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Top Vacation Spots: Banff

By: Logan Mims

Number 2 out of the top 5 places I have vacationed would have to be Banff, Canada! Banff was without a doubt the most beautiful place I have ever gone on vacation to. It was just so beautiful and so different from what I am used to. The weather was cool, and there was always a slight breeze. We went during the summer so there was no snow, so the weather was cold but not too cold: it was perfect. Not only was the weather perfect but the views were unbelievable. Everything was just so beautiful.

One of my all time favorite things that we did in Banff was when we went to visit Lake Louise and Lake Morain. The view was like nothing I had ever seen before. The easter was crystal clear and was slightly blue and they were surrounded by trees and mountains. At Lake Louise, you could also hike up what mountain so you could see the lake from a taller view so that was really fun.

Another fun activity that we did was the raft tour. We were in one of the blow up boats that are used for white water rafting, but the water was calm. We went down a river and we had a guide who would tell us about all the different mountains and different sites surrounding us. Not only was it informational, but it was just an amazing experience because the view was remarkable.

My last favorite thing that we did was exploring downtown. We rented bikes for the day and we rode around downtown and went to all the different stores. It was very interesting to see the difference in the stores compared to how they are in the United States. We also ate at some really delicious restaurants. Banff was so amazing and I would definitely recommend taking a visit.

Volleyball Reflections

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

On this weeks blog, I’ll be talking about one of my favorite things, which is Wilson Hall Volleyball. This program has been a big part of my life since 7th grade. It started with my first year on the b-team where I fell in love with the sport and the atmosphere Wilson hall provided.

After 7th grade, I progressed to JV. JV was a big step for me because we got to practice with the older girls. Practicing with them brought some fear every now and then, but most of all it brought friendships that last a lifetime. Even when I was a little 8th grader, they still cared about me. Those same friends still check up on me even though they have moved on to bigger things in college. I stayed on JV my freshman year as well.

My sophomore year I got the chance to be on the varsity team. It was the most exciting thing after being told I had made the team. I walked into the locker room and the whole team was jumping up and down. That was pure joy. That tradition still lives on where we go crazy in the locker room congratulating the new members. Sophomore year was such a highlight in my life just because of the memories I made with that specific team. It never once mattered about playing time. It was about the family we had created that year.

Now being a senior, I still fully love this program. After our seniors last year graduated, it was really hard to step up because I never imagined myself being the senior. This year’s team is just as special as all of the others. We are coming together and I can’t wait to see how they continue to grow. Wilson Hall volleyball will be something I cherish forever.

Top 5 Appetizers

By: Addie Griffin

Everyone loves a little something before dinner time. Whether it is finger food, or a simple soup or salad, there is an appetizer for everyone. Today I will be ranking the top five best appetizers known to man.

5. Starting off at number five, we have a side salad. A salad is a much lighter option than most of the other appetizers that we are used to, which is why I think it deserves a spot on this list. It gives us something to munch on to hold us over, while still leaving room for our main course.

4. At number four, we have bread sticks. This is a controversial rating as many people love breadsticks- specifically from Olive Garden- however, I think they are slightly overrated. With all this being said, I think they still deserve a spot above salad because of their flavorful taste that salad lacks.

3. Now starting off our top three is chips and queso. This classic appetizer is hard to beat, especially if it is from our local restaurant Mariachi’s. This appetizer is more than the chips and queso itself, it is also the conversations that are had and the people that surround you while eating it. Some of my favorite memories have been made whilst eating this delicious combination.

2. At the number two spot is no other than mozzarella sticks. If you take any “sit down” restaurant, I can almost guarantee they will have mozzarella sticks. This is because mozzarella sticks are a crowd favorite and loved by all. The garlic taste of the breading combined with the juicy stretchy cheese is a flavor burst like no other.

1.Finally the long awaited number one spot goes to no other than fried pickles. This is a very controversial pick, especially at number one. This is because if you don’t enjoy pickles, then you most likely hate them. However I am far from one of those people. The thin crispy breading combined with the tanginess of the pickle preferably dipped in buttermilk ranch is unbeatable, in my opinion. Forget an appetizer, I could eat fried pickles as my main course!

Ranking Celsius Flavors- Vibe Variety Pack Edition

By: Anna Kate Coker

The flavors in this pack consist of peach vibe, arctic vibe, and tropical vibe. They are all very refreshing and will bring you great energy to persevere through the day. This is a very nice pack of choices, letting you pick between berry, peach, and pineapple.

1. Arctic Vibe

This is my least favorite celsius out of every single one there is. It tastes like a rip off of gatorade and just doesn’t fulfill what I thought it would be like. The flavor is “frozen berry” which is confusing because what makes it different from their original berry one? It is described as a cool breeze.. But if you drink any other flavor and it’s cold then its the same temperature? I just think this flavor doesn’t deserve to be recognized with the other following celsius.

2. Peach Vibe

This energy drink tastes just like peach rings. It is sweet but not in an overpowering way. It leaves a nice after taste and I think highly of this flavor, although some of my friends disagree. That leads this flavor to second place. I think the can is pretty with pink and orange and just gives off such a happy summer vibe.

3. Tropical Vibe

This flavor is the most overall liked celsius. With the yummy sensation of pineapple and starfruit, it is a perfect mix between sweet and sour. It is easy to sip or chug and is perfect for every occasion. My friends Olivia and Molly love to drink these before our volleyball games and it helps them play to the best of their abilities. Everyone seems to love this drink whether they have it fresh out the fridge or let it sit out and lose carbonation. This is a top tier choice.

Wilson Hall Volleyball Update

By: Olivia Cogswell

On Tuesday August 17, the Lady Baron volleyball team took on the LMA swamcats, a rivalry matchup. The Wilson Hall volleyball team, having come off losing three region games to Trinity Collegiate, John Paul II, and Hilton Head Christian, were fighting for the win.

The Barons started off strong with a two set lead, finishing the first set with a score of 25-15. During the set Molly Jones and Mckinley Bath led the offense, but the swamp cats hung around. Wilson Hall was playing hard, being aggressive at the net, and Mckenzie Gray Mills led the defense with digs. The second looked very similar, with Bath leading on offense, and Mills carrying the defense, but the swamp cats were hanging on. Until sophomore Savannah Wells came up to serve with back to back aces. Leading the Barons to the second set victory.

However the third set took a turn with the lady Barons falling behind with a swampcat lead of 10-0. The team fought for a comeback, but there were errors on errors. Faces began to show, and the team was clearly in a slump. However later in the set they were able to come together and make a comeback, but unfortunately were unable to finish with the victory, ending with a 25-20 score.

In between the third and fourth set, senior Anna Kate Coker pulled the frustrated Barons into a huddle. Pep talks and encouragement were shared, before it was time to huddle up with Coach Rip. The Barons went out for the fourth and final set to take back the lead and finish the game. The Barons played hard and aggressive while LMA kept hanging on by three. Questionable calls were made by the ref, but everyone kept playing. Until finally the Barons had gotten their first region victory of the season, and held their winning record over their rival LMA.

3D Printing: FDM Printing and Resin Printing

By: Lottie Bynum

3D Printing in its many forms is now an accessible hobby to the public. Print farm businesses are one way people use them. They are able to buy the rights to print files for daily uses or something fun they are also able to make their own to print then sell. Props and fan merchandise are another use for them, whether it’s a full suit of Ironman armor or another prop from a show or movie, people make it on 3D printers.

There are a few different ways to 3D print: one is FDM(fused deposition modeling) printing where spools of plastic or other material such as ABS or Nylon are melted and come through a nozzle that set down thin layers of the melted material in whatever shape the person who is printing it wants. The thin layers cool before the machine puts on another layer allowing whatever it is making to be durable. Resin printing is the other main type of 3D printing many hobbyist’s know how to operate. It builds parts by curing resin in layers where a light is shined in the resin to harden it at different places and heights.

Each method of 3D printing lends itself to certain types of items it can print. For example, FDM printing is able to more efficiently print larger items whereas a resin printer takes longer the taller a print is. Although, a resin printer can produce higher quality prints than FDM printers can. Both can be finished by sanding and spray painting or can be used after printing; Resin printed pieces need to be processed in alcohol to cleanse it for 20 minutes to an hour depending on how large the print is. PLA, which is what most FDM printers use as filament to print, is durable but can melt or weaken due to heat or too much UV light. Similarly, resin prints can weaken because of UV light as it over hardens it but doesn’t react as much to water as PLA does.

Choosing which kind of printing to do depends on what would be printed and what kind of conditions it can be used for. Both methods of 3D printing are useful in many ways and are fun hobbies to pick up.

Private School Positives and Negatives

By: Campbell Cromer

Private schools offer a distinct alternative to public education, with both advantages and disadvantages depending on a student’s needs and family preferences.

One of the biggest advantages of private schools is smaller class sizes, which provides more personal attention. Teachers can focus on individual students’ strengths and weaknesses specific to each student. Another positive is enhanced resources. Most private schools have access to better resources, from newer technology to specialized programs in arts, athletics, and much more. This can enhance the overall educational experience of a private school education. There is also specialized Curriculums. Private schools often offer more specialized curriculum than public schools. Whether it’s a focus on college prep, the religious aspect, or arts and music, private schools can provide specialized educational experiences that align with a family’s views and a student’s interests. Another positive that could also be viewed as a negative is uniforms. Most private schools require uniforms. This could be viewed as a positive because students don’t have to worry about picking there clothes out so you don’t have to worry about getting picked on for what you wear. Some negatives of private school are high cost.

The biggest downside to private schools is the price. Tuition can be expensive, making it hard for many families to afford. Scholarships may be available, but not everyone can get them. Also there is less diversity. Private schools can sometimes lack the social and cultural diversity found in public schools. This can limit students exposure to different views and experiences, which are important in a well-rounded education. There are also limited extracurriculars. Some private schools, especially small ones, may have less extracurricular activities than public schools, potentially limiting opportunities for students interested in different activities outside of academics. Private school education offers significant benefits but also comes with difficulties. People should weigh these decisions carefully when choosing the best educational experience for their children.

The Panthers’ Problems

By: Knox Buxton

The Carolina Panthers have started off the season 0-2 and look like the worst team in the NFL again this season. They lost to the Saints 47-10 in the season opener in New Orleans, and then lost to the Los Angeles Chargers 26-3 in week 2 for their home opener. A lot of people wonder why the Panthers are just so bad this year. The reason why isn’t just from one problem, it is from a ton of different problems added together.

The first and biggest problem in my opinion is that their owner, David Tepper, is the worst owner in the NFL. He consistently makes the wrong decisions such as hiring the wrong coaches, like when he hired Frank Reich last season and he didn’t even make it through the whole season before he got fired. He hired Reich after Steve Wilkes almost led the Panthers to the playoffs the year before even after they traded Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers and got off to a terrible start. The players made it known that they wanted to keep Steve Wilkes around, but Tepper obviously did not care and we saw how that turned out. In my opinion, the sooner David Tepper steps down as the owner of the Panthers, the sooner the Panthers will turn things around. Tepper just has no idea what he is doing and he acts more of a fan than an owner. The Panthers also seem to make the wrong decision everytime about what players to sign. They traded for Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield in back to back years and neither of them could play well on the Panthers. Now Baker is playing the best football of his NFL career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Sam Darnold has put together a couple good games for the Vikings. They selected Bryce Young with the first overall pick last year and have already benched him after week two of his second season. Young has started off his career 2-17 as the Panthers starter and I know he hasn’t been playing well, but the problem is not all on him.

If Mayfield and Darnold can play well when they are not on the Panthers, I believe Bryce Young can too. He has been given one of the worst receiving rooms and offensive lines in the league to start his career and as an undersized quarterback, there’s not much he can do about it. The problem is not just the quarterback position, it is just about everywhere on the field. The Panthers should start by figuring out if Bryce Young is the guy to build around or not. Then they need to keep getting the offensive and defensive lines better. After that, they should go out and get a top receiver who is in talks of being traded by their current team such as Tee Higgins or maybe even Deebo Samuel. That is the best way to start getting on the right track. If Young is not the guy, which right now it seems like he is not, they need to try to get a good draft pick and draft a top quarterback this offseason. They should not try to trade for another mediocre quarterback like they have in past years because we see how that has gone.

The final thing I will talk about what they need to do is they need to figure out who to keep and who to let go of on the coaching staff. Dave Canales is in his first season as the Panther’s head coach and it has not looked good so far. I get that we are only two games into the season, but if this keeps up he might not make it the whole season just like Frank Reich. At the end of the day, there are many problems with the Carolina Panthers organization, but I believe if they can start correcting their mistakes little by little they can turn it around.

Team Dipper Kupp Stats from Week 1

By: Cooper Scott

I’m in a ten man point per reception league with my friends, and after week one. My record is one and zero. First player is Patrick Mahomes, my Quarterback, Patrick threw for two hundred ninety-one yards, one touchdown and one interception. Mahomes was projected 19.3 fantasy points and he fell short of that with only 15.14 fantasy points.

Starting off with my running back one: Jonathan Taylor. Taylor had 10.8 fantasy points on sixteen touches for forty-eight yards and one touchdown. He fell short of his projection of 16.5 points and he finished as running back thirty on week one. My running back was Kenneth Walker III, Walker had twenty touches for one hundred and three yards and one touchdown. Walker was also involved in the passing game with three targets, two catches, and six receiving yards. Walker was projected 16.1 fantasy points and he did better than his projection with 18.9 fantasy points. Walker got beat up a little bit and exited the game with an abdominal injury late in the second half.

Now onto wide receivers, My wide receiver one last week was Garret Wilson.

Wilson was projected to have 16.5 fantasy points, but Wilson busted with only 12 fantasy points.

Wilson was targeted 11 times with only 6 catches with only 60 yards. Cooper Kupp is wide Receiver two, and Kupp had a monster week. Kupp was projected 14.7 fantasy points, and Kupp boomed with 32.0 Fantasy points.Kupp was targeted 21 times, and came down with 14 of the 21 targets with 110 yards and a touchdown. Kupp finished as the wide receiver 3 this week!

I started Rashee Rice from the Kansas City Chiefs as my flex this week. Rice was projected to have 14.1 fantasy points this week, and finished with 17.3 fantasy points. Rice had 9 targets and 7 receptions for 103 yards. Rice was one of my sleepers going into this year, and my friends called me an idiot but I am proving them wrong.

Onto with the defense and the kicker, I started the Bengals defense. The Bengals projected 7.9 fantasy points and he ended with 4 fantasy points. The Bengals defense gave up 16 points to the Patriots and the defense had 1 sack. My kicker was Cairo Santos, he was projected 7.8 fantasy points. Santos finished with 13.0 fantasy points, and Santos had 3 field goals and 1 extra point.

That is a wrap for team Dipper Kupp Fantasy breakdown week 1. We will see you in week 2.

What diabetes feels like

By: Bryce Hanson

The biggest question I get when my number is high or low is, “What do you feel.” And that’s what I will be sharing with you today.

First let’s talk about what it feels like when my number is low. A low number for me ranges from anywhere between 30- 70, and sadly this where my blood sugar usually stays. What I feel is actually what you would kind of expect. My legs usually get a little queasy and I can’t walk which is why you will usually see me sitting or laying down when my number drops. Then the room sometimes begins to spin for me, which is another reason I sit or lay down. Then occasionally I pass out when it goes really low and with that I actually don’t feel it that much, of course I feel my number dropping but I don’t feel all those symptoms. I actually just feel like I went to sleep. Then if it’s dropping really fast I can have a seizure and with that I don’t feel anything at first, it also just feels like I fell asleep, but after it feels like I just did a full body workout. All of my muscles are sore and it just makes me feel miserable. But number going low isn’t all that bad sometimes I feel happy to the point where it’s a little weird.

On the contrary, when my number is high, I feel not as many symptoms. A high number is somewhere between 300- 500. When my number is this high, my muscles get really tight. This is because when there is a lot of sugar in your blood it stretches the veins out. Which makes it feel like I’m about to cramp. The only other thing that you can tell when my number is high is I am easily angry and have a short temper.

So now you know what I go through on a daily basis.