The military experience
By: Tiambre Talford - November 17, 2015
On Monday, November 16th students were able to participate in an obstacle course in the middle school gym. The objective of the obstacle course was for students to get an idea of what physical training would be like in the military.
There were several stations at the obstacle course, at each station students had to do a certain exercise in a certain amount of time. One station was the mountain climber where students had to get on their hands and move their legs as if they were running up a mountain.
Another station was called burpees where students had to jump in the air and then get on the ground to do a push up.
Alexis Patterson, a senior at Great Falls High School, said, "The obstacle course was very challenging and tiring." She notes that she would consider going to the national guard because it could help pay for college and it would give her the opportunity to meet new people.
National Guard recruiters were also at the obstacle course. They gave great advice about what to expect when joining the Military. Explaining a bit more about the National Guard, Sergeant Sanz, one of the national guard recruiters, stated, "The national guard is a military branch that helps when a natural disaster occurs such as the flood in Columbia. The nation guard helped people get clean water, and rescue people from homes."
He also noted that "if a high school student enlists into the National Guard it could help pay for college." A good thing to know if anyone might be interested. So if anyone is thinking about joining the military, then ask questions and do research about what the National Guard is all about. Before you say know, think about what they can offer. It could make you a better person and you could help fight for our country.
On Monday, November 16th students were able to participate in an obstacle course in the middle school gym. The objective of the obstacle course was for students to get an idea of what physical training would be like in the military.
There were several stations at the obstacle course, at each station students had to do a certain exercise in a certain amount of time. One station was the mountain climber where students had to get on their hands and move their legs as if they were running up a mountain.
Another station was called burpees where students had to jump in the air and then get on the ground to do a push up.
Alexis Patterson, a senior at Great Falls High School, said, "The obstacle course was very challenging and tiring." She notes that she would consider going to the national guard because it could help pay for college and it would give her the opportunity to meet new people.
National Guard recruiters were also at the obstacle course. They gave great advice about what to expect when joining the Military. Explaining a bit more about the National Guard, Sergeant Sanz, one of the national guard recruiters, stated, "The national guard is a military branch that helps when a natural disaster occurs such as the flood in Columbia. The nation guard helped people get clean water, and rescue people from homes."
He also noted that "if a high school student enlists into the National Guard it could help pay for college." A good thing to know if anyone might be interested. So if anyone is thinking about joining the military, then ask questions and do research about what the National Guard is all about. Before you say know, think about what they can offer. It could make you a better person and you could help fight for our country.
Marching our way on up!
By: Abby Hopper - October 22, 2015
The Great Falls Red Devil Regiment will be making their way to Honea Path, this Saturday, October 24, to compete in the Upper State Marching Band Competition. They will be taking their Willy Wonka themed show there to try and compete for one of eight of the spots to move on to the State Competition. With an cumulative thirty-two students from the middle and high school, they plan on going out there and doing there absolute best getting the chance to move on to state.
In regards to feelings about the competition, Junior and Band Captain, Emilee Smarr, said, “As a performer, obviously, I’m a little nervous seeing as how I have to perform a solo in front of a huge crowd of people. As band captain, I’m extremely excited for the competition. Nothing compares to the smiles on the rookies’ faces when they come off the field and get complimented on their successes.”
The Band will be meeting at the school at 7:30 AM Saturday and are scheduled to perform at 1:15 that afternoon.Drumline Captain Chandler Wertz said, “I honestly don’t care about going out there and placing. I just want to go out there and have fun with my band! I’m very proud of each and every person that participated this year. They all put a lot of heart and work in to this season and I could not be happier with how it has turned out!”
We wish them all the very best of luck and hope they make it through to the State Competition! Go Red Devils!
In regards to feelings about the competition, Junior and Band Captain, Emilee Smarr, said, “As a performer, obviously, I’m a little nervous seeing as how I have to perform a solo in front of a huge crowd of people. As band captain, I’m extremely excited for the competition. Nothing compares to the smiles on the rookies’ faces when they come off the field and get complimented on their successes.”
The Band will be meeting at the school at 7:30 AM Saturday and are scheduled to perform at 1:15 that afternoon.Drumline Captain Chandler Wertz said, “I honestly don’t care about going out there and placing. I just want to go out there and have fun with my band! I’m very proud of each and every person that participated this year. They all put a lot of heart and work in to this season and I could not be happier with how it has turned out!”
We wish them all the very best of luck and hope they make it through to the State Competition! Go Red Devils!
Leaders straight from the Lodge
By: Candace M. Baker - October 14, 2015
Fifteen of the Beta Club students went to Great Wolf Lodge for a leadership summit on Monday October 12th and returned on Tuesday October 13th. The students left the school Monday at 10:30 with their chaperones Mrs. Mitzie Renwick, Mrs. Shannon Mills, Mrs. Dewana Nealy, and the bus driver Carol-Ann Williams.
The students and chaperones arrived at Great Wolf Lodge and the students went straight to their first seminar with about 200 other students where they were taught to be leaders by Ted Weise. Weise did not let the students sit down for more than ten minutes before he began splitting them up into teams and partners for activities that taught them leadership. Every student had a smile on their face when Weise talked to them and a frown when it was time for him to go.
Then students left their first session and went to their rooms just to put their bags away before going to Concord Mills Mall for dinner and a little bit of shopping. When they returned to Great Wolf Lodge they still had some free time so some of them took a break in the waterpark while others went to the arcade or the gift shop.
The second session was at 8 P.M. that night with Kent Julian. He had all of the students determine what kind of leader they were using TEMP (Take charge leader, Enthusiastic leader, Mellow leader, or Precise leader). He also had all of the students get on the floor in the shape of an egg and sing “I’m an egg” then roll around and battle other eggs in a game of “rock, paper, scissors” to move up to a chicken, dinosaur, or a leader. The whole point of the game was to work together to get everyone to a leader. This session was over at 10 P.M. and the students left with one hour left of free time.Our fifteen students spent their hour before bed time getting snacks, dancing in the lobby, and hanging out with their new Beta friends.
Great Falls Beta club's final session was with Scott Backovich, who began speaking professionally at seventeen years old. Backovich got in touch with the emotional side of the students by having them write down all of their problems on a sheet of paper. Other students then wrote things on their papers to make them feel better and lead them, making all of them become true leaders.
The Great Falls students departed the Lodge right after this session and ate at Chick-fil-A on the way home and returned to the school at 3 P.M. on Tuesday. They thanked their chaperones for taking them to the summit and all hoped to return next year with more students.
Mitzie Renwick, English teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Great Falls High school, said, “I liked the fact that students had three different speakers. I plan to have a meeting soon so students can begin putting into action some of the skills they learned. I have 15 fantastic leaders who will do an excellent job leading service projects for Beta Club as well as serving in leadership positions in our school.”
When asked about his experience at the summit, Eric Gage said, “It was a great event that offered a lot of unique and interesting methods to develop leadership, as well as being very enjoyable.”
The students had a great time at the summit and learned a lot of skills that they plan to use here at Great Falls High.
The students and chaperones arrived at Great Wolf Lodge and the students went straight to their first seminar with about 200 other students where they were taught to be leaders by Ted Weise. Weise did not let the students sit down for more than ten minutes before he began splitting them up into teams and partners for activities that taught them leadership. Every student had a smile on their face when Weise talked to them and a frown when it was time for him to go.
Then students left their first session and went to their rooms just to put their bags away before going to Concord Mills Mall for dinner and a little bit of shopping. When they returned to Great Wolf Lodge they still had some free time so some of them took a break in the waterpark while others went to the arcade or the gift shop.
The second session was at 8 P.M. that night with Kent Julian. He had all of the students determine what kind of leader they were using TEMP (Take charge leader, Enthusiastic leader, Mellow leader, or Precise leader). He also had all of the students get on the floor in the shape of an egg and sing “I’m an egg” then roll around and battle other eggs in a game of “rock, paper, scissors” to move up to a chicken, dinosaur, or a leader. The whole point of the game was to work together to get everyone to a leader. This session was over at 10 P.M. and the students left with one hour left of free time.Our fifteen students spent their hour before bed time getting snacks, dancing in the lobby, and hanging out with their new Beta friends.
Great Falls Beta club's final session was with Scott Backovich, who began speaking professionally at seventeen years old. Backovich got in touch with the emotional side of the students by having them write down all of their problems on a sheet of paper. Other students then wrote things on their papers to make them feel better and lead them, making all of them become true leaders.
The Great Falls students departed the Lodge right after this session and ate at Chick-fil-A on the way home and returned to the school at 3 P.M. on Tuesday. They thanked their chaperones for taking them to the summit and all hoped to return next year with more students.
Mitzie Renwick, English teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Great Falls High school, said, “I liked the fact that students had three different speakers. I plan to have a meeting soon so students can begin putting into action some of the skills they learned. I have 15 fantastic leaders who will do an excellent job leading service projects for Beta Club as well as serving in leadership positions in our school.”
When asked about his experience at the summit, Eric Gage said, “It was a great event that offered a lot of unique and interesting methods to develop leadership, as well as being very enjoyable.”
The students had a great time at the summit and learned a lot of skills that they plan to use here at Great Falls High.
Great Falls High introduces Student Council!
By: Nauria Wilmore - October 6, 2015
If having student council is wrong, then we don’t want to be right! Mrs. Teresa Freeman is over the student council here at Great Falls High School and stated that" the student council's mission is to represent the student body." Anybody can run for student council, they just have to be elected. Officers are President Brandon Christopher, Vice President Ariyon Gaither, Secretary Shakiya Cook, and Treasurer Nicole Crist. Did you know that senior officers are also senior class officers? 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students are all representatives for the organization as well.
When I spoke with the senior officers they told me their favorite part about student council. Christopher said, "My favorite part about student council is learning leadership skills, meeting new people from other schools and learning about the government."
Gaither's favorite part about student council is representing her senior class. She enjoys having the president's back being that she is vice president and she likes planning and making decisions. When asked about how she felt about Student Council, Crist said "planning new things and meeting with the rest of the student council members" is her favorite part. You could be the next President officer. Join student council!
When I spoke with the senior officers they told me their favorite part about student council. Christopher said, "My favorite part about student council is learning leadership skills, meeting new people from other schools and learning about the government."
Gaither's favorite part about student council is representing her senior class. She enjoys having the president's back being that she is vice president and she likes planning and making decisions. When asked about how she felt about Student Council, Crist said "planning new things and meeting with the rest of the student council members" is her favorite part. You could be the next President officer. Join student council!
Beta Club induction: Welcome the new members!
By: Candace M. Baker- September 17, 2015
The Beta Club inducted their new members on Tuesday September 16, 2015 at 12 P.M. The ceremony took place in the Little Theatre, where Brandon Christopher, president of the student council, began the ceremony promising to get the student council involved with the Beta Club as much as possible.
LaDerrica Jordan, junior, then asked everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance and recited the pledge. Next Victoria Gaston, junior, said a devotion and announced a moment of silence. Everyone participated in the pledge and devotion before the Beta Club officers took over.
President Drew Beaver then began the meeting by giving an introduction to Beta Club and lighting a white candle which represents light, purity, and faith. Pierce Funderburk, vice-president, could not make it to the induction so Beaver turned it over to Emilee Smarr.
Smarr, junior, lit a red candle that symbolizes love, wisdom, and bravery. Nicole Crist and Kaylee Lloyd are co-secretaries, Lloyd was not able to make the induction so Crist represented both of them.
Crist lit a blue candle which is indicative of truth, constancy, and fidelity. She also gave her support to the new members. Crist then turned the ceremony over to Candace Baker.
Candace Baker, New Membership Chairman, lit the black candle which represents dignity, restraint, and seriousness.
Crist then came forward again to represent the current members of the Beta Club, she lit the gold candle which designates warmth, friendship, and faithfulness. The gold candle was the last candle lit.
Mrs. Renwick, Beta Club sponsor, then asked the new members if they wished to unite with the Beta Club. Raven Duncan, new member, represented all of the new members and made a pledge to live up the ideals of the Beta Club. Renwick then recited the National Beta Club pledge and the new members repeated after her.
Baker returned to the podium and announced the new members. Each member shook hands with the Beta Club officers received a certificate, pin, and a remind.com access code, which will help keep them up-to-date on future Beta events.
Beaver welcomed the new members into the Beta Club. The ceremony ended on a positive note when Mr. Spencer, vice principal at Great Falls high, gave his remarks and congratulated the members. Beaver then adjourned the meeting and the new members exited the stage. All of the parents were thrilled and began getting the students together to take pictures.
When asked about the success of the induction, Renwick said that the ceremony went great and she's so glad to have fourteen new members. She is proud to be a sponsor of such a great group of students.
Matthew Trent, Sophomore, was asked if he was excited to be a member of the Beta Club. Trent replied, "Yes, I am excited. It will give me an opportunity to help other people, maintain an admirable reputation, and keep academic excellence all while supporting Great Falls High."
The Great Falls High school Beta Club is a great group of students that plan to do great things for our community this year.
The Beta Club inducted their new members on Tuesday September 16, 2015 at 12 P.M. The ceremony took place in the Little Theatre, where Brandon Christopher, president of the student council, began the ceremony promising to get the student council involved with the Beta Club as much as possible.
LaDerrica Jordan, junior, then asked everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance and recited the pledge. Next Victoria Gaston, junior, said a devotion and announced a moment of silence. Everyone participated in the pledge and devotion before the Beta Club officers took over.
President Drew Beaver then began the meeting by giving an introduction to Beta Club and lighting a white candle which represents light, purity, and faith. Pierce Funderburk, vice-president, could not make it to the induction so Beaver turned it over to Emilee Smarr.
Smarr, junior, lit a red candle that symbolizes love, wisdom, and bravery. Nicole Crist and Kaylee Lloyd are co-secretaries, Lloyd was not able to make the induction so Crist represented both of them.
Crist lit a blue candle which is indicative of truth, constancy, and fidelity. She also gave her support to the new members. Crist then turned the ceremony over to Candace Baker.
Candace Baker, New Membership Chairman, lit the black candle which represents dignity, restraint, and seriousness.
Crist then came forward again to represent the current members of the Beta Club, she lit the gold candle which designates warmth, friendship, and faithfulness. The gold candle was the last candle lit.
Mrs. Renwick, Beta Club sponsor, then asked the new members if they wished to unite with the Beta Club. Raven Duncan, new member, represented all of the new members and made a pledge to live up the ideals of the Beta Club. Renwick then recited the National Beta Club pledge and the new members repeated after her.
Baker returned to the podium and announced the new members. Each member shook hands with the Beta Club officers received a certificate, pin, and a remind.com access code, which will help keep them up-to-date on future Beta events.
Beaver welcomed the new members into the Beta Club. The ceremony ended on a positive note when Mr. Spencer, vice principal at Great Falls high, gave his remarks and congratulated the members. Beaver then adjourned the meeting and the new members exited the stage. All of the parents were thrilled and began getting the students together to take pictures.
When asked about the success of the induction, Renwick said that the ceremony went great and she's so glad to have fourteen new members. She is proud to be a sponsor of such a great group of students.
Matthew Trent, Sophomore, was asked if he was excited to be a member of the Beta Club. Trent replied, "Yes, I am excited. It will give me an opportunity to help other people, maintain an admirable reputation, and keep academic excellence all while supporting Great Falls High."
The Great Falls High school Beta Club is a great group of students that plan to do great things for our community this year.
Welcome our new members!
Great Falls takes home the gold
By: Abby Hopper - September 15, 2015
On Saturday September 12, 2015, some of the Great Falls JROTC attended a Chester County Army JROTC Battalions competition called, The Civil Rivalry competition. This year the competition was held by the Chester Cyclone Battalion at Chester High School.
The events for this year’s competition consisted of the following: drill competition, a corn-hole game, different track and field relays, different endurance events, an egg toss game, a balloon toss game, the ten man pyramid, and a game of tug of war.
Out of the five years the Chester County School District has had this competition, this year's has definitely been the most challenging and competitive. Great Falls was proud to walk away with first place in six of the different events. Leaving Lewisville and Chester to tie in five of the different events. An overall score was accumulated throughout the day; Great Falls left with a final fifty-two points and Lewisville and Chester tied with forty-six points.
Junior and JROTC Cadet, Laderrica Jordan, was asked, “How did it feel to compete against Lewisville and Chester?” She answered, “It felt great! I was so pumped and ready to compete against them. I think that Chester and Lewisville always undermine Great Falls and see us as the weakest link in our district and I don't like that. But we came ready for them that day. We might have looked small in size but we were big where it counted.”
First Sergeant Greeno said, “We need to work on everything, but we must do it as an entire team.”
We are all very proud of the JROTC Cadets who participated in these events this past Saturday and want to congratulate them on their win. Go Devils Go!
The events for this year’s competition consisted of the following: drill competition, a corn-hole game, different track and field relays, different endurance events, an egg toss game, a balloon toss game, the ten man pyramid, and a game of tug of war.
Out of the five years the Chester County School District has had this competition, this year's has definitely been the most challenging and competitive. Great Falls was proud to walk away with first place in six of the different events. Leaving Lewisville and Chester to tie in five of the different events. An overall score was accumulated throughout the day; Great Falls left with a final fifty-two points and Lewisville and Chester tied with forty-six points.
Junior and JROTC Cadet, Laderrica Jordan, was asked, “How did it feel to compete against Lewisville and Chester?” She answered, “It felt great! I was so pumped and ready to compete against them. I think that Chester and Lewisville always undermine Great Falls and see us as the weakest link in our district and I don't like that. But we came ready for them that day. We might have looked small in size but we were big where it counted.”
First Sergeant Greeno said, “We need to work on everything, but we must do it as an entire team.”
We are all very proud of the JROTC Cadets who participated in these events this past Saturday and want to congratulate them on their win. Go Devils Go!
What's new here at Great Falls High
By: Abby Hopper - September 8, 2015
You can already tell that the year 2015-2016 is going to be a great year for Great Falls High. Between new classes, vending machine improvements, and new and more active clubs/organizations, we're in for a good year!
One of the new clubs we have coming to Great Falls High is the engineering club. Led by our very own, Mr. Timothy Bennett, the engineering club has quite a future in store. They will not only be active around our school, but they will also be competing against Lewisville High and Chester High in a high tech competition during second semester, Spring 2016.
The Engineering Team will be a group of students interested in developing their mechanical engineering, computer, and 3D art skills. The main goal will be to defeat teams from Lewisville and Chester High School in a large scale engineering competition. They are also planning to have some fun, develop some new skills, and push the limits of their brains in the process. Try-outs for the club will be this semester. The 3D printer is in Mr. Bennett’s room, waiting for “talented operators and artists” encourages Bennett.
Bennett also tells us, “Any high school student can try out. The exact number of members has yet to be determined, but will likely be under ten.” There will be a topic for the competition, but the district has not given it out yet.
We do know that the competition will not be something that can be prepared for in a day or two. It will take a couple of weeks and hard work to create the mystery topic. Practice for this club will start during October.
If you have a passion for creation, thinking outside the box, or 3D art, then please go see Mr. Bennett in room 110 very soon!
One of the new clubs we have coming to Great Falls High is the engineering club. Led by our very own, Mr. Timothy Bennett, the engineering club has quite a future in store. They will not only be active around our school, but they will also be competing against Lewisville High and Chester High in a high tech competition during second semester, Spring 2016.
The Engineering Team will be a group of students interested in developing their mechanical engineering, computer, and 3D art skills. The main goal will be to defeat teams from Lewisville and Chester High School in a large scale engineering competition. They are also planning to have some fun, develop some new skills, and push the limits of their brains in the process. Try-outs for the club will be this semester. The 3D printer is in Mr. Bennett’s room, waiting for “talented operators and artists” encourages Bennett.
Bennett also tells us, “Any high school student can try out. The exact number of members has yet to be determined, but will likely be under ten.” There will be a topic for the competition, but the district has not given it out yet.
We do know that the competition will not be something that can be prepared for in a day or two. It will take a couple of weeks and hard work to create the mystery topic. Practice for this club will start during October.
If you have a passion for creation, thinking outside the box, or 3D art, then please go see Mr. Bennett in room 110 very soon!
Searching for the right theme: Yearbook
By: Tiambre Talford - September 1, 2015
By: Tiambre Talford - September 1, 2015
This was part of a culminating assignment the Devil's Daily Staff completed after studying photojournalism. See how they've told a story through photography!
Beta club behind the scenes
By: Candace Baker - August 28, 2015
The Great Falls High
School Beta Club is starting the year off with a bang. They had their first
meeting on Friday August 21, 2015 where they discussed their dues, induction, a
senior project, and a field trip all in twenty minutes.
Mrs. Mitzie Renwick, English teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Great Falls High School, told the members that all of their dues needed to be paid by the 25th of August, whether it be regular Beta Club dues or for the Great Wolf Lodge field trip . There will soon be an induction to welcome the new members to the Beta Club. This will be held in mid-September.
Beta Club member, Brooke Kirkland, discussed her senior project at the meeting and asked for help from the members. Kirkland’s project is called “Pennies for Patients” and she will be collecting money from Great Falls students and teachers. Every time someone donates a dollar they will be given a raffle ticket. At the end of the project, the winners of the raffle will receive Olive Garden gift cards.
Kirkland said she will be needing trustworthy people to help her on a daily basis. The members will get Beta Club hours and some type of gift from herself for helping.
In addition to Beta news, any member who paid the deposit on the 25th will be attending a two-day leadership program at Great Wolf Lodge in October. The members will leave on October 12th and come back on the 13th. While they are there they will attend Ted Weise seminars, have meals, and get some free time.
Another meeting was held on Wednesday August 26th, where the members elected their officers. (See list of officers below.) When Renwick was asked if she thinks Beta Club will be successful this year she responded, "We have an awesome group of dedicated students who are high achievers, so if they bring all the energy they have, then, yes, we will have a fantastic year. I have many great ideas, but it does take the students' participation to carry them out."
2015 Beta Club Officers
President - Drew Beaver
Vice President - Pierce Funderburk
Co-Secretaries - Kaylee Lloyd and Nicole Crist
New Membership Chairman - Candace Baker
Congratulations new Beta Officers!
Mrs. Mitzie Renwick, English teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Great Falls High School, told the members that all of their dues needed to be paid by the 25th of August, whether it be regular Beta Club dues or for the Great Wolf Lodge field trip . There will soon be an induction to welcome the new members to the Beta Club. This will be held in mid-September.
Beta Club member, Brooke Kirkland, discussed her senior project at the meeting and asked for help from the members. Kirkland’s project is called “Pennies for Patients” and she will be collecting money from Great Falls students and teachers. Every time someone donates a dollar they will be given a raffle ticket. At the end of the project, the winners of the raffle will receive Olive Garden gift cards.
Kirkland said she will be needing trustworthy people to help her on a daily basis. The members will get Beta Club hours and some type of gift from herself for helping.
In addition to Beta news, any member who paid the deposit on the 25th will be attending a two-day leadership program at Great Wolf Lodge in October. The members will leave on October 12th and come back on the 13th. While they are there they will attend Ted Weise seminars, have meals, and get some free time.
Another meeting was held on Wednesday August 26th, where the members elected their officers. (See list of officers below.) When Renwick was asked if she thinks Beta Club will be successful this year she responded, "We have an awesome group of dedicated students who are high achievers, so if they bring all the energy they have, then, yes, we will have a fantastic year. I have many great ideas, but it does take the students' participation to carry them out."
2015 Beta Club Officers
President - Drew Beaver
Vice President - Pierce Funderburk
Co-Secretaries - Kaylee Lloyd and Nicole Crist
New Membership Chairman - Candace Baker
Congratulations new Beta Officers!