“This is going to date me severely, but the very first time I had been with a computer is when I was in Eagles' class. And I've always wanted a computer to play Oregon Trail, because that's always what we did; Oregon Trail when we went to Eagles'. So, I remember that one Christmas I had been hoping and hoping and hoping that I was going to get a computer. My sister's four years younger than me and she wanted a little four wheeler. So, I go in there and there was her little four wheeler; she was so excited. I was hoping the computer would be out there too. I was kind of like shoulder slumped and everything; ‘Santa let me down.’ My mom and dad had actually wrapped the computer for me and had it under the tree. I just thought it was other presents because normally Santa Claus would leave out our stuff unwrapped. I was going to my pile and going through my things, and I guess they could tell I was kind of upset and said, ‘Why don’t you go look at those couple of big boxes under the tree?’ I went over there and they had my name on it. I'll never forget that that was the first computer that we had gotten. We finally set it up, this huge, massive looking thing compared to what we have today. The first thing I did was play Oregon Trail.”
by Matt Collier
“My dad used to spend a couple of days putting lights on our Christmas tree. I believe the most we had on it one year was 1,700 lights, so the whole big deal was that it would twinkle if you turned your head side to side. And so he would just spend days making sure every branch had a light and you know we don’t have that anymore, so that’s kind of sad. I kind of miss that, but definitely was Christmas magic for us. When I was in second grade, we got introduced to computers, that sounds so horrible now, and in second grade I got an Apple 2E computer. Which was like the thing; everybody else had Apple 2C, but I had the E, which was newer. So that was the opening present, crying day. I was the first one in my family to have a computer. Lots of Oregon Trail.”
by Kensi Sutton
"Well, I'm thankful for my father. He's helped me out quite a bit over the years and he's still working hard. He literally works himself to a pulp to provide for the family. And I'm thankful for the rest of my family and I'm also thankful for God's grace, because I was touched by him.
He's a hard working Christian man I'd say he's the best person that I've known, but it doesn't mean we don't go at odds with each other because he likes to pick at me and I like to pick at him.Sometimes he can be a little harsh, but most of the time he just wants me to do good in school and life.
The biggest challenge I've had so far this year in 2022 was the passing away of my mother.
Yeah. I'll tell you one thing: she fought hard for me pretty much all my life. I've been autistic and ADHD since two years old. And it was a point in time where they didn't really think I would make it.
My mother got breast cancer when she was forty, I think it was 7 years ago. They did a few surgeries: they took her breasts and they took out all her lymph nodes on her left side. Out of all thirty-nine, thirty-seven were filled with cancer. It was gone for a while, but it came back in her ovaries. They had a surgery for it and during the surgery, her lungs collapsed. She didn't die then, though the thing is that when her lungs collapsed, she was unconscious for 6 hours, but she woke up and the thing is that she told us after this just before she woke up she had a vision or dream saying that she was in this place where there was no pain and she wanted to stay, but she heard a voice she recognized. I don't know if it was a relative or the Lord Himself, but the voice said, ‘You can't stay. You have more work to do.’ And as soon as she heard that, she woke up. After that she tried her best to get me in a good spot in life.”
by Michael Escamilla
"An opportunity I had presented to me during the second semester of my Junior year was that I found out I was selected by the teachers of the school to participate in Palmetto Girls State, which is a trip in the summer. Only two girls from the entire Junior class get picked each year, and the teachers vote on it. The other girl was Emily Cornelius. They look for leadership skills and someone who carries themself well and performs well in school. It was a week; we went to Presbyterian College's campus in Clinton, and there were girls from all across the state, almost every highschool. You had to wear a skirt and a certain t-shirt everyday; it was very professional. You went to different meetings, you talked to different people, and you ran for different offices during the Palmetto Girls State. It was set up like a government; you ran for president, vice president, senate, congress, all that kind of stuff. We had run off and elections, and if you didn't run, you could be a voter. You also had time where you could hang out with friends. It was very fun. I learned how to step out of my comfort zone; I learned leadership skills. I learned about what happens in a state political aspect. I learned a lot about public speaking and that it's really not as big of a deal as I think it is, even though it still makes me really nervous. At first, I didn't really want to go because I was very nervous to be around so many new people for an entire week by myself. But, it was a really, really great experience, and I'm so thankful I got the opportunity, because it was one of the best weeks. I've met two friends that I still talk to to this day."
by Michaela Catoe
"I love it. I love sports. I always grew up playing sports, like it's always been expected of me. My dad was a two-sport athlete. He played football and basketball. And then my brother, he was really big in the golf world and everything. And when he was even younger, he went to Scotland for golf. So we were always expected to be almost the best at what we did. My cousin Reece, me and her play all three sports together and always have and she’s kinda always there with me for the sports, so we kinda have a support system with each other. It's really great being able to play all three sports with her. We’ve played together since rev ball. so it’s great just watching her grow and trying to help each other and better each other on the court or in the field."
by Braxton Rollyson
“My mom because she’s the only person that’s ever actually been there. She’s always been there trying to get me to go out of my comfort zone. Doesn’t always work. But she tries, which is better than not trying. I have no siblings. I don’t have a dad. So she’s the only one that’s there. Christmas mornings are my favorite memory because I’ll wake up super early and then go in her room and turn on the lights and jump on her until she gets up. And then she gets up and makes breakfast and by six we’re opening presents. She encouraged me to join the marching band in eighth grade. I wasn’t going to do it because I was worried about the marching band and messing up moving in front of all those people. But it was actually pretty fun that year. I didn’t do it the next year because of COVID but it was really fun. I’m glad she encouraged me to do it. She also made me join the Beta Club. That pushed me out a little bit. She’s very supportive, but she doesn’t push too much. She’s just there when you need her. She supports my art. When I started drawing and sketching a lot, she bought me all these colored pencils and got me some nice sketchbooks. Every Valentine's Day and Mother’s Day, even Father’s Day. By the end of the day I give it to her. She always seems to be really happy when I do. She is somewhat emotional, but that’s kind of expected. She always seems really happy when I draw something for her. Her name is Melissa.”
by Kelsey Watson
"I think I’m definitely thankful for my hard work at the Stinger. I like working on the opinion editorials and I just like to express myself and socialize. My job at La Chalupa, I get a source of income and I get free food there, and also I get to see a lot of my friends there because it's really popular with people from Buford for some reason and I love that. Most of my family works there and it’s pretty great. Being able to go to the gym makes me feel good. I used to not have the best physique and I wasn’t happy with myself and the way I looked, so I’m just glad that I got to change that. My friends, I can’t put into words how thankful I am for them because they always listen to me and put up with what I say, even if it’s completely dumb or doesn’t make any sense. They still listen to me and talk about it and that’s the most important thing. Friendship can be thicker than blood sometimes.I believe that’s the case with most of my friends. Just a lot of my friends that really helped me through a lot like Kaitlyn , she’s great. Michaela, she’s great, Braxton too. Everyone who is in my [Journalism] class is amazing; they make me very thankful for me being social and being able to talk to them. That’s why they’re my friends. "
by Robbie Young
“My youth group. So, I’m actually a part of two youth groups right now. When we first moved to South Carolina, cause I used to live in Ohio, we lived in Rock Hill for a little while and went to a church there, but then when we finally got our house in Lancaster and I was still going to YPA (York Preparatory Academy), but the church right across my street, we just started going there cause it’s easy. And they’re really inviting. People are great, and the youth group has definitely shrunk at that church, but I’ve been a part of it since like 6th grade. They’ve been, especially the youth pastors. We've had a couple different ones just kind of come in and out. The one I have right now, has probably made the most impact on my life. He’s really knowledgeable and especially when I don’t know something or am struggling with something, I can always go to him and he’ll give me an answer that I can count on and trust. And then the youth group that has been making more of an impact just recently would be Chosen Youth, which is Wednesday nights at Pleasant Dale.It’s a lot bigger; there's like 100 people in the room. And Bryson, they do FCA (Fellowship of Christan Athletes) here. They did Midnight Hour, but it’s allowed me to make a lot more friends. And the friend group I'm in now: I used to not have so many friends at Buford because my two best friends I met at YPA ,I’ve known them for like 7 years. But just having more friends here at Buford, especially this class [Journalism], this class I've been able to make a lot more friends.
Today it’s Flannel Friday and we’re all gonna be stacked with flannels in FCA. It's gonna be great. But like I hangout with them outside of Church, like I actually have things to go and do now;I don’t just sit in my room and play videogames with my friends that I barely see. Logan has made such an impact on my life. He has kind of walked me through it and we’ve gone through a lot of the same things. So we’re actually planning an event for next Saturday that I’m gonna be running and sharing a testimony at. But just knowing I have someone to go to that has gone through the same things as me or similar things, still going through it, he’s got advice and we kind of just help each other out. Because wherever I fall short, he’s usually stronger and wherever he falls short I'm usually stronger. Like I don’t mind talking in front of people; he has trouble talking, but he’s a lot more knowledgeable in some ways than I am. But just the friends, the youth group, the community, especially Chosen Youth recently.”
by Kensi Sutton
“Honestly, probably my little brother. He’s in eighth grade right now, his name’s Grey. Weird I know. My little brother, he’s… we used to not get along a lot. Like obviously, we’re siblings. When we were little, we would always fight and get each other in trouble. But now, you know, we work together. We ain’t snitches or anything. We don’t snitch on each other. But, like, probably one of my best friends, and I’m very excited for him to get to high school. We’ve always had like, that like sibling bond, but I think now that he’s kind of out of that weird ‘I hate my sister’ phase we can definitely get along more.
I was about 8 and he was probably about 6, we would always play outside. And at my old house, we had this random shopping cart in our backyard. I don’t know how it got there, but it was a random Walmart shopping cart in our backyard. And I would always either me or him would always get in it and push each other down the driveway in it. And I remember one time, it flipped over and I about broke my arm. Cause of him, cause he just flipped it over. And yeah, that’s probably one of the memorable memories. I didn’t break my arm though, I almost did.
Whenever I’m on the phone with someone, like one of my friends, he’ll hear me and all of a sudden need something. He knocks on my door, ‘Michaela, open up. Who you talking to?’ Then he tries to like, flirt with all my friends. So, I think that’s a little funny. But yeah, he’s definitely probably one of my favorite people… Even though he’s really annoying, and I’m tired of him sometimes, and I know he’s tired of me. Yeah, Grey is probably one of my best friends and I’m very thankful for him.”
by Abigail Sherrin
“I’m a big nerd and I like Star Wars, my favorite one being Return of the Jedi. It’s a really good movie. I recommend it, you should watch it now. Go watch it. No, honestly, it’s got like you know characters you love, great moments, funny moments, and it’s the best one in my opinion. And it makes a great end, if you don’t count the sequel trilogy.”
“I have a dog, her name’s Blu. We put her in a diaper once, that was kind of funny. Cause it was a dog diaper, we were trying it out. She was a puppy, she’d poop all over the house. She’s like a cat and she loves the laser pointers. She’d just chase after those. And when we had our furniture a certain way, she’d just run around it in a circle.”
by Abigail Sherrin
“The most fun thing I’ve done this year is ranking up in JROTC. I’ve always wanted to have my life in a military style. And now that I have it, I like this lifestyle. I see myself out of basic training and in college for being an army pharmacist in five years. Basically, what they do is they manufacture and produce medications, and they can also give medications out in the field. The biggest goal I have for my future is knowing as much as I can about pharmaceutical studies to become as knowledgeable as possible.”
by Robbie Young
“I think I was in 6th grade, or no… I was maybe in 5th grade. As a member of my family it was mandatory, everybody went to piano lessons, so we start young and then stop when sports come along. And if you pick it up again, then you pick it up again- sort of like what I did. When I first started crushing on my girlfriend I saw that she really loved music, and then I figured out she’d go crazy for One Direction and so Story of My Life was like one of the first I learned again. Along with Someone Like You by Adele.”
by Kensi Sutton
"Something that has changed my life is definitely the involvement that I have in my youth group. I go to church at Pleasant Dale and have been for about 4 years. Within the past few months, I have been surrounded by a great group of friends at youth that have helped me grow in my relationship with God. I honestly don’t know where I would be without these people that came into my life. I would definitely not be the same person without having my people around me. Community is such an important thing to have and I’m so glad I have a great one."
by Kelsey Watson
“Best thing I'm doing right now honestly, physically, is working outside and stuff; keeping my body in shape and having a good diet and everything, but mentally is definitely going back to church and getting back into that. It is one of the best things that can help in my experience a lot of the work on farms is doing maintenance on fences and stuff that were built a long time ago and keeping machinery working and make sure that everything is capable of doing”
by Michael Escamilla
“The happiest moment of my life was when my daughter was born, which was last December, December of 2021. It was kind of a blur because it happened kind of fast. I had to go to the hospital on Monday and it was kind of slow at first, I was there for a couple nights and then on Wednesday is when I actually had her, but it was kind of like something you can’t prepare for, you’re excited but you don’t know that feeling until you’re actually holding your daughter for the first time. It was an indescribable feeling.”
by Robert Young
“To be honest, I'm looking forward to being able to pass this grade (10th) with high grades and being able to go into my junior year great. I plan on going into food, probably culinary; trying to chef it up a little bit. I wanna cook and make food for people no only because its fun to cook, but because I wanna make people smile and make people have something they enjoy.”
by Kaitlyn Outen
“The football games or like just hanging out. Like when we’re all in the student section and we score, everyone starts cheering and we go crazy. That’s been the most fun experience so far. I’m also excited for basketball season to start up.”
“It’s nice having only two classes here because I get to leave early, and I get to go to work and make more money. Having four classes here doesn’t really allow you to leave until 3:30, and then you get stuck in school traffic, and I like being able to spend my own money. I like having the extra money because I like being able to spend my own money and go hang out with friends and go out to eat, and go to the movies or whatever.”
“Take days one at a time, because no matter how many days you feel bad, that sun is gonna be up in the morning. It’s always a brand new start and if you listen to anything that makes you feel positive, keep listening to it. Don’t stick around negativity because once it gets a hold of you it stays there. The best thing to do is switch it up a little. Me, I turn my sadness and all that into art and into music.I do horror art (pictured above).”
"Depression. Showing up to school and not feeling wanted or not being seen. Just having to go through daily stuff like that. The main thing that's challenging is finding your own purpose and finding a sense of direction with what you're doing with your life. You have to learn to change your mindset about things because that's like the biggest part. The most helpful thing is having people to talk to--like having certain teachers that you know you can go to and having friends you know you can just go to to talk about stuff like that."
"I can’t really eat most things that everybody else can because I have no teeth. I only got the top removed right now, I got them removed I think around the beginning of this year but I need to get my bottom back two on the left removed, they hurt too much. So I have to get them surgically removed. I basically never brushed my teeth they just rotted away easily and I had to get them removed and now I have dentures. The pain is probably the hardest part. My dentures have cut my gums quite a few times. I just deal with it. Now I can eat a lot of things without even having them in and I can eat almost anything with them in but some things do hurt. I doubt anyone else in high school will be getting dentures but I guess a blenders gonna be your best friend if you do. Most of what I've been eating has been blended up.
“There've been many setbacks that have come up from doing 3 sports, most of them have been just not having time to be on my own and focus on school. I have to keep a balance between school work and school activities. I have to miss out on some club point opportunities because they go right after school and since I’m going to practice all year basically. I have to skip out on those opportunities and do stuff over the weekend. I enjoy playing all 3 sports though, it’s more about the experience than anything because my brother only played soccer and after he graduated, he wished he did more, so I kind of play 3 sports for him– for both of us.”
“Well actually I started out as a Special Education teacher, and I spent a lot of time in the Guidance office in the middle school where I was at. At the time, it was Barstreet a long time ago, now it's Rucker. So, I was kinda guided into where I am now through one of the counselors there; his name was Sam Watts. At that time I didn’t know he was going to be leaving, so I kinda just took his place– and that was a long time ago.”
“Treat others how you want to be treated. If you treat someone good, then you want them to treat you good too, you don’t want to be treated bad by other people. One time I was arguing with my sister and I was being rude to her and I realized maybe I don’t want to be like this because then she’s gonna get mad and treat me bad too. We argued a lot, but we have a really good relationship now. Well we would just argue and fight a lot, and since we didn’t really get along from the beginning we didn’t really care and were treating each other bad without really thinking about it.”
“Does it matter what the advice is about? I guess I’ll just go based off of school. Don’t hang out with a bunch of people that do bad things like skipping class. Hang out with the good people that will actually help you, actual friends, real friends. They can help you with certain things. Another thing would be actually studying, cause there’s people that go home and they don’t really study, they don’t do their homework. They just get on the game and do whatever they do, that’s their business. Just be you, hang out with good people.”
“I have been at Buford High School for 22 years, it really has changed a lot. It’s just the way kids express themselves now, back then to now is a big change.
The way I started off, I started subbing at the school back in '99, and then I got hired on in 2000. I was a facilitator for the college courses in the back of the Media Center, and then I got hired in the Media Center to work with Mrs. Gloria Robinson-- then to the front office. I’ve been working in the front office for about 14 years.
Over the past 22 years, they (students) have changed a lot in their personalities, their attitudes, and the way they express themselves.”
“I love performing; it's always fun going to concerts or festivals and hearing the kids perform something they've been working for months on.”
Mr. Oneal Band Director
"Cause you don’t get to see. Like if you talk about something in the classroom and you don’t got no animals, you can’t really know what you mean by that. Probably not any videos you could watch, but when you have animals here, you can see what they're doing. "
Christian Griffin ‘25
“I think Mr. Patton is one of the most deserving teachers to get this award. He’s one of the best in the district right now and he’s more like, I’d say, like an older brother to me. He’s always been there for me. He’s only been here for two years, but he’s just someone that’ll be there for you. He has a great work rate; he’s always hard on us, but that’s for the best. Hopefully this year we will win some more awards. Last year we won our first awards for the school ever. I just think Mr. Patton is very deserving of the award, and many more to come hopefully for him.”
Landon Williams '23
"After last season was complete, we hit the weight room very hard. We finished playing in October and two weeks later we were in the weight room. I really think that this group of football players has made a big commitment to better themselves. We as a staff really emphasized the weight room and conditioning aspect of the game. We, the staff, have done nothing different from our preparation standpoint. It has truly been the student-athletes that have changed their work ethic. Neither the players nor the coaches wanted to go through another year like last year."
Coach Watson
“Doing things like this [egg drop] because this is like real world. They can apply what we talk about in class. They can come out and do something fun with it and then I mean they were like 'oh yeah it really works!' They didn’t think it was going to work, and that is so much fun. I love seeing that. Every year they are amazed.”
Mrs. Wieland
“A lot of hard work, a lot of conditioning. A lot of teamwork for sure, which can be tricky. We’ve been fighting really hard and practicing extra and I think we’re going to be ready.”
Joshua Belk ('23)
"Science, because it is interesting."
Brooklyn Threatt ('24)
“No, I would love to see more traffic, love to see more people. Oh yeah, I would want to be busier. I want to share my love of reading.”
Ms. Parker
“Have confidence in yourself. Listen to Michael Jackson: Man in the Mirror. That’s the person you gotta love the most; its the man in the mirror.”
Deputy Taylor
"By far, I think the best teacher that I’ve experienced here is Mrs. Jakab. She’s always been there for me, helped me through a lot. I learned a lot in her class. She’s just, by far my favorite teacher I’ve ever had.
"Thank you for the things she’s did. I really appreciate it. And I hope that I could always, if I ever need anything, reach out in some sort of way and be able to talk to her in some sort of way.”
Hunter Almond ('23)
Drawing and gaming club. I like to draw and that's what you do in drawing club; and gaming club has like a lot of different games which you can play which I enjoy”
Lalaini Morris ('26)
"Chemistry. It's great its fun labs i like the labs”
Briar Hagins ('26)
“After school I will be going to band practice for a marching band show, I play the trumpet”
Adam Parker ('26)