The Spring Season 

By: Alexis Dawkins

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. It is the start of warmer weather and flowers blooming and people want to do more outdoor activities. Spending more time outdoors is better for your health and if you are anything like me, you do not want to be outside in the cold. In spring you can start swimming and going to the beach and/or lake and making family memories that will last forever. 

Easter is in the springtime, a time to celebrate Jesus. This is a day to get up and go to church then have lunch/dinner and spend the day with family. Around this time is spring break for most people. At Wilson Hall, most of the high school students stay in Litchfield. This gives everyone a chance to spend a week with their friends and make lifetime memories. 

Since it is not so cold, the people that like to hike and bike ride start doing that again. Even people that just ride bikes around the neighborhood with their kids start taking them out and teaching them these things and how to have fun outside. During spring you will see a lot of people start walking around their neighborhood or nearby parks, walking their dogs or just getting their kids out of the house. 

Spring overall is one of the best times of the year. It is also when everything starts to bloom and birds start flying and the air just feels better. You can walk outside and feel the nice fresh air instead of walking outside and freezing. Some people like being cold but I can not stand it so I promise that I will be inside in winter but in spring, summer, and part of fall I will be spending time in the fresh air. Spring overall is one of the best times of the year.  

Why Lanorris Sellers may not be the Gamecocks Best Fit

By: Ford Wilder

To begin, the South Carolina Gamecocks are off to an okay start to the 2024 season.

They are 3-2 and their two losses have come to top fifteen-ranked SEC opponents LSU and Ole Miss. The Gamecocks are looking to at least become bowl-eligible and finish the season off strong. This will be tough though because they have a very tough October slate of games. They will face ranked SEC opponents Alabama, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma. To go along with that the Gamecocks defense looks quite strong, and is playing well. The problem is the offense.

The South Carolina offense has been led by Lanorris Sellers thus far who has shown great glimpses of what he can be, but also poor moments setting the offense back. Sellers has been productive on the ground game with 55 carries for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Where he has struggled though is in the pass game. Through four games he has completed 49 passes of 85 attempts with 555 yards,2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. This combines for a QBR of 43.4 which is 96th in the country. This struggle in the pass game has set the Gamecocks offense back tremendously causing them to only put up 3 points versus Ole Miss. To give Lanorris the benefit of the doubt the receiving core and offensive line have been sort of lackluster but this does not excuse the poor decisions and throws he has made consistently throughout the year. His lack of experience is showing against fast and physical SEC defenses. If this continues it may be time for the Gamecocks to look for a change.

Adjacently, this is where Robby Ashford comes into play. Ashford transferred to USC this year after playing at Auburn the previous years. Ashford has SEC starting experience under the Tigers and showed his great dual threat capabilities there where he rushed for 710 yards and 7 touchdowns at Auburn in 2022 and also threw for 9 touchdowns. Ashford has started one game this season for the Gamecocks this year against Akromn after Sellers suffered an ankle sprain against LSU. Akron may not be the greatest opponent but Ashford used this opportunity and showed out. He completed 15 of 21 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for an additional 133 rushing yards and a touchdown. This performance showed many that Ashford may be an option looking ahead for the Gamecocks.

Furthermore, Sellers is considered to be the future of USC as he is just a sophomore compared to Ashford being a senior. This may be true and all but if the Gamecocks want to win right now in the SEC; I believe they should consider starting Ashford due to his experience, and the capabilities he has shown thus far.

Ranking: Celsius Sparkling Poolside Variety Pack 

By: Anna Kate Coker

This Celsius flavor pack contains a nice, refreshing, assortment of delicious summer flavors (perfect to drink on the beach, in a pool, or during fun outdoor activities). 

Ranking 3rd- Sparkling Lemon Lime

The only reason this flavor is enjoyed is because it has a similar taste to sprite, but contains caffeine. When I want a nice Celsius, I am looking forward to enjoying an original flavor, not a copycat of a normal soda. Arguing with what the website says, there is not a  perfect balance between the lemon and lime, if anything the lime is overpowering, giving it a fake tasting sweetness. Although it does have a nice crisp taste to it, once the drink falls flat it is not even slightly enjoyable. 

Ranking 2nd- Sparkling Watermelon

I really do appreciate this Celsius, but the amount of flavor is way too much. The watermelon is really delicious and does make me want more, but after a while it just gets sickening. This drink only consists of one fruit flavor, but it surely makes up for that by just loading up on the saturation of it. Aside from all the hate, it really is a good drink and would be a nice basic Celsius to pick up from the gas station when you don’t know which flavor you want to decide on.

FIRST AND FINAL- Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Maybe I am just biased, but strawberry lemonade on its own is already a superior drink. Bringing the caffeine and carbonation just really ups the game, making it rank higher than the other options in the case. It quenches your thirst just like a nice strawberry lemonade you order from a restaurant on a hot sunny day, but also gives you the energy you need. This drink will always be finished, even if it is left out and the bubbles go away. 

What is the best division in the NFL?

By: Stirling Tindal

 In the NFL, there are 8 divisions, 4 in both conferences. The obvious better conference is easily the NFC with the most teams at or above .500 so far. 

The competition for the best division would have to be between the NFC East and the NFC North. The East consists of the Commanders, Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants. The Commanders lead the division with a 4-1 record. The giants are the only team that are under .500 however their team has been looking up. In the North the Vikings with a perfect record of 5-0. The Packers are at the bottom of the North with a 3-2 record but just because they are at the bottom does not mean that they are a bad team.

Points wise, it’s a pretty tight race. The North takes the crown for most points with 484 points. The East lost this one with only 447 points. The North also sweeps the points allowed race with only 351 total points allowed compared to the East’s 436 total points allowed. 

The overall talent that these divisions have is pretty extraordinary. The East is filled with some extremely talented veteran players like AJ Brown for the eagles and Dak Prescott for the cowboys.

The East will certainly be very strong with the players it has. There are even some young stars shining bright early in this season like Malik Nabers for the Giants and Jayden Daniel’s for the Commanders. The talent in the North is led by young players in their third or fourth seasons. Players like Justin Jefferson for the Vikings and Jordan Love for the Packers, it’s only his second season starting even though it’s his sixth year. There are still quite a few veteran players leading their teams in the North. Jarod Goff for the Lions and DJ Moore for the Bears showcase extreme talent in their later years in the NFL. 

 Through this it is easy to see who the best division in the NFL is. It is clear on paper and on the field that the NFC North is the best division in the NFL right now and they will most likely hold that title for a while going into the season.

Which Pullout was the best in Elementary School?

By: Stirling Tindal

In elementary school, pre-school, and kindergarten at Wilson Hall we would have a pullout everyday. A pullout is essentially exactly what it says, you get pulled out of class to do an activity. You would either have library, music, computers, PE, or art

 In library, we would go check out a book for the week and take it home. We sometimes would also get books read to us. Once a year, the Scholastic Book Fair would come to the school. Every kid would get excited for this because they would have really cool toys like the invisible spy pen and awesome books like the I Survived books.

The next pullout is music. Your class would go to the music room throughout the year and you would sing all kinds of different music. Sometimes it would be with bells with different notes and other times it would be with tubes that we’d hit on our arm to make a sound. Every year we would prepare for at least three recitals, which were the Christmas recital, Grandfriends day, and May Day. Music class was really fun most of the time but sometimes it could get boring when all we would do is sing and not use the cool instruments.

The computers pullout was probably the most useful one because it was very helpful in getting everyone adapted to how to use technology. We would go to the computer lab, which is right across from the library, and we would do many kinds of activities. Sometimes we’d play typing games and sometimes we would just play normal games so that we could learn how to use the computer. Computers was always fun and something everyone always looked forward to.

Another fun pullout was PE. This was everybody’s favorite because everytime we would get to play games like dodgeball, kickball, or ultimate frisbee. We would usually run one lap or do some stretches for warm up and then we would get to our game. This pull out was always awesome because it was like a second recess. 

The final pullout is art. Each year there would be different projects to do like the hand fish in pre-school and the sun and moon in fifth grade. In art you could really see who were the true artists of your grade early on but even if you weren’t that good at it, it was still always fun. Sometimes we would draw and sometimes we would mold clay and make sculptures. Art really helped develop our creativity and our artistic side.

These five pullouts left us with very important childhood memories. Out of all the pullouts my personal favorite was P.E. because of how fun it was playing dodgeball and other sports with everyone in my grade. All the pullouts have, in some way, shaped who we are today.

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.

Best Vacation Spots

By: Logan Mims

              Jackson Hole, Wyoming 

   Number 3 on my top 5 favorite places I have visited is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jackson Hole was absolutely beautiful. Every direction almost looked as if you were looking at a painting. There were a lot of mountains and trees and the snow on top of the mountain almost looked fake. I was just remarkable. 

   I think Jackson Hole, Wyoming would be a good place to visit because there were just so many different activities and attractions. You can go horseback riding, visit YellowStone National Park, hiking,  white water raft, and so many more different activities and adventures. 

   My favorite thing I did while my family and I were in Jackson Hole was when we went to Yellowstone National Park. We went for a full day and we had a tour guide to show us the most popular spots and give us some interesting facts about the park. We went hiking and learned about some really beautiful lakes. We also saw a lot of different animals like bison, elk, bears, moose, and different kinds of birds. It was so cool to see all of these different animals and attractions because it is all so different compared to the south. 

   Another one of my favorite activities was horseback riding. It was not just normal horseback riding, the horses took us on a trail up the mountain. The view was so amazing and nothing like I had ever seen before. It was just such a unique experience and it was so much fun. 

   My last activity was white water rafting. White water rafting is one of my favorite things to do, and getting to white water raft in Wyoming was so awesome. The lake we were white water rafting on was surrounded by mountains and trees so not only did I get the fun experience of white water rafting I also got to look at an amazing view while doing it! 

Is Ryan Williams the best wide receiver in college football?

By Milling Galloway

As an avid college football viewer, I would like to say I have the authority to think Ryan Williams is the best receiver in college football. Although Jeremiah Smith is one of the most alien-like physical specimens the world has ever seen. Don’t quote me on that! I mean the guy is a beast. Two one hand catches with ease last week. He’s just that type of guy, but there is one man above them all. Ryan Hollywood Williams, as the young man and the world would call him. 247 Sports mentions, “The Crimson Tide’s leader in catches, yards and touchdowns through four starts, Williams is already a superstar. He averages a jaw-dropping 28.9 yards per catch and should be a Biletnikoff finalist as a first-year player if he stays healthy and top-ranked Alabama keeps up in the College Football Playoff picture.” This young man is something else. Putting numbers up like that, should be a crime. He is seventeen years old! My age and touching arguably the best defense in the country, in Georgia. This year the rise of the true freshman is taking over the sport. Another case people may argue is Travis hunter is the best receiver. I really like him as the best player in the country, but not as the best receiver. Everyone already knows he’s a freak of nature. Marca.com remarks, “As a sophomore, he was crowned Alabama’s Mr. Football-the first underclassman to receive the honor-thanks to a season with 1,641 receiving yards, 24 receiving touchdowns, 700 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns.” This shows that Hollywood has been doing this since high school. He also won back to back National Gatorade player of the year. He also graduated early and is still the best receiver in the nation. The world has never seen a kid of this caliber and the world and I are so excited to see what the future holds for the young man.

Why the Royals Can and will Surprise Everyone and Win the World Series

By: Benson Elmore

As the baseball season heats up, fans are buzzing about who’s going to win the pennant this year. The Kansas City Royals might not be the first name that comes to mind, but there’s a case to be made for why this underrated team could surprise haters and doubters and make a deep playoff run and win it all. Here’s why the Royals will come out as the champs in the 2024 World Series.

 Young Talent

The Royals have been building a solid roster of young prospects who are starting to hit their stride. With a mix of promising prospects and emerging youngsters, this team has grown exponentially as the season progressed. Players like Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez are not just future stars; they are the stars as of right now, providing a glimpse of the power the Royals can unleash in the postseason.

 Versatile Pitching Staff

Success in the playoffs often relies a lot on pitching, and the Royals have been quietly assembling a staff that can compete with the best. With a combination of reliable starters and a bullpen that can keep them winning, Kansas City has the pitching depth necessary to navigate any playoff series. If their pitchers can harness their potential and deliver under pressure, they could be the backbone of a championship run.

Chemistry

One of the biggest factors of championship teams is their ability to not crumble under pressure. The Royals have a strong clubhouse culture built on what I like to call the power of friendship. Having weathered challenges throughout the season, this team knows how to fight back when the odds are stacked against them. Such a mentality can be crucial in the environment of the postseason.

Previous Success in the Playoffs

While the Royals have had their ups and downs in recent years, they are no strangers to playoff success. With two World Series appearances in the last decade, and a championship win in 2015, the Royals know what it takes to compete at the highest level. Also, there are plenty of veterans on the team, helping the youngsters of the team thrive and succeed in the mental aspects.

While the Kansas City Royals may not be the favorites to win the World Series, their combination of young talent, a strong pitching staff, chemistry, and recent playoff success  makes them my personal favorite in this year’s pennant race. As the postseason continues, keep an eye on this team. They might just pull off the craziest run in recent MLB history and bring home another championship to Fountain City.

Ranking Celsius Energy Drinks

By: Olivia Cogswell

Celsius, an energy drink, which is made with two hundred grams of caffeine to help give you the boost of energy to help reach your goals. This drink is better than most energy drinks because it is made with real and healthier ingredients. It contains 7 vitamins, green tea, etc., and it has no sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors or flavors. The best flavors include: Tropical Vibe, Peach Vibe, Wild Berry, Watermelon, Arctic Vibe, and even a Cola flavored one.

Tropical Vibe is a flavor said to be starfruit and pineapple. The main flavor you taste is the starfruit with a little bit of pineapple. It is very refreshing and gives you the boost of energy needed. 

Peach Vibe, tastes exactly like peach candies. However it is not overly sweet which would make it overpowering and allows for better enjoyment. 

Wild Berry is not a drink for everyone. It is not as sweet as the other drink flavors, and is almost bitter. However the berry flavor is very strong which is what makes the drink the most enjoyable. Wild Berry is for the people who do not like overly sweet drinks. 

Watermelon tastes exactly how one would expect. It is almost like a watermelon candy, however the flavor is not overpowering and overly sweet. Watermelon is very refreshing and gives the flavoring that it advertises.

Arctic Vibe’s flavor is said to be frozen berry. It tastes almost like the wild berry drink, however it is not as bitter as it. It has a more sweet and chilling flavor, which allows it to be more refreshing. 

Cola tastes like a less  sweetened Coca Cola. It has the carbonated feel as a Coke would, however it does not have the overpowering sweetness that coke does. This makes it more refreshing. The Cola celsius flavor does provide more caffeine than an average coke, and may not be as favorable to Coke lovers. 

Those are the top six best flavors of Celcius, and the wide variety and healthy ingredients is why this brand is the best energy drink to choose.