head Island Crescendo cultural event. She wanted artwork to go along with her poem, and she asked Mrs. John's class to “design pictures that would go with the poem to be put on the tote bag.” Lily Friday’s artwork was accepted and had the honor of being put on the Crescendo tote bag along with the poem.
Lilly’s artwork was accepted through the Office of Cultural Affairs here on Hilton Head Island. The people of the Cultural Affairs Office “looked at all of the students who drew something. Some actually did their projects in small groups, but some chose to do it alone.” The Hilton Head Office of Cultural Affairs ended up choosing Lily’s artwork.
On one side of the bag is the poem and the other side is Lily’s artwork. Not only did Lily win a spot on the tote bag, but she also won another prize. “She won a little bit of money also.”
Miho Kinnas came to HHIHS to share her poetry and to give a student a chance to share their artistic ability with the community. Lily Friday ended up being the lucky student to win.
Garrett Simons Youth Senate
By Ellie Mastrorocco and Angel Andreceutti
Hilton Head High’s own senior, Garrett Simons, has made it to one of the top 10 students in South Carolina potentially selected for the 62nd annual United States Senate Youth Program. This a unique educational experience for high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. Two delegates and two alternates from every state will be selected to spend a week in Washington, D.C. to experience the government in action. Students will get to hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies. Students will participate in meetings with the president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. All expenses such as transportation and meals will be covered by The Hearst Foundations, and, in addition, each delegate will be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies. Garrett had his interview in hopes to make it to the top two, and will find out in roughly two months if he will move on.
Ms. Eastham’s Staff Feature
By: Lucy Morales
Ms. Eastham is a CATE teacher at Hilton Head Island High School.
CATE stands for Career and Technical Education. CATE classes fall into that category. Some examples of CATE classes offered at Hilton Head Island High School are Culinary Arts, Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism, Business, Web Page Design, etc.
The CATE classes aim to expose students to engaging courses that prepare students for modern day activities and work.
This school year, Ms. Eastham is teaching Event and Entertainment Management and Marketing classes. She has previously taught Introduction to Hospitality at HHIHS.
Before teaching at Hilton Head Island High School, Ms. Eastham taught at Bluffton High School.
Ms. Eastham states, “I’ve been a business teacher for over 20 years and have taught in four different schools: two up north in upstate New York and two down here in the lowcountry.”
Outside of work, she loves to bake. Ms. Eastham states, “I had a baking business on the side when I lived up north. I really like to bake and plan events, which I believe makes me a pretty good fit to teach Event and Entertainment management.”
Ms. Eastham is also known to go all out when it comes to decorating. Her room is decorated nicely and gives students a cozy feel.
Because of her dedication to decorating, Ms. Eastham won first place in the Homecoming Door Decorating Competition at HHIHS in 2022.
Ms. Eastham has been a teacher at HHIHS for three years, and strives to make every student’s day brighter. She shows love for each student and likes to prepare students for the real world.