Miss Betsy’s environmental studies class grew by one, thanks to the efforts of students interested in a new pet. Below is the first-hand account of how Shadow the Hedgehog arrived at Cherokee Creek Boys School written by Josh, who spearheaded the idea.

I was in Betsy’s class when I turned and saw a book titled Africa Pigmy Hedgehog. After the lesson, I picked it up and flipped through it. Then and there I thought, “I want a hedgehog.” I ended up reading the book cover to cover.

Later, I went and told Betsy I wanted an African pigmy hedgehog. She thought I should do some research and write David a proposal. The next day after the lesson, I got to work. I looked everywhere to find out if they were legal in South Carolina. They were so I looked even harder. I got so encouraged I couldn’t stop.

Eventually, I wrote a six page paper/proposal and got all the students and staff to sign it and then handed it in to David. He read  it and after a week he handed it back and said, “I like it. Now raise $300 dollars.”

Betsy and I put are heads together and realized family seminar was in a week. We decided to raise money there and also to approach staff to donate money. The morning before seminar we were all quite nervous. John D. and I put together a poster and we were off to the Dillard House. When we got there we set up a display. We stood up before the parents and pretty much (in a nice way) begged for money. We ended up $100 dollars short.

The next step was we talked to David and said, “What do we do? We can’t give up now.”

He said if we did community service, we could earn the money. We worked out how it would work. Each volunteer worker got $5 per person per hour. I rallied up the troops with a motivational speech and we got to work. Almost everyone in the school pitched in with extra chores around campus. A month later we had the money.

Now we had to do the hard part…….. finding a breeder nearby because you can’t get a hedgehog from a pet store. Eventually I found a breeder very close. So, we got him!

We took a vote for the name and Shadow was the winner. (Ironically he will turn out snow white.)

Josh, John and Shadow -- CCBS' prickly new class pet

Recent graduate Sam H. was asked to put into words his thoughts on being a leader. Sam graduated in August and clearly learned a great deal about leading while attending CCBS…

Being a Leader

Being a leader means to provide purpose, direction and motivation. What that means is if you lead someone, you need to model these things. You also need to influence them to do what you want them to do. I could have influenced people to follow instructions and to stop having petty arguments. I shouldn’t just tell them what to do because I also need to set the example and do it when it’s not my time to lead.

In being a leader, I have to provide purpose that gives people a reason to do things. That doesn’t mean that I have to explain every little detail. It also means that I will not be the nice guy and it also means I will not make them do anything that will be dangerous. I also have to provide a direction. While doing that, it’s my job as a leader to tell the followers what to do and how to do it. I need to give them specific instructions on what to do. I also have to provide motivation which will give them the willpower to accomplish any set goal they have set for themselves or a group. To motivate them, I should give them a task that challenges them.

I also need to know each individual to know what they like or what they want to do to be able to motivate each one in their own way. Another big part of leadership is goal setting. Goals should be realistic and attainable. Goals should lead to improved readiness. Goals should also involve everybody in the group. I also need to set a schedule to improve goal setting. Problem solving is another big part of leading. You also need to recognize the problem that is accruing.

Primary Counselor Yanic McDowell and Therapist Jane Barker with Sam on graduation day

The colorful cleats are arriving daily and soccer practice has begun in earnest for the Cherokee Creek Bears. Coaches Jireh Yepassis-Zembrou, Ryan Natale and Drew Bowers have been conducting practices twice weekly to prepare for the 8 games scheduled in September. See the schedule below for game times and hope to see you there. Go Bears!

Hard at work!

Tues Sept 3 — 7:30 at Gignilliat Field v. Seneca McCarley

Thurs. Sept 5 — 8:00 at Nettles Field v. Clemson

Tues. Sept. 10 — 6:30 at Gignilliat Field v. Seneca Robertson

Thurs. Sept. 12 — 7:00 at Pickens Field v. Pickens

Tues. Sept. 17 — 7:30 at Hall St. (Westminster) Field v. Whetstone

Thurs. Sept. 19 — 7:30 at Sertoma Field v. Walhalla Villegns

Tues. Sept. 24 — 7:30 at Hall St. Field v. Westminster

Thurs. Sept. 26 — 7:30 at Sertoma Field v. Walhalla Marcengill

Andrew stretches like a pro.

A view from the South Carolina side.

A view from the Georgia side of the dam

The record rainfall of 2013 provided a wonderful opportunity in experiential learning last week as the CCBS boys got an opportunity to watch water management in an exciting form. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Hartwell Dam was opened and excess water was released through the spillway gates. Prior to that point, the Lake Hartwell reservoir had reached maximum flood storage capacity, which fishermen and boaters have enjoyed recently since the lake has not been considered “full” since 1994. Enjoy the pictures above and click to see a YouTube video of the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrQ-lFlZfUA

As we say goodbye to Angel this week, we can’t help but wonder…. could he be related to the  famous 1950s  and 60s pop star Buddy Holly? Here’s to two Brown Eyed Handsome Men!

Nothing says Spring has Sprung like taking a break from classes and heading out for some fun. Hailing Spring’s (really late) arrival,  students and staff alike made the trip out to nearby Henderson Falls Park in Toccoa for a morning full of fun and games. No, middle and high school boys are NOT too old to have water balloon tosses, water balloon fights, Capture the Flag contests, and Duck, Duck, Goose chases …. just like they did in their earlier years. Enjoy the photos below of CCBS boys having a ball!

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Josh sports new Warrior stripes

Primary Counselor Chris Peckham recognized four new Currahees who made it to  Warrior in their PATH work. He honored them with a ceremonial face painting along with hearty congratulations and whoops of cheer from the milieu.  Congratulations and continued success to Joe, Ian, Josh, and John as they work toward graduation day!

Joe gets his new Warrior paint while Ian looks on.

The week of February 10 was very special for Cherokee Creek Boys School as a multitude of events happened concurrently for our wonderful families. Some of our CCBS mothers kicked off the festivities by attending Women’s Seminar hosted by our founder, Beth Black. They then attended, en masse, CCBS’s final basketball game of the season — or at least the last few minutes of it once they found it — but cheered loud enough for the team to double the points scored the entire game within that short time frame!

The party then moved to The Dillard House as the rest of the CCBS families arrived to attend a seminar led by Guest Speaker Merilee Emerson on Transitioning the boys to their next placement beyond CCBS. Merilee is President and Founder of MyMarilee/Fair Pair and is a Person Centered Planning Specialist, working with families  in building structured, individualized life plans for their children

Enjoy the photos of our week of family reunions and celebrations

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CCBS is full of talent, and recently our own Human Resources Director Phil Fairbrother shared one of his hobbies and loves with the boys in a demonstration that left them amazed and breathless. Phil practices the ancient sword art of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaijutsu.

Using his  wooden practice sword, he demonstrated several kadas with the boys and staff as “attackers.” He then used one of his sharpened steel swords to slice through woven grass mats which demonstrated the incredible power and beauty of his collectible swords.

Enjoy the photos of Phil demonstrating this wonderful art for out boys.

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The graduation luncheon table looks a lot like a Thanksgiving redux as Cherokee Creek bids a fond farewell and best

The Big Grad Table

wishes to FOUR graduates in the next week. Michael, Alex, Sam and Eddie have worked very hard to achieve their PATH goals and their leadership shoes will be very hard to fill.

When asked about his feelings about graduating and moving on to a new school, Eddie said, “As Dr. Martin Luther King said, ‘Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step’.”

Wise words and good advice, Eddie!