4 • NEWS
Polar Plunge breaks last year’s record Nation Ford High raises nearly $11 thousand for local Special Olympics
by Eric Dykhuis To encourage students to donate to this year’s Polar Plunge fundraiser, NFHS decided that for every $500 increment donated to the Plunge, one to two teachers or administrators would get an ice-cold bucket of water dumped on their heads once their assigned milestone was reached. The Polar Plunge is an event that was brought to Fort Mill in 2021 to raise money for the South Carolina Area 11 Special Olympics, held at the Baxter-Close YMCA on Saturday, Feb 4. “I think this shows that our school family loves all of our students, and I’m overwhelmed by the support we’ve received. I am blessed to be here,” Principal Chris Chandler said. The incentive of students seeing their favorite or least favorite teacher get soaked by freezing water in the middle of winter has certainly paid off, seeing that NFHS has surpassed its goal by $926 and raised $10,926 total. That’s $3,628 more raised than last year. Both students and teachers say they had fun with the ice bucket challenge. “I don’t particularly like the super cold, but for this, I know everyone else is really excited, so that’s what makes me excited,” marketing teacher Lynn Marsh said. Alexander Minihin (25’) also enjoyed watching Marsh partake in the challenge. “After working under her for tech crew and marketing, I’d say it was deserved,” he joked.
Period. fights against local period poverty by Kalli Desai A local youth group in Fort Mill has come together to fight period poverty and the stigma around menstrual periods. Founder and Operator Lily Sanders (‘26) was inspired to make a change after reading “Period Power” by Nadya Okamoto. She learned how real and serious the issue of lack of access to menstrual products, known as period poverty, is today. “This is an issue affecting people close to me that I just couldn’t ignore,” Sanders said, “Everybody deserves to feel clean and dignified, regardless of their financial situation.” In their first year the group collected donations and raised over 10,000 period products and have been actively giving back to the community. They have started to donate to homeless and women’s shelters in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Charlotte. They have recently expanded into the Nation Ford High School Commons bathroom to do a trial run to see the reaction of the students and to see how much inventory they will need. In the fall Period. ran a drive to collect period pouches for elementary, middle and high school students in the Fort Mill School District. To help keep the cause of Period. going the student body can help by donating through Venmo with codes they can scan which are posted around the school, and donations will be accepted outside of Beth Sidwell’s room B120.
Calling all artists, writers & photographers rs
VOICES
literary magazine THE TALON
Falcon family welcomes 3 new faculty members Trina McFadden, AP by Caroline Zban She’s got a familiar face and a new role at Nation Ford High School -- this fall Trina McFadden took on the role of Assistant Principal. McFadden was a science teacher at Nation Ford, and she worked for 14 years teaching biology, forensics, and physical science. She then became assistant principal at Old Mill High in Millersville, MD for three years before returning to become assistant principal at Nation Ford. “I am very happy to be back. I came back because I believe it is one of the best high schools in South Carolina,” McFadden said. As an administrator, McFadden believes that she should be able to connect with the students and teachers while also accomplishing goals and changes to the school that could make it more safe, fun, and educational to everyone. “She had a great reputation as a science teacher, and for making great relationships with students and staff,” Principal Chris Chandler said. McFadden said that building relationships and connections is one of her favorite parts of teaching and being an administrator. “I have talked to her a bit, and I can confidently say she’s very charismatic and definitely cares about who and what she is talking about,” Hannah Cochran (‘25) said. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, the outdoors, and spending time with her family. She has traveled with students to Peru and
After climbing up to Machu Picchu with nine students in June 2019, Trina McFadden catches her breath.
plans to travel with journalism teacher Beth Swann and students to England in 2024. “I’m so excited Mrs. McFadden is back where she belongs with our Nation Ford Family,” Swann said.
Brigette McSheehan, AP by Sharvani Kulkarni Brigette McSheehan joined Nation Ford High School as one of two new assistant principals Jan. 3 after the Winter Break. She has previously worked as a business teacher and a coach; she coached volleyball, basketball, as well as track at Rock Hill High School. Now some of her duties include ninth grade transition, instructional technology, student leadership/Student Council, bell schedule and more. “I might come across as strict or mean, but at the end of the day I will go out of my way to help anybody,” McSheehan said. She is family- and sports-oriented. She has a son who is a freshman, and she is close to her parents, uncle and aunt. “Ms. McSheehan is a great team player. She is willing to work hard and do whatever it takes for
An avid sports fan, Assistant Principal Brigette McSheehan joined the faculty second semester from Rock Hill. us to be successful,” Principal Chandler said.
Lawton Parker, Ag Teacher by Sabrina Randolph Lawton Parker joined the faculty in January to teach Agricultural Science Technology and Small Animal Care. After being in the forestry industry for 13 years, this is his first year teaching. Parker took on teaching Ag classes because he loves spending time outside and appreciates nature. He shares his passion through teaching. He wants people to be more in touch with the outdoors since many students stay inside with little opportunity to enjoy nature. “I love to help people,” Parker said. It’s something he’d like faculty and students to know about him. Originally from Lancaster, he moved to the Fort Mill area from Clemson College and has grown to love the community. During his high school experience, he participated in the yearbook staff all four years of high school but was a photography editor for two years, played soccer, swam on the swim team, and worked as a lifeguard and as a Springmaid Mountain camp counselor. Activities he indulges in after school include
New Agricultural Science teacher Lawton Parker brings in a rabbit for his Small Animal Care student.. Photo by Sabrina Randolph coaching his two boy’s sports, skiing, fishing, kayaking, and anything outside. He also owns two dogs named Grover and Jerry Lee. He brings them into school every now and then for small animal care as examples for the class. “If anyone wants to learn more about the outdoors come by and see me,” Parker said.
February 2023