SOM Newsletter April_May2013 Blog

7/30/2019 SOM Newsletter April_May2013 Blog

1/12

Micah is a great student! Hehas maintained an A averageall semester in Block Algebra2, which is very difficult todo. Micah faithfully attendsCC sessions or watches CC

session recordings. He alsogoes above and beyond andcompletes all Extra Credit as-signments that are offered.Way to go Micah!

Ms. Shuler

Student of the MonthApril/May 2013

Each month, SCVCS will be rec-

ognizing two students for attain-

ing Student of the Month status:

one student for overall Studentof the Month and one for Most

Improved Student.

SCVCS high school teachers rec-

ommend students for this honor.

Each month we will have various

prizes for our winners! This

month we will be sending out a

certificate to each student nomi-

nated and our winners will re-

ceive a $10 Target gift certifi-

cate. Congratulations to all of

our nominees and winners!

StudentAchievementNewsletter

HighSchoolEdition

Micah MillsSCVCS 12th Grader


2/12

Student of the MonthApril/May 2013


HighSchoolEdition

A. Young Guidance Hayley R.

Bledsoe Guidance Gavin M.

Cullop Guidance Cassidy P.

Cureton Guidance Reagan S.

Harrill Guidance Lauren S.

Latham Other Da'Asia J.

Newman-Spicer Guidance Sydney S.

Sprott Guidance Chloe S.

Waters Guidance Sumter F.

Wilt Guidance Chandni A.

Benton Other Terrick P.

Blanton Other Dakota C.

DeWalk Phys. Ed. Katelyn K.

Nyland Comp. Lit. Zachary W.

Nyland Entrepreneurship 2 Anisah W.

Patterson Comp. Lit. Cameron C.Patterson Game Design Alejandro R.

Patterson Web Design Michael M.

Richardson Health Bradlee C.

Richardson Life Skills Cory C.

Wheeler Music App Abigail S.

White Other Robert M.

Brewer English IV BL Seth G.

Brewer English IV Elizabeth K.

Brewer Honors English IV Madison B.

D'Annunzio English 202 Nathaniel B.D'Annunzio Honors English 204 Taylor C.

Morgan English 202 BL Cory C.

Morgan Journalism John M.

Morgan English 202 Samuel F.

Sasser AP Composition Zainab M.

Sasser English 104 Carli L.

Sasser English 102 Cody E.

Dowling Math Tech 1 Ausn B.

Genco Geometry Tech Antonio Jr. D.

Genco Geometry Andrew F.

Genco Geometry Honors Carly B.

Langford AP Calculus Bertrand Z.

Langford Precalculus John E.

Langford Prob and Stats Sebasan C.

Murphy Algebra 1 Elizabeth M.

Murphy Honors Algebra 1 Walker P.

Murphy Math Tech 1 Kaitlyn F.

Reed Math Tech 2 BL Hazel G.

Reed Math Tech 2 Marshall C.

Sherbert Geometry Tech Moriah F.

Sherbert Math Tech 1 Ariana H.

Shuler Algebra 2 BL Micah M.

Shuler Algebra 2 Rhe W.

Shuler Honors Algebra 2 Brianna D.Brown Biology Samuel F.

Brown Applied Biology I Amy F.

Lauricella Honors Biology Simon K.

Lauricella Applied Biology Abby H.

Staley Honors Chemistry Marissa W.

Morris Physics Sara A.

Morris Physical Science Gabbriela N.

Smith Applied Bio I Anthony M.

Smith Applied Bio II Gregory B.

Smith Earth Science BL Caroline W.Smith Earth Science Ginger P.

Staley Chemistry Jarvis F.

Staley Forensic Science Larissa M.

Carroll US History Victoria W.

Chambers World History Lisa R.

Chambers Geography Micah M.

Pennington Government Gabbriela N.

Pennington Anthropology Caitlin R.


3/12

Jennifer La Rosa has come a longway in my English class. She isin English 202Block. As you know,being is a Block class has doubleduty. They have 2 assignmentseach day instead of one. It isfast paced with lots of reading

assignments and a research paperalso. She is a hard worker andtries to give it her best. I amproud of her and all of my stu-dents that care and try inclass. She deserves this recogni-tion.

Ms. Morgan

Most Improved Student of the MonthApril/May 2013

Each month, SCVCS will be rec-

ognizing two students for attain-

ing Student of the Month status:

one student for overall Studentof the Month and one for Most

Improved Student.

SCVCS high school teachers rec-

ommend students for this honor.

Each month we will have various

prizes for our winners! This

month we will be sending out a

certificate to each student nomi-

nated and our winners will re-

ceive a $10 Target gift certifi-

cate. Congratulations to all of

our nominees and winners!


HighSchoolEdition

Jennifer LaRoseSCVCS 10th Grader


4/12

Most Improved Student of the MonthApril/May 2013


HighSchoolEdition

A. Young Guidance Michael L.

Bledsoe Guidance Cory C.

Cullop Guidance Alexis K.

Cureton Guidance Hannah S.

Latham Other Jennifer B.

Newman-Spicer Guidance Sydney S.

Sprott Guidance Samuel S.

Waters Guidance Luke J.

Wilt Guidance Sashya D.

Benton Other Tyler E.

Blanton Other Julyan V.

DeWalk Phys. Ed. Matthew Cole A.

Nyland Comp. Lit. Christopher B.

Nyland Entrepreneurship 2 Derek B.Patterson Comp. Lit. Terrick P.

Patterson Game Design Cody B.

Patterson Web Design Matthew G.

Richardson Health Lucas B.

Richardson Life Skills Janaya M.

Wheeler Music App Emmanuel W.

White Other Jordan D.

Brewer English IV BL Kallie E.

Brewer English IV Mary C.

D'Annunzio English 202 Jeffrey H.

D'Annunzio Honors English 204 Gwyneth M.

Morgan English 202 BL Jennifer L.

Morgan Journalism Christain D.

Morgan English 202 Amberleen L.

Sasser AP Composition James T.

Sasser English 104 Berrios C.

Sasser English 102 Courtney C.

Dowling Math Tech 1 Yasmien B.

Genco Geometry Tech Lindsay T.

Genco Geometry Gabrielle M.

Genco Geometry Honors Gwyneth M.

Langford Precalculus Jon G.

Langford Prob and Stats Brittany W.

Murphy Algebra 1 Margaret D.

Murphy Honors Algebra 1 Kansas S.

Murphy Math Tech 1 Rebbecca W.

Reed Math Tech 2 BL Mary C.

Reed Math Tech 2 Anisah W.

Sherbert Geometry Tech Joleah M.

Shuler Algebra 2 BL Tiffany L.

Shuler Algebra 2 Bailey H.Shuler Honors Algebra 2 Catherine R.

Brown Biology Nikolas S.

Brown Applied Biology I Thomas G.

Lauricella Honors Biology Raphael L.

Lauricella Applied Biology Savannah H.

Morris Physics Zainab M.

Morris Physical Science Darby G.

Smith Applied Bio I Lateefah B.

Smith Applied Bio II Caroline M.

Smith Earth Science BL Jasminn D.

Smith Earth Science Diamond C.

Staley Chemistry Joy N.

Carroll US History Anastazia D.

Chambers World History Stefan V.

Chambers Geography Stuart F.

Pennington Government Brandi W.

Pennington Anthropology Sebastian C.


5/12

Student of the Month

Bertrand Z.SCVCS 10th Grader

Reagan S.

SCVCS 10th Grader

Most Improved Student

of the Month

Lance E.

SCVCS 9th Grader

Jasminn D.

SCVCS 11th Grader

Most Nominated Students for Spring SemesterApril/May 2013

This month, SCVCS will be hon-

oring the students who were

nominated the MOST amount of

times over the course of Spring

Semester: two students for

Student of the Month, and two

students for Most Improved

Student of the Month. These

students will also receive a cer-

tificate in the mail, as well as a

$10 Target Gift Card. Con-

gratulations on a job well done!!


HighSchoolEdition


6/12

in Clemson, SC. This regional event is held each

year and we competed against Florida, Georgia,

Alabama, North Carolina and Mississippi. This

is my fourth year competing and Ive made the

regional team every year. As a gymnast Jor-dan has the opportunity to travel with her

team and meet new friends. Jordan says,

Every other summer we rent a camp in the

Virginia Mountains and go as a team for a

weeklong camp. Also, our older higher level

girls go to Europe to compete every other

summer. Some of Jordans highlights from

her gymnastics career can be found within herlocal newspaper (Aiken Standard) at http://

www.aikenstandard.com/article/20130119/

AIK0301/130119484/0/SEARCH&slId=2 or

http://www.aikenstandard.com/

article/20130223/AIK0301/130229786/0/

SEARCH&slId=1 . While practice, hard workand motivation help you to become better at

your sport, safety is definitely a key elementas well. Jordan says, If I could change one

thing about gymnastics, I would try to make it

safer.Our coaches are very careful with usand only allow us to do things we are comforta-

ble doing by ourselves. But it is scary to see a

girl get hurt at a meet or in practice.Also it isdevastating to work so hard then have acareer

Student Spotlight Jordan BurnettApril/May 2013

Jordan Burnett was born to be a gymnast as

its been a sport shes loved ever since she

was 3 years old! As a member of the Aiken

Gymnastics team she trains each week to

help perfect her performances in variouscompetitions. Jordan says, When I was 3

years old, my mom put me in a tumbling class

and I continued to take tumbling classes un-

til I was 8 years old. I then started taking

gymnastics at Aiken Gymnastics. I am in the

Xcel Gold level. I practice between 9 and 12

hours a week and condition at home on the

days I am off. Jordans practice and weeklydedication has definitely paid off as she re-

cently won 1st place on the beam and 1st place

all around out of 8 states! To qualify for

the state team to represent South Carolina

I had to be in the top 6 in the state. So, out

of about 140 South Carolina gymnasts I

placed 1st. Wow, what an achievement and a

testament to how hard work, motivation anddedication leads to success! Jordan says,

My coaches worked with me and the other

girls from our gym who had also placed in the

top 6 for their levels.We then competed atthe regional meet at the Littlejohn Coliseum


HighSchoolEdition


7/12

Student Spotlight Jordan BurnettApril/May 2013

ending injury occur. With safety in mind, Jordan has a few other tips for any aspiring gym-

nast that wants to excel in gymnastics Listen to your coach, expect a certain amount of

pain, but tell your coach so they can help you, dont give up on yourself, always keep a positive

attitude, and ask questions if you dont understand how to do something. Excellent tips Jor-

dan! With these tips and your perseverance were sure to see you one day at the Olympics!

1st Place - Beam

1st PlaceAll Around


HighSchoolEdition


8/12

Mary Elizabeth Anderson

Valedictorian Candidate

SCVCS has two stu-

dents in the race for vale-

dictorian of the 2013 grad-

uating class. One will earn

valedictorian honors, and

the other one will earn the

salutatorian seat. We in-

terviewed both students to

be featured in this final

2012-2013 issue of the Stu-

dent Achievement News-

letter.

What are your favorite

subjects and why?

My favorite subject is English

Literature because I like to read

and discuss my thoughts about astory or novel with other people.

It is interesting to see how peoplewho read the same story or book

can interpret it in so many differ-ent ways.

Tell us about any academ-

ic honors or awards that

you have earned in the

past few years.

I was invited to join the NationalHonor Society, and I have been

nominated for Student of theMonth several times. Other-wise, I really have not won any

academic honors or awards.

Tell us what community

or extracurricular activi-

ties you have been in-

volved with during these

last few years.I have been in several extracur-ricular activities. I have taken

piano lessons for eight years.

During the last several years, Ihave taken voice and flute les-

sons. I also took a class in cake

decorating just for the fun of it.

My community activities in-volve La Puerta de Esperanza,

the Miracle League, and churchmission activities. La Puerta de

Esperanza provides all kinds of

services to the Spanish commu-nity in Greenwood, South Caroli-

na. I served as an afterschooltutor last year. I also helped to

process hundreds of books forthe childrens library there. The

Miracle League is an organiza-

tion that provides an opportunity

for handicapped children to play

baseball each Saturday in the

spring and fall. I am a buddyto the children, and I also work

in the concession stand. Mychurch youth group does many

mission projects. I have paint-ed, sorted donated items, done

yard work for the elderly, and

painted a church camp.

You are one of the aca-

demic superlatives of

your graduating class.

What skills, traits, or in-

fluences do you have that

led you to this point?

Without a doubt, the greatestinfluence that led me to this

point is a good mother and fa-

ther. They began encouragingmy education from the time I

was six months old when theybegan reading to me each night.

They not only bought many

books for me but also took meto the library each week and

checked out boxes of books toread. This is probably one rea-

son that reading is easy for me.Another key is my competitive

spirit. A third key to my suc-

cess is my piano teacher. She

has gently encouraged andsometimes pushed me not so

gently to achieve and do what Ithought I could not do. This has

carried over to academic areas.


9/12



Did SCVCS contribute to

your success? If so, how?

SCVCS did contribute to my suc-

cess by providing flexibility towork at my own pace within the

bounds of my own schedule.SCVCS has also allowed me todevelop independent working

habits within certain parame-ters. The k12 curriculum is high

quality and emphasizes thinking.The literature in English is also

of high quality.

Yours is one of the first

graduating classes to havehad the opportunity to

attend SCVCS all fouryears. What suggestions

for improvement do you

have for SCVCS?

I think that SCVCS should allow

more independence in working.I would like to be able to work

ahead. When access to materi-al is controlled by the teacher, I

do not have the freedom that Iwould like. Some students may

not be able to handle freedomlike this, but others can. If a

student proves that they can

handle this responsibility, theyshould be allowed to work with-

out restrictions.

If you could change edu-

cation as a whole, whatsuggestions would you

make?

I think we need to change our

educational system from the

bottom to the top. Educationshould operate on the mastery

system, not the leveled gradesystem. If a student has mas-

tered a skill or subject, allowthat student to go ahead. If astudent has not mastered a skill

or subject, find out why and usedifferent approaches until that

student achieves mastery. Giveeveryone a solid foundation in

subjects, such as math, reading,writing, science, social studies,health, and computer literacy

until they complete the eighthgrade. At that time, students

should be evaluated on theirskills, their motivation, and their

career goals. Those who have

the proficiency and motivation togo to college should go to the

college track. Students who are

more career-oriented should goto a career center or technical

school so that when they gradu-ate, they will have a marketable

skill to take with them as theysearch for jobs.

You will have the oppor-

tunity to address your

graduating class nextmonth, but if you had the

opportunity to addressincoming freshmen, whatadvice would you give

them?

I would tell incoming freshmen

to think about their future goals

and dont get bogged down inthe day-to-day work so that they

lose sight of the end result.They should look honestly at

their strengths and weaknessesand set realistic goals for them-selves. They should do their

best every day, and above all, do

not get behindWhat are your plans for

next year? For the nextten years? If you could doanything, what would you

do?

Next year I will go to the Savan-nah College of Art and Design

(SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia, tostudy fashion design. Within thenext ten years, I want to gradu-

ate from college and then go on

to get my Masters degree.Then I want to work with a

fashion design company for awhile until I get some experi-

ence. Hopefully, I can then de-velop my own line. If I could do

anything, I would like to set up

my own fashion design companythat produces a line of clothes

that is stylish, fashionable, age-appropriate, and modest.

Teachers are looking to

the next generation to

help bring peace, prosper-ity, and advancement to

our nation. If you couldgive advice to our govern-


10/12



I would tell government officials and legislators, Do not assume that everyone is like yourself. Our govern-

ment must make decisions for all types of people of all backgrounds, viewpoints, mind sets, and educationallevels. I think this applies to relating to both foreign countries and people within our country. Governmentofficials cannot assume that people will respond just the way that they would. They must consider all reac-

tions and then make decisions that reflect what is fair and just.

A body of work is . . . never finished. Its cumulative; it deepens and expands witheach day that you give your best, each day that you give back and contribute to

the life of your community and your nation.

Ahead of you lie new experiences, unique challenges, and accomplishments yet

undreamed of. This is your time, a chance to leave your mark on the world.

Congratulations and Best Wishes in the Future

- President Barack Obama


11/12

Brennan Lawrence Gedney


SCVCS has two stu-

dents in the race for vale-

dictorian of the 2013 grad-

uating class. One will earn

valedictorian honors, and

the other one will earn the

salutatorian seat. We in-

terviewed both students to

be featured in this final

2012-2013 issue of the Stu-

dent Achievement News-

letter.

What are your favorite

subjects and why?

I have always enjoyed history

classes the most. History offers astorehouse of information about

how people and societies behave,which allows us to understand

our own society. When we un-

derstand what happened and

why in the past, we can betterprepare for similar situations inthe present. The way I see it is

that the more history I know, the

better I will handle my own life.

Tell us about any academ-

ic honors or awards that

you have earned in the

past few years.

For 10

th

, 11

th

, and 12

th

, I was aUSA Swimming Scholastic All-

American for achieving higher

than a 3.5 GPA and national

qualifying times in swimming

events.

In 10th and 11th grade, I was a

Potomac Valley Scholar Athlete

based on my GPA and work in

the swimming community.

Tell us what community

or extracurricular activi-

ties you have been in-

volved with during these

last few years.I volunteered for two years withNadar Por Vida (Swimming for

Life), where I taught underprivi-leged children the importance ofeducation through competitive

swimming.I have also worked with Habitat

for Humanity, the Youth Leader-

ship Initiative, Peer Mentors,

The Childrens Hospital in Den-

ver, CO, and the Christian Fel-lowship Church.You are one of the aca-

demic superlatives of

your graduating class.

What skills, traits, or in-

fluences do you have that

led you to this point?

I love to read and learn about abroad range of things. I try to

work as hard as I can because I

know honest and hard work isone of the best traits you can

have to be responsible and havea positive influence.

Did SCVCS contribute to

your success? If so, how?

Yes! The teachers challengedand taught me a lot, so I have a

strong foundation for college. Iowe the SCVCS teachers a great

deal because of their patience

and knowledge. Next year Iwould like to come back and tell

them how well they prepared

me for Clemson University.

Yours is one of the first

graduating classes to have

had the opportunity toattend SCVCS all four

years. What suggestionsfor improvement do you

have for SCVCS?

SCVCS does a great job.

If you could change edu-

cation as a whole, whatsuggestions would you

make?


12/12

Brennan Lawrence Gedney


I think there should be more support for virtual schools. Students and parents should realize that the sky is

the limit when you have virtual school opportunities.

You will have the opportunity to address your graduating class next month, but if you

had the opportunity to address incoming freshmen, what advice would you give them?

Work hard, keep up, and dont be afraid to ask questions. Teachers are very helpful in class and even haveextra office hours. Students who have been in SCVCS for a few years and are used to studying this way can

help new SCVCS students.

What are your plans for next year? For the next ten years? If you could do anything,

what would you do?

Next year I will be attending Clemson University as part of the Calhoun Honors College and the School ofArchitecture. I will also be a part of the Army ROTC program at Clemson, and I plan on being commis-

sioned as an officer in the Army after college graduation.

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SOM Newsletter April_May2013 Blog

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