Camden High School • 1022 Ehrenclou Dr. Camden, SC 29020 • Volume 64, Issue 4 • March 2020 Music has Student fundraising ideas the power to needed for Theatre Club by Alyssia Villarreal help students News/Feature Editor by Kayla Dixon and Abbie Price Lights down, curtain up, some of the stress away from the theatre club. showtime. her, but the students have a better For Legally Blonde Jr., many Staff Writer These moments are some of idea of what their peers would of the costumes that the actors Music programs can have an the most important for theatre want to buy. and actresses wore were brought impact on a student’s success actors and fanatics. Despite what With two upcoming plays in from home. If they didn’t have in and after high school for some believe, there are months the works, the theatre department an outfit on hand that fit the both personal and scientific of work and dedication that goes is looking for funds. Legally character, Ms. Dollar had to use reasons. However, due to into every production to display Blonde Jr. cost $1,500, but the her own money to search for budget cuts in schools across community a show that will satisfy everyone. ticket sales didn’t compensate budget-friendly ideas online. the nation and a generalized to help From props to learning the lines, for the money spent on the “I hope that the theatre club focus on sports and core classes by donations, it can be guaranteed many things production; which in turn is can gather more funds. Since we for money, most of these classes participating in fundraisers, and changed as they progressed. making people scramble for are an arts program, we don’t aren’t available to students. supporting our efforts. We ask However, despite how much time funds at the last minute. have as much attention focused “All schools should have the district for funds, and we and effort gets spent on one play, For students with an extreme on us compared to STEM or a access to all aspects of the arts,” ask our school for funds since no one can escape the monetary passion for theatre, they will sports program. We have less says Isaac Pitts, assistant band the principal is allocated funds factor that is involved. do anything to help put on an opportunity to invest in our director at North Central High to spend where they see fit. We Theatre club sponsor, Ms. amazing show; even if it means it passion,” said Elie Griggs, the and full-time director at the also ask our booster club to Shannon Dollar, has fundraisers comes out of their own pockets. theatre club president. middle school. Isaac Pitts was constantly keep on raising funds. such as the bake sale and Chick- A lot of props and costumes Griggs has always loved the chorus director at Camden Whatever we are given, we Fil-A spirit nights. However, are donated by the students theatre and dreams of one day Middle School and is also an then decide how to use it, while trying to teach a class and direct or are reused from previous making it big on Broadway. To advocate for arts programs a production, she frequently productions. This causes her and many other students in across Kershaw County. He doesn’t have enough time to limitations on what the theatre the theatre club, this is the only believes that students deserve organize events. department can produce because way to freely express themselves. equal opportunities in the arts Bands have had to “I want to include more they have to work around the “There isn’t another club like fields as they get in sports or resort to charging students in the fundraising things they have available to the theatre club. For me, it gets other programs. He pushed very band fees to process. I believe that there are them. rid of stress and I can have a hard for a chorus at this school. more things that we can do but “I really do believe the club place that will let me be creative. Despite the common belief that participate just to it’s hard to get them all together needs funding, it’s hard for us to Anyone can be a part of it and Camden High School can’t have myself.” Dollar said. find enough money for scripts join our family,” said Wright. meet operating costs She also talked about having and costumes. I also want to be If anyone is interested in a choral program due to money, - Joseph Miller, CHS Band students coming together and able to put on any production joining the theatre club or has Pitts says that if a teacher were Director to volunteer and run an after- putting together fundraising we want to without using our ideas for fundraising, please stop school program, the programs events. This would be beneficial own personal money,” said by Ms. Dollar’s room for more could even be offered for free. because not only does it take Mackenzie Wright, a member of information. On the other hand, money is always something required saving for a rainy day, such as a to put on a band class for new flat truck tire, or lost or broken equipment, music, transportation equipment. In the end, the music and fun activities. Joseph Miller, will go on regardless.” Wallace gets resourceful to the band director at Camden Music programs, like chorus high school, states, “Bands have and band, are very important to had to resort to charging band some students. These classes collect art supplies for class fees to participate just to meet give them motivation to keep operating costs.” The typical fee going to school and learn. by McKinley Dixon They give teens a time to relax is anywhere from $200-$2,000, Business Manager which may seem very pricey to and get away from the stress Paint, markers, pencils, and bring their own supplies such as to use different elements. parents and students hoping to that core classes put on them clay are all critical supplies for paint brushes and paint because “I plan ahead, I’m flexible get involved in band. Because of and do something that is both an art class. Camden High’s art there aren’t enough for everyone with projects and still reach this, they have to make cuts in educational and fun. teacher, Marti Wallace, knows to use. Students want to excel in standards for art,” said Wallace. certain areas to allow everyone Website KM Perform reports the struggle of trying to get funds the arts even after they graduate The arts without a doubt to participate. Fundraisers are that playing music from young for much needed supplies for her and go to an art school, but with kicked off to raise money where ages helps promote listening and classroom. our school not having much the budget provided falls short, communicating and improves See Art, page 2 “The arts have worked to get needed supplies they can’t work but “a typical fundraiser may certain parts of the brain. They a higher grant, more than any in all fields of art and aren’t able only provide $800-1500” out also said that people who other department,” said Wallace. of the $25,000 usually required practice 30 minutes per day Many students love art and for the average marching band have been proven to have more ceramics, but don’t have the season. The district does have developed brains than others supplies to do many of the a rotation that allows them to their own age. Students who projects they would get what they need (they were See Music, page 2 like. Many students recently given new uniforms). To conclude, Miller says, “...it is quite simple for us directors. We ask our Squeezing ARTS Funding 2 News/Features Freshman visits China to see brother, CHS grad by Rett Thompkins Staff Writer It is truly amazing how your vouch for that. Most cities are view on life can be altered not very happy about having simply by taking a family clueless foreigners walking vacation to visit a relative in a around taking pictures of their different country. Aaliyah Haney, home, but the fact that China freshman, travelled to China over doesn’t mind and is welcoming winter break to visit her brother, says more about their flawless Austen, who is an English character and beautiful home. teacher in China. Haney also took the “We travelled to Changsha, opportunity to try some of the Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and native Chinese cuisine, enjoying Guilene. My favorite was many different kinds of food as Changsha,” Haney said. she went along in her travels. She took the trip with her “We tried beer fish, some photo by Lizzie Long mom, dad, two sisters, two traditional foods, dumplings, and Teacher Stacey McGee helps sophomore Cauthen Best in Honors Algebra 2. McGee was named CHS brothers, and grandparents. The everything was my favorite,” Teacher of the Year through a vote by her fellow teachers. flight alone takes two days, Haney said. including two stops along the Food in China is a staple, and way. Nonetheless, the rewards of Haney can certainly attest to that. McGee named Camden the long day of travelling were At the end of the day, the endless. food and souvenirs don’t last and When someone thinks about it becomes the memories that High Teacher of the Year culture and food, many think of matter most. “China reminded by Kassidy Watts and Cadence Newman China and ponder if it is truly as me that you have to step into good as it seems.