Reflections from the Outgoing Student Body President

Brandon Hunter

Sophomore

Greenville, SC

The other day I was cleaning my room out, preparing to go on summer break, and I found some mail. At first I was just going to trash all of it, but I stopped and looked and one letter was from 2007 before even coming to SMC. The first thing it said was, “What can a two year college do for you?” So I stopped for a moment and  thought about what SMC has done for me. SMC has changed my life completely! SMC has given me hope, faith, love, and much more.

I remember August 2008 when I first moved in to campus.  It seems like yesterday.  I look at it as a day that started something great! I would have to say that my two years at SMC have been amazing, I have gotten to know all of my teachers on a personal level, and it shows that they care and are here to help! That played a big part in the hope that SMC has given, to know that I can master classes that I don't even understand, because the teacher took 10 minutes after class to help me understand a particular problem!

While here I was able to get to know one of SMC’s finest, Kim Day. She was more than a boss or advisor for SGA, Ambassadors, P.O.P.S and other things. She has been a mentor to me, someone I have looked up to since my first leadership class here at SMC. She has been there for me no matter what and has challenged me many different times, even when I wanted to give up and just go on with life. She has made me stop and  focus on the important things. One major thing that she has taught me is to keep my faith in God no matter what, because He has a plan for me. I can say that my faith has grown in God so much  because of Kim Day. She has reminded me from time to time, “Remember no matter how overwhelming and confusing life (or school) may be, God's love is steadfast, faithful, and ALWAYS enough! Remember that it is in our weakness that He is made strong.” Those are the words of Kim Day! Most of all those are the words that I will hold dear to my heart as I go on to study education, life, and my walk with God. I am not sure what I am going to do next year without Kim Day right there with me! I know that it will be hard, but I know that I can do it, and I will always remember everything that she has taught me!

SMC has also given me love, a love for the school and the students! I can say that I have made lifelong friends at SMC. The students at SMC are like no other! I know that I will keep in touch with everyone no matter what! I have gotten to make new friends that I will never forget and best friends who I will talk to everyday of my life. I remember my first year and making friends with the sophomores.  It was a great year I can say because they were able to show me the ropes of what college would be like. Then I remember May 6, 2009. I cried because my sophomore friends were leaving. It was a hard few days after that, but in the end it was okay, because to this day we all still talk and we are still building relationships and growing as friends. In those few days I was mad at the world because some of my good friends were not coming back. I remember one thing Kim Day said, “Now that they are gone, how about you be there for someone next year and make an impact on them.” I just hope that I was able to do that and that I made an impact on someone’s life.  I just don't want them to feel how I felt, sad and mad. I want them to understand that saying goodbye is a part of life.  People move on, and it is all part of a greater plan that only God knows.

Now that I am leaving SMC, I am sad! I cannot believe that it is all over! At first I was all manly and saying that I will be okay and I have to leave, after all it is a part of life. Now I am saying that is all over and I do not like that right now. I don't want to leave, I just want to stay and not go on. I just hope that I made an impact on someone’s life that shows how great my God is and how loving He is.

Being student body president was more than great, in fact, words cannot express how great it was. To next year’s president, I challenge you to get out there and know everyone on campus, as it was one of the things that I really strived to do this year. Not only get to know them, figure out what they want and help better their two years at SMC.

To the rising sophomores I would have to say if you have not gotten involved do so.  Do something that you like to do. I know that there are a lot of clubs and organizations on the SMC campus that apply to all of you. If there isn't one that interests you, get all of your friends together, do some work, and start something that you like.  You never know, there could be a lot of other people who have the same hobbies as you!

To the new students, don't think of yourselves as the new kids on the block. I want you to know that you will be given many chances to get involved.  Take them!  You could be an officer of a club and organization. One thing you cannot forget about is class, don't forget what you came to SMC for, your education. I know that your teachers and the many different people who work for SMC will not let you forget. I really hope that SMC impacts you and your first year here like it did mine!

Even though this is the end for me, I will NEVER forget SMC.  The man I am today is a result of me coming to SMC. I thank SMC so much for everything! I will always promote SMC no matter where I am, even if I am standing in a field in the middle of Africa! I will always tell my story of SMC.  We all have a story and my story begins with “My first two years of college were AMAZING...” So I end in saying this, the theme of my freshmen orientation, TO BE CONTINUED...

Introducing the new SMC Student Government Association

Phil Cox
Sophomore
Spartanburg, SC

There are four new officers for the 2010-2011 academic year at SMC. Lets take a moment to meet them all, as well as get some thoughts from some officers who are exiting their post after this school year is complete.


With current SGA president Brandon Hunter leaving for College Of Charleston to continue his education, a new president was needed to fill the incumbent Hunter’s post. Hartsville SC’s own Byron McCall won the presidency, defeating DeShawn Clement in a tight battle. McCall says that this job as president is something that he wanted to have ever since high school. “I just like working with students. I want to know the campus a little better.” He says when it come to running for the office, rooming with current president Brandon Hunter had its pros and cons. “He didn’t want to be biased, so he couldn’t help me with the election, he couldn’t help with posters.” “Rooming with him,” says McCall “did give me the chance to see what the job as president is like.” “I take it as a job,” he says. And I think we know that he will.

Next, we have Robin Robinson from Charleston, who is taking over for La’Patsy Evans as the new vice president. She says working with Byron McCall we will be very beneficial. “We are both strong-headed. If we want to get things done, we will get things done. It is going to be a nice team.” Robin’s love for SMC makes her a great addition to SGA and SMC. “On Discovery Day, I paid my room deposit,” she says. Robinson knows her role as VP, and knows what she must do for the students. “We work for the student body,” says Robinson. She already has ideas for things she wants to do to improve things around campus. Robin’s enthusiasm, love for SMC, and desire for a better things for the students will certainly make her a great VP.

“My number one goal was to get to know everyone.” Those are words from a man who has achieved his goal for sure. His name is Brandon Hunter. Brandon’s advice to the new president: “When you are overwhelmed, say ‘no’ to people.” Brandon also states that time management, especially as president of SGA, is crucial. Without a doubt, Brandon’s leadership, work ethic, and devotion to duty will be missed. His service to SMC is something that will truly leave a lasting impact not only on many people, but on SMC as a whole.


Saray Espino is the new secretary, taking over for John Good. The Walhalla native says she wanted to get in to what was going on campus. “I wanted to help out, and I wanted to get involved with things on campus,” says Espino. She mentions that playing soccer helped as far time management. The job of secretary is not an easy one, but Saray Espino should fit the bill nicely as SGA’s secretary next year. The job as secretary is not an easy one. Current, but outgoing holder of the post John Good mentions that while the job is hard, the people at SMC make it worthwhile. ”There are some good people at this school that will help you if you need the help.” John states that fitting the job as SGA’s secretary into his rigorous academic schedule, has not been easy. “I made it, and it was well worth it,” he says.


Last, but certainly not least, is Austen Woods. Austen is SGA’s new Public Relations director. Austen says originally he ran “just as something to do.” But, he says, “once I started to run, it was kind of fun, people were like, ‘Hey, you’re running.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s me. Vote for Austen.’” “I wanted to see if I could do it, and I did it.” Austen knows all the officers that have been elected with him, and while he likes that aspect, he hopes they can “put all the friendliness aside, do what we have to do, and handle what we need to handle.” Austen’s workmanlike attitude, along with his one and only personality,will undoubtedly bring great things to the table for all at SMC.

Now, it is your job to make not only the new additions at SMC feel welcome, but also to thank those leaving for their service to you as a student, faculty member, or staff, as well as the service to SMC.

What Makes Me Special

Roxie Lewis
Freshman
Spartanburg, SC


So I have be reading a lot of poetry and stories from the Harlem Renaissance era and from Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson and so on, and I love it.

Reading literary works from these people makes me feel relaxed when I have a bad day. People such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and W.E.B. Du Bois make me feel calm and happy all at the same time. I don't know about other students at SMC, but works of poetry and writings from people like Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson make me feel like I am free to be who I am. It makes me feel like I am in a sweet place and this sweet place is full of sweet cotton candy that I can eat and eat and never get enough of, if you get what I mean.

Some students my age would not even take a second look at poetry and writings from famous poets and writers unless it was for some research paper they had to do for class. I am different, of course. These poets and writers help make me the person I am and help motivate me to keep writing myself.

I became interested in poetry and writing around age 12 or 13. One of my teachers inspired me to develop a love and passion for writing, a talent I never thought I had. I started to become interested in poetry and writing from people who came before me. I am intrigued by these writings. I feel a connection to these writers that I have never felt before. These writers, in a way, helped me get through some tough times and they keep helping me as I navigate college life.

Writing and reading poetry and stories makes me feel special in a world where sometimes you don't always feel like you're special. I hope that I am not the only one at SMC who has something that inspires them to press on and helps them to strive to be something in this big world.