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State Parks

By: Thomas Jones

Over this weekend I was able to visit two state parks, Dreher and Poinsett state park. Dreher is supposedly the most beautiful state park in South Carolina; it is on an island on lake Murray. Since it is an island it is a smaller park only being two miles long, this makes it very limited to the hiking and biking trails which is what I enjoy about the parks. It only has three trails which we could only find one and it was less than half a mile long. I do think this park is more camping focused because it has two different areas where you can camp, one in the front and one in the back with about thirty plots each. Even though it is a beautiful state park it is not for me unless I get into camping. If I was to stay there I think the villas for a nice getaway or hammock camping would be fun. Poinsett the State Park right in our back yard is my favorite so far, as it offers so many trail to bike and hike with various distance and difficulty, there is also a pond that offers beautiful views; that is one thing I like about Dreher State Park more as it has cleaner and more beautiful waters. I would prefer to camp at Poinsett state park because the plots are more open and give you more space, at Dreher it is so landlocked and most plots are on a big drop off straight into the lake which would put some on edge. I like State Parks especially since we have so many in our state to choose from that offer various different experiences. I’m so glad our country and state do such a good job in maintaining the parks while preserving the natural beauty of each state across the country.

The Long Walk

By: Paige Sanders

The Long Walk. This movie was released in theaters on September 12th, 2025. This was an adaptation of the novel, which was written by Steven King. King is famous for his disturbingly hooking pieces of literature that have ruled over the horror genre. Then, his novels took over the film world, converting many works into some of the most well-known movies, such as Carrie and It. So it was not a surprise to me when I heard The Long Walk was in the works. The director, Francis Lawrence, gave his own flair to the movie with Steven King behind him, changing some things from the original book for more accuracy. Working together helped the movie overall become so successful. So, without further ado, let’s get into a full analysis of The Long Walk.

I walked into the theater with really high expectations for this movie since the trailer was done exceptionally well. I have to say that this movie exceeded my expectations. All great movies need a great trailer; however, a great trailer is hard to make. You have to give subtle suspense throughout it, not revealing too much, but also not leaving the audience confused. Every detail matters, from the sounds to the sequence of the clips. Overall, this trailer has been one of the most well-done ones I have seen. Then we got to the box office. The story is set in an authoritarian society where the military is in charge. Every year, a voluntary contest is hosted where you walk until you are the last one left. People are encouraged to volunteer for this due to the state that America is currently in, making it a yearly occurrence. We follow the main character, Raymond Garraty, on his journey in The Long Walk. The movie explores the themes of brotherhood and human perseverance. We see Garraty and his comrades fall into a pit of insanity as they watch the suffering around them. They cannot stop walking, and if they fall below the speed of 3 miles per hour, they receive their first of three warnings. Walking, walking, warning, walking. The cycle they are forced to endure. Reality is hit with every shot. Garraty watches his friends slowly turn to death, giving up. The movie’s pacing allows a viewer to follow along easily, with the cinematography done extraordinarily well. The movie ends with the last one standing, but I won’t spoil that for you. This is the most emotional movie I have ever seen; the characters were developed so well that you felt like you knew them, leaving you with a pit in your stomach when the third warning sounded. The ending was amazing, emphasizing the final words. Overall, this movie was a ten out of ten. I am excited to see more Steven King novel adaptations in the future.

Pink Slush Alani Review

By: McClain Segars

My favorite energy drink is the Pink Slush Alani. I believe that it is the best Alani flavor and the others do not compare. Pink Slush is exactly what you’d expect from its name, It’s the perfect mix of sweet and tart. Like every Alani Nu energy drink, Pink Slush packs 200 mg of caffeine with no sugar and only 10 calories. It’s the ideal pre-workout pick-me-up or mid-afternoon mood booster and gives you energy without the crash. The cute pink can and candy-like flavor make it my favorite for a reason. Whether you’re powering through a workout or just need something to brighten your day, this flavor delivers every time. Out of all the Alani Nu flavors, Pink Slush stands out for its perfect balance of flavor, energy, and fun. It’s sweet, nostalgic, and energizing which is everything you could want in an energy drink. What makes Pink Slush special is how balanced it is. Some energy drinks are overly sweet or too artificial, but this one is the perfect mix. a refreshing mix of cherry, raspberry, and maybe just a hint of citrus. It’s sweet but not syrupy, tart but not sour. Unlike other energy drinks, it doesn’t have that bitter “energy” taste or a weird aftertaste. You get smooth, clean energy that actually lasts. It’s a drink that looks as good as it tastes.

Halloween Review

By: Mary Carter Smith

Since today is Halloween I thought I would write about why I enjoy the month of October. I love the month of October. The weather starts to cool down and sweatshirt season begins. Which I look forward to. The leaves begin to change colors, creating a gorgeous color scheme of red, orange and yellow. Football is also in season in October. My favorite sport to watch is football. I enjoy gamedays and cheering on my favorite college teams. I also enjoy Friday night football watching my school team play is one of my favorite things. October is also a calm month before all the Christmas festivities begin. Although Christmas can be a lot of fun it also can be very stressful with all the gifts and decorations. Christmas is the most expensive time for many Americans. On the last day of October, the thirty-first is Halloween. Halloween is a holiday created over two thousand years ago by an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain in which marks the end of the harvest season. People believed that on this night, spirits could return to the world of the living, so they wore costumes and lit bonfires to scare them away. Even though Halloween has changed from when it originated it is still a fun and spooky holiday celebrated where people dress up in costumes, go trick or treating, hand out candy, and decorate their homes with pumpkins, ghosts, and other creepy things. Many people also watch horror movies and tell scary stories during October. My favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus. Another tradition many people do is craving pumpkins. Some people turn it into a craving pumpkin competition. There are also many Halloween parties thrown throughout the month. Overall this holiday brings family and friends for creativity, fun and a little bit of fright.

Friendsgiving

By: Maecy Hunt

Friendsgiving might honestly be one of my favorite modern traditions out there. It’s basically Thanksgiving—but with your friends instead of family (and usually way fewer awkward political debates). It’s become a chill, cozy way for teens and young adults to celebrate friendship, gratitude, and, of course, food.

The best part? There are zero strict rules. Some groups do it the weekend before Thanksgiving, others wait until after. You basically just pick a day, invite your favorite people, and make sure there’s food. Lots of food. The main idea is simple: hang out, eat good stuff, and take a break from school, work, and life in general.

Most Friendsgivings are potluck-style, which means everyone brings something to share. Someone brave might take on the turkey (or just grab a rotisserie chicken), while others show up with mac and cheese, desserts, or drinks. It’s not about perfect recipes—it’s about everyone pitching in. Although, let’s be real, there’s always that one friend who insists on cooking the whole meal so the rest of us can just relax and enjoy.

But Friendsgiving isn’t only about stuffing your face. It’s also about remembering why we’re thankful for the people in our lives. Some groups do gratitude notes or go around sharing what they appreciate most; it sounds cheesy, but it’s heartwarming and it’s a good reminder to stay grateful.

In a world that’s always rushing, Friendsgiving gives us a moment to slow down, laugh too hard, and make memories that stick. Whether you’re at a fancy dinner table or sitting on the floor with paper plates, it’s not about the setup, it’s about the people you’re with. Because honestly, the best part of Friendsgiving isn’t the food—it’s the friends.

The Making of the Horror short:

By: Joey Robertson

I had the idea for a spooky horror short since the beginning of the year. In fact, I want to do a skit for every holiday probably (with the exception of a few here and there), so expect one for Thanksgiving and Christmas as well. Getting back to it, the general idea for this one was to be short and sweet, but kind of suspenseful. Just a nice little film really.

The biggest problem I faced was when I could film, since I needed the school empty, quiet, and dark. The only time this would be much later after school, when almost all of the staff was gone. This was complicated more so by the presence of Cinderella rehearsal everyday after school. This was solved however since I had Tabletop club Thursday, and Cinderella practice would be over by 4pm. This was also better, since the actor I used, Cliff Bath, would also be present for then. As of writing this, the skit has yet to be filmed, so there may be some inaccuracies in this blog, and I do apologize for that.

One unfortunate thing about the film was the appearance of the figure, played by Torien Byrd, who was meant to have a mask and hood. However I left them at home and its not like I can just drive back home to grab it since:

I don’t drive
I lived 15+ minutes away from Wilson hall and its just not convenient at that point

Now after filming I can reflect on some things: there wasn’t supposed to be as much comedy as there was, but honestly I’m pretty happy with it. Also the blooper reel at the end was definitely a good idea.

The timeline of the video

Bryant Wesco Jr. breakdown

By: Griffin Jones

Bryant Wesco Jr. is a sophomore wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers. Coming off an incredible high school career with 109 catches, 1,903 yards, and 29 touchdowns, he followed it up with a great freshman season with the Tigers. Recording 41 catches, 708 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

Coming into his sophomore year, he was seen as a superstar by many people around the country, seen as a major part of the three headed monster of the elite Clemson receiving room. Surrounded by a top 5 roster along with two other preseason All-ACC receivers, he was expected to thrive.

In the first game of the season, Clemson faced number nine ranked LSU, Wesco tracked in 4 receptions for 66 yards almost getting in the endzone in the second quarter and making a miraculous catch in the third quarter in a Clemson loss.

Coming off a disappointing loss Clemson faced a weak Troy team, with seven minutes left in the second quarter, Clemson was trailing 16-0 and Wesco hadn’t recorded a catch. In the final three quarters Bryant hauled in seven catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns in a comeback victory for the Tigers.

The following week versus the Yellow Jackets, Wesco had 7 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown within this was a huge 73 yard slant to the house to keep Clemson in the game in an eventual 21-24. The next week home vs Syracuse was not much of a game as the Tigers lost 34-21, although they took a L Wesco still had 6 catches for 79 yards hauling in 2 touchdowns.

The following week, the Tigers faced a horrible UNC team in which they destroyed, due to this Wesco was taken out of the game early only getting 2 catches for 42 yards. In a game versus Boston College, he bounced back with 5 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown including an incredible touchdown catch in a 41-10 win. However, in the most recent game versus SMU Bryant Wesco was returning punts as he has all year and was hit low, flipping him on his neck and tragically ending his great start to the season early. His final stats being 31 receptions for 537 yards for 6 touchdowns.

Why South Carolina Football Fans are so Upset

By: Cooper Hill

This has been a disappointing year to say the least. As I am writing this, the Gamecocks currently sit at 3-5. The Gamecocks are struggling to even make a bowl game at this point. They have had so many chances to win certain games like Alabama and LSU. Whether it was a bad play call, fumble, or just not finishing games, this team has thrown away opportunities. Many people believe that many coaches such as the offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, and the head coach, Shane Beamer are on the hot seat. The Gamecocks also still have to play number 7 Ole Miss and number 3 Texas A&M. Both of these games are also away games which does not help our chances. I really do not know if we can make a bowl game because we would have to beat one of those teams. We also have to finish the year with a decent Coastal Carolina team, and Clemson who is struggling, but it could still be a toss up. This was one of the favorite teams at the beginning of the season to make the playoffs. Carolina fans, including me, need to see something change, whether it is play calling or staff changes. We need something to be different. This team has so much potential to be a playoff caliber team, but those dreams are now crushed. The Gamecocks do not have any chance anymore to make the playoffs. At this point, do everything it takes to make a bowl game and regroup for next season. To be honest, this is what it is like to be a South Carolina fan every single year. It is just let down after let down. Hopefully next year is our year, just like I say every year.

Why Golf is the Best Hobby

By: Ben McLaurin

Golf is one of the best hobbies as it combines solid physical activity with a significant mental component. Making it enjoyable to hang out with friends and have a good laugh or play a competitive round for money. Golf is a once-in-a-lifetime game and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. Golf uses balance, coordination, and flexibility, and is good for older people. Walking across the beautiful green landscape and spending hours outdoors is also excellent for your well-being, leading to improved health and reduced stress.

Apart from the physical aspect, golf is also a game of the mind. Each round challenges people, and especially myself, to stay composed after bad shots and not have a snowball effect after one bad shot. The ability to stay calm after missing a putt or the ability to think ahead before a tricky shot helps to acquire patience and discipline—attributes which can be transferred well outside the course. Perseverance is also acquired through the game, with improvement through consistent practice and many rounds of golf.

Socially, golf encourages relationships. Whether played among friends, family, or random people met right before you head out for a round and decide to pair up, business partnerships and long-term friendships have developed on the course, as people are allowed to connect in a relaxed setting.

One of the things that makes golf such a fulfilling activity is that it is available and can be played in all countries, unlike many other sports. From small neighborhood courses to famous championship courses, it is easy to play almost anywhere. Technology has even branched out the activity into virtual golf simulators and online competitions. Golf is the perfect combination of relaxation. It’s a sport that calms the body, forces laser focus from the mind, and strengthens social bonds. While enabling players to work with what nature gives them on the course, from bad lies to perfect gaps between trees. These are qualities that make golf more than a hobby. It is a passion and one of the best hobbies anyone can experience.

Why Mormonism Is Not a Denomination of Christianity

By: Olivia Russell

Mormonism was started in the early nineteenth century by a man named Joseph Smith. He claimed that he was experiencing visions from God, one in particular of an angel by the name of Moroni leading him to ancient golden plates buried in a box on a hill in Manchester, New York. In 1830, he published what he claimed was written on the golden plates, and that is what is now known as the Book of Mormon. He established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fayette, New York, though it originally had a different name. The church was relocated multiple times over the next decades due to persecution and violence toward the group. In 1844, Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob in Illinois, and Brigham Young led members of the church to what is now Salt Lake City, Utah–over one thousand miles away.

Two hundred years later, the Mormons now have four books that they consider legitimate works of scripture: the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and the King James Bible. In this, they consider the Bible to be the least legitimate of the four, as Joseph Smith writes in the Pearl of Great Price that much of the Bible was misinterpreted or corrupted in translation after the death of the apostles. While Mormons respect the Bible, they more often look to the Mormon holy books, which do not align with Biblical beliefs on many accounts. For instance, they believe in salvation in two senses of the word: “individual salvation” or “exaltation” refers to the idea that a person is saved through works. “General salvation” refers to the idea that all men are inherently saved by belief alone in Christ.

In Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV, Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” This verse alone goes against both of their definitions of salvation. Salvation is not through works, like individual salvation claims, but through faith. General salvation refers to belief, not faith, and therefore, this verse contradicts this idea too. Mormons do not believe in the idea that faith is what saves, even as there are multiple verses throughout the Bible that claim this is true (Luke 7:50, Hebrews 11:1-6, Mark 11:22-24, 2 Corinthians 2:5).

It is also believed that God was once a man and became God. They believe that God has a physical body, as does his wife, whom they call “Heavenly Mother.” To believe that God has a beginning and was initially a man before the Lord is a major misunderstanding and ignorance of scripture. Psalm 90:2 KJV reads, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” God has no beginning. He has existed for all of time, and He was not yet a man before Christ, but instead created man and the earth. This verse says that before the mountains were formed, God was there. The idea that the Lord was first a man and became God aligns more with Buddhist beliefs and goes against every aspect of scripture.

Finally, the Mormons believe that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Gods. They will say that Jesus is a separate being created as a result of the sexual relation between Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother, made to be an “elder brother” of all people. Jesus was married, and His death did not pay for the sins of everyone on the cross but provided resurrection for everyone. In the Bible, several verses state the idea of the Trinity, claiming that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are of one being (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 45:5, James 2:19). It also explains that Jesus was not born of a sexual act, but of a supernatural circumstance (Luke 1:35, John 1:14, John 10:30).

The Bible alone is the Word of God, and it is without error (2 Timothy 3:16, Revelation 22:18-20). The Mormon church is drastically separated from Biblical beliefs, and they claim to be a Christian denomination. This is not written out of judgment for the members of the church, but for the official doctrine and ideology behind it.