Cheerleading squad wins award

The Wando cheerleading squad won the Camp Champs award for best performance at a summer cheering workshop at Springmaid Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach.

Representatives of the Universal Cheerleaders Association led the workshop to teach participants a cheerleading routine. Each team had to come up with a 30-second ending for the routine.

Teams practiced for three days, then performed in front of choreographers and other teams taking part in the workshop.

"When they called (the name of) Wando for Camp Champs, our whole squad jumped up and screamed," squad captain and senior Annie Patterson said. "It was the perfect way to start the year."

The Wando squad also won the Leadership Award, given to the team with the most votes from other cheerleaders.

Students are busy in the greenhouse

Last fall's environmental science class received a $7,000 grant for a greenhouse and dedicated it to the exceptional education students.

Last year, the environmental science students planted herbs. This year they're planting peppers, lettuce, spinach and collards as well as herbs.

After the plants are rooted, they will replant them at Thornhill Farm in McClellanville, where they work regularly with a horticultural therapist.

Once the produce is ready to harvest, students will sell it at the Daniel Island Farmer's Market through the Our Local Foods program.

Proceeds will go back to Thornhill Farm and its horticultural therapist.

The students also are making monogrammed greeting cards that can be bought at the school's library.

Proceeds from sales will go to community-based education.

"All of this helps our students be functionally independent, and that is our goal," said Sharon Knisley, head of the exceptional education department.

Look for the produce in the fall, and call or come to Wando High to purchase the greeting cards. A package of 15 cards and envelopes is $10.

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