May 2017 Stinger by The Stinger

TINGE R S THE

Irmo High School 6671 St. Andrews Rd. Columbia, SC 29212

volume 51, issue 5

the student voice of Irmo High School

May 23, 2017

THE

STINGER STAFF editor-in-chiefs Mariah Kennedy Lanece Davidson business manager Ashanti Bookman lifestyle editor Josalyn Helrigel features editor Alexis Rollerson opinions editor Jessica McCrae news editor Lanece Davidson Mariah Kennedy sports editor Alexis Rollerson circulation manager Ashanti Bookman photography editor Jessica McCrae staff cordinator Josalyn Helrigel adviser Brennan Davis

The goals of The Stinger are to inform the Irmo High School community about issues of interest through fair and accurate reporting, responsible editorials and enlightening features and to provide an advertising medium in the Irmo community. The Stinger is published six times a year (including a spring prom supplement and a yearend senior class supplement) by Journalism IIIV newspaper students at Irmo High School. Staff editorials reflect the views of a majority of The Stinger senior editorial board. Bylined editorials, cartoons and personal columns reflect the opinions of individual writers or artists. Letters to the editor: The Stinger welcomes letters to the editor from readers. Letters must be signed by their authors and include contact information; the authenticity of the writer will be verified before publication. Letters may be delivered

2 INDEX

to The Stinger office (room 107) or e-mailed to alexalvega@aol. com, rachelmann06@ gmail.com or adviser@ ihsstinger.com. Letters may be edited for offensiveness, libel, grammar, space or style. Requests for anonymity may be considered in cases of sensitive subjects. For advertising information or to request a subscription, please call (803) 476-3071. School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, age, disability or handicap in admission to, or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs or activities. Inquires should be directed to the Chief Officer of Human Resource Services (Title IX Coordinator) and the Director of Special Services (504/ ADACoordinator) at P.O. Box 938, Ballentine, SC 29002, (803) 476-8110, www.lex5.k12.sc.us.

Congrats class of 2017! IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome to the 2017 graduation issue of The Stinger! We finally made it! We hope you enjoy this issue... Happy reading! -Mariah & Lanece

news

IHS changes exam policy - 3 New leadership in the making - 4

features

Staff members say farewell- 5 Irmo students of the year recognized 6-7 Where will they be next year? 8-17

opinions

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t procastinate, graduate- 19 Speak up!- 20

THE STINGER

news

IHS changes exam policy empt some of their exams as well. “We want to expand that [rewarding attendance] next year by having a reward system and what I have found is that with teenagers, privileges are a better reward than thanks. Most teenagers are a lot more motivated by missing an exam than they are by some ice cream once a month,” Riegel said. Underclassmen will not be able to exempt all exams, but they will be able to choose which ones they wish to exempt.

“

May 23, 2017

We feel like we need to incentivized and recognize and reward good attendance. - David Riegel

“

Exam exemption is something that seniors look forward to at the end of every school year. As long as you have a certain average in the class and good behavior, you don’t have to take the exam, which is one of the major perks of being a senior at Irmo High School. Along with the exemptions, seniors don’t have to come to school after the exam in the class. In the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, Irmo High School intends to make some changes to the exam exemption process. Unlike previous years, exam exemption, which originally was reserved for seniors, will be available for underclassmen as well. As the new year approaches, Irmo High Principal David Riegel and the Irmo High faculty are working on a new exam exemption policy. Next year, the policy will be connected to the attendance of the student. Irmo High faculty intend to use the new policy for exemption as a motivator for students to come to school every day and work hard, and they plan to reward those who do just that. “I’ve had a lot of success with exam exemption being related to attendance and so I’ve been working on it for a couple years really and trying to make it happen here,” Riegel said. This new policy will positively enforce and reward students with perfect attendance. The gist of the policy is to motivate students to come to school and do well so they can receive the privilege of not having to take an exam for every class they have, and also have something good to look forward to at the end of the year. “We feel like we need to incentivize and recognize and reward good attendance. We started this year by recognizing students who had perfect attendance for a particular month and so those students were called down and given some ice cream or something. We made a big deal out of it and gave certificates out,” Riegel said. Another one of the big, major changes besides coinciding with attendance is that underclassmen will be able to ex-

Seniors will still be able to exempt more exams than underclassmen in their second semester, but their attendance will have to be up to par. “Seniors still have the privilege of being able to exempt more exams than the other grade levels, especially second semester of your senior year, you’ll probably still have the opportunity to exempt all of your exams, but you have to come to school to do it. So students who are seniors who in the past have gotten senioritis and missed a lot of school, those students will be taking exams next year, Reigel said. Next year, students will receive a form where they can write out which exams they wish to exempt. Despite exempting a few, the faculty still wants students to take exams. Mr. Riegel believes that it’s important for students to know what it’s like to take a standardized test and having to study for it, so he plans to limit the amount of exams students can exempt. “Even though we want to reward and recognize good attendance, we also realize students need that experience of taking a comprehensive exam. So even if you can’t exempt everything, you still get to exempt some things and I’m hoping that will allow students to focus more on the exams that they are taking and that they’ll be able to perform even better be-

cause now you can focus on four or six exams instead of eight,” Riegel said. Another new addition to the policy is that teachers and parents have to sign off on any exemptions the student wishes to take. If the form is not signed, the student cannot exempt. These days parents can often be out of the loop of what their children are doing in school. This way, parents are aware of their child’s schooling and testing. There will also be a list produced by attendance that will show which students are eligible for exemption. “Our plan is to publish a list of everyone who is eligible and part of that is we all know that teachers sometimes forget to take to take attendance or they make a mistake in attendance and it will allow students to have to have sort of an appeal process if they think a mistakes been made with their attendance,” said Reigel. “So the reason we publish the list ahead of time is so that students can plan, but also so there’s a way to appeal if you think there was a mistake,” Riegel continued. One last big change to the policy is the yearly average rule. In past years you had to have a certain yearly average in the class to exempt, but with the new policy, the average will matter, but it won’t be top priority. “[The average], it’ll probably change and it will be connected to not exactly a yearly average, but a nine weeks average, and again our goal is to reward attendance not necessarily good grades. So it’ll probably go down a little bit in terms of the grades,” Riegel said. This way, everybody has the chance to receive the reward of exemption, no matter what kind of grades they have. Irmo High faculty has been making many changes to the school exam exemption policy. The new exam exemption policy will provide an equal opportunity for all students and it will provide organization, incentive and relief to students and teachers at Irmo High School. LANECE DAVIDSON, news editor, co-editor-in-chief lanecedavi dson@gmail.com NEWS

New leadership in the making

“ It looks good on college applicaIrmo High School plans to try fit this certain position. something new next year and will “ We were looking for a positive tions and I get to show the leader side be giving opportunities to students way to promote IHS and to have com- of me. My main goal for this position is to try to make that can show off their pride for the plete repthe school less school and their leadership skills. The resentation drama related and school will be introducing new stu- from our more fun,” Ragin dent ambassadors who will represent s t u d e n t said. the school and will be helping out body. They When people hear with Irmo activities. These ambassa- would need things like studors will be chosen by 9th grade ad- to have dent ambassador ministrator Floyd White, new guid- leadership or student athlete ance counselor Shawnda Clark and q u a l i t i e s , the first word you also our principal, David Riegel. managehear is student. Starting next year, 2017-2018, a ment caBeing a student selection of students will be chosen pabilities, and a leader is very to show Irmo how much of a leader academics, important to this they can be and also show how well r e l a t i o n school. they can show off their Irmo pride ship build“ My teachers in a positive way. IHS administra- ing , etc,” tors are excited to see how these stu- s t a t e d RAGIN SLATER: Slater is hoping that she can be one of would describe me as harddents are able to handle some of the White. the ambassadors for next year. working, and I responsibilities of coming up with am very serious ideas to make the school better from Of course about maintaina student perspective. Administrators t h e s e also hope this program will be a way particular students would have a lot ing good grades, and also the good to show the teachers what students of responsibilities to help make the thing about this is that I am willing to go out of my way for people in like or school better. what they “ The students whatever the situation is that they’re are interwould have to in,” Ragin said. The committee will select winested in. run jacket camp, A c help promote the ners who will represent our school cording school, help run next year. These ambassadors will be to 9th pep rallies and charged with the task of fulfilling grader class meetings,” the expectations that are required. The students taking on these posiadminsaid Mr. White. istrator Rising junior tions will play a leadership role in the F loyd Ragin Slater is school,and will help the school, have White, very interested in a fun experience, and learn a lot of student becoming one of from taking on this roll. ambasthe ambassadors sadors next year and is would also looking need to FLOYD WHITE: Mr.White is excited to be able to choose forward to have a bit new ambassadors for next year. raising more of expeIrmo spirit. rience to ALEXIS ROLLERSON, Sports Editor 25658@stu.lexrich5.org

NEWS

THE STINGER

Staff members say farewell Jane Westbury

Q: How many years have you been a staff member at Irmo High School? A: I’ve been a counselor here for three years. Q: What is your reason for leaving? A: My parents live in a facility and require a lot of assistance now. Q: How would you describe your experience at Irmo High School? A: It’s been very educational for me-a great way to end a career.

Virginia Deese Q: How many years have you been a staff member at Irmo High School? A: Three years Q: What is your reason for leaving? A: I recieved an opportunity at another school and I couldn’t pass that up in my field. Q: How could new staff members help make this school an even better environment? A: Have school spirit and encourage students.

Thomas Lee

Q: How many years have you been a staff member at Irmo High School? A: 11 years Q: What is your reason for leaving? A: I’ve had some changes in my personal life and [I’m going] to move to a different part of South Carolina; something different. Q:What kind of advice would you give future students at Irmo High School? A: Relax. A lot of times students get stressed and lash out on certain things. Relax.

May 23, 2017

FEATURES

2017 Irmo students of the

On May 9, 2017, Irmo High School announced the third annual Student of the Year winners. A male and female student were chosen from each grade level to represent Irmo High School, and each student will receive prizes and a plaque with his or her name on it. To qualify for Student of the Year, each student was required to complete the application process after they were nominated by a staff member. The application process included student information, letters of recommendation, an essay or video submission, as well as an interview with the committee that chose the winners. Once all of the completed applications were submitted, the committee began the interview and selection process. There are many different qualities that

are ideal for a Student of the Year candidate. Some desirable qualities include being successful in and out of the classroom, being a leader in all aspects, and being well spoken, outgoing and unique. Robin Anderson, a member of the history department at Irmo High School and lead teacher for PBIS, is coordinator of the Student of the Year program. “ My role includes formatting and editing documents, creating announcements for the program, creating and reviewing all completed applications, setting up the interview schedule, and selecting the interview team members. The interview process consists of each interview team having five questions they would like to ask each candidate. Each candidate is asked the same questions from the list for consistency purposes,”

TANVI SINGH: The female winner for the

TASHUAN PERKAS: The male winner for the ESHA HEGDE: Winner for the sophomore

freshman class

TAHEEM PEREZ: The make winner for the senior class

6 FEATURES

Anderson said. Once the finalist have been selected by members of the PBIS team, they go through another round of interviews. The final decision comes from the interview committee. This year’s winners are freshmen Tani Singh and Tashuan Peraks, sophomore Esha Hedge, juniors Lila Holland and Davis Cassel, and seniors Daija Brown and Taheem Perez. Deja Brown, senior at Irmo High School and winner of Student of the Year, is honored to have been selected. “ I felt surprised. I really didn’t think I was going to win. The interview process was nerve-wracking. I was nervous, but it was a good nervous. I thought that my answers weren’t good enough after the interview,” Brown said. Student of the Year is a tile one should

class

DAIJA BROWN: The female winner for the senior class THE STINGER

year recognized be proud to hold, as it is an honor to represent your school and peers and because it could be very beneficial for applying to college because it looks excellent on a college application. Also, once it is announced to the school, the students are recognized by their teachers and peers. â&#x20AC;&#x153; I guess the advantages would be being congratulated by all the teachers and students. Also knowing that all of my hard work is paying off,â&#x20AC;? Brown said. Students of the Year are recognized by the school. Their names are announced to the school and the students receive several prizes for their accomplishment. The program is only in its third year and is still a fairly new tradition at Irmo High School, so it has time to grow and expand. Hopefully it will become one that our students and staff will come to look forward to every year in the years to come.

Winners

Freshmen Tanvi Singh & Tashuan Perkas Sophomore Esha Hegde Juniors Lilla Holland & Davis Cassel Seniors Daija Brown & Taheem Perez

Mariah Kennedy, Co-editor-in-chief, kennedymariah5@gmail.com

ON THE EASEL

with Renee Johnson

When did you start doing art? Elementary school.

Do you plan to go to school for art? Yes.

What inspires your art? My dad.

May 23, 2017

FEATURES

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2017

Where will they be next year? Official list as of 5/1/2017

Anderson University Infinity Hunter

Anderson University (SC) Kaelee Higgins Appalachian State University Gregory Rast Art Institute of Charleston Darrell Harris

Quayla Morris

Benedict College

Daija McCants

Kendrique Lawton

The Citadel

Nolan Burdette

Clayton Westcott

Columbia International University Andrew Crutchfield 8

FEATURES

THE STINGER

Claflin University

Morgan Bines Chyna Curry Denae Miller Lauryn Odom

Mikayla McFadden Asatta Smith

Clemson University

Logan Amick Christopher Avera David Ballentine Kara Bane Kyle Bland Caylie Boyd Anna Buck Daesung Chong Andrea Davis DeAvonte Johnson Hannah Maroun Sydney Mitchell Katherine Shealy Savanna Thomas Jillian Weinstein

Coastal Carolina University

Karen Armstrong Lanece Davidson

Khala Ball Avery Farrell

Tia Coleman Elexis Thompson

Coker University

Taiylar DeMoss

College of Charleston Victoria Leatherman Chastity Roberts Columbia College Amaya Green Tabitha Thiele May 23, 2017

FEATURES

Columbia International University

Janna Rickenbaker

Converse College Azaria Williams

Co-Optech Michael Gregg

Emory University

David Garcia

Jacob Faber

Erskine

Francis Marion University Chidonna Woodard Kristen Woodard

George Mason University

Allison Davis

Tyon Billups

Greensboro University

FEATURES

THE STINGER

Greenville Technical College

Celeste Diaz

Laura Odom

Highland Community College

Shakem McIntosh-Bradley

Hinds Community College

Denita Miller

Horry-Georgetown Technical College

Quintaysha Mathis Kaylee Rossbach

Johnson and Wales University

May 23, 2017

Carla Ellis Kendra Hoffman

Kenneth Shuler

Katelin Smith

Kamea Miller

Lander University

Timia Benson-Gibbs Abigail DuVall Elizabeth Fabila Kelsey Gordon

FEATURES

Midlands Technical College

Ethan Adams Oluwatobi Adejayan Mogeeb Ali Mariah Astacio Ashanti Bookman Quiara Boresahole Khalil Brice Jasmine Broadway Angelique Cebey Tessa Cheever Sean Davis Jordan Dewitt Gavin Dobb Olivia Dodgins Tyrese Duffie Chantz Emerick Tyler Fitzgerald Cydney Gathers Jamal Gleaton Taylor Harris Trelano Harris Hunter Herring Jessica Anyanwu Amber Jones Denzel Johnson Tashi Johnson October Linguard Letravien Moore Donell Neely Justin Nesbit Zahid Noor Rikeim Olvera Claudia Overa Reiss Patel Cremu Paw Shaheen Ramezani Iverson Ried Jaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Deon Robinson Rikeim Robinson Eric Sawyer Richard Schmidt Michaela Shaffer Emily Shapoval Anna Shull Maxwell Skinner Angela Starr ZacharyStroupe SavannahSutherland AdamSuttlemyre Meseret Taye Elisabeth Tiffin Tyriq Truesdale Justin Turner William Vinson Joshua White Justin White Keith Wise Joel Wright Elijah Wilkins Chloe Windham Emory Youmans 12

FEATURES

THE STINGER

Mississippi State University Cameron Felkel

North Carolina Wesleyan

Josiah Wright

North Greenville University

Calvin McFadden

LaSha Thompson

William Dukes

Palmetto Prep Academy Tyler McBeth Penn Foster Online School

Piedmont Technical College

Point Park University

Presbyterian College

May 23, 2017

Asten Stewart Kristen Bane

Queens University Tatianna Bracey

FEATURES

Savannah College of Art and Design Desmond Ashford Robert Westcott Spartanburg Methodist College Jonathon Henryhand

Mariah Kennedy

Stephen Rhinehart

South Wesleyan University Tierra Johnson

Zafir Kelly

Southern Methodist University

Marcus Johnson

South Carolina School of Leadership

South Carolina State University Destinee Lewis

FEATURES

Tyrik Corley

Marwin McKnight

Tusculum College Aaron Rountree THE STINGER

Tuskegee University

Daija Brown

University of South Carolina

Bryce Allen Nicholas Barker EmilyBrantley Michael Calamas Eric Cipolla Vihar Dalal Emma Debenport Brian Doyle Devin Edwards Matthew Ellsworth Jose Gonzalez Diego Ignacio Keely Lassiter Hannah Lavender Andrew Loforno Olga Lytaovchenko Elizabeth Mahoney Logan Mangum Harsh Patel Shanyah Pauley Jon Pierce

Andrew Reed Allison Sava LauraSmoak Hayden Spencer Jason Smith Joseph Still Lauren Waddell Michaela Woodruff

University of South Carolina Honors College

Ian Bain

University of South Carolina Beaufort Erin Kelly May 23, 2017

FEATURES

University of South Carolina Upstate

Autumn Alsten Ilexia Hough

Megan Bowers Taylor Brown Lydia James Logan Stewart Ya Weng Zheng

USC Columbia Bridge Program

Shanyah Pauley

Sylvester Davis

Jaiden Jackson

Anteia Stanton

University of South Carolina Lancaster

University of North Carolina Jokalea Stewart Universal Technical Institue University of Dayton Noah Shehata University of Hawaii at Manoa FEATURES

THE STINGER

Virgina Tech Tien Nguyen Wingate University

Jasmine Session

Winthrop University

United States Army

Sandra Simpkins Jazmine Squire Lauryn Squire

Kasi Anglin

US Army National Guard

Brice Gregory

Davion Howard

James Lowe Clayton Westcott

US Army Reserves Isis Jett

Lauryn Squire

US Marines

May 23, 2017

Spencer Jordan

Ryan Vollbrecht

What’s #trending @ Irmo?

#GRAPHICNECKTIE “It ‘s a great coversation starter.” Mr. Pappas

#CARMEX “I cannot go anywhere without my Carmex!” Celicia Bibbs

#BRAIDS “I don’t like doing my hair and it’s convenient.” Alissa Pressley

#SNAPCHATFILTERS “They make Snapchat fun.” Ashley Fitzgerald

FEATURES

THE STINGER

Don’t procrastinate, graduate!

Since the beginning of my school career, I’ve never been very good at it. Even in elementary school I had a problem with being on time and coming to school; I’ve always been really good friends with anybody working in the office or attendance because they would see me about three times a week. Throughout all my years of school I’ve always been that student that’s right in the middle. I’ve never been the overachiever, but I was never the one to just sit there and not do anything. School and I have never really gotten along; we have a love-hate relationship. When I

was younger I moved around a lot, so I went to many different schools and met a lot of different people. I’m actually really grateful I moved around as a kid because it really helped me to be more social and meet new people and make friends whenever I would start at a new school. Of course, it was hard to leave after I’d made friends and gotten comfortable. People always complain about how much they hated middle school and how awkward it was. I personally loved middle school. Those were some of the most exciting years I had at school. I did really well in school, and I was on the cheerleading team and had lots of friends. It was probably the most social I’ve ever been. Now, in high school, I think that’s when things got awkward for me and I kind of lost my way. I didn’t really care about socializing anymore, and I no longer felt like I needed a million friends because I was happy with the four I had. I was also that kid. You know, the one who lost her mind once she got to high school. I realized really quickly that high school was a lot different from middle school, and I could get away with a lot more and I definitely took advantage of it. I decided that I really didn’t like one of my teachers or the class they taught, so my 15-year-old self thought it was cool to show up whenever I felt like it. Of course, I wasn’t thinking that skipping

one or two classes a week was hurting my grades and attendance, so when they sat me down at the end of the year and told me I had failed two classes because of absences, I was a little dumbfounded. At the beginning of my high school career, my school work wasn’t that important to me and my grades really reflected it. I was fine with passing with a 70. I thought a “D” was better than an “F”. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that the first two years of high school are really important. It’s your foundation for your GPA for the rest of high school. If you start off with bad grades and a below average GPA, it’s really difficult to bring that up and you’re going to have to work really hard to turn things around. I think the middle of my junior year is when things really came into perspective for me. I realized that if I had been trying harder and applying myself, I could have had really high grades and my GPA could have been a million times better. I know there are a lot of things I would love to go back and change if I could, but it’s all in the past now and that’s that. Everything I did, every decision and mistake, has helped make me who I am today. As much as I hate to admit it to myself, Irmo High School played a big role in that. MARIAH KENNEDY, co-editor-in-chief kennedymariah5@gmail.com

KIDS HALL IN THE

What are you looking forward to for next year?

FRESHMAN SOPHOMORE “Late Wednesdays” - Carson Jordan

May 23, 2017

“ Better lunch” - Elijah Gibson

JUNIOR

“ Having a great year and graduating” -Sylvana Cortorreal

SENIOR

“ Playing football [and] making money” - Tyler McBeth

THE STINGER

Speak up!

As my years in high school come to a close, I’ve begun to reminisce about many things, including decisions I’ve made and my regrets. I know that there are things I could’ve done differently. My main regret is allowing myself to be sexualized. Over the years, I’ve met many guys and a lot of them were only attracted to certain areas of my body that happen to be larger or more enhanced than others, not my personality, the thing that makes me, me. Males would say sexist remarks about those parts or touch them and I let them do it. I allowed it to continue because I liked the attention and in doing that, I left myself open to being degraded and sexualized. When they touched me I

would laugh it off and not take it as a big deal, but I know now that it is a big deal; it’s sexual harassment. I’m not saying that I’m a prude and I never want to be touched, but it’s gotten to a point where guys think it’s okay to touch me anywhere and get away with it. When it’s one of my male friends or when I’m flirting with someone and their flirting back, it’s okay because I’m comfortable with that person. I’m not saying that any of you should fight off every male that touches you, but I am saying that if the contact makes you feel uncomfortable or violated, say something. Say something to someone, because if you allow it to continue it could get worse. Don’t be afraid of being shamed or looked at differently because you stood up for yourself and your body. Many young men get to high school and middle school and think they can do whatever they want to women, and we need to show them that there are consequences and that we respect ourselves enough to say something instead of hiding or dismissing it. In the last four decades, women had

to fight for their civil rights, voting rights, and to be treated like human beings, not property or objects. Back then women were somewhat powerless and they had no choice but to take the abuse they suffered. Nowadays, we as women have voices and we need to start using them. We need to start speaking up, no matter the cost. We need to show men that we deserve respect as women and human beings. Overall, my message to any woman or young girl going to high school for the first time or continuing high school is to set boundaries. Let them know what makes you uncomfortable or makes you feel weird. If they violate your boundaries, talk to them and if they continue to do it, report it to someone. If you see it happening to someone else, report it. I know that sometimes reporting something can feel weird and scary but in the end it’s the right thing to do for yourself. So ladies, let’s stop tolerating situations like this. Use your voice and speak up! LANECE DAVIDSON, co-editor-in-chief lanecedavidson@gmail.com

again 17 What’s something people

Describe DAVIDSON,yourself co-editor-in-chief, news at 17 in wouldLANECE be surprised to know editor three aboutlanecedavidson@gmail.com you? words? Smart, direction, and loud. This is somethingno interesting.

Mr. Chadwick Pressley Guidance Counselor

What was your favorite thing to do after school? What’s something people cook on the grill. Go home and would be surprised to know about you? What advice would you This is something interesting. your then 17-year-old

Exercise.

tell self?

sun

mon

tues

June wed

Miss SC Pageant

Fashion Week

Miss SC Pageant

thurs

IHS Graduation/Last day of school

Report Cards mailed Fashion Week

Fashion Week Miss SC Pageant

fri

Fashion Week

Miss SC Pageant 30

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