‘Talented group’ lauded

May 26, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Though some probably partied until the wee hours of this morning, Greenwood High’s class of 2007 graduates also participated in what some might call a proper celebration Friday.
More than 300 students graduated from Greenwood High after thousands of their family members and friends packed Lander University’s Finis Horne Arena to the rafters to watch the graduates get their diplomas and move their tassels from one side of their mortarboards to the other.
The program went relatively smoothly, especially considering the large number of graduates from the Class AAAA school. In fact, only two people in the audience were escorted out of the arena for cat-calling, which was strictly forbidden by school administration and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Principal Beth Taylor spoke highly of the class of 2007.
“The Greenwood High School class of 2007 is a talented group of individuals,” Taylor said.
“They have had many passions and successes while at Greenwood High. They are committed to excellence and are passionate about their endeavors.”
At least two students were not only committed to excellence, but also to school itself — as in attending class every single day of their entire academic careers.
Robert Templeton and Pamela Lyons each received plaques from Taylor, honoring them for perfect attendance for all 12 years of school.
“Rare is the occasion we get to give out these awards, no less two of them,” Taylor said.
Templeton said his streak of attendance was never in jeopardy.
“When I was in elementary school, I never got sick and my parents got me to school every day,” said Templeton, who is headed to Clemson next year and will work for Countybank this summer. “After a while it became a challenge to me to go every day. There was never a specific time when the streak was in trouble. I just didn’t worry about it.”
Graduate Ixavier Higgins was one of the top three graduates in the class and also one of several students to address his classmates from the stage.
Higgins was charged with giving a history of the class of 2007. He traced the students’ roots from the time they entered kindergarten, through middle school and into high school, right up until their senior year.
“I have spoken before but never to a crowd that big,” said Higgins, who will attend Wake Forest in the fall. “Up until then I was cool. But when I got up there and saw all the people, my heart was beating 100 miles a minute.”
While talk of what everyone’s plans were for next year was buzzing around the grounds outside the arena after the ceremony, one student lauded the career-building education she acquired while still in high school.
“I got my cosmetology license from the (G. Frank Russell) Career Center, and I want to open up my salon,” graduate Kenyatta Spencer said. “I feel like that was a great opportunity that more students should get involved in. I’m proud of what I learned there.”

Class of ’07 ready for the next big thing

May 25, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

McCORMICK — As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles beamed with pride and snapped countless pictures, 49 McCormick High School graduates were handed their diplomas Friday.
Before listening to guest speaker Dr. Angela Walker Franklin tell them about the adventures awaiting them, the graduates heard their valedictorian, Savannah Rai Clark, remind them of the good times they had during the 720 days they spent at McCormick High School.
According to the school’s guidance counselor, the graduating class received a total of $567,653 in scholarships.
Of the 49 graduates, 18 are going to four-year colleges; 24 are going to two-year colleges; six are going into the military; and three will go directly into the work force.
One of those graduates who will be joining the military, Taylor Gable, is signing on with the U.S. Army National Guard.
Her reasons for joining, she said, were mixed.
“They’ll pay for me to go to college,” she said. “Plus, it’s a team-building experience for me. I’m serving it for people who can’t.”
When asked if she was at all bothered by the possibility she could find herself in one of several places where she could be in constant danger, Gable was philosophically pragmatic.
“If it’s my turn to go,” she said, “it’s my turn to go. My dad went overseas, and I’m paying him back for going,” Despite the best efforts of friends and faculty to talk her out of her decision, Gable stuck to her guns.
“People have told me to think it through and to be sure I knew what I was doing,” she said.
Brooke Jennings, 18, plans to go from high school into a life immersed in art at the University of South Carolina.
“I plan on becoming an artist majoring in studio art and specializing in graphic design,” Jennings said. “When I graduate, I’d like to open an art gallery.”
Jason White, a member of the National Honor Society, plans to attend Coastal Carolina in the fall and major in health promotion.
“I’ll probably wind up working at a health club or working at a hospital,” White said. “I’m sort of real interested in sports, and thought sports would be a good thing to go in, but I figured health promotion would provide a broader spectrum for jobs and a career.”
Domoneek Holmes, 17, will hit the rails as soon as possible after graduation.
“I’m going to be a train conductor,” he said. “I’ll be working for CSX. I’ve got some family members already with CSX. The pay is good and so are the benefits. I’ll be getting medical, dental and all that stuff.”

Vikings proud of their success

May 26, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal staff intern

Every year, Emerald High School gives a theme to the school year. This year’s theme was “Success, Nothing Less.”
The class of 2007 proved this theme true in many ways. Emerald graduates received their diplomas Friday at Lander University’s Finis Horne Arena.
This group of Vikings is the largest class to graduate from Emerald. Not only did these seniors show their importance in size, but they also showed an impressive amount of scholastic ability. The class of 2007 received more scholarship money than any other class in Emerald history — more than $3 million.
While in high school, the seniors shared many memories they will hold onto forever. Many students mentioned they would miss their friends, football games and their teachers. One student had a specific teacher in mind.
“I will miss reading poetry in Scott Horne’s class,” said graduate John Bell. “He was always so encouraging to me and my classmates.”
Kelsey Stockman will miss the events that got everyone involved.
“Some of my favorite memories of high school are homecoming and powder puff football,” Stockman said.
“It was so much fun having everyone together and working towards the same goal.”
Some graduates said they would miss school activities they were involved in. Jaslyn Bailey plans to attend Francis Marion University and is excited about beginning an independent life, but she will miss certain things about high school.
“When I think about good memories from high school, I can’t help but think about being on the basketball team,” Bailey said. “I will miss all of it — the games, practices, pep rallies — everything.”
Jaleesa Holloway will miss a group she belonged to.
“I will definitely miss being a part of show choir,” Holloway said. “We became so much closer this year because we were a smaller show choir, so it’s going to be hard to leave that circle of friends.”
Many students said they were ready to move on to the next step of life. Chase Canipe, senior class president, plans to attend the Citadel.
“I will miss my friends, but I am ready to go to college,” Canipe said. “I would say that I will miss football, but I’m playing football for the Citadel, so I really won’t get a chance to miss it.”
Other students, such as Carinne Burdette, are looking forward to the freedom of college.
“I’m really looking forward to not having to be at school at 8 in the morning and scheduling my own classes,” Burdette said.
Many words of encouragement were given to the class of 2007. Holly McHugh Smith, an Emerald High School alumna, encouraged graduates to “make a difference in the world by putting people first.”
“Every day we interact with people, whether it’s your mechanic, your teacher or just a bagger at the grocery store, you make an interaction with them. And it might not seem like much at the time, but you both gain from this interaction,” Smith said.
In a final adieu to Emerald’s class of 2007, valedictorian Travis Rapp said, “Make your time count. Instead of being worried about the end, enjoy the journey that you are on.”

Grice is all smiles

Abbeville senior to play in all-star game

May 26, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

ABBEVILLE — Abbeville High School softball player Emily Grice has plenty of reasons to smile after being selected to play in the North-South Softball game June 15-16 at USC Aiken.
After missing out on the all-region team as a senior, it seemed Grice wouldn’t have any new softball stories to add to her collection.
“I don’t really know what happened with the all-region team,” Grice said. “I’m more excited about making the North-South team. As a senior, it’s a big honor and a great way to end the year.”
The game will give Grice one final chance to play competitively before she shifts her focus to the academic life at Presbyterian College, where she’ll major in biology with hopes of possibly returning to Abbeville as a physical therapist.
“I hurt my ankle in 11th grade when attempting to slide into base,” Grice said. “I missed four games. Ever since, I wanted to do that (physical therapy). I would like to come back to the community and help.”
Grice also hopes to help her team out at the North-South game, as she did during her final season with the Panthers, who lost in the District III title game and just missed the Upper State tournament.
“I’m really excited about playing in the game,” Grice said. “I didn’t know I would make it because I’m not playing college ball next year.”
Grice posted solid numbers for the Panthers. Taking over the leadoff spot in the second half of the season, Grice batted .346 with one home run, 17 RBIs and eight extra-base hits.
“I’ve played since tee-ball,” Grice said. “Now I’m going to focus on academics in college at PC. I’d love to play at PC, but I want to stick with my studies.”
Grice’s commitment to whatever she does is one reason Abbeville coach Tim Collins decided to nominate her for the North-South game.
“We nominated her and learned she was chosen to the team about a week and a half ago,” Collins said. “We’re excited about it, because she didn’t make all the all-conference team this year. We’re very happy she was selected. I expect her to play well.”
Collins said Grice has paid her dues and deserved a spot on the team.
“We’re very proud of her,” Collins said. “She’s worked really hard for four years.”
Grice’s first chance to join the varsity team came during her freshman year. It wasn’t where she expected though.
“She played left field in 2004 when our team went to the Upper State,” Collins said. “She moved to catcher after that, and she did a super job with our pitchers. She’s been the emotional leader for us for the last couple of years.”
Grice said although she enjoyed her brief stay in the outfield, she was glad to return to her favorite position.
“I’ve always caught,” Grice said. “I started catching in rec ball. I caught for my sister (Rebecca Grice) in the seventh grade and played varsity in ninth grade when they were looking for somebody to fill in a spot. I was glad to play left but was glad to get back behind plate.”
“She exemplifies what you want in a ball player,” Collins said. “She has an excellent attitude and is a great competitor.”
Grice said she’s looking forward to the upcoming game and expects to have a great time.
“I’m getting to play with two girls from Walhalla who I’ve played with all my life,” Grice said. “I’m excited about playing against the other players, too. It’s going to be fun.”

Obituaries

David Yarbrough

SALUDA — Carl David Yarbrough, 49, of 122 Medical Park Road, died Tuesday, May 22, 2007.
Born in Newberry County, he was the son of Beatrice Gentry Yarbrough Ross and the late William “Bill” Yarbrough. He was an organ donor and was a mechanic with Saluda Motor Sales. Mr. Yarbrough was a member of Butler United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two daughters and a son in-law, Selena and Corey Long of Newberry and Lindsey Yarbrough of Prosperity; his mother and stepfather, Beatrice Gentry Yarbrough Ross and Ron Ross; three brothers, William Day Yarbrough of Irmo, Charles E. Yarbrough of Columbia and Jason Yarbrough of Saluda; a sister, Judy Y. Mitchell of Saluda; two grandchildren, Dantzler Long and Daylen Long and his fiancé, Annie Ruth Rowe of Saluda.
He was a loving son, father and brother. He also had many beloved friends because of his caring and compassionate nature. He will be missed dearly. We love you.
The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2007 at Butler United Methodist Church, with Rev. Lee Cothran and Rev. Lynn Peters officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Butler United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Sandra M. Collard, 791 Long Road, Saluda, SC 29138.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Natalie Lawton in Wednesday’s paper: because of incorrect information submitted to the funeral home, a family member was listed as Nancy Farmer. The correct name should be Nancy Witt.

Opinion

Recent, separate events dispel all bad news myths

May 26, 2007

If any concern is heard more than the one about “there’s always bad news,” it would be hard to find.
Bad news is, in fact, a routine part of the day’s news, whether it is published in newspapers or reported by television networks. Nevertheless, there is plenty of positive news, particularly in newspapers. Maybe we all have a tendency to notice and/or remember the negative more than the positive. Still, sometimes it’s advantageous to point out the good so it’s all in better perspective.
Take some events this past weekend in Greenwood. The positive aspects of all were as clear as can be. However, there are always a few naysayers who can’t, as they say, see the forest because of the trees.
Consider these three separate events:

ONE ... A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA’S military, past and present. The speaker was Chaplain (Capt.) Jeff Struecker, who was in a number of battles before he decided to become a chaplain. He was a U. S. Army Ranger who was integrally involved in the (in)famous “Black Hawk Down” situation in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Struecker told a crowd of several hundred persons about the fear, death and impossible odds that defined this chaotic event. Most of all, though, he emphasized the importance of faith and the positive effect it can have on life in so many ways.
If one word could describe Struecker’s message and indeed presence, it would be positive for everyone was lucky enough to see and hear him.
Two ... Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Larry Holmes. His message to pupils at Ninety Six Elementary School is one that is as relevant these days as anything can be. It centered on making the right decisions.

“IT’S ALL ABOUT EDUCATION,” HE said. “Stay away from gangs, because that’s what’s killing our kids today. They get in the gangs and get into the wrong things and then the next thing you know, they get thrown in the hole.”
Stay out of gangs! Positive? You bet!
Three ... Janet K. Thompson with the S. C. Department of Education’s Office of Adult and Community Education, told Greenwood Adult Education graduates: “I want you to never stop dreaming. I want you to keep your determination and maintain the proper priority in your lives. Don’t allow others ot take over control. You must also keep accountability and remember that you are responsible for your actions,” she said.
They, too, faced daunting odds but the made it. Other graduates around the Lakelands area heard the same kind of encouraging words. Good news? It’s there ..... and it’s something to remember.