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PANORAMA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015
WEDDING
Bracalente-Hinson Mary Bennett Bracalente and Colton Hinson, both of Tampa, Florida, were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Sumter. The bride is the daughter of Michael and Beth Watcher and Charles “Chip” and Zan Bracalente, all of Sumter, and the granddaughter of Tyler B. Dunlap Jr., Celia M. Dunlap, Beatrice Bracalente and the late Anthony “Tony” Bracalente, and Pete and Betty Watcher. She attends the nursing program at the University of South Florida. She is a battalion commanding officer in the United States Naval ROTC program. The bridegroom is the son of Gene and Leanne Hinson, and the grandson of Alton and Francis Hinson and the late Austin and Marie Rosner. He graduated in 2009 from University of Florida with a bachelor of arts in political science degree and is pursuing a master of science degree in finance at the University of South Florida. He is employed as a business analyst by J.P. Morgan Chase and is a first lieutenant in the Florida Army National Guard. Pastor Shawn Clark officiated at the ceremony. Music was provided by Gabrielle Blum, Cara Swain and Anna Swain, violinists and cousins of the bride; Weston Hinson, guitarist and brother of the bridegroom; Ashlee Holloman, vocalist; Annabelle Dallery, vocalist; and Mitchell Champagne, guitarist. Escorted by her father, Mr. Bracalente, the bride wore a fit-and-flare gown of gold satin with ivory lace overlay featuring a V-neck and back and lace cap sleeves complemented
Man told to hold his tongue demands an apology instead
Dear Abby ABIGAIL VAN BUREN
MRS. COLTON HINSON
with a sequin rhinestone belt. She carried an all-white handtied bouquet of hydrangea, lisianthus, roses and mini calla lilies accented with phalaenopsis orchids. Rae Watcher, sister of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Ansley Ard, Mary Grace Dallery, Anna Dombroski, Jamie Sproat, Nicole Osborne, Vanessa Nicolle and Chaneng Hickson. Aubrey Dukes and Riley Dukes served as flower girls. Weston Hinson served as best man. Groomsmen were Charlie Bardin, Kyle Klingensmith, Robert Kennedy, Kevin Alagha, Taylor Hardin, Cory Glasscock, Nick Gill and Joseph Watcher. Grayson Glasscock served as ring bearer. The reception was held at The Hamptons Main Room and Restaurant in Sumter. The rehearsal party was held at Palmetto Oyster House in Sumter. Following their wedding, the couple honeymooned in Switzerland. The couple will reside in Tampa, Florida.
DEAR WONDERING — You did the right thing. Your brother-in-law should watch his mouth when your daughter is present. Because he’s unwilling to do that, limit her exposure to him. And if she hears him do it again, make sure to explain to her that the expression is one you do not want her to ever repeat. DEAR ABBY — I am a 24-year-old waitress who needs advice on how to handle older men when they continually flirt, touch and even ask for hugs while I’m serving them dinner. I work in an upscale dinner house. I feel sorry for their embarrassed wives and girlfriends who witness this disgusting behavior. Waitresses have to put up with this kind of thing for tips. Is there anything I can do to prevent it and still receive a reasonable tip for good service? Sick and tired in California DEAR SICK AND TIRED — Yes. Keep your sense of humor. Smile a lot, laugh when appropriate and stand out of reach. Most of these men are harmless. They are try-
Morris College
Wilson Hall
On Thursday the Morris College Student Government Association will present its annual assembly. The speaker will be 2015-16 Morris SGA President Patrick Nathaniel Outler. Outler, a native of Augusta, Georgia, is an elementary education major. As an honor student and active studentleader he is an O.R. Reuben Scholar, on the dean’s list and listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. A few of his other student-leader affiliations include member of the Call Me MISTER Program, Phi Beta Lambda National Business Fraternity, immediate past president of the Durham Ministerial Alliance and the inaugural president of the Morris College Toastmasters Club. Thursday’s assembly, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 10 a.m. in the college’s Neal-Jones Auditorium.
Because of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Exams, 30 students received recognition from the College Board. About 22 percent of the 2.2 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to earn an AP Scholar Award. In May, 86 Wilson Hall students became eligible to receive college credit by earning a score of 3 or higher on at least one exam. Wilson Hall’s average passing rate is 85 percent, well above the global average passing rate of 60 percent. The AP is a global academic program in more than 100 countries. AP Exams, which students take after completing challenging college-level courses taught at their high school, are graded on a five-point scale (5 being the highest). Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both for grades of 3 or higher. To qualify to teach an AP course, teachers must attend an intensive AP workshop held during the summer. Wilson Hall offers 17 AP courses. Senior Duncan Rupe and the following 2015 graduates received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award for earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more exams: Kendall Brogdon, Simmons deHoll, Amanda Dotseth, Carter Dwight and Addie Singleton. The following 2015 graduates received the AP Scholar with Honor Award for earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more exams: Madison Beasley, Chase Belk, Emily Bell, Nathan Dilts, Taylor Hall, Creighton Kellogg, Gigi Moore, Walker Patrick, Pierce Thompson and Raines Waggett. The following seniors received the AP Scholar Award for earning a 3 or higher on at least three exams: Brayden Fidler, Anna Lyles, Carl Smeltz and Kate Whaley. Also receiving this honor were 2015 graduates Dex Buschor, Daisy Chumbler, Sarena Clifton, Breanna Kimbrell, Cody King, Bethany Knaff, Mackenzie Lecher, John Eagle Miles and Ryan Norris, and former student John Ballard.
ENROLLMENT Wilson Hall welcomed 109 new students as the 2015-16 school year began. With an enrollment of 778 students in 3-year-old preschool through 12th grade, Wilson Hall is the fourth-largest school in the S.C. Independent School Association. There are 116 schools that are members of SCISA. — Sean Hoskins
DEAR ABBY — I was at my brother-in-law’s house with my husband and our 4-year-old daughter. We were playing our weekly video game, and when my brother-in-law won a round, he shouted a racial epithet. I asked him not to use it in front of my little girl because if she repeats it at school, she could be suspended, and we don’t use that kind of language
in our family. Now he claims I “disrespected him” and I should apologize to him because it was his house and he can say what he wants. He doesn’t have children of his own. Who is right here? Is it OK to say whatever you want because it’s your house, or is it better to use some censorship when there are children around? Wondering in Wyoming
EDUCATION NEWS ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS
THE SUMTER ITEM
OUTLER TO DELIVER SGA ADDRESS
CONSTITUTION DAY OBSERVANCE In national recognition of the signing of the United States Constitution, Morris College will sponsor a public reading of the Constitution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday on the front lawn of the Academic Hall. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, white and blue. This event is free and open to the public. — NiCole Williams Lynch
Sumter School District TEACHER OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED Krista Jennings, campus Teacher of the Year at Pocalla Springs Elementary School, was named the Sumter School District Teacher of the Year at the opening meeting last month. She will represent Sumter in the South Carolina Teacher of the Year competition. Jennings earned a bachelor of science in elementary education and a master of education from State University of New York, Geneseo. Jennings is an interventionist at Pocalla Springs Elementary, working with individual and small groups of students who need additional help. Prior to this school year, she taught second grade. Now in her 25th year in education, Jennings began her 16-year career in Sumter at Shaw Heights Elementary School before moving to Pocalla Springs. She and her husband originally moved to Sumter from upstate New York. This is her second time as a campus teacher of the year, and she has also been a distinguished reading teacher of the year. She is the school’s technology facilitator and a member of the positive behavior intervention committee. She has held various offices in the school PTA, and she raised a record amount of money for Relay for Life as the school’s
ing to be friendly. Those who you find overtly offensive, you should turn over to another server. If the requests for hugs continue, talk to your manager for guidance in handling them. DEAR ABBY — My fiancee’s son is gay and recently married. He is 30 and his spouse is 24. They don’t have much money, so I hosted their wedding reception in my backyard. In addition to all the work involved —getting the food and drinks, preparing the food, preparing the yard and cleaning up — I wound up with $700 charged on my credit card. I have been out of work for the last three months and can’t afford this. I know tradition is that the father of the bride pays for the reception and the father of the groom pays for the drinks. In a gay wedding, is the new tradition that Mom’s boyfriend pays while both dads don’t spend a cent? Both of them work. I’m considering sending them each a polite bill for $300. What do you suggest? Modern Man in Pennsylvania DEAR MODERN MAN — I suggest that you and your fiancee take care of the bill, and ask the grooms to pitch in what they can afford. I don’t think it would be fair or appropriate to expect the new in-laws to pay for anything that wasn’t clearly agreed upon before the wedding reception took place. TO MY JEWISH READERS — Sundown starts Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This is the beginning of our time of solemn introspection. “Leshana tova tikatevu” — may each of us be inscribed in the Book of Life and enjoy another good year. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)
team captain. She also serves as the Sumter County finance chairwoman for Relay for Life. Jennings is a member of the SC Geographic Alliance, the Palmetto State Teacher’s Association and the Discovery Educator Network. She and her husband, James, have two children and six grandchildren. The 2015-16 Campus Teachers of the Year are, from the elementary schools: Amber Frye, Alice Drive; David Fair II, Cherryvale; Diandre Frierson-Polk, Crosswell Drive; Taheshi Fortune, F. J. DeLaine Elementary; Rolanda Madojemu, High Hills; Rokeshia Raby, Kingsbury; Tonya Durant, Lemira; Julie Strange, Manchester; JoLawrence Corbin, Millwood; Shannon Knudson, Oakland Primary; Krista Jennings, Pocalla Springs; Kaneshia Allen, R.E. Davis; Karen Davis, Rafting Creek Elementary; Cynthia Smiley, Shaw Heights; Lacey Berry, Wilder; and Denise Robinson, Willow Drive. From the middle schools, those selected are: Katherine Davis, Alice Drive; Stacie Flippin, Bates; Joanna Myles, Chestnut Oaks; Helen Hutto-Palka, Ebenezer; Melissa Pollard, Furman; Robert Easley, Hillcrest; and Elaina Lemon, Mayewood. At the high school level, teachers chosen are: Shannon Collins, Lakewood, and Chad Hoshour, Sumter. Dale Richardson was chosen from Brewington Academy, and Desirea’ Johnson was selected from the Sumter Career and Technology Center. The District Teacher of the Year was chosen from among two finalists. In addition to Jennings, the other finalist was Helen Hutto-Palka from Ebenezer Middle School. The finalists were interviewed by a panel of outside judges. All of the campus Teachers of the Year and the District Teacher of the Year will be honored at a banquet this fall at Pocalla Springs Elementary School.
CHILD FIND SCREENINGS AVAILABLE Sumter School District will conduct Child Find Screenings on a regular basis throughout the 2015-16 school year. Parents with concerns about their children’s vision, hearing, speech and language, or developmental issues may bring them to one of the free screenings. Screenings are for children ages 2 1/2 years and older who reside in Sumter County and are not enrolled in public school. For children ages 3 to 5, some of the questions parents may ask themselves include whether the child follows simple directions; hears and responds to questions correctly; walks, skips, jumps and runs; counts from 1 to 5; plays well with others; points to familiar objects in a book; speaks clearly so that others understand; responds to his or her name; or helps with dressing. If the answer is no to three or more of these
questions, parents are encouraged to call for a free screening. For children ages 6 and older who are not enrolled in a public school, parents are asked to call for an appointment if their child has difficulty with math, reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, participating in classroom activities, speech and language, or social behaviors. One clinic has already been held in September. Others scheduled for this year are Sept. 18; Oct. 7 and 23; Nov. 4 and 18; Dec. 4; Jan. 13 and 29; Feb. 10 and 26; March 2 and 18; April 6 and 22; and May 4. All screenings will be held at Sumter School District Annex, 220 Hasell St. For further information or to schedule an appointment, call Phaedra Queen, Child Find Facilitator, at (803) 774-5500 extension 204. — Mary B. Sheridan
Sumter Christian School OFF TO A GREAT START The students and staff of Sumter Christian School have had a great start to the 2015-16 school year. While the elementary and middle school students spent the first few days of school establishing classroom routines, the high school students and faculty started off the school year with a calming view of Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina at the Anchorage Christian Camp. They kept a busy schedule at this year’s retreat with gymnasium games and activities, roller skating, rock climbing, swimming and tubing in the lake, playing on the water trampoline, wrestling on the water mat, and spending time hanging out or playing games together. This year, the students enjoyed the challenges from God’s Word presented to them by Aaron Burke, SCS alumnus and program director at the Anchorage. To cap off the first week of school, the student body was invited to the gymnasium for the last two class hours to enjoy a slushie and bake sale treat from the senior class and to watch the annual student-faculty volleyball game. Other scheduled activities such as the Grandparents’ Day lunch and chocolate fundraiser kickoff have been keeping the students busy in their first few weeks of school. The senior class offered a fried chicken dinner to any grandparents who came to enjoy some special time at school with their grandchildren. Several students have been very active in this year’s fundraiser by selling World’s Finest Chocolate. As a reward for selling at least one box of chocolate, students will be eligible for several prizes along with being allowed to attend a special assembly with Dan the Animal Man and his Creatures of Creation Show. — Miriam Marritt