AP Biology and Anatomy students visit Body Worlds VITAL exhibit

AP Biology and Anatomy classes of Chapin High visited the Body Worlds VITAL exhibit at the state museum on November 14 as part of a field trip organized by science teacher Lori Latham. This exhibit was designed to show visitors the contrasts of how a healthy lifestyle and a non- healthy lifestyle can affect a person’s body. This Body Worlds exhibit is the latest chapter in the “human saga project” that was founded by anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens.
All of the bodies in the project were donated by people who wanted to assist the project and science by participating in the HUMAN SAGA project.
Body World’s mission is to educate the public about health and anatomy.
“Body Worlds helped give me a 3D visual of the human anatomy that we study in the class,” said junior Dillion Gums who went on the field trip.
Students were able to do things like compare the lungs of a smoker to the lungs of a non-smoker to learn the contrast of a healthy life versus a non-healthy lifestyle.
Senior Brandon Owens said, “It was very educational I learned a lot.”
In this exhibit, the bodies are stripped of their skin and the muscles are preserved in plastic using the process known as plastination.
Then the bodies are put in everyday positions such as throwing a baseball or dribbling a basketball so that visitors can have a better view of what goes on inside the human body.

Baseball tryouts begin for 2011-12 season

Baseball Practice has begun in preparation of tryouts in January. Tryouts determine if a player has the five tools needed to play: hitting, fielding, speed, arm strength, and general knowledge of the game.
Practice and conditioning before the tryouts allow coaches to work with each player’s abilities and see how players work together.
Coach Paul Scheno says, “The legs feed the wolf.”
Athletes start base running, pitching, catching, and fielding ground and fly balls to prepare for the upcoming season.
With more players trying out this year than previous years, it’s tougher to decide who will fill the desired seventeen spots. But that may not be a problem in head coach Scott McLeod’s view.
“We’re a lot younger this year, although the nucleus of the team is back and that’s all we need,” says Coach Scott McLeod.
A major change that all coaches and players will have to deal with this year is the move to Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) bats.
Hitters must now use BBCOR bats that deaden the trampoline effect the bat has on the ball and, in turn, do not send the ball as far.
The team also lost some senior members of the pitching staff.
Even with the new bats and pitching staff, the team doesn’t seem too worried.
“We plan on winning region for the third time in a row, taking care of business in the playoffs and winning state,” says senior Mel Kitchens.
Many of the seniors are eager to win state.
Senior Zack Haralambis says, “We’ve been playing baseball with each other since we were younger and it has always been a goal to win state with them.”
The team is determined to achieve their goal.
“We have to play as a team and not individuals. This year we get to learn from our seniors and grow as players as the season progresses,” says junior Barrett Charpia.
After tryouts, the season kicks off with a scrimmage against South Aiken on February 12th. The first home game is on March 10th against AC Flora. The coaches and team will be looking for a lot of support from the student body and community at the games this year.

Marching band concludes another great season

Through the stinging wind and the blazing sun, the band stands tall, playing each note with grace as if it was their last. Toes up, shoulders squared, eyes on the drum major. Finally, the last note of the performance rings in the air, as a drummer clicks the drum sticks on the ring of the stair, signaling for the band to march off the field. Leaving their hearts on the field, with their chains held high, they smile knowing they gave the show their all.
The Chapin High School Band received first place at SCDBA 3A Lower State Championships. For many, it was their first time marching at lower state. For others, it was a routine.
“It felt amazing- being on the field in front of the crowd…there’s nothing else like it,” said junior Jon Simmel, Assistant Drum Major.
This year’s show is titled “Influence.” It had a bit of jazz, classical, and funny moments. The band shows how music and actions can influence different reactions. Some band members felt that the sow fir the style of the marching band well.
“I thought the show was a cool idea, and I thought it was a pretty cool that it was original, and it wasn’t taken from other pieces,” said sophomore Braydon Manley, a second-year drum line member.
Some members had other thoughts.
“I enjoyed it; it was a lot of fun. But I wished it was more jazzy, because that’s when I feel the band shows their true abilities,” Taylor Gibson, a second-year pit member said.
As marching band season concludes and they hang up their marching shoes until next season, some tears were shed for graduating members.
“I feel like the Chapin Band is at a new level that we have never been on before. I have to say that this year’s band is probably the best this band program has ever been in my four years. I’ll be sad that I’m leaving but I’m also so proud to have been part of the Chapin High School band,” said senior Corey Hallman, a veteran trumpeteer.

CHS drama students stage “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Drama teacher and director Mr. Greg Worley directed his first major production since taking over as Drama teacher last year with It’s a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play by Joe Landry. It was performed by mostly students in his Drama classes.
The cast worked on the play for nearly a month and many students helped with behind the scenes preparation like set design and special effects.
The radio version of the play requires the action to place all one stage in front of a live audience just like an old radio broadcast.
Worley said, “Most of the challenges came because of the short period of time we had to put it all together. The easy thing to have done would have been to not do a fall production at all, but I felt that the production, good or bad, would be a good learning experience for the students involved.”
While many students are familiar with the classic movie version starring Jimmy Stewart, the live radio performance offered a unique twist on the holiday classic.
“… because the theatre space is currently being shared with the dance classes, we couldn’t load in or build our set until the week of, and that demanded a lot of long hours after school to insure it was complete in time. I believe I was still assembling the set minutes before the opening,” said Worley
The performance challenged students to use their imaginations more since many of the effects for the performance were just audio.
The end result was a very entertaining performance.

Stage Manager…………………………………..Kara Dunkelberg
George Bailey/Freddie Filmore ……………..……Drew Bussey
Mary Hatch…………………………………………….Taylor Rister
Violet Bick………………………………………………..Olivia Fitts
Clara……………………………………….………….Lizz Moncure
Jo……………………………………………………………Mary Efrid
Rose Bailey/Mrs.Hatch………………………………Mary Helblig
Harry/Sam/Nick …………………………………..Bobby Morgan
Bert/Old Man Collins/Mr. Welch/Sherriff……….Michael Hals
Mr.Potter…………………………………………………Chris Kline
Gower/Uncle Billy/Bridge Keeper……………..Lane Broadwell
Tommy/Zuzu/Young Harry/Pete……………Maggie Moncure
Young George…………………………………David Dunkelberg
Young Violet/Janie/Sadie……………………..Marrissa Hutton
Young Mary/Ruth Bailey/Teller…………………..Anna Polson
Peter/Ernie/Dr. Campbell/Charlie/Ed …Garrick Scott
Matilda/Mrs. Thompson…………………….Alina Burlaw
Martini………………………………………………Chris Barnette

Q and A with Mr. Richard Hiller

1. IF Y OU WERE A CANDY BAR, WHAT KIND WOULD YOU BE? WHY?
Snickers….I am nutty and Delicious!

2. IF YOU WEREN’T IN EDUCATION WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE DOING?
CEO of Banana Republic

3. IF YOU WERE A CANNIBAL ON AN ISLAND WITH NO FOOD AND JUST THE ADMIN, WHO WOULD YOU EAT FIRST? WHY?
This question makes me LOL!!! The appropriate answer would be to draw straws
because I really like my job and they are all my bosses!

4. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE STUDENTS IF THEY WERE ATTACKED BY ZOMBIES?
Aim for the head and Google it for more options.

5. WHAT IS THE STRANGEST THING YOU HAVE EATEN?
I was in Maastricht, Holland and ate a raw Herring.

6. WHAT CELEBRITY WOULD YOU DATE IF YOU COULD? WHY?
Hmmmmmmm so many to choose from… If it was just one date I would go with Angelina Jolie, but for a longer relationship Jessica Biel because she seems to be wholesome and hot!

7. WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DO FOR A MILLION DOLLARS: LICK DIRTY HOBO TOES, WALK FROM FINE ARTS TO THE GYM IN A THONG DURING CLASS CHANGE, OR LAY IN A BATHTUB FULL OF GIANT HISSING COCKROACHES?
I would do all three of these for a million dollars, but I see licking the toe as the
quickest and easiest.

8. WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DIE FOR?
This one is easy- my kids and maybe Mrs. Sease.

9. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHICH ONE AND WHY?
I use to think time control until I saw the movie Butterfly Effect. So, I would go with being invisible. I could sneak into everything and have the ability to be the “fly on the wall” with everything.

10. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO RELIVE?
Tough question….. I have been lucky and had a great life and traveled a lot, but maybe my senior high school cruise to the Bahamas. That trip was a LOT of fun! No worries or responsibilities in the world.

Free Thinkers leave convention behind

A question is asked. There is tentative silence. The students in this room exercise thought. It is an apparent passion in all of the students; but perhaps it is the only commonality. I see Christians and Atheists, introverts and extroverts, the most vocal and the quietest of the student body.

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.

 

Coaches of the Year!

Chapin is honored to be the home of three coaches of the year.  Cross County Coach Jack Legrand was named Cross Country coach of the year, Volleyball coach Mary Jo Jenny and Tennis coach John Rogers were selected as coaches of the year in their respective regions.

Coach Legrand has been coaching Cross Country for many years atChapinHigh School. 

“Over the years, numbers keep increasing, competition gets better, so we have to work twice as hard” said Coach Legrand. 

After all the years of coach Legrand coaching the Cross country team, he always finds a way to have a standout team. 

“The program runs itself. Our runners have bought into our system and run year around to be ready for the meets,” said Coach Legrand.

Coach Legrand has affected his runners in other ways than just winning races.

“Coach Legrand has taught me how to constantly push my self no matter what, and also to stay positive no matter your situation,” said Junior Dillon Gums.

Coach Rogers arrived here at Chapin in 1977 as a tennis and basketball coach right after he graduated from The Citadel where he played basketball.  As soon as Coach Rogers arrived at Chapin, the tennis team soared above and beyond all of the other programs in the state leading the program to two state titles. 

“What really separate us from all of the other teams is our work habits and our team chemistry,” said Coach Rogers.

Similar to Legrand, Coach Rogers always finds a way to have a winning season every year. 

“The main explanation of how we’re always winning is the positive attitude and having the mentality to never give up that Coach Rogers always displays,” said Junior Sean Koch  

Chapin is proud to have two of the finest coaches in our school that show good coaching and make their players better both as an athlete and as people in general.

  Coach Mary Jo Jenny who has been an outstanding coach for the volleyball program here at Chapin for many years. Coach Jenny always comes out of the season with an outstanding record of 18-5.  “We defeated Airport to be named the number one seed for the playoffs and region championship”.  Said Coach Jenny.

   One of the key to the volleyball team’s success was how close together they were and played really good together.  “This team was incredible.  The chemistry that they had can’t compare to any team I’ve ever coached.  They loved playing for each other and they tried their hardest not to let anyone on the team down.  I loved this group of rugrats!!!!”

 

“Coach Rogers, Coach Jenny and Coach Legrand are great coaches who bring a lot to the table, Not only for winning but for their athletes.” Said Coach Wessinger

HAUNTED LEGENDS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Movies like Paranormal Activity, Case 39, and Black Swan are recent releases that excite the imagination. However, legends closer to home have more impact upon locals.
Rumors of a “monkey dog” on broad river road have persisted for decades. “They say it is about the size of a Rottweiler with the face of a savage gorilla,” says senior Dylan Barbian. Do you believe in the monkey dog? “No, not at all, the rumors may have begun with a very aggressive dog sighted on broad river road.” Do you trust the local law enforcement to protect Chapin citizens from any roaming aggressive animals? “Don’t trust the Chapin police for anything, every citizen should carry a gun.”
Another student,  senior Sawyer Tedder, also does not believe in the monkey dog. When asked why, he had a very logical explanation.
“Because monkeys and dogs cannot reproduce together.” Unexpectedly, Tedder is a firm believer in Sasquatch. When once more asked why, his response was rather personal. “I feel this commonality with Sasquatch, you know me being large and him being large; him being furry, me being furry. And he will be very nice . . . when we find him.”
Another popular myth is the lizard man. Half man, half lizard, he haunts rivers throughout South Carolina. Page Pierce, junior, is cynical of this legend. “I think the people that made it up were the ones that did all that stuff,” says junior Chase Wicker. There is a bridge off of West Shady Grove Road where a woman killed her baby by throwing it off the bridge. If you go over it and stop, the car doesn’t turn back on.
Greg Worley, the drama teacher, remembers a similar legend that was popular when he was a highschooler in Seneca, South Carolina. “ They said if you parked your car over a bridge, left the keys on the dash, turned your headlights on, stood in front of the car and call out “Bloody Mary” three times, a spirit would steal the keys off the dash.
The “Lake Murray Monster” is another myth that has survived decades.
Cory Campitella, senior, believes the “monster” is actually a big catfish. Teachers seemed to be more superstitious than students. Anastasia Sease, history teacher, claims that her in-laws house is haunted, saying “a creepy ghost lives there.”
Jennifer Henry, english teacher, says she “absolutely believes in hauntings.” In fact, she has already arranged her own haunting agenda.
“I definitely plan on haunting people when I die . . . there are a few members of the Schelble family along with Zach Woodham that I cannot wait to torment.”
After interviewing several students and teachers, the most popular haunted legend appears to be The Legend of Sleepy Hallow. This story first appeared in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, published in 1820 by Washington Irving. In the original story, Ichabod Crane competes with Brom Bones for the farmer’s daughter hand in marriage. When Crane leaves a party one night, he is pursued by a ghostly headless horseman and run out of town, never to be seen again. Some believe the perpetrator was Bones in disguise, jealous of the daughter’s preference for Crane. Others believe it was the ghost of a Hessian soldier killed in the American Revolutionary War. More than seven film adaptations were created. “The Real Ghostbusters” featured an episode that suggested the legend lives on; a descendant of Ichabod Crane claims to be pursued by a headless ghost on a motorcycle. Apparently the headless horseman is not immune to modern upgrades. 
Whatever your plans this Halloween, haunted myths and legends are sure to influence costumes, candy, and for those brave enough, destinations.

College level stress for some freshmen

Some freshmen getting iPads is not news anymore, but the price of the iPads may be news to some.

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.”

 

Get to know Ms. Henry!

 

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULD NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU WHEN MEETING YOU?

I  love my job but if I weren’t a teacher I would want to be a reporter for ESPN

 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO WHILE YOU’RE NOT A SCHOOL?

Read and hang out with friends or spend time watching movies with my son Jackson

 

WHAT KIND OF PETS DO YOU HAVE?

Two mini-African water frogs named Henry and Jack, a bearded dragon named Dexter, Squirt a leopard spotted salamander and a dog named Samantha Fitzgerald Henry

 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?

My mom calling from the hospital with my ultimate disappointment of finding out I was not having a baby sister but a brother.

 

WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOST?

I went to Irmo with Coach Hiller and he was the king of Irmo High. I also remember being the nerd who got stuck doing group work while my other group members played poker in the back of the room.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WON A MILLION DOLLARS?

Invest inJackson’s college fund (her son).

 

WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU HAVE?

A dirtyToyota4-runner

 

COKE OR PEPSI?  RAP OR COUNTRY? TV NIGHT OR NIGHT AT THE CLUB?

Coke (diet),  Rap,  TV night

 

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER?

A ballerina  (she still enjoys wearing a tiara)

 

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE DONE AS A TEACHER?

I ran into some students in the grocery without my makeup on, wearing some old sweats- not my best look. I made them swear they wouldn’t tell anyone what they saw.

 

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