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Tag: Sam Watson

  • SC State heightens security amid threats to HBCUs across the Southeast

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    A South Carolina State University student walks outside the school’s new engineering building Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. The school has heightened security in response to threats made to other Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the Southeast (File photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

    South Carolina State University put added security measures in place in response to unspecified threats made to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the Southeast.

    SC State has not received any direct threats, spokesman Sam Watson said, but the school has heightened security as a precaution. Security personnel stationed at campus entrances are checking photo IDs of students, employees and visitors before allowing people to enter.

    Watson called this “standard operating procedure” for the school any time there is a potential safety risk.

    The school is instructing students and staff to report any suspicious activity to the campus Public Safety office at 803-536-7188.

    In other states, some schools are locking down their campuses and cancelling classes in response to threats.

    Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana went on lockdown Thursday morning, citing “a potential threat to campus safety,” according to the Louisiana Illuminator, a States Newsroom affiliate. The school asked members of the public not to enter campus until further notice.

    Lockdowns also have been confirmed at other HBCUs including:

    • Bethune-Cookman University, in Daytona Beach, Florida

    • Spelman College, in Atlanta

    • Virginia State University

    Claflin University, Allen University and Benedict College did not immediately respond to messages from the SC Daily Gazette.

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  • Team USA’s Sam Watson sets world record in speed climbing, initiates ‘Selfie Olympics’

    Team USA’s Sam Watson sets world record in speed climbing, initiates ‘Selfie Olympics’

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    New Olympic sports are making their debut at the Paris Games, with Team USA climber Sam Watson setting a new world record in speed climbing and initiating a unique “Selfie Olympics.”Watson said, “I was wondering if I could get a person from all of these different delegations to take a selfie with me.”His idea led him to his own, “Selfie Olympics.” Watson admitted, “I don’t think I’ll get to all 203 because there are some delegations that have already left.”There are 204 nations represented in Paris and Watson is quite proud of one pic he secured.Watson explained, “A member from Tuvalu, which is a tiny island nation. I looked at where they were entered and they were only surfing and sailing. Surfing is Tahiti and sailing is Marseille, so there’s almost no one in Paris.”Watson understands the athletes he’s taking selfies with have different cultural and political views. Watson said, “All of these countries are still human, they’re still Olympians, they’re still competitors, and we still share that, so it is really special to get all this.”Watson, just 18 years old, set a new world record in a qualifying round earlier this week.He’ll compete in the speed climbing medal event on Thursday. The climbing events at the Paris Olympics will conclude on Saturday. When asked about the difference between speed climbing and traditional climbing, climbing coaches likened it to the difference between the 100-meter sprint and the marathon in track and field.

    New Olympic sports are making their debut at the Paris Games, with Team USA climber Sam Watson setting a new world record in speed climbing and initiating a unique “Selfie Olympics.”

    Watson said, “I was wondering if I could get a person from all of these different delegations to take a selfie with me.”

    His idea led him to his own, “Selfie Olympics.”

    Watson admitted, “I don’t think I’ll get to all 203 because there are some delegations that have already left.”

    There are 204 nations represented in Paris and Watson is quite proud of one pic he secured.

    Watson explained, “A member from Tuvalu, which is a tiny island nation. I looked at where they were entered and they were only surfing and sailing. Surfing is Tahiti and sailing is Marseille, so there’s almost no one in Paris.”

    Watson understands the athletes he’s taking selfies with have different cultural and political views.

    Watson said, “All of these countries are still human, they’re still Olympians, they’re still competitors, and we still share that, so it is really special to get all this.”

    Watson, just 18 years old, set a new world record in a qualifying round earlier this week.

    He’ll compete in the speed climbing medal event on Thursday. The climbing events at the Paris Olympics will conclude on Saturday.

    When asked about the difference between speed climbing and traditional climbing, climbing coaches likened it to the difference between the 100-meter sprint and the marathon in track and field.

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