Currently, renovations have begun and students and staff members wander through the construction site that also serves as their high school.

Eventually, there will be many new additions for future students to be proud of, but the additions also include a few growing pains.

Current students are making adjusts to walking through the school with the loss of half of the science wing, making it a tight squeeze in the 200 hall.  Students “pile up” on the ramp that leads into the building from the portables and gyms. The situation has made for less time to socialize between classes but for the most part students have adjusted to the traffic.

Senior Caitlin Kitchens who is on crutches said, “It’s a lot harder getting to class, especially in certain areas. I have been late a couple of times, but they [teachers] have been pretty lenient.”

Perhaps the biggest change is the move of the main office, guidance and attendance which are now located in portables between the Fine Arts building and the main building. Attendance and the nurse’s station are now in portable 25. Guidance is in portable 27 and the main office is in portable 28.

Teachers have been moved and students must get used to the routine of finding their new classrooms as well as maneuvering around the school.

“We’re trying to make the best of it until we get the new building which our labs should be state of the art. The silver lining is we will have better labs,” said science teacher Karen Walton.

English teacher Jennifer Henry was unable to move into her classroom for over a week because it had not passed safety clearance.  She was able to procure space in theMediaCenterin the meantime.

“[My moving into the portable] was inconveniencing the library for a week because I didn’t have a classroom. It’s inconvenient when you can’t access your files and your teaching materials because it’s in your portable and you can’t get in there,” said Henry.

Henry has been able to settle into portable 26 and her classes are back in full swing.

While the changes have not been flawless, it seems that most students have already made the necessary route alterations and found a new rhythm for their day-to-day routine.

There is still much in store forChapinHigh School. The renovation process will take over tow years. The final phase which includes the existing gym being turned into a cafeteria, will be completed in August 2014.

District 5 Superintendent, Stephen Hefner said, “We are excited about the plans we now have to provide a first-class facility for the students ofChapinHigh School. [The students] will be provided with a facility that reflects the high quality programs that Chapin High is known for.”

 The musical will be directed by DFHS drama teacher Lyle Browne and choreographed by DFHS dance teacher Ginny Haynes. It will be funded through donations and fundraising and any money raised from ticket sales will go towards hosting another district musical next year.

Auditions will be held at Harbison West Elementary on January 30^th and 31^st from 4:30 to 7:30, but students only need to attend one day. Students and staff from all three schools are encouraged to audition. Callbacks will be February 2^nd, though not everyone who has received a part will be called back.

Some CHS students, like senior Melanie Hood-Pittenger, are excited for the musical.

“It’s going to be an adventure. I think it will be a lot of fun to show off not only Chapin’s talent, but Dutch Fork and Irmo’s, too,” Hood-Pittenger said.

Footloose showcases acting, dancing, band, and singing, so nearly every student with talent in the performing arts can find a part to audition for. Freshman Shayla Flores will be auditioning as a dancer.

“I love to dance so it’s really great that there is so much dancing involved. I think Footloose was a good choice,” Flores said.

Other students, however, are more nervous about auditions.

“I really love to act but I’m not sure if I’m going to audition because I don’t like singing in front of people. I really want to be a part of the play, though, so hopefully there are parts that don’t require singing,” senior Mary Estep said.

The first performance will be April 18^th at the Midlands Tech Harbison Theater. Junior Ben Davis worries that it is too soon.

“I considered auditioning but decided against it because it’s in two months. It’s going to take a lot of effort and I’m just not sure if I have the time, but I’m sure they will do great. I will definitely watch it,” Davis said.

As the Fine Arts Departments of the three schools will be working together to make Footloose a success, director Browne is not worried about a time shortage. The drama teachers at Chapin and Irmo will assist with directing and other teachers and students will contribute as much as they can.

Still, some students are not sure that the schools will be able to cooperate.

“I don’t think it’s going to work because these schools are very competitive. I don’t see them working together very well,” Junior Cole Morgan said.

Browne is not worried about this.

“As far as rivalries go, the only rivalry that should exist is how many from each school will audition. After auditions we will be District 5, not the individual schools,” he said.

Most teens do not realize the risk they are taking when taking their eyes off of the road.  It has been proven in previous car wrecks that five seconds before a teen crashed, they were texting.  Just talking on the phone increases a driver’s chance of crashing.  Driving and typing a text message takes more attention away from the road than talking on the phone.  This proves how little attention drivers pay to the road while texting.  In theory, drivers have more risk of an accident while texting than they do driving drunk.   Some states have already passed a law making texting while driving illegal such asGeorgia,Iowa,California,Colorado, andMinnesota.  The South Carolina Senate Bill 225 was previously considered and would have banned drivers from texting while operating a vehicle.  This law would not have constricted drivers of using hand-free devices or using their cell phone while parked or stopped. South Carolinais now trying to pass this bill in the 2012 election. If the bill is passed this go round, the penalty if caught will be more severe than originally planned.  The fine would be one hundred dollars plus a twenty-five dollar surcharge and two points added to the driver’s record.  If caught after the first offense, the driver will be penalized with up to ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000.  Being currently thirty-five other states with laws banning texting and driving, willSouth Carolinapass the bill in 2012?

When asked to give a profile of the average Free Thinkers Society member, president Nick Conners stated, “You can’t. You can’t generalize the type of people that come to this club.”

This illuminates an interesting point. Many believeChapinHigh Schoolepitomizes white, preppy, upper class society.

Senior Zachary Kirby says, “People think we are all a bunch of rich, white southerners.” In fact, that is Chapin’s reputation in District 5.

But the students love the contradiction. Chapin is not all the same. Diversity does exist. “We get this idea we live in a Chapin bubble, but that’s not the case. If you put forth the effort to find diversity, it will change you. We have FCA, the Key Club, and the International Club, which are all orthodox clubs which focus on orthodox ideas. That’s why Free Thinkers was created, to create an unorthodox club for people who are completely different,” says senior and founder Dylan Barbian.

But what does “completely different” mean?

In a high school context, completely different can simply mean those who are aware of the realities outside of high school- those who enjoy asking why.

Ms. Jennifer Henry, club sponsor and English teacher, described the club members: “They’re the same kids in class that get frustrated when the conversation is very obvious.”

Not all students are fans of the new club. Sophomore Sierra Wardrup does not see the need for a Free Thinkers Society. 

She said, “I think it’s unnecessary because most people don’t care about their opinions.  I think people are entitled to their opinion but we don’t really need a club for it.”

Members would argue the club is not about forcing their opinions on others. It is just a place to express those opinions.

Free thinker sessions always focus on complex and controversial ideas. Religion, morality, faith, and censorship are among the topics that dominate the meetings. With all the strong viewpoints, one may wonder how the meetings ever remain civilized. But the Free Thinkers Society is not a place to judge. It is a place to understand why students have different views and discover more about oneself in the process.

The Free Thinker’s celebrate the journey of self-identity, a definite mark of maturity uncommon in high school. The more discussion the club has, the more it personifies an intimate intellectual community. Controversy is invited and essential for the purpose of the club.

“It is demeaning to say, well, that’s okay that you have this viewpoint because everybody is different. . . Respect is ultimately found when you challenge somebody. It’s respectful to say this is why you’re wrong. . .,” says Conners.     

Students signed up for the iPads as part of the Academic Leadership Academy, a new school-within-a-school idea designed to accelerate a standard high school education.  The program starts in middle school and continues throughout high school. To get into the program the students must have good grades, three teacher recommendations, and write a paper about their reasoning to be in the program. 

The program gives ninth graders a chance to earn college credit but the catch is they have to work at a college level.

Freshman Chapel Johnson said, “It’s hard. We have a lot of in-depth work and have to study hard for the tests.”

Johnson echoes the sentiments of many in the program.

It seems the hard work involved has been over shadowed by the use of iPads which has led to some controversy. Many upper classmen feel the freshmen are getting special attention by receiving the iPads. On the other hand, the freshmen in the Academic Leadership Academyfeel they deserve the iPads.

Academic Administrator Anne Pillow said, “The students were given pads as resources so they can take an idea, research it, and do something with it.”

So far the easy access to technology has eased the work load a little.

Freshman Alec Mason says, “I like having the iPads. It makes things a lot easier for me and it is a good way to use the technology available.”

One course required as part of the program is AP World Geography, a college course offered to 13-14 year olds.

Coach Scott Stogner teaches one of the AP World Geography classes.

Stogner said, “I think they will pass the class itself, but it will be a challenge passing the AP exam. Either way, it is a great experience for the students.”

Some students such as freshman Nicole Manzi found the program a lot more challenging and decided to not be a part of it.

“It was really hard in science. I was confused at the beginning and worried about my grades for the future. I am still in the AP World Geography class, but because I dropped the science class I don’t have my iPad anymore,” said Manzi.

The students are only allowed to keep the iPad if they stay in the program and all of the classes. At the end of their senior year, they can buy the iPad for a reduced price.

Advanced Physical science teacher Rob Schiferl said, “My class is challenging, especially for people with lower math experience. The class is also challenging because of the addition of the other ALA classes. I don’t think the kids expected as much work.” The ALA program not only challenges the students in school, but helps improve their character. The students have a special leadership class in the tenth grade, plus each student is required to do community service.

The program is demanding for the students so far, but Mr. Ross is going in the right direction. He wants to make Chapin the best it can be and this program might be the start of it. Mr. Schiferl said, “The program is staying at CHS. The most important thing is just getting use to it.”

“My view is that girls use Halloween to be able to dress as skimpy as they want because no one can say anything about it,” says junior Teri Burchfield.

In most cases, women do not choose a costume that is appropriate.  However, given that there is not any other options, some women do their best to find the least skanky costume.  In theory, unless women buy a big hot dog suit, they’re going to have a hard time getting away from sexy costumes.  Halloween is meant for children to have a safe and fun night.  So, when did Halloween turn into an excuse to be sexy?  Once girls turn into a teen, costumes start turning from “little girl” costumes such as kitty cats and witches to “love at first bite” vampires and “quick draw cutie” cowgirls.

“I understand girls change but I feel like they should have one night to be a [prostitute],” says a male student atChapinHigh School.

His attitude in saying this is the general feeling about sexy costumes of most males.

“I don’t think girls should do it because it gives guys bad thoughts,” says senior Jacob Corley.

The girls that dress up in inappropriate costumes are usually seeking attention from males, but why? 

“I feel like the girls who do not have a lot of confidence take this night as an opportunity to “show off” and get attention they may not normally get,” says junior Afton Kitchins.

Think about it, it’s always cold on Halloween night and girls look ridiculous running around half dressed.  Maybe girls are unaware of how they appear to others or maybe they just don’t care.  How do their parents feel about them dressing in such a manner?  There must be an underlying cause to this situation.  So, think about it before spending forty to fifty dollars on a playboy bunny costume, what do you want others to think about you?  You owe yourself the respect and pride.  Not saying you need to be the big hot dog of the party but at least cover up to stay warm and keep a good reputation.

“The South Carolina Commission for Higher Education along with the State Department of Education named October as South Carolina college application month.” Said guidance counselor Mrs. Sullivan

All senior english classes were given this opportunity. Not only did men and women from The Commission of Higher Education came and helped students apply for colleges, there were men and women form the United States Navy, Midlands Technical College, Columbia College, and The South Carolina Department of Education.

“It was really helpful in showing me what I needed for college applications. It also helped me figure out real important deadlines.” Said Senior Cassidy Blaiss

In addition to being able to complete college applications, students were given the opportunity to complete a survey that entered them to win a laptop, printer, and scanner.