Long Time Cheerer Makes Varsity as Freshman

By: Siena Perry

Abby Griffin, a 9th grade student athlete at Fountain Inn High School just made the Varsity Cheerleading team only as a freshman! Griffin meets all the needs and expectations needed to make this year's cheerleading squad the best it has ever been.

“I have been cheerleading for 12 years starting at the age of 3 years old. ” Said Griffin.

Griffin shows that she has had many years of training and experience, not just in school cheer but All Star travel cheer leading; making her all set for the upcoming season. 

Griffin also makes an impact on the cheer team by always putting a smile on everyone's face when others aren't having the best day.

          “Abby is always so positive and funny and never fails to put a smile on my face and I know that the other cheerleaders would definitely agree.” Said Lily McGrath

Griffin also has her thoughts on how she believes Fountain Inn’s Cheerleading team will look like for this season.

“I think this upcoming season will look different for a lot of the athletes because of the new coming talented athletes and a change in coaching.” Said Griffin

The love and compassion Griffin has for her sport of cheerleading is very strong as it is growing every season. 

“Cheer is my happy place. I first started to love cheer because of the family you gain from the experience. For example during All Star Cheerleading there's always something different when you get to spend time with your family when having those long car rides to the destination of the competition.” Said Griffin

Cheerleading is a way Griffin makes forever memories that she treasures with teammates and family.

“One of my most favorite memorable moments in my cheerleading experience was when my family and teammates went to Dallas, Texas for an All Star Cheer Competition. So many fun and competitive moments will always be remembered on that trip.” Siad Griffin

Although cheerleading is something Griffin has been doing for 12 years she still has her thought on if she is being called to go pro in cheerleading.

“In complete honesty, I have never really thought about cheerleading in college or professionally, more so pursuing coaching instead of cheering.” Said Griffin

Griffin is a great example for all as she maintains an all A honor roll while being consistent not only in school cheerleading but All Star Competition Cheerleading. Next time school and sports become hard to stay consistent in, think of Griffin and use her as an example to make it through anything.

INN Mason's Life

By: Hayley Carr

18 years of teaching has led Jennifer Mason, a business teacher here at Fountain Inn Highschool. Mason wants to make a difference in our growing community, starting with Cheer and now a school store. Mason describes teaching students real world experiences as “rewarding” as she gets to see her students grow.

“I want to build connections in our community, get more involved and make a difference,” Mason said. 

With our community growing, Mason is very excited to be a part of it. She describes it as “Coming in like a tornado”

From sports management to coaching, she learned to love working with kids. It didn’t take long for her to make it a full time career.

“I loved coaching and making a difference, I felt like I had a natural talent,” Mason said.

After Mason called up an old professor, he coached her on what to do to be able to teach. She changed her “tune” and went for a different pathway.

“I was hired as a sixth grade computer studies teacher. I never did any student teaching. I got thrown in! Then I got hired to coach cheer,” Mason said.

Once they got their schools’ business program started up, she was hired. From there on out she moved around to six different schools teaching business and entrepreneurship from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. Along with her business classes, she would open up School Stores. Mason and her classes would sell Arizona Teas, Different drinks and Otis Spunkmeyer cookies.

“My goal when I came here was to get more involved. What better way to do that than start up a school store?” Mason said.

Now as a Cheer coach at FIHS, she continues to inspire staff, students and now her cheerleaders. Caydence Cordell, A junior here at FIHS is one of Mason’s Cheerleaders.

“Mrs. Mason pushes us to do our best and always put in 100%” Cordell said.

Mason continues to make an imprint at Fountain Inn and motivates her students. Charleigh Spearman, A senior at FIHS cheered her freshman year and now her senior year. Having new coaches and more opportunities, brought her spark back.

“She makes it known that she wants us to be there. She appreciates us. That motivates me to go further with my athletics,” Spearman said.

Looking forward to her senior year and coming back with cheer, Cordel looks forward to Mason being her new coach. In class and on the sidelines, Cordel and Spearman notice the effort Mason puts into their team in and out of school. Even in her free time!

“Mrs. Mason has taught us to never be afraid or ashamed to show what we’re capable of doing,” Spearman said.

“I know that if we put in hard work, everything is 100% possible!” Cordell said.

Outside of school, Mason spends a lot of time with her husband and two sons. Now with Lacrosse being in season, It is constant travelling.

“Before my kids became teenagers, we would go to Florida for the entire summer to visit my family. Now we really spend the first half travelling for lacrosse and the second half in Florida!” Mason said.

As Mason continues to inspire her students and cheerleaders, she motivates them to always do their best.

“I want my students to always do what they love. At the end of the day you will spend more time at your job then you will at home. It is okay to continue to look for something you know you will love and pivot!”

Valdez Gets Her Spark Back

By: Brianna Martinez

Staring defender Gaby Valdez is a junior at Fountain Inn High School has been playing 2 years of varsity soccer for Carolina and 1 and ⅕ years for Fountain Inn Soccer.

"It's been fun and challenging but it motivates me to try harder,” Valdez said. 

She explains that during her years of playing for Fountain Inn have motivated her to improve into the soccer player she is now. She also talks about who has inspired her to play and how that person impacted her life.

       “ My step dad inspired me the most because he used to play and watching him gave me motivation to start playing,” Valdez said.  

  However, with success, comes challenges. These challenges she faced took a big toll during Valdez’s freshman year. 

“I started to have a Lack of confidence because it was my first year playing at a varsity level and thinking I wasn't playing good enough compared to the others,” Valdez said. 

As Valdez started becoming a starter, she began to gain back her confidence that she lost. She now goes head first into challenges and makes sure nothing brings her down. With the confidence she gained back Valdez now knows this is where she belongs. 

“I was excited and knowing that I proved myself to be able to become a starter which boosted my confidence” Valdez said. 

Since her freshman year Valdez has always gave it her all and makes sure she's the best she can be. Even when stressful things come around, she's always found a way past it 

“It distracts me from other stuff outside of school and motivates me to be a better person on the field and off,” Valdez said.

With her new found confidence, Valdez has been able to become a better player and person. Valdez’s time is coming to an end with her senior year coming up, Valdez hopes to watch the sport she loves and remember all the confidence she's gained from it.

A Diamond in the Rough

By: Lily Bradley

Charity ¨Diamond¨ Jones is a senior at Fountain Inn High School who is already pursuing a career of dancing and has made a name for herself in the dancing industry. Jones has been a hard worker in everything she does when it comes to school, her job or dance. 

¨It's definitely stressful because of the hours and missing school a lot when I travel. I usually get behind and on top of already working a job and the extra training I have to do outside of dance but I make it work. It's definitely made me be able to express the true me in a bunch of ways,¨ Jones said.

From dancing at her family's church to being signed to a professional dance agency Jones knew from a young age that this is what she wanted to do. Jones is currently dancing for Shock Dance by Lindley Mayer, while dancing at shock, Jones has been able to be a part of different experiences. While being a part of these experiences she has been traveling a bunch. 

¨Traveling , meeting people from different states and different countries, and just the funness that comes with it,¨ Jones said.

Jones is a talented dancer that is able to do all different types of styles. Jones has always done clogging since she started dancing. Jones has progressed into bigger and better dance styles.

¨Jazz and hip hop and contemporary and clogging,  that is the og. I like jazz because it's natural for me and hiphop is just fun and very freeing, and contemporary is very therapeutic,¨ Jones said. 

Jones is not only a beautiful dancer but she has been given the opportunities to teach students about her passion in hopes to help someone pursue their dreams. While Jones has been working different jobs she wants to mainly work on her career as a dancer. Jones has been able to show students what it takes to be able to get to where she is.

¨That anyone can do it as long as they work hard at it and don't give up,¨ Jones said. 

Jones has been able to make a name for herself and has been working on trying to make it to the top. Even while going through struggles and stress with keeping up with her daily life she always finds her way to the dance floor. 

¨ To me dance means expression, I am a very free spirit and dance is a way I can pursue that. There's never really an end to it and you can always keep going.¨ Jones said.

Jones' dream is to make it to Broadway and she's already on the track to success. Hopefully when you go see Broadway you are able to see Jones name on the playbill.

Snow Makes An Impact!

By Hayley Carr

Hayden Snow, a junior here at Fountain Inn High School who plays Middle Block, is in her fifth year of playing Volleyball. After she wrapped up her 2024 junior season, she started club volleyball this offseason and joined The Knights.

“I realized my love for volleyball when I first started playing. It was like an instant click and I just never stopped playing,” Snow said. 

Snow is a great figurehead for her team. She’s a good hitter, server and has great sportsmanship. Throughout her volleyball career, balancing academics, sports and personal life can be difficult.

“I would say that it is definitely a challenge, but I try to keep them within certain time schedules. For example, I focus on volleyball when I’m at volleyball, then I do school work and study as needed, then my personal life is more spontaneous. I try to focus on my social life on the weekends,” Snow said. 

Pre-season for volleyball starts around April, and as a team they workout twice a week. During the days she doesn’t have practice with the rest of her team, Snow continues her  training.

“On days when I’m not with the team, I continue to train by myself, specifically with weight-lifting. Since speed and agility are trained mostly with the team,” Snow said. 

As her Junior season at Fountain Inn High School came to an end, she found herself reflecting on the years she spent practicing to get where she is now. She says that the people who inspire her most are her mom and dad.

“I think little me would be surprised because when I was ten I wasn’t even considering volleyball as a sport.”

Quillen

By Aalynna Powers

Morgan Quillen, a first-year teacher at Fountain Inn High School (FIHS), is very skilled inside and outside of the classroom. She originally taught in Virginia and has been teaching for eight years. 

Quillen is originally from Gate City, a small town in southwest Virginia. 

“I moved to Greenville in 2022, and currently live in Piedmont, South Carolina,” Quillen said.

Quillen once had another thing she was passionate about.

"If I could have any other job in the world, I would either choose to be a book editor (and preferably work in the UK) or I would work in whatever corner of the theater world that I could weasel my way into," Quillen said.

 When Quillen Graduated high school, she had no other career in mind and she knew she wanted to be an English teacher. “I knew I wanted to be an English teacher pretty early on, so when I graduated high school, I was already on that path.” She knew what she wanted and knew just how to get it.

“When I was in 5th grade, my ELA teacher, Mrs. Lucas, made me love reading and storytelling. While in her class, I knew that I wanted to make people love reading and stories as much as she made me love them.” Quillen said.

 From that inspiration, a dream bloomed.

“If I were to list all of the people who have impacted my life in significant ways, the majority of that list would be teachers. Having great teachers played a huge role in why I went into education,” Quillen said. 

She also explained that being able to inspire at least one student or being able to make at least one student feel heard makes all the hard things about teaching worth it. 

“I went to East Tennessee State University and received a bachelor’s degree in English.” Quillen said. 

She also stated that in January she is starting a master’s program at the University of South Carolina.

If you could have any other job in the world, what would you choose? “If I could have any other job in the world, I would either choose to be a book editor or I would work in whatever corner of the theater world that I could weasel my way into.” Quillen said.

Quillen was a drama teacher for six years and she really enjoyed it so she would love working “behind the scenes” Quillen said.

Although Quillen is a teacher, she still has plenty of hobbies outside of school. "I also enjoy traveling, live music, hiking, kayaking, or any outdoor activity. I play guitar in my spare time, as well. I also take any chance I can get to spend time with my family and friends.” Quillen said. 

With this being her first year at FIHS, Quillen was pretty nervous but she had a warm welcome from the staff here. “I came in after the semester had already started, and the staff here couldn’t have been more helpful or welcoming. I felt like the new kid on the block, but they made me feel right at home!” Quillen said. 

 She explained that one of her favorite things about teaching at FIHS is that the faculty here is great.

Being able to get to know her students in different ways is Quillens favorite part about teaching Freshman Success. “I get to talk to them in more depth about their interests and their goals for the future, while also helping them figure out how to accomplish these goals.” Quillen said. This creates a bond between the students and Quillen.

Quillen enjoys teaching high schoolers because she gets to see them grow into young adults. “I love watching students learn independence and responsibility, while also learning how to think critically about the world around them.” Quillen said. 

A goal Quillen wishes to accomplish later in life is traveling. “I have a pretty extensive travel bucket list, so I’d like to check off some of those.” Quillen said. 

But in the next couple years she hopes to still be teaching at FIHS.

Quillen feels like a strength she has with teaching is having a bond between her and all her students. “I think I’m able to connect with students in a positive way, which is beneficial in this profession.” Quillen said. 

She also said that a weakness she feels like she has with teaching that could use some improvement is being more organized.

A typical day after school for Quillen would be going home to take care of her dog and finishing up any work that she couldn't get done at school. “I have a lot of friends who play recreational sports in leagues around Greenville, so oftentimes I go watch their games. Aside from that, I usually just take it easy.” Quillen said. 

According to a fellow Freshman Success teacher at FIHS, Melissa Spain, there's many different ways her and Quillen work together with lesson planning. “I think Mrs Quillen is very collaborative and we like to bounce ideas off each other.” Spain said.

She also states that working with Quillen is easy because they’re able to come together and help each other.

Another Freshman Success teacher, Brandy Garrett, described Quillen, “I think that she makes a really positive impact on her students and gets them to think deeply about the work that they are doing.” Garrett said. 

Both Garrett and Spain agree that Quillen impacts FIHS positively too. "She brings energy to her classroom for Freshman Success and encourages them.” Spain said. Along with, “she brings great energy and work ethic.” Garrett said. 

Quillen has many favorable teaching skills that she uses during planning and inside the classroom.

Overall Mrs Quillen impacts her students and FIHS as a whole. She’s an amazing teacher and coworker and she may not realize it but she’s a role model for all her students. 

Brown

Jacob Brown, a Senior here at Fountain Inn Highschool, plans to play in a band in College.

Brown has been in band for six years so he has had a lot of experience. Brown chose to do band because his friends started to play and sign up so he thought it could be really fun  and he felt as if it would be good for him to try something new.

 Brown's teacher, Joshua Tillman, is glad Brown was able to join. 

“I have enjoyed teaching him how to play with more musicianship and refining how to control his sound,” Tillman said. 

 Brown works best in band because he has the ability to communicate well with his section and mentor the younger students while in class learning.

Some of Brown's big accomplishments are being in large bands like regions, region band and greenville countries, country band also participating in marching band and also going to state qualifiers.

Tillman has seen a lot of  dedication and leadership from Brown since he started band in Highschool.

Arianna Wofford, a classmate of Brown’s, has noticed progression in Brown. “Brown has improved as a player and as a person himself. He works hard and keeps people motivated, he does his best to play with a purpose and amazing tone,” Wofford said.

Brown helps Wofford in class even though they are not in the same section. “Helps her  become a better leader and “corrects her when she makes mistakes.”,“Jacob works the best by giving a role model example to the people younger than him in his section,” Wofford said.

Wesley Garland, a classmate of Brown's, has noticed progression in Brown. 

“Brown has improved with being able to control his dynamics when playing his instrument,” Garland said.

Brown helps Garland out by telling him if he plays something out of tempo or anything else that he would need help on.

Garland thinks Brown works best “in  an environment when his friends are there and are actively interested in band and other subjects,” Garland said.

A quote people can relate to in band is “Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.” This quote can mean something to people because it can find a way to their heart and will probably become their favorite thing..

A quote that everyone can relate to in band is “Early is on time, on time is late, late is laps.”

Who is Ms. Smith?

By Jorden Thomas-Croft

Assistant Principal Shay Smith is a smart and talented woman. Born in Tarboro, N.C., she moved to South Carolina two weeks before her 12th birthday. Before teaching became a job, she knew she wanted to be a background dancer. 

”My family loves to dance. The best experience I got from dance was when I was in cheer in high school. I go to Zumba from time to time, I used to take an African dance class but the studio got shut down so that’s really disappointing,” Smith said.

  Smith graduated from Berea High School where she also taught for her first few years in education. She attended college at Clemson University and  Arkansas State University for her graduate degree. Soon after college she became an educator.

 “I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to be able to help kids be resilient who grew up in similar situations that I did. I just so happened to love math, so to be able to make a difference in kids' lives and do math at the same time [was what I decided to do]. Around year three of teaching, I just kind of woke up one day and I was like 'Oh, I think I can do more' so then I decided I wanted to go to school to get my administrative degree,” Smith said.  

“I would say where I am now is one of my biggest accomplishments. I think I’m the first in my family to actually get a masters degree and I am the first to graduate from a four year college, so for me those are really big accomplishments and I would say I changed the trajectory of my life.”

 Matthew Irvin has worked with Smith and has accomplished some things together. 

“All of last year really was a big accomplishment. As we continue to build the school, there are so many programs, processes and events that we are planning for the first time. Successfully putting together and making the year run smoothly when we are constantly adjusting and creating the process to make it run is an accomplishment in itself,” Irvin said. 

“I was immediately impressed with her interview and how organized & thoughtful she was. She had the best questions about how we run the school.” He also had this to say when asked about working with her “I thoroughly enjoy working with Mrs. Smith. She is a talented administrator with great insights, suggestions, and work ethic. She cares deeply for the students and students and makes sure students are successful. She does a great job planning events and activities for students that help make Fountain Inn High School a fun school to attend for students and reward the students who do what they are supposed to do each day.

When Smith was asked  some more about why she joined administration she stated “I landed on administration because I felt like I did well with a certain type of student which is the student who may not have the support at home that they need & know like how to get where they wanna go to make a better life for themselves and  so I felt as an administrator I would run across those types of students more often because a lot of times those students get in trouble more and then I would be that person kind of talk to them about why they are doing what they are doing and then that would lead us to have a relationship and then try to be better people. I just like to help & support people,so I tried to be the teacher I needed as a student. Now I’m trying to be the administrator that I needed as a teacher.” 

When asked about some goals she wishes to accomplish Smith commented that professionally she didn’t have one right now other than officially becoming assistant principal. Personally she said she would like to continue growing mentally and emotionally. Smith said “I think people take care of themselves physically, and  then neglect their mental health & that's just really important.”  

When Smith was asked does she like to travel & some of her hobbies she stated “Yes I do like to travel, I usually like to fly somewhere it makes me feel like I’m going on a vacation. I also love watching TV, during the week I feel like I don’t get enough sleep & I stay at work late so on weekends I really like to get good sleep I love a do nothing day, but I also like to plan things to spend time with my family & friends I also like to take day trips to like Charlotte or atlanta somewhere close to go see people, I also like trying new restaurants.”

This is one of many Staff Spotlight stories written to inform you about people who make Fountain Inn High School the school for students to enjoy and call their home to continue to  grow and love the school. 

West: The Best

By Emma Croy

Special Education teachers are some of the most overlooked teachers in schools all across the United States. They bring such a positive light to schools all over the world and schools would not be the same without them. Cole West is the newest addition to the special education team here at Fountain Inn and he has already pushed Fountain Inn into such a positive light.

West has been teaching for about five years and has a very packed schedule.

“My job title is special education teacher and a baseball/football coach. I teach English 2 and Geometry first and second blocks, and then I have an Ed Support class for fourth block,” West said. 

Teaching is a very difficult job but many rewarding things come along with it.

 “It's a lot, it's something different every day which is the enticing part about it but you know some days are better than others," West said. "I have like 27 kids on my caseload so making sure they're doing what they're supposed to be doing is a challenge some days but some days it's very rewarding.” 

Even though there are rewarding things that play a big role in teaching it is hard to ignore the challenges.

 “Making sure [the students] stay on task not only in Ed Support but also in the inclusion classes (English and Geometry), making sure the kids I don't get to see every day are still keeping their grades up and that they're behaving and just doing what they're supposed to be doing daily [are just some of the more challenging things to juggle with limited time],” West said. 

"Choosing what you want to pursue as a profession is a very difficult thing to figure out, but sometimes you just know when a job is right for you," West said.

 “My mom has been a teacher for 30 years. I don't necessarily know that I looked at her and said 'I want to do that one day,' but she's differentially guided me so far. This is year five for me. Also, there was a student at my high school when I was a student that I kind of hung out with at lunch. He had Down Syndrome and I guess my senior year it kind of clicked that this is probably something that I can do for a while.” 

Teaching has shaped West into the person he is today.

 “It's all [about] relationships. If you're able to make relationships for coaching and athletics, then you can do it with a student in the classroom. What students want is for a teacher to care about them and have conversations that have nothing to do with academics or athletics. Building that relationship with that student after you do that you can go and talk to them about finding X in an equation or whatever it is but that student is not going to care what you know until they know that you care.” 

Teaching can show you things you need to better your personal self and teaching life. One thing West wants to change about his teaching this year from last year.

  “[I want to] be more hands-on and not be as laid back as I was," West said. "I was at Airport High School last year and I was pretty laid back with those kids so to be more hands-on and be more active in a day-to-day life for a kid are my goals.” 

West loves Fountain Inn, his favorite thing about Fountain Inn is the people.

“I think there's a lot of really good people here that make this community and school great,” West said.

West isn't just a new addition to the Special Education team, he is also the newest addition to the football and baseball coaching staff. He coaches the defensive line for football and the outfielders for baseball. 

Coaching can be very challenging especially when you take into consideration the many things you have to juggle as a coach and teacher.

  “My golden rule is be where you're supposed to be when your supposed to be there and be what your supposed to be doing. So making sure that our student athletes are active in the classroom doing what they are supposed to be doing respecting the teacher and the classmates around them because so much of athletics is not on the field those guys represent our school and town. They represent our school at tournaments and places so just trying to make sure those student-athletes understand that there are eyes on them all the time is probably the main thing,” West said. 

West grew up playing sports which influenced him to become the person he is today,

“I've had great coaches, been lucky enough to have great coaches in my life that have molded me into kind of who I am my dad coached me growing up a little bit and then as I got into high school and college so coaches, maybe not necessarily the athletics but the coaches in those sports have taught me and how I've become who I am.” 

West puts a lot of time and effort into his players and cares about them deeply.

 “Seeing all the time and effort that a student-athlete puts into being successful, watching that reward coming out at the end of a game and at the end of a season and just getting to teach those young people life lessons along the way through football or baseball it's pretty special.” 

Just like teaching, coaching give opportunities for someone to realize what works and what doesn't.

 "I guess try to get involved with more than just my position group like last year at Airport I was very hands on with the tight ends and there's kids I didn't necessarily get to talk to everyday and not that your going to be able to talk to every kid every day but you know trying to make that a goal for myself.” West’s personal life is very important to him, “So personal life is I live by myself in Simpsonville my girlfriend lives back home in Lexington, so were about an hour apart so we've gotta do that she keeps, I love the lake life my parents live on the lake in lexington on lake Murray so I love any chance I can to go down there and I'll get on the boat with my dad and hang out and just go sit on the water and then get in the water when it get extremely hot but I love clemson football or clemson athletics i've always been a huge fan since I can remember I was going to games. As far as what I like to do on a daily basis right now I get to go home at a decent time cashew ere kinda in the middle of football and baseball so the past three days have consisted of me going home cooking some dinner and watching Netflix so that's pretty boring but I don't mind it.” 

West says he tends to take a lot of the stress that is involved in his work life home with him and it is hard for him to drop it.

“I would say that something i'm not very good at I think I take home a lot of the stress and the worry and the day-to-day school stuff that I go through of that we go through as a staff or as a school I definitely take it home sometimes I wish I didnt I with I could leave it at the door but if its a good day here it's a good day at home if it a bad day here it's not a great day at home, I don't necessarily say that I ruined my day if we have a bad day here but it definitely affects me to a degree,” West said.

Blake Roland, the head coach of the Fountain Inn Baseball team, has been friends with West for a very long time.

 “I have known Coach West for about 15 years now, I met him when we were both playing baseball in Lexington, SC. My first impression was that his baseball skills needed some refinement.” Coach West has many talents, says Roland.

“He is great at connecting with others and positivity is a very big thing to him which is one of my favorite things about him. He is also very intelligent and brings fresh and new ideas to the program here at Fountain Inn, another thing that helps him is he is very energetic.” When asked what one of West's strengths was, Roland said, “He spends too much money on Mexican Food.” 

  Choosing a coach to help your team to victory is a very tedious task and making sure you find the right person is a very important task.

  “Upon meeting Coach West, I could tell he was experienced.  There are a lot of people who can coach and then there are a lot of people who like to tell people they can coach. I could tell quickly that he was a guy that knew what he was talking about and would be a great addition to our staff,” head football coach Brett Nichols said. 

Nichols says that one of West’s strengths is his knowledge with technology.

 “You would never guess this but Coach West can reroute an IP address on sideline replay video equipment like he's Stephen Hawking.” 

“The positive attitude he brings to work everyday has made a huge impact on our school.” 

 West has had a very big impact on the football program.

“He has been a great addition to our football coaching staff. He stepped right in and meshed well with the coaches that were already on staff as well as the players he worked with so that has made my job that much easier.” 

West has only been here at Fountain Inn for less than a year and has had an impact on the students. He is such a positive person and never fails to make people smile whenever they are with him.

Mr. Janovetz: More than a Teacher

By Lucas Harvey

Mr. Janovetz didn’t always plan to be a teacher. His spark for teaching lit during college, struck by his English professor. His professor watched the way he tutored, guided, and pushed fellow students to success, and told him to think about being a teacher. These traits reflect Janovetz today and how he brings his own students to their best at Fountain Inn and at his first high school.

Going in depth about his exposition to teaching, Janovetz said “I became a teacher because of a college course I took over the summer and the English professor I was working with as a student. We were writing a paper about whatever we wanted, and it had to be 10 pages. A lot of my classmates in my college class were stuck on a lot of parts, and he watched me help them one on one, tutoring them and telling them where they should be researching, where they should be doing their assignment, and then the professor just kinda took a seat back and watched. And at the end of class, he pretty much just asked “You should think about being a teacher”, and that allowed me to rethink it. Originally, I was going into school to be a pixar animator, but hearing that kinda changed my perspective. With some hard thinking, I then became a teacher.”

From a small town in the San Francisco Bay Area, Janovetz taught at El Cerrito High School in El Cerrito, California. He said, “So I’ve been teaching for about 10 years. I worked at one school for my nine years, and Fountain Inn High School is my second school. My first school was called El Cerrito High School. El Cerrito was about a 20-25 min drive from San Francisco. I lived in a smaller town called San Ramon.”

Janovetz teaches Social Studies at Fountain Inn. He’s taught AP World History and US History. Though he is a Social Studies teacher, he enjoys other subjects, and works them into his own. Janovetz stated “I’m a Social Studies teacher, so obviously I like teaching Social Studies, but that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in other subjects. Sometimes I do like knowing what Science is doing, and what other courses are doing as well, because I try to in a way incorporate that into Social Studies itself. I don’t like Math though.”

Teaching is something Janovetz is passionate about. When asked about his favorite part of being a teacher, he said “My favorite part about being a teacher is hearing the kids say, "What are we doing today?” That to me shows that they are interested in what you’re talking about in a certain time or unit, or they’re just curious to know, and to me that makes me happy cause they wanna know what I’m doing, and it also could be because they just wanna make sure whether they wanna check out mentally.” This shows how much he cares about his students and how important their success is to him

Though he loves teaching, like any job, it has its ups and downs. He said “The hardest part about being a teacher is engagement with the students. I feel like there’s so many more distractions for the kids now than when I was growing up, and because of those distractions the attention span and engagement is shorter than what it used to be.”

Janovetz is very invested in making sure his students succeed. He not only pushes them to their best in class, but makes them feel important and welcome. AP World History student Hayden Morgan said, “Something that makes him unique is how he interacts with students, he shows that he cares and wants to have conversations. He helps his students succeed by always trying his best even when we aren’t. Mr. J is the nicest teacher I’ve ever had, it’s hard to have a bad day when he’s your teacher. The 3 words I would use to describe him are helpful, productive, and awesome.” 

Janovetz is a man of many hobbies. When asked about them, he said “I love to be outdoors, one of the things I like doing in my backyard is gardening, cause that’s what I’m working on at home as a project. There’s other things I like to do, exercising has always been a mental relief for stress for me, and other times is usually just playing video games, but when I’m not doing those, I’m usually spending time with my kids. Right now, I’m currently doing my play of Tears of The Kingdom. I'm not that far, I’ve only gotten past the first sage dungeon, and right now I’m just exploring. But I don’t play it as much, cause I know if I start that game, it’s easily three hours, not doing ANYTHING progress wise, but I can spend that much time that I’m not spending doing other things. I haven’t touched it in a couple weeks, cause I know if I touch it, I’m not gonna put it down.” 

Though he has many hobbies, there is one dream that he has, richer than a hobby. Janovetz said “In 10 years I still see myself teaching, whether it’s here or wherever the dice may fall, I still see myself teaching. There’s a pipe dream I had of owning and operating my own food truck, and it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do, but the funds with that just are not there yet, but it’s a dream that I’ve had.” 

When he was asked what he would do if he had one million dollars right now, he said “The first thing I would do is use part of it to put away for my kids college, and use the rest to buy a house.” That goes to show that he takes his family as a priority, as any father should. He applies this care in the classroom, and makes sure every one of his students excels to their greatest potential.

Coach Goetz Advocates for Mental Health

By Priscilla Guiliano

For Taylor Goetz, mental health and physical health is always a priority.

Goetz is a guidance counselor and coaches JV Football and Basketball cheer at Fountain Inn High School.  This is her first year at Fountain Inn and her 2nd  year of being a guidance counselor. She loves to be a guidance counselor because she loves helping students in different ways if it is cheer related or not. She impacts Fountain Inn High School with her positivity. She is always there when you need her. 

Goetz tries her hardest to find people fit for the job that helps her and give her players the amount of confidence they need to succeed and wants to see everyone be successful. “With having two teams i think it’s nice that there’s three separate coaches because that’s three separate people who can offer encouragement and offer feedback so that way if one coach gets on to you for bad form but then another coach comes up and says omg i noticed your arm movements are so much better having multiple people there to provide feedback but also build relationships with.” The quote fits  in the story because it shows that she really wants to give her team everything she can so she is choosing the perfect people to help her coach and so her as a coach can have someone to lean on and learn from as well just like her players do. Although there might be a few coaches to help with the team,  Goetz has a special spot because of her personality and because of how encouraging and confident she is towards the team and her players.

  “Her kind personality brings a lot of spark  to the cheer world” She brings so much positivity, encouragement, and support to everyone around her. Her infectious energy and genuine care for others make her a true coach both on the field and off the field. She’s the kind of person who lifts spirits, motivates cheerleaders, and creates an uplifting atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcomed and valued.  Goetz’s personality doesn’t just show through her words of encouragement and hyping up the team, it also shows through her as a person. Her outward appearance and first impression towards her players matters just as much as her words of encouragement and positivity to the team.

“My first impression of  Goetz was very good, I could tell she was a good person and was gonna be a good coach.” This shows how she can impact people and how her true self can automatically show just based on her first impressions with people.  Goetz doesn’t just impact the team and the players, she also impacts the other coaches.

“I feel respected and she makes me smile everytime i see her.” Her positive energy makes me smile anytime I see her. She is truly the light of the room. To impact a team you must have a positive attitude, a good mindset and a good attitude and that's exactly what  Goetz has and that’s what helps impact the entire team.

“She helps a lot of people at school in different ways if it's cheer related or not” She brings so much positivity and support to the cheer world. Her dedication is truly inspiring, and she creates an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. She is a true role model and someone worth celebrating and appreciating.

A Love for Wrestling

By Jillian Hug

Zachary Sanford’s life is all about wrestling, teaching and his personal life. Sanford is a wonderful influence to those around him and always knows how to make someone laugh.

Sanford grew up in Sebastian, Florida. He moved to Greenville, South Carolina recently. When explaining how he ended up at Fountain Inn, Sandford says, “It was just something around and Mrs. Tiller interviewed me for a long term sub position and I got it.”

At Fountain Inn High School Sanford teaches freshman success and PLTW intro to engineering and design this semester. Freshman success is a course that allows students to learn about their strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes and interests. PLTW intro to engineering and design is a course where students will dig deep into the engineering design process by applying and concurrently developing your knowledge and skills in math, science, technology, and engineering to hands-on projects.

Sandford went to the University of Central Florida. He majored in criminal justice and criminal profiling. He became a teacher in 2010 and became a wrestling coach in 2009.

Sanford is super passionate about coaching and the sport of wrestling. He was a 3X All American wrestler, NCWA National Finalist and a part of the 2005 NCWA National Championship team. The reason he became a teacher was to coach wrestling.

Sanford loved wrestling and I didn’t want to stop, so he became a coach. He said, “I kept doing it because I got a lot of joy and satisfaction from it. I enjoy watching kids grow in the sport of wrestling. I love seeing them go from a nerdy, skinny little kid who was never athletic to becoming a state placer and having that self confidence. Watching that growth is something really cool to me.”

Sanford used to be the head coach at Fountain Inn High School, but now is an assistant coach. Something he does miss about it is the administration work that he used to be in charge of. He also started coaching his senior year of college. 

Sanford says the most important thing he learned from coaching wrestling is perseverance. He says, “I have more so now than what I had as a wrestler. I learned perseverance as a coach goes a long way.” Perseverance helps you make progress even when things get tough.                     

Though Sanford’s reason for teaching was wrestling he still likes teaching engineering as well. He says, “I like watching kids learn new things and get excited about new things.” What he doesn’t like about teaching is, “When you come up with a really cool lesson and everyone just trashes it. That’s the very demoralizing thing about being a teacher,” he says.

Sanford says the most important thing he has learned from being a teacher is patience. Patience is such an important attribute to have as a teacher. When you are patient you are much better equipped to deal with stressful and challenging moments in life. It overall just makes you a happy person!

Before Fountain Inn High School Sanford taught PE and Freshmen Success at Flagler Palm Coast High in Palm Coast, Fl. Sanford says, “I like the atmosphere. I like all of my co-workers and the students here. I think it’s a unique student body, it has a lot of potential and I’d like to see where they go with it.”

Sanford has had many past influences like coaches and teammates. He says, “One person is my college coach, Coach Rouse. He was diabetic, blind, and didn’t have any toes. But he found a way to make it to practice everyday, even if he had to ride his bike. When he easily could’ve made an excuse not to come.”

In Sanford’s free time he likes to go on dates with his fiance and they go hiking. He also likes to fly planes. He loves the weather in Greenville and he has three dogs.

Sanford works with Brandon Johnson who is the head coach of the Fountain Inn High School wrestling team. Johnson also teaches Algebra 1 Honors and CP. In his class, students study topics like step functions, transformations of absolute value functions, factoring quartic expressions in quadratic form, translating a quadratic function into vertex form, and sequences as functions.

Johnson met Sanford this summer after getting hired at Fountain Inn High School. Johnson believes that Sanford influences students at Fountain Inn High School everyday. He says, “He leads by example, and gives kids real world advice. He does a great job preparing his students for life beyond Fountain Inn High School.”

Even though they don’t teach together, Johnson really likes Sanford's teaching style. He says, “I think Sanford does a great job holding kids accountable. I've watched him have good conversations with kids about what they need to do in order to do better in class, and that's usually focused on skills that will help them in life.”

Sanford and Johnson are so close from coaching together. Johnson says, “Our Coaching Philosophies are very similar. We're always on the same page about wrestling. Despite having different styles, we think similarly about the way things should be done on and off a wrestling mat.”

Johnson enjoys working with Sanford. He says he helps him keep his priorities in focus especially when at practice. He also helps him stay accountable to the plans they have for the program. Johnson says, “I know I can depend on him.” 

Johnson says Sanford’s strengths are that, “He's a smart guy and a hard worker. He's frequently invested in his students and athletes, and cares a lot about seeing them become successful.” Johnson feels like some kids fail to see past his tough exterior. In reality he says, “He's one of the nicest people I know.” 

Many students love Sanford. Tessa Criswell says, “He is funny and he doesn’t make us do excessive work.” Criswell also says, “It is nice to have him at the end of the day. I think him being a coach could help his athletes to be a bit more comfortable around.”

Sanford makes such an impact on those around him. Next time you see him appreciate him for all he does!

Anna Shumpert: English Teacher by day, Horseback Rider by Night

By Camden Mason

Anna Shumpert is an English Teacher at Fountain Inn High School. She has taught at Fountain Inn for a total of two years. Shumpert teaches only English 3 Honors at Fountain Inn. Shumpert has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in Teaching Writing from John Hopkins University. She also writes poetry which has been published by The Rockvale Review and Poet’s Choice literary magazines. Shumpert is married to her husband of 13 years and has three daughters.

She has only taught English at Fountain Inn High School and she said she likes teaching English because there's never always one right or wrong answer.  “I appreciate that English lends itself to having discussion and to coming up with multiple different interpretations, I get bored really easily, so when there’s only one right or wrong answer then that gets boring to me, so I like to have multiple options that I get to think about.” 

Shumpert said that she likes teaching because she thinks that students are really funny. “I think students are really funny and so it’s nice to have a discussion based class where we can talk about things and also crack jokes.” In her opinion, this is the best part of teaching for her.

Shumpert said, if she had to teach any subject other than English it would be biology because of how hands-on it is and how relevant it can be. “Probably Biology, That was probably my second favorite subject in school and I just like that it's really applicable and there’s a lot of hands-on stuff that you can do with it.”

“My favorite book that I have ever read is called The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.” The Poisonwood Bible is about an overzealous Baptist Minister named Nathan Price drags his wife and four daughters deep into the heart of the Congo on a mission to save the unenlightened souls of Africa.

It is hard for Shumpert to necessarily say that one author is her favorite. “That changes frequently, to be honest, right now, I would say Stephanie Garber.” Garber is the number one New York Times and internationally bestselling author of Once Upon a Broken Heart and the Caraval trilogy. In fact, Caraval, which is one of Garber’s best selling books, is being adapted to a movie titled “Heart Made of Black.”

What is your favorite book turned into a movie? “We're actually reading a book right now, but The Great Gatsby, the movie that came out in the early to mid 2000’s is awesome.” The Great Gatsby is an American Novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel depicts first-person narrator Nick Caraway’s interactions with mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and Gatsby’s obsession to reunite with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan.

If you could meet any author living today, who would it be? “Jason Reynolds.” Reynolds is a best-selling author that writes books mainly for young adult and middle grade audiences. Reynolds has won a total of seven awards for his books that he has written. Most recently, he won the Caldecott Medal for his book Ain’t Burned All the Bright. 

She is more than just an English teacher. “So, I ride horses and I teach horseback riding lessons, so that’s my favorite thing to do.” It's obvious that English isn’t the only thing that she is good at teaching.

“Back in my mid 20’s, my husband and I went to England and we went to a place called Westminister Abbey and that’s where the setting of Dracula so that was pretty cool.” Westminister Abbey has been there for 957 years and is pretty significant in England’s history. It is a church and actually where famous scientist Isaac Newton was buried.

“Right Now, My favorite book series is the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber, but I specifically like the spin-off series that she’s doing.” The Caraval series is about a character named Scarlett Dragna where she and her sister live with their cruel and powerful father. Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval-the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show-are over.

“If I could, I would teach horseback riding.” This is something Shumpert is very passionate about. Horseback riding is very common for a lot of people but to have the ability to teach it is something not a lot of people can say.

Shumpert is more than an English teacher. From an English Teacher to a horseback rider to a poet, Shumpert is a woman of many talents.

One in Eleven Years

By Kayla Giles

A teacher of 11 years, a mom, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a mentor. Adri Jordan is so much all wrapped into one. Fountain Inn High School is a newer high school in South Carolina, so every year new teachers join the staff. This year, Jordan is a new teacher at FIHS. 

Before FIHS, Jordan taught at Clinton High School as well as East Side High School. Being a veteran teacher, she has had great experiences and has already brought so much to FIHS. 

Jordan worked with some of the teachers at other schools she taught at, who are now working at FIHS, including Anson Cunninghan, Maureen Tiller, and John Michael Hammond. So coming to this school, she already knew a few familiar faces. 

She had the opportunity to attend college. 

“I went to Midlands Technical College. I got my associate's degree there. So I did my, my two year and then I transferred to Lander. The reason why I did not do four years at Lander is because I came from a poor family. So, we couldn't afford college at that magnitude,” Jordan said.

Jordan has two children, a girl, Saide, and a boy, Hobson, along with a husband, Jason. She is a remarkable mother and wife.  Through her experiences in life she has developed a better understanding for her kids and even the students at school. 

Jordan teaches art and does an exceptional job in both Ceramics and Art I. Coming to this school, she knew she would be able to help the students, and teachers, because of the passion she has for what she does. 

  “She is encouraging and shares her vast knowledge in a way for others to thoroughly understand,” said art teacher, Amber Chappel. 

Jordan has great insight on anything she does. She is very organized, on task, and a very good planner,  with so many project ideas to help the students better learn. 

“I enjoy just seeing kids that are super passionate and inspired, through art. [For them to] have a place where they can feel important and heard and seen. And I like being able to advocate for that,” Jordan said. 

Jordan’s all time goal is to bring welcoming feelings into her classroom. She has had a love for art ever since she was little. She was able to find her true passion for it, and spread that passion to others. 

“She brings creativity into the classroom by making us push our limits with different forms, colors, and techniques to make our projects more creative,” student Avery Pipoly said.

Jordan uses her creative mind and kind heart and brings it into the classroom everyday. She is very dedicated in everything she does. Being a new teacher she finds that it is so helpful how people have been there for her. Jordan doesn't hesitate to ask for help when she needs it. 

“I don't know everyone and that can be a challenge, but everybody is very helpful, very opening, very welcoming,” Jordan said.

The FIHS community has made being a new teacher much easier by just helping out. 

Being a new teacher, Jordan has not yet met everyone. But she has gotten the chance to get closer to Chappel as they have gotten to work together in the same department. 

“I enjoy having someone who understands the struggles and greatness that come with teaching art. It is so nice to have someone who relates to what you do,” Chappel said.

Some people take for granted all that a teacher does. Outside, and inside of school they are always working for their classrooms. Along with their personal life. 

Jordan understands that it can sometimes be hard to be a teacher, and a student.  She remembers what it was like being in high school herself.  Because of this, she's always trying to take the students' feelings into consideration. 

Jordan exemplifies strength, working hard and pushing through everything that life brings. 

“[Her most noticeable quality is] the time that she puts into her work. She's the type to be the first one in, and the last one to leave, many days in the school year. This was especially true when I taught with her at Clinton High School” Cunningham said.

Although her environment has changed, her passion and dedication has grown. She gives off a light, by just being around her. Not only in school but at home too. 

In life there are certain steps to take, certain stages that help us become who we are. 

“There's a season of starting your profession, you know, and being an adult figuring out how am I going to make it, then there's that season of building and starting a family and that will always stay with you. Then there's the season where your kids grow up, leave the nest and then it starts back over with you. So, I feel like I'm in the peak of my season where I've gone through a lot of that and now it's starting to circle back to me,” Jordan said.

So being a teacher for 11 years, being a mom, being a friend, and a mentor has taught Jordan so much about life. There are so many things that people have learned from her as well.

Did you know that she still has a baby tooth? Or maybe that she's half Dominican? Yes! Sometimes teachers can be overlooked, but Adri Jordan should not be one of them. She has already had a great impact on so many students at FIHS and on many others in her life journey. 

Who is Mr. Fury 2025?

By: Layla Vicino

From March 6 through March 13, 2025, Fountain Inn High School had our first Spirit Week with all four grade levels participating. This year may have had the most students involved, but even from the start when it was just one level, there has always been a “Mr.  Fury” show. The school nominates a select few boys from each grade level to go up on stage, answer questions and make a performance of their choice as the audience and judges decide who they love most! This year, our winner for “Mr. Fury” was named Ben Chamblee, a graduating Senior of 2025. 

Even though Ben has been here at Fountain Inn High School since his Freshman year, this was his first time participating in “Mr. Fury.” Chamblee is also in theatre, so being in front of many people isn’t exactly an issue for him, “When I’m on stage I’m not afraid to make a fool of myself and feel completely comfortable. Hearing an audience laugh and react also fuels my energy on stage,” he explains. Which, he certainly did get a reaction from the crowd, seeing as his performance choice was, “the dance from ‘Saturday Night Fever,’ I thought it would be a really funny choice because of the dances being older and me being an amateur dancer, I thought it would be very comical to an audience,” and clearly, he wasn’t wrong. The audience and judges all loved his show - but of course is not to discourage any of the other competitors, Chamblee mentioned, “I thought the others were very funny with their talents, and creatively found ways to engage the audience,” everyone who participated also had their own great ideas and all did great! 

One of Chamblee’s opponents, Noah Ross, did something pretty unique for his personal show as well: he performed a magic trick and even brought one of the students from the audience up onto the stage. He mentioned that his inspiration for this trick came from, “This weird show ‘Sherlock,’ there was an epic episode with a trick like that.” Additionally, Ross did perform another engaging piece for the audience: a Rap Battle against our very own Steve Lentz! He teaches three English 2H classes as well as Chess Club for our students. Both competitors prepared for the show, but in pretty different ways… Lentz went so far as to memorize his lines given he had two months to make it perfect, while Ross simply put, “Ever heard of the movie ‘8 mile’?,” as his inspiration, which Lentz did notice later on, as he mentions, “I thought he did an amazing job with his lyrics and his delivery. I particularly liked when he said ‘This guy a rapper? His real name’s Steve.’ I think the audience enjoyed it too. He definitely had the ‘8 Mile’ vibe going on.” Lentz was asked to choose a student for the job two months ago, and he believed it would be best to choose the one and only Ross because, “He is a great kid and has a creative and fearless personality that I thought would make him great for this event. When I emailed him, he was very excited about the opportunity. He is a born entertainer and very charismatic. He was an ideal student to make this event successful,” Lentz certainly made the right choice! The audience loved it, and even though Ross didn’t win, he was very humble about it, in his own way, “Goat material I admit I was sincerely cooked.” Lucky enough for everyone who loved Ross’ performance, he said he would love to participate again next year, “...but hopefully the competition isn’t full of og killa’s and I stand a chance.”

Though for the ultimate winner of the day, unfortunately he won’t be able to participate again next year considering this is Chamblee’s final few months here as is graduating soon, but to be able to win this year, “is important to me as an introvert, because it shows that even as a reserved person you can still put yourself out there. Don't be afraid to do anything and chase your dreams even if it means leaving your comfort zone.”  Rightfully so, he was beyond ecstatic, “It felt great, I was very surprised when I won. I didn't think I was going to win at first; When I heard my name I was in shock. Right after ‘Mr.Fury’ I ran into the Theatre room excited and told all of my Theatre friends I had won it.” “Mr. Fury” was a great show this year, and it’s something that will most likely always continue to be one of, if not the, biggest sell point of Spirit Week. 2025 held a great week of fun and entertainment as well as funding for the Make A Wish foundation, we couldn’t be more proud of this year's competitors and donators!

FIHS Spirit Week Buyouts Bring Excitment and Energy to the Student Body

By: Kaylee Evatt

Fountain Inn High School recently had its annual Spirit Week. The school was raising money for Make A Wish. As a school the goal was to raise 75,000.  This spirit week is a highly anticipated tradition that brings students and staff together for the same goal. Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to participate in or attend buyouts, where excitement and energy ran high. This year’s buyouts featured five events: Olympics, The Price is Right, Mr. Fury, Bubble Soccer, and Boys volleyball. 

The Olympics: A Test of Strength and Skill 

The Olympics buyout brought teachers and students together as they competed against each other in different activities. Such as, weight lifting, relay races, horse racing, tumbling. This was a fun event that showcased different teacher and student talents. During intermission one team member from each team participated in a hotdog eating contest which left some feeling full and not satisfied. 

The Price is Right: Game Show Fun!

This buyout brought a game show to life in the gym. Contestants were called to the floor to guess the prices of various items, much like the popular TV show. With fun hosts, and unexpected items, and funny guesses, the event had the audience entertained from start to finish. 

Mr. Fury: Showcasing Talent and Personality 

A school favorite and one of the highlights of the week was the Mr. Fury competition, where students took center stage to showcase their talents, school spirit, and personality. Participants competed in categories such as talent, cowboy wear, Q&A session, and a group dance. The audience erupted with laughter and applause as contestants battled for the title of Mr. Fury. A contestant Miguel Enriquze an 11th grade student here at FIHS says “the highlight of his week was winning people's choice at Mr. Fury. Coach Kee, Enriquze's escort stated “he loved getting to support his student through this electric buyout”. 

Bubble Soccer: A Hilarious Twist 

Nick Pickens, a 10th grader participated in most of the buyouts. Nick had great things to say about participating like “he enjoyed the school spirit and investing in Make a Wish”.  Bubble soccer came out on top as his favorite buyout he participated in. Bubble Soccer put a fun twist on original soccer. Players dressed in inflatable bubble suits, bouncing off each other while trying to score goals. The game had spectators and participants full of laughter watching players tumble and roll across the gym floor. 

Boys Volleyball: Fierce Competition 

This buyout had teams battling it out on the court. The competition was fierce, with high-energy plays, stunning saves, and intense rallies keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. There was a special guest as our referee. Brandon Young, a 10th grade student, spoke about his experience playing in the game “boys volleyball was my favorite buyout because that is the buyout the most people went to and played in.” 

Spirit Week at Fountain Inn HIgh School proved to be another incredible experience celebration of camaraderie, competition, and fun. The buyout events not only provided entertainment but also helped raise money for Make a Wish. As the students returned to their regular schedule, the memories of spirit week left everyone eager for next year’s. 

A Spiritful Finale to the 2024-2025 School Year

By: Cohen Masters

Fountain Inn Highschool had their final spirit week of the 2024-2025 school year. Fountain Inn started with a  prep rally Thursday morning to start the 2024-2025 spirit week. Brody Alvarado and Cohen Masters got to interview Brady Mason, one of the freshman students who was part of spirit week. 

“This Spirit Week was a great experience for my first year here at fountain inn, I wish that it was longer,” Mason said.

Brody Alvarado and Cohen Masters got a chance to be in the student section and be there to experience one of the buyouts, students had a lot to say.

“The student rap battle was my favorite buyout and was one of my favorite things about spirit week. Many of my friends were laughing and it was a good environment” Honour  Cleveland said.

The Make-a-Wish foundation had a big role in spirit week. Fountain inn on their first day of spirit week raised 17 thousand dollars for the Make-a-Wish foundation. “ We are raising money to grant a wish for a Make-a-Wish kid and what we mean by wish is something they have always wanted to do or go and we got to grant one kids wish today because we raised so much money already and the wish we granted was a trip with his family to Disney world this is what makes spirit week so much more special” Cleveland. 

On the second day of spirit week some of the students got to compete in the bubble soccer that was being hosted for spirit week. “Bubble soccer was actually really fun and enjoyed playing it with my friends” Patrick Davidson-Flores. 

      Now we look at a student's perspective of watching bubble soccer. “This had to be one of the funniest things to watch and is definitely a good way to make other kids come out and help the Make-A-Wish foundation” said Alvarado. 

Spirit week had an amazing impact on the Make-A-Wish foundation and on fountain inn in general. Students got a chance to talk about some things that they enjoyed the most about spirit week. 

“I loved watching the bubble soccer and the pep rally were Mrs. Beam got drenched in water, everything else was also really fun but those two were the best” said Cris Caro.

Powder-Puff Recap

By: Brinlee Nelson

Powderpuff, a girls version of football, is a very hot commodity during Fountain Inn’s Spirit Week. Everyone is excited to see who will win this year. 

Chase Lundy, freshman coach, says that his favorite part of the 25’ Powderpuff was the celebrations they had as a team whether it was from scoring a touchdown or winning their games.

“We had to come up with what our defense was going to be and to find out what our opponents were doing and the best way to defend against it,” says Lundy. 

There was a lot of preparation that went into getting the teams ready for the games that were ahead of them. They had to come together and work as a team to get the outcome that they did.

“Powderpuff was such an amazing experience, I can’t wait to do it again!” says Junior, Hayley Carr

Everyone who did Powderpuff really enjoyed it and said it was an amazing experience with no regrets. It is a great way to stay active during spirit week and also you can make so many new friends and learn new things.

“My favorite part is the celebrations that we had as a team when we won and got touchdowns,” Lundy says.

The teams had to work together to win. They couldn’t have won without their teammates. For many of the players the celebrations with their teammates were the best part, especially for Lundy.

“Working together and being good teammates are major reasons why we won,” said Freshman, Brikelle Nelson.

For the Freshman, they really had to show up and work as a team to come out with the win.

After all, Powderpuff was a great experience for all of the people who participated. They learned more about the sport, it helped them stay more involved during spirit week and it let them make more friends.

A Spirit Week to Remember

By: Arden Jackson and  Emma-Grace Bolding
Spirit Week at Fountain Inn High School was a huge success. From all the student participation and all the dress-up days to raise money for the Make-A-Wish kids, to the granting of wishes. The week ended with a lively pep rally, where the entire school gathered to celebrate their amazing achievement of raising about 60 thousand dollars. StuCo chooses a charity every year to donate the funds to, and this year's spirit week profit went to Make-A-Wish SC.

“It was so fulfilling seeing Naomi get her wish granted because of all of StuCo’s hard work,” said Spirit Leader, Brantley Cooper, a junior at FIHS. 

Naomi had always dreamed of visiting Disney World, and thanks to the efforts of the students, her dream came true. 

“I loved seeing the kids' faces light up when the whole school was cheering for them,” said Freshman Representative, Mia Wadsworth.

Another huge part of spirit week is the student engagement. This year there was much more participation than any previous year. FIHS student body doubled their profit from last year, going from 30,000 to 60,000 dollars.

 “I think spirit week was a great success! We raised more money this year than previously. Plus, students really felt the connection to Make-A-Wish SC and knew that we were helping kids with life-changing illnesses,” said Chelsea Elkins, StuCo advisor.

There were a lot of firsts and new things tried to help us reach our goal. For example, the grand finale pep rally was held outside for the first time, and featured new events like Drench A Teacher and the FIHS Olympics, where students competed in fun and quirky challenges. The pep rallies were nothing short of astonishing as well.

 “As the planner for the pep rallies, I believe that they went pretty well, especially the first pep rally. I think the students being able to see the wish kids, and getting to see a wish become granted, really impacted the outcome of the week,” said Cooper.

The rally also included a moving speech from our very own Charsie Gard. Gard is a freshman this year at FIHS and she recently had her wish granted of getting a new puppy.

 “I was tearing up during her speech, she is so strong and really inspiring. I am so happy she got the opportunity to share her story,” said Freshman Baylie Meek. 

“I had seen her in the halls before but had no idea about her story. I really enjoyed hearing her speech at the pep rally,” said Sophomore, Nick Pickens.

Spirit week 2024-25 will definitely be one to remember with all the inspiring wishes we granted and all the wonderful memories we made. The student body of FIHS has shown that when a community comes together, they can truly make dreams come true.

FIHS Fall Athletes Look Back on Past Seasons, Ahead of Tryouts

By: Lily McGrath

At Fountain Inn High School, student athletes across various sports shared their perspectives on their seasons and offered advice for upcoming tryouts.

Season Reflections

Several athletes reflected positively on their fall seasons.

Freshman cheerleader Laila Hogan said the season went well overall. "I think everyone improved on their skills very well, and I really enjoyed watching the transition of some of the people that have never cheered before," she said. "Not only did many people improve on stunting, they also improved on sideline cheering."

Freshman volleyball player Siena Perry also praised her team's development. "I think everyone improved on their hitting and blocking," she said. "Not only did many people improve on hustle and discipline, but also respect because you really need to have respect for everyone including teachers, coaches, peers and even yourself."

Perry emphasized volleyball's mental challenges. "In every sport it is important to have respect, but especially volleyball because you will miss a lot, but you have to learn to get back up again," she said.

Tryout Tips

Athletes offered advice for students preparing for spring tryouts.

Senior soccer player Chris Caro stressed the importance of preparation. "Tryouts should be competitive, and you should play to the best of your ability," he said. "Something that would really help you prepare is getting like a soccer goal at home and having someone practice with you to get some extra practice in."

Multiple athletes emphasized confidence as crucial for tryout success.

"Have the confidence when you're going out there because confidence is key when doing your best," Perry said.

Junior tennis player Annaliese Yoshida recommended building relationships with coaches. "Some tips for tryouts are to build a relationship with your coach and get to know them," she said.

Yoshida described tennis tryouts as team-building exercises. "You stand in a circle and all warm up with each other and play a game of either doubles or singles to see where everyone is," she said.

For newcomers to tennis, Yoshida advised dedication. "Practice a lot and really put in the work," she said.

Freshman soccer player Molly Adkison stressed mental preparation. "The advice I would give is that you should not get too into your head because once you get into your head, then you're not going to play as good and you're going to be worrying too much, so you should always just think positive," she said.

Adkison explained soccer tryout procedures: "Basically what happens at soccer tryouts is you will be doing drills and shooting, and you will scrimmage to see what you play like on the field and what position you play."

Hogan echoed the confidence theme. "Some tips for tryouts is to walk in with confidence because confidence is key and to also have a positive mindset because it will take you very far," she said.

Tennis at FIHS

By: Miles Tabor

Students at Fountain Inn High School share their thoughts about the tennis program.

Ryder Boutwell, a freshman who plays tennis, enjoys the sport.

"Tennis is a fun sport. There's a lot of movement, and I feel like it requires a lot of stamina," Boutwell said.

Sophomore William Keller, also a player, offers his perspective on the program.

"I feel the tennis program is well put together and is slowly growing. The program is young still, only having two seniors on varsity, and we have a lot of room for improvement. We have a real tennis coach this year, unlike last year when Coach Jones was a replacement coach," Keller said.

"I think the best thing about the tennis program is that everyone is close to one another. Tennis is a small enough sport where the players are always looking out for each other, even the newest team members. This team has been together for so long that it makes us all close and care about each other," Keller said.

According to Keller, the tennis community lacks support.

"The biggest support we really ever see is from parents. We might have the occasional sibling show up, but other than that, we don't receive much outside support," he said. "We get a very small budget, and pretty much anything we want, we must buy with money that we raise on our own rather than the booster club helping us. We are desperately in need of some help, as tennis has many moving parts and replacements are often needed.

FIHS Track and Field: Breaking Records and Setting Examples

By: Jermya Jones

The Fountain Inn High School track and field team has started its season and already broken several state records.

Deshler Mansel, one of the coaches of the track and field team, has been coaching for more than 16 years and specializes in track and field.

"This year's records include boys running mid-10.5 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.7 seconds in the 200 meters, and 47.6 seconds in the 400 meters. Girls ran 11.5 seconds in the 100 meters. Both the boys and girls 4x100 relay teams broke county records. We won state in 2021 and placed at state three other times," Mansel said.

"Athletes need to practice consistently and maintain a good mindset. Talent helps, but dedication is key," Mansel said.

Mansel believes these strategies help athletes set state records.

Track and field is a sport encompassing athletic contests based on running, jumping and throwing skills.

"I focus on giving them encouragement and the tools they need to accomplish their goals," Mansel said.

He uses these strategies to help his athletes prepare for races and potentially set new state records.

Mansel coaches various track events, including the 4x100 relay, in which four team members each run 100 meters.

Freshman Shamiah Swafford participates in this event.

"I set my own personal record this year and plan on pushing myself to beat it," Swafford said.

Mansel said Swafford has grown into a leader.

"She is tough as nails and shows enthusiasm," Mansel said.

On March 26, Fountain Inn High School hosted a track meet, inviting Hillcrest and Southside Christian. The meet also served as senior night.

FIHS Boys Lacrosse Dominates in First Season

By: Jordyn Sano

Fountain Inn boys lacrosse team dominated 10-0 on Wednesday, March 26. With great defense and a lot of offense go for the win against Woodruff. The lacrosse boys have been playing well and are winning half of their games this season.

Lacrosse is a physical sport with a stick that makes it more challenging than what most people think. 

This event of lacrosse takes place on the soccer field/ the football field, the goal of lacrosse is to shoot the ball into the opposite team's goal without using your hands but with your stick (the cross).

For lacrosse goals, it's common to think that it would be a soccer goal and it wouldn't be challenging to get it in the goal, but that's not the case. The lacrosse goal is small like a human body but their nets are bigger than others when it comes to the net stick.

This is the first season lacrosse has had a season at FIHS. 

“[Lacrosse] has grown a lot over time. It started from an unorganized program to a program that has been enforced and made to make us practice,” freshman Channing  Lundy said. 

Lacrosse is a fun sport to learn and to have fun when you want to stay active but it's not your main sport. Lacrosse at Fountain Inn High had a big impact this year with not having a lot of people coming this summer.

“ Over the summer not many people showed up and it gained popularity in the fall,” freshman Brenton Thomas said.

This sport hasn't just changed peoples perseverance on this sport but it made them think differently about this sport once they have played. Lacrosse rules are very simple and difficult, you have to pass the lacrosse ball (A hard ball) to your teammate to make it in the goal.

“We do different drills and skills to practice and train for our next game” Brenton Thomas stated. They get ready to get

This is a fast-pace sport and a team field sport. This year's lacrosse team is doing great and I hope they do even better by the end of the season

Soccer Season Isn't Over Yet!

Never Felt So Good: A Wicked Review

By: Jordyn Sano

"Wicked," released in November 2024, brings the beloved Broadway musical to the big screen with a compelling story about unlikely friendship and overcoming prejudice. Filmed at Sky Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, the movie features creator Winnie Holzman's heartfelt exploration of companionship.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver powerful performances, showcasing the perfect blend of jealousy, support and friendship while their characters face adversity.

Plot and Characters

The film serves as a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," exploring events before Dorothy's arrival in the magical land. Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, struggles to find her identity alongside Glinda, the future Good Witch.

Initially, the characters dislike each other and want nothing to do with one another. However, their evolving friendship becomes the movie's most compelling element. Born with green skin, Elphaba faces constant judgment from others, making her bond with Glinda particularly meaningful.

The story reveals that Elphaba isn't inherently evil — she only retaliates when others treat her disrespectfully first. This character development sets up anticipation for the sequel, "Wicked: For Good."

Source Material

The film draws from the 2003 Broadway musical "Wicked," which was inspired by Gregory Maguire's novel of the same name. The movie spans multiple genres, including fantasy, adventure, comedy, drama and fairy tale elements.

The musical numbers feature relatable themes that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Strengths

The movie excels in its portrayal of friendship and anti-prejudice messages, making it accessible to younger viewers while maintaining adult appeal. The songs effectively advance the plot without feeling forced or excessive.

A standout scene occurs when Elphaba dances at a party while others stare disapprovingly. Glinda joins her friend, encouraging others to participate while they maintain distance due to Elphaba's appearance. This moment perfectly captures the film's themes of acceptance and loyalty.

Despite frequent musical numbers, the pacing remains engaging throughout the runtime.

Target Audience

"Wicked" successfully appeals to children learning about friendship and tolerance while offering entertainment value for adult viewers. The film provides valuable lessons about not judging others based on appearance.

Overall Assessment

"Wicked" delivers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant adaptation that honors its source material while standing alone as compelling cinema. The strong performances, meaningful themes and memorable musical numbers create an entertaining experience that leaves audiences eager for the sequel.

The movie succeeds in transforming a familiar villain's origin story into a tale of friendship, acceptance and personal growth.

Trying to Escape the Past: A Review of Ginny and Georgia

By: Jermya Jones

Netflix's "Ginny & Georgia," which premiered Feb. 24, 2021, offers a relatable portrayal of teenage struggles and complex family dynamics. Created by Sarah Lampert, the series has released two seasons with a third in development.

Plot and Characters

The show explores the complicated relationship between mother Georgia Randolph and teenage daughter Ginny Miller as they settle in a new town. Both characters carry emotional baggage — Georgia harbors dark secrets from her past, while Ginny struggles with identity issues and mental health challenges.

Georgia emerges as a multifaceted character who has overcome significant obstacles. Her relationship with Ginny improved her life, but she continues working to remove her daughter from toxic situations.

The series addresses mental health openly through Ginny's story line. "I do this thing where I hurt myself, I'm sorry dad," Ginny confesses in one scene, while Georgia offers her own perspective: "You win more flies with honey, but if you get yourself a bee, sting first."

Strengths and Weaknesses

The show succeeds in presenting realistic scenarios that resonate with teenage audiences and their parents. Its honest approach to mental health issues and family trauma creates authentic connections with viewers experiencing similar challenges.

However, the series could benefit from deeper character development. More exploration of supporting characters' backgrounds would provide additional context and perspective on their individual struggles.

Overall Assessment

"Ginny & Georgia" meets viewer expectations despite a slow start. The series gains momentum as episodes progress, becoming increasingly engaging for audiences interested in realistic family dramas.

The show serves as both entertainment and education, potentially helping parents understand their teenagers' experiences while demonstrating healthy coping mechanisms for difficult situations.

Recommendation

This series merits viewing, particularly for parents seeking insight into teenage challenges and families navigating complex relationships. The realistic portrayal of mental health issues and family dynamics offers valuable perspectives for multiple generations.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

"Ginny & Georgia" delivers compelling storytelling and relatable characters, though additional suspense could enhance the viewing experience. The series successfully balances entertainment with meaningful social commentary.

GTA V: The Game That Changed it All

By: Gio Ariedi dos Santos

"After a whole decade on the market, it remains one of the greatest video games of all time," according to Guinness World Records.

Grand Theft Auto V, commonly known as GTA 5, continues attracting players more than a decade after its 2013 release. The Rockstar Games title, the fifth main installment in the GTA series, revolutionized open-world gaming through its innovative design and enduring online component.

Gameplay and Story

The game features three playable protagonists — Michael, Franklin and Trevor — living in Los Santos, a fictional version of Los Angeles. Players can switch between characters at any time, creating a dynamic storytelling experience.

The open-world environment allows extensive freedom, from high-speed car chases and aircraft piloting to bank heists and map exploration. Missions blend with sandbox-style gameplay in a detailed urban setting.

Online Success

GTA Online has become the game's primary draw for many players. The multiplayer mode enables cooperative heists, business ventures and social interaction among friends. Players can purchase virtual real estate, vehicles and military equipment using in-game currency.

Rockstar Games provides regular content updates, maintaining player engagement through new activities and features.

Critical Acclaim

The game received widespread critical praise for its graphics, voice acting and narrative structure. Metacritic awarded it a 97 out of 100 score, while industry recognition included Game of the Year at the 2013 Spike Video Game Awards and Best Narrative at the 2014 BAFTA Game Awards.

Areas for Improvement

Despite its success, some players cite repetitive mission structure during extended play sessions. The game's mature content limits its audience due to violent themes. Many fans expressed disappointment over Rockstar's decision to focus on GTA Online's monetization rather than expanding single-player story content.

Commercial Success

As of February 2024, GTA V has sold more than 190 million copies worldwide, ranking among the best-selling video games in history. The game set a Guinness World Record by generating $800 million in revenue during its first day of release.

GTA Online maintains millions of active players through continuous updates and new content releases.

Market Position

While competitors like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 offer alternative open-world experiences, GTA V's combination of humor, action and player freedom continues setting industry standards.

The game's longevity demonstrates the lasting appeal of well-designed open-world environments and ongoing developer support.

Personal Rating: 9 out of 10

GTA V delivers exceptional open-world gameplay through its blend of action, humor and player freedom. The game's lasting appeal makes it essential for fans of the genre, despite minor flaws in mission variety and content focus.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Rainbow Six Siege, developed by Ubisoft, has become one of the world's most popular video games through strategic gameplay and growing online content.

The tactical shooter features a search-and-destroy format where players must locate and defuse bombs. Teams split into attackers and defenders, each with distinct objectives and abilities.

Game Mechanics

Attackers aim to find and defuse bombs to win rounds. Players can purchase 38 different attacker characters using in-game currency called renown. Each operator features unique gadgets and serves different team roles, including healers, support players and breachers.

Characters operate on a speed-health trade-off system. Operators move at three speed levels — 1, 2 or 3 — with faster characters sacrificing durability. Health ranges from 100 to 135 hit points, with stronger characters moving more slowly.

Support operators like Finka provide team assistance through healing abilities, while other specialists focus on breaching defenses or providing tactical advantages.

Defenders protect bomb sites by reinforcing locations, setting traps and patrolling buildings to intercept attackers attempting to plant defusers.

Competitive Structure

The game offers multiple modes, including ranked competitive play. Ranked matches pit five-player teams against each other, with winners gaining Elo points to advance through eight tiers: copper, bronze, silver, gold, platinum, emerald, diamond and champion.

Players must reach level 10 to access standard mode and level 50 for ranked competition. Kill-death ratios and win-loss percentages factor into player rankings.

"Rank also consists of a KD, which stands for kill and death ratio," said freshman Noah Root, a diamond-ranked player. "Having a good KD means a lot in this game."

Champion-tier players can compete for the world's top ranking based on active player populations.

Monetization and Content

Ubisoft releases new battle passes every 90 days for 1,200 R6 credits, featuring new operators, cosmetic items and weapon skins. Players can purchase additional content through an in-game marketplace or earn rewards through gameplay.

Growing Popularity

Content creator Jynxzi helped boost the game's popularity starting in September 2020 through streaming and video uploads featuring gameplay compilations.

Root praised the game's strategic elements. "Siege is definitely my favorite game right now," he said. "I love how you have to use your teammates to make strategies and beat the other team, and I like that you actually have to have skill to play this game."

However, Root noted challenges with random teammates in competitive play. "I play with a five stack, which is just I'm in a party with four others, and we play because solo queuing is terrible," he said. "I almost lose every time I play with randoms — that is the only thing I hate about Siege."

The game continues attracting players through its emphasis on teamwork and tactical gameplay.

A Reason Why: A Review on the "Adolescence" Series

By: Lily Bradley

A four episode series that is already being called “the biggest and best show of the year,” after being released on March 13, 2025. Stephan Graham and Jack Throne created the series Adolescence which was directed  by Philip Barantini. The series Adolescence was located in Pontefract in West Yorkshire, England. The series itself centers on a 13-year-old schoolboy named Jamie Miller who is arrested after the murder of a girl in his school. This series shows how a toxic and neglectful environment can affect young boys. 

The series doesn't revolve around the question, “Who did it?” but, “Why did you do it,”. This whole concept of the story comes not only from the script but comes from the actors. With this being Owen Cooper's (Jamie Miller) first ever acting job, Cooper was able to bring the compelling reality of a boy whose point of view revolved around the masculinity of men and show the vulnerability that they can have when it comes to a toxic environment. Cooper was able to portray a character that can relate to the sentence, “not everyone is who they seem to be”. With Cooper being able to show an outstanding performance the other actors such as the actor Fatima Bojang (Jade) who is known as Katie's best friend who was able to show the way grief can affect a person in multiple ways, such as it can lead to someone acting out in a different way and feeling a type of way. All the actors that took place in this movie such as Stephen Graham (co-director), Erin Doherty, Kaine Daviswere and many more were able to bring this story to life. 

The director Graham had the idea to make each episode of this series include the unique one shot technique. This technique is not used often, but when it is used it can create outstanding pieces of work. The hard work that the producers took to make sure that this creative idea would work made this show so much better. With the extensive prep time, the rehearsals, the amount of film takes and the equipment such as drones and rigs, the series did an amazing job. Coming back to the actors, the ability for most of these actors to withhold character for an extensive period of time with no acting experience is impeccable. The crew members in the background are making sure everything is going according to plan and that really brought everything together. The ability to quickly set up the set for the next scene, easily changing  the camera from one person to another and shifting the camera to a drone/onto a car without any mistakes or slip ups is truly incredible. 

After Adolescence hit the charts in America the people are talking, ¨Netflix is currently ranking the British miniseries “Adolescence” as its most-watched television show among Americans,¨ the New Yorker 100 states. ¨With its killer combination of artistic virtuosity, startling performances and gut-punch power, Adolescence is a howl of despair and a call to action,¨ the Guardian states. This show has had a huge impact on not just the world of teenagers but it's also affected schools, parents and social media. This series brought to life what the environment of social media can have on children, specifically young boys. The directors while in the making of the show have found this reference that most young children in the UK know, the belief that 80 percent of women are attracted to just 20 percent of men, so boys must manipulate girls if they want to find sexual partners. That saying is one of the main things about this series that brings awareness to social media. 

In my opinion this series changed my perspective about a bunch of different things, and I think it also changed other peoples perspectives. With other shows that have come out, this show is definitely the best series i've watched in a while. The whole story line of this show is so thought out and has so much meaning behind it. I think everyone can get something from this series, it for sure is a must watch. 

Mufasa: More Than A King

By: Brianna Kinsel White

Mufasa is based on the 1994 animated Disney film “The Lion King”, The Movie Mufasa talks about Mufasa’s early life and his Journey to becoming the King of the Pride Lands, and his relationship with his brother Taka which later on in the movie is Scar. It also talks about Mufasa’s life before he became King of The Pride Lands. It also talks about why Scars bitterness and vengeance is towards Mufasa. Mufasa and Scars relationship wasn’t always a hate relationship. At one point Scar and Mufasa cared for each other, although Scar never liked Mufasa, Mufasa always cared for Scar.

Part of “The inspiration for the movie Mufasa came from King Hamlet (Father of Hamlet) from Shakesphere which also served as inspiration for “The Lion King”.” The movie also focuses on Mufasa’s childhood, his journey and adulthood and the circumstances that lead him to his greatness. 

-My Opinion On The Movie-

When I first started watching the movie I knew Mufasa was going to be King and Scar was going to be the antagonist because of background information, I knew there were going to be thrilling moments. The songs in Mufasa were enjoyable but when I'm watching a movie  I don't normally like music in the movie but when I watched Mufasa I really enjoyed the music.

Austin's Road to Happiness

Crazy Thanksgiving Catastrophe

By Laila Hogan

It was the day of Thanksgiving, and I woke up around 7:00 am since we are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. I woke the kids up early, around 8:00 am, but of course they were complaining.

“Mom, I don’t feel like waking up early…let me go back to sleep,” my son Leo complained.

“Mama, why are we hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? Can’t we just go get some Zaxby’s?” my daughter Daisy whined as she was getting out of bed.

“Guys, it's fine! We will have an amazing Thanksgiving dinner, and you guys will have so much fun!” I said.

“Yay…” my kids said sarcastically.

Around 12:00 pm, I was almost done decorating the house, but I needed the kids to help me, so I called them downstairs.

“Kids! Come downstairs to help me decorate!” I yelled.

“Coming,” the kids responded.

I needed to start cooking, so I asked Leo and Daisy to finish decorating since they’re teenagers now. To be completely honest, I can cook, but I’m no five star chef, so I got my husband to buy food, and he should be here any second…

“Hey guys, I’m home!” my husband said as he walked through the door.

“Hey babe! I’m in the kitchen and I need help with cooking,” I replied.

My husband came to the kitchen and started cooking the green beans.

“Are you ready to host Thanksgiving dinner?” I asked him.

“I’m ready because I think that we are going to be able to cook the food in time, but no offense, I’m not ready for all the crazy family that’s coming,” my husband said. 

“Hunni, I think that’s a little extreme. I think they will be able to behave themselves,” I replied, not knowing that this Thanksgiving was going to be crazy. 

Later, I  saw my sister, parents, cousins, and more pull up to the house in all of their cars. I wave to them until they come up to the porch. We all get to catch up and talk, and then I invite everyone to come in the house since it’s cold outside. After everyone settles in, I go to the kitchen to do the finishing touches on the food. I called the kids to the kitchen to go set the table since we needed to get this dinner started. Everything was going great. I had just finished cooking the food, everyone was getting along then, “BAM!” A plate crashes. 

I turn around and say, “What in the world happened?!?” 

I see some of the kids running around and screaming. My niece, Joelle and her brother, Kylie are fighting and pulling each other’s hair! Then, I see my dog Scout barking at a squirrel outside, while my baby niece, Olivia, is screaming and hollering while walking around the kitchen. Next, somehow, birds fly in the house! How did birds get in! But then, I realized that someone left the front door open after coming inside. While all of this was going on, the uncles and aunties were laughing about some random things. I see some of the kids horseplaying and giving piggyback rides. Then, my brother’s ex-girlfriend shows up because someone forgot to remove her from the family group chat when the dinner invite was sent! I just can’t take it anymore. I start to smell something burning, so then I realize, it’s the pie! I open the oven and quickly take out the pie, not realizing that I didn’t have oven mitts on. The pie was too hot so I burned my hand, then of course, I dropped it on my new shoes. So much is going on in this house.

I turn around and yell, “Everybody, STOP!” and slam my hands down on the kitchen island.

As I was slamming my hands down, I ended up slamming them on the turkey, which flips up and into the cranberry sauce that splashes on my face. Everyone turns quiet and looks at me. I pause, then everyone starts laughing and so do I.

“That was hilarious! This is the best Thanksgiving ever!” I say as I’m laughing so hard. Unfortunately, my brother disagreed, as he nervously looked across the room at his ex-girlfriend.

This was definitely a Thanksgiving to remember!

My Thanksgiving Nightmare

By Alex Geuea

Thanksgiving is nobody's favorite holiday, besides my Grandma. My Grandma loves Thanksgiving and literally does everything to make us have a great Thanksgiving, although it's sweet it is just really difficult to prepare everything because Grandma loves a big Thanksgiving. Grandma every year divides different parts of our family into groups, one makes the turkey, one makes the angel eggs, etc. This year, my family was tasked with the biggest dish, The Turkey. My part of the family freaked out when they heard about Turkey being the dish we had to cook, they said things like 

¨I heard we have to use one thousand seasonings,¨ or ¨If we don't finish it on time Grandma won't invite us to the yearly thanksgiving party,¨ My family instantly go to work on the dish. We first made every seasoning, it took us all of September but it was worth it, then we evenly spread all of the season on the turkey in October, we then put it in the oven on October 15th and it finished on November 14th. The turkey looked perfect and we finished it just in time for Thanksgiving. Grandma welcomed us into her house, the smell of Thanksgiving flustered throughout the house. We made it to the kitchen while our family all held the turkey covered in tin foil. We eventually made it to the kitchen and placed the turkey on the counter. The turkey looked incredible and, wait… the realization hit me, we forgot to put the salt onto it, we were so caught up with so many other seasonings we forgot THE seasoning. Grandma then walked into the kitchen while greeting us with a smile, she then placed her finger onto the turkey, pushed down, and dragged her finger on the turkey through its nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine seasonings, she then placed that finger inside of her mouth. 

¨Mmm, wait, somethings missing,¨ Grandma says with a stern look. Our family starts to freak out, a puddle of our sweat combines on the floor and then Grandma goes to reach for something, she reaches for a long wooden-looking thing standing on the counter, and she lifts it, puts her other hand on it and twist with a crunching sound following it. ¨You forgot the salt guys!¨ Grandma says while twisting the salt shaker onto the turkey, we all sigh in relief and start preparing our turkey dinner. I sit down at my seat and grab my fork and knife, with my mouth watering I go in for the turkey, as I poke the turkey with my work and cut down with my knife I cut off a piece and toss it onto my plate and lick my lips, I go in for a bite and am interrupted by my grandpa, ¨Hey uh sonny? Why is my turkey dancing?¨ 

I look down at my turkey in shock, my turkey is doing flares on my plate, and I wake up on the floor surrounded by my family as they are all sweating, ¨Why is there no salt?¨ My grandma says in a furious tone. She then points towards the door and we all have to walk out in shame, with no food in our tummies and no Thanksgiving spirit.

Different Ways People Celebrate Thanksgiving

By Fady Roufail

Thanksgiving can be different for everyone, and some don’t even celebrate it at all. This could be because of religion, culture, or personal choices. However, some other cultures have different ways of showing thanks. From Friendsgiving to other holidays like Chuseok, the holidays of showing gratitude stays the same.

For many, Thanksgiving is a time to give back. Some families volunteer at shelters, serve meals to those in need, or help out with food drives. These acts of kindness make ‎ the day about helping others instead of just eating and relaxing. It’s also a way to teach kids the importance of generosity and caring for others.

The traditions for Thanksgiving vary country to country around the world. Americans typically cook meals such as ham, turkey, peach cobbler, Mac and cheese, Stuffing, Corn Bread, Deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, etc. That's just the average feast of an American during thanksgiving. Some other countries like for example in China they replace the traditional turkey with duck or geese. It's very problematic to find a turkey in Asia because it's less common and will be more pricey than normal. Food traditions also vary, some families mix Thanksgiving with their cultural foods.‎ They may replace a turkey with tamales, sushi, or Kalua pig. These meals reflect their‎  culture and make the day feel personal. Blending these dishes with traditional Thanksgiving foods creates a unique way to celebrate.

Friendsgiving is a celebration with friends instead of family. It’s a meet-up for friends to come together and share different types of food with each other and have fun with each other. Everyone usually brings a type of dish, so they split the chore of someone only making/hosting the party and serving the food. Americans aren’t the only ones to celebrate Thanksgiving. In South Korea, there is a holiday called Chuseok that is close to Thanksgiving. It lasts three days and is about family, food, and honoring ancestors. Families cook traditional dishes, visit graves, and spend time together.‎ 

Some people choose to celebrate Thanksgiving outdoors for the fresh air and breeze and have small meetups. Parks, Picnics or barbecues in backyards or in the parks are places they go when they celebrate the holiday. This celebration is sometimes called "Dine Alfresco," it's simple but meaningful. Other families skip the big feast and instead focus on being thankful. They write what they’re thankful for on pieces of paper and read them together on Thanksgiving. This is more focused on the meaning of the day and less on the food and is just a fun enjoyable day.

Thanksgiving can look very different depending on who is celebrating, but the meaning stays the same. Whether it’s through a Friendsgiving meal giving back to the community. or honoring family traditions, the holiday is always about gratitude and being together. These different ways of celebrating show that Thanksgiving isn’t just one thing, it can be anything that brings people closer and makes them thankful.

Thanksgiving Story

By Kaidyn Pearson

My life as a turkey isn’t too great. I have to spend my whole life growing up and getting big enough for the human people to catch me, stuff me, cook then eat me. These human people cook so much food one day of the year called “Thanksgiving”. Around 46 million turkeys are killed for this day. I shouldn’t have to sacrifice my life for these people to eat when they clearly make so much more food. They even make ham on this day. Why do they need both? 

Sometimes these people will shoot me hunting or they will try and catch me and feed me a lot of food to get bigger. I don’t know why humans want to have so much food if they don’t even eat it all on this one “special” day. 

After they hunt me, they then kill me. My body dies, but my soul remains. This allows me to see what happens after the tragedy of being hunted. After being hunted the hunter takes a picture with me holding my tail then throws me over his shoulder. We get to the hunters house and he starts to defeather me. After the hunter takes all my feathers off of me. His wife I assume starts stuffing me with so many juices and vegetables. She continues to do this for about 30 minutes and also starts to make a lot more food. She takes a break preparing the other food and puts me in a buttered pan and then in the hottest room I've ever been in. 

I somehow see everything that is going on like watching them prep the food and try to cook it before all these people arrive. 

I watch everyone get there, make all their plates, and sit down and eat. A lot of kids are also there and they play around and they all seem like they’re having a good time. I just don’t understand why it’s so important to them and why they want to kill so many turkeys. People think it’s easy being a turkey or maybe they don’t even think about how we feel because we’re just turkeys.

After all, we are just turkeys. I have to eat so much my whole life just to be hunted, defeathered, bigger, and then have my soul remaining to watch them eat my body from that pan.

After this special day "thanksgiving" I don’t remember anything or even know if my soul remains after. The last thing I can remember from thanksgiving is watching everyone play around, have fun and eat a lot of food. Like a lot. Being a turkey isn’t easy. Especially when around 46 million are hunted for humans to eat on this day. I want humans to know this. I want them to know how hard this lifestyle is for us turkeys. Humans shouldn’t kill us turkeys just for one day. I don’t even understand why it’s so special for them.

Being a turkey is hard.

By Alivia Booker

Thanking is a terrible time for a turkey they are hunted stalked and killed for us to eat. Have you ever wondered what it’s like for a Turkey around Thanksgiving are they scared, or thankful? 

Tailor the Turkey was walking around the field with her group of friends. See she’s something out of the ordinary a tall figure dressed in dull colors hiding in the shadows of the trees. What she did not see was the riffle, the tall figure carried.

One shot fired, and the turkeys scampered to hide but five died. Two more lay on the field, Taylor tried to survive but in the blink of an eye, she died. Taylor's consciousness is still alive, her body being cut into.

Now she is in a supermarket for she sees people walking around the store. All of the other turkeys are slowly getting picked. She wonders if Tucker the turkey made it out alive. He probably didn't make it cause, He was running with her when she got shot. She feels sad but she can't feel anything else. She misses that, her feet on the grass and the air hitting her skin. She is more aware of her surroundings. She hears something saying “Turkey is 75% due to our black friday sale Get your turkeys Now Again. Turkey is 75% due to our black friday sale Get your turkeys Now Again”

She sees herself or her package body get picked up. Like some sort of unknown being. She’s being carried throughout the rest of the store seeing different foods and items. Then she sees the food she is being carried home with Macaroni and cheese stuffing, both in boxes. She is being moved on to what seems like an endless raceway, but it was just a conveyor belt she was being put in a back and shipped into a car. She wonders if her soul will be moved on once she is cooked and eaten. She wonders how she knows this is gonna happen to Her All these thoughts of How why and when are filling her head. 

Soon enough they are where they need to be, She hopes they will cook her today so she can move on but they don't. Instead, she gets stuffed into a freezer. She is just there, just laying there still waiting for their next move. It takes a whole day of sitting and waiting for them to take her out of the freezer to be eaten. They don't have time to wait so they run her over water and stick her in the microwave. She then sees them buttering her and adding random veggies. And finally, she is in the oven, She doesn't know how to feel about this time she is in the oven. She Thinks of it as a preparation to get out of her limbo. She feels relieved as they take her out of the oven. She watched as they sat her on the table with other foods, She was free.

Tradition for Years to Come

By Brycen Andrews

America has many Holidays however, one of the most emphasized holidays is Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is special to many people all over America, the holiday focuses on being thankful for what you have and bringing family and friends together for a meal. 

Thanksgiving started in 1621 when Plymouth settlers and the Native American Wampanoag people shared a feast. The story, “The Long History of the Thanksgiving Holiday in the U.S.” by Wayn Rosenthal explained that this celebration lasted three days and the food consisted of, “wild turkeys, duck, geese, fish, corn, green vegetables, and dried fruits,” according to Rosenthal. 

The tradition started because the Plymouth settlers didn’t have food; however, the Wampanoag people helped the settlers and taught them how to grow corn, cranberries, and squash, along with how to hunt and fish. 

For a little more than two centuries people celebrated Thanksgiving in a state or colony, “It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November,” said Rosenthal. 

Although we do not know every food that the first feast ate, we do know that today Thanksgiving looks a lot different with, “nearly 90 percent of Americans eat the bird—whether roasted, baked or deep-fried—on Thanksgiving,” said an article by History.com. Other common foods consist of mac-&-cheese, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, stuffing, salads, cranberry sauce, and ham. There are also deserts including apple pie, pumpkin pie, cobblers, and more.

Other traditions like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade take place to entertain people. “New York City’s Thanksgiving Day parade is the largest and most famous, attracting more than 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and drawing an enormous television audience,” said History.com. The parade includes candy, large gatherings, and some of the biggest balloons ever made. 

Today, Thanksgiving may be more meaningful than ever with many homes and families not gathering around for dinner throughout the year. 

The article, Are American Families Really Not Eating Dinner Together Anymore? published by Fontana said that “To be precise, 46% said it was difficult to eat together on a regular basis, and fewer than half of the parents said their family had eaten together six nights in the past week.”

Kids having school, sports, or clubs while adults may have work may make it hard for a family to have dinner together. This makes Thanksgiving special and offers an opportunity for people to come together and share a meal.

The word thanks in Thanksgiving is there for a reason, the holiday is made to celebrate things you are grateful for whether it is family, friends, or anything that you are grateful for.

People also make their own traditions of where you eat, who you are with, and what you eat. If you ask different people most of them would not say the same thing when asked what they do for Thanksgiving. Some people keep it simple and just eat with family and make food while others may invite everyone they care about. That is what is so great about Thanksgiving is you get to decide what you like best. 

Food and Fellowship

By Kiraney Reed

Two of my favorite things about Thanksgiving are gathering together with my family and eating delicious foods that I would not normally have all in one meal.

On Thanksgiving I would usually wake up and stretch and pray to god for waking me up on a beautiful day like Thanksgiving! After I finish praying I wrap my hair and pick out an outfit, then get in the shower. 

On Thanksgiving it’s the day that brings me and my family together. I get to see my family that I don't normally get to see everyday. Thanksgiving is not only about the food or the thankfulness, but about bringing people together and this is what this holiday does for my family. 

Being with my family and sharing common interests brings good fellowship. The common interest that I share with my family is braiding. I love to braid hair and getting to talk about it with my family and what our favorite braids are is just so much fun. I also love talking about sports and our favorite football and basketball teams. A few days before Thanksgiving my family usually picks a time when they want us to arrive at the house that we were eating at. We don’t eat at the same house every year. We always try to move around and go to other people's houses just so we can get to see everybody that we don’t see regularly. Once we get to the house we usually greet each other, ask how they are doing, how things have  been and things like that. Before we all eat we pray over the food and for each other. On the table there is usually Ham, Turkey, Yams, Dressing, Macaroni, Collard Greens, Cranberry sauce, Chicken wings,and Potato Salad. For dessert we usually have Sweet Potato Pie, Apple Pie, Pound cake, and Banana Pudding. 

After we bless the food the kids fix their plate first then the adults. When everyone is done fixing plates everyone sits down and we eat and talk about things that have happened. I get asked about playing sports a lot because I'm an athlete so I usually do sports every year. Sometimes it’s the same and sometimes it’s a different sport. In the past I have done Softball, Basketball, And track. My family usually asks if I am doing basketball again because they liked when I did play basketball. Anyways after we're done eating we get dessert then when everybody is done with dessert we sit in the living room and watch the football game and talk. I’m pretty spoiled so when we are talking my Grandma and Grandpa give me and my brother money. My sister is too young so they give the money to my mom so that all of us get money. A little while after Me, My mom and my brother fixed to-go plates so we could go on to the next house and spend time with my mom's dad's side of the family. That’s usually my thanksgiving!

By Makenzie McLaurin

           Thanksgiving may not be my favorite holiday but it is still a very special holiday celebrated in my family, it's a holiday where you get with all family members on both sides of your family it celebrates living and lost love ones and be thankful for their time on earth and also being thankful for your friends that's been with you through all of your hardships  

Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday that holds deep significance for many people. It originated as a way to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the blessings of the past year. The story of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims came together for a feast to celebrate a successful harvest. This event marked a moment of unity and gratitude, despite the challenges and hardships faced. 

The historical event laid the foundation for what would become a  national tradition. Over the centuries, Thanksgiving evolved from a regional celebration into a national holiday, it was proclaimed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the civil war aming to unite a divided nation and encourage Americans to reflect on their blessings. 

Over the years, Thanksgiving has evolved into a time for families and friends to gather, share a meal, and express gratitude for the good things in their lives. It's a moment to pause and reflect on the blessings, big and small, that we often take for granted. The tradition of sharing a meal, often featuring turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, etc, These traditional dishes symbolizes the importance of coming together in a spirit of generosity and thankfulness and being thankful for the food we have and the efforts for those who provide it.

Beyond the food and festivities, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude. In the hardships we face in life it's easy to overlook the blessings that we have. Thanksgiving encourages us to pause, reflect and appreciate people and things that bring joy and meaning to our lives. Whether it's the support of family, the companionship of friends or the simple pleasures of life, taking time to acknowledge these blessings can foster a sense of satisfaction and well-being 

Thanksgiving also promotes the spirit of giving and helping others. Many people use this time to volunteer at shelters and donate and support people in need. This aspect of the holiday emphasizes the value of community and the importance of extending a helping hand for those less fortunate. By giving back, we not only help others but also strengthen the bonds within our communities and create a more compassionate society 

In conclusion, Thanksgiving is a very special holiday because it embodies the values of gratitude, generosity, and togetherness. As we gather around a table with loved ones we honor a tradition that encourages to give and be thankful, and cherish what we have. By celebrating Thanksgiving, we honor a history of the importance of coming together to celebrate the good in our lives. 

By KB

The pumpkin pie was apparently very good this year. The three remaining slices sat together on the plate, the plate was last on the table. The two pie children were hopeful. Most of the other foods had been eaten already. Maybe the greedy humans, who created them once a year just to eat, were done eating. Maybe the gluttonous people, who use a holiday about thankfulness to eat endlessly, were finally done. Maybe the pie father and all the others had been enough to satisfy their sweet tooth. But no. The pie mother knew better than that. It knew its suspicions were true when Chuck stormed into the kitchen. Chuck was huge and round, the floor creaking to hold his weight. The ground shook with each step he took, the silverware rattling and a few of the plates nearly cracking. His voice was loud and booming when he spoke, ¨Papa, more food.” Justice, who was taller and a bit less round than his son, ran in the room. Chuck, you've already eaten most of the food! There was barely any for us!” Chuck didn't care. Justice went ignored as Chuck began at the start of the counter. Chuck downed the final remaining 10 green beans, but he was still hungry. The pie family watched as the green bean was downed. Chuck was still hungry. Chuck ate the final twenty macaroni, but he was still hungry. Chuck ate 30 green beans, but he was still hungry. ¨Chuck, there's no food left! Except for..” 

Chuck started walking, but he didn't look over the empty dishes. His eyes were on one thing. The dessert section. The ground shook more the more he progressed, and the pie children felt their hope fade the more the ground shook. Chuck inhaled the 1 remaining slice of apple pie, but he was still hungry. The pie children would soon be realizing what is to come. Chuck's approach towards the final pie dish was a slow one, his weight would slow him down. The pies' suffering would be extended. It took about 5 minutes for Chuck to walk the 6 feet. Once there, Chuck sat down before the pumpkin pie. It still trembled from the aftereffects of the heavy man's walk. He began shoveling the two pie children, once so hopeful and full of pumpkin, into his mouth. Chuck ate 2 slices of pumpkin pie. The pie mother thought he would still be hungry. He ate her pie husband and her 4 pie children. He would eat the pie mother next. But no. Tired from his meal, Chuck laid down, his massive circumference taking up the whole walkway, and fell asleep. His snores nearly shook the kitchen as much as his stomps did. The pie mother would be spared. Or would it? Justice walked down the table, jumped over Chuck, and stopped in front of the pumpkin pie.  ¨Well, Chuck didn't eat this, I might as well.” Justice devoured the final slice of pie, putting an end to the pie family until the next thanksgiving. 

By Gia Castiglia

I was sitting peacefully in my flour bag, then suddenly I got dumped. I was so confused that some wet ingredients got put on top of me and it felt disgusting. Suddenly I started spinning. Some of me fell out of the bowl and the rest was getting mixed with the other ingredients—those lucky pieces of me. 

Then it all stopped, I was still shocked from earlier and confused about where I was and how I got here.  Then everything went dark, I think a towel got out on top of me and then I started to rise and I got bigger suddenly the towel touched me and I started to fall off and fell onto the ground. 

“How did you get on the ground?”

I think that was the person who did this all to me, if I could get up I would throw myself on them because they caused me misery.  

Later they started to pick me up and roll me and then I heard a child in the background say 

“Mommy they are here.” 

Then it all clicked. I am going to get eaten by a family. I went into shock because I was so scared of what was going on and what would happen to me after I got eaten. After I was all rolled up she put me into a tin and evened me out, I heard an oven beep suddenly it got hotter and hotter. 

“I'M BEING COOKED !!!” 

I was so scared but it wasn't all that bad. I think I lost some feeling in my brain and got a sunburn. They took me out of the oven to let me cool off, and finally, I was free of that pain. They took me out of the tin and started to cut into me which hurt even worse than the cooking part. She transferred me into a different tin but this one was clear and nicer. I was left to rest for a day. 

After that day, I saw the TV the Macy's Day parade was on, it was Thanksgiving. 

“OMG, today is the day I get eaten.”

Scared for my life (or what was left of it) it started to get darker out and then I got picked up and started to be on the move somewhere. I looked to my left and saw other dishes, a turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and many more. Everyone was as scared as me, all screaming and hoping that we didn't get eaten. 

The turkey was the first to get every piece taken from him. He was in the most pain.  Then the mashed potatoes, then me. Mostly children grabbed me because they are picky eaters and it was gross getting eaten but children, they ran out of me so fast all that was left was some crumbs and all I saw was everything gone but the green beans and cranberry sauce. 

“Lucky them,” I thought to myself and then a child grabbed my dish and threw me on the ground. There went my life. Kneaded, cooked, eaten and gone. That's how I rolled into their hearts and stomachs. 

By Blakely Stoddard 

Many traditions and memories are made on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the time for family memories and for fun times. Traditions are part of what makes holidays so special and eventful!

Even if it ranges from stating things you're thankful for to going out and helping around your community, traditions are so special and an amazing way to bond with family and friends.

 Spending time with your family members on Thanksgiving is the most important part of Thanksgiving, and having traditions to build with is an amazing way to spend the holiday season. By participating in these holiday traditions, people can connect and pass down meaningful memories to future generations. 

Family memories are something that people cherish forever. For example, me and my family have a bunch of traditions during the holidays. We have created so many memories from Thanksgiving and it makes my holidays so fun! We love to play games around the table. The games create laughter, and the laughter creates endless, cherished memories!

A lot of families share a big feast during Thanksgiving, and some go out to celebrate! So, traditions vary and the traditions don’t have to be the same to be fun. Traditions have definitely evolved over time.. 

Starting with football and food, it has definitely changed since then. Thanksgiving was based originally on religious observances by the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Now it is mostly based around food, traditions, football, and more. 

Many families have different traditions involved. Some that you wouldn’t even think of. 

Asking some of my friends, they gave me some traditions.

Encountering El Duende: A Night of Chills and Unexpected Twists

By Sofia Avelar

The scariest thing that happened to me was when I used to live in Honduras, and we went up a small mountain/hill just to go on a hike. In Honduras and I'm sure in other Latin countries also, there is a tale called el duende, which translates to the dwarf. This “dwarf” steals kids and even adults in the mountains and woods, and at the time I was 10. 

Whenever the dwarf is around you hear a distinct noise, and it’s the noise of coins clinking in a bag. I was with a group of friends when all of a sudden as we’re at the top we hear a noise similar to the noise of coins clinking in a bag. As soon as we hear it we all freeze and look at each other and go running back to the house. 

Halloween Tricks and Treats

By Kaidyn Pearson and Kirany Reed

Halloween is a holiday celebrated by kids trick or treating (when people put candy outside their door or sit outside with the candy and give it to the kids) . Kids love Halloween because they get to dress up in costumes and get a bunch of candy. This only happens one night a year, so kids are always looking forward to this holiday. 

In addition to trick or treating, people have the tradition of watching scary movies on Halloween. Most scary movies focus on the supernatural such as vampires, witches, werewolves, and more.  Kirany and I took a poll asking "Would you rather have vampire teeth or a witches mole?” 95.3% of the people who answered the poll said they would rather have vampire teeth than a witch's mole. The supernatural isn’t the only element relating to halloween, candy is one too.

Since candy is essential to Halloween, we asked the students of Fountain Inn High school “would you rather eat black licorice or candy corn?” 70.1% said they would rather eat candy corn and 29.9% said black licorice. 

Whether it’s choosing vampire teeth or your favorite candy, stay safe and enjoy your Halloween!

By Boston Hooke

As the clock was ticking Elliot was staring at the clock in his bed knowing of what he was going to have to go through today. As he was driving to work he could see the line of people outside trying to claw themselves inside to try and get everything they needed for Thanksgiving. “They’re always late to do shopping for Thanksgiving,” Elliot said, mumbling to himself knowing he was going to have to deal with multiple annoying customer encounters. As the doors were about to open he could see people eyeing the Thanksgiving foods and decorations, Lily looked to her side knowing Elliot was standing right next to her “You know we’re going to be empty in the food area within half an hour” Lily said, “It’s a lot busier this year, so I would say the food area will be empty within 15 to 20 minutes” Elliot responded. As there was a minute left until the customers would come roaring if they were planning to be in areas in the store they may not be as busy to be out of the way of the customers. As the clock hit 10:00 they were trying to get to the back to hide from the customer but their manager wouldn't let them so they had to run to the cleaning aisle and stay there until it was over. As the hours passed Elliot and Lily were trying to avoid most of the customers and stay in the isles that aren't necessarily associated with anything that has to do with Thanksgiving as the clock hit 4:00 they realized they were finally able to leave, “I’m surprised that we were able to get through this, they were lined up around the block,” said Elliot, “They honestly need to do their thanksgiving shopping a few days earlier instead of doing it at the last minute,” Said lily, “I agree,” said Elliot. As Elliot was driving home he realized that tomorrow was black Friday, knowing Dakota (Elliot's best friend) had to work at the mall tomorrow. As Dakota started to wake up he realized that he would have to deal with a lot of chaos today at the mall. As he was driving to the mall to prepare for black Friday he could see the line of people outside the mall, he could see people with tents, blankets, pillows, and lawn chairs everywhere along the line not knowing what he would yet be getting into. As he was walking in he could see people trying to bang on the doors to get inside and he could also see security trying to keep people from breaking into the store. As the clock was about to hit 10 Dakota tried working in the back but 3 co-workers beat him to it meaning that he would have to work in the front area of the store restocking and then he took a quick glimpse at his phone and then he saw, it was 10 o’clock, he took a quick look outside of the store and saw people running to other more expensive stores and he saw a lot of people fighting at each other for merchandise and products. He tried to prepare himself for the number of people running to the store he was working in, he tried to go into a deep part of the store so that way he wouldn't be seen by customers, as he was running back he could see people running to snag and take products and merchandise as well as hearing screaming and yelling from across the store knowing he’d be done for. But as time passed the store died down and he could finally leave and go home.

The Oven that ruined Thanksgiving

By Peyton Lazaroff

If one word could describe that day it would be awful. 15 words and it would be “How did the dinner preparation go so wrong in such a short amount of time.” That is what I get for agreeing to host Thanksgiving dinner. See our family lives all across the country. Aunt Becky, lives in New York with her adopted daughter, Anna. We have cousin Jack and cousin Jane who are all the way in LA trying to start a band. My parents are in Georgia attempting to start a handmade furniture shop, and then we have my family, living on the family farm. I only agreed to host thanksgiving because we had a turkey in our coup. You see we found him trying to eat our corn, so we decided a fitting punishment is that he could take up residency on our table. After I plucked, basted and stuffed him full of a collection of homegrown vegetables and herbs, I placed him inside a casserole dish for the oven. Now with the turkey cooking I prepared some other side dishes. Knowing Jack and Jane they would buy something premade from Costco. Mom and Dad are bringing a green bean casserole, so that just leaves Becky and her daughter. Who knows what they were going to come up with. After slaving away in the kitchen for who knows how long, the turkey was finally done. I put my oven mitts on and opened the oven, screaming as I saw what had come of my turkey. Inside the oven, was a turkey, a live one, preening its feathers in the casserole dish. The second I had opened the oven he charged at me. I fell onto the floor as I scrambled to get away. It flapped its wings, hopping onto my counter. He sat there  staring at me as I called for Liam, my husband. He came running down the stairs stopping as he stared at the now alive turkey. “Sarah, how is that turkey alive?” My husband asked, his eyes still fixated on the turkey who was now eating my Mac and Cheese. “ How would I know how a turkey, that I had just expertly prepared to be the best thanksgiving meal of this family, came alive after I put it in the oven?” “The oven?” Liam turned his face towards me. “Yeah? That is generally how you cook a turkey.” “You remember how our oven broke a couple days ago?” “I mean yeah… I was stressed because we had already agreed to host Thanksgiving this year.” “Well, I was having a hard time finding a cheap repairman who would come on such short notice, so I kind of had to pull some strings to find someone willing to do it.” “Liam. You’re telling me that you got someone who doesn’t even work for a repair company to fix our oven?!” My eyes darted to the turkey as he finished the last of the mac and cheese. “Well I figured it was alright, clearly not. Lets focus on one problem at a time. We need to get this turkey out of here.” Teaming up, me and my husband were able to make a trail of biscuit pieces to lure the turkey out of the house and into the wild. After we called our family explaining there was a problem, and that we should just have family dinner at Cracker Barrel. We hired a professional to take our oven out and replace it with a new one, which doesn’t make cooking food come to life anymore. What we learned from that Thanksgiving is that buying premade food for Thanksgiving isn’t the worst thing in the world. “We tell everyone about this story and most don’t believe us, do you?

The Perfect Heat: Dave's Hot Chicken

Dave's Hot Chicken has been named the fastest-growing food chain in the U.S. in 2022. The food chain launched in May 2017 near East Hollywood as a parking lot pop-up. Dave Kopushyan, along with his childhood friends Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan, scraped together $900 in their early 20s — a humble beginning for the four entrepreneurs.

"I went there with my friends for her birthday and the chicken was really good and we had a really fun time," said Brinlee Nelson.

The overall atmosphere is welcoming and contemporary. Throughout the restaurant, customers can see various types of colorful artwork. The extensive menu consists of seasoned Cajun fries with different heat levels. The restaurant offers chicken tenders, chicken sliders, boneless wings, traditional wings, mini sliders, mac and cheese, kale slaw, cheese fries, loaded fries, loaded shakes, slushies and "Dave's Not Chicken" cauliflower.

Dave's Hot Chicken's main purpose is to provide customers with delicious, spicy and high-quality hot chicken tenders and sliders. The company's goal is to "blow your mind" with unforgettable flavors, offering a range of spice levels to cater to different preferences. The fast-casual restaurant chain focuses on delivering a consistently well-executed meal experience to build a loyal customer base.

Steam Coffee and Cream: A Taste of Fountain Inn

By: Brinlee Nelson

Have you ever been to the little coffee shop in the middle of downtown Fountain Inn? If you haven’t, let me tell you about it! Steam Coffee & Cream is a locally owned and operated coffee shop that originally opened on October 15, 2015. This place is a true gem in Fountain Inn, from their delicious pastries to their one of a kind coffees!

Steam is a locally loved coffee shop that was named after the steam that was used to power the Charleston and Western Carolina Railroads which were an essential part of Fountain Inn's History. They named it this because the trains needed steam to keep them going, just as we need to find our steam that keeps us going. For some people it's coffee or a sweet treat, and that's where they come in.

There are many strengths to Steam Coffee & Cream. First, they have great service. The servers are very nice and it took like 5 to 7 minutes tops to get my drink, which is about average for most coffee shops. Steam also gives off a great home town feeling from the calming interior to the nice staff. Second, very good coffee. Although it's really your opinion on if you like the coffee there, I tried the Iced Caramel Latte and I believe it was very good, one of my favorites. Third, they have Fountain Inn specific flavors, called the “Fountain Inn Frappes.” Lastly, they support the community a lot, including Fountain Inn High School. From supporting Fountain Inn athletics to local stores in the community. 

Many reviews that I have read have said that one thing they don’t love about Steam, is their early closing time. Almost every day they are open from 7am to 4pm. They are also closed on Sundays. I would change this because some people are different and sometimes people like to get their coffee later in the day, also some people like to get their morning coffee before church or something but they can’t when they are closed on Sunday.

I feel like Steam is pretty similar to other coffee shops in some ways but in other ways it is also very unique. It is similar because it is a nice calming place to just hang out by yourself or with some of your friends, just like every other coffee shop that you can go to. But I feel like it is also very unique and different because of the story behind it, which makes it very close to Fountain Inn. 

Overall, I was very impressed and pleased with Steam as a whole. They had great service and a very calming interior. I recommend this coffee shop if you are passing through Fountain Inn or you are just looking to try a new place to get great coffee.

I will give Steam a 10/10 because I believe this coffee shop is just really great. They have great coffee and they also have great service.

Simpsonville's La Tamarindo Brings the "Perfect Spice"

By: Emma-Grace Bolding

SIMPSONVILLE — La Tamarindo Latin Cuisine has established itself as a Greenville County dining destination since opening in 2022 in downtown Simpsonville's Golden Strip.

The restaurant draws customers with elaborate dishes, celebration entertainment and vibrant décor featuring flowers, bright colors and cultural murals throughout the dining space.

Cultural Inspiration

La Tamarindo takes its name from the tamarind fruit, a sweet-and-sour ingredient common in tropical regions. The menu centers on Dominican Republic cuisine while incorporating South Carolina influences.

"The overall atmosphere transports diners to a different country through music, artwork and decorations," creating a distinctive dining experience compared to other ethnic restaurants in the area.

Customer Experience

Regular patrons praise the restaurant's welcoming environment.

"I love going to this spot when I'm passing through. It has a wonderful vibe," said Stephanie Scott.

Arden Jackson noted the restaurant's growth since opening. "They have only been open for a year or two when I went. Now it is so exciting to see their improvement," she said.

Server Maria exemplified the restaurant's hospitality approach, immediately offering menu assistance and checking on first-time visitors' needs.

"We were greeted at the door and immediately felt welcomed," said Roy Ravenell.

Food Quality

The empanadas appetizer impressed with its chicken variety, combining meat with vegetables and spices for complex flavors. The quarter-chicken entrée with white rice and black beans showcased excellent seasoning and cooking technique. The rice and beans pairing created an ideal flavor combination.

Service Challenges

Despite exceptional food and atmosphere, service issues detracted from the experience. Multiple customers reported lengthy wait times even during slow periods.

"The food was amazing, but our drink and service was left to be desired," said Jimmy Su.

Gary Beverly echoed similar concerns. "I would like to rate this place higher, but after an hour we barely got our drinks. It wasn't busy, but it was understaffed," he said.

Additional issues included an 18-minute wait for the check after finishing meals and excessively loud music that hindered conversation.

Final Assessment

Despite service shortcomings, La Tamarindo delivers a unique Latin dining experience that sets it apart in the local restaurant scene. The combination of authentic flavors, vibrant atmosphere and cultural immersion makes it a worthwhile destination for Dominican cuisine enthusiasts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

La Tamarindo succeeds in providing exceptional food and cultural atmosphere, though improved service efficiency would enhance the overall dining experience.

Bridgeway Station: A Hidden Gem

By: Arden Jackson

Located in what others call, “The Heart of Upstate South Carolina” is a new and interesting architectural development that opened April 27 2024  that many residents don't know about. Frequently called “that castle building in Mauldin,” Bridgeway Station has been open for almost an entire year. The project was developed by Hughes Investments Incorporated and it features European-Inspired architecture with stone shipped in from Italy. 

Bridgeway Station is an exceptionally diverse experience. Their website exhibits the many choices they offer for food, shopping and more. City Market Food Hall is a popular choice with different restaurants but also places like Cocobowlz, Jeremiah's Italian Ice, The Plank, and so much more. There are boutiques like Lili + Koko Boutique and Plum to shop at. Bridgeway is home to many live entertainment and events. For example right now they have The Masters watch party, Farmer’s Market, Family Easter Events, Yoga, and live music. With tons of options for  dining, shopping, and entertainment, there is truly nothing else like it. Hughes Investments, Incorporated and the City of Mauldin created this project in the hope that BridgeWay will refine and enhance the lives of its residents as well as visitors from all corners of the world. 

What I enjoyed the most about Bridgeway Station was definitely the atmosphere. It  is known for its unique, "old-world" architecture and I really loved seeing it in person. It really does feel like you are walking around an old-timey castle.  I would describe the atmosphere as lively and inviting. The design really encourages outdoor activities, my favorite part was the walking paths. You get to explore everything that Bridgeway Station has to offer while walking on a scenic route. It also gave off a central vibe of community. There are lots of different little side areas where groups of people were just hanging out. When I went there was a Masters Watch Party and it was just very fun seeing everyone get together and hangout.

The only downside to a new and popular place is that parking can be limited. To be fair, I did go at lunchtime on a Sunday which was very busy so it made sense there wasn't a lot of parking but it was disappointing. With how big of a place Bridgeway Station is they should have more parking in my opinion. One other thing I want to mention is that sometimes the noise level can be higher than what you would expect for a restaurant. However it is part of the atmosphere for Bridgeway. 

There is a place called The Warehouse at Vaughs in Downtown Simpsonville that is a similar food court set up with a “backyard” for friends and families to hang out like Bridgeway Station. What makes Bridgeway stand apart in my opinion is the unique architecture it offers. Also The Warehouse is one just one big space which can be fun but not  when it is super busy. Bridgeway on the other hand is one big space but with lots of other side areas, seating and walkways. To me this is what makes the experience more enjoyable .

In conclusion The Bridgeway Station is a quirky and exciting place to enjoy in Mauldin. Despite the parking and volume at times the place was wonderful with several options for a meal, seating and events. I would definitely recommend this place to visitors but also any local residents that haven't been yet. My rating for Bridgeway Station is 4.5/5 stars.

Located in what others call, “The Heart of Upstate South Carolina” is a new and interesting architectural development that opened April 27 2024  that many residents don't know about. Frequently called “that castle building in Mauldin,” Bridgeway Station has been open for almost an entire year. The project was developed by Hughes Investments Incorporated and it features European-Inspired architecture with stone shipped in from Italy. 

Bridgeway Station is an exceptionally diverse experience. Their website exhibits the many choices they offer for food, shopping and more. City Market Food Hall is a popular choice with different restaurants but also places like Cocobowlz, Jeremiah's Italian Ice, The Plank, and so much more. There are boutiques like Lili + Koko Boutique and Plum to shop at. Bridgeway is home to many live entertainment and events. For example right now they have The Masters watch party, Farmer’s Market, Family Easter Events, Yoga, and live music. With tons of options for  dining, shopping, and entertainment, there is truly nothing else like it. Hughes Investments, Incorporated and the City of Mauldin created this project in the hope that BridgeWay will refine and enhance the lives of its residents as well as visitors from all corners of the world. 

What I enjoyed the most about Bridgeway Station was definitely the atmosphere. It  is known for its unique, "old-world" architecture and I really loved seeing it in person. It really does feel like you are walking around an old-timey castle.  I would describe the atmosphere as lively and inviting. The design really encourages outdoor activities, my favorite part was the walking paths. You get to explore everything that Bridgeway Station has to offer while walking on a scenic route. It also gave off a central vibe of community. There are lots of different little side areas where groups of people were just hanging out. When I went there was a Masters Watch Party and it was just very fun seeing everyone get together and hangout.

The only downside to a new and popular place is that parking can be limited. To be fair, I did go at lunchtime on a Sunday which was very busy so it made sense there wasn't a lot of parking but it was disappointing. With how big of a place Bridgeway Station is they should have more parking in my opinion. One other thing I want to mention is that sometimes the noise level can be higher than what you would expect for a restaurant. However it is part of the atmosphere for Bridgeway. 

There is a place called The Warehouse at Vaughs in Downtown Simpsonville that is a similar food court set up with a “backyard” for friends and families to hang out like Bridgeway Station. What makes Bridgeway stand apart in my opinion is the unique architecture it offers. Also The Warehouse is one just one big space which can be fun but not  when it is super busy. Bridgeway on the other hand is one big space but with lots of other side areas, seating and walkways. To me this is what makes the experience more enjoyable .

In conclusion The Bridgeway Station is a quirky and exciting place to enjoy in Mauldin. Despite the parking and volume at times the place was wonderful with several options for a meal, seating and events. I would definitely recommend this place to visitors but also any local residents that haven't been yet. My rating for Bridgeway Station is 4.5/5 stars.

From Pro to Building Local Soccer Clubs

By: Gio  Ariedi dos Santos

Ronaldinho is one of the most famous and entertaining soccer players in history. He was known for his exceptional dribbling, signature tricks and infectious smile. Fans worldwide loved watching him play.

From Brazil to the World

Ronaldinho was born in Brazil and began playing soccer as a child. He developed his skills and played for major teams including Grêmio, Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona. At Barcelona, he won major trophies and made soccer exciting to watch. He also helped Brazil win the World Cup in 2002.

Now He Helps Greenville Triumph

In 2024, Ronaldinho became part-owner of Greenville Triumph, a professional soccer team in upstate South Carolina. Since he joined, the team has gained increased attention. He's helping soccer grow in the area and providing young players with a role model, especially players who compete for CESA.

Local student and fan Mason Pearson shared his reaction to the news: "I was very surprised and shocked because he's one of my favorite players."

Making Soccer Bigger in South Carolina

Pearson said he attended a Triumph game after Ronaldinho joined and experienced an unforgettable moment: "I came and watched the game later and got my shirt signed. It's a moment I will never forget, and I was jumping for joy after it."

One moment that particularly impressed Pearson was when Ronaldinho and the team owners participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new stadium. "It was really nice," Pearson said.

Because of Ronaldinho, more children and teenagers in South Carolina are becoming excited about soccer. The team is improving, and attendance is increasing. Ronaldinho's passion for soccer is inspiring the next generation in Greenville and surrounding communities.

Why He Matters

Pearson said he would "definitely" attend more events like this because "everyone gets to see the impact a legend is having on a community."