Page 2 Editorial Page December 2014
Letter from the Editors Dear SOA, Applause Welcome to the 15th the offcial student publication of Anniversary issue of Applause! As you read through coverage of Charleston County School of SOA’s many Christmas events, we hope you enjoy familiar faces of the Arts students, alumni, teachers, and staff from our recently digitalized Founded in 1995 by Rose Maree Myers 15-year archive. If you enjoy this look into SOA’s past, please visit Editors-in-Chief: Graphics Editor: our entire archive online at soa- Suzanne Jackson Nick Scapellato applause.com. In this special Taylor Dahl birthday issue, you will also fnd an Webmasters: Graham Crolley illustrated timeline of the history Aly Wintz Business Managers: of SOA. Applause caught up with Jakob Lazzaro Savanna Osborne former editors in this issue and Staff Writers: for our Question of the Month we Sarah McCord Nikita Narodnitskiy asked former staff members about Feature Editor: their fondest Applause memories. Tommy Nauman Dmitri Grigorieff Thank you to all our past and Noah Jordan present patrons and advertisers, News Editor: many of whom have provided 15 Cherry Hu years of support! John Cusatis, Ph.D., Advisor Here’s to a happy 15th and Happy Holidays! Charleston County School of the Arts 5109 West Enterprise St. Love, North Charleston, SC 29405 Taylor Dahl, Graham Crolley, and Suzanne Jackson
Happy Birthday, Applause! December 2014 Openers Page 3 SAPPHIRE PEARL James and Jennifer Moriarty Luke Ablonczy The Wise Family Ted Anastopoulo McKenna Andrews AMETHYST Maria Carrillo Ms. Rhoda Ascanio Mr. Mark Lazzaro Kelsey Costa Mr. Alan Brehm Sarah Courville Dr. Angela Saito Houdini Dr. Mark Teseniar Yulma DiPaolo The Schaible Family Carly Edwards Ms. Kimberly Zerbst Frank Fabor TURQUOISE TOPAZ Ms. Christine Bednarczyk Jacob Fairchild The Doran Family Ms. Tracey Castle Abbey Kirkland Ms. Anne M. Cimballa John and Joan Hogan River Kopsak Jane and Kerry Lassiter Dr. John Cusatis Debbie Dekle Emily Lanter The McCord Family Ms. Sylvia Edwards Katy LeBarron Mr. Rutledge Hammes GARNET Abby LeRoy Ms. Sue Bennett Ms. Tiffany Clementi Hammes Ms. Debra Benson Ms. Beth Webb Hart Olivia Levins Angie and Grant Carwile Mr. Brett Johnsen Mr. Karl Clark Ms. Robin Greig Mr. Kirk Lindgren Ms. Bethany Crawford Ms. Rosemarie Miles Emma MacMillan Ms. Susanne Drennan Mr. Vincent Pezzeca Ms. Ann Marie Fairchild Mr. Sean Scapellato Callie McLean Ms. Sarah Fitzgerald Ginger and Heather Snook Destiny Meadows Jim and Rhonda Hunter Ms. Penny Zhang Sterling Moore Ms. Beth Lasley PERIDOT Ms. Rosamond Lawson Mr. Michael Morelli Mr. and Mrs. H. Chapman McKay The Collins Family Mr. Heath Orvin The Crosby Family Ms. Courtney Moschella Ron and Valerie Paquette Mr. Basil Kerr Jonah, Keara, & Caelan Paquette Ms. Stacey LeBrun Leigh Nelson Christian Leprettre Ms. Nan Rickson Meredith Riggs Ms. Christine Rogers Olivia Lopez Mr. Kevin Short Claudia Ludden Elle Root Ms. Shannon Pennetti Mr. Bill Smyth Vasantha Sambamurti The Varnado Family Ms. Mandy Wade John White Christina Simpson Thank you Applause patrons for your generosity! Denver Smith If you would like to be added to our growing list of patrons, please e-mail [email protected]. Page 4 News December 2014 every issue of Applause ever also a middle Applause published. Thanks to the SOA Fall sports update school student,
Finishes scanning skills of Teresa Elj, had a great by Nick Scapellato Online Archive Tommy Naumann, Maddy season with the Rodeffer, Jakob Lazzaro, Daniel Island Fall was a big season for our SOA Just in Time and Mattie Smith you can Colts. The athletes. Middle school student Zac Case now read past issues all the team went 7-2 for 15th refected on his soccer season with SC way back to our very frst- a despite Steven Anniversary United, saying, “we improved a lot over the small paper called Artifacts. saying he and course of the season.” Steven Schlosser, by Jakob Lazzaro The Applause archive his team were is a treasure trove of SOA’s “the underdogs After months of history, everything from of the league.” scanning, days of typing pictures of your friends as and coding, and minutes sixth graders to the origin Junior vocal of uploading, Applause has story of your favorite teacher! major Carly fnally achieved what was You may browse through the Edwards was dreamed about for years- an complete Applause archive a key part of the Dalton Edens, a valuable indexed online archive of over at www.soa-applause. Wando Girls member of the Ravens Rugby com/archives. Happy reading! Cross Country team. Team. Carly has even started a running club here at SOA. Dalton Edens, a senior and senior member of the Ravens Rugby squad said he’s “enjoyed the camaraderie shared by the team” and is “looking forward to becoming closer to the rest of the boys.” Questions, comments, or concerns? Clearly, the artists we share the halls Share your thoughts in a letter to the with are much more than they’re cracked up editor. Email suzanne@soa-applause. to be. com and we will be sure to include what Carly Edwards poses with her Wando you have to say. crosscountry teammates.
Band majors played “March of the Winter Nutcracker,” arranged by Tchaikovsky. Wonderland: A On fute was Caroline Keineth, clarinet Abby Kirkland, oboe Kyle Gathering of the Winstead, bassoon Coleman Sarah McCord Arts Jones, and horn Maggie Scapellato. Following was a unique by Sarah McCord exhibition choreographed and performed by the 8th and 10th grade SOA held its frst “Winter dancers to the readings of poems Wonderland” show on December 5th. written by Creative Writers Sasha This holiday themed show consisted of Audier-Johnson, Eli Braddock, most of the majors coming together for Carson Peadon, and Patrick collaborations connecting the different Wohlshield. art forms. The 9th grade dancers did an The night started with a outstanding performance en pointe portion of the vocal department of the Waltz of the Snow Flakes taken singing “Gaudette,” joined by the 9th from The Nutcracker, complete with grade Dance majors and percussion glitter thrown to act as snow. A collab Freshmen dancers perform an excerpt from The Nutcracker-The Waltz of the Snowfakes. performed by Vocal majors in the choreographed and performed by the 12th and 6th grade dancers showcased close with two last piano quartets. background. “The Bells of Christmas” played by A piano quartet played the range of skills as they not only Finishing up the night with Ms. Fitz danced, but truly acted as if they were Alexandra Hepburn, Sabrina and her guitar class, the audience was “Parade of Wooden Soldiers” as the Sanchez, Nolan Tecklenburg, senior dancers performed, decked at a festivity dancing to fun classics encouraged to sing along to holiday such as “Sleigh Ride” and “Deck the and Ben Zuber, included the 11th favorites. Not only did the guitar out with costumes to resemble grade dancers showing off their gingerbread boys and girls. A holiday Halls” played by high school piano students show off what they’ve learned majors. ability to dance with variety, as some about guitars this year, they also classical piece, “Ukrainian Bell Carol,” incorporated tap dancing to the ballet. was played by another piano quartet Students from the 9th grade impressively led the audience in song. Theatre department acted out a The 10th grade dancers joined pianists SOA’s Winter Wonderland while being surrounded by the 7th and Christopher Do, Shanti Franks, 11th grade Dance majors. series of short Christmas scenes, was a success and an entertaining way exaggerating the joys and the stresses Emma Gourdie, and Jessica to celebrate the season as the majors In an interlude of the piano Keniston for a fun piano fnale of performances, fve high school of the holiday season. worked together. The evening came to a “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” December 2014 Events Page 5 Writer Emily Shorter delivered an Poetry Out Loud: undeniably solid rendition of “Crossing Blast from the past... concentrated the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Below: In April 2010, future Harvard graduate Lauren DiNicola won the Patrick Woelesheild, a freshman South Carolina State Championship for Poetry Out Loud. competition Creative Writer, demonstrated a well- rehearsed and heartfelt interpretation by Dmitri Grigorieff of “The New World” by Amiri Baraka. The two-time winner of Seven School of the Arts the competition and defending students participated this year in state champion Nicole Sadek, the school-wide Poetry Out Loud junior Creative Writer, unleashed a competition. All of them exhibited calculated performance of “Ode for the a unique voice and displayed American Dead in Asia” by Thomas immense talent. The small number McGrath, followed by the transfxing of contestants compared to previous “Monet Refuses the Operation” by years provided a group of more Lisel Muller. determined performers. Nicole commented on her There were several excellent victory, “It was wonderful competing recitations. Sophomore Creative with such talented reciters. I am very
Dmitri Grigorieff honored and excited to compete again at the regional level.” Hannah Kelly, a junior Creative Writer, came in second place, and will replace Nicole if she is unable to compete in the upcoming regional competition.
Featured club: Horticulture Happy Mr. Short currently teaches AP and CP Biology at SOA. He has sponsored the Horticulture club for 3 years and updates staff Holidays! member Cherry Hu what they have been up to. May the New Year bring Cherry Hu: So, what goes on in the Horticulture club? Kevin Short: The Horticulture club meets monthly to help make you happiness, cheer, the campus more beautiful, sustainable, and meaningful. We plant and many wonderful new gardens around campus, usually by buying and planting seasonal fowers. We also have grown vegetables and herbs to make good issues of Applause. use of the green spaces around campus. CH: Have the plants become in useful in any way? Love, KS: I have defnitely seen people enjoying the additional beauty that the fowers have brought. Also, I think I saw Lindgren picking the Staff some peppers and squash to use in his kitchen! CH: How did the club get started? KS: I have always been interested in landscaping and gardening, and I found some students that shared that interest. We have had fun making changes around the campus. Right: In Cherry Hu CH: What are December your plans for the of 2002, if Horticulture club? you were KS: I would love to see tardy to class, a compost program Santa himself here on campus as gave you a well as a butterfy detention and garden to install to probably put showcase the natural you on the symbiosis of life. naughty list, too. Left: Welcoming fowers at the entrance of SOA. Page 6 Features December 2014 NS: If your high school self was in your dad had told him that I had this crush on him, and Where Were They Then: current class, what would you think of her? he came over and sat beside me one day and told me Ms. Ratigan AR: I was a very Type A person: I always did this. I just wanted to crawl under the bleachers. I my homework, I always studied for tests. I was think most people can relate to that. Nick Scapellato sat down with Ms. Ashlee a rule follower. The minute I got home, I did my NS: What was your most embarrassing dance Ratigan, South Carolina’s Dance Educator of the homework. I don’t want to say I was nerdy, but I was story? Year, to ask her questions about her childhood. She very conscientious of my academics. I think I would AR: I was performing a tap piece and doing running was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. tell myself to loosen up a little bit, and have a little faps, and I tripped over my own feet and fell right With school teachers for parents, her devotion to bit more fun. Don’t take everything so seriously. in the middle of center stage with an entire audience academics and dance carried her through life and, Balance work with personal enjoyment. was staring at me. And I had to get up and fnish fortunately for us, brought her to SOA. NS: What is your fondest dance memory because I couldn’t get up and leave from where I was. growing up? Nick Scapellato: When did you frst take an AR: The frst day I ever danced down Main Street Provided interest in dance? at Disney World at the Magic Kingdom. It was my Ashlee Ratigan: My parents put me in dance when very frst day performing. Just being in costume, I was younger, and they had a Halloween dance. The and stepping out of the gate, seeing thousands of older girls scared me because they were dressed as people looking at you and knowing for the next thirty zombies, and I remember not wanting to go back to minutes I had to entertain them; that was kind of the dance. My mom one day, when I was dancing around moment when I realized I made it. in the living room, asked why I didn’t’ want to go NS: What was the most embarrassing back, and I told her the zombies were going to be moment when you were growing up? there. I loved performing. I loved the discipline of it. AR: I remember in particular there was one athlete. My brother played sports—that was his thing. And I He was in high school, and I was in middle school, had dance—that was my thing. It was something that and I had the biggest crush on him. Any time he was mine, and I felt confdent in it. would say hello to me I would just blush. And the most embarrassing moment is when I found out my A young Ashlee Ratigan. In celebration of the ffteenth anniversary of Applause, we Advertise with Applause! went digging through our archives and unearthed plenty of old Contact suzanne@soa- features. Keep an eye out as you read- you might spot the middle applause.com school version of yourself that you never hoped to see again. Below: Nick Scapellato, current junior Creative Writer, was featured in the November 2009 issue to elaborate on “A Day in the Life of a Sixth Grader.” December 2014 Features Page 7 delicious Korean food welcoming Mama Kim’s: you. still a “rice” Whether you’re a college student ordering take out or a experience four middle school kid who is just years later now venturing out on your own, the chicken bowl is a staple. I, by Suzanne Jackson myself, have been enjoying chicken bowls for a very long time, even At any given moment, there undergoing the personal journey is someone aimlessly wandering up from being a “white sauce” skeptic and down King Street, their blood to embracing it with open arms and sugar levels dropping rapidly. empty stomach. They are searching for a place to With all the new places eat. You have surely been in this that are popping up all over the situation before. There is no way to peninsula, I am confdent that avoid it. Frantic and driven by the Mama Kim’s will continue to increasingly louder growls coming prosper. With the hospitable staff from your stomach, you look (including Mama Kim herself) and around. Those new healthy places excellent food, you can be sure that are far too expensive for just being next time you’re downtown and a mediocre salad wrapped in a hungry, stay calm. Everything will bread product. Mellow Mushroom be okay, because somewhere in the is good, but it’s such a long walk. kitchen of Mama Kim’s, there’s a Two blocks is two blocks too many chicken bowl with your name on it. when you’re running on empty. Just Defnitely check them when you can’t go on, you stumble out at 349 King Street if you want through the door of Mama Kim’s, both your stomach and spirit to be the bright red walls and smell of completely satiated.
“We work hard!” Page 8 Features December 2014 Performing Arts Center. An Empire State of The piano majors also visited Mind for high school the Metropolitan, Natural History, Guggenheim, and Modern Art museums, Piano majors visited Central Park and the 9/11 WE’RE HERE Memorial, took a Circle Line cruise around by Jakob Lazzaro Lower Manhattan, and climbed to the top of the Empire State Building at midnight FOR THE For many high school piano for some electrifying views. After stopping majors, Christmas came early as piano off in Chinatown on Sunday for some embarked on its third annual trip to New shopping and food, the group returned to York. After fying up and settling in to the Charleston with many wishing to return hotel in Newark, everyone headed into the soon. city for dinner and a show at jazz club Swing APPLAUSE 46. There, Mr. Clarke was able to Below: Junior Nolan Tecklenburg sits in at Swing 46. sing and junior Nolan Tecklenburg was given an opportunity to sit in. “Playing at Swing 46 left me speechless” said Nolan. “I was just expecting to sit down and eat, but getting to play in front of everyone was a pleasure. This is one of the many reasons why I love what I do.” Proudly Supporting The highlights of the trip were the concerts- the Radio City the Arts for Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Basie and Over 17 Years the Blues, and a Christmas show by the well-known YouTube sensation, www.CharlestonCityPaper.com The Piano Guys, at the New Jersey Jakob Lazzaro
Can’t think of the perfect gift? Let Applause help. We get it. “Giver’s Block” is a thing. To prevent some holiday tears and maintain a stress-free season, just follow our simple fow-chart.
Is this for ...a family ...or your sworn a friend? member? enemy?
Are you Are they over the age of Give them an especially No Do you “like-like” cold glare to warm just them?? fve? friends? their hearts this holiday Yes Yes season. Yes No Or... Do you want Get them a Get them a Have you to make their coffee maker or Put Tabasco coffee mug been dating parents angry? new sheets. I in their eye that says “#1 for a while? don’t know. drops.
Grandpa.” No No
Yes Yes Get them DO NOT get them Or... Get them an a kitten. Then you should engagement a kitten. already know what ring, just for Cancel Christmas, to get them. Duh. kicks. just for them. December 2014 Features Page 9 SOA’s Christmas Books What books will SOA students be asking for this holiday season? After surveying junior and senior AP English students, we found that the most desired books are...
Gone Girl Gillian Flynn
I am Malala Malala Yousafzai
No Exit Jean-Paul Sartre
Das Kapital Karl Marx
Paper Towns John Green
Nice Guy, Go Home Robert G. Weaver
On the Road Jack Kerouac
The Book Thief Markus Zusak
Yes Please Amy Poehler
Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte
The Song of Achilles Madeline Miller
The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien
East of Eden John Steinbeck
1984 George Orwell
Crime and Punishment Tyodor Dostoevsky
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Jonathan Safran Foer Page 10 Features December 2014
Previous generations of Applause: Dorothy Behre Where Are They Now? Class of 2009 Dmitri Grigorieff catches up with his predecessors to see what they have been I graduated in 2009 as a up to since their time on the staff. Creative Writing major. I currently live Cat Santos Alex Berlinsky in Taipei, Taiwan (not Thailand!) and Class of 2013 Class of 2012 am pursuing a Masters in International Communications while teaching English I graduated I graduated writing and reading comprehension. My in 2013 and I was a in 2012 and I favorite memory of Applause is helping Theatre major. I’m was a Visual come up with ideas for the horoscopes. currently a student at Arts major. My They were always absurd, but sometimes unexpectedly accurate! Georgia Tech and live occupation is in Atlanta. My favorite several different memory of Applause things at the Danie Johnson was defnitely Class of 2013 moment. I am a full time Barbarian at the interviewing Damian Guild Hall. I am also a full time student at Lillard, point guard I graduated in 2013 as a vocal SCAD studying Sequential Arts. I also do for the Portland Trailblazers. He was the major, the best major there is. I work a lot of freelance concept art and practical nephew of one of the hearing impaired teachers at Mellow Mushroom downtown, the effects. Right now I live in an apartment so I got to interview him as the season was best restaurant there is, and Classic located in Savannah, GA. Honestly there’s starting. He even signed the article for me after Coffee in Avondale, the best coffee there a lot [of memories from being on the it got printed. Well sure enough, about a month is. I currently live in Avondale in West staff],but we kind of used to sneak things later I noticed that he did an exclusive interview Ashley. My favorite memory of working into Applause that looked legit but really with ESPN about how his rookie season was for Applause was when Will Dodge weren’t. I remember our fnal issue we going. Nice try ESPN, but Applause and I broke would practice making mixes during class and I got to hear his had a category called “Most likely to name the story frst! amazing music. their Son Bubba.” As if the category alone wasn’t hilarious enough, one of the people DeAnna Kerley who won didn’t even go to our school, Class of 2013 Jacob Elsey but was friends with everyone. It was Class of 2012 really funny because underclassmen were I graduated in 2010 actually trying to fnd him in the yearbook through Creative The night that Applause alum, and couldn’t. Dr. Cusatis would always Writing. Right now, Will Dodge, and I did not complete banish me to my “hovel,” which was I’m a Marketing the hot wing challenge at Giuseppi’s actually the corner of the room, because I Coordinator living in in Mount Pleasant distinctly comes to am a hobbit and the shire couldn’t handle Burlington, Vermont. mind even though it wasn’t that great me. One of my favorite laying down in the backseat of my car, memories of Applause: (this is back when we tearing up and trying to explain to my were in the old SOA building) - we wrote the gastrointestinal tract why I would hurt April Fools edition of the paper that year. I it like this. I am grateful, however, to Bailey Gaskin want to say this was 2009. At that time, I was in have been able to write about it later on Class of 2011 charge of the music review. I think I reviewed a and see one of the lowest points of my Miley Cyrus album for April Fools? It was fun. life layed out on paper for the school to I graduated in May of read. 2011 with the School Tori Roy of the Arts degree Class of 2011 Shaless Robinson in Theatre I am now Class of 2012 a full time student I graduated in at the University 2011 as a Vocal Technically, I didn't graduate of Montevallo in major. I am from SOA. I moved to New Mexico and Montevallo, AL, getting currently living on transferred schools before graduating. a BFA in Musical campus at Dalton But I was a Creative Writing major! I Theatre, and I’ll be State College in live in Las Cruces, NM. I am currently a graduating this coming May! I loved Dalton, Georgia. senior at New Mexico State University. working on Applause so much! My best I am a senior I also work in retail. There were a lot friend Chaisson and I always got to do level biology of great memories made at Applause. the student question that went on the major working on two independent research Working with Dr. Cusatis and all of the back, and the adventures we had with projects, one on ecotoxicology and the other staff made every day at Applause was that camera and a notepad interviewing in microbiology. As far as a favorite memory, amazing. Journalism can defnitely be our classmates were enough to last a that’s a hard one. It’s been a hot minute. It was stressful especially meeting deadlines lifetime. I did a CD review column as “my probably a collection of Dr. Cusatis’ sarcasm but Dr. Cusatis would always bring in some levity. My time at thing” for applause and it was super cool and life advice (all of which I have found to be Applause infuenced me to keep writing even if it wasn't fction or to be able to listen to music all class and true...so far). poetry. I ended up being editor of my college's newspaper. then write about it. December 2014 Features Page 11 Peace Prize, retire in the tropics, write something during high Catching up with my memoirs, catch fsh. school that you know Ben Forney, 2004- DG: Refecting on your time now, what you have 2005 Applause at SOA what was the most liked to know? important class you took? BF: Knowing a foreign editor BF: Dr. Cusatis’ AP English class, language is invaluable, no Ben Forney is a former because it was a once in a lifetime matter what you want to do Applause editor who graduated opportunity to study the lesser-known in life. SOA in 2005. He attended USC and works of Donn Pearce. Also, I did a DG: Looking back, how graduated with a BA in English report on the poet Theodore Roethke, was attending SOA the Literature. He is currently living in whom I still enjoy reading today. right choice for you? DG: In what ways has your SOA BF: I only moved to
Seoul, South Korea. Staff member Provided Dmitri Grigorieff caught up with major remained a part of your Charleston when I started him for the ffteenth anniversary life? the 11th grade. I instantly issue. BF: Unfortunately, I don’t play the felt at home at SOA and violin much anymore, but I still play really enjoyed meeting such the month, I made up a student and Dmitri Grigorieff: What jobs guitar almost every day and it’s one of an eclectic group of people. Nothing gave him a ridiculous back story. I have you worked since college? my favorite ways to pass the time. but good memories. didn’t tell Dr. Cusatis he wasn’t real What are you currently doing? DG: If you could tell your senior DG: In what ways was your time until after the paper was published. Ben Forney: I received a Fulbright class something now, what as editor worthwhile either DG: Other than countless hours Grant to work in South Korea for would it be? during high school or later? of work, what do you feel you one year after college. I’ve lived and BF: Sorry I can’t come to the ten year BF: Editing the Applause was really contributed to Applause? traveled around Asia for most of the reunion. fun. It was a great experience, and BF: The Word Search. Looking back past fve years, and I’m currently in DG: What do you recall most we tried to make each issue funny at the old issues I did, I found a word graduate school studying International fondly about SOA? and entertaining, with an occasional search in which the co-editor and I put Relations in Seoul. BF: I really enjoyed the trips to splash of news. It took a lot of time, our own names as two of the words DG: What is your most important Appalachian State with Ms. Fitz and but I was always proud to see the fnal you needed to fnd. It was that kind goal for the near or distant the orchestra. Also, winning the Battle product. of Stephen Colbertesque approach to future? of the Bands in 2004 as one half of the DG: Is there an issue of the our editorial policy that made our year BF: Finish my graduate thesis, unify legendary rock duo The Spicy Bandits Applause that you particularly great. the Korean peninsula, win the Nobel was excellent. remember working on? Why? DG: If you could have known BF: Once, for the featured student of Catching up with I can become a change-agent myself in the Desiree Horlbeck future. After I graduate, I hope to pursue a Class of 2014 Savannah Miller, master’s degree abroad via Emory’s Bobby 2011-2012 editor Jones fellowship or the Marshall Scholarship, I’m currently a psychology and if all goes well, law school afterward. DG: Anything else you have done since major and minoring in biology at the Savannah Miller, creative writing alum, University of South Carolina in hopes high school that you are willing to was editor of the SOA Applause between 2011 share with our readers? of going to medical school and being and 2012. She attends Emory University, a psychiatrist one day. I still reside SM: I’m thankful to have snagged research where she is pursuing a double major in with one of the coolest professors at Emory. in South Carolina, splitting my time environmental sciences and creative writing. between Charleston and Columbia. Last spring break I opted to tag along with a small group of environmental sciences Journalism class was almost always Dmitri Grigorieff: What are you pretty entertaining considering the students to the Amazon Rainforest. From currently doing? soccer with the village kids, to tarantulas in the personalities we had on staff last Savannah Miller: Just like in high school, I year. outhouses, to discovering the most poisonous have continued to wear many hats. At Emory, snakes in the entire world (twice) on night I am the Sustainable Events Coordinator for hikes, it was a life-changing experience. I Grace Collins Emory’s Offce of Sustainability Initiatives. really hope to return and conduct my own Class of 2009 I train organizations on how to implement sustainability research. This summer, I will sustainability into daily practice and how head to Namibia and Botswana with another I have recently earned my license as to make an impact through their events. In group of students and the same professor to a professional cosmetologist/hairstylist. I’m addition, I am the Fencing PE class teaching do similar research. still here in Charleston, but I work in Mt. assistant, a clerical assistant for Emory’s Pleasant at my Uncle Nick’s hair salon, Nick’s English Graduate Program, a nanny for a Interview continued on page 18. Hair Salon. This has been my dream and life crazy bunch of twins, and am excited to goal since 8th grade. announce I’ve just scored an internship with I’d have to say some of my favorite Atlanta’s Greenlaw environmental law frm. memories of being on the Applause staff would have to be chasing DG: What is your most important goal people down for pictures to go in the school newspaper with Allie for the near or distant future? Augustine and being pulled out of class by Dr. Cusatis to get SM: Right now, my most important goal is continuing to narrow in on my passions,
the paper done and perfect. Chaisson Dangerfeld and Bailey Provided Gaskin also gave me fond memories of enjoying the class and and make sure to take advantage of all the looking to them for advice on articles. resources I’ve been given at Emory, so that Page 12 Features December 2014 Left: Zachary Sharpe shares his thoughts on SOA’s campus merge with Academic Magnet in 2010: “I’m actually really excited. I think they have a lot of good- looking people and I’m ready to play the feld.”
Current seniors Halie Stevenson and Simeon Washington answer the question “Who is your perfect Valentine’s Day date?” From the archives of Applause
Above: Horoscopes in December, 2011. They’re still pretty believable.
Below: In December of 2007, Mike Hears immediately makes everyone jealous of his family when he explains one of their holiday traditions.
Above: An old picture of Dr. Price was fea- tured in the October issue of 2011. Above: David Sass, creator of Right: Students and “Sass Attack”, was introduced as a teachers celebrate new staff member in 2007. Spirit Week in the fall Left: Dr. Cusatis appears under of 2011 and utilize “Meet the Staff” in the frst issue of “Twin Day” to dress the 2007-2008 school year. as each other. December 2014 From the Archives Page 13
Above: High school science teacher Mr. Lindgren was featured as a new teacher in 2006. Right: Graham Martini responds to the Question of the Month answer: “What’s on the top of your holiday wishlist?”
Below: In 2012, current senior Mackenzie Glasgow explained what her Dance class had been perfecting over the past few months. Above: Dr. Cusatis’ family was chosen to be patrons of the month for the October 2008.
Junior Jay Rode explains his deepest apprehensions about the campus move in January of 2010.
Above: Creative Writing instructor Ms. Miles shared her beautiful wedding photo in a past issue when she was featured Above: The December 2012 issue of Applause featured an in “Where Were They update on the familiar Angel Tree. Then?” Page 14 Timeline Page 15 A brief look at SOA’s history... It would require a thick book to Aug 1995 Dec 2007 list all of the SOA opens, Ms. SOA is among regional, state, Rose Maree My- the best High ers, principal. and national Dec 1999 Schools in the Nov 2003 accolades gar- First Issue of Nation as per Fantasia, Va- nered by our stu- Applause April 2000 the US News dents, but here Guys and Dolls is riety Show by Dec 2006 frst ever sur- Jan 2002 are a few histor- performed at the per- SOA artists Groundbreaking for the vey of 18,790 Peter Pan ical milestones. forming arts center new SOA Campus high schools.
Oct 1999 June 2001 frst Jump Jive and Wail Early 2000 First graduat- Aug 2008 First junior ing class, Adam Mr. James ring ceremony Kassim, valedic- Jan 2006 Reinhart, new torian. Big River, principal SOA Produc- tion at North Charleston June 2010 Performing National Book Arts Center Award Winner Aug 2012 Colum McCann de- New principal: livers commence- Dr. Shannon Dec 2009 ment address Cook SOA moves to the new campus
Jan 2013 Hairspray Dec 2009 First Toys for Tots collection at SOA - collected 620 toys and $630 in the Jan 2009 April 2010 bearded beauty August 2009 The Wiz Mar 2012 RMM Theater dedicated Dec 2009 100th issue of Ap- Applause contest. SOA welcomes plause turns 10! Deaf and Hear- May 2014 ing Impaired Oct 2013 Ribbon Cutting for Program. Beauty and The Beast produced Pegasus Garden by Vocal Department Happy 15th Anniversary, Aug 2014 Feb 2014 Fashion De- Thoroughly sign Major Modern Millie Applause! December 2014 added Page 16 From the Archives December 2014
Left: Alexan- der Ostapeck shares his thoughts on his major, Band, in 2011.
Above: A.J. Dales explains why Eragon is his favor- ite book in December 2005.
Above: Elle Root, 12th grade Dance major, shares what she would like for Above: Savannah Miller, future editor, shared a picture Christmas in 2008. from her summer vacation to France in 2010.
Above: An excerpt from featured edi- tor Ben Forney’s review of the movie Master and Commander.
Right: Mr. Clarke, featured in the December 2005 issue as “Where Were They Then?”
Below: Lucy Hunter’s Editor Let- ter in the December 2007 issue of Applause.
Above: Dmitri Grigorieff responds Above: In October of 201o, high to the December 2011 Question of the school math teacher Mr. Ratigan Month: “What is at the top of your was introduced as a new teacher. holiday wish list?” December 2014 Features/From the Archives Page 17
Left: Way back in February of 2000, Below: Current Creative Writing teacher the staff featured an article on dating Ms. Beth Webb Hart was shown in the slang. very frst 1999 issue, assisting a student with her work.
Below: History teacher Heath Orvin as an old gobbler. Big thanks to Angel Oak Eye Center who have been advertising Left: Student artwork from with us for 15 years! May 2007. Your support makes what we do possible.
Powderpuff a triumph in school spirit Nick Scapellato snapped photos of the annual role-swapped Junior vs. Senior football game. Nick Scapellato Nick Scapellato
Senior Theatre major Devin Donaldson clutches Cheerleaders strike a victorious pose, topped by the football as she sprints down the feld, guarded senior Dance major Daniel George. by Senior Band major Katy Lebaron. Page 18 Features December 2014 Savannah Miller interview, continued something remarkable. I’d also emphasize that from page 11: no matter what college you end up at, you’ll fnd Catching up with Madeleine your niche. Vath, 2013-2014 editor DG: Refecting on your time at SOA what DG: In what ways was your time as editor was the most important class you took? worthwhile either during high school or Madeline Vath SM: That’s a hard question to answer…so I later? graduated from SOA last year won’t single it down. I’m thankful for my history SM: So worthwhile! It taught me how to interact and is currently pursuing a department for demonstrating how fun learning with others, how to interact with others while degree in print journalism can be. With Mr. Brehm’s economics and on a deadline, and the importance of detail, at the University of South government courses, I learned how to sit down quality, and precision. Carolina Honors College. She and study. Of course, I could say the same for DG: Is there an issue of Applause that works as a copy editor on The chemistry with Dr. Price. And I will never, ever you particularly remember working on? Daily Gamecock staff. The Daily forget Dr. Cusatis’ poetry project. That single- Why? Gamecock is distributed every handedly prepared me for any college English SM: I would say the graduation issue my senior class day on and around the course term paper I’ve turned in since. Lastly, year, but then I don’t necessarily “particularly USC campus, and is currently and possibly most importantly, I would not be remember working on it” due to every single one focused on fnding a good the person I am, nor have the opportunities I’ve of those sleepless nights shaping and reshaping, internship to boost her resume. been given since, without the lessons I learned cursing at Adobe Indesign, and shaping and Dmitri Grigorieff: What under the tutelage of my Creative Writing reshaping quotes again. To say the least, the jobs have you worked since teachers. fondness gets fuzzy there. But when everything (or during) college? DG: In what ways has your SOA major came together, it almost felt like a second senior Madeleine Vath: I work as remained a part of your life? thesis. I was so proud to create a 64-page color a copy editor on The Daily Provided SM: SOA is and always will be a major part of edition that everyone in my senior class could Gamecock staff. The Daily Gamecock is distributed every my life because it gave me my voice. Creative also enjoy. class day on and around the USC campus. writing will always be an outlet for me, no DG: Were there any memorable moments DG: Anything else you have done since high school matter if I decide not to pursue it as a full career. you’d like to share during your time as that you are willing to share with our readers? I am so lucky to have given my formative years editor? MV: I went to Australia. I hope to study abroad there with the to SOA because I learned that everyone has a SM: You know, I could explain them, but a journalism program in the future. passion; you simply need to provide the stage. picture is worth a thousand words. But briefy, DG: Refecting on your time at SOA what was the DG: If you could tell your senior class favorite moment was watching Jacob’s food most important class you took? Why? something now, what would it be? ordeals. We somehow convinced him to not MV: Both AP Literature and AP Language have been SM: I’m so proud of everything I’ve seen all only do a wing-eating contest with Will, but important because the majority of my homework assignments of y’all accomplish. Keep on trucking! We’re also snatch the fried-everything platter at the and exams are made up of reading and writing. Those two almost “real” adults now-well at least under county fair. I wonder how all that is sitting in classes taught me how to read and write in the most time- Obama, we’ve got until we’re 26. his stomach today… effcient ways. I don’t think I would be able to manage the DG: What do you recall most fondly workload if I hadn’t learned how to skim through the most about SOA? important information and write in concise sentences from SM: So, so, so many things. One of my favorite those classes. stories I like to tell is how we came with rain and DG: In what ways has your SOA major remained a left with rain. On my frst day of sixth grade, and part of your life? Jacob Elsey can attest to this because we were MV: I am a part of the student-run organization called Off in Ms. Newell’s homeroom together, it poured. Off Broadway on campus; we put on a musical or a revue each And I mean poured. Lighting struck the trailer semester. This past semester, we put on a superhero revue and all of the sixth graders scattered out. It was and next semester we will be putting on the musical 9 to 5! about time to fnd our major classes anyways DG: If you could tell your senior class something and of course creative writing was separate now, what would it be? from all the others. Jacob and I sprinted from Provided MV: Why did you guys all go to Clemson? Go ’cocks! building to building. Finally, we were directed DG: What do you recall most fondly about SOA? to the “block building” and Ms. Henry greeted DG: Other than countless hours of work, MV: Having covered walkways. Getting rained on during a us with a warm hello and a paper towel roll. And what do you feel you contributed to 15-minute walk to class sucks. then, on that last day on the original campus, Applause? DG: If you could have known something during high it monsooned again. Everyone was scrambling SM: I hope I added some more professional school that you know now, what you have liked to around, packing up, and saying goodbyes. We journalism to the paper and a little fun with know? painted all over the walls and the lockers, and the design. Honestly, I think it helped me more MV: I know nothing about InDesign. danced in the rain. than I helped it. DG: Looking back, how was attending SOA the right DG: If you could have known something DG: What was your favorite Applause choice for you? during high school that you know now, feature? MV: The heavy workload was helpful in preparing me what you have liked to know? SM: In the end, despite the bathroom tears, for the amount of reading that I have to do for some of my SM: I would emphasize to create goals and stick defnitely my graduation issue. classes. Also, learning to always question everything from Mr. to them. Without steadfast goals, I would never DG: Any favorite Cusatis-isms? Donnellon is something I might not have learned until later have been able to complete my senior thesis, SM: EMAIL ETIQUETTE. TIMELINESS. if I had not attended SOA, and is very important to live by which I still consider my highest achievement. QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY. ONCE AGAIN, wherever I may go. We tend to get stuck in the rut of the day-by-day, EMAIL ETIQUETTE. but each day culminates into each other, and if you focus on the right things, you can create December 2014 Features Page 19 Madeleine Vath interview, continued: Casey O’Neill: 2004- DG: In what ways was your time as editor worthwhile 2005 Applause editor either during high school or later? MV: Being editor was extremely benefcial in that it gave me Casey O’Neill completed her time and stress management skills, and being on staff in general B.A. at the University of South Carolina in improved my writing exponentially (or so I hope). Experimental Psychology with a minor in DG: Is there an issue of Applause that you particularly Chemistry in 2009. She received her MA in remember working on? Why? 2011 and will receive her PhD next semester MV: The Vocal issue was a lot of fun because of all the interviews from the University of Colorado Boulder we had to do with the cast of Beauty and the Beast and the editorial in Neuroscience. She has been a research we got to write. I’d have to say the frst issue that I put together as assistant, in various different laboratories, an editor is the most memorable for me because I was able to try focusing on different parts of the scientifc out different designs and having the fnal (or next to fnal, I guess) process. She is currently working as a say was just so new. graduate researcher at the University of DG: Were there any memorable moments you’d like to Colorado Boulder Neuropharmacology share during your time as editor? Laboratory. MV: The time when Ted took off his pants. And the time when Ted took off his shirt. Just Ted in general. Ted was a memorable Dmitri Grigorieff: Where do you moment. attend college? Provided DG: What was your favorite Applause feature? Casey O’Neill: I completed my B.A. MV: I’d probably have to say Where Were They Then was my at the University of South Carolina in favorite because of all the great old pictures we would get from Experimental Psychology with a minor in school community. teachers. Chemistry in 2009. I received my MA in DG: If you could have known something DG: Any favorite Cusatis-isms? 2011 and will receive my PhD next semester during high school that you know now, MV: “Ma’am? Excuse me, ma’am?” – to a sleeping student from the University of Colorado Boulder in what you have liked to know? Neuroscience. CO: I guess just that there’s not much to be Catching up with Lucy Hunter, DG: What is your most important goal worried about when you’re in high school 2007-2008 editor for the near or distant future? despite what it might feel like. CO: Finishing my PhD is probably the most DG: Looking back, how was attending immediate goal for me, but that should SOA the right choice for you? Lucy Hunter earned a BA from Barnard College in 2012, happen by March. After that I will be moving and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the History of Art at Yale CO: The education and community that on to a postdoctoral fellowship. I have exists at SOA is not matched at any other University. She commutes between Brooklyn, where she runs an interviews at the University of Colorado art gallery called Where, and New Haven. She is kept busy by school, I still tell people how lucky I was to Medical School in Denver, University of get to attend. a lot of unpaid but important work: teaching, doing personal Washington (in Seattle), Duke University, research, and curating exhibitions. DG: In what ways was your time as and University of North Carolina, and editor worthwhile either during high Medical University of South Carolina. school or later? Dmitri Grigorieff: What are you currently doing? DG: Anything else you have done since Lucy Hunter: Ph.D. candidacy is a lot of (very unpaid) work, CO: It taught me how to reprioritize tasks to high school that you are willing to make deadlines and multi-task. between teaching and personal research. Where, my gallery, share with our readers? also demands a lot of attention! I also curate exhibitions; I have DG: Is there an issue of Applause that CO: I spent a lot of time in college traveling you particularly remember working one coming up at Yale in February: www.thelegalmedium.com/ in Europe while I studied abroad, and a lot of exhibition. on? Why? time in graduate school traveling the western CO: I remember working on the senior issue DG: What is your most important goal for the near or US. I would highly encourage SOA students distant future? because it was so huge, and I forgot to include to pursue as many opportunities to travel as a letter to the creative writing majors. I felt LH: Finishing my doctorate, which should take another fve years possible. Also, our national parks are actual but feels eons away! terrible and did my best to stuff a print out of treasures. it into the papers before they came out, but I DG: Refecting on your time at SOA, what was the most DG: Refecting on your time at SOA important class you took? Why? still feel a little bad about it what was the most important class you DG: What was your favorite Applause LH: Dr. Cusatis’s English class! I think it best prepared me for took? Why? college and introduced me feature? CO: It’s hard to say what the most CO: My favorite feature was the restaurant to a level of intellectual “important” class I took at SOA was. So thinking and academic rigor review column I did with Samantha many classes I took there were key to my Danna. I think they probably left a bit to be that would become very intellectual development. Both Dr. Cusatis important in shaping my desired as a restaurant reviews go, but we and Mrs. Marshall helped me to develop a had a ridiculously good time putting them future goals. deep and continuing love of literature. Dr. DG: In what ways together. Ball’s classes helped to develop my interest DG: Any favorite Cusatis-isms? has your SOA major in biological sciences, and Mr. Smyth’s remained a part of your CO: This may not qualify, but I remember statistics course helped me realize that there once in my AP English class Dr. Cusatis was life? are some types of math I might actually like. LH: I met my best friend, trying to reference a bible verse and each time DG: If you could tell your senior class he would paraphrase it a crash of thunder Rachael Lee, at SOA. She’s something now, what would it be? currently getting her Ph.D. would follow as if some higher power was CO: I’d like to tell them thank you. I had a angry with his misquoting. It was hilarious. at Harvard in Comparative great time growing up with them, and I feel Provided Literature. really grateful to have had such a great high Page 20 Features December 2014 DG: What is your most important DG: What do you recall most months. It was nice to put a face to the Hailey Bowers, goal for the near or distant fondly about SOA? email address! 2010-2011 editor of future? HB: The strangeness, acceptance, and DG: Other than countless hours HB: The LSAT and law school! Wish individuality! of work, what do you feel you Applause me luck! DG: If you could have known contributed to Applause? DG: Anything else you have done something during high school HB: I was defnitely overly meticulous Hailey Bowers is currently since high school that you are that you know now, what you with the small details no one would studying at Oglethorpe University willing to share with our readers? have liked to know? notice but me. I feel like I cleaned up in Atlanta and working on a degree HB: After a very long wait, I just HB: It is okay to mess up and you do the lines and maybe organized it a bit in Behavioral Sciences and Human found out that I will be interning at not have to be perfect. Don’t get too more. Really I just contributed time. Resource Management. She is Coca-Cola this summer! It is a great wrapped up in the small things. Lots and lots of my time. currently focused on completing the opportunity with an internationally DG: In what ways was your time DG: What was your favorite LSAT, and getting into law school. recognized brand. Plus, it is heaven for as editor worthwhile either Applause feature? She works at the Offce of Admissions a Diet Coke addict like myself! during high school or later? HB: Sass Attack when David Sass was and the Offce of Special Events on DG: Refecting on your time at HB: I really enjoyed my time as editor! still writing it! her campus, as well as at Boone Hall. SOA what was the most important It taught me organization and working DG: Any favorite Cusatis-isms? Hailey just learned that she will be class you took? Why? under pressure and deadlines. HB: The whistle! interning for Coca-Cola this summer, HB: Dr. C’s AP Lit class! The writing DG: Is there an issue of the Provided and she is excited to work with an skills I developed in his class have Applause that you particularly internationally recognized brand, as really given me an advantage in college. remember working on? well as drink free coke. DG: In what ways has your SOA HB: The graduation issue! It was major remained a part of your so much work and no one turned Dmitri Grigorieff: What jobs have life? in anything on time, but it was so you worked since (or during) HB: My mom just donated my old rewarding to see every single page of college? What are you currently oboes to the school… Does that count? it in print. doing? I still haven’t made it back for a JJW DG: Were there any memorable Hailey Bowers: I work in the Offce yet either, which I feel really guilty moments you’d like to share of Admissions and Offce of Special about! Sorry Mr. Kerr! during your time as editor? Events on campus. I interned last DG: If you could tell your senior HB: For one issue we needed extra summer at the Tides Enterprises, class something now, what would time, so my dad and I drove to the company that owns Hilton Head it be? Georgetown to pick up all 1,000 copies Popcorn and Charleston Nut Company, HB: Don’t take things so seriously. on a Saturday. I got to meet the printer and am still working at Boone Hall High school is easy, so enjoy it. and everyone I had been emailing for Plantation.
From the March 2010 issue... Midterm Exam Schedule Friday, Jan. 9: 1A, 3A Monday, Jan. 12: 1B, 2B Tuesday, Jan. 13: 2A, 4A Wednesday, Jan. 14: 2B, 4B Thursday, Jan. 15: No School Friday, Jan. 16: No School Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Happy Holidays from Applause December 2014 Features Page 21 he grows from a foundling child raised by elves to a Sass Attack: Get Into The Christmas favorite just as young man determined to deliver toys to the children Holiday Spirit iconic 44 years later of the aptly named Sombertown where fun things such as toys are banished by the cantankerous ruler by Aly Wintz by Graham Crolley Bugermeister Meisterburger. Watching the movie as an older person, it is easy to I swear some people are like their twelve There are certain things we all think of when see the cliché plot developments and lines, but what -year-old "too-cool-for-this" selves when it comes the holidays come around: the smell of Christmas makes the movie so iconic is still there— its unique to Christmas. Since when is it a pain to be in the trees, multicolor lights as far as the eye can see, the charm. Like other stop motion television specials Holiday Spirit; since when is it ignorant to partake somewhat unrelenting yet infectiously festive stream of its time such as the aforementioned Rudolph the in the fun society has made for us? Whether of holiday tunes from 102.5 radio station. And then Red-Nosed Reindeer or even The Little Drummer you're Jewish, Atheist, Christian, etc., this part of there are the movies, whether you’re a fan of Buddy Boy, this feature has a rough-around-the-edges the year is perfect for being excited over awesome the Elf, George Bailey, or good old Rudolph. likeability to it that secures its place among classic food, family, and the spirit of Winter! The entirety For this special Christmas issue, I ventured holiday movies. In what other Christmas special is of Charleston is currently decked out in beautiful back to 1970 and watched the Jules Bass and Arthur our young protagonist Santa joined by a sidekick lights. The mood of the city is in a state of beauty Rankin Jr. television special Santa Claus is Comin’ penguin? In what other holiday fick does the change and giving! These people need to get up off of their to Town. I grew up watching this of heart of a winter warlock behinds and look around! movie when Christmas came come about with perhaps one Don't you remember when you were around, and re-watching it years of the catchiest songs of all younger and every Christmas Eve you couldn't later proved just as magical as time, “One Foot in Front of the sleep because you were so excited about the when I was younger. The entire Other?” upcoming day? You would wake up periodically special is done in stop-motion and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town throughout the night and keep looking at the in the classic frame story style with is an ever-enjoyable part of the clock, waiting for it to be an acceptable time to a mailman voiced by Fred Astaire holidays and if you haven’t seen go downstairs and see what Santa had brought starting the flm from the present it, I highly suggest donning you? Most of the time this would involve waking and proceeding to narrate Santa your festive candy cane onesie, up WAY too early and waiting eagerly for your Claus’s unknown story before the curling up by the fre with 15 family to get up (Maybe even making coffee for flm returns back to real time in the to 20 gingerbread cookies, and your parents just so they would have motivation end. The special follows a young watching it. to move). Santa Claus AKA Kris Kringle as pixgood.com Now as soon as everyone breaks out the tacky Christmas sweaters, the fun lights, the gifts, and colorful paper you have a bunch of people verbally attacking us, claiming we're not celebrating this season correctly. I'm all for knowing about the true meaning of this time of year, Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza alike. However, while doing that I want to enjoy my life and years while I still can. I want to love this holiday for the magic that comes with it, that our culture puts into it, because that magic is a giving, amazing thing. I want to see children's eyes light up in wonder as they hear stories of adventures in the snow, and learning to accept family and friends. So, ignore the holiday spirit haters. For while their "enlightening" comments are welcome, their patronizing is not.
Above: Current editor Graham Crolley has been appearing in Applause since 2009, when he claimed that his most embarrassing was being “told I look like a Jonas Brother.” He now admits that this isn’t true, and in fact never really happened, and instead, he panicked immediately upon being asked and answered the frst thing that came to mind. Current senior Douglas Smith answers the question “What is your good luck charm?”in March 2013. soa-applause.com Page 22 Student Work December 2014
Maya Gardner Molly McConnell Elle Hueske from “Tin Foil Hats” from “Snake One Down” from “Held By Gravity”
She tucked the articles back in her bag And as for her, there were days like this in Mama Grande was a medicine woman. between two pages of the journal she brought with the offce with analog clocks and plastic plants and People came to her when they were desperate her. She had a few dozen at home. Their condition a letter he wrote about how the green sea reminded and needed help. She had spent a year with the was questionable, and no matter how she tried at him of her as he few over it and that picture of Cherokee learning herbal remedies and native the end of the month, or two if it was slow, there him with the fag with wind blowing into it and I’m medical practices. They told her about the galaxy were water stains and crumbs in the crevices sorry for your loss and it’ll get better Rene and he and Orion’s belt and about the nymphs that lived and maybe even a broken spine. These were the did it for a greater cause. But there wasn’t a cause in brooks and rode on trout, and about the Star journals, a dozen a year give or take, full with to support anymore because he was the only one Souls. sketches of robins and white-crowned sparrows who supported her before this. Those days were The Indians had said the sky was not with Polaroids stuck in of a birds nest or eggs, a fast and cold. Like today. opportunity, but regret. There were so many migration or a baby bird on the ground sinking And today had been in monotone when people asking the sky for answers that would in the leaves and begging to be let back up. She she said she was healing and thank you and you never be solved, that all the questions clung to was paid for the one line under Nebraska in the really shouldn’t do all of that for me, and while she the galaxy and formed a glass sheet of problems encyclopedia for how the birds were doing. If the said these things, it was a solid blue outside. But that blocked the earth from the moon. The souls weather was warm enough or the trees were moist not a blue that lunged out. It was one of those soft who had left this world before they were meant enough to sustain all of the hummingbirds they feathery blues that would fuff your sheets and hold to, drifted to the galaxy and got trapped on the put out food for and woodpeckers that woke them you in its hands until you feel warm and safe and go other side of this sheet. But the loved ones lost up in the early morning. If they should be worried to sleep. Like a blanket. Like that shade of blue that still had a presence. They tried to escape back to about the red-tailed hawk on the cusp of extinction they had picked out but would never buy it because Earth and paced back and forth leaving footprints because the foxes have overpopulated and have a they had turned to she and the reason to buy the of stars and messages riddled in constellations. taste for them. For some she submits her years of paint no longer matched. seeing through binoculars in a series of colors. It was like a test on her laptop at night, her eyes wide from going from outside to inside rather quickly and inserting her months of research in a rainbow code: click black for dangerously low population, red and orange and yellow for threatened, and violet for I’ve seen three today and I think they’ll last a bit longer on your timeline.
The above excerpts are the opening Chloe Hogan, 11th paragraphs of short stories written grade Visual Arts by 8th grade Creative Writers Molly McConnell, Maya Gardner, and Elle Hueske. Thank you to Mr. Hammes and his class for submitting their work to Applause! We look forward to featuring them again. December 2014 Student Artwork Page 23
Amy Walsh, 11th grade Visual Arts Cameron Frye, 11th grade Vocal Elsa Cline, 11th grade Visual Arts
Parker Richardon, 11th grade Visual Arts
Thank you to the many generous and talented students who have shared their work with us this issue! If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming issue, please send a digital copy of your work to suzanne@soa- applause.com.
Jessica Leiker, 9th grade Creative Writing Leo Horton, 8th grade Visual Arts Erick Won, 8th grade Visual Arts Page 24 Novelties December 2014 Sudoku
W C R O S S R D
This Week in History by Jakob Lazzaro Source: wikipedia.org SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 12/20
1911: 1832: 1497: 1892: 1892: 1732: 1803: Roald Gustave Vasco de The frst The Ben The Amundsen Eiffel is Gama issue of Nutcracker Franklin’s Louisiana becomes born. passes Vogue is premieres Poor Purchase is the frst the Cape published. in Saint Richard’s completed. man to 1938: of Good Petersburg. Almanac reach the Construction Hope. 1903: enters 1860: South begins on the The Wright 1917: publication. South Pole. Jefferson 1773: brothers The 18th Carolina memorial. The make Amendment 1843: secedes 2008: Boston the frst is passed by Charles from the An Iraqi 1939: Tea Party powered congress, Dickens’ A Union. journalist Gone With occurs. airplane enacting Christmas throws his The Wind fight. prohibition. Carol is 1946: shoes at premieres. 1997: published. It’s A President The 1989: 1946: Wonderful Bush. 1966: notorious The Steven 1997: Life Walt seizure- Simpsons Spielberg is Titanic premieres. 2012: Disney dies. inducing premieres born. premieres. 28 people episode of on Fox. are killed in Pokémon 1998: the Sandy is aired President Hook in Japan, Bill school affecting Clinton is shooting. 685. impeached by congress. December 2014 Novelties Page 25 6th vs 12th Grade Horoscopes by Aly Wintz Sagittarius A strategy that you have put into action appears to have produced no results Applause asked both a 6th grader and a senior what book is or so far. One small, minor adjustment, as opposed to a large, sweeping change was the most popular book during their time as a 6th grader. will get you where you need to be. Capricorn A certain person in your life may be a bit high-maintenance. Take some time to consider why this may be to help yourself better understand and appreciate what this individual has to offer. Aquarius Pleasing others at the cost of your own time and resources may be a source of unhappiness in your life. Rationally explaining your feelings will reveal that your intentions were not clearly understood and may set you on a path to a stronger relationship. Pisces Something that you desire may seem very unlikely to occur, possibly because you doubt your own luck. You need to accept the fact that you are deserving, Pisces. Learn from your mistakes and be kinder to yourself; your fortune will take a turn for the better. Aries Surrounded by her friends, 6th Taking a break from a Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed, Aries. There may be someone in grade Creative Writer Molly strenuous vocal rehearsal, your life demanding your time and assistance. The frustration you are feeling Tippey says that the most Madison Bowman, Senior is better balanced out than expressed angrily. Remember: by helping another, popular book is Divergent by Vocal major, explains that you may end up helping yourself. Veronica Roth. the best book was defnitely Eragon by Christopher Taurus Paolini. Recently, you may have felt that you are facing great confict and struggle in your life. It feels as if you are being torn in several different directions. A dramatic improvement is coming your way, Taurus. In the meantime, do your best to continue on the current path. Gemini Be careful to avoid missing out on any important opportunities arising. However, do consider the possible challenges or you may be caught unprepared. You are mentally agile and capable of thinking on your feet; trust that, and you will be fne. Cancer Let the phoenix be your symbolic totem for today. You have the capacity to rise up and reinvent yourself, so begin with a goal that is close to your heart.
Leo You have a dream that you fear others will view as silly, unrealistic, or that you are undeserving of its fulfllment. Remember that a hidden dream is far more diffcult to pursue. You may discover supporters willing to assist you in achieving it. Virgo You may be struggling with an authority fgure in your life at the moment, Virgo. This individual lacks your abilities, yet you must answer to them in some way. Express and voice your opinion in a calm and balanced manner. You will reach the person who can change this unreasonable relationship. Libra If you do not extend yourself into certain unfamiliar boundaries, you may not overcome the challenges set before you. Do so with pride and confdence to fnd yourself on the other side. Scorpio Someone in your life is testing you, Scorpio. You may resent this but an honest and open response will be the most effective. Otherwise, you will be putting off the inevitable.
Page 26 Features December 2014 A look at some of our fnest covers... Applause editors and staff chose a few of their favorite covers from the past 15 years. Cover artists are as follows: Ben Forney and Casey O’Neill (V6 No.4), Omi Naderi (V7 No.3-7), Kenish Magwood and Chrissy Thorne (V10 No.6), Alek Mihok and Caroline Rogers (V 11 No. 4), Chris Ulmer (V11 No. 5).
V 7 No. 5: January 2006 V 7 No. 6: February 2006
V 6 No. 4: December 2004
V 7 No. 7: March 2006 V 10 No. 6: February 2009
V 7 No. 3: November 2005 V 11 No. 4: December 2009 V 11 No. 5: February 2010 December 2014 Novelties Page 27 Paint the Town Red & Gold The Trivia Challenge by Aly Wintz by Jakob Lazzaro Charleston Stage Presents: A Christmas Are you interested in competing for the title of Trivia Emperor in The Trivia Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas: Challenge? The winner will receive a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card and eternal Now-December 21st glory. If you are interested in competing talk to Dr. Cusatis in room 1115 during High School lunch or email [email protected] with the subject line The Polar Express 4-D experience: “Trivia”. We hope to see you! Now-December 31st ---- Visit the South Caroline Aquarium for a fun 4-D Bells are ringing, lights are shining, and Christmas break is beckoning, so adventure with clips of the Christmas Classic. Applauseis joining the celebrations withholiday themed trivia!Jack Martini returns with his crown and scepter to battle Jemma Wyke-Smith in this frosty Holiday Festival of Lights competition. Now- January 1st 2015 Questions The Festival of Lights is back! Come see amazing 1. True or False. Christmas Day was originally the conclusion of a Roman holiday decorations all from the comfort of your car and called Saturnalia. even meet santa if you’re feeling adventurous. 2. What miracle does the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah celebrate? 3. What (modern) country was St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, A Sweet T. Christmas from? December 11th-27th 4. Name all nine of Santa’s reindeer. Returning to Black Fedora Comedy Mystery 5. What parody holiday was popularized by the television show Seinfeld? Theatre, come out and see the amazing modern 6. Who is the frst ghost to appear to Scrooge in A Christmas Carol? show! 7. Name the holiday created in 1965 to celebrate African heritage. 8. What does Frosty the Snowman say when he comes to life? Holiday Dinner Cruise 9. True or False. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas is the highest selling single of all December 12th, 19th, 26th, 27th time. Enjoy a gourmet buffet and a beautiful tour of 10. How many candles are on a menorah? the harbor! Jemma Wyke-Smith Jack Martini The Sound of Charleston 12th Grade Theatre 12th Grade Vocal December 12th, 19th, 26th, 30th Come out and hear the sounds of Charleston, 1.True. 1.False (I have no clue). from Gershwin to gospel! 2.If I get this wrong, 2.Passover. Go for it. all my Jewish friends That’s not even a thing. Polar Plunge! will hate me… Moses, 3.Lets go with Italy. January 1st 2015 I think? And 8 4.Dasher, Dancer, Help raise money for the Special Olympics by candles? Prancer, Vixen, Comet, taking a freezing swim off the coast of Sullivan’s 3.I’m gonna go with, Cupid, Rudolph, the like, Belgium. other one. 4.Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, 5.Festivus. Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and 6. The Ghost of Christmas Past. Rudolph. 7.Is it Kwanzaa? 5.Opposite Day. 8.
trivia empress, returning next month to play again.
Rudolph. 5.Festivus. 6.Jacob Marley. 7.Kwanzaa. 8.Happy Birthday! 9.True. 10.Nine. 9.True. Birthday! 8.Happy 7.Kwanzaa. Marley. 6.Jacob 5.Festivus. Rudolph.
1.True. 2.The oil lasting for eight days. 3.Turkey. 4.Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and and Blitzen, Donner, Cupid, Comet, Vixen, Prancer, Dancer, 4.Dasher, 3.Turkey. days. eight for lasting oil 2.The 1.True. Answers