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October 29, 2025: Steve Williams

Mr. Steve Williams came to talk to us today. Mr. Williams is a local author, historian, and former educator who has won awards for his newspaper columns. He graduated from Winyah High School and went on to work as a teacher and educational adminstrator for thirty years in Atlanta, Charlotte, and New York. When his parents died, he retired and decided to move back to Georgetown. He then embarked on a new career as a writer.

Mr. Williams has written fourteen books about black history and today he talked to us about his new children’s book From Slavery to Shipwright. The book details the history of James Mashow, a slave of mixed heritage whose white father sent him up North to become a carpentry apprentice. James found his calling in ship-building and went on to construct 100 ships before the Civil War. He was a very well-known shipwright in New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he was in charge of building many whaling vessels for that booming industry.

Mr. Williams told us that James Mashow’s example should encourage us to do great things. “He was born ordinary,” he said, “and became extraordinary.” Mashow’s inspirational story is now better known, thanks to Mr. Williams’ research. Mr. Williams told us that every day was a chance to learn and better ourselves. “To quote Dr. King,” he concluded, “the way to education is always under construction.”

By Reece

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October 3, 2025: Lani Jumper

“I am so happy to be here and doing what I love,” said Lani Jumper, our Open Forum speaker for today.  Lani Jumper is a part of the nonprofit Wake Up Carolina, and works as a peer support specialist for this program. She dedicates her time to help the individuals and families overcome drug and alcohol abuse. She is also Kipper’s aunt!

Wake Up Carolina is a harm reduction outreach coordinator with multiple programs for mom, dads, teens or for anyone who has had a drug addiction or knows a family that hads a drug addiction. It also offers safe space for teens at schools.

Lani told us that WakeUp Carolina was founded in 2020 by a woman named Nanci Shipman who tragically lost her son to opioid addiction. Since then, the organization has helped thousands of people deal with all aspects of substance abuse. WUC has a non twelve-step program called Creighton’s House which provides a safe space for young adults who are in recovery. It sponsors meetings for those dealing with substance abuse along with support groups for their parents, siblings and friends who suffer the effects of addiction as well. Finally, WUC educates churches, schools, businesses, etc. on what’s out there and what to be aware of.

Lani told us the story of five Lucy Middleton School students who wanted to do well on a test. One of them procured black market Adderall from his brother at college. It turns out that the Adderall was fake, and laced with fentynal. The five boys overdosed in the bathroom of their school. Luckily, they all survived but this story is a real wake-up call about how ordinary kids with good intentions can place themselves in danger.

Lani told us about several problematic drugs easily available in Georgetown County at the moment. One is Benadryl, a commonly-used allergy medication. Another is kratom, a substance in small containers that are sold at the convenience store or vape shop without much regulation. The same goes for tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin.” Finally, Lani mentioned alcohol, whose sale is regulated. However, advertisements that glamorize it are everywhere and for many kids it’s the first drug they try.

Lani’s talk was packed with information and our students asked a lot of questions. One takeaway we learned about was the Good Samaritan Law: You can call the police or 911 if your friend has overdosed and not be prosecuted, even if you were doing illegal drugs or alcohol with them. Also, you can administer Narcan to someone who has overdosed and not fear any legal repercussions.

Thank you Lani, for a great and extremely informative talk!

By Hannah and staff

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September 24, 2025: Liz Duesing

On September 24, 2025, Ms. Liz Duesing came to speak to us on behalf of the Bunnelle Foundation, where she works as Program and Communication Specialist. Ms. Duesing is originally from upstate New York. She graduated from Stoneybrook University and started a successful career in broadcast journalism. She eventually left that field to become a “nonprofit champion” at the Bunnelle Foundation.

Ms. Duesing told us that the Bunnelle Foundation supports nonprofits in Georgetown County. It was founded by Mrs. Frances P. Bunnelle, a Pawleys woman who wanted her money to do good after her death. The Bunnelle Foundation is headquartered in Pawleys Island, and has been around for the last 25 years. Over the years, the foundation has given 40 million dollars away just in Georgetown County. “We gave two million last year,” Ms. Duesing told us.

Although Mrs. Bunnelle was a discreet person who lived a quiet life, her foundation is famous and as Ms. Duesing said, they “have a big voice in the room.” It was very nice to hear that many of the non-profits in Georgetown are supported by the Bunnelle Foundation, including our school! Thank you, Ms. Liz Duesing for coming to educate us on yet another wonderful organization of Georgetown.  

By Kipper

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August 27, 2025: Sean Cygan, SCAD

Sean Cygan, the South Carolina Representative for Savannah College of Art and Design, visited our school on August 27. He met with seniors then spoke at Open Forum. Sean is a proud SCAD alumnus who graduated two years ago with a degree in animation. Sean shared his experiences as a SCAD student and talked about its many advantages for people who are interested in a successful career in the arts. “Learn now what you need for the future,” he advised, reflecting on how his passion for animation and storytelling shaped his college experience and career path.

Sean told us that SCAD offers a global learning experience with four different locations, including a campus in Savannah and in Atlanta; in Lacoste, a medieval village in France; and an online program. Among them, the Atlanta campus stands out as the most popular, and is referred to as the “Hollywood of the South.” It is also home to the university’s annual AnimationFest. Since its founding in 1978, SCAD has cemented its reputation as one of the leading art and design institutions in the world.   

“Resources we offer are to help you build connections,” Sean explained, emphasizing how networking and collaboration are major parts of the SCAD experience. He also noted that currently Georgia ranks number one in film production in the United States, providing students with unique opportunities to form professional connections and to gain real-world experiences. 

We thank Sean Cygan for taking the time to remind us that college is not just about finding your passion, but making connections that could affect your future career path.

By Eleanor

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TGS 8th Graders are PGW Tours Docents

On April 4th, the 8th graders had the unique opportunity to be docents for the Prince George Annual Plantation Tours. These tours have been happening every spring for the last seventy-five years. Proceeds go to benefit the ECW outreach fund and to preserve the historic Prince George, Winyah church property.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner accompanied Willow, Sydney, Jasiah, and Branton on their all-day adventure. First, they got to tour Chicora Wood Plantation, Exchange Plantation, and Prince Frederick Church out along the Pee Dee River north of Georgetown. Their admission was free because they were docents!
After a lot of walking and touring, the little group drove over to Mansfield Plantation, where they got an “inside scoop” on its history to share with all the tourists. Willow and Sydney were stationed at the Friendfield Church. “Our biggest crowd was thirteen people,” Willow said. “And they all clapped for us!” Jasiah and Branton were stationed in the former slave village of Mansfield. They talked to the tourists about a particular cabin which remained occupied long after the Civil War. “Someone lived in that cabin until 1952 with no heating or plumbing,” Branton said. “She refused to even get glass windows.”
Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner got tons of compliments about our young docents and what a great job they did. It was a long but very rewarding day of learning about Georgetown County history.
By Eleanor

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April 23, 2025: Marsh Deane

Our Open Forum speaker today was Mr. Marsh Deane. Mr. Marsh is a local videographer and photographer who has his own company MLNL Media. He also teaches Photography at TGS. He studied Landscape Architecture at Clemson University, then at Coastal Carolina, where he finished his undergraduate degree. Mr. Marsh recently visited Japan with two high school friends. He shared an amazing video he made of the trip with us.

Mr. Marsh saw cities, temples, mountains, and cool statues with his friends but seemed to be the most impressed with Japanese food. “You can go into any convenience store,” he said, ” and get fabulous fresh food for not much money.” Japan looks like a wonderful place to visit! Thank you for sharing yet another of your tremendous adventures with us, Mr. Marsh!

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The Glass Menagerie

On Wednesday, March 1, the whole high school drove to Charleston to see Tennessee Williams’ play The Glass Menagerie at the Dock Street Theatre, presented by Charleston Stage.

We arrived early enough to get in a visit to the Fireproof Building, which houses the South Carolina Historical Society Museum. There were all sorts of cool exhibits, including a home movie of people harvesting rice made in the 1930s. They were using 18th and 19th century techniques brought to the New World by enslaved people. Isaac really liked the flintlock exhibit and all the boys thought the display of different “sands” that were spewed out from the earth during the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 were very interesting. Mme Gates saw a quote by a South Carolina attorney general on a tee shirt that was pretty funny: “South Carolina is too small for a republic and too large for an insane asylum” (James Louis Petigru).

We walked to the Dock Street Theatre and arrived in plenty of time for the play. Soon were were drawn into the “fragile world of the Wingfield family, where dreams and reality intertwine in a tender dance” (Charleston Stage). Many of the high school students had read the play with Dr. Simmons and everyone thought the production was really well done. The play was cut significantly but all the drama was still there. “The shortened ending suited just fine,” said Morgan.

Lunch was a quick stop at Chik-Fil-A. Gracin and his table were able to use the hot sauce he had bought at the Fireproof Building on their sandwiches (yum!). We managed to get back to Georgetown shortly after 3:00. Thank you, Dr. Simmons, for planning this great experience.

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Spring Sports at TGS

Tennis at TGS is 10% skill and 90% fun. On Tuesday and Sunday afternoons, our tennis players go out to hit some tennis balls. (Sometimes we hit “home runs” out into the marsh at East Bay Park!) Our tennis team, while not very experienced, is quickly learning how to serve, hit ground strokes, and volley under Coach Gates’ training. We do everything from running drills to playing matches, but whatever we do we always make sure to have fun. And we try not to get eaten alive by gnats!

Every Monday and Thursday, TGS students can walk (or drive) to the South Carolina Maritime Museum, which generously offers their 420 racing boats for us to use. After arriving, most sailors walk to Sweeties to grab a quick ice cream or milkshake, just in time to finish before Coach Gates arrives. Jim and Mahi Edwards wait with their Boston Whaler and kindly ferry the sailors across the harbor to the boats. After rigging, Coach Gates sets a course and everyone tries to find the fastest way around it, while also dodging the sunken boats. Come 4:30, and it’s time to pull the boats out and de-rig. Thanks to Morgan’s parents for providing transportation and life jackets, and to the SCMM for letting us use their boats!

By Morgan and Baryck

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Pi (π) Day 2025

Every year, March 14 (3.14) is officially declared Pi Day, a day to celebrate the never-ending digits of π. To honor the day, Middle Schoolers in Mrs. Crosby’s math classes brought all different types of pies. The flavors ranged from nuts to fruits to chocolate pie. “The Blueberry Meringue was by far my favorite,” Sara said. Middle Schoolers gobbled pie until they were stuffed, and then the High Schoolers scarfed up the rest of it. π has infinite digits and we apparently have an infinite love for pie.

By Eleanor

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Our 2025 Kayaking Adventure

We finally got to go kayaking on Thursday, March 13 at the Black River Cypress Preserve! The weather was perfect—not too hot, not too cold. The BRCP is located just on the other side of Andrews. It boasts 1000 acres of undeveloped river land covered in cypress trees.

Our guides for the day were four young women from Coastal Expeditions: Meredith, Morgan, Claire, and Madison. They met us at the parking lot and we trooped down to the boat landing. First, they divided us into pairs so we could use the tandem kayaks: a big kid with a little kid. Then we put on our life vests and grabbed our paddles. The guides gave us a short lesson on paddling in a small field near the boat house. Finally we went down to the landing where colorful kayaks were bunched up on the ground pointing at the river.

The guides told us to get in the kayaks while they adjusted the foot pedals. We had to sit up very tall, bracing ourselves with our knees. “This will help you become one with the kayak,” Madison told us. Soon it was time to launch. We got out of our boats and helped drag them down to the water when it was our turn. We all paddled across the Black River and massed on the opposite bank by clinging to branches until everyone was ready.

What a beautiful day and what a beautiful river! We went to see a bunch of old cypress trees and then explored a new part of the Black River. Hannah saw a giant spider on a tree and Dr. Gates saw the first swallowtail kite of the season. The students paired together cooperated with each other (more or less) and we all got back to the landing at the same time. The guides allowed us to have a race at the end. Corrin and Josh won, with Morgan and Jamie in second place.

Mr. Marsh came with us for the day, bringing all his fancy camera gear so his media students could practice using it. Gracin got to wear a Go-Pro while Bryan was allowed to use an underwater camera. Marsh himself took his big camera, his drone, and several plastic bags for picking up trash. He and all the teachers got to use single kayaks.

Kingfishers impressed the guides with their kayaking skills, which many of us probably acquired at River Day (thank you, Mrs. Crosby!). One guide told Dr. Gates that we were so good at paddling, they were able to add an extra leg to the trip. The guides were also very happy at how fast we put away the boats, paddles, and life vests. “You guys are great!” Morgan told us.

When all the gear was stowed, we ate lunch together at the picnic tables. Madison quizzed us about the seven rules of being in the wilderness. And so we took away nothing but photos and memories (except for Mr. Marsh, who had collected several bags of trash) and we left nothing but our footprints. Thank you, Coastal Expeditions and BRCP, for an awesome day on the beautiful Black River!