Making a healthy diet

By: Luke Pedersen

When it comes to a good healthy diet plan, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your meals. They provide essential vitamins , minerals, and fiber. Aim for at least five servings a day.

Secondly, incorporate lean proteins into your diet, such as chicken, fish, steak, or beans. These are great sources of protein without the extra saturated fats. Also, whole grains like brown or white rice, rice cakes, and whole wheat bread or even bagels are excellent choices for carbohydrates, as they are rich in fiber and nutrients.

Lastly, don’t forget about healthy fats! Include sources like avocados, nuts, and olive oil in moderation. These fats are beneficial for your body and can help keep you feeling satisfied. Remember, it’s all about balance and portion control. And of course, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential.

Staying consistent is the hardest part of this journey, as preforming simple tasks, such as just waking up on time can be the most challenging at some times. Having balanced calories, carbs, proteins and fats should lead you on the right path to a healthier body and healthier lifestyle.

The Barn Door

Artwork and Article by: Emmi Leard

         This art piece was finished November 15, 2022. This piece is made with just graphite pencil. There are different aspects in the piece including: the wood on the door, the cinder blocks of the barn, the metal of the frames and lastly the fabric of the halter and rope. 

         I started this piece by sketching a graph. The graph is just symmetrical lines in horizontal and vertical patterns. I printed out the photograph I worked from and used math to adjust the graph to the correct sizing. After completing the door, I drew the metal of the door then worked my way up the paper. I continued back down and finished my drawing with the cinder blocks. Usually when I draw I try to get the center or most complicated part out of the way first. 

         I always come across a tough spot along the way. In this piece, my thought spot that I had to keep coming back to was the fan. The ceiling fan or the oval looking thing was hard because of the way it’s set. I had to use artistic liberty to make it work with the piece.

The Best NFL Draft

By: Sam Tristan

The debate over the best NFL draft class of all time is subjective and often depends on individual preferences and criteria. However, one class that consistently stands out is the 1983 NFL Draft. This draft is renowned for producing a remarkable trio of Hall of Fame quarterbacks in John Elway, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino, all selected in the first round. Their collective impact on the league and enduring legacies have solidified the 1983 draft class as one of unparalleled quarterback talent and historical significance.

Beyond the quarterback position, the 1983 class showcased exceptional depth and talent across various positions. Players like Eric Dickerson, Bruce Matthews, and Darrell Green, among others, contributed significantly to their teams and earned spots in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The longevity and sustained success of many 1983 draftees further contribute to the class’s reputation as one of the best, with its members leaving an indelible mark on the NFL for years to come.

While opinions may vary, the 1983 NFL Draft’s combination of elite quarterbacks, overall talent, and long-lasting impact on the league make it a strong contender for the title of the best draft class in NFL history.

Can Marcus Stroman make the New York Yankees a World Series contender this year?

By: Clark Kinney

Last week, the Yankees finalized a two year, $37 million deal with Marcus Stroman from who pitched for the Cubs last year, and before that, the Mets and Blue Jays. With this, the Yankees rotation now has stars Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Marcus Stroman. That is a pretty stacked rotation if you ask me. Gerrit Cole is arguably the best starting pitcher on this planet and even though Carlos Rodón did not have his best season in 2023, he was battling injuries and we know he has it in him because of how good he was in 2021 and 2022 with the White Sox and Giants. The Yankees also added a young superstar for 2024 with Juan Soto who will likely hit many home runs due to the short right field in Yankee Stadium as he is a left handed hitter. Not to mention, the Yankees already have Aaron Judge who battled some injuries in 2023 but had a historic 2022 season blasting 62 home runs.

Back to Stroman. I am a huge Stroman guy and this may be bias, but I believe he is what kids these days call a “dawg”. He has his own baseball cleat brand and I even bought a pair. I remember growing up watching the Toronto Blue Jays and thinking how much fun they were to watch. With Jose Bautista and his iconic bat flip, Kevin Pillar robbing home runs and making superman diving plays in the outfield, Edwin Encarnacion hitting bombs and carrying the parrot around the bases, and last but not least, Marcus Stroman’s high energy and swagger every time he stepped on the mound. This team made me realize how much I loved baseball and still do to this day. 

If you haven’t watched Stroman pitch, I highly recommend it. Stroman has always been told he wouldn’t make it and that he undersized at 5’8’’, so he plays with a chip on his shoulder and you can tell. He is fiery and very good. In 2023 for the Cubs, he had a 3.95 ERA with 119 strike outs and 10 wins. I think with this addition, along with everyone staying healthy, the Yankees can make a serious run and be a threat to any team in the MLB.

Do the Atlanta Falcons have a legit chance at signing Bill Belichick? 

By: Tucker Burnette

More Competition For Ex Patriots Bill Belichick in Atlanta ...

With the recent firing of Arthur Smith the Falcons are currently on the hunt for a new head coach. At first thought it’s obviously the smart thing to do, to take a shot at arguably the greatest coach of all time, but that’s easier said than done. The Falcons, along with 3 other teams, are making a push to get Coach Bill Belichick, but are the Falcons in the lead? 

The Falcons have interviewed coach Belichick along with other notable names such as Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the previous Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, but their hunt is far from over. Obviously the job in Atlanta is going to be a challenge considering the Falcons were statistically in one of the worst divisions in football and weren’t able to win despite having a loaded and young roster. We have seen in the past that Belichick likes to have his quarterback to run his team, but that’s the Falcons only weakness because their current starting quarterback is Desmond Ridder. The Falcons currently sit at the 8th pick in the draft and will probably fall just short of one of the many potential star quarterbacks in the draft, which makes you wonder, “Will Belichick take a chance with the Falcons or just retire? “

With all that being said, in my opinion, I don’t see a coach as old and as proven as Belichick coming to wrap up his career with the Falcons at the current state they are in. However, the analysts at ESPN and other major sports networks seem to think the opposite. So the question still remains: Will Belichick go to the Falcons, somewhere else, or retire?

The Irresistible Charm of Jones DesChamps:

Through my 17 years of life, I have collected an endless amount of valuable knowledge. Amongst this information, possibly the most important, are the countless pickup lines that I have accumulated over the years. These one-liners can be used in various different ways and situations, most notably to create a spark between you and the girl of your dreams. Pick-up lines are perfect to introduce yourself in a humorous yet passionate tone to woo your future partner. On today’s episode, I will break down one of my go-to ice breakers to make all of the women fall in love with me. 

Have we met before? Because you look like my next girlfriend… 

Not only is this pickup line attention-grabbing, but it will also make all of the women laugh during your first impression. This allows for many different passages into conversation due to its open nature and can allow you to communicate further with this unknown woman. This opening does not come on too strong for your future lover, and it guarantees your spot into the heart of your crush. So, if you are in desperate need of a phone number for a pretty woman, do not hesitate to use this line.

Blake’s Food Review-Yucatán

 By: Blake Van Patten

Week one of Blake’s food reviews, we will be looking at a popular Sumter spot Yucatán. Yucatán has many positive aspects. This is a place that isn’t somewhere where you can eat multiple times a week, but a place I crave at least three times a month. It’s a quick and easy spot for me and my friends or even my family after church. They have many choices of Mexican food. Normally, I get a chicken and cheese quesadilla or cheesesteak burrito. Not only is the food good but the service is great. I’ve never had a rude server and they normally get my order right. The food is always out ASAP. One of the biggest positives of Yucatán is that it is cheap. Yucatán has reasonable prices and normally I pay around $10. Yucatán also has a good location because it is right by Tj Maxx and five below. This offers the opportunity for my friends and I to be able to walk there after we eat if we are bored. Overall I give Yucatan an 8/10. 

Anime Recommendations

By: Daniel Burton

YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS!!

For the next few weeks I will be talking about anime that I think are solid all around from character development to structure of the show. This week I am doing Ajin.

“Ajin” is an intriguing anime that easily combines mysterious aspects with violent action, resulting in a fascinating story that captivates viewers from beginning to end. The story revolves around Kei Nagai, a high school student who finds out he is an Ajin, an eternal being who can regenerate infinitely. This knowledge throws him into a perilous world in which the government regards Ajin as a threat and conducts horrific experiments on them.

As Kei fights with his newfound immortality and the moral consequences of his actions. Polygon Pictures’ animation stands out for its distinct CGI approach, which visually depicts the Ajin’s rebirth.

The anime is a rollercoaster of suspense, with brutal battle, clever methods, and a continual sense of peril. The character development is well-written, allowing viewers to easily identify with Kei and the other Ajin’s hardships and dilemmas. If you enjoy dark, psychological thrillers with supernatural elements, “Ajin” is a must-see that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the conclusion.