Higher learning

Local freshmen, sophomores contemplating transfer
to South Carolina Governor’s School

October 24, 2005

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Judging by the legs shaking under tables and focused students poring over paperwork on top of the tables, the scene at Piedmont Tech on Sunday easily could have been confused for a Calculus final exam.
But the high school freshmen and sophomore students and their parents weren’t struggling their way through a quadratic equation. They were making a decision that could be considered just as stressful — whether the student should move to Hartsville to attend South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM).
GSSM is a public school run by state funding that allows 128 academically advanced juniors and seniors to take college-level classes and conduct research while earning a high school diploma. Students attend the school and receive free room and board with a $1,000 annual fee that individuals can receive financial aid assistance for. Annually, about 200 students apply but only about 70 are chosen to attend, with several coming from the Greenwood area each year.
Cindy Billiot, the director of admissions for GSSM, said one of the toughest decisions parents have to make comes down to letting their child move away. For Gemmye McCutcheon, whose son Scott Kwarsick is a sophomore at Greenwood High School, GSSM has been something they’ve been thinking about for a long time.
“I’m a little bit nervous about letting him fly the coop so soon,” McCutheon said. “But he’s going to do it sooner or later.”
Kwarsick said the only thing that makes his decision to go an eight out of a possible 10 is that he cannot participate in band there. Because GSSM is very small, there is no marching band, but several other extracurricular activities to take part in.
The facts that the 62 students who graduated last year received $9 million in scholarships and that many of them went on to highly recognized and Ivy League schools made GSSM very tempting to many of the parents. Others found the small student-to-teacher ratio and that 3/4 of the faculty have doctorates appealing. Still, others, such as McCutheon, found the study abroad opportunities during the January interim “mini-mester” to be alluring.
After the program had ended, McCutheon said the only thing she didn’t like was that students are not allowed to use their cars except when going home on the weekends.

Ready for a big spike

Lakelands area volleyball teams prepare for state playoffs

October 24, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

The Ninety Six High School volleyball team enters today’s 6 p.m. Class AA playoff opener against Gilbert as a region champion for the fifth straight year.
However, winning their fifth consecutive region title proved to be an interesting one for the Lady Wildcats.
Ninety Six, which won three straight Region I-A titles, needed a tiebreaker 3-2 win over Batesburg-Leesville last Monday in Prosperity to claim their second consecutive Region III-AA crown.
“This one was pretty exciting,” Ninety Six coach Beth Miller said. “To have to win a playoff game against Batesburg. It sure was an emotional and mental test for us in a hostile environment.
“I’m just tickled to death that the girls went down there and overcame the obstacles and did the things they needed to do to win.”
The Lady Wildcats are one of five teams from Greenwood and the Lakelands area to qualify for the chance to play Nov. 5 at White Knoll High School, the site for the state championships.
Dixie won its second straight Region I-A title and, for the second year in a row, will play host to Landrum, the second-place team from Region II-A, at 6 Wednesday night.
Ware Shoals finished as the Region I-A runner-up and will be making its first postseason appearance in four years.
Ware Shoals travels to Simpsonville for a 6 p.m. Wednesday matchup with Region II-A champion Southside Christian.
Emerald qualified for its sixth straight playoffs, third under coach Sondra Clendinin. The Lady Vikings finished fourth in Region III-AA and will travel for a 6 p.m. game today at Pelion.
Greenwood made it two postseasons in a row after finishing fourth in Region I-AAAA.
However, the Lady Eagles have to open up at Region II-AAAA champion Hillcrest, which ended two-time defending champion Dorman’s region reign. Greenwood, led by Class AAAA All-State hitter Allie Gray, will face the Lady Rams at 6 Tuesday night.
Ninety Six has come along way in its second season back in Class AA. After returning only two players with significant experience, including senior All-State setter Morgan Layne, the Lady Wildcats dropped only two games this season: a loss to AAA Clinton and losing one of three matches to B-L.
But Miller said her group has managed to overcome any thought of this being a rebuilding year by simply following the leadership of previous players.
“One of the things I kept telling them was to just get out there and play ‘Cat Ball,’ good hard-nosed volleyball and the winning will take care of itself,” Miller said. “That’s what they did.
“How do you measure (their development),” Miller said. “Everybody thought this would be our down season because we graduated seven players from last year. I told them at the beginning of the season, ‘You’ve had the chance to watch Crystal Belcher, Leanna Willis and Meagan Frazier and, now, it’s your turn to step to the plate and shine.’“ Dixie has stepped in quite nicely as the dominant team in Region I-A in the Lady Wildcats’ absence. The Lady Hornets are making their fourth straight playoff appearance, but the team earned the opportunity to enjoy a playoff game at home for the second straight year.
“We’re excited because one of our goals this season was to go undefeated in the region,” Ellis said. “Now, we are fortunate that as long as we win we will host all the way through to state. It alternates every year and we have it this year.”
After graduating five seniors last season, the Lady Hornets are guided by a new five-person senior crew, led by a pair of Class A All-State players. Stephanie Lowe was named All-State and selected to the A/AA North All-Star team, while fellow-senior Melinda Canfield, who took two years off from the sport, also earned All-State honors.
“We’re happy to have Melinda back,” Ellis said. “She has been instrumental in the middle for us.”

Ron Cox covers prep sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ronc@indexjournal.com

Opinion

Comedian/actor is setting a good example for others

October 24, 2005

Actor/comedian Bill Cosby has not minced words about how he sees problems caused or faced by many black youths, especially those in large urban areas.
Cosby created a controversy among a lot of blacks by criticizing many young people for the way they speak. He also has accused young black people of squandering the civil rights accomplishments of the 50s and 60s.
That honest assessment generated critics galore for “Doctor” Cosby ….. doctor of education, that is. He has advanced degrees in education from the University of Massachusetts. Nevertheless, he has not been intimidated by the vitriolic rhetoric. Many responsible black Americans, including some in Greenwood, say more power to him.

THIS FAMOUS PERSONALITY is touring the nation, seeking to deliver a message of hope and self-improvement to black communities.
In one of his latest addresses, Cosby challenged parents in the crime-plagued, mainly minority city of Compton, Calif., to set goals for their children, with an emphasis on self-improvement.
‘Somebody said,” Cosby noted, “I’m either flippin’ burgers or selling some drugs.’” That’s a complaint often heard among black youngsters “But people flippin’ burgers,” he said, “never seem to say ‘I want to be the manager of the burger place.’” Instead of being a target for critics, Cosby should be praised and emulated.
HIS IS THE KIND OF message that should be spread and heard, not only by blacks, but by all of us. It should be repeated often, and Cosby shouldn’t be the only black American doing it. Every black American with any kind of influence would so well to follow the Cosby example.
Instead of the self-promoting and often divisive rhetoric heard so often these days from racial demagogues, there should be more efforts to find solutions instead of adding to the problem ….. which demagoguery helps perpetuate.
Give Cosby a big hand. His comedic routines are superb. The humor is always clean. As an entertainer, he deserves applause. As an advocate for improving the lives of young blacks, and by extension, the rest of us, the cheering section can never be too large or loud.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Ed Coker

SIMPSONVILLE, SC — William Edwin Coker, Jr., age 68, of Simpsonville, passed away Saturday, October 22, 2005. He was a native of Fountain Inn and a son of the late William Edwin and Virgil McKinney Coker. Mr. Coker was a graduate of Presbyterian College and was retired from a Sales career in the Industrial Metals Industry. He was a member of Simpsonville First Baptist Church. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.
He is survived by his loving family, wife, Mrs. Ruby Coker, of the home; daughters, Cami Baltzegar and husband, Marty of Irmo, and Pamela McClinton and husband, Andy of Ninety-Six; sons, Michael Long and Stephen Long, both of Simpsonville; a sister, Patsy Henderson of Simpsonville; brother, Keith Coker of Gray Court; and grandchildren, Jacob and Connor Baltzegar and Courtney and Carsen Long. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marcy Layton.
Mr. Coker is at Cannon Funeral Home in Fountain Inn where funeral services will be at 1:00pm Tuesday, October 25, 2005 with Reverend Randy Harling officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Private interment will be at Cannon Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to: Alzheimer’s Association, Upstate SC Chapter, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5000, Greenville, SC 29601.
The family is at their respective homes.
Cannon Funerals and Cremations, Fountain Inn is serving the Coker family.
PAID OBITUARY

Billy Johnson

Billy Wayne Johnson, 66, of 232 East Cambridge, Apt. 3, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Mino and Cleo Johnson. He was a former owner of Johnson’s Store and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two sons, Talmadge Johnson of Greenville and Kevin Wayne Johnson of Tenn.; a daughter, Teresa Radford of Sandersville, Ga.; two brothers, Edgar Johnson and Curtis Johnson of Greenwood; and four grandchildren. Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Phillip Morris

Phillip Wayne Morris, 49, of 230 East Cambridge, Apt. 213, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of O’Dell Morris and Nettie Morris.
Survivors include his mother of the home; a daughter, Wendy Sanders of Anderson; a sister, Reba Head of Mauldin; two brothers, Kenneth Morris and Glenn Morris of Greenwood; and a grandson.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Oakbrook Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Buddy Kinney.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Phillip Morris fund c/o Harley Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Miriam S. O’Shields

WATERLOO, SC — Miriam “Priss” Steadman O’Shields, of 125 O’Shields Road, and formerly of Spartanburg, died Saturday, October 22, 2005 at the home of her daughter. Born January 16, 1922 in Pacolet, SC, she was a daughter of the late Charles Foy and Mittie Brown Patrick. She was the widow of Lloyd Barron O’Shields and her first husband, Albert J. Steadman.
Mrs. O’Shields retired as an educator from Spartanburg County District 6 and later retired from Watson Law Firm of Greenwood, SC. She was a member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Foye Napier and her husband, Robert, and M. Patrick Steadman, all of Waterloo; and a grandson, R. Barron Napier of Waterloo. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Foy Patrick, Jr. and a sister, Norma Patrick Harmon.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2005 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Dr. David A. Brown.
Memorials may be made to the Epworth Children’s Home, P. O. Box 50466, Columbia, SC 29250-9988.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Foye Napier, 141 O’Shields Rd., Waterloo, SC.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.
Floyd’s North Church Street
PAID OBITUARY

Mary Pardue

Mary Martha Biemann Pardue, 88, of 209 Blyth Road, widow of the late John David Pardue, died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Oconee, she was a daughter of the late Fredrick and Mary Brandt Biemann. She was retired from Greenwood Mills Matthews Plant and was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Drummond of Greenwood; a son, William David Pardue of Greenwood; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. John Setzler and Craig Hughes. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Biemann Pardue, Ronald Pardue, Johnny Pardue, Glenn Leckliter, Jeff Pardue and Mike Leckliter. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of Mike and Debbie Leckliter, 1619 Ninety Six Highway.
Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 504 E. Creswell Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Lela M. Quarles

Services for Lela Quarles are 12 noon Tuesday at Evening Star Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Moses Miller, assisted by the Revs. Wanda Aulls and Norris Turner.
The family is at the home of a sister, Angela Wideman, 507 Milwee Ave., Greenwood.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.