This first story is my own. The story of a boy who applied for a “regular” job in concessions, but to no avail. The story of a boy who thought he was down for any job he could find. The story of a boy who was wrong. I walked into the International Broadcasting Center with wide-eyes Sunday morning before the tournament began to shake hands with a photographer from Golf Digest. I was destined to be his “runner.” In my mind, this meant getting him a sandwich when he was hungry, making a trip to his car when he needed a cigar, or maybe, at the worst, taking memory cards to and from the IBC when he didn’t want to miss a shot. What I soon discovered was that “running” really meant “following”, and not just following, but “carrying.” Carrying four cameras, three lens, eight memory cards, a folding chair and zero water bottles. Needless to say, I finished each day sun burnt, sore, and seriously regretting ever saying “I’m a cross country runner. I can keep up.”
The next story is that of Junior Hampton Williams. Hampton worked as a “stocker” in the main golf shop. When asked about his experience he said, “The first thing my supervisor said to me when I walked into the storage room was ‘WELCOME TO THE DUNGEON, BOY.’ So that’s kind of how my week went.” Hampton was in charge of making sure the glassware stayed on the shelves. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. You know those Masters Tervis-Tumblers that fill the pantry of every family in the CSRA? They’re considered glassware and they’re a hot item. Imagine Hampton, if you will, as a scuba diver with a box of chum (Tublers) and the few hundred Chinese tourist surrounding him as hungry sharks; then you might have an accurate picture of what he went through every ten minutes or so.

This mauling was observed by the subject of the last story. Junior Zach Bradley in the hats section. Zach had the ever so taxing “job” of listening to a person say a number, pivoting around to grab the hat that corresponded to the number and then hand it to the patron. The patrons don’t buy the hats at the hat counter, but for some reason they need someone to hand them the hats. Zach says, “It can be really tough! Sometimes people yell at you in weird languages or tell you the wrong number. Or you could get dizzy!” and while some (and by “some” I mean “none”) of those things might be (but aren’t) legitimate concerns, he still made a thousand dollars playing middle man between a shelf and a patron.

I don’t tell you these stories to scare you, but rather, to inform you. As you can see, many potential jobs will require you to utilize a wide variety of skills that you might otherwise think unnecessary (see: learning to say “let go of my leg” in Korean). Still, you might get lucky and get put in hat sales or golf cart driving. No matter where you work, there’s no better way to make a thousand bucks in a week than at the Frattiest Place on Earth, the Augusta National.

When I was in the third grade, I was in a bike accident and my two permanent front teeth were ripped out; there was so much blood. I was rushed off to the hospital and received stitches. I didn’t have front teeth for a year, and the ones I have now aren’t real.

Even though my friends tried to cheer me up, there were a lot of people that didn’t help. I’d go over to my grandparents, and my grandma would tell me that I used to be pretty; classmates would always sing All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth; I was always bombarded with a ton of questions that didn’t make sense to me at all. Those things seem small, but they really hurt me. I was being teased and taunted. It was one of those times where people didn’t understand, and it was made worse by my young age.

Can you imagine having front teeth one week in sixth grade, and then going to school the next and not having any because you’re fake ones broke? It was humiliating having my fellow classmates ask about it and ridicule me. I had to deal with something that no eleven-year-old should.

Teasing and bullying in elementary and middle schools is getting worse. It’s nothing like the abuse I encountered. Children are actually being injured from bullies now; it’s not simply words. Rather than being made fun of for missing teeth, bullies are causing teeth to go missing.

A recent WRDW newscast reports complaints from parents and students from a nearby middle school, complaints that were shrugged off by the superintendent. The middle school students are experiencing things that are much worse than having people sing songs that offend them.

I’ve never been afraid to go to school because of my teeth. Jeers were just something I had to deal with. Young students nowadays cry because of their fear of facing the school day and that is entirely unfair. School should be a safe haven for learning, not a means to scare children.

Something needs to be done when bullies are putting students in crutches. Parents are outraged that the area superintendent thinks nothing of it. She told News 12 that she didn’t think it was a widespread problem, when it clearly is.

Everyone has dealt with bullying one way or another. Yes, there are different levels of it; what I experienced wasn’t violent, as it has been for many kids recently. But regardless, bullying is bullying. The things that seem small still deeply wound the victim. I still have two fake teeth and I’m not ashamed by them, but when it gets to December and someone sings “All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth,” I still take a few steps back and remember when it first happened. Victims of bullying need to keep in mind that all bullies are is mean, and that someday, they will rise above them.

Junior Erin Smiley says, “I joined because I like wilderness and adventure.”  Junior Cody Hayes wanted an outlet, “I want to do fun stuff. I’m usually stuck in the house all day.”

Venture Crew is part of the Boy Scouts of America, but more challenging.  Junior Jacob Phillips says, “I want to be able to camp more intensely, outside of regular Boy Scouts.” Venture Crew is open to both girls and boys, from the ages of fourteen to twenty.  Meetings are usually once a month and in them, you plan future trips and play skill-strengthening games.  Oh, and there’s food.

Venture Crew goals:

• Learn to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values in the Venturing Oath and Code.
• Experience a program that is fun and full of challenge and adventure.
• Become a skilled training and program resource for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other groups.
• Acquire skills in the areas of high adventure, sports, arts and hobbies, religious life, or Sea Scouting.
• Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and be given opportunities to take on leadership roles.
• Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.

(Taken from www.scouting.org )

Out of the several different activities resides an important one: community service. By important, I mean an extra possible thing to put down on a college application. Oh, but of course, that places second to the heartwarming feeling of giving back to the community.

Jacob told me about this Venture Crew idea, knowing that I love the outdoors. There was a list of around fifty different interests I could choose from at our first meeting.  They would be placed on the agenda for those months to come. It was completely exciting knowing that I, in the near future, will be doing so many of these things and by the end, I could maybe survive in the wild!

Well, in short, Venture Crew rules.

The ritual that is “prom” comes equip with a predetermined set of expectations that includes things like an expensive dinner, and expensive suit, an expensive wrist flower, and most importantly,  a date to give all of these expensive things to. Whether you believe so or not, getting a date is undoubtedly the most glorified part of prom. So, if you do choose to seek a date, you are almost automatically thrust into the arena of people already competing for their desired partner.

What follows is a comprehensive  guide that will educate you in the skill most necessary to gain an upper hand in the date-race and, eventually, lead to the best night of your entire existence. The skill of popping the question.

5) Plan on sending your girl a text message? Also plan for a night alone making small talk with your Freshman Biology teacher. Literally the only thing worse than texting an invitation to your desired date would be to write “Prom?” on the wall in the blood of her favorite household pet (also not a great idea). Still, if worse comes to worst, send a text if you must, but also be prepared to make up for it with an expensive dinner and a great after party.

4) Window Paint/Writing “PROM?” on cookies/ Any other option that involves leaving a physical message for your potential date. While these options are worlds ahead of texting, tweeting, or Faybo’ing, they remain in the minor leagues.  Unless, of course, you stick around until she sees it. Set up a lawn chair behind her car, deliver the cookies and wait for her to open them, but do not give her the chance to leave you hanging in the time wasting purgatory of “maybe”.

Welcome to the big leagues, gentlemen. This is the world of growing a spine and being present for either your acceptance or your rejection. At this point it does not matter what her answer is; you can still stand tall knowing you took it like a man.

3) Just spit it out, bro! Driving in the car, walking to class, or standing below her window with a boombox over shoulder; it doesn’t really matter! Sometimes you’ve just got to say it loud and proud. In some cases, sneak attacks are the best weapon in your arsenal.  Oh, and bonus points will be awarded for presenting a dozen roses prior to popping the question.

2) A two can be found in many forms. Anywhere from getting your friends to paint “PROM?” on their chest and show up outside of her house to renting the JUMBO-TRON at a Braves game. A two is worth at least sixty likes on Facebook and ten retweets and will require at least a few hours of preparation. Be wary of pulling out a two Junior year or you’ll be expected to top it Senior year. Don’t put yourself in that situation.

1) This is the big time. Heavy weight boxing, Broadway, the House of Blues of asking a girl to prom. There aren’t many ways to score a one, but if you do, you’ll know. The girl you ask will say yes, her friends will say yes, her extended family will say yes in hopes that you’ll take them them all as your date(s). Even if I knew more than a few ways to score a one I wouldn’t tell you (They will, however, be available for purchase after I graduate.).

No matter what happens, remember this: If you don’t want a date to prom, more power to you, but don’t be the guy who shows up an hour early, grabs a plate of miniature weenies, and sits for an hour regretting that he didn’t ask anyone at all. It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. You Only Live Once.

A Longboard is, in most cases, of similar shape as skate board, except, as their name suggest, a good deal longer. A modern long board is at least thirty-six inches long; anything shorter is simply a long skateboard. Confusing, right? Longboards are made for “cruising” unlike their skateboard cousins who were made for tricks. Imagine the skate board as a dirt-bike and a longboard as a Harley. Yes, they look similar. No, they aren’t built for the same thing. Longboards make use of their length, a more flexible deck, and larger, softer wheels to enable high speeds and high stability.

Skateboarding developed as a single sport on the west coast in the 1950s, but, by the 1990s, Longboards and Skateboards branched off into their respective disciplines. So, basically, it took ten years for the sport to make its way across the country. South Carolinians have just recently begun to flood the streets of Hammond’s Ferry and Bergen Place with their boards.

As with most fads at our high school, the rise in popularity of longboards was accompanied by the usual argument to decide who rode first and who copied who. Junior Skyler Hyde says, “I got my board around Christmas. Why does it matter if you had yours first if I can ride better than you?” Junior Graham Shuford adds with “I’ve been longboarding since 7th grade, so I’m definitely not copying anyone. But still, I’m glad it’s becoming popular. Its fun and even more fun to do with other people who share our passion!” I believe it is Junior Jordan Gamble  who sums it up best by saying “I longboard not to fit in with the crowd, but to get away and enjoy the outdoors alone .”

Longboarding provides a balance between and action sport, a means of transportation, and a way to enjoy the outdoors. So, do not listen to the hipsters. Grad your board, your buddies, your bottles of water, and bomb some hills. Oh, and don’t forget your gloves; the pavement is unforgiving.

Logan Smith
A teary-eyed Logan was the first to receive her Hall of Fame plaque. In addition to being a writer, business editor, and editor-in-chief of TYJ, Logan is treasurer of the senior class, of Beta Club, and of National Honor Society.  She served as the City Manager at Palmetto Girls State. She’s an active member of the First Baptist Church of North Augusta, where she has gone on mission trips and participated in the Laces4Love ministry. Logan played soccer as a freshman and a sophomore; she also took part in Power Puff football for all four years. She was overwhelmed, saying “it’s a huge privilege and I’m really fortunate to be honored among the people who also received it.” She plans to double major in Business and Graphic Communications at Furman or Clemson.

Bentley Sam
Bentley said that he hoped his most significant contribution to North Augusta was that he “made someone proud, not of me, but of their school and their community.” Since he was in the eighth grade, he has been a member of the Varsity Swim Team, where he received the Coach’s Award twice. He received the West Point Military Leadership Award at Palmetto Boys State. Bentley is a member of the Student Council, Beta Club, the Future Business Leaders of America, and the National Honor Society. He plans to major in Architecture at Clemson University.

Rebecca Rudisill
Rebecca holds leadership positions in most of the clubs she participates in. She is the Sandspurs Activities Editor, the vice president of Mu Alpha Theta, the vice president of the French Club, the treasurer of the Drama club, the Service Chair for the National Honor Society, the Scrapbook and Banner committee chairperson and Historian for the Beta Club. Furthermore, she is the Youth Council Secretary at Grace United Methodist church, sings in the church choir, and is a member of the church drama team. Rebecca will major in Biology with plans to attend Physical Therapy School.

Vincente Miller
Vinny hugged every member of his entire family before receiving his plaque for Hall of Fame. He’s accomplished so much, including being named South Carolina Football Player of the Year, ESPN High School Player of the Year, ESPN High School Offensive Player of the Year, and the All Region Offensive Player of the Year. Vinny has played both Varsity football and baseball, in addition to placing first in the Region Strength Meet three times. He has been a Student Council representative for four years, as well as a youth football camp coach, a Rec League football camp instructor, and a Pass-Punt-and-Kick coach. Vinny will play football at The Citadel, where he will major in Mechanical Engineering.

Jillian James
Like all of the recipients, Jillian was excited and honored. “It’s good to know that my hard work was appreciated and noticed. I’m thankful for teachers that have helped me. Most of the credit goes to God for having me be a spiritual leader.” She is a member of the 5/2 Break Bible Study group, Meet-Me-At-The-Pole group, and Spark Worship. Jillian also participates in National Beta Club, National Honor Society, FCCLA, and Skills USA. She received the Black and Gold Managment Award and the Culinary Arts II Academic Award. Jillian plans to begin her college career at USC Aiken. From there, she would like to enter the medical field as a dentist or as a physical therapist.

Matthew Larry
“I was shocked to receive this award because there are so many other well-deserving students.” Matthew is president of the Environmental Serteen Club, a member of National Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. Not to mention, he has held multiple offices for the Future Business Leaders of America including director of project deadlines, historian, and vice president. Matthew served as the City Economic Development Manger for North Augusta’s Youth Appreciation Day. In addition, he participated in the Science Olympiad, a representative to the Student Council, a member of the Georgia-Carolina Boy Scout Troop 12, and a member of New Life Worship Center’s Youth Investment Club. All of Matthew’s hard work paid off when he received Clemson’s Challenge for Academically Talented Students, Aiken County’s Celebration of Character Award, the Rawl Family Scholarship, and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Scholarship. Matthew will attend University of South Carolina at Aiken where he will study Business Administration.

Clara Formby
Being Captain of the Yellow Jacket varsity swim team, a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta earned Clara her place in the honorable Hall of Fame. Clara is also a member of the FLAIR Honor Society and a Junior Marshall. She has participated and placed fourth in the Science Olympiad for two years. Clara also does photography and ceramics; she participated in the Georgia-Carolina State Fair and received first, second, and third place awards. Clara has served on mission trips to Dallas, Pennsylvania, Mexico, Florida, and Moldova. When Clara is not participating on mission trips, she spends her time volunteering at the Augusta Rescue Mission. Though undecided of which college to attend, Clara plans on majoring in Biology and doing medical missions.

William Harley
Will is a member of Mu Alpha Theta math club, the National Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. He is also a Student Council representative, Junior Marshall, and a sports writer for The Yellow Jacket. Will is the president of the North Augusta High School chapter of FBLA and has received multiple awards in FBLA- first place in Community Service Project for State competition, first in Battle of the Chapters, second place in Business Communication for District competition, and seventh place in Community Service for National competition. Will was selected to represent NAHS at Palmetto Boys’ State and received the Celebration of Character Award. Will has also served his community by working at the Rotary Bowl, volunteering at Colonial Times, working at the Christmas Tour of Homes, and assisted in giving tours to rising freshmen. Will’s plans are to attend either University of South Carolina or Clemson and major in biomedical engineering.

Jennifer Grimm
Jennifer has served as her freshmen class treasurer, sophomore class secretary, and president of her student body. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Sandspurs yearbook, president of Mu Alpha Theta math club, president of the National Honor Society, and served as vice president of FBLA. Jennifer participates in the National Beta Club, Environmental Serteen Club, and FLAIR Honor Society. She has had perfect attendance for the past eight years. Jennifer was a Junior Marshall, received Aiken County Celebration of Character award, first place in Personal Finance at FBLA District competition, first place in Principals and Procedures at both District and State competition, received the Energy Solutions Scholarship, and the Savannah River Site Safety Art Achievement Award. Attending the University of South Carolina this fall, Jennifer hopes to major in Biological Sciences and become an anesthesiologist.

William Harris
Will is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Beta Club, the School Improvement Council, and the Student Council. Will’s leadership roles include leading the men’s varsity tennis teams as captain since his junior year. Will is a member of The Yellow Jacket. He has also served as the city mayor during Youth Appreciation Day, participated in the US National Chemistry Olympiad, and was chosen as a delegate to Palmetto Boys’ State. Outside of school, Will has attended Salkehatchie Summer Service camp where he helped repair homes of those less fortunate. He participated in a mission trip to Bolivia and has been Reaching Out In Christian Kindness through ROCK Stars. Will plans tol major in Bioengineering at the University of Clemson.

On January 27, 2012, North Augusta High School’s Future Business Leaders of America attended Mossy Creek Elementary School under Project TAB. TAB is an acronym that stands for “Teaching Adolescents and Adults about Bullying”. Through performing skits and presenting power points, the FBLA did just that for the students at Mossy Creek Elementary School.

It was the first school out of the many the FBLA has already attended including: Belvedere Elementary School, Hammond Hill Elementary School, North Augusta Middle School, and Paul Knox Middle School.  Mathew Larry is one of the presenters for FBLA and he describes bullying as “an epidemic that is infiltrating our schools”. He expresses that he wants nothing more than to cure this. The visits have been very successful, and the representatives of FBLA have been awarded with a lot of praise. Brandon Abbott, a keyboarding teacher at Paul Knox stated his thanks saying, “They [The FBLA students] were very well spoken and obviously did their research on the topic. I truly believe that the students of PKMS  found value in this presentation”.

Project TAB will continue to make a difference in upcoming presentations to North Augusta Elementary School, on North Augusta Service Network, and through the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce AM Connection at North Augusta Community Center. Will Harley, also a presenter for FBLA, states his personal goal for the project. Coming from a strong-built senior at North Augusta, it’s hard to imagine when he reveals that he was bullied in elementary school. Because of this background the he explains, “Bullying can have a lot of harmful effects on kids, an the idea is to inform them about the types of bullying and how to prevent it. I just want to stop kids from experiencing that kind of hurt”. Certainly the Project TAB can’t fix all the bullying problems in schools. That starts with the student. However, it’s beyond doubt that FBLA has given schools across North Augusta a brighter future.

So where is the Freshmen Academy going to be located? The good news is North Augusta has already designated an area for the academy inside the high school, so there’s no need for seniors and juniors to fret about whose parking lot will be replaced with a giant circus tent. The designated area will be set for all the classrooms on the cafeteria side of 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd hall.

“The freshmen will also have their own set of teachers”, says Mr. Bornscheuer, “The goal is to give the teachers a chance to connect with the students”. Teachers will be able to work as a team while they focus on each individual student to assist them with problems, weaknesses, and the goals they are striving for.

Mr. Bornscheuer speaks from experience. Before coming to North Augusta High School, he was influential in assisting to create a Freshmen Academy as Principal of Silver Bluff High School. Silver Bluff’s Freshmen Academy was the first within Aiken County Public Schools. At NAHS, some teachers have already volunteered to teach. Mr. Bornscheuer confirms that the academy will still offer the Honors Program, and the freshmen can still have the electives that are placed in other parts of the school. The academy will also have a separate administrator and guidance councilor. There is no doubt that Mr. Bornscheuer has planted high hopes on how this will give freshmen a strong start in high school.

Mrs. Carrick, a guidance councilor at North Augusta, also relays her high hopes to parents stating confidently, “I can’t think of why any parent wouldn’t want this for their children”. It’s one of the most important years for high school students. All most all administrators agree that the freshmen year has a major impact on whether an individual student will graduate.

So are there any negatives to the Freshmen Academy? It’s possible some upcoming freshmen may not be in favor of it, but it will give them a benefit they won’t regret. For upperclassmen, it will only be sad to know that witnessing the humorous scene of a senior giving a freshman direction to the swimming pool on top of them gym will now become less frequent. Until the School Board Meeting on the 24^th, the Freshmen Academy is only a proposed program, but plans have been made to make sure that once the school is given a go, they will be able to have the academy ready for next year.

If upcoming freshmen or their parent guardians would like to learn more about this benefit, they can attend the 2012 Freshman Expo on February 13^th. It will be put on by the NAHS Transition Team and the school’s Guidance Department. Besides the opportunity to learn about the Freshmen Academy, there will also be opportunities to get flyers and learn from students about clubs.

For updates on the results from the school board meeting, check this article after the 24th.

The adoption process is fairly easy. Erin says, “I went with my trainer and tried a few horses out, then fell in love with one of them. I decided to go ahead with the adoption then and there. I filled out the form, along with two references, and picked him up a few days later.”

With adoption, the rescue is skilled at meeting your wish with the specific type of horse wanted.  The volunteers know all the horses extremely well including their background history and compatibility. With my experience accompanying Erin there, the volunteers consulted with each other using the horses’ names and which one would be the best fit for her.  The way they conversed showed their legitimacy and their homage to the rescue as volunteers.

Along with adoption, the rescue looks forward to people that provide temporary homes for the animals.  This relieves them of extra work, of course, but it socializes the animals enough to where they would be more fit for a permanent residency.

Kirsten Flick, a junior, volunteered in the past at the rescue. She says that, “It’s a nice safe place for horses and dogs to go if they are not wanted or abused. It’s visitor friendly, organized, and reliable. They care for every animal extremely well.”

The Equine Rescue isn’t just a rescue but it also a place for riding lessons, both the English and Western style.  Furthermore, they offer a place to board your own horse for a cost.

If you have a kind heart and would like to foster or adopt a horse or dog, visit the Equine Rescue of Aiken off of Glenwood Drive.

The week before Christmas when students are out of school is definitely a time to spend with family. Most families are either traveling or have traditions that are done the week before Christmas such as baking cookies, or doing last minute shopping with your parents. It is obviously not a time for high school students to be taking exams or reviewing for them. It is major quality time with loved ones that should not be taken away during the Holidays because some families will not get that time back.

Katie Schaade, a senior, has had a family tradition of baking Gingerbread houses five days before Christmas then going out to lunch with her grandparents for as long as she can remember. She said that “school districts have to understand that students have families too and some of us actually like to be around them.” Her parents have already told her sister, Caroline, who will be a ninth grader next year that if exams get in the way, she will just have to take a “sick day.” Katie also added that “I am for sure glad that I will be in college next year.”

Students will take exams the week before Christmas and get out that Friday, and then have the whole first week of January out as well. This could be positive because once everybody gets their Christmas presents, they will have the whole first week of January to enjoy them. Trib Reese, a sophomore, is optimistic about the break situation by saying that “my family usually travels for Christmas so getting back then having a week of break again will be nice, and we will not be rushing to get back ready for school.”

The new break time will be a change for students, but there can be some good that comes out of it. Students made sure to enjoy this years break and everybody tried to make it as family oriented as possible.