Something to cheer about

Ninety Six school district to give options on uniforms

June 29, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Greenwood County School District 52 Superintendent Dan Powell, standing, speaks to students and parents Tuesday during a community meeting at Ninety Six High School. About 30 people attended the meeting, which was organized to give the community a chance to voice their concerns about the cost of cheerleading at the high school, as well as to offer ideas for fundraisers to support the junior varsity and varsity squads.

NINETY SIX – All they want to do is show support for their school, but for some varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders at Ninety Six High School, the costs of joining the squads might be more than they can afford.
District 52 officials and high school leaders met with parents and cheerleaders Tuesday in a community meeting designed to give people a chance to voice concerns and offer ideas for ways to offset some of the costs of the sport.
“During the last couple of board meetings, we had some parents approach the board about the costs incurred for a student to be a cheerleader,” District 52 Superintendent Dan Powell said. “My greatest concern is that there are a lot of girls who would like to try out but can’t because of finances. We don’t want finances to be a deterrent.”
The costs to join the squad could run as high as $642 for some cheerleaders, according to Ninety Six High cheerleading sponsor Cathy Belcher, but she added that the cost is a high-end estimate.
Along with uniforms and pompoms, the price includes other items such as shoes, athletic bags and a cheerleading camp.
Though expenses have always been a factor with the school’s cheerleading squads, Ninety Six High Principal Joanne Campbell said a desire to purchase their own uniforms and to attend camp at other locations have pushed the costs higher for the school’s 20-plus cheerleaders.
“We would like to form a support group, similar to what the athletes and bands have, to help support our cheerleaders and to help them support the groups here at our school,” Campbell said.
Some of the more than 25 parents and students who attended the meeting at Ninety Six High were willing to offer their suggestions for alleviating some of the costs.
A few of those ideas included community and school-wide fundraisers, such as car washes and school dances, operating a concession stand at some of the school’s sporting events and selling or donating old uniforms back to the school.
By the end of the meeting, the idea that garnered the most support – and the idea Powell said the district will likely implement – was for the school district to purchase the uniforms but also give students the option to buy their own. The uniforms purchased by the district would remain at the school and would be used for future cheerleaders.
“That seemed to be the only solution to the situation,” said Belcher, who added that she was pleased with the decision.
A few parents also volunteered to help Belcher with the varsity and junior varsity squads, and a decision was made to increase communication and parental involvement with the squads.
For Ray Jackson, whose daughter Kayla, 15, has been a cheerleader for four years, the costs for the sport are nothing new. Over the years, Jackson has spent more than $1,000 on cheerleading supplies and activities, he said.
He said the decisions reached in Tuesday’s meeting were definitely something to cheer about.
“I think these are all great ideas,” he said. “I’m glad to see this finally happen. Hopefully it will all take off from here.”

Rain ends another Post 20 game

June 29, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood American Legion Post 20 baseball team had its second consecutive game rained out Tuesday night.
Post 20’s Tuesday night game with Walhalla was postponed about 7:20 p.m. The rain out came on the heels of Monday night’s game at Belton, which was also cancelled because of rain.
The Belton game will be made up at 7:30 tonight at Belton. The Walhalla game will be made up 3 p.m. Sunday at Legion Field.
Post 20 currently maintains a 7-6 overall record and a 5-4 mark in League VII play.
The team is currently mired in a five-game losing skid.
Post 20 coach Billy Dean Minor said the rain outs, which have been abundant this season, have taken a bit of a toll on the team.
“It really backs your pitching up,” Minor said. “It does affect your rotation. But we’ll work through it.”
Minor said his team needs to get some games under its belt.
“The kids are getting itchy,” Minor said. “We’ve been rained out three straight Mondays. The kids need to get out and play.”
As late as 7 Tuesday night, it seemed as if the game would be played. However, the skies began to open up shortly thereafter, and a heavy rain ensued.
Within minutes the Legion Field infield, already saturated from Monday night’s storm, was covered in large, deep puddles.
At that point Minor and Walhalla coach Ed Taylor decided to postpone the game until Sunday.
Post 20 player Clint Richey was disappointed that rain had once again foiled the team’s plans for a night of baseball.
“Yeah, it’s really frustrating,” Richey said. “The games are starting to get backed up. It affects the pitching staff for sure.
“We’ve now had enough rain for the season as far as I’m concerned.”
It has been a rainy season for Post 20. Minor said it has been one of the rainiest in his memory. “Some years are like this,” Minor said.
“Some seasons come and go without one single rain out. Then a season like this comes along and we get rained out every other night. Like I said we’ll work through it.”

Opinion

Should burning of flag be banned by Congress?

June 29, 2005

Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes or the American flag. Whatever it’s called, it evokes patriotism in all of us, as well as a whole range of emotions.
It should. It’s the inspiration of people everywhere, from sea to shining sea. It is the symbol we cherish that represents the land of the brave and the home of the free for every American, regardless of ancestral ties to every nation on earth.
There’s no doubt that people get emotionally exercised over flags. The long and divisive debate in South Carolina – and elsewhere – over the Confederate flag is evidence of that.
Old Glory, though, belongs to us all. It is a tie that binds, along with language and a common history that make us what we are, Americans all, regardless of our roots.

WE HAVE THE FREEDOMS that all people aspire to. We guard them, with our lives if needed. Over the centuries, thousands upon thousands have sacrificed themselves fighting for that flag so the rest of us can continue to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
That freedom has, of course, allowed some of us to protest. The First Amendment to the Constitution assures us of that. There have been times when some protesters have used that freedom to take a match to the American flag and stomp the ashes into the ground.
That kind of protest also evokes emotions ….. and other protests. It’s especially disturbing to those who have a problem with someone burning the flag that flies freely over schools, courthouses, parks, legislatures and rows and rows of white crosses in cemeteries in France and other points of the globe.

IN THE PAST, THE COURT has ruled that burning the American flag in protest is constitutionally protected. That has led, on several occasions, various lawmakers to propose a constitutional amendment outlawing such burning. It never got the votes needed.
Now, the Republican U. S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would ban flag burning. With Republicans also controlling the U. S. Senate and one in the White House, chances for approval are better this time.
Burning the flag is a despicable act. It may be a protected act. Still, it is such an emotional issue that it could easily lead to rioting and/or armed conflict among opposing groups.
Shouldn’t that, alone, convince some of us that burning the American flag is not and should not always be a protected act of defiance.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Helen Craig

Helen Connelly Craig, 87, of Wesley Commons, formerly of Ninety Six, widow of Larry G. Craig, died Sunday, June 26, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Ninety Six, she was a daughter of the late William J. and Ora Jeter Connelly. She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and attended Lander College. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Craig Walker of Ninety Six and Linda Craig Smith of Wellesley, Mass.; a sister, Evelyn C. Barrett of Myrtle Beach; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Friday at Elmwood Cemetery in Ninety Six, conducted by the Rev. Steven Todd.
Visitation is after the services.
The family is at the home of Paul and Sue Walker, 5906 Highway 246 S., Ninety Six.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 301 Cambridge St., Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Mary C. Davis

GREENWOOD – Mary Carlisle Davis, 77, formerly of 302 Klugh Street, widow of Clarence “Bobby” Davis, died Tuesday,June 28, 2005 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
Born in Athens, CA, she was a daughter of the late Donnie and Mattie Blackmon Carlisle. She was retired from the Grendel Plant of Abney Mills and was of the Church of God faith.
Surviving are two nieces, Deborah Collins of Green-wood and Barbara Sams of Pickens; three great nieces and two great nephews.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wallace Purvis officiating. Burial will be in Edgewood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ken Sams, Tom Sams, Adam Mayo, Roger Davis, Brandon Davis and Michael Collins.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Asso-ciation, PO Box 10794, Greenville, SC 29603.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Gladys Holley

NINETY SIX — Gladys Holley, 95, of 137 Pinehaven Drive, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at her home. Born in Burke County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late John Oliver and Lucy Williams Holley. She retired from Greenwood Mills, Ninety Six Plant and was a member of Temple Baptist Church and the T.E.L. Sunday School Class.
Survivors include nieces and nephews.
Services are 2 p.m. Thursday at Temple Baptist Church. Burial is in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Alton Vaughn, Thomas Crawford, Willie Vaughn, David Vickery, Charles Holley, Robert Holley and Paul Holley.
Honorary escorts are members of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class of the church.
Visitation is 6:30-8:30 tonight at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Temple Baptist Church building fund, 95 Saluda St., Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Mary Mauldin

Mary Grace Baughman Mauldin, 59, of 2217 Callison Highway, wife of Darryl Keith Mauldin, died Monday, June 27, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Grace Palymbo Baughman and the late Joseph Neil Baughman. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and a retired farmer. She attended Rehoboth United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; her mother of Greenwood; three sisters, Elizabeth Ann Baughman of Greenwood, Sharon Tuckharbor of Lowden, Tenn., and Dickienna Jo White of Zebulon, Ga.
Services are 11 a.m. Thursday at Blyth Funeral Home, conducted by Father Richard Harris. Private entombment is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Pallbearers are Jeremy Butler, Justin Butler, Benjamin Mauldin, Timothy Mauldin, Robert Gambrell and Jim Parker.
Visitation is 10-11 Thursday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of Grace Baughman, 2204 Callison Highway.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 10794, Greenville, SC 29603 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 6604, Columbia, SC 29260-6604.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Roosevelt Starks Sr.

Services for Roosevelt Starks Sr., of 714 Weldon Ave., are 2 p.m. Thursday at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Willie S. Harrison, assisted by the Rev. Willie Neal Norman Jr. and Minister Barbara Lewis. Burial with military rites is in Evening Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Harry Rice, Larry Rice, James E. Starks, Willie James Simuel, Roland Willingham, Phillip Frazier, Deacon Dale Smith and Ronald Smith.
Flower bearers are deaconesses and trustees’ wives of the church.
Honorary escorts are members of American Legion Post 224 and Post 224 Auxiliary.
Visitation is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com