District 50 building plan calls for new school
July 7, 2005
By
JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer
At
least one new elementary school is on its way to Greenwood School
District 50, according to a 10-year facility plan the districts
building committee reviewed Wednesday.
The new school will alleviate crowding, possibly bringing the
population at each school back to an optimum number, said Debrah
Miller, committee chairwoman.
Crowding has been a problem at all nine of the districts
existing elementary schools for some time, she said.
Enrollment figures range from 274 at the districts smallest
school, Hodges Elementary, which covers only seven acres, to 619
at the largest, Springfield Elementary, which has a 35-acre
campus. Springfield is particularly crowded and houses nine
mobile units on its campus to help accommodate students, said
Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent for business. The
cafeteria at Springfield is woefully inadequate for
the student population, meaning that in order for everyone to be
served, some classes have lunch as early as 10:30 a.m., Johnson
told the committee.
The hope is to have no more than 450 students at any of the
schools once the new elementary school is constructed, Miller
said. If all goes according to plan, work would begin on the new
school in 2008. It is still uncertain where the school would be
built or what areas it would serve.
There is a possibility that a second school will be built in the
time period covered by the plan, Miller said. There has been talk
of converting East End Elementary School into an early childhood
learning center, in which case the school would have to be
replaced.
Regardless of whether a second elementary school is constructed,
each of the elementary schools is slated for renovations in the
plan. Those renovations might include the construction of new
wings on some of the campuses. Six of the districts
elementary schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are in
need of renovations, Miller said. The newest, Springfield
Elementary, was built in 1994.
Repairs, renovations and new construction on each of the
elementary schools will be scheduled depending on which schools
needs are most critical.
Committee members agreed to have an engineer visit each of the
elementary schools, excluding the two newest, Springfield and
Oakland, to inspect the structures. Further planning will take
place following the inspections and determination of the
buildings needs.
The plan also includes annual system technology upgrades, and
construction of Emerald Gym Complex and cafeteria/kitchen suites
for Mathews and Hodges elementary schools in 2007.
The plan will be presented at the districts next board of
trustees meeting, July 18.
Former NSHS standout trades basketball for volleyball
July 7, 2005
By
CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer
NINETY SIX Leanna Willis has decided to
go with her first instinct.
The Ninety Six High School three-sport star has made the decision
to switch from being a member of the Anderson College womens
basketball team to joining the Lady Trojans volleyball
program.
It is a move that Willis, who was the 2003 Class A volleyball
player of the year, said she never should have been faced with in
the first place.
I really should have chosen volleyball right out of high
school, said Willis, whose volleyball squads went 54-0 in
her two years at Ninety Six, including two Class A state
championships.
Im really so much more passionate about volleyball,
but I enjoyed basketball, as well. So, I wanted to take on the
challenge.
Willis said things were progressing nicely on the basketball team
until she was injured in January.
I strained my Achilles tendon after we came back from
Christmas break, she said. After I got hurt, things
became a little strained between (then Anderson and current
Lander University) coach (Kevin) Pederson and I. We just sort of
butted heads a little bit. That kind of helped make my decision
to switch sports a little easier. Willis said, however,
there were more prevalent reasons she chose to focus on
volleyball.
I left the basketball team under good terms, she
said.
I have respect for the players and for coach Pederson. I
really just felt that I didnt have the love for basketball
that I had when I started out.
Willis said she endured a period of intense contemplation before
making the decision to pursue volleyball.
I prayed about it and just thought about it really hard,
she said. After deliberating about it for some time, I
decided to choose volleyball.
Willis said a strong relationship with Anderson volleyball coach
Jennifer Bell helped streamline the transition between the two
programs.
Coach Bell is the academic advisor for female athletes at
Anderson, so she was already assisting me on the academic side of
things, Willis said. She had called me after I
finished high school and asked me to play volleyball back then.
So, I had already established a close relationship with her.
Willis asked Bell what she would say if Willis wanted to switch
over to the volleyball team at Anderson.
She said Come on, Willis said. She
said that I had a spot on the team if I wanted it, no questions
asked.
All that was needed in order to switch teams was for Willis to be
released from the basketball program by Pederson, a proposition
which could have been a little sticky had he disallowed it.
He could have refused to release me, Willis said.
To his credit he gave me the release. Like I said, we left
on pretty good terms.
Bell was succinct when she received the news of Willis
impending arrival on the volleyball team.
When I told coach Bell that I got my release she just said
What size shoe do you wear? Willis said. She
was ready to get started. So was I, honestly.
Willis participated in the spring practice program with the
volleyball squad. She said that her injured leg did not hinder
her progress.
It still gets inflamed, but it doesnt affect me too
much, Willis said. I cant jump quite as high,
but it hasnt really affected my game as an outside hitter.
Other than the occasional inflammation it feels pretty good.
Willis said she feels volleyball is a much better fit for her on
the college level.
Im a better volleyball player than a basketball
player, Willis said. Everybody was asking me why I
chose basketball after high school. It was a challenge that I
wanted to take on.
Im a natural born leader on the volleyball court. I
just expect to be great when Im out there. I cant say
the same thing about basketball.
Willis appreciates the coaching style of Bell, which is that of a
prototype players coach.
I dont do well with constructive criticism. On the
basketball court, I was getting a lot of that, Willis said.
Coach Bell sets her expectations of you and you have to
strive to reach them. If you dont reach them, you wont
play much. But at least you know whats expected of you.
She really wants to see your determination. I have to dig
down deep inside myself and go for it.
Willis is optimistic about her chances for success in her first
year of collegiate volleyball.
I really get along with my teammates, She said.
Ive been able to come right in and help them out.
Thats what I really wanted to do in college athletics:
contribute to the success of my team. Now that Im on the
volleyball team, I can do that.
Chris Trainor covers sports for The Index-Journal. He can be
reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.
Opinion
Pair of events are proof things can be different
July 7, 2005
It
is said that those who cannot remember the past are sure to
repeat it. Looking at history, there hardly seems any doubt of
that. Still, it does no good to remember the past if we cannot
improve on it.
We dont have to be chained to the negatives of the past if
we are willing to follow the advice of a popular old song. We
have to try to eliminate the negatives of history and start again
while accentuating the positive.
A couple of situations a few days ago are good examples of that.
One involved religion, the other politics.
Black pastors involved in the Southern Baptist Convention noted
how times have changed for the better. Yesterday and today,
they are different days, said Robert Anderson, president of
the African American Fellowship of the Convention and pastor of a
church in Maryland.
THE CONVENTION AS A WHOLE has come a long
way, obviously, from the days of slavery and Jim Crow. We have a
lot more African-Americans involved in the convention than ever
before, he said.
Anderson was among a number of blacks attending the Southern
Baptist Conventions meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
About 3,000 black churches are affiliated with the convention of
more than 16.3 million members. Thats a big change from the
conventions early Civil War era years when Baptists in the
North and South went their separate ways, with slavery as the
primary issue. Since then, though, Southern Baptists have made
changes and, as they say, the rest is history
.. for the
better.
In a political setting, the prime minister of Vietnam became the
highest-ranking member of that government to visit the White
House since the end of that war more than 30 years ago.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WERENT happy with the
visit, but it was one more indication of the discords of the past
being left behind while focusing on a future of cooperation.
Special interest was given to improving living conditions in the
Communist nation remembered all too well by many South Carolina
veterans. Particular emphasis was put on human rights and making
it easier for Vietnamese to worship freely.
President Bush also accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam next
year, something former President Clinton did in 2000.
No one should be so naïve as to believe life in Vietnam will be
perfect. It will be far from that. But, it shows improvement.
Maybe next time another step can be taken
.. and another
.. and
..
Editorial
expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
Bennie L. Allen
ABBEVILLE
Bennie L. Allen, 61, of 188 Union Church Road,
formerly of Elberton, Ga., husband of Annie Cowan Allen, died
Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
The family is at the home of Azalee Cowan, 344 Highway 28 Bypass.
Services will be announced by Abbeville-White Mortuary.
Verda S. Arnold, 100
HODGES Verda S. Arnold, 100, of 3323
Cokesbury Road, widow of Park Arnold, died Tuesday, July 5, 2005
at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Sam and
Laura Goggins Starks. She was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church,
where she was a Steward and a Missionary Society member. She was
also a member of the Cokesbury Homemakers Club.
Survivors include three sons, William P. Arnold of Springfield,
Mass., Sam U. Arnold and Albert Arnold, both of Cokesbury; three
daughters, Gladys A. Kilgore of Greenville, Carrie P. Sanders and
Mary A. Williams, both of Cokesbury; 20 grandchildren; 34
great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Betty Hukill
A
Memorial Mass for Elizabeth Betty Hukill is 3 p.m.
Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, conducted by
Father Richard Harris.
Wife of Edmund Hukill, she died May 20, 2005.
Announcement courtesy of Blyth Funeral Home.
Else Kimball
Else
Marianne Bugler Kimball, 72, of 101 Barrett Drive, widow of
Clinton Orville Kimball, died Tuesday, July 5, 2005 at her home.
Visitation is 6-8 Friday at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.
Malachi E. Marshall
McCORMICK
Malachi Emmanuel Marshall, infant son of LaTonya
Garrett and Jeffery Marshall, died Sunday, July 3, 2005 at
Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include his parents; maternal grandmother, Marie
Garrett of McCormick; paternal grandmother, Netta Rea Gilyard of
Clarks Hill; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Marshall
of Grovetown, Ga.; and maternal great-grandmother, Lizzie Garrett
of McCormick.
Graveside services are at noon today at Bethany Baptist Church
Cemetery, Clarks Hill.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.
Irene McKee
McCORMICK
Irene Pace McKee, 74, of Route 2 Box 45, widow of
George Raymond Buck McKee, died Tuesday, July 5, 2005
at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late James
Eulis and Onie B. Tollison Pace. She was a homemaker and a member
of Buffalo Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Linda M. Seigler of Greenwood; two
sons, George Raymond McKee Jr. of McCormick and Tony McKee of
Troy; a sister, Frances Vaughn of Simpsonville; six
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Buffalo Baptist Church, conducted
by the Rev. Ryan Eklund. The body will be placed in the church at
10. Burial is in Overbrook Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Claude King, Dave Nelson, Raymond Shirley, Ronnie
Morgan, John Pace and Freddie Bowers.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Buffalo Baptist Church, Route 1,
McCormick, SC 29835 or Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W.
Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com
Edith Norwood
DUE
WEST Mary Edith Coleman Norwood, 78, of Due West
and formerly of Norwood, NC, wife of Richard Eston Norwood, died
Sunday, July 3, 2005.
Mrs. Norwood was born June 13, 1927 in Saluda County to the late
William F. and Bessie Wertz Coleman. Five other siblings preceded
her in death: Mildred C. Razor, Katherine C. Lom-inick, Margaret
C. McChesney, Charles Coleman and Josephine C. Nichols.
Mrs. Norwood graduated from Saluda County schools, attended the
University of South Carolina and was a graduate of Lander
College. She was a homemaker and was devoted to her family. She
enjoyed garden-ing, golfing, sewing, crafts, cooking and singing.
Before moving to South Carolina, Mrs. Norwood was a longtime
member of Memorial Baptist Church, where she participated in many
areas.
In 1994 while traveling on the journey of life, we came to a sign
which said the long goodbye (Alzheimers). Along
the way, her devoted husband had time to think about the meaning
of Ediths life. Pictures flashed by: A new resident could
expect a homemade meal delivered to them on their first night in
the community.
Her ministry of providing delicious homemade yeast rolls, which
were delivered by her husband to friends.
The Norwood Community Service League, organized by Edith and
others, which awards a scholarship each year in her name.
A devoted choir member who faithfully served for 45 continuous
years.
A lifetime of love for working with children, serving as a
preschool and Sunday School teacher and as a substitute teacher.
She was known in the community as Miss Edie. Miss was
an affectionate term used in earlier years to describe well
respected ladies of the community such as Edith Norwood.
Surviving is her husband of 50 years; a son, Richard Eston
Norwood, Jr. of Palm Bay, FL; a daughter and son-in-law,
Elizabeth Norwood Peele and Leon Peele of Albemarle, NC;
grandchildren, Maximiliane Theresa Norwood, Betsy, Charlie,
Catherine and Molly Peele; and a brother, James Andrew Coleman of
Hampton, VA.
Services will be at 12 noon Saturday, July 9 in the chapel of
First Baptist Church of Greenwood with the Rev. Lee Kennerly
officiating. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Memorial Baptist Church, 12957 Indian
Mound Road, Norwood, NC 28128 or to Alzheimers Association,
PO Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home of Greenwood is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY
Charles Ross
NINETY
SIX William Charles Ross, 86, resident of 106
Bohmari Lane, husband of Margaret Ellison Ross, died July 6, 2005
at his home.
Born in Pelzer, May 14, 1919, he was a son of the late Benjamin
Franklin and Mamie Autry Ross. He was a US Navy Veteran of WW II
and retired as District Manager for Life of Virginia Insurance
Company where, in 1970, he was honored with the Man of the
Century award.
A life-long Methodist and devoted member of Cambridge United
Methodist Church, he was also a member and teacher of the Mens
Bible Class of the church. Mr. Ross was a past president of the
Ninety Six Chamber of Commerce and was associated with the
Epworth Camp Meeting Association for 45 years where he served on
the Board of Directors and remains an honorary board member. He
was also a member of the American Legion.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 69 years are a daughter,
Bonnie Ross of Greensboro, NC; a sister, Sara Ross of Anderson;
four grandchildren, Charles Ellison Ross of Ninety Six, Perrin
Anderson Ross of Aiken, Benjamin Carson Ross of Abbeville, Holly
Elizabeth Piacentino of High Point, NC and Edward Joseph
Piacentino, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; four great-grandchildren;
daughter-in-law, Charlotte Anderson Ross of Ninety Six; a
life-long friend, James E. Henderson of Ninety Six; friends and
caregivers, Pearl and Bill McClam and Hospice Care of the
Piedmont.
Mr. Ross was predeceased by a son, Benjamin Floyd Ross.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4 pm Friday from the Blyth
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harvey Peurifoy and Rev. Joseph
Ouzts officiating.
Burial will be in Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be grandsons along with Mark Moore and Bill
McClam.
Honorary escort will be the staff of Hospice Care of the
Piedmont, members of Pelzer United Methodist Church, Trustees of
Epworth Camp Meeting Association along with Phillip Anderson,
Willie Booker, Paula Crittendon and Ernest Nunn.
The family is at the home on Bohmari Lane and will receive
friends from 2:30 to 4 Friday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W.
Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE ROSS FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY
Ethel Stuart
COLUMBIA,
Md. Ethel Corrine Duncan Stuart, 93, of 9563 Angelina
Circle, widow of Thomas H. Stuart Jr., died Saturday, July 2,
2005 at Babero Assisted Living in Ellicott City.
Born in Anderson County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late
Druie David and Nelia Ramsey Duncan. She retired from Greenwood
Methodist Home (now Wesley Commons). Formerly of Coronaca, S.C.,
and a former member of Coronaca Baptist Church, she had lived in
Columbia since 1987.
Survivors include a son, James M. Stuart, with whom she made her
home; a sister, Evelyn D. Heaton of Anderson, S.C.; a brother,
Nardin Duncan of Wilton, Conn.; and a grandson.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Friday at Bethlehem Cemetery,
Coronaca, conducted by the Rev. Wade Burton.
Pallbearers are Brother Motsinger, Douglas Poole, Tommy Scott,
Rudy Scott, Lyn Stuart, Jimmy Stuart and James Stuart.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood, S.C.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Cemetery, c/o Ann Motsinger,
109 Fuller St., Greenwood, SC 29649.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com