Young Life
Group shapes, changes lives
February 5, 2006
By
JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer
Its part teen-mentoring session, part clubhouse meeting and
part rock concert, complete with moshing. More importantly, its
changing kids lives.
A non-denominational Christian organization, YoungLife of
Greenwood is committed to affecting the lives of young people and
preparing them for the future. It connects high school students
with Christian college students who can serve as mentors and
offer guidance in their lives through friendship.
Because YoungLife operates through friendships, high school
students end up socializing with their group leaders and its
in that time that their influence takes effect.
Members of YoungLife meet with their group leaders at
restaurants, football games, the mall and a number of other
places. Once strong friendships are formed, the kids feel
comfortable sharing their problems, no matter how personal, and
can get strong advice from Christian mentors who already have
been in similar situations.
A lot of times when I found myself in an uncomfortable
situation in high school, I would call (my group leaders) and
they would come pick me up, said Ashley Owens, a
21-year-old Erskine College student and group leader for
YoungLife of Greenwood.
I wanted to be that for other kids, Owens said.
I wanted to be someone they could sit down and talk to and
just let go of all their pressures.
Many teens in YoungLife say they start to think of their group
leaders as older siblings. One of the benefits to having a group
leader to talk to, they say, is that they know they wont be
judged, no matter what they confide. Because of the group leaders
youth, teens also say its easier to relate to them than to
other adults.
I feel like I can talk to them about anything, said
Jordan Wilson, a 17-year-old Greenwood High School student.
Theyve been in a lot of the situations weve
been in, so they can tell us what they did and maybe can look
back and tell us what they wish they had done, said Allison
Tolbert, a 16-year-old Emerald High School student.
The group, usually consisting of 30-50 high school students plus
group leaders, meets on Monday nights in a tiny box of a building
on Montague Avenue, between Wellness Works and Pizza K.
When the group starts streaming in, its apparent that the
meeting is someplace the teens want to be. As they stream in,
they greet their peers and group leaders with friendly hugs or
pats on the back. Theres lively conversation as the
arrivals chat, look over pictures posted on the walls, sing and
just hang out.
Its what we like to call controlled chaos, Area
Director Mike Vaughan said.
When the meeting finally begins at 8 p.m., group members
participate in games, sing along to songs a few group members
strum out on guitars, and then make themselves comfortable on the
floor for a motivational message from Vaughan.
The group meetings are intended to give group members an
opportunity to socialize and have fun. Most of the mentoring is
done outside the meetings, when its likely to be needed
most, Vaughan said.
We try to relate to kids in a different way, Owens
said. We try to help them see their parents
point-of-view, but we also really listen to them and just relate
to them. Sometimes thats all they need.
Group leaders with YoungLife say they talk with teenagers about a
wide range of problems, including family, boyfriends and
girlfriends, peer pressure and school. Some of the teens say they
talk to their group leaders about things theyd never feel
comfortable talking to their parents about.
A number of the students involved in YoungLife say they believe
they make better choices than they would if they werent
involved with the group.
In addition to the advice they get from group leaders, they say
having a supportive group of Christian friends makes a huge
difference.
You know you have real Christian friends to hang out with,
so you dont have to do some of the things other people are
doing just to fit in, Wilson said. Its good
just to know you have a people who are behind you.
Greenwood High School student Kat Entwistle said that making good
decisions is made easier just by knowing you have friends who
share your values and beliefs. That makes a lot of difference
when it comes to saying no to peer pressure, she said.
Teens, including Tolbert and Greenwood Christian School student
Jonathan Shurden, said the group opens doors by giving them
opportunities to become friends with people they might not have
socialized with if not for YoungLife.
We hope this group gives kids a positive example to reflect
on as they make decisions and a lot of strength to make the right
decisions, Vaughan said. We just try to make sure
they all have caring adults with whom they can find some common
ground, without being judged or forced into anything.
For information about YoungLife and how to get involved, call
223-1184 or visit with group members and leaders Feb. 28 at North
Side Baptist Church, when the group will have a barbecue dinner
and auction. Tickets are $7 for adults and free for children ages
6 and under.
Bearcats battle but are beaten by Columbus St.
February 5, 2006
By
RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer
The Bearcats made the No. 20 team in Division II earn its 10th
Peach Belt Conference victory.
Three days after blowing out the fifth-place team in the
conference, first-place Columbus State went down to the final
seconds before defeating Lander, 78-77, Saturday night at Finis
Horne Arena.
Sophomore guard Corris Portis 3-pointer with 1 minute, 6
seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner for the Cougars
(16-5 overall, 10-2 conference), who maintain sole possession of
the lead in the PBC standings.
Its just disappointing, Bearcats coach Bruce
Evans said. I thought we played well, but they hit some big
shots when they needed them. Not only do they have talented
players, but they have confidence.
We just have to find a way to win games. The bottom line is
we lost. There were some bright spots, but if we think we won
this game morally, were going to get pounded on Monday
(against USC Upstate). But if we get too low were going to
get pounded Monday.
The Bearcats (5-14, 2-10) took the ensuing possession and worked
the ball in to Emmanuel Hodrea, but the junior forward missed the
short hook shot. Senior guard J.T. Greene tipped the rebound out,
but right in the hands of Portis.
Choosing not to foul, the Lander defense force an air-balled shot
from the Cougars leading-scorer Ron Robinson as the shot
clock expired, giving the Bearcats 14 seconds to go for the
victory.
Time ticked away on the Bearcats, as there were only 4 seconds on
the clock when junior guard Jason Davis attempted his entry pass
to Hodrea in the low block.
But the pass was tipped out of bounds, with 1.7 seconds
remaining.
There was some confusion about what we were trying to do
and that caused up problems, as far as time, Evans said.
Point guard Michael Griffins inbounds pass to Hodrea was
intercepted near the baseline by Robinson, who called timeout
before stepping out of bounds with 0.4 seconds remaining.
Senior guard J.T. Greene led the Bearcats with 18 points off the
bench, hitting 6-of-10 3-pointers. Hodrea finished with a
double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, while leading-scorer
Jarred Jackson added 15 points and seven assists.
The Cougars got four players in double figures, led by a
game-high 21 points from Portis, who was 5-of-10 from beyond the
arc.
Robinson finished with 19 points, while Justin Wilson and Ransom
Antoine added 17 and 14 points, respectively. The Bearcats, who
were coming off a three-point loss to Francis Marion and an
18-point defeat to Clayton State, played the Cougars tight early.
After trailing by five midway though the first half, Lander
switched to a zone defensive look and went on an offensive run.
Hodreas layin with 10 minutes left before halftime
kickstarted a 16-0 run, keyed by a trio of 3-pointers from
Greene, allowing the Bearcats to take a 34-23 lead with 6:26 left
in the first.
But Columbus State isnt No. 20 in the nation and first in
the PBC for nothing. The Cougars immediately rattled off eight
points, including back-to-back 3s from Robinson, to cut the
deficit to three.
Lander did maintain its lead and were up 42-36 at the half.
The Bearcats stayed in front until the Cougars went on another
8-0 run midway through the second. A layup by Wilson off a steal
from Antoine put Columbus State ahead 58-57 with 12:10 remaining.
Lander reclaimed the lead, at 62-59, exactly 2 minutes later on
another 3 from Greene.
The lead then changed hands four times before the Bearcats once
again took control when Scottie Smith followed up one of his own
missed shots while being fouled. Smith failed to complete the
three-point play, but Lander led 69-68.
It was a lead the team would keep until Portis final
go-ahead 3 with 1:06 remaining.
Opinion
Maybe Congress should be put on Social Security
February 5, 2006
Like
the weather, it seems, everybody talks about Social Security, but
nobody does anything about it.
We have a problem with that retirement supplementing system, no
doubt about it. Eventually, it appears, too much will be paid out
and not enough will be paid in to cover it.
Considering all the talk in recent years about saving Social
Security, youd think our lawmakers in Congress would get
serious about working together to at least seek answers. However,
when President Bush reminded Congress in his State of the Union
message that it had not approved his Social Security proposal
last year, the Democratic side of the aisle stood up, applauded
and indeed cheered.
ENOUGH SAID ABOUT working together, or even
considering Social Security reform. That one-sided demonstration
was a sure indication that it would continue to be obstructionist
politics as usual.
There is one way to solve the problem, though
.. once and
for all. How about a referendum to get the publics take on
the situation. Ask voters if they think the generous retirement
for members of the U. S. House and Senate should be discontinued
and if they should, instead, have to depend on Social Security
the same as their constituents.
Its a good bet that voters would say do it. Its not
likely, then, that Congress would ever put it up foe a vote. They
arent about to mess up a good, sure thing for themselves.
IMAGINE, THOUGH, WHAT might happen if they did
have to depend on Social Security for themselves. Would anyone
doubt theyd find a solution
.. fast? If any member
or members ever got up the courage to suggest such
a thing, though, theyd be ostracized by their associates
quicker than a duck on a june bug!
That, though, shouldnt stop voters from, asking their
elected federal officials about it. They might get a better idea
what their constituents think about it all and intensify efforts
to solve the problem.
That, no doubt, would add emphasis to the urgency of the problem
and thered be little question that voters are more serious
about finding the answer or so it seems than those
they elect.
Editorial
expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
Obituaries
Ronald L. Carlay
LAURENS,
SC Ronald L. Carlay age 66 of 210 W. Farley Ave. died
Saturday, Feb. 4th at his home.
He was born in Greenwood, SC and was a son of Emmie Buzhardt
Carlay of Greenwood and the late Ralph Leon Carlay. Mr. Carlay
was a Professional Engineer receiving his BA Degree and MBA from
Clemson. He was formerly employed with Torrington for 25 years
and for the past 15 years was employed with Jacobs Engineering.
He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers
and a life member of the American Society of Mechanical
Engineers. Mr. Carlay was a member of the Waterloo United
Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Melissa Ficklin Carlay of the home;
his mother, Emmie B. Carlay of Greenwood; a daughter, Mari-Pat
Mahon of Hickory Tavern; two sons, Ronald (Bo) Leon Carlay, II
and his wife Susan of Laurens and Shannon Wells Carlay of
Greenwood; a foster brother, Charles Gotshaw and his wife Mary of
Laurens and four grandsons.
Mr. Carlay was predeceased by a brother, Michael Livingston
Carlay.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Feb. 6th at 11:00 a.m.
at the Gray Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Greenwood Memorial
Gardens in Greenwood.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at
the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Waterloo United Methodist Church
Building Fund, 138 Rocking C Ranch Dr., Waterloo, SC 29384.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Laurens
PAID OBITUARY
Mary Chandler
ORCUTT,
CALIF. Mary Elizabeth Free Chandler died Wednesday, Feb.
1, 2006 at her home.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home &
Crematory.
Murray Leo Childress
MOUNT
AIRY, N.C. Murray Leo Childress, 87, of 1251 Linville
Road, husband of Lola Mae Martin Childress, died Saturday, Feb.
4, 2006 at Northern Hospital of Surry County.
Born in Surry County, he was a son of the late Murray Columbus
and Julia Jane Brady Childress. He was retired from National
Furniture Co. with over 40 years of service and was a member of
Fellowship Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Bobby L.
Childress and Jack R. Childress, both of Greenwood, S.C.; two
sisters, Frances Morrison, Mount Airy and Margaret York, Newport
News, Va.; five grandchildren; three step grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Moody Funeral Home, conducted by
the Drs. Joe May and Victor Lyons. Burial is in Oakdale Cemetery.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Moody Funeral Home.
Moody Funeral Home Services is in charge.
Carrie Inez Nicholson
NINETY SIX Carrie Inez Nicholson, 58, of
103 Porter Drive in Ninety Six, widow of Jessie Nicholson, died
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in
Greenwood.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Jonas
Lewis and Annie Lee Spearman Lewis. She was of the Methodist
faith and a member of Mays United Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Falyncia Barr of the home; one
nephew reared in the home, Charles Randy Hall; one niece reared
in the home, Brenda Spencer; two brothers, Willie James Lewis of
Ninety Six and Robert Lee Lewis of Ninety Six and one sister,
Annie Clara Lewis Barr of Greenwood.
The family is at the home of her sister, 801 Neel Street in
Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. in
Greenwood.
Mildred Gilliam Norman
Mildred Gilliam Norman, 83, of 313 Reynolds Ave., widow of Harvey
Lee Norman, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006 at Magnolia Manor.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Robert Gilliam
and the late Clara Mae Marshall Gilliam. She was a presser at
Greenwood Laundry and a homemaker.
She was a former member of Macedonia Baptist Church where she was
active in the Missionary Society, the Jubilee Choir and was past
secretary of Ladies in White. She was a current member of Mount
Zion Baptist Church, Cornaca, a secretary of West Side Community
Club No. 2 and Womens Aide Society No. 85.
Survivors include four sons, Clarence Gilliam, Harvey Norman,
Larry Norman and McArthur Cannon, all of Greenwood; two
daughters, Peggy Norman of the home and Althea Aiken of Hodges; a
brother, David Pracht, of Atlanta; 16 grandchildren; 36
great-grandchildren, one reared in the home, Jasmine Norman; and
three great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of her son, 216 Mill Ave.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com
Patricia Louise Norman Thompson
Patricia Louise Norman Thompson, 50, of 207 Coleman St., died
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2006 at the Hospice House Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Ruby Barnes and the late
Robert Lee Norman Sr. She attended Greenwood High School and
Piedmont Technical College.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; a son, Tony Thompson
of Greenwood; seven brothers, Robert Norman, Harry Norman, Larry
Norman, Richard Norman, Lloyd Norman, Greg Norman and Michael
Barnes, all of Greenwood; three sisters, Mrs. Michael (Flora)
Burton, Janice Norman Middleton and Anita Norman, all of
Greenwood; maternal grandmother, Florence Ward of Greenwood; and
three grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Tabor Baptist Church,
conducted by the Bishop Emmanuel Spearman, assisted by the Revs.
Joni Foster, Deloris Brown and Apostle John H. Parks. The body
will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in Evening Star
Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Randy Boozer, Michael Boozer, Sammy Burton, Mike
Garlington, Tim Stevens and Gary Burton.
Flower bearers are Celest Peterson, Minnie Pearl Davis, London
Garlington, Vanessa Hill, Michelle Butler and Marie Horton.
The family is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.