Hair-raising fundraiser helps
local United Way reach campaign goal

February 25, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Some gave their time.
Some gave their monetary resources.
Some even gave their hair.
It took a lot of effort and creativity of Greenwood and the Lakelands residents to help the United Way reach its goal of $1.7 million. The organization announced at its annual meeting and awards luncheon Friday that people and businesses in Abbeville and Greenwood counties had pledged $1.71 million to the campaign.
Three football players at Westview Middle School helped raise School District 50’s record contribution to $57,416 by betting among themselves that the one who raised the least amount of money would have his head shaved before the whole school.
Eight-grade Beta Club member Thomas Kirkland said the race was a close shave, but it motivated him to be one of the two higher fundraisers for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“It was a pretty good feeling,” said Kirkland, who got the pleasure of shaving off fellow football player Daniel Lagroone’s hair at the end of the student vs. teacher volleyball game. The head-shaving event raised $618.86, and the Beta Club brought in a total of $1,364.30.
The United Way’s most prestigious award for service to the community and organization went to a very surprised Roger Zbytovsky.
Zbytovsky, who has served as a United Way volunteer in venues for 27 years, thought he was giving his prepared speech on Success By 6. Instead, he was presented with a crystal cut bowl and lots of laughter as yet another joke was played on him.
“My secretary, Saundra Brown, used to feed me all this stuff about meetings I had to be at, and when I’d go to it, there would be a big birthday cake for me,” Zbytovsky said with a chuckle. “I always fell for it.”
Zbytovsky was on the United Way board for nine years and served as vice president twice and president once. Even though he and his wife now live in Columbia, Zybtovsky said his heart, money and mind is still in Greenwood.
“What I always enjoyed doing was running the campaign,” said Zybtovsky, who came to Greenwood as an employee of Park Davis in 1979 and helped raise its contribution from $100,000 to more than $500,000.
Zybtovsky said he was disappointed because he had worked so hard on his speech about Success By 6, an early childhood development program, but was glad he got to give the last part of it — the fact that he will be a grandfather in September.
Many other organizations and individuals honored for their participation included:
First Time Workplace Employee Campaign
Town and Country Real Estate
Fooshe’s Flowers
Presidential Cambridge Realty
Bright Future Award
District 50 for its record contribution
Gold Awards — companies with at least 10 employees and a 25 percent increase over last year’s pledges
Bi-Lo #555
Bowers-Rodgers Home
Commissioners of Public Works
Elliott Davis
Goodrich Corporation
Grede Founderies, Inc.
Greenwood Metropolitan Commission
Greenwood Mills, Inc.
100 Club — local companies and employees who donated more than $100,000 to the campaign
Fuji Photo Film Inc. and employees
Velux and Employees
Eaton Corporation C.H.E.S.S. Plant
Eaton Corporation, Eaton Hyraulics
Eaton Corporation, Eaton Electrical
500 Club — local companies and employees who donated more than $500,000 to the campaign
Capsugel and employees, a division of Pfizer
Corporate Investor Award
Fuji Photo Film, Inc.
Velux
Eaton Corporation
Capsugel
Community Impact Award
Greenwood Development Corporation
Marilyn Dickinson Award
Abbeville Mental Health Association
Kenneth E. Young President’s Award
Solutia Inc.
Volunteer of the Year
Steve and Linda Dolny
Donald Walsh
Special honor was given to Rice Video Productions, The Index-Journal, The Press and Banner, Advertising Specialties of Greenwood, Grace Signs and Shoney’s of Greenwood.

With Coke and a smile, EHS student
undertaking his latest adventure

February 25, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

Staying super organized, it’s served Shun Griffin well during a four-year whirlwind of a high school career that’s culminating in honors, scholarships — and more to do.
Not that the Emerald High student body president, governor of Boys State, Air Force JROTC member, TV production member, Drama Club, Beta Club and National Honor Society member, wrestler and ex-band participant needs anything more on his plate.
Want it or not — and he does want it, by the way — Griffin’s got a plate-full of activities coming up, and he’s washing down the meal with an icy, cold Coke. Griffin’s flying — a first for him — to Atlanta April 6 for four days of activities that could end up qualifying him for a $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholarship.
Griffin learned this week that out of 2,100 semifinalists for the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholarship, he’s one of 250 finalists that the selection folks want in Atlanta for the competition. Of the 250 students assembling from across the country, 50 will receive the four-year $20,000 scholarships and the other 200 will receive four-year $4,000 scholarships.
During the four days, invited finalists will interview with a National Selection Committee, tour Atlanta, meet former Coca-Cola Scholars and participate in a range of activities including a community service project. The 2006 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars will be honored at a banquet hosted by Coca-Cola, educators, local dignitaries and friends of the Scholars Foundation.
And to think, it almost didn’t happen for Griffin. He confesses that he missed the deadline to apply.
“Normally, they publicize it at school but I didn’t hear about it this year. I went on the Internet, and it was a day after the deadline,” he said. “I filled it out, but there were over 50,000 high school seniors who applied on time, and mine was a day late.”
The Coca-Cola Scholarship rewards leadership, Griffin said. “If you love to lead — public service, that’s your passion — it’s that type of scholarship,” he said.
And moving to finalist status validates his belief, “If you work hard, it pays off. My hard work here has paid off. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.”
Griffin says that in his very busy senior year, it’s been difficult to carve out time to apply for scholarships. He began considering scholarships in the summer after Boys State and did his applications in random moments after church and during Christmas break and vacations. The process is winding down now, he said, and word is coming in about national and state scholarships for which he has applied. He’s awaiting word on a $40,000 Ron Brown Scholarship.
Since the ninth grade, he has been involved with the American Legion oratorical contest, winning just recently at the region level. This will be the second time he’s progressed to the state level.
Griffin’s received acceptance letters from Clemson and the University of South Carolina, and he has applied to Howard University. But the big kahuna is Furman.
Griffin attended a leadership seminar at the Greenville campus that took 17 of 200 applicants, and reunited him with some fellow Boys Staters. He has a recommendation letter from former Secretary of Education and former S.C. governor Dick Riley, for whom the government institute at Furman is named.
“Furman is something different. It has a different tone,” he said. “They send you notes and magazines, but I want to see that huge envelope. I’m a huge Gamecock fan, but it’s (USC) supersize.”
Wherever he goes, look for Griffin to stay political. “Kids when they’re 1 or 2 they’re watching Barney. I was watching CSPAN and Fox. I used to think Rep. in front of their names stood for Republican. I wondered, what’s the designation for Democrat? I love the political arena. Students (at Furman) have skills. They increase them to the next notch. In a highly structured environment, people who know what they want keep you motivated.”
In the coming weeks, Griffin will be on the lookout for paperwork from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation telling him the agenda of his four days in Atlanta and profiling the 250 finalists.
He’s anticipating another learning experience, interacting with young leaders with a like mindset from throughout the United States, in what he calls “a hectic adventure.”
“It will be like a leadership reunion, to work around them and with them,” he said. “Years from now, you can look back at them. It’s exciting.”
Griffin’s announcement was made in a news release from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated in Charlotte, the nation’s second largest Coca-Cola bottler and the local bottler throughout most of South Carolina.
Created in 1986, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was originated to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola and to establish a legacy for the education of tomorrow’s leaders through college scholarships.
To date, more than 3,500 young scholars nationwide have benefited from nearly $28 million provided by the foundation.

Lander teams looking to finish strong

February 25, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The regular season comes to an end tonight for the Lander University men’s and women’s basketball teams as the Bearcats and Lady Bearcats travel to take on Peach Belt Conference foe USC Aiken.
The women’s game will get under way at 5:30 p.m., while the men’s contest will tip at 7:30.
For the first time all season, the Lady Bearcats will be coming into a game off a PBC victory.
Lander knocked off Georgia College, 48-45, Wednesday, snapping a 15-game losing streak and giving Lander coach Kevin Pederson his first Peach Belt win.
The Bearcats, on the other hand, come into tonight’s contest off a tough loss, 63-58, to Georgia College. Like many Lander contests this season, the Bearcats were within striking distance in the closing moments, only to see the game slip away.
In their Jan. 21 meeting with the Pacers, the Lander men got its first PBC win of the year, 71-64. It was a game in which the Bearcats got double-digit scoring from four players, including 15 points from senior swingman J.T. Greene.
The Lady Bearcats, on the other hand, dropped their Jan. 21 decision to USC Aiken, 71-58.
The Lady Pacers raced out to a 16-point halftime lead and cruised to victory, despite 21 points on 9 of 10 shooting by LU center Tara Nyikavaranda.
Tonight’s game holds a unique situation for the two men’s teams.
The Bearcats (7-19 overall, 4-15 PBC) and Pacers (5-21, 3-16) are set to meet in the first round of the conference tournament, Wednesday night at Finis Horne Arena.
As such, tonight’s contest will serve as a warm-up for the tourney showdown.
The Pacers are led by shooting guard guard Richard Blocker. Blocker is posting 13.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and has handed out 52 assists on the season.
He is flanked by point guard Josh Poston, who is averaging 11.3 points and has a team-high 34 steals.
Lander relied mostly on perimeter scoring in the first game against Aiken, but will likely need contributions from its post players if it hopes to pull off the road win.
Senior center Zoran Jelenic, who stands 6-foot-8, is coming off his best performance of the year after scoring 11 points on 5 of 5 shooting against Georgia College.
Meanwhile, the Bearcats will need forward Emanuel Hodrea to bounce back after an off night Wednesday. The 6-8 Hodrea, who is averaging 9.1 points and five rebounds per game, scored only one point and grabbed four boards against Georgia College.
The women’s game could serve as a big momentum booster for the Lady Bearcats, who are seeking their second two-game winning streak of the season.
Lady Pacers point guard Mindy Allee effectively leads her team. Allee is averaging 10.6 points and 4.2 assists per game this season. When Allee looks to the inside for help, she most often looks to 6-foot freshman center Satu Leppanen, of Espoo, Finland. Leppanen is posting 10.9 points per game.
The Lady Bearcats (5-21, 1-18) will likely use the stalling, slow-down style they employed against Georgia College. The offense is predicated upon the solid play of point guard Lashaundra Dubose, who is averaging 7.9 points and five assists per contest.
Lander has also regained the services of guard Bryony Crouch, who missed 15 games with a sever high ankle sprain. Crouch hit a pair of crucial 3-pointers against Georgia College, and was averaging 13.2 points per game before her injury.

Opinion

What happens in history can’t be erased, altered

February 25, 2006

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Every child somewhere along the way while growing up has heard that expression. Listen to some people today, though, and you’d think mere words can indeed break bones ..... or worse.
People complain, for example, that some words used by some famous writers are offensive and, thus, their books with such words should be ostracized. It happens in South Carolina schools the same as it does all over the country.
The reality is that historical incidents, whether involving words or actions, happened. History books cannot be sanitized by erasing such words, nor can history be changed by banning the books that contain them, whether in schools, libraries, at home or any other place.
That doesn’t necessarily include gutter language that permeates much of the media today. However, the use of offensive words in regard to racial, ethnic, religious or other circumstances, should be carefully explained to young people and put in the proper historical perspective. Denying something cannot erase history. It also doesn’t make it right. But, we can use the words to teach what was and is wrong.
Perspective is important. Too many of us don’t understand that, it seems.

Obituaries

Tina Rush

GREENWOOD — Our beloved wife, mother, sister and friend, Erline “Tina” Long Rush, 78, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 23, 2006 while visiting with her daughters and grandsons in Williamsburg, VA.
Born in Greenwood County, January 8, 1928, she was a daughter of the late John Adam and Annie Mae Smith Long. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and attended Winthrop College. A Charter Member of North Side Baptist Church, she was also a member of the Dorcas Sunday School Class, the WMU and the Senior Adult Group of the church. She was also a member of the OPEL Group at the Green-wood Civic Center.
Surviving are her husband, E. Carson Rush of the home; three daughters, Susan E. Rush of Charlotte, NC, Lynn R. and husband, Eric Ross of Rutherfordton, NC and Pamela L. and husband, Chip Byrd of Suffolk, VA; a sister, Elizabeth “Lib” Chiles of Greenwood; two grandsons, John Adam Byrd and Benjamin Byrd.
Mrs. Rush was predeceased by her brothers, Robert and Kinard Long and a sister, Dot Parsons.
She will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of sharing in her life.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 pm Sunday at North Side Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Lethco; Rev. Steve Watson and Rick Brewer officiating.
Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Rick Brewer, Dennis Aliffi, Danny Austin, Jerry Duncan, Barry Edwards, Lynn Dearhardt, Bennie Piland and Sam Tolbert.
Honorary escort will be Ed Hardin, Earl Hendricks, Russell Crawford, Donald Blackmon and Dr. Richard Hunton.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 2 pm Sunday.
The family is at the home, 103 Nottingham Lane in Locksley Hall and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Saturday evening.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorials be made to North Side Baptist Church Building Fund, 409 W. Northside Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Rush family.
PAID OBITUARY

Charles A. Herrin

McCORMICK — Charles A. Herrin, 66, of 406 E. Augusta St., husband of Mary Ellen Reynolds Herrin, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2006 in Greenwood.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of the late Roscoe and Nannie Roberts Herrin. He was an Army veteran and retired as a fixer at Milliken Mills with 47 years of service. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Walter “Neal” White of McCormick; two daughters, Linda Jean W. Turner of Danburg, Ga., and Shirley Faye W. Jacobs of Tignall, Ga.; two sisters, Myrtle Cagle of Longs and Judy Ard of Pimlico; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 3 p.m. Sunday in Overbrook Cemetery, conducted by the Revs. Randy Ouzts and Roy Cates.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Strom Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances H. Lee

LEXINGTON — Frances H. Lee, 91, widow of William Boyd Lee, died Thursday, Feb.2, 2006 at Lexington Medical Center after an extended illness.
Born in Spartanburg County, she was a daughter of the late Rev. B.H. Harvey and Eva Harmon Harvey. She graduated from Chester High School. She was employed in Greenwood by Eastwill Sportswear, Chipley Motors, B.F. Goodrich and Ballentine Motors; in Charlotte by Atlantic Refining Co.; and in Columbia by Southern Plastics. Serving as house mother at Alexander Children’s Home in Charlotte and Epworth Children’s Home in Columbia, she retired to Honea Path and then to Columbia. For many years she was a resident at Lexington Extended Care, Irmo.
Survivors include two sons, Philip H. Lee of Columbia and Leon H. Lee of Young Harris, Ga.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; a sister, Margaret Twitty of Cayce; and a brother, Robert Harvey of Newberry.
A graveside service was Feb. 5 at Armenia Methodist Church Cemetery in Chester, conducted by the Rev. Tim Twitty.
Thompson Funeral Home, West Columbia, was in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonsfuneral.com

Maurice Kenneth Wilson

SILVERSTREET — Maurice Kenneth Wilson, 32, of 217 Bowles Lane, died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006.
Born in Newberry county, he was a son of William C. and Essie Counts Wilson. He was a member of Elisha AME Church and a member of the Sons of Aid Society, Lodge No. 57.
Survivors include his father of Greenwood; his mother of Silverstreet; four sons, Maurice Wilson Jr., Marion Wilson, Trayon Wilson and Keyon Wilson, all of Greenwood; two stepsons, Bernard Mason and Travis Morgan of Edgefield; two daughters, Tekyah Wilson and Princess Wilson, both of Greenwood; two sisters, Alisa Jones of Newberry and Katrina W. “Antonia” Emerson of Silverstreet; a brother, William Thearau of Woonsocket, R.I.; and paternal grandfather, Rueben Wilson of Washington, D.C.
Services are 3 p.m. today at Trinity AME Church, Newberry. Burial is in Elisha AME Church Cemetery.
Viewing is 2-3 today at the church.
Wilson Funeral Home, Newberry, is in charge.