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Pickleball Review

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week I’ll be talking about pickleball. Pickleball is one of my favorite activities to do. While living in a small town there is not usually a lot to do. So having a pickleball court is the perfect opportunity to do something fun and be active. Pickleball is a super fun game that mixes tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. You play it on a smaller court with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It’s easy to learn and great for all ages. People love it because it’s social. The best time to go is in the spring. The weather is great and just the best way to end the day. One of my favorite memories was when everyone from young life went to play pickleball. It was a tournament. Whenever you would win you would move up to another court. Whoever ended up on the big court last won. This was such a fun night because we all bonded in a way we never have before. Another great memory involving pickle ball was at camp. After club at night we had about an hour of free time. Everyone surrounded the pickle ball court. It was so fun winning in front of everyone. The rest of the week I was reminded of that night.

The rules are simple once you get used to it. In a game, you score points only when you’re serving. You earn a point if the opposing team fails to return the ball, hits it out of bounds, or commits a fault. Games are typically played to 11 points, and you must win by at least 2 points.

Pickle ball is always going to be my favorite activity. The courts in Sumter are always going to be my favorite since it holds so many memories. Since I’m going to college next year, I’m going to have to find a new place to play. It’s going to be exciting getting to play with all new people.

If anyone hasn’t ever played before they need to. It’s for anyone. Pickle ball is easy even for people that aren’t athletic.

Ranking My Classes

This week’s blog is part 1 of me ranking my classes from my favorite class to my least favorite class. Since I have a study hall I only have 6 classes. My classes are 1st period is AP Biology, 2nd period is engineering, 3rd period is senior seminar (English), 4th period is digital media, 5th period is weight lifting, 6th period I have study hall so that doesn’t count in my ranking, and 7th period I have AP Pre-calc.

Before I rank my classes I will just say how I feel about them overall. Overall I don’t feel like I have a hard schedule and I actually really enjoy almost all my classes this year.

Coming it at #1 is my 4th period class, digital media. For this class we have to make a video and post it every week and every other week we have to write a 350 word blog about anything we choose to write about. Digital media is my favorite class because it is very laid back. You kind of get to work on your own schedule which is really nice. On days where I don’t have anything to do it is a good time to get some of my homework or studying done.

Coming in at #2 is my 2nd period engineering class. I really enjoy this class because we get to work at our own pace. My teacher gives us our assignments on google classroom at the beginning of the week and then as long as they are done by the end of the week he has no problem, so the class is very chill, which I really enjoy. I also have some of my friends in the class so it is very nice to be able to talk to them.

Coming in at #3 is my 3rd period Senior Seminar class. I have never been someone who really likes English but I really don’t mind this class at all. I have a lot of my friends in this class which is great. The things we do in this English class compared to most are not as boring as the others.

Rating Classes

By: Alexis Dawkins

As a senior in highschool, I take many different classes to improve my GPA. Today I am going to be rating them.

To start, first period which is precalculus with Ms. Muldrow. I have always excelled in math and learning the ways of every concept easily but this class has challenged me recently. It may be the senioritis getting to me but the second semester of senior year has been my most challenging one yet, not just in math but in every class. I have this class with mostly juniors and only a few seniors so we are outnumbered. This class has to be a solid 7.5/10 because I like Ms. Muldrow but it is not my favorite class.

Second period is Human Health and Development. This is with Mrs. Sanders who is also the school nurse. I took this because I needed a lab science to graduate but this class has taught me a lot so far about the human body and different systems throughout. I am in this class with all girls except for one boy and five of the twelve in the class are seniors. We spend a lot of time goofing off but we do learn a lot. I rate this class a 9.5/10.

Third period is Senior Seminar or English 12 and this is with Mrs. Mattews. I had her for English 10 my sophomore year and I enjoy having her as a teacher but I will admit that I do not enjoy reading, writing, or anything else that comes along with an English class. I do enjoy the people in this class and the discussions we have but I will admit that the content of the class is not my favorite. This class is a 6.7/10 for me.

These are my first three classes and my next period is my digital media which is taught by Coach Ripley. This class gives us freedom to be as creative as we want to be. This class is one of my favorite classes because it is such a relief in the middle of the day after three stressful periods before. This class is going to be rated at a 9/10.

Rating dogs

By: Alexis Dawkins

This week I am going to talk about the rest of my dogs in my life. To start, I am going to talk about my moms dogs. She has three dogs in her house and it is a little chaotic. First she has a yorkie, Allie. She is an older dog and she thinks she owns the house. She’s the smallest dog and she barks louder than the big dogs and she is a 9.5/10. They also have an American bulldog, Axel. This is also my dog. He loves me more than everyone even though I’m not there much but he gets more excited to see me than he does everyone else. He does not do well with strangers, especially men, but he is such a sweet dog and he is a 9.4/10. She also has Stella. She is some type of boykin spaniel, lab, irish setter mix. She came from someone on facebook for free and we still do not know what kind of dog she is. Stella is an eight year old baby who loves my mom. Sometimes Allie, the smallest dog in the house, will scare her by just barking at her and it is funny because Stella is so much bigger than her. She loves to dig and get dirty but hates the bath she has to get after to clean off. She is a 9.4/10 also.

My aunt has one dog. She has always only had cats but she decided a few years ago that she wanted a golden retriever. Claire is the most spoiled dog you will ever meet. My aunt has two cats also and they are spoiled too with their own stroller but the dog is the most spoiled. When my aunt has to work she takes Claire to doggy daycare. This is not just any dog daycare, they have a pool for the dogs and all types of things to play with. When the dog spends the night a person sleeps with them in a room so they are not alone. Claire is such a sweet dog and she is very well trained. She is a solid 9.7/10.

These are most of the dogs in my family even though I want a maltipoo puppy but that is just a hope for one day. I love dogs more than people most days so if there is a dog somewhere you can bet money that that’s where I will be if you can not find me at a function.

WHY THE EAGLES?

By: Carson Wilsey

The Philadelphia Eagles are making their return, and they appear ready to win, so this year’s Super Bowl showdown is sure to be thrilling. The Eagles’ strong and well-rounded roster has been on full display throughout the season. With both his arm and his legs, quarterback Jalen Hurts has shown himself to be one of the league’s most dynamic athletes. Hurts has provided the Eagles an advantage that other teams have found difficult to match because of his ability to prolong plays and make critical decisions under stress. The Eagles are among the most powerful teams in the NFL in a significant way because of Hurts’ athleticism, poise, and development as a passer.

The Eagles’ defense, in addition to Hurts, is a key component of their chances of winning the Super Bowl. With exceptional players such as Jordan Davis,a beast of a d-lineman, among their roster, the team has an intimidating defensive line. One of the Eagles’ greatest strengths this season has been their ability to consistently put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and this ability will be vital in the Super Bowl. Additionally, their defense is excellent at stopping the run and covering passes, which makes it hard for opponents to establish a rhythm. Philadelphia’s defense will be difficult for any offense to overcome because of its strong blend of youthful energy and experience, which enables them to contain some of the most electric teams.

The Eagles, led by head coach Nick Sirianni, are a well-coached group in addition to having outstanding athletic ability on the field. Sirianni has continuously placed his players in successful situations and demonstrated remarkable game management abilities, because of his innovative and flexible playcalling, the Eagles have been able to succeed in a variety of offensive and defensive schemes. Sirianni’s ability to remain composed under pressure will be essential during the Super Bowl, and his leadership has helped his players perform at their highest level. The Eagles are ready for victory because they have a quality squad, excellent coaching, and the capacity to perform well under pressure. They are destine to take down the Cheifs and end their hope at a three peatnin this year’s Super Bowl because of their well-balanced roster and outstanding coaching.

What does the Proper Upper Body Workout look like?

By: Ford Wilder

There are many different ways you can train your upper body whether it is to look more aesthetically pleasing, become more explosive, etc. Although there are plenty of workouts to follow, there is one way that is superior to all. This way combines lifting for aesthetics and explosiveness, making you both more athletic and better looking. This is called upper body power training. I have trained aesthetically for the upper body before but became less athletic and stiffer although I filled my body out quicker. I have also trained solely explosively where I became quicker and more athletic in my upper body, but I did not gain any muscle hardly. This is where power training comes into play so you can pair both training styles together.

I noticed the greatest strides in my training and performance when I switched over to this style of lifting. I do not train back and biceps or chest and triceps together like a bodybuilder would. Instead, I train my whole upper body together in each session which includes the chest, back, shoulders, biceps, and triceps. I can hit my whole upper body at least twice a week without having to spend 4 or 5 days to effectively hit each muscle group. That is what a bodybuilder does, and that is why they are not athletic and instead stiff.

Furthermore, making sure to pair the right exercises together in this form of training is vital. I prefer to pair exercises together one after the other going from a push to a pull movement. By pairing push and pull exercises you stabilize and balance your muscles instead of progressing your push or pull movements too far ahead of one another. Also, by pairing push and pull movements together, you can create a heavier workload since there is less fatigue after each exercise due to the different muscles being worked in the movements.

One may ask, “What does this look like in a workout form?” In my workouts or what my strength coach provides this could be bench press paired with pull-ups or tricep press paired with hammer curls. In a power-based upper body session, you do not just lift weights. You add in things with your lifts such as med ball throws and core/trunk exercises. These accessory movements are what build the explosiveness and quickness when paired correctly with strength movements. I typically do two to three core or med ball movements with my strength exercises to build up the most explosiveness I can. Ultimately, I believe that people should reap the benefits of upper-body power training instead of dealing with the consequences that come with both aesthetic and solely explosive upper-body training. I have noticed a great deal of benefits to come along with this way of training my upper body and I believe this style of training is what many are missing.

Who Will Win the Super Bowl

By: Stirling Tindal

The 56th Super Bowl is this Sunday and the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are sitting at a record of 14-3 and have by far the best running back in the league. The Chiefs have a 15-2 record and really don’t have any outstanding players this year, but Patrick Mahomes and Andy Ried always find a way to win games.

I believe that this will be a close game with a higher score because of both teams’ explosive offenses. By the end of the first quarter I predict that the score will be 10-7 Eagles. Saquon will start off hot because the Chiefs won’t fully know how to stop him; however after the first quarter they will figure things out.

At half time it will be tied 17-17 with the second quarter ending with a last second Chiefs field goal. Both teams will have a great first half with many yards on offense. The key to winning the second half is who is disciplined enough to stop either of these offenses consistently.

Entering the third quarter, I believe that whichever team receives the ball will have a huge turnover in the red zone on the opening drive. It won’t be a super thrilling third quarter and the score will be 24-17 Chiefs. At this point Andy Reid will have figured out how to stop Saquon, getting rid of the Eagles X-factor. With our Saquon controlling the game, the Eagles won’t be able to get anything going.

In the fourth quarter, the key to winning the game will be turnovers. Both teams will need to hold on to the ball and not make dumb decisions. The game will most certainly come down to the wire. I predict there will be two touchdown scoring drives by both teams in the final two minutes. The Chiefs will have the first touchdown in the two minutes, thinking they can hold on to the lead. Jalen Hurts will then lead the Eagles offense down the field in a final 30 seconds drive to win the game 34-31.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will not be able to three-peat and Jalen Hurts and the Eagles will start a new dynasty.

Super Bowl Predictions

By: Cooper Scott

My Super Bowl predictions are the Chiefs are going to beat Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, also predict some of the betting lines. The first betting line is that the national anthem will go under 2 minutes. The opening kickoff will be a touchback. Taylor Swift will be shown on camera more than 4 times. I will also predict that the eagles will get the ball first. The first quarter on the opening drive of the game after the eagles get two first downs Jalen Hurts will throw an interception to Trent Mcduffie on the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes will get his first drive of the Super Bowl and take his team down the field and Harrison Butker will kick a field goal and make it. The eagles will get on offense once again and Jalen Hurts is going to throw a Touchdown pass to Devonta smith. The Chiefs are going to go three and out and that is the end of the first quarter. On the Eagles opening Drive of the second quarter Saquon is going to tote the rock all the way down the field and the Eagles will settle for a field goal. So with 9 minutes to go in the 2nd Quarter the score is Eagles 10 Chiefs 3. The Chiefs are going to have a long drive all the way down the field and will score a touchdown with Travis Kelce. Jalen Hurts will have 2 minutes and is going to go down the field and the eagles will settle for a field goal. The score at halftime will be 10- 13 Eagles. The opening drive of the third quarter the chiefs are going to go all the down the field and score a touchdown with Isiah Pacheco. The Eagles are going to throw an interception, and the and the chiefs are going get a field goal and go up 20 to 13. The Eagles are going to go three and out, and the chiefs are going to throw an interception, and there will be a big momentum swing. Saquon Barkely breaks a 40 yard touchdown run and that’s the end of the 3rd quarter. Both the Chiefs and Eagles next drives end with a three and out, and the Chiefs get the ball and Xavier Worthy scores a touchdown ,and the Eagles will get a field goal. So with 5 minutes left the score is 30-27 the eagles. The Chiefs will get the ball and come to a 4th and 11 and throw up a deep ball and get a pass interference. Patrick Mahomes will run for a touchdown and the Chiefs will go up 34-30. Jalen Hurts will choke and throw an interception and the Chiefs will win the Superbowl.

Vinland Saga Review

By: Wyatt Meyers

Because of its full story, exciting action, and remarkable character development, Vinland Saga is one of the greatest anime ever made. Compared to many other action anime, it looks at the meaning of life, issues, and personal growth rather than just fighting and getting even. The fact that Thorfinn is not given a chance to kill Askeladd is one of the most important scenes in the series. Thorfinn’s life is completely changed by it, which makes him one of the most completed characters in anime.

Thorfinn is driven by anger and payback at the start of the Vinland Saga. When he was a child, he saw Askeladd kill his father, Thors. His only goal is to kill Askeladd in an even fight from then on. But Askeladd is more skilled and strong, and he consistently outfights Thorfinn while taking advantage of him. Thorfinn waits for the day to take revenge, following Askeladd like a stench for years. However, it is taken away from him when the time comes. Thorfinn is lost after someone else kills Askeladd.q

The Vinland Saga’s second season shows Thorfinn’s change following Askeladd’s death. He has a need to work for his existence as a slave rather than as a warrior. He meets another slave named Einar during this time, who teaches him the meaning of life. Thorfinn gradually discovers that there are other ways to live besides fighting. He begins to believe in building a world closer to his father’s original goal, free from suffering and war. As he changes from a warrior wanting punishment to a man wanting peace, Thorfinn becomes one of the most interesting characters in anime.

In conclusion, Vinland Saga’s character growth and plot make it a top-tier animation. Revenge is not the solution, as shown by Thorfinn’s exciting and actual path. Instead, it is only when he chooses to let go of his hatred and make the decision to change things that his life takes on meaning. Because of this, Vinland Saga is not simply a great animation but also a classic.

What is the Best Streaming Service

By: Braelen Lewis

What is the best streaming service is a pretty hard question to answer because of the price and variety of shows. Of course the streaming services that are in the debate of the best are Netflix, amazon prime, Hulu, or HBO Max. Some people argue that it’s Netflix due to the good originals they make and others argue that it’s the cheaper price that makes it so enjoyable but in my opinion Netflix is not the best because it doesn’t have a large selection of shows like other platforms. Others argue that HBO is the best because of the great originals that it has like Game of Thrones and many others but in my eyes it is too expensive and although it has the good originals it doesn’t have access to a lot of the larger shows. Amazon Prime in my eyes falls short to number two on my list because although it costs quite a bit it has almost every show and movie that the others have with the addition of many great originals like Invincible. It falls to my number two however because yes they have almost every show available to watch a lot of the good ones cost extra to either rent or buy the rights to watch it. My number one streaming service is Hulu because although it doesn’t have many good originals they have like every show and movie available and I know that it isn’t really fair to the other services but Hulu is connected with Disney Plus and HBO, so you can pay extra and watch everything available on Hulu while also having access to every Disney piece and HBO originals. Although technically not everyone that has Hulu has access to HBO and Disney since it is an option through the app I’m counting it. This is why Hulu is the best choice for all new gen’s when it comes to deciding which streaming service to buy this is due to the fact that people could save so much money by just watching shows through Hulu with the addition of the add ons this would make it where people won’t have to waste money on other streaming services.