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 construction in the high school has caused problems for getting to class on time in the given six minutes between blocks. With the loss of a wing, students and teachers alike struggle to get where they need to be in the now short time slot.

The only link between the math hall and the portables is the remaining hallway which is constantly over-packed with students who tend to walk in groups at whatever pace they may please,, whether it is brisk or excruciatingly slow.

It has become difficult to get to class on time for many students. A solution could be for teachers to be a little more lenient with students on their tardies. This may sound like a student trying to get less time in class but it makes sense if really considered.

If second, third and fourth block teachers gave students a minute after the tardy bell it would be much easier for students and staff alike. First block classes are excluded because students should be able to make it on time in the mornings on their own.

Students should be in their classrooms by the time the tardy bell rings but due to construction, crowded hallways and inconvenient routes to classrooms, students may be a few seconds to a minute late.

Another solution could be to shave a minute off of each of the lunches to allow an extra minute into class. Although students or staff may argue with this idea, CHS already does this on a weekly basis, late Wednesdays. Every Wednesday each lunch is a minute shorter and it does not typically cause any issues.

You wake up a second time and briefly remember the previous conversation. The local news is playing on the TV in the corner and something the newscaster says catches your attention. A teenager was driving to a friend’s house when they texted their friend to let them know they were on their way. When they were looking down they hit another car, killing two adults and leaving a six year old girl orphaned. You are disgusted and wonder what person could have done such a thing. Then your mom comes in and tells you that it was you. You have a brief flash of a scene scattered with ambulances and punctuated by heart wrenching sobs, and you realize that you are the one who ruined this little girl’s life.

Of course this is hypothetical, but it could happen. I will never understand nor condone texting and driving. In my opinion, people who text and drive are incredibly arrogant. They assume that what they have to say is more important than someone else’s life. When you glance down to send that text, you are making the decision to risk killing someone in order to say something that probably doesn’t even matter. I understand that you don’t really want to kill someone. You would never intentionally take someone’s life, but every time you look away from the road you are saying that you are ok with killing someone.

The problem with teenagers is that we assume that it would never happen to us, that it’s just something adults say to scare us. They are not lying; things like this really do happen. In 2009, texting behind the wheel resulted in 5,474 deaths and nearly 500,000 injuries.

I understand that you have “stuff to say,” but what is more important than someone’s life? Ask anyone who has lost a father, mother, sibling, or friend and they will tell you absolutely nothing. If there is something that absolutely can not wait, pull over or wait until you get to a red light and call the person you need to contact.

When I was working half an hour away and coming home late my mom had me text her before I left. Naturally I forgot sometimes so I would call her as soon as it was safe. She never once got mad at me for being responsible.

You could probably have an entire conversation without incident, but that doesn’t make it ok. Even if you have texted behind the wheel all of your life and have never once been in an accident, you are still guilty. You still assume that your abbreviated words are more important than a father never seeing his daughter again.

I know that some of you can not drive yet, but this still applies to you. If you’re in the car with a friend and see them texting but don’t say anything, you’re just as guilty. Don’t be afraid to tell them to stop. I’ve told my friends to several times and so far none of them have ever gotten angry at me.

I know that you probably think this is just someone ranting on their personal beliefs, but please take this seriously. I beg you, next time you’re about to send a text while driving stop and think: is this really worth the risk? And it is a big risk. Your chance of having an accident is multiplied by 23 whenever you text. Whether you think so or not, I can promise you that you’re not that important. No one is so important that their words are worth killing 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.

 Twitter was created in March of 2006 and put online in July of that year; the site was originally created as a messenger for smalls groups of people but has since morphed into the next big social networking site. There are many reasons for its growing popularity, one of which is the appreciation for freedom of speech.

Junior @BlissMcCathern said, “I love twitter because it is a place where I can express my feelings towards the government and how much I miss my ex girlfriends.”

With two popular but very different websites, Twitter and Facebook, most students prefer one to the other. Junior @paige_weiss chooses Twitter.

“I like Twitter more than Facebook because it is a lot more secluded and people express all of their feelings without even thinking about it before they tweet it.”

While some prefer the openness of twitter, other students, like senior Colton Beasley, base their preference on ease of use.

“I don’t like twitter because it takes too long to do simple tasks that you can do more easily on Facebook,” Beasley said.

Students who don’t like the website also argue that Twitter is nothing more than a place for users to talk about themselves.

“Everyone feels the need to say where they are and what they’re doing. It’s like Facebook but worse,” senior Mitchell Cornett said.

Students that enjoy twitter disagree and claim that there is more to twitter than that. Senior @Elle_Bow uses it to communicate and joke with friends.  

“I tweet about the back urn and being country strong with @addyschelble and @j_barnicle.”

While the majority of students at CHS enjoy Twitter and what it has to offer, it is a matter of personal preference. The few students that dislike Twitter may not understand what other students get from using Twitter, or they may just dislike social networking.

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?

For most people the start of the New Year means it’s time for a New Year’s resolution and for many it is a chance to break bad habits. Unfortunately, few people end up following through with their resolutions. Each year thousands will make promises to themselves that they will never keep.

“Every year my resolution is to not procrastinate, and every year it does not work out,” Says Junior Caroline Amick.

Mastering a New Year’s resolution takes drive, commitment, and focus. A study shows that most people do not have the required drive, as about 45% of adults make one or more resolution each year, but after a week only 75% of them are successful. After a month only 64% percent keep up with their resolutions and after 6 months it drops to 46%.

Every year people continue to make these resolutions as a tradition even though in the past they have never followed through with their commitment and have been unsuccessful.

Sophomore Sarah Wetherall starts out the New Year with the best intentions of keeping her resolutions but she never manages to.

“It’s a new Year and a new chance to start life off right, so I try and keep my New Year’s resolutions as long as I can but they usually end in about a month,” says Wetherall.

Common resolutions often focus on being healthy, and weight loss is the number one news year resolution. For the month of January gyms are crowded, pantries are stocked with the healthiest foods, and more people are exercising and trying to be healthy.  After about a month, however, the healthy trends die down and people return to the same old bad habits. It is easy to keep up with promises for a month but after that the lack of commitment starts to show.

Freshman Stephanie Brougher notices this when she exercises. 

“When I go to the gym in January it is really crowded for about a month and a half, then it drastically changes because people stop going and give up,” says Brougher. 

 It is hard to make such big changes in life and making resolutions just seems routine for most people. It is great to start out the New Year by making changes, but maintaining those changes throughout the year is the important part. It seems to be more effort than most are willing to give.

Not everyone chooses to make a resolution though. Some people do not see the point in making a promise they are most likely going to break.

 “I think New Year’s resolutions are just stupid because if someone really wanted to make a change then why would they wait until January? They should start then” says Junior Jonah Whiteside.

Why do so many people continue with the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions when history shows they are not likely to complete them? If someone really wants to make a change they should not wait until the New Year. They should make changes because they want or need to, not because it is a new year. A New Year’s resolution sounds great in theory but looking at the success rate proves that they are not very useful.