700 GARDNER LACY RD., MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29579700 GARDNER LACY RD., MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29579C A R O L I N A F O R E S T H I G H S C H O O L

www.thecarolinaforesttoday.com

prowlerprowlerthe

We’re doing the same thing we do every day, trying to take over the world.”

“ “ kim

dent

teacherisms

pg. 8,9

save the dateDec. 6: Interim

reports issued

hall talk

Dec. 12-14: Show Choir presents “Happy Holidays!”

Dec. 19: Winter Break begins

“Well, sir, you smell like cat food!” – Junior

“Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don’t have fi lm.” – Senior

by the numbers• The average Ameri- can drinks 600 sodas a year.

• The chance that a person audition ing will win Ameri can idol is one in 100,000.

• Every year kids in North America spend close to half a billion dollars on chewing gum.

Nov. 23, 2010 Volume 14, Issue 3Nov. 23, 2010 Volume 14, Issue 3

Watch out for Black Friday shoppers Nov. 27.

Source: www.berro.com

icing on the cake | Working on her latest creation, senior Crystal Dempsey completes the fi nishing touches on a display cake for I See Pastries. She has worked there since June 2009.

“Working here is a lot of fun, but it doesn’t even seem like work,” Dempsey said. Making cakes is Dempsey’s passion, and she hopes to continue her career in baking. From cakes to cupcakes,

read more about her talent on page 6. [Photo by Brian Harrington]

Cake Queen

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlernews22

Author of ‘Inheritance Cycle’ talks to students

Paolini visits area

Christopher Paolini, author of “Eragon,” “Eldest,” “Brisingr” and a not yet released fourth and fi nal book in the Inheritance Cycle, came to Saint James High Oct. 26.

Paolini, who has been working on the series for 11 years, talked to an auditorium of excited St. James, So-castee, Myrtle Beach and Carolina Forest high students about his inspiration, parallels between his personal life and his books and his general writing experience.

“The characters of Brom and Roran were based on my dad. Saphira the dragon was based on animals I knew growing up as well as my mom,” Paolini said. “Eragon was originally based on me, but he does a lot of things I can’t do, like fl y dragons, so he is pretty much his own person.”

Paolini not only talked to the audience, he engaged them. Supplied with an easel of large white paper, the author drew a map that represented a fi ctional world and asked students for ideas of what kinds of people or creatures inhabit the world. With the audiences’ imagi-nations running wild, the world ended up consisting of rabbit-squirrels that worshipped Chuck Norris on one side of the map and smurfs that worshipped Snooki on the other.

“I liked the fact that he pulled the audience in instead of just talking,” junior Savanna Gillman said. “He inter-acted with us and kept our attention.”

Senior Ginny Estridge agreed.“I liked his humor and lightheartedness; it made it

by mollyjohnsonjohnsoneditorinchief

‘Inheritance CycleCycle’ The book tells the story of a

young farm boy named Eragon who fi nds a strange blue stone in the mountains. A dragon hatches from the stone which is really an egg, and he names her Saphira. They are forced to fl ee their home when the evil King Galbatorix fi nds out about them. The pair decides to search for the Varden, a group of rebels who wish for the downfall of the king.

The third in the series focuses on the story of Eragon and Saphira as they continue on their quest to overthrow Gal-batorix. The book explores how Eragon must come to terms with his role of a leader and his moral obligations.

The second book in the se-ries focuses on Eragon and Saphira’s journey to the realm of the Elves in order to further Eragon’s training as a Dragon Rider. He learns about magic and swordsmanship. There is also a parallel story involving Roran, Eragon’s cousin. The war with Galbatorix rages on.

more relaxing instead of formal,” Estridge said.Estridge not only got to attend the general talk, but she

also attended the writers’ workshop after the speech, an up-close-and-personal experience with Paolini in which he gave advice about writing.

“The best thing about the workshop was getting to hear him talk to us as a writer, not just as an author but from one writer to another,” Estridge said.

It was also inspirational and educational in helping students become better writers.

“It reminded me that I have to try, that it’s not always just going to come naturally,” Estridge said. “I have to work at it and be persistent.”

This goes along with something Paolini said.“There are a lot of geniuses with half fi nished manu-

scripts and a lot of hacks with 50 novels,” Paolini said. “It’s a craft; you have to work at it.”

Having to work at it creates certain diffi culties for Paolini.

“The most challenging aspect of writing the series is consistency, having to sit down every day and work on it,” Paolini said.

During the writers’ workshop, Paolini talked some more about his inspiration.

“My inspiration for ‘Eragon’ was staring out my win-dow and daydreaming and thinking what I would rather be doing than my math homework,” Paolini said.

Paolini’s daydreaming led to a creation of a New York Times bestselling series that is deeply appreciated by all ages.

ffllying high| ying high| Granting a request to Granting a request to sign an iPod, Christopher Paolini, sign an iPod, Christopher Paolini, author of the “Inheritance Cycle,” author of the “Inheritance Cycle,” autographs a variety of books, autographs a variety of books, pictures and other items as well. pictures and other items as well. Paolini visited St. James High Oct. Paolini visited St. James High Oct. 26 to talk to students from differ-26 to talk to students from differ-ent schools about his series and ent schools about his series and writing experience. He gave ad-writing experience. He gave ad-vice on multiple topics involving vice on multiple topics involving writing. “Ask yourself questions writing. “Ask yourself questions to create the story and if it feels to create the story and if it feels right, it probably is,” Paolini said. right, it probably is,” Paolini said. [Photo by Molly Johnson][Photo by Molly Johnson]

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlernews33

The noise gets louder as Xxclusiv Steppaz step to beatby summerbellbellstevenzankowitzzankowitz

newswriternewseditor xxclusiv steppaz membersmembersCornesha Beaty

Shanaya Bowser

Ashly Chardukian

Jenaysia Crane

Tiazia Dewitt

Leslie Dillard

Alysha Duff

Abby Earnest

Veronica Herrington

Vashon Johnson

Katherine Lall

Brooklyn Lawson

Kristina Lewis

Yasmine Peterson

Whitnee Reynolds

Simone Robinson

Ana Sanchez

Alisa Smith

Darielle Vereen

Sarah Watkins

Sharae Wimberly

Coaches:

Pilisha Boykin

Kelli Puusepp

The team comes out calmly, ready to go. In anticipation the audience screams and claps. Then

the team starts moving, creating a pounding sound that radiates throughout the gym. They pound as they move, stomping the ground and clapping their hands to create a rhythm to a beat, as a team.

This team is the Xxclusiv Steppaz step team. They performed at the last home football game, fash-

ion shows and toy drives. They will also perform at one JV and two varsity basketball games.

“I love this group of steppers,” English teacher and step team choreographer Philisa Boykin said.

Sophomore Vashon Johnson agreed. “We are better than last year,” Johnson saidThe team practices at least two times a week. They

practice moves while Boykin choreographs their rou-tines.

“It’s [practicing] hard ‘cause people have a hard time catching on and staying on beat sometimes,” sophomore Cornesha Beaty said. “I absolutely put a lot of work in. I work every day and night to show her [Boykin] what I was working with.”

Each team member does her part to help the team.“I am constantly running the steps through my head

so I won’t forget. We also have practice twice a week. We have to perform in front of the school and also compete,”

senior Ashly Chardukian said. “It’s a constant effort be-cause you want to present yourself and your team well.”

Stepping comes naturally to some.“It’s more of a gift than a passion because some peo-

ple don’t have rhythm,” Johnson said. “You either have it or you don’t.”

Even though the team has increased their practice time, they say they don’t mind.

“I love to dance, and I love to step,” freshman Ve-ronica Herrington said.

Freshman Whitnee Reynolds agreed.“I love to dance and I have been dancing since I was

little,” Reynolds said.While experience stepping is nice, it is not a require-

ment to join or be a part of the team.“I was never on a step team in high school or college

and I was asked by some students to coach it [the step team] and I said sure,” Boykin said.

Senior Katherine Lall had other reasons for joining.“It seemed like a fun thing to do [the step team] my

senior year. So I did it,” Lall said.Boykin and the Xxclusiv Steppaz encourage others to

join the step team“They should try out next year if they have a good at-

titude and want to dance,” Chardukian said.Reynolds agreed. “People should have tried out,” Reynolds said. “It’s a

good experience and it is a lot of fun.”

please don’t stop the music | Stepping to the beat of the music, senior Jenaysia Crane, senior Alysha Duff, junior Brooklyn Lawson, senior Alisa Smith and senior Ashly Chardukian from the Xxclusiv Steppaz step team perform at the pep rally Oct. 15. The team is led by English teacher Philisha Boykin. “I would tell people if you love to dance and love music, then step team is for you,” Boykin said. [Photo by Hayley Moran]

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Unbylined editorials refl ect the views of the majority of the Prowler staff, but not necessarily the views of the school board, administration, faculty, adviser, entire staff or student body. All bylined editorials and cartoons refl ect the opinion of the writer or artist. Advertisements do not refl ect the opinion of the Prowler staff or its adviser.

Letters to the editor, ideas or suggestions are encouraged and can be dropped off at Tech 3. Only letters signed by the author will be accepted. The Prowler reserves the right to edit any submission for clarity and length.

For advertising information or to request a copy, please call (843) 236-7997, ext. 62024, or e-mail mherring@horrycountyschools.net. The Prowler has the right to refuse advertising that is of illegal products under state law, opposed to any religion or of a sensitive nature.

staff policy

Volume 14, Issue 3: Nov. 23, 2010Carolina Forest High School

700 Gardner Lacy Rd.Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

SIPA – SuperiorSCSPA – Honor

EDITOR–IN–CHIEF: Molly JohnsonAD/ BUSINESS EDITORS: Amanda Harvey, Hailey Bagley, Matthew Monette

prowlerthe

thetheprowlerprowlereditorial/opinon 5511.23.1011.23.10

Block scheduling, not seven periods, offers best fi t for all

The staff editorial is the consensus of the entire staff and therefore is never bylined. In the event that the staff does not agree, a staff vote will be printed.

staffeditorialeditorial

CENTERSPREAD EDITOR: Brandon CastilloWriter: Brandi WashellENTERTAINMENT EDITOR: Kaeli Weeks Writer: Lanie RuedyFEATURES EDITOR: Emily Wendland Writers: Alicia Broughton, Brian HarringtonNEWS EDITOR: Steven ZankowitzWriter: Summer BellONLINE EDITORS: Kaitlin Cody, Leza WattsPHOTOGRAPHER: Hayley MoranSPORTS EDITOR: Ashanti EdmondsonWriters: Alyssa Cruz, Nicole Fillmore

ADVISER: Martha HerringPRINCIPAL: Velna Allen

There is a possibility the school district will enact a traditional seven period day rather than block scheduling next year for all high schools.

However, in a survey on the district’s website, the overwhelming majority of students, parents and teachers indicated their preference for block scheduling. Only 1,451, or 19 percent, out of 7,833 of those who took the survey supported a schedule change to seven periods whereas 6,382, or 81 percent, did not support the change. Yet the school district must cut any-where from $17 to $20 million from next year’s budget and going to a seven period day would save $3.9 million, school offi cials say.

“If we add 2.5 more students into each class on the block schedule, then we could save the district $5 mil-lion versus the $3.9 million proposed savings by chang-ing to a seven period schedule,” curriculum coach and advanced theatre teacher/director Wayne Canady said.

“If we go to the seven period day, then we have to look to adding more recovery programs such as a full 9-12 summer school program in each high school in the district,” Canady said. “Right now we only offer summer school at one high school site. Because of this economic crisis, any time you have to cut $17-20 million from the budget, you’re going to lose personnel and that will in-clude teachers unfortunately.”

With the seven period schedule, each class would be 50 minutes long, which does not seem long enough to achieve much of importance. Classes such as P.E., where dressing out is a requirement, art and those involving sci-

ence labs would seem especially short due to the preparations required just to get started. The 90 minutes per class we have in place now enables students to get a lot done and ask more ques-tions.

There would also be an abundance of homework, tests and textbooks with a traditional schedule due to the addi-

tion of three classes. There would not be much time to do work on homework in class; therefore, the biggest load would be placed on students at home. Teachers would have to do more at home, too, because they would be teaching more classes and have less planning time.

Overall, one of the worst aspects of a seven period day, besides extending the school day for class changes and lunch, is that graduation rates would drop. Students can only take 28 courses over four years on a seven period schedule, but with block, students can take 32 courses over four years which gives more opportunities to retake failed classes.

Additionally, students who fail a core class on the block schedule are able to retake it the next semester. With a seven period day, a student would have to wait until the following year to retake it.

In general, block scheduling is better because use of time is more fl exible and there is more instructional im-mersion. A neighboring superintendent even went on a seven period schedule for two years and went back to modifi ed block scheduling.

The numbers from the survey refl ect that we should stick with block scheduling.

I was little it used to both-er me.

I got picked on by old-er kids when I was in the third grade.

A few times a boy fol-lowed me halfway home making mooing noises. It hurt me.

Don’t worry, though; he fi nally came around and we ended up being pretty good friends.

Now that I am older and have been dealing

She waddles down the hallway trying to get to class while receiving a few judging looks from other students.

She walks by them, holding her head up high as if she owns the world. They stop and wonder about her obvious confi -dence.

All my life I’ve been, let’s say, “fl uffy.”

I’m used to all of it now: the strange looks, the whispers and the sly comments.

I’ve heard it all. When

by brandiwashellwashellcenterspreadwriter

with this since I was little, it doesn’t hurt as much.

I still receive some questionable looks and hear a few snickers as I pass by, but whatever. Life goes on.

I can’t spend all of my time worrying about what other people think of me based on how I look.

The old cliché “real beauty is on the inside.”

This is true. It doesn’t matter how

fat and ugly you are, or in my case, how “fl uffy” and pretty you are. What matters is how you act to-wards other people.

I’m happy that I feel

I am amazing just the way I am

life of apenguinpenguin

good about myself. It’s sad that some people don’t feel that way.

I read somewhere awhile ago that a girl took her own life because peo-ple were picking on her about her weight. That’s sad.

“Brandi, why do you have to put yourself down all the time?” one of my friends asked.

I don’t think that I am really putting myself down or anything. I’m just joking about it.

I’d rather laugh about my “imperfections” than shed unnecessary tears over them.

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlerfeatures66

daisy dukes | This was the very fi rst specialty cake Dempsey created. It was the fi nal project of her baking class. “I was so proud of myself. I think this is the best cake I ever did,” Dempsey said. [Photo courtesy of Crystal Dempsey]

monkeying around | This cake was made for her boss’s birthday. It was the fi rst 3-D cake she had ever made. [Pho-to courtesy of Crystal Dempsey]

wedding bells | This cake is a four layer wedding cake. It was marble cake with butter cream icing. “I think this is the most beautiful cake I have ever done,” Dempsey said [Photo courtesy of Crystal Dempsey]

C a k e B o s s

Look out, Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, senior Crystal Dempsey just might out-bake you.

From French vanilla to Dutch choco-late, Dempsey can bake it all.

“I love baking,” Dempsey said. “It’s really fun and it makes the house smell good.”

Dempsey has been baking since she was a little girl.

“I grew up in it,” Dempsey said. “I was always watching my mom bake and after a while she let me help her.”

During the summer between Dempsey’s sophomore and junior year she started to bake on her own. She also took classes at A.C. Moore to enhance her baking skills and give her cakes the professional look.

“I started simple at fi rst,” Dempsey said, “just plain square cakes with white vanilla icing. Then I moved up to layer and specialty cakes.”

Since then, Dempsey has created more than 30 cakes for occasions ranging from end-of-the-semester cakes to share with her government and economics class to her best friend’s Sweet 16 cake. Three layers with a zebra print icing, this was her best creation, she said.

Dempsey’s creations are a big hit with her friends.

“Her cakes are so good,” senior Gina Tripp said. “I love it when she bakes cakes for our class, and I can’t wait until my birthday so she can make me one.”

Since June Dempsey has worked at I See Pastries, located on Postal Way in Carolina Forest.

There Dempsey works the front coun-ter where she takes orders for and deals with customers, and she also makes spe-cialty cakes and delivers them.

“She is a hard worker and a very nice girl,” co-worker Cindy Hannon said.

Even though she works hard, some-times things just don’t work out. Once she was delivering a cake across town and she had to slam on her breaks and the cake went fl ying onto the fl oor of her car. Af-ter cleaning out the mess in her car, she had to bake and decorate the cake all over again.

by brianharringtonharringtonfeatureswriter

wild animals | This is a funfetti cake with animal print icing. “The icing is made from fondant. That’s what makes it look so smooth,” Dempsey said. Most bakers and pastry artists use fondant do make specialty cakes. It forms a fi rm shell around the cake to make it easier to decorate. Dempsey used two layers of fondant to decorate this animal print cake. First she did the bottom layer in brown, white and tan. Then she did the animal prints in black. And to top it off, she used traditional icing to make the black and white tufts on each layer of the cake. To see more pictures of Dempsey’s creations, log on to www.carolinaforesttoday.com. [Photo courtesy of Crystal Dempsey]

“That was the most annoying thing that ever happened to me,” Dempsey said. “My heart dropped when I saw the cake hit the fl oor of my car.”

Dempsey hopes to pursue a career in pastry arts. She plans on attending John-son and Wales in Charlotte after she grad-uates high school and then hopefully open her own bakery soon after.

All in all, from the looks of her cre-ations and the insight of her peers and co-workers, it seems Dempsey’s dreams aren’t unrealistic. Maybe one day we’ll see her on the Food Network as Cake Boss, Crystal Dempsey.

tasty cakesher creationsher creations

compiled by brian harrington

the icing on the cake | Putting some fi nishing touches on a display cake for I See Pas-tries, senior Crystal Dempsey’s creativity fl ows off her hands and onto the cake. It is covered in sugary sea shells and star fi sh to complete a beach themed cake. “Baking is my passion,” Dempsey said. “I can’t even describe how good it makes me feel.” I See Pastries is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. [Photo by Brian Harrington]

Senior bakes up storm at local pastry shop, hopes to persue baking career

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlerfeatures77

fast facts aboutsynesthesiasynesthesia

by emilywendlandwendlandfeatureseditor

Junior with neuroligical condition handles life

Does the color purple smell like cop-per?

For junior Savanna Gillman it does.Is the letter A always yellow? For junior Savanna Gillman it is. Gillman has a neurologically-based

condition called synesthesia, meaning joined perception. Synesthesia is a condi-tion in which usually separate senses are no longer separate.

One form of synesthesia joins ob-jects such as letters, shapes, numbers or people’s names with a sensory perception like smell, color or fl a-vor. The most common form is colored letters and numbers. Synes-thetic perceptions are different with each per-son.

“When I was 8, my nana and I were on our way to visit her friend. Her friend had a name that gave me a particu-larly strong number of sensations,” Gill-man said. “Whenever I heard the name, I would smell something like burning rocks and taste a really potent silver/metallic taste.

“Add that to the feeling of something resembling a square block being pressed against my left palm. I decided to tell my nana, and she freaked out to say the least. She took me to our family doctor and he did some tests and long story short, he told me I had some crazy thing that I couldn’t even pronounce.”

Learning that one has synesthesia at a young age may be confusing.

“Until that day I thought everyone had feelings like that and just never talked about it. So my tiny little life was pretty much turned all topsy-turvy,” Gillman said. “At that point I had already devel-oped my own sort of freaky synesthe-sia language so I started writing stories, which is what I did as a kid, and I haven’t stopped since. Well, in English now, of course.”

Although many conditions can be treated with medication, the effects of synesthesia are constant.

“It’s always there. Lit-erally every single thing in the world is accompanied by at least four or fi ve dif-ferent sensations,” Gill-man said. “The example I give most people is that I can’t eat bananas because they taste like magenta.

“Magenta tastes some-thing like acid. I remem-ber in grade school one of my best friends loved to wear this shirt that was

almost all magenta, and I would be nau-seous all day just looking at it.”

Synesthesia, like many conditions, is genetic.

“I catch little glimpses of synesthetic behavior in two of my aunts as well as my mother, but just simple things,” Gillman said.

Synesthetes are typically left-handed, but Gillman is not.

“It’s just something else they can’t ex-plain I suppose,” Gillman said.

There are different ways to deal with synesthesia.

“I have to meditate, even if it’s just a 10 minute mental preparation session be-fore I start my day or before I go to places with a great amount of people or stimuli: art museums, the mall, a club or school,” Gillman said. “Math is also diffi cult to me. Letters and numbers have personali-ties and just looking at a problem with two and fi ve side by side is enough to make me cringe.”

However, she has learned to handle it at school.

“It doesn’t affect it too much aside from the mental preparation. I’ve trained my brain for school over the years so it’s gotten much easier to manage in that situ-

ation,” Gillman said.Some think that living with synesthe-

sia gives one a disadvantage, but Gillman disagrees.

“I’m a writer, so in that aspect, I defi -nitely consider it an advantage. It’s dif-fi cult to manage sometimes, but I cannot imagine life without my synesthesia,” Gillman said.

But there is a downside.“It’s neat I guess, but it’s also a problem

in a lot of situations. I can’t just walk up to a random stranger and say ‘Could you please stop talking? Your voice hurts,’” Gillman said. “I’m exhausted by the end of a school day because all of the people, but you would never guess and I try hard to keep it that way.”

While certain drugs can trigger an • experience like synesthesia, synethe- sia is not caused by drugs.

U.S. studies show that three times as • many woman as men have synesthesia.

In the U.K. eight times as many • women have been reported to have it.

Research estimates around 10 in a • million people have synesthesia.

Synesthetes are of normal (or pos- • sibly above average) intelligence.

source: http://www.uel.ac.uk/psy chology/research/synaesthesia/

famoussynesthetessynesthetes

• Patrick Stump Lead singer of Fall Out Boy Grapheme → color

• Pharrell Williams Hip-hop producer and artist Music → color

• Billy Joel Singer/songwriter Sound → color

• Eddie Van Halen Guitarist Sound → color

“ It’s diffi cult to manage sometimes, but I cannot imagine life without my syn-esthesia.”

Savanna GillmanSavanna Gillmanjuniorjunior

source: http://www.uel.ac.uk/psychology/research/synaesthe-sia/

sensory overload | Reading “The Man Who Tasted Shapes” written by Richard Cytowic, junior Savanna Gillman relates to Michael, whose synesthesia is the main topic of the book. Richard Cytowic is also the author of another book about synesthesia called “Synesthesia: A Union of the Senses.” [Photo by Emily Wendland]

READY... SET... SHOP

The wait is almost unbearable, hours upon hours of anticipation and days of planning.

It’s fi nally time. The doors open and the rush begins. Shoppers run

toward the shelves and racks. Managers and employees just try to keep order and stay out of the way. It’s Black Friday.

“It’s stressful and challenging, yet exhilarating. I’ve seen parents pushing and cutting the line,” Aeropostale manager Carrie Crosby said. “The most important thing we do is make sure lines are roped off and that we are fully staffed and trained.”

Black Friday: shoppers and bargain hunters love it, managers love it, but employees think of it as a sort of death sentence because so many shoppers go out on Black Friday to shop for Christmas and catch some of the amazing sales going on that day.

The National Retail Federation estimates 128 million people will go shopping this Black Friday. This is down from 135 million in 2007.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is called Black Friday because it symbolizes the beginning of the period when retailers no longer have losses or are in the red, but increase profi ts (in the black).

Black Friday offers the best deals of the year, by

Workers, shoppersby brandoncastillocastillo

centerspreadeditor

thetheprowlerprowlercenterspreadcente8 9

marking prices downHowever, shoppe

trying to take advant Such was the c

shoppers in a Valley one worker dead andan impatient crowdstore doors and tramppolice said.

Jdimytai DamouQueens, was pushedthe 2,000-plus crowdas management was the store. Nothing lpened locally, but thacrazy things don’t ha

“Kids were fi ghThey were punchinghectic and by the seto go home,” senior who worked at Aeropof driven people.”

Managers and emvance with workshoping the shelves. The better because of howbecome.

Crosby has lots o

compiled brandiwa

compiled by brandiwashell

Store Guide

SURVIVAL GUIDE

1. 1. Buy the Thanksgiving Day edition of the Buy the Thanksgiving Day edition of the Sun News. It will have the most Black Sun News. It will have the most Black Friday ads. Friday ads.

2. 2. Make a spreadsheet of store hours and Make a spreadsheet of store hours and what you want to buy for whom. Map what you want to buy for whom. Map out a route using less traveled roads to out a route using less traveled roads to avoid traffi c. avoid traffi c.

3. 3. Stores may have a midnight madness sale Stores may have a midnight madness sale and there will be long lines awaiting the and there will be long lines awaiting the opening. Be sure to get there hours early opening. Be sure to get there hours early to get your spot in line. to get your spot in line.

4. 4. To avoid the overcrowded food courts and To avoid the overcrowded food courts and fast food restaraunts, take food and water fast food restaraunts, take food and water with you. Take a few bottles of water and with you. Take a few bottles of water and keep them in your car as well. keep them in your car as well.

5. 5. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes Make sure to wear comfortable shoes because of excessive walking. Be ready because of excessive walking. Be ready to wait in lines and fi ght your way through to wait in lines and fi ght your way through crowds. crowds.

• Tanger Outlet: Opens Thanksgiving night at 9 p.m. Doesn’t close • Tanger Outlet: Opens Thanksgiving night at 9 p.m. Doesn’t clo until 9 p.m. Black Friday. until 9 p.m. Black Friday.• Wal-Mart: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens 5 a.m. Black Friday • Wal-Mart: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens 5 a.m. Black Friday and then open 24 hours as usual. and then open 24 hours as usual.• Best Buy: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.- 11 p.m. Black• Best Buy: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.- 11 p.m. Blac Friday Friday• Coastal Grand Mall: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.-11• Coastal Grand Mall: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Black Friday p.m. Black Friday• Kmart: Opens Thanksgiving at 6 a.m. Black Friday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.• Kmart: Opens Thanksgiving at 6 a.m. Black Friday: 6 a.m.-10 • Barnes and Noble: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens at 9 a.m. Black• Barnes and Noble: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens at 9 a.m. B Friday Friday

s prep for Black Friday

theprowlercenterspreaderspread8 9

n to extreme lows. ers sometimes lose control when tage of the deals.ase in 2008 when a stampede of Stream Wal-Mart in New York left

d at least three patrons injured after d broke down the pled an employee,

ur of Jamaica, d to the ground by d just before 5 a.m.

preparing to open like that has hap-at’s not to say that

appen.hting over a shirt. g each other. It’s econd hour I want Morgan Williams,

postle last year, said. “There are a lot

mployees start preparing way in ad-ps, employee meetings and by stock-

more experience a worker has, the w hectic and crazy things can quickly

of Black Friday experience, as she

worked two years at Liz Claiborne and one at Journeys before working at Aeropostle for the past seven years. One of the major challenges is maintaining order in the store, she said.

While employees have their plans for the day, shop-pers do as well.

“Go early, be organized and have a lot of patience,” English II teacher Krista Kalbaugh said. “I stand my ground and throw el-bows if I have to.”

Her methods prove successful as she once got her brother a cof-fee maker for $4.

“I was pumped about it,” she said.

Kalbaugh has seen her share of shoppers’ antics.

“I’ve seen people fi ghting over stuff at Wal-Mart and

fi ghting over who was in line for what. It gets cra-zier because more people are looking for deals,” she said.

Crosby offers advice for shoppers.“Don’t panic. It’s only one day,” she said. Williams echoed that advice. “Even though it’s hard to, try and stay calm,” Wil-

liams said. “Just remember that it’s only one day.”

“ I’ve seen people fi ghting over stuff at Wal-Mart and fi ghting over who was in line for what. It gets crazier because more people are looking for deals.”

Krista Krista KalbaughKalbaughenglish teacher english teacher

by ashell

geared up to go | geared up to go | In this photo illustration sophomore Michael In this photo illustration sophomore Michael Spencer is ready to battle the crowds on Black Friday. He is pre-Spencer is ready to battle the crowds on Black Friday. He is pre-pared with a chair and sleeping bag to wait in line and a helmet pared with a chair and sleeping bag to wait in line and a helmet to protect him from the crowds. to protect him from the crowds. “The crowds were ridiculous. Way too “The crowds were ridiculous. Way too many people for one store. I had to plow my way through people to get to many people for one store. I had to plow my way through people to get to the bathroom,” Spencer said. the bathroom,” Spencer said. [Photo by Emily Wendland][Photo by Emily Wendland]

• Tanger Outlet: Opens Thanksgiving night at 9 p.m. Doesn’t close ose until 9 p.m. Black Friday.• Wal-Mart: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens 5 a.m. Black Friday y and then open 24 hours as usual.• Best Buy: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.- 11 p.m. Blackck Friday• Coastal Grand Mall: Closed on Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Black Friday• Kmart: Opens Thanksgiving at 6 a.m. Black Friday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.p.m.• Barnes and Noble: Closed on Thanksgiving. Opens at 9 a.m. BlackBlack Friday

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prowlerprowlerentertainment 1111Disney star promotes national movement

Kids made fun of her for being smart.South Carolina native Monique Cole-

man told a group of performing arts stu-dents Oct. 26 about how she was picked on in middle school and how she over-came it. This is one of the reasons she has begun a movement and talk show called “Gimme Mo.” It focuses on the youth of today, how they feel and their problems.

Coleman kicked off her national tour at four schools in Horry County.

Most know Coleman for her role as Taylor Mackessie in “High School Mu-sical 1, 2 and 3” and also for her appear-ance on the third season of “Dancing with the Stars” where she came in fourth.

Coleman is currently writing a book titled “From Ramen Noodles to the Red Carpet: A Guide to Finding Out Who You Are and Not Who You Were” and is traveling around the nation promoting it.

Recently, Coleman was selected as a spokesperson for the United Nation’s International Year of Youth, the fi rst year dedicated to the youth of the world and how they feel since the `80s.

“In order to do something with my life, I had to do something real,” Coleman said.

Coleman talked to students here about self-empowerment and taking responsi-bility as individuals instead of playing the blame game.

“With confi dence impossible situ-ations become opportunities,” Cole-man said.

She also spoke about how to deal with feelings.

“It’s great to put your feelings into art,” said Coleman, “but eventu-ally you have to face them.”

Coleman’s speech had an impact on those who attended.

“It made students stop and think about what is actually going on around us,” sophomore Madison Crockett said.

During Coleman’s speech she ad-dressed issues such as bullying and other teen-age issues.

“She inspired me to be more confi dent in myself and to know what I can accomplish,” sophomore Shannon Horton said.

Sophomore Natalie Dalton said she opened her eyes to issues around

her.“She made me realize how teen-

age problems are getting worse and worse,” Dalton said.

Crockett said it inspired her to do more.

“It made me realize how little I do when I can do so much,” Crock-ett said. “All it takes is one voice to make a difference.”

Coleman is optimistic about “Gimme Mo’s” effects.

“It’s not just a movement,” she said. “It’s a revolution.”

speak up | Introducing a new move-ment, Disney star Monique Coleman speaks to a group of students Oct. 26. Coleman’s new movement is called “Gimme Mo” and promotes teen issues. [Photo by Hayley Moran]

by kaeliweeksweeksentertainmenteditor

How did Monique Coleman inspire you?

youropinionopinion

aboutmoniquemonique

• Born in Columbia, S.C.• Training started at the Workshop The- atre School of Dramatic Arts where she performed in more than 15 plays.• Attended the theatre school at DePaul University in Chicago, graduating with a Bachelor degree in Acting in 2002.

“She inspired me because she said she started out just like us and everybody has hope to get to where she is now.”- Brooke Smith, freshman

“She inspired me to be the best person I can be.” - Angela Lane, sophomore

“She inspired me to help other people.” - Remanda Fenner, senior

“I thought it was inspir-ing how real she was and how involved she wanted to be not just in our school but all of the youth in the whole country.”- Casey Skully, sophomore

• First lead in the independent feature titled “Mother of the River.”• Co-starred in the Disney movie “High School Musical” as Taylor Mackessie.• Was a recurring guest star in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.”• On the fi rst ever Disney Games on the blue team.• Competed on the third season of “Dancing with the Stars” and placed fourth.

• Appeared in concert with the rest of the High School Musical Cast.• In 2007 and 2008, starred again in the role of Taylor Mackessie in “High School Musical 2 and 3.”• In 2009, won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Music/Dance “ High School Musical 3”• In 2010, made a guest appearance on the TV series “Bones.”

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off he goes | Varsity base-ball player, Jarrod Rickman signs for a 50 percent ath-letic and 50 percent aca-demic scholarship at Fur-man University Nov. 15. “My family is my biggest support. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them,” Rickman said. [Photo by Hayley Moran]

“If Google doesn’t have it, it doesn’t exist.” – Senior

by lanieruedyruedyentertainmentwriter

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlerentertainment1313

‘Voices of the Titanic’ astoundsThe Drama Department produced “Voices of the Titan-

ic” Nov. 6. The play told stories of the passengers on the “R. M. S.

Titanic” the historic night that the unsinkable ship sank. Rotteli’s catered the dinner. The drama department’s pro-ceeds goes toward creating future opportunities in the the-atrical arts for students and the community.

The cast included freshmen Keygan Altman, Elaina Katstanos, Sarah Jane Lowe, Shannon Lowe, Billy Sparks and Christina Swann; sophomores Evan Biddy, Shelby Clemmer, David Derochea, Samantha Erwin, Jessica He-fl in, Sean Julian, Angela Lane, Laura Meadows, Jocelyn Rutledge, Michael Spencer, Antonio Torres and Kasey Westraad; juniors Mitch Babb, Ashley Buchanan, Shayna French, Faye Goodwin, Rebecca Jolly, Shannon King, Carter Lowe and Alex Mitchell; seniors Shelby Brock, Amanda Celi and Ashley Saunders.

the shot heard around the ship | the shot heard around the ship | Trying to calm the Trying to calm the passengers of the “Titanic,” William Murdoch (junior passengers of the “Titanic,” William Murdoch (junior Mitch Babb) uses his gun to stop the mass panic. Mitch Babb) uses his gun to stop the mass panic.

“I thought it’d be a lot of fun, and in fact, it was,” “I thought it’d be a lot of fun, and in fact, it was,” Babb saidBabb said. . [Photo by Lanie Ruedy][Photo by Lanie Ruedy]

be british men, be be british men, be british| british| Looking out over the Looking out over the “Titanic,” Captain Smith (se-“Titanic,” Captain Smith (se-

nior Carter Lowe), contem-nior Carter Lowe), contem-plates how to save his sink-plates how to save his sink-

ing ship. Captain Smith’s ing ship. Captain Smith’s voyage on the “Titanic” was voyage on the “Titanic” was meant to be his last voyage meant to be his last voyage

as a captain.as a captain.“I liked having the “I liked having the

chance to help younger chance to help younger actors,” Lowe said. “[The actors,” Lowe said. “[The

best part of the story line] best part of the story line] was the voices of the dead was the voices of the dead at the very end of the play. at the very end of the play. [The worst part was] some [The worst part was] some important historical fi gures important historical fi gures were not represented well.”were not represented well.”

[Photo by Lanie Ruedy][Photo by Lanie Ruedy]

get your ducks in a get your ducks in a row | row | Passengers Shelby Passengers Shelby Clemmer (sophomore), Clemmer (sophomore), Amber Buchanan (junior) Amber Buchanan (junior) and Keygan Altman (fresh-and Keygan Altman (fresh-man) listen to second of-man) listen to second of-ficer Charles Lightroller ficer Charles Lightroller (sophomore Michael Spen-(sophomore Michael Spen-cer) directing them to the cer) directing them to the lifeboats as Billy Sparks lifeboats as Billy Sparks (freshman) and Laura (freshman) and Laura Meadows (sophomore) Meadows (sophomore) walk up. “He loved his job walk up. “He loved his job and cared for the passen-and cared for the passen-gers’ needs,” Spencer saidgers’ needs,” Spencer said. . [Photo by Lanie Ruedy][Photo by Lanie Ruedy]

like mother, like daughter | like mother, like daughter | While While trying to find their rooms, daughter trying to find their rooms, daughter (freshman Shannon Lowe) reads the (freshman Shannon Lowe) reads the “Titanic’s” brochure to her mother (ju-“Titanic’s” brochure to her mother (ju-nior Shannon King). nior Shannon King).

“Seeing the play come together at “Seeing the play come together at the end was the most fun part,” King the end was the most fun part,” King said. “However, the experience gap said. “However, the experience gap between some of the performers was between some of the performers was challenging.”challenging.” [Photo by Lanie Ruedy][Photo by Lanie Ruedy]

the fatalities are | the fatalities are | Narrating the be-Narrating the be-ginning and the end of the “Voices of ginning and the end of the “Voices of the Titanic” sophomore Jessica Hef-the Titanic” sophomore Jessica Hef-lin speaks strongly and solemnly, her lin speaks strongly and solemnly, her voice filling the silent auditorium. voice filling the silent auditorium.

“The best part was getting to know “The best part was getting to know the cast,”the cast,” Hefl in said. Hefl in said. [Photo by Lanie [Photo by Lanie Ruedy]Ruedy]

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlersports 1414

Lean, Mean, Fighting Machines

by ashantiedmondsonedmondsonsportseditor

Steel bars over the ring. One fi ghter is in one corner, the opponent in the other.

The announcer comes on the speaker. The fi ghters jump up and down while biting their mouth guards ready to rumble. The bell sounds and the cage fi ght begins.

Sophomore Harley Rabon, junior Zach Norris and freshman Christopher Button participate in this not-so-common sport.

“To me it’s a escape from everything,” Rabon said. “Cage fi ghting is my sport because I love to be pushed. I don’t like to be able to blame other people for my mis-takes like team sports. It’s a fi ght.”

Button fi nds a way to relieve stress although his fam-ily wasn’t supportive at the beginning.

“It’s fun. When I told my mom, she didn’t want me to do it. It’s a great way to get anger and frustration out,” Button said.

Rabon and Norris practice every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Fitness Edge gym. In boxing class they practice bag work, speed bag cardio and ab work.

“My favorite is the sparing. I love fi ghting. I love hitting, trading blows with the people in ju jit su,” Ra-bon said. “We roll and learn moves and submissions. My favorite is can opener. I take boxing, wrestling and kick-boxing.”

Cage fi ghting not only requires hard work, but also a full wallet.

Memberships at Fitness Edge are $75 a month; the gear is around $300.

As with most sports, a diet is a necessity. “Protein, low carb chicken, fi sh, tuna, protein shakes,

a lot of veggies, a gallon of water daily and peanut but-ter,” Rabon said.

Norris does not limit what he eats. “Everything, I eat pretty much whatever I want just

as long as I burn it off. Lots of protein shakes,” Norris said. “Sometimes protein shakes replace meals.”

Button’s diet is a little different.“Steak, chicken, and I don’t eat fast food,” Button

said. Roughly 6’1” and 200 pounds, Rabon’s philosophy is

size does not matter.“It means nothing to me about their size because I got

heart and I know it will take more than size to make me want to quit,” Rabon said.

To Norris, size is all in the state of mind.“Normally I just think about ways that he could be

weaker than me. They might not be able to fi ght on the ground,” Norris said. “I’m never really intimidated.”

Rabon does not plan to stop living out his passion any time soon.

“I go pro when I’m 18,” Rabon said. “Boxing, wres-tling and kick-boxing are mainly hobbies.

Norris hopes to make it pro in the next few years. “If I get to the point where I think I can be a profes-

sional, there is always a possibility,” Norris said.Button has the motivation to keep this dream alive.“I like to go as far as I can. Right now I am a ama-

teur, but I would like to see how far I can get,” Button said.

time to remember | After school on Friday Nov. 12, varsity football players gathered in the cafeteria for a meal and cake to celebrate the fi rst varsity football win over Conway in the school’s history, as well as the life of coach Edward “Allen” Armstrong. The football team was victorious against the Conway Tigers with a fi nal score of 46-42. Principal Velna Allen rewarded the student body and staff with free ice cream during all four lunches on Nov. 17. [Photo by Ashanti Edmondson]

In Memory

Coach Edward “Allen” Armstrong1965 – 2010

Harley Rabon, sophomore

Three train in hopes of one day becoming cage fighters

sports rounduproundup

• Varsity football: 7-4• JV football: 2-7• Freshman football: 0-4• Girls tennis: 3rd in the region, 1st round in playoffs• Varsity volleyball: region champs, 1st round in playoffs• JV volleyball: 7-2• Cross country boys: region champs, went to states• Cross country girls: 13-1 dual meets, Horry County champs, 6th in state qualifying meet

futureffiightersghters

Christopher Button, freshman

Zach Norris, junior

BLOOD, SWEAT & CHEERSby nicolef illmore

sportswriter

together| As a competitive team, the cheerleading squad works together to show off their new moves at the Oct. 15 pep rally during spirit week.

“I don’t know of any other sport where you literally have to throw your teammate into mid-air and depend on them to catch you,” assistant varsity cheer coach Julie Kleman said. [Photo by Hayley Moran]

11.23.1011.23.10thethe

prowlerprowlernews1515

Pom poms are for real for competitive cheer squad

pyramid to being a team| While at the pep rally during spirit week the competitive cheer team showed off their moves. They did well in all of their meets placing second in two of them, third in one of them and fourth in another.

“It’s not just about looking good and attracting attention. There is a lot of hard work that goes into cheer and the girls literally do it with blood, sweet and tears. Everyone only sees the end result,” assistant varsity coach Julie Kleman said. The cheer squad got a taste of competition although they didn’t place in lower states. They now know what to expect.

“It wasn’t their best perfor-mance, but the team got their feet wet and now know what to expect next year,” head varsity cheer coach Megan Beattie said.

Not only did they get a taste of competition, but also respect.

“They have to work just as hard as us and they have to throw people in the air,” sopho-more Kody Kai said.[Photo by Hayley Moran]

Although some say cheerleading is not a sport, the high school athletic league classifi es competitive cheer as a sport, not a hobby.

As a matter of fact, some would argue that it’s not just a sport, but a grueling one.

“I don’t know of any other sports where you have to literally throw your teammates into midair and depend on them to catch you,” assistant varsity cheer coach Julie Kleman said.

This is the fi rst year the cheerleading squad has com-peted competitively.

“It’s not just about looking good and attracting at-tention,” Kleman said. “There is a lot of hard work that goes into cheer and the girls literally do it with blood, sweet and tears. Everyone only sees the end result.”

With competitions come more practices.“We used to only practice two days, now we prac-

tice Monday through Thursday and we have some com-petitions on the weekends,” cheer coach Megan Beattie said.

But their extra effort has paid off as they placed fi rst in two matches, third in one match and made it to 4A lower states qualifying competition as well.

“It wasn’t their best performance, but the team got their feet wet and now know what to expect next year,” Beattie said.

Senior Naomi Holoman not only had to adjust her schedule for the extra practices, but also work it around show choir practice.

“It takes a toll on me at times, but I stick through it no matter what,” Holoman said.

For some it isn’t all the extracurricular activities, but the actual cheering that stresses them out.

“Going through a whole competitive cheer routine without one single mistake is very diffi cult,” sophomore Asia Collier said. “It gets frustrating at times when things don’t pull through, especially with how much time we spend on it in practice.”

Sophomore Ariel Stanley used the competitions to learn even more.

“It’s really fun going to competitions. It gives us a chance to see what the other schools have, and it challenges us to become a better team,” she said.

Even though the cheerleaders new to the squad were faced with a steeper learning curve because of the com-petitions, they say the returners helped them.

“This is my fi rst time going competitive, and it gets kind of stressful and really diffi cult when we practice ev-ery day,” senior Jeniffer Combs said. “Other than that the team has been very welcoming to me.”

Returner junior Briana Laws said it’s been easy to help the new girls.

“All the girls get along very well this year and even though over half the team is new to varsity, just about ev-eryone had experience,” Laws said. “We are doing very well as a team and we all try our best to help one another better ourselves.”

Sophomore Brittany Howard hopes the competitive element will convince others that cheering is indeed a sport.

“Having cheered before, I know it is a lot of hard work and time put into cheering for other teams and it is disrespectful when people don’t appreciate that fact,” she said. “Our team becoming competitive is great. I hope they go out there and prove to everyone that cheer is a sport. It’s not just about looking good and throwing people in the air.”

11.23.1011.23.10thetheprowlerprowlerstudentlife1616

“Rockin’ Country” is back. The Show Case, intermediate, women’s and mixed

chorus show choirs joined forces for the second round of the fall performance Nov. 12-14. “Rockin’ Country” fea-tured rock songs including “Express Yourself” and “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and country songs including “Cowboy Casanova” and “Sideways.” A new addition to the show this year was musical numbers from the TV series “Glee.”

The choirs have worked since the beginning of school to put together the show. In addition to daily practice dur-ing class, Show Case show choir practiced every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. The Carolina Forest Per-forming Arts Academy’s Junior Show Choir performed with the choirs and joined the high school show choirs during the two-and-a-half hour dress rehearsal Nov. 11 to prepare for the show.

The show choirs started practice Nov. 16 for their holiday show “Happy Holidays,” which will run Dec. 12-14.

“Hopefully the Christmas shows in a couple weeks will be just as good, if not better,” junior Alicia Arm-strong said.

Show choir takes the

stage againby aliciabroughtonbroughton

featureswriter

lean on me | At the end of the first act, all show choirs joined together to sing “Lean on Me,” originally sung by Bill Withers. The choirs came to-gether again at the end of the show for a special patriotic tribute in which they sang songs including “This Land is Your Land” and “We the People.”

“The show went very well,” junior Alicia Arm-strong said. “All choirs performed fantastic. We all worked really well together. The show wouldn’t have been as great as it was without Mr. McBroom and our choreographer Bryan Beaman.” [Photo by Brian Harrington]

all smiles | The intermediate show choir concludes their performance of “Shake, Rattle & Roll.” The interme-diate show choir performed at the end of the fi rst act with songs including “At the Hop” and “Blue Velvet.”

“The show this year was pretty good. We had a few new songs and the show turned out great,” sophomore Thomas McKay said. “I would have to say that my favorite, hands down, was ‘At The Hop.’ Even though it took a couple of weeks to learn, it turned out pretty good. I’m really look-ing forward to the Christmas show, too.” [Photo by Brian Harrington]

girl powergirl power || Singing the solo for “It’s Raining Singing the solo for “It’s Raining Men,” freshman Paisley Ellis makes her pres-Men,” freshman Paisley Ellis makes her pres-ence known with her powerful vocals. Ellis is one ence known with her powerful vocals. Ellis is one of three freshmen accepted into the Show Case of three freshmen accepted into the Show Case show choir. show choir. [Photo by Brian Harrington][Photo by Brian Harrington]

take the leadtake the lead || Dancing during one of the swing Dancing during one of the swing numbers, sophomore Jessica Carr and senior Carter numbers, sophomore Jessica Carr and senior Carter Lowe enjoy their time as partners. “The shows went Lowe enjoy their time as partners. “The shows went great,” Lowe said. “We sold out all three shows. Ev-great,” Lowe said. “We sold out all three shows. Ev-eryone really did a good job. It was a great job with a eryone really did a good job. It was a great job with a pretty young choir.”pretty young choir.” [Photo by Brian Harrington][Photo by Brian Harrington]