Category: McKenzie Gray Mills

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. 

My Favorite Things: Springtime

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week I’ll be talking about springtime at Wilson Hall. This is definitely my favorite time of the year. It is warm outside and there are so many fun things going on. Track season is at its peak. We have practice everyday and meets once a week. At the end of a hard practice on Friday we get popsicles. It’s such a rewarding treat. 

Then spring break. Everyone from Wilson Hall goes to Litchfield. It is such a bonding experience. We go to the beach all day and play spike ball, tan, and swim in the ocean. My favorite activity is to play volleyball on the beach. We all make a huge circle and see how long we can keep it from hitting the ground. 

The week after spring break is prom. This is the most stressful but fun night. You go to school for the day then rush to get ready. You take pictures for what feels like hours. Then go to dinner. The seniors have a sit down dinner. Next is the actual prom. The juniors decorate it to a certain theme and surprise the seniors. After prom you have about 30 minutes to change into more casual clothes and then go to breakfast. This is a fun tradition. Prom will always be a night to remember. 

It’s also just fun to attend the baseball and soccer games. After a long day at school and track, then go home for a little then go to a game with all your friends. Getting food from the concessions and cheering on your friends. The stands are full of laughter. 

Those are just a few of the reasons I love springtime. I’ll miss pretty much everything about Wilson hall. The things in the spring time I’ll cherish the most. From being in the sun all day with friends to ending the day with friends. In the spring the flowers bloom and it starts to warm up. This is just the preview of how summer will be. 

Wilson Hall Dances

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

On this week’s blog, I’ll be talking about Wilson Hall dances. This is such a fun time to be a Baron. When school begins in the fall there is usually a dance to start the year off strong. Most times it is after a football game in the Nash center. This is such a special dance after a game you just won and get to celebrate all together. 

Then this year we added a homecoming dance. We’ve always had the week where we dress up, decorate the halls, and have a football game. This year we changed it up a little. We did all those normal traditions, but added a dance on Saturday to end with a bang. 

Our next dance is the winter chill. After exam week, we usually have this dance. Except this year because a Friday night basketball game landed on this night….and you can miss one of those. So this year we are having it on January 11th. It is just a fun night to dress up with your friends, and not have to worry about having a date. What is also special about these nights is that we always do something after. I feel like our grade is especially close. So it’s a good time to get all together while not being at school. 

Next is prom. This is the big dance of the year. The one everyone looks forward to. Once winter chill is over, it is full of chatter of who’s taking who to prom. Our prom takes place after spring break. The Friday right after we get back. This week at school practically doesn’t even count since nobody can pay an ounce of attention. The day starts off with a full day of school…then the rush of getting ready. Next is our dinner. The juniors go to a kinda chill dinner. Then the seniors get a nice sit down dinner. Pictures are taken. Then off to prom. After that, we have breakfast. This is such a fun tradition. 

Dances will always be special in my heart. When I’m off at college and at a dance. I’ll remember dancing in the cafeteria and smile. 

My Favorite Things

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week I’ll be talking about Wilson Hall bowling. This has to be one of my favorite things about my school. It is such a unique experience to be a part of. I started doing this activity junior year and it soon became one of my top hobbies. 

Every week is different, but most of the time we have one practice and two matches a week. Some weeks we get to leave school a little early when we have a match in Columbia. There is a girls, boys, and coed team. The coach decides the team based on how you perform the week prior and at practices. 

It is like getting to bowl for fun and still doing a winter sport. We get to work on techniques like aiming, spinning, and timing. We also learn about strategy, like picking the right ball and adjusting to lane conditions. Matches are so exciting with everyone cheering each other on. It’s a good mixture of individual and team work. The coach sets time apart for each player so he can make sure we are improving the most we can. 

When I first joined the team I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. I soon realized just because it was different from the usual activities I chose that I still needed to give it a chance. After the first two weeks I knew I loved it. Everyone there is so accepting and supportive. When someone exceeds it truly is exciting. 

Bowling has made me a better person. It has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. Although this is only my second year doing it. I can’t wait to reach new goals this season.  When I go to college, I’ll be sure to find something that brings me joy like this activity does. 

My Favorite Things

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week I’ll be talking about how special my friends are to me. Growing up in a small town can be hard at times, but there’s a lot more ups than downs. Having the same friends from elementary school to highschool is one of the ups. Being able to grow up side by side with my best friends is one of the biggest blessings in my life. 

Some of the most memorable times together have been on school trips. In the fifth grade we all went to Washington DC. This was such a fun trip. We got to see a lot of cool things while being with our friends and parents. As close as all the kids are is just about how close our parents are too. My favorite trip has to be Kanuga though. Kanuga can either be someone’s favorite or least favorite trip ever. I think it has to be my favorite because of how close we all seemed to get. After being with each other for such a long time people would think we can’t get much closer, but it somehow happens. We first went to Kanuga in the sixth grade and then again our junior year. It was pretty fun the first go round but the last time definitely takes the cake. We went on hikes, made our own little movie, and spent quality time together. My favorite part of this trip had to be when we all had pieces of paper taped on our backs and we wrote something we liked about someone or our favorite memories together. I think this was so special to me because none of us had trouble thinking about what we would write. It just came so easy. 

It’s crazy to think that after this year we won’t all move on to college together. Some of us will go to the same college, but it won’t be the same fifty people that have been together since preschool. It will be a big change for all of us. We all know deep down that these are the friendships that will last forever. 

My Favorite Things

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week on my favorite things, I’ll be talking about Wilson hall football. This is super special this week because we are headed to state for the second year in a row. Ever since I was little this has held such a special place in my heart. Friday nights have always been designated to Spencer Field. From being in elementary school and getting to be a part of mini cheer. To it being my last year here and getting the honor to be on homecoming court. Every Friday night lights have such a special meaning. 

Last week there was a big group of us supposed to leave for our young life trip on Friday. When we found out we would be missing our last game on Spencer field we were distraught. We thought of every single way to get up there late and nothing was working out. Once it got to Friday we just accepted the fact we would never see another football game at Wilson hall as students. It was until one of the senior boys standed up to speak at the pep rally about how it was their last time all playing together. One of the moms heard this speech and made the decision that we weren’t going to miss this game. We went to the game and all hung out after then woke up three hours later to make the drive up to camp. This is an example of just how special this organization is to all of us. 

This Saturday will be the last time us seniors get to bang the drums while being on defense. It will be the last time we watch our friends play a sport they love together. It will be the last time we stand in the student section together. These lasts are becoming very real, but make us so very grateful Wilson Hall makes these things so special. 

My Favorite Things

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week on my top favorite things, I’ll be talking about the best class at Wilson Hall. Digital Media is definitely the most fun class Wilson Hall offers. This class allows us to create content to share with others in our own unique way. It’s nice to have a teacher that has so much knowledge on the subject. Our teacher probably has about eight different accounts on instagram. He is a content creator for all sports related things that go on in the school. There’s not really any guidelines when it comes to what you can post. As long as it is approved by our teacher and would be enjoyed by viewers. 

We are allowed two to three people in each group. My group this year has three people. Last year it had two. Last year we started off the first semester with interviewing for different grades. We started with the three year olds and worked our way up from there. We asked questions that would get some pretty funny answers. The last semester we asked different people to film a day in their lives. This got a lot of love because it was fun to see what our classmates did when not being in the classroom. This year we have started out with the interviews again. The parents really enjoy this content. 

Digital media two students get to help out a little bit more. We have gotten to make some videos that are played during teacher meetings. Our first one we asked an assortment of students what it means to them that we go to a college preparatory school. Getting to make those videos can be a little more tedious, but an honor to be involved with. This class truly is what each one of us look forward to in our day.

My Favorite Things

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

This week on my series of favorite things, I’ll be talking about Sumter younglife. I’ve been attending every young life event I can since the beginning of junior year. Young life has had such a big impact on my life and the person I’m becoming. 

Since the first day I walked through the club doors, I knew it would be a fit for me. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. The young life leaders came running up to me eager to meet a new face. 

This past summer, I went to Windy Gap with my young life group. It was truly the best week of my life. When you’re a newbie at camp the phrase you hear on the daily is “it’s hard to say”. But after experiencing a life changing week like that. The phrase might be one of the most true sayings. Young Life camp offers teenagers an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, fun, and personal growth. It is a space for young people to explore their faith, build friendships, and reflect on their lives in a supportive environment. There were so many different things to do and no one was ever bored. During the day we swam, went ziplining, and did many competitive activities. By the time we hit the bed it went dead silent because everyone was so worn out. This summer I plan to attend another summer camp. As well as going to another camp to help with the work crew. 

Sumter young life will hold such a special place in my life. From all of the people that make it so unique to all the memories I’ve made that will last a lifetime. As I continue my journey somewhere else. I still plan to find a new younglife to get involved with. It may not be Sumter younglife, but any younglife is something everyone deserves to experience.

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.

My Favorite Things: Wilson Hall Track

By: McKenzie Gray Mills

In this week’s blog I’ll be talking about one of my favorite things, Wilson Hall track. Volleyball is my main sport, but in the spring I enjoy participating in track. My sophomore year I was a mid-distance runner. I ran the 400 and 200 in meets. In my junior year, I took a very different route. I did the triple and long jump. While I probably should have stuck it out with mid-distance because I’m not the tallest person or have a great vertical, I oddly really enjoyed being a jumper.

Jumping practice is much different than a mid-distance practice. It starts out with the whole team doing the two-lap warm-up and stretching routine. Once we get over to the “jumping area”, we mark down our spots and do about five to ten jumps depending on if there’s a meet coming up. When we are waiting for our turn to jump we usually all sit in a circle and talk about what’s going on or try to sneak our phones to look at TikTok or Snapchat quickly.

Wilson Hall’s track team is unique from others, we all get along so well and truly enjoy being out there with each other. On Friday we take part in Popsicle Friday. This is where each senior gets a turn to talk about their favorite track memories and share a piece of advice with the lower classmen who still have some time at Wilson Hall, while everyone enjoys their popsicle of choice. For my last year being able to take part in this wonderful activity, I plan to keep going with the triple and long jump. I might not miss hearing Coach Rip tell the jumpers it is their turn to do some running, but there are so many more things I will miss