Tag: Blog

The Second Blog

By: Joey Robertson

Monday:

I started off the day by brainstorming ideas for the next video I could make, until I eventually landed on a campus tour/review. I had never seen an actual campus tour for Wilson Hall, and I thought it would be useful to have one for students coming to wilson hall, who haven’t been on campus before. So I started planning what and where I would want to show, and writing a few critiques I had about the layout/design.

Tuesday:

Continued work on the script, and decided how I would film everything and the route the tour would take: through the upper school building, up into the middle school, across to the Nash building, then the engineering hallway and chapel, return to the lower school, before ending at the Track/Football field (though im now realizing I forgot the Kindergarten/Pre-k area). 

Wednesday:

Got right to filming the B-roll, since I wouldn’t have enough time to film me actually giving the tour, and I was correct. Thankfully the B-roll didn’t take very long and I was able to get photos and footage of all the places around the school I needed. Afterwards I worked on uploading it all to the google drive and organizing it. 

Thursday:

I knew the tour would take all of the period to film, so I got into it as quickly as I could. I was able to film both the opening and closing by myself, but I got help from my other team members, Thomas and Hannah, for filming the actual tour, since I couldn’t film, talk, and give the tour all at the same time. I finished just barely in time for 5th period. Later that night I painstakingly had to convert all 35 files to MP4’s, before importing them to my editing software.

Christmas Joy

by: Owen Meyers

Because it blends joy, significance, and spending time with loved ones, Christmas is the greatest holiday. Every year, millions of people treasure this unique time of year.

Christmas is profoundly spiritual. It brings love and hope to Christians as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s an opportunity to think and express gratitude. The season is made more peaceful and meaningful by religious customs like attending church or watching the Christmas lights with your family. The holiday’s message of love and joy makes everyone feel included, including those who are not religious. 

Being together is another aspect of Christmas. In addition to sharing food and gifts, families and friends get together to celebrate traditions like baking cookies, singing songs, and decorating the tree. People get closer during these times and make priceless memories. This time will never be forgotten because of the warmth, stories, and laughter that were shared.

This day encourages charity and kindness. People promote love, volunteer, and give to those in need. Giving, no matter how tiny, serves as a reminder of the value of taking care of others. Communities unite during this time to encourage one another and share happiness.

The delight is increased by the magical environment. Everything is made extra special by the scent of gifts, holiday music, and twinkling lights. Everyone loves to sit by the fire and open presents, and children eagerly await Santa Claus. The feeling of wonder is heightened by the splendor of snow-covered scenery and luminous decorations.

Because it’s all about love, happiness, and spending time with one another, Christmas is the greatest holiday. It’s a time to spread compassion everywhere and rejoice with the people who are most important to you. Christmas brings out the best in everyone, whether via customs, deeds of kindness, or just taking in the attraction of the season. It is a festival unlike any other, honestly deserving of its particular place in our hearts because of its unique blend of joy and meaning.

In Search of the Next Book

By: Adam Pelletier and Addison Thornton

“If it Bleeds” by Stephen King is a collection of four short stories all in one book. Each story has its own unique twist, and they all have the same yet intriguing amount of mystery. This selection of stories includes “Mr Harringan’s Phone” which has its own Netflix adaptation. Also included are “The Life of Chuck,” “If it Bleeds,” and “Rat.” Between dystopian societies and changing identities, King’s attention to detail and word usage remains as good of quality as it almost always is. His consistency through these stories is good, as each of them has an entirely different yet very well thought out narrative. 

Other books I would recommend by Stephen King:

  • The Institute
  • Joyland
  • 1922
  • Billy Summers

From the world of Percy Jackson, The Sun and the Star is an amazing story focusing on two major characters from the series. Will Solace and Nico di Angelo embark on a journey to Tartarus in order to save a friend. 

Dreams and visions plague Nico of someone known to him crying out for help. They worsen until the Oracle issues a quest. However, Tartarus is no place for any mortal and few make it out alive. Nico, who survived it once, is less worried about the journey, but Will, who is a son of Apollo, will have a harder time in the depths of the underworld since it is against his very nature. The pair go to save their friend and encounter many others along the way. 

The Sun and the Star is an amazing action packed tale with some cute and sad moments as well. It gives a wonderful insight into the thoughts, lives, and relationships of these beloved characters from Rick Riordan’s world of Percy Jackson. 

Series and Books also by Rick Riordan:

  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians
  • Heroes of Olympus
  • The Kane Chronicles
  • Magnus Chase
  • The Trials of Apollo
  • Daughter of the Deep

Cooking with Luke B

By: Luke Banar

How to make my favorite homemade chicken Alfredo. 

Ingredients:

  • Pasta 
  • Chicken thighs or breasts
  • A big pot
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Half and Half creamer

First take the chicken breasts or thighs and cut the excess fat off of them. You can use as much or little chicken as you like. Take a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling add the chicken and cook until 180 degrees.  Then take out the chicken and cut it up using a knife and put your pasta in the same pot that your chicken was in and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. After the pasta is cooked you strain the water out of the pot and turn the heat down and add in your pasta and cut up chicken. Add your half and half gradually to thicken up the sauce. Then add the  Parmesan cheese and stir constantly to keep it from burning, after the Alfredo has thickened up and turn off the heat. Finally grab a bowl to fill with the delicious chicken Alfredo and if you are feeling fancy some parsley on the top will do the trick. 

Top NBA Games This Week November 6-12, 2023

By: Andrew Brown

Monday 6, 2023

Celtics vs Timberwolves 8:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Celtics, Jayson Tatum has been hot this season averaging 30 points per game and hasn’t scored under 22 points this season.
Clippers vs Knicks 7:30pm
Who’s gonna win: Clippers, with acquiring James Harden from a trade with the 76ers, this will be his first game in a Clippers jersey. This should be a fun game to watch.

Tuesday 7, 2023
No Games

Wednesday 8, 2023

Celtics vs 76ers 7:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Celtics, this one will be close. last year MVP facing this coming year MVP: Tatum.
Spurs vs Knicks 7:30pm
Who’s gonna win: Spurs, the spurs have a lot of spacing with Wembanyama being able to shoot anywhere on the court. A win for the spurs will be determined if Wemby goes off, and I think he does.

Thursday 9, 2023

Bucks vs Pacers 7:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Pacers, yes the Bucks have Giannis and Lillard but that’s it. Both teams are tied in the rankings for defensive so this game is going to come down to who has the better
offensive.
Hawks vs Magic: 9:30pm
Who’s gonna win: Hawks, this will be the first international game this season and Ice Trae will control the game, dishing dimes and getting buckets.

Friday 10, 2023

Celtics vs Nets: 7:30pm
Who’s gonna win: Tatum and Brown will destroy the Nets defense for their first in-season tournament win.
Lakers vs Suns: 10:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Lakers, the Lakers should win unless Beal and Booker are back from their injury.

Saturday 11, 2023

Bucks vs Magic: 6:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Bucks, Lillard will step it up on defense record steals and win.
Cavaliers vs Warriors: 8:30pm
Who’s gonna win: Cavs, the Cavs are just too big and the Warriors love playing small ball but it will not work against the Cavs twin towers, Mobley and Allen who both stand over 6 ‘9 feet.

Sunday 12, 2023

Hornets vs Knicks: 12:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Hornets, a battle between two irrelevant teams and I expect Ball to ball out.
Nuggets vs Rockets: 7:00pm
Who’s gonna win: Nuggets, surprisingly Brooks has been going off on his new team, leading the Nba in 3 point percentage with 60%. But Jokic will probably have a triple double with ease.

Should South Carolina really have celebrated their nail biting win over Jacksonville State?

By Clark Kinney

Last Saturday, the Gamecocks of South Carolina payed the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State a reported $1.3 million to come play them at Williams Brice Stadium. Now, normally when big SEC schools pay much smaller D1 schools to play them, they usually smoke them and send the home with a check, but Saturday was not the case.

It was a very close game and was tied 28-28 after 3 quarters. With around 2-3 minutes left in the game, Jacksonville State only down by 3 and was threatening to score. However, a bad decision from the Jax State quarterback led to a pick-six and sealed the win for South Carolina, 38-28.

In the press conference after the game, South Carolina head coach said, “we are going to celebrate the heck out of this game.” This statement by Beamer did not seem to excite many fans. The fans believe South Carolina did not play very well at all and could have lost the game to Jacksonville State who they believe South Carolina should have smoked. I do see where these fans are coming from but they just need to realize that South Carolina is simply not very good at football this year. I think Beamer did a good job on implying that no matter the opponent, we fought and found a way to win and that should be celebrated because celebrations do not happen that often this year and that is just the way it is and we are trying to do better. I also like the positivity from Beamer and I’m sure the players do too because I have played for positive and negative coaches and I always like the positive ones more and so do their players.

In search of the Next Book

by Adam Pelletier and Addison Thornton

Addison and Adam Book Blog Week 4

Joyland by Stephen King is a mystery crime novel about a man named Devin Jones who takes a summer job at a funpark named Joyland, as an attempt to recover from a heartbreak. Based in North Carolina, a fortune teller tells him about a few people he’ll meet, which have to deal with a series of unsolved murders around the park.

Devin is told to work at the ferris wheel of the park, while simultaneously taking a personal attempt at solving the murder cases.

The book is overall good but it can be hard to follow at some points. It’s another one of the three books in King’s hard case crime series, “The Colorado Kid.” 

Other books I would recommend:

  • The Institute
  • The Colorado Kid
  • The Langoliers
  • Thinner

Circe is a mythological fiction novel written by Madeline Miller. Unlike her popular novel, The Song of Achilles, this novel focuses on the life of a goddess and witch who was exiled to an island for an indefinite amount of time. This goddess goes by the name of Circe. As the ruler and only resident of the island Aeaea, the story goes through her experiences with others and how she grows her power as an immortal witch. 

The story begins with her life before her banishment and her relationships with her parents, Helios and Perse, and her siblings. Throughout her childhood she was treated terribly by her siblings and her mother claiming there was nothing special about her. One day something changes and she meets a man. From there, nothing will ever be the same.  

Circe is a wonderful novel about one of the most powerful women in Greek mythology and how she came to be remembered for centuries. Full of feminism and hardship, this novel is a beautiful retelling of a story not talked about enough. 

Other books similar to this:

  • Atalanta by Jennifer Saint 
  • Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J. A. Bear
  • Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
  • The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
  • A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

Don’t be a Tyler. 

by Jones DesChamps

For all who are unaware, there are some college football coaches around the country who answer phone calls from callers on various different radio stations. Dabo Swinney, the head ball coach for the Clemson Tigers, is one of those coaches. On Monday night, Coach Swinney hopped onto Clemson’s flagship radio station, “105.5 the Roar”, to answer any questions sent in by callers. After answering the light-hearted questions of many questions, Dabo received a unique call from an angry caller. 

This mysterious man was named Tyler, who states that he is from Spartanburg, SC. To say the least, he did not filter his concerns to his “favorite” team’s coach. During his four minute rant on the phone to Coach Swinney, Tyler asked many controversial questions and raised many eyebrows when talking over the coaching decisions that Mr. Swinney has made. During his harangue, he brought up the inappropriate subjects of why Coach Swinney was being paid 11.5 million dollars to have a 4-4 record, why he was too stubborn to change his coaching philosophy, and why his school’s relevancy has fallen off so drastically. This bandwagon fan claims to have followed the Tigers for years and wonders why Dabo has run his own team into the mud over the last 3 or 4 years. 

Dabo, who is a proven winner and joyful leader, responded in a way that is unusual for this mild-tempered coach. Mr. Swinney responded to Tyler in a firm tone throughout his extended answer. During his response, Coach Swinney pointed out the fact that his teams have achieved 12 straight 10 win seasons which only 3 other teams have surpassed in the last century and a half. Also, he pointed out that he built his program up from ground zero and led them to 2 national championships in the last 7 years, which Clemson had not done in the history of its existence. He wrapped his speech up by stating that he loves his university, but he hates the fact that the “expectations are above the appreciation” for what he has done for his school. This response not only silenced the caller but caused him to hang up the phone. By defending his own and his players, Dabo Swinney has caused much uproar among major news companies and social media pages. 

This begs the question: Were Coach Swinney’s remarks appropriate and correct? The simple answer is yes. As any good coach would do, he jumped to the defense of his personal strategy and his players. Would Kirby Smart, Nick Saban, or Deion Sanders respond the same way? Yes, so why is Dabo receiving so much criticism for his remarks? 

Who is the best team in the BIG 10?

By: Jones DesChamps

In a group of teams that finds itself immersed in chaos nearly every college football season, this season is nothing out of the ordinary for the BIG 10 conference.  Although this conference is filled with as much anarchy as ever, this season could be even more abnormal than usual. Nearly every season the debate ensues over “The Game”, which includes the star-studded match up between Michigan and Ohio State, but this season may shake out a little differently. Will one of these teams continue to rise to the top of the Big 10, or will one of the other newcomers take over this prestigious conference. 

To begin, it’s only right to talk about the tremendous success of the Buckeyes in the playoff era. These teams, led by Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, have produced nothing but wins. These Buckeyes, who have won the BIG 10 East 8 out of the last 9 seasons, certainly have to be the front-runner to win the conference. With a top 10 win against Notre Dame on the road this season, this explosive team looks to continue their success this season. Yes, this team’s rich history hints towards a conference championship this season, but the question at quarterback may be detrimental to this team’s final destination. 

Michigan, on the other hand, is the highest ranked team in the BIG 10. No, this team does not have an impressive win this season, but this Jim Harbaugh led team is experienced on both sides of the ball. JJ McCarthy, the Wolverine’s quarterback, is on pace to be a top quarterback in the country this season. Michigan has not lived up to the preseason hype given to them nearly every year throughout this decade, but last season’s Michigan team won the conference and produced their first playoff berth. The Wolverines lack of a true challenge this year may bite them in the rear when they are forced to play ranked teams later this year.  I believe this team is hungry to win, but may not have what it takes to take home a trophy. 

The last contender in the BIG 10, and maybe even the most talented team in this league is Penn State. Without sugar coating it, Penn State is the best team in their competitive conference. With an important game this weekend at the “Horseshoe”, this James Franklin led team looks to further their dominance this season. Drew Allar, one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, looks to guide the Nittany Lions out of Columbus with another W. The team in navy and white is highlighted by their stellar defense, as well. This well-rounded team will not only beat the top dogs in their league this season, but will reach the top of the mountain in the college football season, producing their first playoff berth.