The Wren Hurricane, Senior edition
Bringing WHS the news that matters since 2015.
WREN HIGH SCHOOL, CLASS OF 2015
GROWING UP AND LETTING GO
by Jessi Davison
This is it. It’s finally here. Graduation is right around the corner, and school is wrapping up. Most of us have long forgotten about our commitments in class and are looking forward to our futures. Whether it is going to a school over 700 miles away, going to Clemson, going into the military, or into the workforce, we are starting a new adventure in our lives. We are leaving home, some of us for the first time, and starting a future. Like the movie Up says, "Adventure is out there”, and we are beginning to chase it.
Leaving home. Isn’t that a little bit scary? To think that in a year, you will be on your own, with a job and friends and a whole new life. You probably won’t think much about high school, or maybe you will. But either way, you will be living in the future you've so often dreamed about by then. Sure, you have all summer, to spend time and make memories with your friends. You have time to say goodbye, pack up your things, and get your ticket for the next chapter in your life.
Where are you going for school? What is your roommate like? What are you looking forward to? What are you majoring in? Those are the questions I have to answer right now, from both friends and family. If you’re going into the military, or even taking on a job, those questions are slightly different. But everyone wants to know your five year plan, even if you aren’t sure of it yourself.
The next few years are scary. I haven’t been there, but I know. We are embarking into the world like we never have before. We are leaving our homes, our pasts, and starting something new. Sure, you might stay close friends with everyone you have known since elementary school, but you might not. You might just have to start somewhere new, different, and have to rebuild your entire life. That’s okay though. Starting over is the beginning of a new adventure.
It means you are growing up. It means you are figuring out who you are in the long run. It means letting go of what you once thought, and embracing your future. It means moving with pride and strength and being you. It does not matter where you are going to school, or even if you are going at all. You are setting out on an epic journey to becoming an adult in the world today. You are finding yourself.
We shouldn’t be scared. We are the Class of 2015. We have shaken up our school time and time again. We have changed the face of Wren. We have an enormous amount of power and strength within our class, and our class is destined for great things. We are world changer, earth movers, and idea shakers.
To quote the Grateful Dead, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” It really has been. The last twelve years have been crazy and seemed like the longest years of our lives. Whether you started in Wren schools and stayed until the end, or you moved around schools a lot and just ended up at Wren, you are a part of the Wren community. The Wren Family. You always will be, no matter where you go or what you do.
Remember, you can always come home.
WHAT I LEARNED
by Shaylin Cook
As I look back over the past 4 years I can say I'm not the same person. I've learned so much in high school, but most of what I learned was outside the classroom. You never know what people are going through. Your words have power and they can build someone up or tear them down. I choose to encourage others because even after graduation, people may not remember my name but they will remember how I made them feel. And when they think of me, I hope they feel important and cared about. It costs nothing to be kind; use manners, and smile. My mottos are: Give respect to get respect, treat others how you want to be treated, and love God and love people.
THE TRUE SPIRIT OF SPIRIT WEEK
by Kate Brady
Every fall, the Wren High School student body comes together for a somewhat legendary event: Spirit Week. During Spirit Week, the entire school gets crazy about a theme, dresses up, and has a blast. During my time at Wren, we have covered decades, genres of music, singers, and magazines. We have all dressed up for blue and gold day, made fabulous banners, and watched/ performed incredible class cheer routines. We have had a lot of fun! Most importantly, we have worked together to raise money for some amazing causes, including Brandon Brawdy and the Outdoor Dream Foundation and the Pickens County Dream Center. Wren High School knows how to have a good time, but we also have a big heart. I am so proud to have been a part of a student body that deeply cares for others. Thank you Wren High School for four years of awesome Spirit Weeks and great causes.
WHAT IS A PICTURE WORTH?
by Cathy Rivera
When I walked into Wren High School four years ago, I knew that I was going to make great memories there. I knew that I would capture great memories there. It has been a pleasure taking pictures of my beautiful classmates' smiling faces. The click of the camera as a group lines up to smile, or as one face in the crowd turns and looks fills me with joy. It made me so happy to make everybody else happy by documenting the moments we would all look back on and cherish in the future--to know that my photographs captured everyone's lives through high school.
I never tired of walking onto the football field every Friday night this year and taking pictures of our brilliant football team. I loved when people would say, "Cathy, take my picture!". Whether it was walking down the hall, or walking under the lights, it made my day. It thrilled me to capture the attention of our rowdy student section and make everyone yell and pose for a picture. The rush of adrenaline that I got as I walked onto the field and caught pictures of touchdowns, field goals, and the boys (and girls a few times) running the flag was all it took for me. I loved capturing everyone's smiling faces. It wasn't just football games though. Any student event we had, I was happy to capture those moments to share with everyone. I took pictures at chorus concerts, Relay for Life, and countless other events to capture those moments of my friends. No matter how much it annoyed me, I loved hearing people ask, "Cathy, when will those pictures be up?". I loved family members of classmates, and teachers adding me on Facebook to keep up with our lives. A few of you even asked me to take you Senior Pictures for you, and I am forever grateful to you. Now, that time is over.
So to the Class of 2015:
It was a pleasure to take pictures of all of you, no matter where or when it was. I'm proud of us. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of what we have accomplished in our four years here. It humbles me to have been able to capture all the wins (and losses) all the ups (and downs). It's been a crazy ride and I'm glad I got all of it on camera. Whether it was a crazy face, or just a smile, every bit of it was worth the while. Keep up the great work, everyone, and keep making memories.
Here's to the future!
MARK HYNDMAN--TEACHER, COACH, SO MUCH MORE
by Meg Leatherwood
There aren’t words that can adequately describe just how much Coach Hyndman means to so many people. To me, he has been a teacher, a coach, a mentor, an encourager, and a friend for the past three years. There have numerous occasions when I’ve been upset after playing a softball game and have come out of the dugout discouraged, only to run into Coach Hyndman. He’s always been there to help lift my spirits by telling me to stop being so hard on myself and to keep my head up. Then he’s always willing to give me a few pointers and tips on batting.
That’s just who he is—one of the most caring and loyal coaches I’ve ever had. He’s been there through the lows and also through the highs. One time while playing JV basketball, I had twenty points in a game and walked past Coach Hyndman afterwards. He simply smiled and said, “You walked on the last basket.”
Coach Hyndman’s been there to teach me to believe in myself, while at the same time, remind me to remain humble through it all. He’s an outstanding coach who knows the game of basketball and is able to communicate it to others in a way that’s easy to understand. The entire time I played for Coach Hyndman he only lost one game by one point. He just knows how to get the job done in an effective way. It’s true in athletics, and it’s true in academics. Coach Hyndman defies the odds when it comes to what a typical high school teacher looks like. Not only does he engage students’ minds in a unique and exciting way, but he also gets to know them personally, which makes them love and respect him. He brings life and energy to the classroom. He teaches in a hands-on manner that makes learning fun and memorable. He’s the kind of teacher that can roll with the punches and will joke with you, even after you’ve left his class.
He’s involved in the life of Wren High School as a whole, and you can tell he is passionate about it because of the heart and soul he pours into it. If you’ve been around Wren long, you’ve probably seen him teaching science, coaching basketball, announcing softball games, selling tickets for soccer games, or even planning the prom. Wherever there is a need, he is willing to meet it. Coach Hyndman is just one of those who is everyone’s favorite. He is patient with students who struggle to understand and will come early, stay late, or do whatever it takes to help them. Students leave his class having learned valuable life skills like how to solve a problem and “never touch the silver things.”
Coach Hyndman isn’t content to work eight hours, collect a paycheck, and go home. He’s committed to getting to know his students and genuinely cares about each one of them. He doesn’t mind working overtime if it means he can build relationships with other people and make a difference in their lives. Coach Hyndman has invested his life into the next generation, and the profit is overwhelming. He’s impacted Wren High School in more ways than he’ll ever know.
As he retires this year, it is only fitting that we let him know how thankful we are for all he has done during his time at Wren. Thank you, Coach Hyndman. I am a better student, a better athlete, and a better person because of you. There are countless people who would say the same.
Picture of Coach Hyndman courtesy of Cathy Rivera
ALUMNI CORNER-GRADUATION EDITION
by Morgan Smith, Wren High School Class of 2014
Congratulations to the class of 2015--you made it! I know you all are flooded with emotions (as well as your friends and families) as you celebrate this special time. It’s a wave of excitement as cards flood the mail and dorm things pile up in your dining room. Some of you may already have one foot out the door, ready to move away to college. Others may dread move in day, and yes, I was that girl.
After I walked across the stage with my diploma, I did not cry. I didn’t even cry when I left Wren High School for the last time as a student. I was so happy to call myself an alumni of Wren. I was incredibly excited to spend my graduation money on things for my new dorm. The thought of being a graduate did not hit me until I moved into Anderson University on August 16th. And it hit. Hard. I felt like a minnow in this ocean of life, and all I knew to do was cry. My second night at college I stayed up all night homesick. I called my mom and dad at 4 A.M. begging them to come and get me. I hated being away from my family. It took me about two weeks to adjust to being away from mom’s brownies and my sister’s laughter. I can proudly confess that I love my school and as weekends draw to a close I do not dread the drive back to AU. I have made best friends on my hall that will one day become my bridesmaids. Yes, I went to Cookout at midnight with my roommate, and yes, I have some crazy memories.
My first semester of college was extremely hard, but I want you all to know that having all A’s is possible in college. Throughout high school I was never an all “A” student, but I learned that college is a time to learn for yourself. You are going to school to earn a degree that you WANT. It is up to you to decide what you are going to make of yourself. I have friends who never study and only go to large parties and never sleep. I have friends who watch Netflix 24/7, and all they do is sleep. It’s not up to your parents as to when you get up in the morning or when you get back from a date. You have a lot of responsibility, so enjoy the freedom, but do not abuse it. I want to tell you that anything is possible. I never believed in myself or thought I could come this far. My advice to everyone is to learn to laugh at yourself, but also believe in who you are. You are all becoming something amazing; never ever give up. There were times I wanted to throw my laptop across the room and forget ever becoming a teacher. I thought my major was too hard or I couldn’t pass a test. Find your calling, go follow it, and let NO ONE stop you.
College is great--it really is. My dad likes to tell me, “College is like a vacation. You have your own place, you go to class and do homework, but you can play too.” Don’t be afraid of what is to come, friends. The first semester is tough because you must adjust to new people, new ways of learning, and being on your own. I say everything to say; you will have the time of your life in college. Remember, be proud of what you have done, but have faith in what more you can do. Best of luck to you all!!! I am cheering you all on!