Being Heard

Greenwood High students step up
to the mike for a teen radio forum

September 21, 2006

By CAROLINE KLAPPER
Index-Journal staff writer

To an onlooker, the scene at Greenwood High School on Wednesday afternoon probably looked more like a pep rally than a forum for debating serious issues.
But along with the drum line playing, the cheerleaders cheering and the shouts and claps from the 125 students that packed the school’s chorus room, something special was happening. Teenagers were talking about the issues that many of them face every day, and they were taking a stand to uphold their beliefs.
The “Teen Forum Show,” a radio program broadcast 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays on WRIX 103.1 FM, paid a visit to GHS and got students talking about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in high school athletics. The program is meant to be a place where teenagers can have a voice in addressing issues that include politics, drugs and alcohol abuse, teen violence, race issues and more.
The show’s format consists of a panel of six co-hosts, ages 16 to 21, who start off the debate by giving their opinion on the day’s topic. From there, students are asked to participate by cheering for statements they agree with, booing when they disagree or expressing their own thoughts by grabbing a microphone.
“We are the voice of the teenagers because we’re trying to prove that kids our age have an opinion,” said co-host Homa Hassan, an 18-year-old student at Columbia College.
Hassan, representing a liberal Democrat point of view, said the “Teen Forum Show” is a great way to engage teenagers in discussions about important issues happening today that they otherwise might not think about.
The show is unscripted and each of the co-hosts responds to the topic with his own opinion. Sometimes this can cause heated debate among the panel ists and with the students in the audience, but that’s a good thing according to John Anderson, a 19-year-old conservative Republican at USC.
“We actually like it when they disagree with us because it shows us that they’re listening,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what you think, as long as you’re thinking and you take a stand and believe in what you say.”
One of the youngest members of the panel, 16-year-old Ferris Kennette, said the shows are not only fun but they give her and teens like her the chance to speak out and be heard on important issues.
“I think that it’s probably the most important thing we do on the show,” she said, adding that the show gives parents the opportunity to open discussions with their children.
Opinions on the panel ranged from Anderson’s staunch insistence that the use of any type of performance-enhancing drug was cheating to Dontae Huskey, 19, stating that he thought the use of drugs such as steroids was OK as long as everyone had the same “edge.”
Most of the students seemed to agree that taking drugs is wrong but that there are exceptions, such as a person taking prescription steroids to heal from an injury.
The debate even spilled over into using drugs to enhance academic performance.
A GHS student took on this issue by saying that it was unfair for someone to take a drug that would keep him awake to study all night because someone not taking the drug would have to work harder for the same results. Another student said some people with ADD or ADHD need the drugs prescribed to them to be able to concentrate on their school work and do well in the classroom, so they should be allowed to use them as long as it wasn’t abused.
The forum also talked about the pressure studen ts face from parents, coaches, peers and themselves to do well in athletics or academics, which might push someone into taking drugs illegally.
One thing was clear by the end of the hour-and-a half show: The teenagers at GHS had strong opinions on the subject and wanted to speak out.
“It gives teens the chance to talk about what they’re going through,” said Kayla Backwell, a 17-year-old student at GHS. “It made me feel really good to talk about something everyone goes through in our everyday life.”
GHS sophomore Asia Adams wanted to keep talking after the show was over, and she stayed to continue the discussion with the panel. Although she disagreed with a few of the co-hosts’ opinions, she said being able to express your own thoughts was a good thing.
“See, this is what we love,” co-host Anderson said, pointing to the group of students gathered around still talking with the panel after the show. “We know we really got to them.”
The Teen Forum Show airs weekly on 24 radio stations around the United States and also produces a weekly newspaper column.
The show this week was sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of the “2006 DEA Road Tour.” Assistant Special Agent in the Columbia District office John Ozaluk said the show really opens up a discussion among students and adults about drugs and other subjects.
“It allows the message to get to the students and the parents,” he said. “That’s what’s important: to be able to reach as many people as we can, and the Teen Forum really gave us the chance to do that.”
For information, visit www.teenforumshow.com or call 803-255-0031. The next broadcast will be at North Myrtle Beach High School.

Lady Vikings fall to tough T.L. Hanna

September 21, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lady Vikings of Emerald High (3-3, 2-0) played some tough tennis Wednesday against the Lady Yellow Jackets of T.L. Hanna (4-1, 3-0) at the Greenwood Country Club.
The Lady Yellow Jackets proved they were definitely top competitors, winning the match handily, 7-0.
Emerald coach Susan Timmerman said she expected the match against the Lady Yellow Jackets to serve as a confidence booster for her team, while also giving the Lady Vikings a chance to test their skills against some tough competition.
She said that she was proud of her team, but sensed that nerves might have been an issue early in the matches as the Lady Yellow Jackets were able take early leads in the first sets.
“Well, I think one, two and three were nervous going into it, although they played better in their second sets.” said Timmerman referring to the top of her lineup.
The Lady Vikings coach said that with Meredith Martin out with an ankle injury that she suffered in practice earlier this week, players such as eighth-grader Claire Gillespie would have to move up in position to fill the empty space.
“The proud moment today was Claire’s match because we were missing Meredith and she had to play up a spot.” Timmerman said. “She should have been more nervous than anybody else, but she held her own.”
In the first match between Sarah Seigler and Molly McDonald, it was evident that the Lady Yellow Jackets’ McDonald was the dominant player as she cruised to victory 6-1, 6-0. Morgan Lee, who got off to a sluggish start in the No. 2 slot for the Lady Vikings in her first set against Betsy McDonald, rallied in the second set before falling 6-1, 7-5.
Slow starts continued to be the trend as Catherine Talbert fell 6-1 in her first set against Gina Nicolopulos before losing the match following a 6-4 defeat in the second set.
Gillespie was physically overmatched against Cayla Gunter in their match on court six, but she owned the edge in the agility department.
After dropping her first set 6-2, Gillespie moved her opponent out of her comfort zone as she battled back in the second set and forced Gunter to approach the net after spending the first set comfortably on the baseline.
Gillespie would fall though 7-6, 7-2 after going to a tie-break. Kayla Sears rounded out the singles matches for the Lady Vikings as she lost to Courtland Haynes 6-1, 6-1.
In doubles action, the tandems of Sidney Ann Fowler and Lyda Welborn, and Seigler and Lee lost their matches with identical scores of 8-3 in favor of the Lady Yellow Jackets.
Emerald heads to Batesburg-Leesburg next Wednesday for their next match, while T.L. Hanna returns Tuesday to Greenwood, this time to take on the Lady Eagles.
“I think we have made some good improvements today on what we’re doing and I think the girls will use this to their advantage.” Timmerman said. “Some of these scores were close today and who knows, if we have all of our players and the conditions are right, we can do a lot better.”

Opinion

Free speech and religion don’t always go together

September 21, 2006

Pope Benedict XVI created a storm in the Muslim world recently in a speech in Germany. The pope cited an obscure Midieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam’s founder as “evil and inhuman.”
The pope has apologized for his remarks. Still, Christian churches have been burned and the harsh anti-Christian rhetoric continues. One Deputy Prime Minister in Turkey told the media “it (the pope’s speech) looks like an effort to revive the mentality of the Crusades.”
That was already done, though, by an Iranian leader. In urging Muslims to “kill the infidels” he also advised them to kill “the Crusaders.” If that doesn’t harkin back to religious wars in history, what does?

AS FAR AS POPE BENEDICT is concerned, his remarks are in line with his efforts, for a long time, to spare religion from violence and extremism.
The violent outbursts in a number of places seem to be an ongoing effort by some zealots to create and perpetuate strife among people of all faiths.
The entire situation is a terrible commentary on right and wrong in the world today. It appears quite acceptable for anyone to trash Christianity and Christians, including Jesus Christ. However, mention Islam and the world has seen how all hell breaks loose. And everybody apologizes, even if they’ve only tried to be a positive force for good.
South Carolinians value their free speech. Something about this whole thing rubs them the wrong way ..... or should.

Obituaries

Jasper Brown Ashley Jr.

DONALDS — Jasper Brown Ashley, Jr., 77, widower of Dorothy Winn Ashley, of 4364 Highway 20, died Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late Jasper Brown, Sr. and Helen Price Ashley. He was a member of Winona Baptist Church and was retired from Riegel Textile Co.
Surviving are one daughter, Diane Ashley Marion and husband Stanley of Rock Hill, one brother, Allen Ashley of Due West, two sisters, Betty Jean Simpson of Abbeville and Doris Powell of Donalds, and two grandchildren, Natalie Marion of Rock Hill and Michael Marion of Clemson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday at Due West Baptist Church with Rev. Bob Philyaw officiating. Burial will follow in Winona Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Pruitt Funeral Home. The family is at the home. Memorials may be made to Due West Baptist Church, 218 S. Main St., Due West, SC 29639.

Sarah Harrison

BRADLEY — Sarah Nicholson Harrison, 91, of Millway Road near Bradley, SC, in Greenwood County, died Monday, September 18. Mrs. Harrison, widow of the late Wade Cothran Harrison, Jr., was born in Edgefield, SC on April 22, 1915 to the late John Hughes and Ora Rives Nicholson. She grew up in Edgefield and attended Lander College.
Mrs. Harrison was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood. She was also a member of the Star Fort Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 50 years, and a charter member of the McKissick Study Club and Azalea Garden Club of Greenwood. She worked to improve the Bradley area by serving with the community center, promoting roadside plantings and seeing that needed streets were paved. Throughout her life Mrs. Harrison was a summer resident of Cedar Mt., NC.
She is survived by her three children, Lucia H. Jaycocks of Mt. Pleasant, Ann H. Anderson of Charleston, and John N. Harrison of Columbia, and five grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 7th at 2:00 p.m. at Horeb Baptist Church, between Bradley and Troy. Following the service the family will receive friends at Millway.
Memorials may be made to the Elizabeth Tarrant Anderson Endowment for Children, c/o Coastal Community Foundation, 90 Mary Street, Charleston, SC, 29403.
To make online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the Harrison family.

Thelma Munns

WARE SHOALS — Thelma Davis Munns, 82, of 89 S. Greenwood Ave., Ware Shoals, widow of Harold Gene Munns, Sr. died September 20, 2006 at her home. She was born in Ware Shoals, a daughter of the late John O. and Ethel Williams Davis. She was retired from Upper Savannah Healthcare and was a member of First Presbyterian Church.
She had served as a Deacon, Elder, Clerk of Session and was active in Women of the Church. She was also a member of the Ware Shoals Woman’s Civic Club, Ware Shoals Book Club and the ADY.
Surviving are one daughter, Joyce M. Roseman and husband, Garold of China Grove, N.C.; two sons, Gene Munns and friend, Carolyn Randall of Greenwood and John A. Munns and wife Jerry, Honea Path; also two grandchildren, John Cristopher Munns and wife, Pam, Piedmont and Kimberly M. Weber, Honea Path; and one great-grandchild, Tyler Brooks Weber, Honea Path.
Funeral Services will be conducted Friday, 3 PM at The First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Wayne Wicker and Rev. George Wilson officiating.
Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Frank Dansby, Justin Dansby, Steve O’Dell, Sammy Davis, Carl Coker, Charles Chasteen, Ray Thompson and Harry Irick.
Honorary escort will be Women of the Church.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church , c/o Treasurer, P.O. Box 542, Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692 or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, S.C. 29646 The family is at the home and will receive friends Thursday, 7-9 PM at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Gene Porter

Gene Porter, 75, of 107 Devon Court, Wellington Green, husband of Phyllis Williams Porter, died Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at his home.
Born in Hillsboro, OH, he was a son of the late Byron and Margaret Harshberger Porter. He was retired from Cincinnati Milacron and was a lifetime member of the NRA.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steven Porter.
Surviving is his wife of the home; a daughter, Linda Bouffard of Ormond Beach, FL; a son, Gary Porter of Loveland, OH; a brother, Donald Porter of Leesburg, FL; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorials & Tributes Processing Center, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Carolyn Smith

DONALDS — Carolyn Elizabeth Martin Smith, 80 of 238 Bowie Street, wife of Samuel Ray Smith, died Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late O.K. Martin and Dora Taylor Martin. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church, the Hodges Order of The Eastern Star chapter and was retired from Huggins Garment Co.
Surviving are her husband of the home; one son Jerry Ray Smith and wife Barbara of Hodges; sister, Madgelene Martin Hodges of Hodges; one grandson, John Robert (Bob) Abrams of Hodges.
Funeral services will be 3 P.M. Thursday at Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kyle Antone and Rev. Jimmy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 2-3 P.M. Thursday at Pruitt Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 1800 Hwy, 178 N., Honea Path, SC 29654. The family is at the home.