Our TGS volleyball team ended their season with a smile October 1 with the traditional celebration of Senior Night.  The Kingfishers had played a tough game that night, losing to rival North Myrtle Beach Christian.  Despite the disappointing loss, Senior Night was a lot of fun.  Junior Margaret Buxton (#15) gave a heartfelt speech on the court, then each senior was presented with a gift and flowers.  Captains Brynn (#14), Cathryn (#60), and Sydni (#7) were each given volleyball charm bracelets to commemorate their time on the team.  Volleyball boys Grayson and Zach were presented with bow ties in our school colors.  “Everyone loved it.” said Margaret. “We had a great time.”  The 2018 Volleyball season had come to a bittersweet end.

By Ryleigh

Naomi and Rebecca represented TGS at the State Cross Country Meet, held on Saturday, October 27 at Heathwood Hall in Columbia.  Spectators and runners alike enjoyed cool temperatures and a mix of sun and clouds for this outdoor event.  Naomi finished in the top 20 with a time of 29:48 and Rebecca in the top 30.  “The course was beautiful,” said Rebecca.  “It felt so peaceful out there.”   Congratulations to Naomi and Rebecca for finishing strong!

On Tuesday, October 16, a group of students from the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades set out to Hobcaw Barony to explore Winyah Bay on a DNR Discovery Boat. Once they were on the river, they helped to collect data samples and test water quality. So soon after the hurricanes, the usually salty marshes had filled with fresh water, and their nets caught mostly catfish and leaves. “We had a really good time.” said chaperone Hannah Grippo. “I had to keep all the 5th graders from jumping off the boat.”

After returning to land and having their lunch, our long-term friend Beth Thomas of Hobcaw showed the kids around the Discovery Center. They got to see aquariums and terrariums of live animals, hold a live turtle and snake, and view samples of marshwater and feeding barnacles under a microscope. After spending some time indoors, the group took a short trip outside to check out a sculpture made of trash before heading back to school. According to the students, it was “cool, fun, interesting, and awesome!”

By Ryleigh

Chris and Isabella were each awarded a $4000 Elks Most Valuable Student scholarship by the S.C. State Elks Association.  The award is based on scholarship, leadership, and academic need.  Chris and Isabella found out just before they headed out to the University of Alabama and Washington University, respectively.  Congratulations, Chris and Isabella!

“Once again, the Elks organization is proud to recognize and support these students,” said Exalted Ruler Lodge #900 (Georgetown/Pawleys Island). “We wish them all the best as they continue their education endeavors.”

Chris and Isabella (Class of 2018) join Nathan (Class of 2016) as TGS recipients of this prestigious award by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

Robotics Team training

in Hanahan.

The TGS Robotics Team took a trip to Charleston to hear a talk by Don Thomas, a retired astronaut who has been on the International Space Station four times.  They were very interested to hear all about the dangers of space travel, hoping to use this information in their Robotics competition.  This year’s Robotics competition’s theme is “Into Orbit,” and it challenges students to find innovative solutions to the problems of space travel.

Students were amazed by Thomas’ tales of outer space, especially by his photos of Charleston taken from the Space Station, and of astronauts floating through the halls of the Space Station. “It was worth the drive,” said Robotics sponsor Mrs. Crosby. “They were absolutely fascinated.”

According to Thomas, there are several problems with space travel.  The first is that you feel very far away and disconnected from everyone else.  The second is that your muscles and bones can atrophy in the lack of gravity, causing you to feel dizzy and made of lead when you come back home.  However, Thomas claims the worst issue of space travel is the food.

Using the five core skills of the Robotics Competition (discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork), the team will attempt to find a solution to one of the problems that Thomas mentioned in his talk.  The team will present their solution in the regional competition this November.

By Ryleigh

The Kingfishers faced off against the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Knights on August 27 in our first volleyball match of the season, winning 3 out of 5 games.

The game started off with a blast. Led by their coach, Dr. Neubauer, as well as their captains Cathryn (#60), Brynn (#14), and Sydni (#7), the Kingfishers started out strong. Starting server Ryleigh (#17) worked with her team to score again and again. It didn’t take long for the Knights to find their rhythm, and they soon began to catch up.

The Kingfishers barely won the first game, lost the second, and went on to win the third. “Keep it up, girls!” said Coach Neubauer, as the teams took a quick break in between games.  “We got this.”

The Kingfishers were frustrated to lose the fourth game. Pulling together for one final pep talk, the teammates urged each other on. “If we win this one, we’re done.”  Margaret (#15) told them. “Keep it hype.”

Both teams started out the fifth game strong, every player determined to do her best and bring home a victory. The Kingfishers managed to pull ahead, but it all came down to the last few points. The Kingfishers scored the final point with a killer serve and won the match.

Everyone at TGS was overjoyed to win our first match. Even more than that, we were happy for a chance to play and to test our skills. Thank you to St. Elizabeth for a great game. We can’t wait to play again in the future.

By Ryleigh

Chris has added another notch to his belt of achievement: he was recently named a National AP Scholar!

The National AP Scholar distinction is granted to students in the U.S. who receive an average score of at least 4 on all Advanced Placement exams taken, with scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of them.

Chris took 9 AP exams and scored 4 or 5 on 8 of them–an amazing performance.  Way to go, Chris!  We wish you good luck and a great first year at Alabama.

River Day!  That’s where Kingfishers swim, paddle-board, kayak, knee-board, wake-board, wake-surf, ride in boats, swing, throw water balloons and EAT with all their friends at Mrs. Crosby’s home out on Black River.  Ever since the traditional River Day date was rained out back in May, we have been waiting for this party!

The weather on Saturday, August 25, could not have been nicer.  Dr. Crosby, Drew Crosby, and

Mr. Dickinson drove boats up and down all afternoon so everybody had a chance to try whatever sport they wanted.  Meanwhile at the docks, it was kayak wars and cannon balls under the watchful eyes of Dr. Neubauer, Dr. Gates and Avery Rose.  Kingfishers “shared” paddle-boards, sometimes cramming up to four people atop before losing their balance.  Mrs. Crosby was everywhere at once, like a benevolent general, passing out life vests and making sure everything was going smoothly.

There was also food everywhere: chips, honey-buns, watermelon and Dr. Crosby’s famous boiled peanuts.  Dr. Simmons and Mrs. Patrick did a fabulous job grilling the hot dogs and hamburgers.  How did we have room for dinner and dessert, much less a second dessert of so’mores over a late afternoon fire?  Somehow, we managed to fit in some toasted marshmallows at the end!

As the sun started going down, parents began arriving and this lovely day drew to a close.  Kayaks and paddle-boards were loaded onto racks and trailers. Life-vests, wet towels, and tired kids were sorted into their cars.  Everyone had a blast, as always, and we can’t wait for the next River Day. Many thanks to the Crosby family and to all the other families who shared boats and equipment, and thanks to all the parents for the food and transportation!

Meet and Greet

New Student Orientation

The first days of school come with mixed feelings of excitement, apprehension, and bewilderment, only to be quickly forgotten as the school year gets underway.  TGS welcomes a lot of wonderful new students and their families this year at Orientation and the Meet and Greet/PTO.  We look forward to a busy and productive time together in 2018-2019!

Thanks to Mrs. Crosby, the Middle School students who attended Math Boot camp in August boosted their math skills, made new friends, and had a great time together.  Boot Camp concluded with an outing to Rockin Jump in Myrtle Beach, where they celebrated their hard work with jumping, climbing, flipping, slam-dunking, and jousting on trampolines and in foam pits.  It was like having super powers!  Being good at math is also a super power, and these Kingfishers are on the way.