Signs of Spring Around SoCo

Holocaust Comes Alive in English Classes

The tenth grade English classes read about the Holocaust this year.  The book they read is Night by Elie Wiesel. After they finished the book, students were each assigned a non-fictional character and were able to decorate a paper butterfly cutout to represent their character.  One butterfly, by sophomore Holly Ashton, involved her representation of a Holocaust victim with schizophrenia. Students were provided a fact sheet on their character.

Ashton’s butterfly represented how her character died and the voices in her head due to the schizophrenia. There were a few challenging pieces to this project. Ashton tried to draw her butterfly images from the viewpoint of a schizophrenic. Her character’s schizophrenia became worse once her dog died and the illness progressed. Ashton also incorporated a swimming pool into the butterfly because her character liked to swim.

The project reinforced the human side of the Holocaust and its victims. “It helps realize that they were real people and they actually really died,” said Ashton.    

-- By A.J. Orsino

Elementary Students Hear the Music

Students from South County's feeder elementary schools visited today for a presentation on Fine and Performing arts electives at the middle school level. The elementary school students learned about the elective class options, hear performances and see more in depth presentations. 

The jazz band, orchestra, guitar, and theater students performed and there were visual presentations from the art department. Visiting students were also eligible for a raffle drawing.

Photos by Trey Moore

Scholastic Bowl Team's Season Successful

Please join Coach Jason Pratt in congratulating Brad Chester (team captain), Robert Lanigan, Abhijit Singh, Osama Saleem, Beakal Gezahegn, and Ziab Kabir on a very strong performance at the district and regional Scholastic Bowl tournaments.

South County's team finished 5-1 in the district tournament, finishing as the Patriot District runners-up and qualifying for the regional tournament. The team finished fifth in the region after being eliminated by eventual state-qualifier Wakefield High School by five points (literally on the final question of the match).

~Submitted by Jason Pratt

Stories Ideas Sought

The South County Courier is seeking story ideas for our March, May or June 2012 editions. If you have a news tip, please see Ms. Floto in the Publications Lab.

Understanding SOPA and PIPA

Readers are encouraged to take a few moments to understand a current event that may affect Internet sites students frequently visit such as Facebook or YouTube. The SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) are hot topics, especially with recent Jan. 18 online protests by sites such as Wikipedia and Google.

Check out the Q&A from the Wall Street Journal & Wikipedia:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203735304577167261853938938.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Look for an article on this topic in our upcoming Jan. 24 print edition of The Courier.

Student and Family Set Out to Make a Difference

By Nicole Wittkopp

Horse Sense Entertainment Center (HSEC) is a start-up non-profit organization dedicated to creating a park where children with and without disabilities and their families can play together. At this point, in its early stages, Horse Sense is focusing on fundraising and spreading the word. Eventually, the Board of Directors hopes to legally change the name to “ToPlayToo,” a title implying the strive for children of all abilities to play, even if they’re usually incapable. The best way for individuals to get involved at this point is by making donations, spreading the word, and using GoodSearch.

                Goodsearch is a search engine, much like Google. The difference is that when any search is made on Goodsearch.com, a penny is donated to the indicated charity. All you have to do is register with a name and e-mail, free of charge, to support Horse Sense Entertainment Center and your everyday searches will start making Horse Sense money.

                Based on the idea of Morgan’s Wonderland in Texas and Clemyjontri park here in Virginia, the aims of the park include a train, safe playground-like area, and swing for children in wheelchairs or dealing with sight, sound, and mobility disabilities. 

                Spending time around individuals with different needs and beautiful optimistic spirits led the Horse Sense board to believe in the cause of promoting that happiness in everyone, making them feel normal, accepted, and innocent as children should.

                HSEC truly appreciates the help of any and everyone willing to get involved! Contact Nicole Wittkopp at nicki.wittkopp@cox.net or on Horse Sense’s Facebook page for more information or help with GoodSearch registration. Thank you for your time!