A Ticket to Paradise: Prom 2012
Spring is here. Exams are around the corner… and girls everywhere are picking out their dresses, making hair appointments and maybe even sporting a new tan. That’s right - prom season is here. This year’s SFCS Junior-Senior prom, titled A Ticket to Paradise, will take place on Saturday, May 5, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at the Holly Tree Country Club.
The Junior Class prom committee selected this year’s theme with hopes to create a fun and relaxing evening while still creating the elegance of prom. “We were trying to find a theme that was something new that not a lot of other people use,” said Junior Class President Rachel Graham. “We wanted to do something fun to fit this year’s senior class’s personality.” A Ticket to Paradise was chosen to be “something bright, colorful and exotic, yet laid back,” added Susie Heiser, Junior Class Vice President.
Despite efforts to remain laid back, prom can still be expensive for families. Typical expenses for prom include: tuxedo rentals, the purchase of the dress, dinner, hair, make up, flowers, corsage, and more, but there is no charge to attend the SFCS prom. “We really want the seniors to enjoy prom,” said SFCS Teacher and Prom Committee Chair Jessi Cain. “This is something we do for them, not for ourselves,”
The funds that have been raised from Candy Grams and Junior Class dues covered the expenses of the prom, including the DJ, venue, food, invitations and even a prom gift for the seniors. “I’m excited because this is my first prom,” said sophomore Amy Spranger, who will be going to prom with senior Micah Weaver. “I really get along with the seniors and I love that we can spend time together.”
Most girls believe that picking out a dress is the most fun part of prom, though it can be expensive. It’s also a night to spend with friends. Junior Sadie Connor added that “taking pictures and going to dinner with her friends” will probably be her favorite part of prom.
Senior Katherine Roach said she is looking forward to, “spending time with my class and spending our last big event together.”
The prom will end with a Senior Walk, in which senior’s will walk out to a song of their choice, and the crowning of Prom King and Queen, selected by their peers, will take place.
New 2012 SFCS Teachers Settle In & Earn Students’ Praise!
Mrs. Ashley King, a new teacher to Shannon Forest is known for always walking down the hall with a smile on her face and bringing an energetic atmosphere to the classroom. She teaches Computer and Music classes, directs Praise Band and manages the school’s website.
“Mrs. King makes computer class fun,” says freshman Carrington Porter. “ She’s so relatable to students and willing to be a little crazy!”
King went to the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree, then finished her graduate degree at Converse College where she majored in music. Not only is she the choir teacher for our Shannon Forest students, but she also continues her musical interest outside of school. She is part of the musical group called Greenville Light Opera Works or otherwise known as GLOW and they do various performances in the area. She just concluded her role in “Rock Opera.”
King is has been married for eleven years and has two children who attend Shannon Forest’s Lower School. Her musical talents have also been passed down to her children who also sing in their church choir. She says her favorite thing about teaching at Shannon Forest is being able to build close relationships with her students.
Shannon Forest added quite a few new teachers to its employ roster this year. Mrs. Stephanie Lewis, one of our newest additions, teaches Spanish in the Upper School and gives voice lessons in the Crusader Afterschool Network (CAN) Private Music Program. She also taught a dance class for this year’s Silva-mester program – a two-week period in January where students chose from a variety of courses in line with their personal interests Lewis studied music at Presbyterian College with an emphasis in Voice Performance. She was born in Paraguay and is a native speaker of Spanish.
“It’s nice having a teacher who fluently speaks Spanish,” said Hannah Holiday, who has Mrs. Lewis for Spanish and voice lessons. “She has taught me the proper ways to breathe which has helped my voice and she has such a lively spirit.”
One of the things Mrs. Lewis loves most about Shannon is the small classroom setting that allows her to better interact with her students. She also loves the fact that she can apply her Christian beliefs to her teaching.
Mrs. Amanda Tinklepaugh is a new teacher at Shannon Forest this year. She teaches Geometry, Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and SAT-prep and is serving as the Key Club sponsor. Mrs. Tinklepaugh is always full of positive energy, and displays the importance of her Christian faith in and out of the classroom.
Tara Burress, a freshman, says she loves that Mrs. Tinklepaugh is “fun and energetic” and “always has a joke for the day.”
Mrs. Tinklepaugh attended Mercer University where she studied Middle Grades Education, and then went on to Clemson University where she received her Masters in Secondary Mathematics. Mrs. Tinklepaugh and her husband have known each other since the 9th Grade, and have been happily married for twenty seven and a half years. The couple have two daughters. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys decorating, and also traveling with her family.
Mrs. TInkelpaugh said, “My favorite thing about teaching at Shannon Forest is being able to have a relationship with students based on a relationship with Jesus, and being able to serve with students through IMPACT service days.”
More than a Makeover
By Emily Pyhala
Even though Wednesday February 29, looked like any normal IMPACT Service Day (rain and all) for Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS), some students and staff went above what they were asked to do by working longer than the normal work day. Students even returned the following Thursday to finish the task. A group of SFCS sophomores and seniors partnered with the Director of "Fostering Great Ideas" at the Department of Social Services (DSS) office to paint some of the family meeting rooms to make them brighter for the families that meet there.
The first day’s painting did not go as well as hoped as time was limited, so several students and teachers returned the second day for improvements. “I just really wanted to make sure we did a better job the second time,” said senior Jordan Robertson. “These people don’t ask for much and they deserve our best.”
D'anne Weaver, Service Learning Coordinator and Interim Upper School Administrator said, "The people at Fostering Great Ideas and DSS are trying to encourage reconciliation between the biological parent and the child by creating a more welcoming environment for the families to meet in." The IMPACT groups painted the rooms and also brought over artwork created by Shannon Forest students. There were also crafts in the room, so the children had something to do while visiting making it more of a bonding moment. Jondi Holt, mother of freshman Audra Holt, is the Director of Interior Design at Trimark USA. She helped picked out the paint colors and was also there to aid the students in the design project. The project at DSS will be finished in March and the groups will bring in furniture to continue make-over.
What A Christian Education Means to Me
By Emma Knight , Emily Pyhala and Savannah West
As Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) families begin re-enrollment for the 2012-2013 year, it is important for them to understand the value of an SFCS education. Students have the unique opportunity at Shannon Forest to begin their Christian education as pre-school student in PK3 and pursue it all the way through graduation and when they head off to college. It’s a tremendous testimony to see how students in the Upper School have been impacted by their time at Shannon.
“Shannon Forest Christian School has meant so much to me,” said sophomore Savannah West. “I have learned so many things here over the last 13 years that I have attended Shannon. One of the most important things is my belief in God and the way the teachers apply Christian beliefs in everything we do and learn, added West.” Sophomore Elizabeth Ellis, who has attended Shannon Forest for 10 years said, “Shannon Forest has let me express my faith in public and has helped me grow closer to Christ.” Ellis added that Shannon Forest has “let her see everything through a Christian worldview.” She also credits the teachers at Shannon Forest for her growth. “Mrs. Cain understands me and has helped me grow into a good, Christian young lady,” Fellow classmate Philip Carter, who has attended Shannon Forest for 13 years said, “All of the teachers are understanding and helpful, especially Mr. Sell who teaches AP European history. He teaches us how to see other ideas through a Christian worldview. ”
At Shannon Forest Christian School, students not only receive good quality education, but also a sense of how to defend their faith in Christ and minister to others around them. Junior, Susie Heiser, has attended Shannon for 8 years and will be the fourth in her family to graduate from SFCS next spring. She says, “Going to a private school has helped me be more confident in what I stand for.” Junior Greg Van Dyke has gone to Shannon for 13 years and will also be the fourth in his family to graduate from SFCS next spring. Greg, like his three older brothers, has attended Shannon Forest from early years in the Lower School to the high school years. Greg states that going to a private school has “allowed me to be surrounded by other Christians, which has helped me strengthen my faith.”
Seniors especially have a unique opportunity, some boasting anywhere from 13-15 years of attendance at SFCS. Senior Allan Randall said, “I have been going to Shannon Forest for 14 years and going to Shannon Forest has brought me closer to God.” Randall adds, “And since it is a college prep school, the classes I have taken have prepared me academically for college.”
Whether you are registering for 1st Grade or as a senior, there is no denying the tremendous impact that an SFCS education has on the families here. Not only does SFCS have a track record of achieving higher than the national average on national achievement tests and a Biblical worldview of education, but it offers this all in one place.
Candy Gram Sales a SWEET Success!
Candy Grams are a special Valentine’s Day Shannon Forest tradition much anticipated by everyone! The sale is held each year by the junior class as a fund raiser to pay for the junior/senior prom to be held on Saturday, May 5. The sale ran from February 1, through the 14th and Candy Grams were sold on both sides of the street to the West and East Campus students and faculty.
Junior class president, Rachel Graham said the reason candy grams are such a good fund raiser is that “A lot of people get involved since it includes the entire school.” Graham added that, “The most favorite candy gram she ever received was from classmate Lucia Koh because of the sweet message.” Candy Grams are a great opportunity for students to encourage one another, for family members to recognize their special student, and for students to also encourage their teachers.
One of the biggest challenges, that the juniors face with candy grams is the actual production of them in the time they have available. Many of the students had to sacrifice study hall and time after school to ensure that the orders were completed and the deliveries were ready for the next day. Juniors Patrick and Becca Schrody gave up two weeks of study hall to count the money and help with orders. Junior Nicole Plumley said, “Having to hot glue everything got tiring and trying to figure out what class everyone was in could be a challenge at times.”
But the verdict…was over $1200 in sales! The money raised will help cover the costs of the junior/senior prom. Sweet success!
Page 1 of 2