62nd Year--Vol. 1
Northeast Mississippi Community College--Booneville, Miss.
October 28, 2010
Homecoming Week was a success By Sarah Leathers, Staff Writer
Power of Pink By Lacey Burcham, Staff Writer Northeast is demonstrating the tremendous power of pink in order to honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons have been incorporated into the homecoming decorations and emphasis is being placed on the Tigers final home football game against CopiahLincoln on October 28, where pink shirts will be worn, pink balloons, novelty footballs, banners and pink pom-poms will help to give the game atmosphere a pinkish tone. Even the football players and band members will be displaying their pink pride. On display at the football game will be the Pink Glove Dance video that was made by the staff of Northeast and features almost every staff member on campus, some students, and even Northeast’s satellite campus in Corinth. Northeast administrative assistant to the president Mary Alice Coats helped head up the “Pink Glove Dance” video and managed to solve the logistics around trying to coordinated each Northeast division’s idea in the video “It was so much fun,” said Coats. “I was amazed at just how well everyone cooperated.” Coats, who is also a breast cancer survivor made sure that Northeast’s cancer survivors were well documented in the video. Other breast cancer survivors from campus -Marylyn Hubbard, Carla Faulkner, and Martha Johnson including former Northeast instructor Vickie Ramsey Greenway -- all make appearances in the video. Northeast’s Pink Glove Dance video can be found on youtube.com or on the Northeast homepage.
Northeast Sports Hall of Fame inductees former assistant and head football coach, head softball coach and athletic director Sophomore Skylar McCrimon of David Carnell, women’s basketball players Kossuth was crowned Northeast’s 2010 Phyllis Stafford Dilworth, Kunshinge Homecoming Queen by school president Sorrell Howard, baseball player Mike Dr. Johnny L. Allen on a cloudless Saturday Grier and basketball player Jack Martin. Tailgating was not only allowed on the afternoon in Booneville, highlighting a week of activity surrounding the annual south end of the football practice field prior to the game. It was encouraged. celebration. Putting an exclamation mark on the “I feel very privileged and honored, a dream come true. I'm so thankful to day was the Tigers’ 31-17 victory over the be selected as homecoming queen.” Coahoma Tigers. The win avenged a fourovertime loss to Coahoma in last year’s McCrimon said. For the first time in almost a decade Homecoming game. “It felt good to get a win after all the college officials scheduled a Saturday hard work,” player Cash J. Levet said, Homecoming. The day began with a reception and “and have something the school could rally induction ceremony for the 2010 class of around. M c C r i m o n ’s court consisted of seven sophomore and seven freshman maids and their escorts. Student Government Association (SGA) president Ben Ford of Booneville escorted Queen Skylar. The entire court was elected by the student body. Sophomore Kristen McGregor attended the event (L-R): President Dr. Johnny Allen; Queen Skylar McCrimon; David despite not being “Bubba” Pounds, Northeast Alumni Relations Council president a campus resident. and member of the Board of Trustees and SGA president Ben Ford. “I enjoyed
President Dr. Johnny Allen crowns 2010 Homecoming Queen Skylar McCrimon during the halftime ceremony watching our football team and homecoming court, but it would have been easier to have gone on a Thursday since I don't live in Booneville.” After the post-game fish fry President Allen felt good about how well the event was supported. “I thought it was time for a Saturday Homecoming,” Allen explained. The weather was good. The activities were well attended and I’ve heard only positive comments.” Earlier in the week Northeast students were entertained by alumnus and Bachelorette contestant Ty Brown and SRX at the Homecoming dance. The Homecoming court made its debut and the students did their part to motivate the football team at the pep rally held Thursday.
Area seniors attend Northeast NOW By Sha’ Simpson, Co-Editor
On Friday October 15, 2010, Northeast Mississippi Community College hosted the third annual Northeast Now Day. The day is designed for prospective area seniors to come and check out the campus. With over 1,300 area students from 20 different schools, the campus seemed to be a little extra crowded. The day was filled with fun and games along with performances by the NE band and Drumline. When asked how she felt about NE NOW, Domonique Allen of Belmont stated, “I enjoyed being able to experience several aspects at Northeast and even though I will not be attending I still feel as if Northeast gave me an overall good perception and view of the institution.” Regarding improvements NE
Over 1,000 area high school seniors attended the third annual Northeast NOW recruiting event.
Photo by Tammie Bullard
NOW could make to better help students, Kebrina Lucas New Albany said , “I feel that Northeast NOW informed me
about the school but I wish we could have gotten a more detailed look in the school, such as a tour of classrooms etc.”
NE drummer quartet makes Memphis Grizzline By Brittni Cox, Staff Writer
Four members of Northeast Show Band from Tigerland Marching Band have been named to the National Basketball League’s (NBA) Memphis Grizzlies Drumline also known as the Grizzline. Memphis is following the recent trend of NBA teams by adding drum lines that performs at most of its home game at the FedEx Forum in Memphis. Jabari Temple and Steven Strom from Corinth, Thomas Kimmons from New Albany, and Randy Slocomb from Ripley all were selected to be members of the newly formed drumline. The social networking site, Facebook, helped the quartet learn about the opportunity to play on the Grizzline and it was also the place where the four learned they had made the squad. “I am excited to get paid to play music,” said Slocomb. An added bonus of being on the player on the line is that members of the Grizzline receive complementary tickets to games. Strom echoed Slocomb statement; “I
Northeast Grizzline Drumers left to right: Steven Strom, Jabari Temple, Randy Slocomb and Thomas Kimmons. am excited to perform with a rapper during the season.” All four said the biggest thrill of being on the squad was being able to perform in front of thousands of fans. For all members of the line except
Kimmons being a percussionist was not there first choice. Temple and Strom started out on the trumpet and ended up not liking being in the horn section and decided to switch and ended up like the drums.
Slocomb explained “I moved from Texas to Ripley and thought playing the drums looked easy.” Slocomb also said that he liked how creative one could be in the percussion line. Slocomb also passed along helpful advice to young musicians that want to follow in the quartet’s footsteps. “Use every opportunity to practice and don’t lose the love for music,” recalled Slocomb. “It takes hard work, dedication and listening to instructors.” Northeast director of bands Bryan Mitchell, who also played the drums during his tenure in the Tiger Band, couldn’t be more proud of the guys, but also sees advantages for the band as well. “There are some good players on the line,” Mitchell said. “It also makes the school look good and it also shows that hard work does play off.” With the percussionist being from small towns, it seems to make their accomplishment an even bigger thing. “Our family and friends are proud, excited and with us being from this small area and being able to do something like this is remarkable,” explained Slocomb.
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Are we ready? By Mark Fielder, Staff Writer Mass famine and poverty caused by the Dust Bowl and the Great depression. Over 60 million dead in World War II. The threat of global nuclear annihilation during the Cold War and the ensuing Cuban Missile Crisis. The Civil Rights movement and the internal violence it produced. The 19th century has seen its fair share of conflict and strife and Americans have always stepped up to conquer those challenges.However, in the past 20 years, the go-to attitude and work ethic of the American people has all but evaporated. My generation, currently enrolled in Northeast, is one that has never been allowed to fail. It is unaware of the world around it and of the consequences of that ignorance. If another world war erupted with China, would this new generation of women go back to work in factories? Could the male students fight with the same determination and resolve as the generation before us? With the current tension between the Muslim and the Judeo-Christian world, a new Civil Rights movement could spawn. Can we solve it peacefully with out violent conflict? If this current recession turns into another global depression, will we be able to survive it with our current work ethic? In order for us to meet the challenges that arise in the 20th century we’ll need to be the best. We must master our individual fields of study and craft. Something our generation has not been prepared to do.
Discount benefits students, businesses Staff Editorial One of the main things that college students worry about just about as much as their academic concerns is that of money. College students tend to spend the majority of their money on food, gas and clothing and for the thrifty college student saving money is paramount to the college experience. One such way a college student can save money while at Northeast is by taking advantage of local businesses that offer discounts to college students. Northeast’s Beacon editorial staff believes there is a happy medium between the college students and the businesses located in Booneville but that medium could be more than the monetary transaction when a student walks into their favorite business. Businesses are always looking to gain an edge over the competition and one such way is by offering something that the competition does not offer. From a student’s standpoint, a student can save money by using their student discount at local businesses. With a 10 percent discount, a transaction of $5 will save 50 cents but over the course of a semester a 10 percent discount could add up to $25 or more and for a struggling college student even $25 is a major help. For businesses that are riding the line between earning a profit or operating in the red, a 10-percent maybe a little too much for the business that is operating right on the line. For businesses like that, a five percent discount could be more than ample to get the student population through the doors. A business does not necessarily have to offer a discount to get a student’s business . The ideas of “Buy one, get one free,” “Buy one, get one half off,” can also get students to come through the door. Students can also be enticed to come to a business by the way of specials on high-traffic merchandise such as fountain drinks or in the way of daily specials such as “Terrific Tuesdays or Tiger Thursdays.“ While many businesses already offer discounts to students, most Northeast students are unaware that such discounts actually exist. Businesses should actively promote that they offer discounts to students in order for that discount to have the desired effect.
Opinion
The Beacon
Homecoming from my point of view By Sha’ Simpson, Co-Editor
As I look back at the activities of Homecoming 2010, I was slightly disappointed. Now, don’t get me wrong I enjoyed myself greatly, but upon entering the stadium it seemed as if I was at a “welcome back alumni shindig” rather than a rambunctious stadium full of screaming students. Now I will admit the turnout of students was quite a bit better than what I expected yet, there is major room for improvement. The day was perfect for a good game of football and our Tigers definitely played a very good game. Walking through the stands, I talked to students and alumni just to see how they felt about the fact that the game was on a Saturday. Most alumni praised the school for holding homecoming on a Saturday, citing convenience as the most outstanding reason for their attendance. As for the students of Northeast, they had varied reactions about
it being on a Saturday. Most students take advantage of the weekend by going home to visit family and friends, which obviously, most did. Conversing with one member of the band, she stated, “Looking at the crowd, all I see is family of players and alumni, I’m disappointed that students did not stay to support our school, homecoming court and band.” As a commuting student, I made the trip primarily because it was on a Saturday, which was convenient for me. I wish the game would have been slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff, because there’s nothing like the atmosphere of a Homecoming game under those bright stadium lights, but that’s just my opinion. I too was disappointed in the student turnout, but if school officials continue to make Homecoming on a Saturday, it probably will become a success. Just get students more involved. Northeast seemed to disregard the well known fact that on a Friday afternoon, everyone cranks up and burns rubber,
Tigers Roar
hitting the highway going home. Looking at the stands, lesson learned. Because of this well known fact, did students feel that Northeast really didn’t care if they attended the game or not? Personally looking around, I feel like this..... the definition of alumni is the former pupil or student of a university (or college), who in most cases, contributes monetarily or by use of goods or services for the benefit of their alma mater. With that being said, why bite the hand that feeds you? I feel like the students were in a sense jaded or shafted. Yes, students had several opportunities to go to various Homecoming events, but the alumni were the highlight of the festivities in my opinion. Now that Homecoming week is over, Northeast has to go back to the drawing board to capitalize on the somewhat success of the turnout. The question is when they go back and evaluate feedback, will they take into consideration the feelings of those that should mean the most to them? ....the students.
“At this point in the semester, which class and teacher are your favorites and why?”
Brandy Webb Freshman Troy, MO
“(Terry) Anderson is my favorite teacher because he is willing to answer questions and gives his input honestly.”
Haley Curry Sophomore Cairo, MS
Matthew Henderson Sophomore Booneville, MS
“(Wendy) Scott “My favorite teacher Marriage & Family, this is (Jennifer) She is fun and talks to Hastings, because her students, not at she cares about her them. She makes the students and wants class fun.” them to learn.”
Helen Staten Freshman New Albany, MS
Kelly Sanders Sophomore Corinth, MS
“(Amanda) Garvin “At the moment, Creative Writing, She it’s hard to choose gives 100 % and acts a favorite class and instructor. I love all like she actually cares my classes and like all about the people she teaches everyday.” my teachers.”
Thomas Sweat Sophomore Corinth, MS
Sha’ Simpson Sophomore New Albany, MS
“(Amanda) Garvin She rules, and creatively inspires me. (Favorite Class) Chorus. I just enjoy the people in there.”
“(Liz) Ketchum - Child Psych. because she is passionate and enthusiastic about what she teaches.”
Pitbulls are a misunderstood, mistreated breed By Heather Smith, Staff Writer
When one thinks of pitbulls, one tends to imagine a dog that is vicious, mean, and even deadly. This is a false accusation that has followed this breed for many years. On Memphis-area news broadcasts one often sees stories about pitbulls attacking their owners and pitbulls portrayed as maneaters and child killers. What we do not see is how the pitbull can be a sweet, loving family pet. The pitbull is often thought to be an American breed and once again, the presumption is however false. Pitbulls were imported from England and Ireland sometime during the 19th century. So this dog with the reputation to be a symbol of American breeding is not really an American breed. Aggression in pitbulls comes from their original breed purpose. These small, yet muscular dogs were used to fight bulls in the currently outlawed sport of bull baiting. Although the breed
retained some of its aggressive behavior, they are generally good-natured dogs. Although pitbulls are known for their aggressive behavior, they do have good characteristics. Pitbulls are known for being wonderful human companions. Despite their reputation for being vicious, they are normally very well-behaved with children. The breed has also been used for cattle dogs and “catch dogs” in the sport of pit hunting. These are all wonderful qualities, however, the pitbull is especially known for its exceptional guard dog skills. The fear these dogs bring out in people is caused by the illegal sport of dog fighting. People fight pitbulls because of their small size and large muscle capacity. They are short and stocky which makes them prime contenders in dog fighting. Often, people will use one dog as bait and allow the bigger dog to kill it in order to teach the animal to be aggressive. This is usually what causes the death of many innocent pitbulls. Many blame the dogs for their horrible
reputation when it is the human’s fault for their reputation in the first place. It all started in the 80’s when people started fighting pitbulls for sport. Once this illegal activity hit the local media, fear of these dogs spread like wild fire. Suddenly this once sweet, loving family pet became a killer animal that must be exterminated. This is the reason that in many animal shelters pitbulls are almost always put to sleep for no reason except for their breed. The pitbull breed has suffered severely for the lack of knowledge in communities today. They are abused, neglected and even starved just because of their breed. This violence and prejudice towards pitbulls has to stop. In some areas, people were forced to have their pitbulls, some of which had been with the family for several years, put to sleep because local authorities said they were a danger to the community. It is time for a new view of this misunderstood breed, one that will allow the safe existence of pitbulls and humans in the world today.
College Publication Staff Left to Right: (back row) Mark Fielder, Brittni Cox, co-editor Olivia King, co-editor Sha’ Simpson and Debbie Friar. (front row) Heather Smith, Lacey Burcham, Sarah Leathers and Felecia Schaefer. (not pictured) Blake Long, Kiara Patterson, Dustin Roberts and Chris South. Advisors: (not pictured) Tony Finch and Michael H. Miller.
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Northeast Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; Telephone number 404-679-4501) to award the Associate in Arts degree, the Associate in Applied Science degree and certificates. In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Title IX, Educational Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Board of Trustees of Northeast Mississippi Community College hereby adopts a policy assuring that no one shall, on the grounds of race, sex, color, age, creed or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the college. Northeast Mississippi Community College adheres to the principle of equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, sex, color, age, creed, or national origin. This policy includes the qualified disabled and extends to all programs and activities supported by the college.
The Beacon
News
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Wolf pups face new challenge By Heather Smith, Staff Writer
In 1973, wolves were placed under the Endangered Species Act due to their rapidly decreasing population. Since then their numbers have grown, but are still too unstable to be considered out of the woods when in comes to extinction. Now the federal Wildlife Services Agency is trying to gain permission to destroy all of the progress that this amazing animal has made. The government is trying to get clearance to gas wolf pups in their dens and sterilize the alpha pairs in all existing packs. This is being considered because in Idaho wolves are accused with causing the decline in elk populations. However, elk population numbers were falling long before wolves were introduced to that area. Now the government wants to remove the wolf from the endangered species list.
They want to make it legal to hunt wolves again because the wolves are beginning to hunt livestock more than they hunt their natural prey. Although wolves have made major comebacks in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Utah, and New England they are still in great danger. It took several years to bring these magnificent creatures to come back from near extinction and now they may be driven from the only safe habitats they have left. This horrible injustice must be stopped. The country that once struggled to keep wolves alive and thriving in their own environment is now determined to destroy the animals that they worked so hard to protect. If something is not done, we may not be able to save the wolves from the terrible fate that they narrowly escaped from before.
3G coming to Booneville By Kiara Patterson, Staff Writer
“Mad because the phones have been acting crazy?” That will no longer be a problem. AT&T is expected to make some changes in Booneville and the company recently announced, that in the near future Booneville will be getting 3G. 3G in Booneville will make the phone service better. This means that there will be less dropped calls, people will be able to send and receive their text messages faster, and Internet on the phones will not be as slow as it was.
College students will be able to appreciate it a lot because most of them depending on their phones for just about everything. Instead of having to go to the library and look up things they will be able to use their phones and it will be just as fast as the computers in the library. For more information about 3G in Booneville visit the local AT&T and ask about it.
Culinary students offer gourmet meal By Olivia King, Co-Editor
Eight dollars will buy a gourmet meal right here at Northeast Mississippi Community College (NEMCC). Culinary Arts students at NEMCC prepare a formal meal that they call a “Culinary Café.” They serve it from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm in Waller Hall once a month. The next Culinary Café, Cajun/Creole, is November 18. Students will be serving Crawfish Etouffee with Rice, Fried Catfish with Remoulade Sauce, Dirty Rice, Smothered Okra, Pecan Pralines, and Rolls. The date to email a reservation is November 15. Anyone is welcome to attend, they just have to reserve a spot by emailing Tim Gilmore at tdgilmore@nemcc.edu by November 15. California/Pacific Northwest will be the final Culinary Café of the year. On December 2, attendees will be served Vichyssoise (Cold Potato Leek Soup),
Raspberry Chicken, Brussels Sprouts with Almonds, Saffron Rice Pilaf, Strawberry Shortcake with Cornmeal Biscuits, and Beer Bread. November 29, is the reservation date. “It gives students experience in preparation and service,” is the reason Tim Gilmore, who is the Hotel and Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts Technology Instructor and Mississippi Collegiate DECA State Advisor, gave for having the cafés. Anyone can attend a café, by registering (sending email to Gilmore), and paying eight dollars which can be paid at the door. Each Culinary Café is in Waller Hall on the third floor at NEMCC. The money raised helps to pay for food in Culinary Arts Labs. Profits usually just cover the cost of the food for the labs, which includes tasting for the Culinary Students. The Culinary Arts started the Culinary Café in the fall of 2008, and are continuously changing and improving the menus.
Freshman Samantha Browder (center) of Adamsville Tenn., prepares to give blood at the Phi Theta Kappa blood drive in September.
PTK bypasses blood milestones By Lacey Burcham, Staff Writer Northeast’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter recently transcended a pair of blood-giving milestones with its most recent drive in September. Not only did the club pass the 600mark, but also the 700-mark in the same drive, putting the grand total for the past three years at 703 products. “This was my first time donating with United Blood Services,” said freshman Olivia King, who was one of the many to donate blood at the double record-breaking drive. “I do like giving blood, because you never know when you might be in the opposite situation, and need blood.” In January of 2008 Northeast collected 52 units, and nine months later 82 units in September, producing a total of 134 units. However, in 2009 they went beyond the previous year, holding two more drives and bringing in the United Blood Services
Bloodmobile for two more, putting the total at 426 units. In January of this year they broke the 500-product mark on the second day of the two day blood donating event, with 112 units donated. This was followed up by a drive in April with a yield of 53 products. This September the PTK put its total at 703, with a drive that produced 112 units. This number set the total above the 600-product mark and also the 700-mark. PTK is now only 97 units away from the 800-mark. In each of Northeast’s blood drives, the PTK joins forces with United Blood Services, one of the nations oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations and this area’s non-profit community blood provider since 1975. United Blood Services serves patients in 22 hospitals in North Mississippi and North West Alabama, is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers, and of the American Association of Blood Banks.
Wesley House returns By Lacey Burcham, Staff Writer
After years in disrepair, the Wesley Foundation house has been renovated and revamped in order to bring new services to the students of Northeast. The Wesley House has been undergoing renovations since last August. Walls have been repainted and the floors ripped up making way for new hardwood flooring. Wireless Internet has also been installed in the house and a lounge space to do work, or just relax on the Internet. Adam Gordon, associate pastor at First United Methodist Church in Booneville, says the house now has “a homey atmosphere, so students feel at home, not at campus, to give them a break.” Hours for the Wesley House are
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, ‘Chow and Chapel,’ a free lunch, is provide from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., with home-cooked food brought by community members from local churches and a short reflection on scripture from 11:30-11:45 a.m. The house opened September 13, for Monday Night Football at 6 p.m. Food and snacks were served with a devotion at halftime. “You don’t have to be Methodist, all students are welcome,” says Gordon. “If you have baggage you can bring it with you.” The Wesley group can be found on Facebook at ‘NEMCC Wesley Foundation’, and the foundation itself at ‘Northeast Mississippi CC Wesley Foundation’. Fans of the Wesley Foundation can also follow the local chapter on Twitter at @nemccwesley.
2010 Homecoming Court Fifteen women comprised the 2010 Homecoming court at Northeast. Homecoming Queen Skylar McCrimon of Kossuth and her court were presented during halftime of Northeast’s football game against Coahoma Community College on Saturday, October 16. Members of the 2010 Homecoming court were: (back row l-r) Carly Wilbanks of New Albany, Hannah Hastings of Booneville, Hillary Medlin of Ripley, Amber Johnson of Rienzi, Liz Davis of Ripley; (fourth row l-r) Lachanda Kimmons of New Albany, Kayla Jones of Booneville, Callie Smith of New Albany, Katie Bishop of Baldwyn; (third row l-r) Sarah Jayde Bobo of Corinth, Celeste Pearson of Ripley, Anna Brooke Conlee of New Albany; (second row l-r) Summer Smith of New Albany, Casey Davis of Booneville and (front row) McCrimon.
Campus
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The Beacon
Unique way to pay for college Toms offers One for One By Olivia King, Co-Editor
Northeast freshman Kate Sherard originally from Kossuth found a unique way to pay for college. After visiting with her guidance counselors at Henry County High School in Paris, Tenn. Sherard and her mother, Kathy, sat down one Saturday in June and followed the counselors’ advice. Sherard and her mother filled out about 20 scholarships, one of which was the MyView Scholarship on scholarshippoints. com. Scholarshippoints.com is an Edvisors’ company, accredited by the Better Business Bureau that gives away $500 to $10,000 scholarships and trips every month. It is free to sign up. To receive scholarships, members must earn points by taking surveys or polls, registering with websites, writing essays, shopping online, dining out, buying groceries, booking travel, going to college events, keeping a current profile on the website, using a student discount card, renting and selling textbooks with Chegg, buying magazines, using credit cards, getting private student loans, applying for other scholarships, reading and learning about various topics, and many other ways. Points cannot be transferred to anyone else. Once members earn points, then the website randomly draws for scholarships at the beginning of every month. More points means more chances of winning. Sherard first went to www. scholarshippoints.com and filled out her name, email, birth date, address, phone number, grade, college, major, and created a password.
Then, the Northeast freshman chose to earn points through MyView, so she went to its website and registered using the same email and she was credited with 100 points from Scholarshippoints.com, which qualified her for the MyView Scholarship drawing. According to their website (www. myview.com), “MyView is a global community of expert individuals who express their open, honest and valid opinions on a wide range of topics.” They get subscribers to give their opinion on new movie trailers, latest fashion trends, new video games, and topics such as health and businesses. Subscribers will earn rewards to be spent on the web. In the August drawing, Sherard was chosen for the $1,000 MyView Scholarship. Her mother is on the school board and she called her as soon as she found out. “I was so excited,” commented Sherard. Members of scholarshippoints.com get a numbered entry for every point, and then a computer program picks a number at random. Winners are notified by phone and posted online, and the winners have to supply them with their college financial aid office, student id or social security number, and a short paragraph regarding winning a scholarship. The paragraphs are posted on the website.Scholarshippoints.com sends the money directly to school financial aid office. Scholarship winners can continue to earn points and be eligible to win again. “Covering the cost of my college education is a major challenge for me and my parents. This award means more than I can express in just a few words,” explained Sherard.
CC Christmas ‘Showtime’ set By Sarah Leathers, Staff Writer
Campus Country is Northeast’s very own musical group featuring a variety of country music such as bluegrass, gospel, new and classic hits. The group was first organized in 1983, and soon began the concert series known as “Showtime.” Shirley Taylor directed the group for 12 years and started the Showtime series however; Jerry Rains became the director in May of 1995, and has kept the traditions surrounding Showtime. “Sharing music together as well as
with the audience is always special,” Rains stated. “It’s something we cherish, and look forward to. There is always hard work, of course, but the joy of performing what you have worked on is a real treat.” Concerts are held in Seth Pounds Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Saturday evenings. Currently there are four of these programs each school year. The next of the group’s showtimes is Campus Country’s Christmas show on Dec. 4 Group members are selected each April for the following year by competitive auditions, and those that make the group receive scholarships.
Fall Exam Schedule
Thursday, December 9
8-10 a.m. 1 TTH (8-9:15 a.m.) 1,2 Thursday Block (8:15-10:40 a.m.) 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 4 TTH (1:40-2:55 p.m.) 3,4 Thursday Block (12:15-2:55 p.m.) 1-3 p.m. 6 MWF (1-1:50 p.m.)
Friday, December 10
Monday, December 13
8-10 a.m. 1 MWF (8-8:50 a.m.) 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Activity Period (10:50-12:05 p.m.) 1-3 p.m. 2 TTH (9:25-10:40 a.m.) 1,2 Tuesday Block (8-10:40 a.m.)
Tuesday, December 14
8-10 a.m. 3 MWF (10-10:50 a.m.) 8-10 a.m. 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 2 MWF (9-9:50 a.m.) 3 TTH (12:15-1:30 p.m.) 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. 3,4 Tuesday Block (12:15-2:55 p.m.) 7 MWF (2-2:50 p.m.) 1-3 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 5 MWF (12-12:50 p.m.) 4 MWF (11-11:50 a.m.) Evening College Exams will be given on the regularly scheduled meeting nights beginning Wednesday, December 8-Monday, December 13.
By Felecia Shaefer, Staff Writer TOMS shoes is a company that helps people in other countries that can not afford shoes. When a person buys a pair of TOMS, that person is not only buying a pair for themselves but they are also buying a pair that will be sent to someone less fortunate. The program is called ‘One for One’ meaning when a customer purchases a pair of TOMS, the company sends a pair to someone less fortunate. TOMS does this by tracking their sales every month and turns those sales the sale numbers to their Giving Department, which works year-round to give the shoes away on those sales figures. It does not matter whether a person purchases a pair from a retail store or online, TOMS gives a pair to children that are in need regardless of the purchase area. Customers do not need to worry about all the extra cost for the extra pair of shoes, the price on one pair is the price for both pairs. TOMS shoes says there are four reasons for doing the ‘One for One’ program: Growing Up Barefoot-- In many developing countries, children must walk barefoot for miles to school, clean water and medical help. Injury and Disease-- Hundreds of millions of these children are at risk of
injury, inflection and soil-transmitted diseases, such as podoconiosis and hookworm. Education and Opportunity-- Children who are healthy are more likely to be successful students, and in some areas, shoes are required to attend school.A Better Tomorrow-- Children who are successful in school have a better chance to improve the future of their communities. TOMS shoes are given away to children in 20 or more countries worldwide. Some of those countries are Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Niger, Peru, Burundi, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Cambodia, Mongolia and Armenia. If a person is dedicated enough to buy the shoes, the shoes are worth the price they pay, not only is a person buying a pair of shoes for themselves but also they are providing a humanitarian effort to a child in need.
Tiger Alert reaches out to students By Sha’ Simpson, Co-Editor Tiger Alert is a rapid mass communication system that allows college officials at Northeast to communicate with students, staff and faculty within a matter of minutes in the event of an emergency. Tiger Alert will allow Northeast to notify subscribers via cell phone, text message, e-mail and traditional telephone. Emergencies refer to any type of alert regarding severe weather, school cancellations and other related
emergencies. It is pivotal that all students be apart of this system,” said Northeast Chief of Police/Campus Security Dean Bearden. “Be sure to sign up for it.” In order to make sure that a student, faculty or staff are a part of this system, a subscriber needs to check their Tiger Alert account using the username and password that they received via email to get access Tiger Alert. Once logged in, make necessary changes regarding contact information so that it is all up to date.
Reading is fundamental in college's latest QEP “Reading is Fundamental,” at least that is what Northeast believes. Northeast has created a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to help enhance student learning. Northeast’s QEP is ‘Reading ROARS’ (Raising Our Academic Reading Success). This program was designed so that it raises the reading levels of some college students by introducing the students on campus to strategic reading practices. The plan also helps the environment surrounding the college by supporting and encouraging students to read more. Reading ROARS is not just for the students who may be considered underprepared; it is also for those who may be considered advanced students. “I created a reading list that reaches
across the curriculum with its content, from history, sociology, bioethnography, journalism, anthropology, literature, and one (short) traditional textbook,” said Craig-Ellis Sasser, who teaches the Northeast’s reading class. “I figured if the goal of the course was to improve reading comprehension, what better way to do tha t than to read various and challenging works from several reputable sources; however, simply reading a text is not enough.” This program is going to help students in the long run. “I hope to awaken at the very least an understanding of how to read at an adult, educated level, so students may apply this knowledge to reading textbooks in their chosen field,” said Sasser. “If students begin tackling more substantial literature such as Faulkner or Flannery O’Connor or any of the articulate writers in other disciplines, I will be overjoyed.”
identification to the dormitory supervisor, and they must go the room they are registered for ONLY. The visitor must check out with the dormitory supervisor, where they will receive their ID back, and leave by 10 p.m. While guests are in the dorm, there is not an open door rule, however the dorm occupant is responsible for their guest(s). This year’s Open Dorms started on Monday, August 24 and will continue through at least November 30. The only exception to that is the week of Mid-Terms (October 11-15) when there will not be Open Dorms to allow students to study. “Once we added structure to it [the policy of Open Dorms], it has really been more helpful to the students that actually
don’t participate in Open Dorm,” said director of event planning and housing Rod Coggin. “The noise levels are a little better and it is a more controlled and structured environment. If students want to get together and have a study session during that time, they can, whereas previously it was probably difficult for them.”
By Kiara Patterson, Staff Writer
Northeast adds structure to open dorm By Olivia King, Co-Editor “Open Closed Dorms” sum up Northeast’s (NEMCC) policy for biweekly Open Dorms. Members of the opposite sex are allowed into dorms at scheduled times after checking in with the dormitory supervisor and presenting them with identification (ID). NEMCC previously allowed members of the opposite sex to be in dorms daily, after they presented their ID to and checked in with the dormitory supervisor. Except for curfew rules, the only other rule was that the dorm doors had to stay open while the guest was there. This policy started to cause problems
for other dorm occupants who were trying to study, sleep, or just needed some quiet time. There was also a problem of “roaming” that arose causing a safety and noise level concern. About four or five years ago NEMCC made a new open dorm policy that is still enforced today. Open Dorms are now from 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Mondays and Wednesdays are girl’s open dorms and Tuesdays and Thursdays are boy’s open dorms. Dorm occupants can have up to two guests each, but they must register them with their dormitory supervisor by 3 p.m. the day of the visit. The visitors must give their student ID, Driver’s License or some other form of
The Beacon
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Ty Brown comes home Tiger Style By Brittni Cox, Staff Writer “It feels great being back at Northeast and being back home. It’s great to see that not much has changed since I’ve been gone,” said former student Matthew Ty Brown after he walked around the campus of Northeast. Originally from West Point, Brown graduated from Booneville High School where he played football, and then attended and played golf at Northeast from 1997 to 1998. Brown, competed for Ali Fedotowsky’s heart on ABC’s Season 6 of “The Bachelorette,” was featured in Kellie Pickler’s “Red High Heels” music video in 2006, and is currently a singer/musician in
Nashville, Tenn. On the night of October 14th, he was here at Northeast and performed with Seventies Rock Xtreme (SRX) at the Homecoming Dance held outside of Burgess Actitivy Center. Rumor had it that Brown was scheduled to be the next Bachelor on ABC. He said that he was on a contract, but the producers decided to go with someone else. Brown is in the process of finalizing his album and he plans on releasing it in December. He has been working with a lot of different songwriters from Nashville. Being on “The Bachelorette” has opened up many doors to his music career. He quit his job in medical sales and pursued his music career. This was a big move for Brown not knowing if people would like his music. Regarding quitting his job, Brown comments, “A job is a job and it is always going to be there.” Brown says that Booneville finally got a decent Subway and Pizza Inn. He went back to Booneville High School to see his old coaches. “The best thing about these small towns is that nothing changes and the people are still the same,” stated Brown. Based on the crowd’s reaction, they enjoyed Brown and SRX’s performance. To see more pictures of Brown at Northeast’s Homecoming Dance, go to The Beacon at (www.nemcc.edu).
(Above) Before his performance, Ty Brown pauses for a photo with Sophomore Molly Lambert of Booneville. (Upper Left) Musician/Songwriter Ty Brown performs a tune from his debut album during the annual Homecoming Dance outside of Burgess Activity Center. Check out his website, tybrownmusic.com for more information about Brown and to hear some of his songs. (Bottom Left) Brown’s performance drew a big crowd of Northeast faculty, staff, students, alumni and Booneville residents on October 14.
Mother, daughter display Northeast celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month artwork in Anderson By Kiara Patterson, Staff Writer Not often can one find a mother and child who is willing to work together, but this case is different. Mother, Judy Tucci and daughter Maria Hughes have decided to work together and give Northeast a taste of their magnificent art work. Tucci was once a student at Northeast. She received her Associate of Arts degree from NE and later received a Bachelor of Art in education and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Mississippi. After finishing school she became an instructor at Northeast for 26 years. “The world of art has many directions and many mediums in which to work,” Tucci explained. “It is an endless source of inspiration and creativity. Upon retirement, I began painting with some local artists and was invited to become a member of the Mississippi Painters Society. These artists travel and paint southern scenes in plain air. The society also promotes art in the North Mississippi area." “Painting is something I truly love. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment," said Tucci. Tucci daughter Maria Hughes also graduated from NE. She received an Associate's degree from NE. She later attended the University of Southern Mississippi and complete Bachelor of Art Education degree requirements at the Mississippi University for Women.
Hughes is also an art teacher. She is currently teaching art at R.H. Long Middle School. “I think watching my students grow in their discoveries and accomplishments in art has had a profound effect on me and the excitement I have in my personal art,” Hughes said. “Along with the people I am surrounded with everyday, my visual environment plays a major role in my artwork. I believe this state I live in holds everyday mysteries and magic. The yellow ochre wash of late afternoons, the early morning misty fog, and the ‘all day humidity’ are reoccurring themes that show up in my artwork. “Growing up with an artist mother, I feel that I have always searched for a way of personal expression,” Hughes continued. “I could never match my mother’s interpretation of her Southern experience . . . so I have, with honesty, tried to develop my Southern experience. This, in the end, leaves me walking in the other direction from her, but down the same old field road.” These two have put together an excellent art exhibit. They have used a mixture of pastels, monoprints, graphics, oils, and watercolors. Anderson Hall Art Gallery on NE campus. The gallery is opened from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m Monday through Friday. For more information contact Terry Anderson at 662-720-7336 or tfanderson@ nemcc.edu
By Debbie Friar, Staff Writer
Breast Cancer Month is in October at Northeast. Northeast’s goal is to show its support for cancer. Twenty-eight groups around all three of the Northeast campuses – Booneville, New Albany and Corinth will be doing short cut videos, featuring the pink gloves dance with the song “I got a feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas. T-shirts are $12, for more information Latricia Holland at Estes Hall. The shirts are available in gray with a black and pink writing or a light pink with black and pink writing. Northeast will continue to support breast cancer throughout the month of October. Northeast’s Tiger football team along with its fans will be trying ‘pink-out cancer’ at its final home game of the season on October 28 against Copiah-Lincoln Community College. “We will have 1,000 pink balloons and 500 pink pom-poms for the ball game, said Northeast associated dean of student activities and student services Angie Langley. “We will release 500 balloons at halftime. Everyone is encourage to wear pink that night at the game.” A release by the Baptist Hospital in Booneville states, “The national Cancer Institute estimates that more than 200,000 American men and women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. And over 40,000 people will die from the
disease this year alone. These numbers are quite staggering and we need your help to increase the awareness of this terrible disease. The Power of Pink is our statement of unity and it is our desire that this campaign will bring our city and county together for this common cause. Our goal is to educate our community and increase the awareness of this disease and to see a community painted in pink in memory of those who have fought the good fight and in honor of those who are fighting the disease now.”
Campus police/security keep faculty, staff, students safe By Mark Fielder, Staff Writer Providing a safe and secure environment for the faculty and students of Northeast is the primary goal of the campus police and transitioning from a security to a police force has given the officers of NEMCC valuable tools in keeping the students and faculty of NEMCC safe from crime. Among those tools are training, firearms, and jurisdiction over all NEMCC campuses, and the ability to make arrests.
“Security officers can’t make arrests.” says Dean Bearden Chief of the NEMCC campus police, which is one of the more important distinctions between a security and police force. Having jurisdiction over the campus grants the officers of Northeast the complete autonomy they need to investigate and prosecute crimes committed on campus. Having access to firearms and tasers gives the officers additional options when dealing with violent criminal offenders. Some possible additions to the campus
police in the near future are a K-9 unit and taser training and distribution among the officers. According to David Austin the assistant chief of the NEMCC campus police, “Most serious crimes are committed by criminals coming in from off campus.” The majority of crimes on campus consist of small “preventable” thefts. Beardon says the best way to prevent crime is to simply “Protect your stuff,” and not to leave valuables laying around where others can see and easily steal it.
On the Net: For more information go to http://www2.nemcc.edu/
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The Beacon
Tiger basketball looks to build on state tournament run By Blake Long Staff Writer
By Blake Long Staff Writer
Sophomore Guard Tyler Pritchard, will have an active role in leading the Tigers this season after taking Northeast to the MACJC State Tournament his freshman year.
The weather outside is slowly but surely turning colder. That means only one thing – basketball season is just around the corner. Northeast will be taking the court for the first time in under a week, and Coach David Robbins is excited about what he sees out of his Tigers. “We’ve got several sophomores coming back, and we’re real excited about that,” said Robbins, who enters his sixth season as head coach of the Tigers, “Our incoming freshman, they may be the most talented group we’ve had come in since I’ve been back. “Even though we were just one game over .500 last year, we just continue to try to improve. And I hope we have the right group of young men here to get us to the next level.” Northeast returns seven sophomores from a squad that finished their freshman season with a 12-11 overall record and a third place finish in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division. “Overall, this may be the best group of sophomores we have had as far as leadership capability and how they go about things,” Robbins said of his returning players. Leading that group is sophomore guard Tyler Pritchard. Pritchard, who has been named a captain for the 2010-11 team, hit 45% of his shots, averaging 12.7 points per game while also recording a team high 45 steals and making 75% of his free throws. The Iuka native was named to the MACJC All State First Team as a freshman. “That’s a good position to have a (All State) player coming back,” Robbins said of Pritchard, “That’s where it all starts.” Also returning to the Tigers is Nick Tate. Tate, who was also named team captain for this year’s squad, is back for his third year as a Tiger. “He played quite a bit for us last year,” said Robbins, “We expect good things from him this year.” Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit the Tigers during preseason practice. All State forward Tyrie Berry will miss at least the first half of the season after recently having surgery on his right knee. “He might be back around Christmas, but we don’t know yet,” added Robbins. This means freshmen will have to step
up for Northeast, and Robbins does not think that will be a problem. “All three out of staters (Robert Wade, Jermaine Holliman, and Cedric Janes) are going to be impact players for us,” said Robbins of his freshmen, “Also we may have to play Charlie Easley (Calhoun City) inside some due to Tyrie’s injury.” This year’s schedule once again is no cupcake for Northeast. The Tigers will open up action on Monday, November 1 by travelling to Muscle Shoals, Ala. to take on the Northwest-Shoals Community College Patriots before opening a threegame homestand by hosting Motlow State (Tenn.) Community College on Thursday, November 4. “Each year it seems to get a little more harder and a little more difficult,” added Robbins, “Our non-conference schedule is really tough and we hope that will help prepare us for the North Division.” The Tigers open MACJC North Division play on Thursday, December 2 in Bonner Arnold Coliseum by hosting Northwest Mississippi Community College. Robbins expects the MACJC North to be as wide open as ever this season. “Even though Coahoma didn’t win a game last year, I know on my behalf and other coaches as well that nobody really wanted to play them at any particular time,” stated Robbins of the toughness of the MACJC, “It is wide open, I don’t think there’s just one team that’s just head and shoulders above the rest. “It should make for some very competitive games and fun games to watch.” Other key games on the calendar has dates with Itawamba Community College in Fulton on Monday, January 17 and in Booneville on Thursday, February 10, which will also serve as sophomore night for the Tigers. Defending MACJC North champion East Mississippi Community College comes to Booneville on Monday, January 10. The 2011 MACJC State Tournament will be held February 21-24 at the South Champion and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XXIII Tournament will be held February 28-March 3 at Mississippi College in Clinton.
Softball honored with four all stars By Blake Long Staff Writer
Northeast’s storied softball team continues to rack up honors as we edge closer to the 2011 season. Four players, as well the Lady Tigers coach, have been selected to represent the Lady Tigers in the 2010 Domino’s Mississippi JUCO All Star Showcase. Sophomores Robin Franks, Leslie Hendrix, Taylor Moore, and Kelle West have been selected to play in the second annual event to be held at Ridgeland’s Freedom Ridge Park. Joining the four ladies in Ridgeland will be Northeast head coach Jody Long, who along with Northwest Mississippi Community College coach Mike Rowan and Meridian Community College coach Robert Eakins will be coaching the North squad this year. The Domino’s Mississippi JUCO All-Star Showcase was started in 2009 by Belhaven College head coach Rick Fremin to help showcase the best talent in Mississippi’s junior college system as well as to give them recognition and exposure to senior colleges around not only the southeast but the nation. “All fifteen community colleges in the state participate,” explains Long, “Each team is made up of 30 players, so that’s 15 kids for the first game and 15 for the second. “The biggest thing is there will be a lot of four year schools down there, so it gives them an opportunity to be discovered.” The second annual All Star Showcase features a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. October 29, pitting the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North plus independent Meridian against the MACJC South. “Last year, the South won both games, the first was a one run game and the second the South beat the North 10-0,” said Long,
Taylor Moore Kelle West Leslie Hendrix Robin Franks Infielder Pitcher/Infielder Catcher Utility Bruce Hamilton Kossuth Hernando “Hopefully with our kids we can help recorded a .345 batting average as a “I’m looking forward to it because I get reverse that this year.” freshman with one home run, six doubles, to see the best players in the North,” Long Franks returns to the team after playing and 18 RBIs and added a .429 OBP. The said, “It’s going to be an exciting time.” in 23 games last season. The utility player shortstop had an .870 fielding percentage Northeast enters the 2011 season in batted .286 with 4 runs batted in (RBIs). and successfully stole every base she hopes of redeeming themselves from last The Hernando native recorded a .304 on attempted (19-19). year’s 14-30 season, in which the Lady base percentage (OBP) and an .838 fielding “Most girls don’t get this opportunity,” Tigers finished fifth in the MACJC North percentage. West stated, “It’s wonderful to know I’m (10-14 record), missing the playoffs for the Hendrix is the only in district player going to play against the best.” first time under Long’s tenure. honored as an all star. A former Kossuth “Probably the thing that sets these four But the players feel like this year’s team Lady Aggie, Hendrix has the highest girls aside is all four are very competitive,” will be back to their tradition of winning batting average (.366), RBIs (22), OBP added Long, “They hate to lose. I feel like more than losing. (.437), and fielding percentage (.962) of they’ll take that mentality into this game.” “I feel as though the 2011 season is returning sophomores. Long enters his sixth season at the helm going to be a big success,” Hendrix added, The Northeast catcher, who has been of the Northeast softball program. “Not only do we have talent but we have named team captain for the 2010-11 He was an assistant under Northeast heart and a group of girls who are willing Lady Tiger squad, added two home runs, Sports Hall of Fame coach David Carnell to put forth the effort to succeed this year.” two triples, and five doubles during her before taking over as head coach of the Northeast opens up the 2011 season freshman season. Northeast Lady Tigers in 2006. February 11-12 by participating in the “It is an honor to be able to play in front Since taking over the program, Long has Northwest-Shoals Community College of many four year colleges,” Hendrix said, won two MACJC North Division crowns Tournament in Muscle Shoals, Ala. “Being selected lets me know that I have a (2006, 2008), one North Division runnerThe Lady Tigers open their home slate by chance to play ball at the next level.” up (2007), one National Junior College hosting their annual TigerFest Tournament Moore anchored the Northeast infield Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region on February 25-26 at Booneville City Park. at second base her freshman season. The XXIII Tournament runner-up (2006), and Opponents and times for both tournaments Bruce product hit .281 with 3 RBIs, but has had two NJCAA Academic Team of are still to be determined. had a .374 OBP. Moore stole 93% of her the Year Top Ten finishes (2007, 2008). Northeast opens MACJC North bases successfully (13-14) and recorded an The Lady Tigers have made MACJC State Division at home March 4 by hosting East .873 fielding percentage. Tournament appearances in four of his five Mississippi Community College. Time of West, originally from Hamilton, years as head coach. first pitch is still to be announced.
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Tigers push playoff chances to the brink By Blake Long Staff Writer
Northeast’s Tiger football team is currently 5-3 overall and 4-2 in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division, are but one win away from clinching the number two seat in the North. This year, the Northeast Tigers opened up with a bang with a 34-6 win at East Central Community College. They went to their air assault in Decatur, as receivers caught 18 passes worth 271 yards, led by Donte’ Barksdale’s 101 yards. Barksdale scored a touchdown receiving, and Troy University transfer Josh Jarboe added two touchdown receptions as well. Northeast took their first loss the following week in Summit, as Southwest Mississippi Community College edged the Tigers 20-16. In a back and forth game in which leads were swapped three times in the fourth quarter, the Bears scored the winning touchdown with under three minutes to go on a 2-yard touchdown. It was another fantastic night for Jarboe and Barksdale, the receivers combined to catch 183 yards to lead the Tigers. Northeast responded to the loss by winning two in a row, defeating Mississippi Delta Community College in the Tigers’ home opener 26-13 and defeating Holmes Community College in Goodman 35-20. Northeast christened the newly renamed Tiger Stadium against Mississippi Delta by turning to the running game. Jaquise Cook rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown while Jamarcus Goodloe added 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns himself in the Tigers MACJC North Division opening win.
One week later, Northeast downed Holmes on the back of Jarboe’s second 100-plus receiving day and Cook’s two rushing touchdowns. Week five of the MACJC football season, Northeast hosted Northwest Mississippi Community College in the Jucoweekly.com Game of the Week. The Rangers, ranked number nine in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) added a 26-6 victory to their list. In a game that featured six field goals between place kickers Taylor Earhart (NE) and Kevin Buford (NW), the Rangers scored the lone touchdowns of the game on touchdown passes from Brent Osborn. Rebounding from their loss to Northwest, Northeast defeated East Mississippi Community College in Scooba 49-42 the following Thursday. Cook had a stellar day as they defeated the defending MACJC State Champion and Mississippi Bowl Champion. The Ripley native ran for 267 yards on 35 carries and added four touchdowns, and for his efforts was named the NJCAA Offensive Player of the Week the following week by their office in Colorado Springs, Col. “I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” Cook said after receiving the national award, “My coaches put me in a position to be able to make plays and I just wanted to make sure I did my part to help us win.” Most recently, Northeast, who has received votes in the latest NJCAA Top 20 rankings, took down the other Tigers of the MACJC, Coahoma Community College, at Homecoming. Earhart began the game with a field goal to put Northeast up early 3-0. Coahoma, last year’s runner-up in
Sophomore running back Jaquise Cook of Ripley, bowls over a Coahoma defender during Northeast’s 31-17 Homecoming win on Saturday, October 16. the MACJC North, quickly responded as pass that secured the Tigers’ 31-17 victory Garrick Jones found Hollis Moore for a over Coahoma. touchdown pass, and the visiting Tigers “I give all the credit to my coaching held a 7-3 lead after the first quarter. staff and my players,” Northeast coach Rushing touchdowns by Cook and Ricky Smither said, praising his assistant Goodloe and an 80 yard punt return for coaches, “Coach (Jeff) Carter, Coach a touchdown by Deion Belue extended (John) Darnell, Coach (Brad) Boyette, and Northeast’s lead to 24-7 with 8 minutes to Coach (Travis) Macon, I mean these guys go in the third quarter. deserve the credit for all the hard work they But the Tigers of Clarksdale scored the put in to this football program.” next 10 points – on a touchdown run by Northeast has its final home game Courtney Vaughn and a field goal by Trent left in the 2010 season as the Tigers host Williams – to come within one possession Copiah-Lincoln Community College on of tying the game at 24-17 with fourteen October 28, at 7 p.m. minutes left. The MACJC Playoffs begin on However, Northeast secured the victory Saturday, November 6 with the MACJC when quarterback Bryan Steele found State Championship to be played the Diante Curlee on a five yard touchdown following week on November 13.
Lady Tigers are young but ready By Sha’ Simpson Co-Editor
Sophomore Chelsey Whitaker will be heavily relied on in the post this season due to her experience and being only one of two sophomores on the team.
For the Northeast Lady Tiger basketball team, this season there is a lot to look forward to and be optimistic about. Northeast head coach Ricky Ford believes that he has one of the best teams that he has coached in years. “We are probably more talented this year than in the past three (3) years combined,” Ford said. “We have a lot of speed and quickness at all positions on the floor. We are not nearly as big as we probably need to be but we have more quickness that hopefully will compensate for the lack of height.” One thing Ford does have a lot of is freshman. “I am very excited for this year’s Lady Tigers because of all the new faces that we have. We have twelve (12) freshmen that are going to be playing their first college basketball game on Nov. 4,” Ford said. “We will be looking for freshmen to not only lead us on the floor but also lead us off the floor. They have responded well to the roles we have asked them to do for us.” Ford points out that his strength this year will be in handling the ball – something that the Lady Tigers have struggled with in the past but Ford is optimistic about the Lady Tigers’ guard play this year. “Our strong points will be our guard play because we have the ability to play at least six guards that will be able to contribute,” Ford explained. “We have the luxury to be able to do some things that because of lack of speed and ability we were not able to do in the last few years. We will probably have the ability to put more pressure on the opposing team all over the floor whereas in the past we could not do that.” Being able to get the ball up and down the floor will be a plus, but the veteran mentor knows that to win the game, the Lady Tigers are going to have to put points up on the board. “Another point about our guards is the fact that they have a lot of individual skills as far as being able to dribble and shoot and go one on one and be successful,” Ford said. One thing that the Lady Tigers have struggled and lacked in the past is balance, yet, fortunately it seems as if this season could be a turnaround for the Lady Tiger program.
“Another great point is our forwards that have the ability to score around the basket with consistency,” Ford said. “In addition, they have a lot of athletic ability, which enable them to run the floor very well. All this makes this year’s Lady Tigers a very balanced team and one that will be very successful.” Ford returns just two players from last year’s squad that went 7-13, 5-7 in the North Division. “We are expecting a lot from our two returnees Chelsey Whitaker (Alcorn Central) and Amber Johnson (Pine Grove),” Ford said. “Both of these players bring a lot of experience from last year, which will be very important in the early going.” To make a statement in one of the most competitive leagues in the nation, Ford knows that his first-year players will have to make an immediate impact. “Our freshmen that will have to jump right into the heat of battle in college basketball will be Anna Brooke Page from Belmont who was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s (MHSAA) State tournament last year,” Ford said. “In addition, Erin Strowder (Southwind HS, Tenn.) will have to mature very quickly and play a major role for us with our inside game.” “I’m excited about it. I’m just ready to share with our fans the talent and togetherness that the team has,” Strowder said. “It’s a new year and we are all ready to make history for 2010.” “We are also relying heavily on Tiffany Martin from Olive Branch and Patra Hubbard from Humbolt, Tenn., to provide scoring and defense from the guard spot,” Ford said. “We also are expecting a lot of help from Bree Harris and Carleigh King from New Site, Zoe Hammock from Belmont, Hillary Miller from Booneville, Suriah Branch from Caledonia, Alex Hill from Jackson, Tenn., Kiana Jones from Ashland, T.K. Westbrook from Shannon, Breanna Howard form Jackson.” The Lady Tigers open up action on Monday, November 1 by travelling to Muscle Shoals, Ala. to take on the Northwest-Shoals Community College Patriots before hosting Motlow State (Tenn.) Community College on Thursday, November 4 in the friendly confines of Bonner Arnold Coliseum.
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“Impulse” remains suspensive thriller By Heather Smith, Staff Writer
The popular author Ellen Hopkins has done it again. Her novel “Impulse” has gone deep into a highly sensitive subject that most authors are not brave enough to discuss. Impulse is the suspenseful story about three troubled teenagers who were committed to a mental institution for attempted suicide. This amazing book was published on January 23, 2007 by Simon & Schuster and it takes us on an interesting journey into the lives of Tony, Vanessa, and Connor, three patients in the Aspen Springs Mental Institution who were sent there to deal with their emotional and mental problems. These kids are dealing with serious issues that so many teenagers are dealing with today. Teenagers today deal with similar situations that drove these characters to attempt suicide. Even simple issues such as a parent who pushes the child too hard to achieve goals. Like Connor, whose constant conflict with his parents about his athletic and academic success caused him to believe that his only way out was to end his seemingly perfect life. Teenagers who read this book can see that they are not the only people in the world that feel like they have no other way of dealing with their problems that to simply give up. This book is a perfect example of the stress that today’s youth is being faced with. So many teenagers choose to end their lives rather than to fight their way through. This touchy issue has affected hundreds of families throughout the years. These teens need to understand that there are other ways out and that ending their lives only causes more problems for the loved ones they leave behind. Losing one child to this horrific act is bad enough, but losing several each year is a serious issue that this country must do more to prevent.
Stockett’s “The Help” shows different side By Debbie Friar, Staff Writer This book, by Kathryn Stockett is set in Jackson, Miss., during the Kennedy years and is told from three points of view. Abilene and Minny,the help who reveal their stories,are black Skeeter,an educated young woman with no real plans for the future is white. Abilene works for Miss Leefolt,taking care of her daughter, Mae Mobley and spends most of her time shielding the fat little girl from her mother’s verbal abuse. Her friend, Minny has no problem speaking her mind. The mother of five and married to an abusive drunk who works the night shift, Minny is known around Jackson as the best cook in the city and the one with the biggest mouth. I love the part when Minny tells Abilene where she says, “ If I had played mammy I would have told Scarlet to stick those green draperies up her white little pooper. Make her own damn man catching dress.” Skeeter is the one to put the plot in motion,she is an aspiring writer,she decides
Ellen Hopkins is one of today's most famous authors in the eyes of teenagers. Her novels are unique and allow the readers to relate to the characters in the stories and one of my personal favorites is “Identical”. “Identical” is about identical twins Raeanne and Kaeleigh. It is told from both girls’ points of view and how one of them is being abused by their father. Living in California and being the daughters of a political official makes life for these girls even more difficult. Each girl goes through challenges similar to the ones her sister is going through, although, one of the girls is hiding a big secret.
to write her own book interviewing the black maids and their experiences hoping this will be her ticket to New York. My favorite line is “You better watch out your help knows more than you think.” My least favorite part of the story is when Miss Leefolt has a special bathroom made in her house for her black maid,that is degrading to me as it is to her. Aibileen is middle-aged woman and without family, she lost a grown son to an accident but has raised seventeen white children as part of her duties,she has a dry sense of humor about her as she stated to one of her white children she raised,she told him do not .drink coffee or if will turn you colored and he says he has not drunk a cup of coffee and he is twenty years old of age now. This novel puts together three women in a extradionary way,there is hate and love between them and this is a good novel and I encourage you to read this book. Some things have change during that time and some still remain the same. There are rumors there will be a movie from this novel, if so, I would love to go and see it.
Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy to headline DECA fundraiser By Sarah Leathers, Staff Writer Northeast’s chapter of Delta Epsilon Chi Association (DECA) wants to go and compete with other schools to improve themselves and to show just how much there is to learn here at Northeast, but to do these competition trips some money is required. DECA invites everyone to help the chapter raise money while providing some well-worth night of fun and entertainment as the group holds a fund-raising concert on Thursday, November 4 at 6 p.m. in Seth Pounds Auditorium Entertainment includes Busted Screen
Door, John Milstead and Band; which includes Northeast’s very own Blake Dees, and Northeast alumni Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy. To purchase advance tickets stop by Gordon Hall room 126 or students can get them at the door the night of the event. Advance tickets are $10 while general admission the night of the event is $12.
(Left) Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy performing at the Northeast Back to School Luau in August. (Right) Cover of their recently released ablum.
“Identical” witnesses a twin’s life By Heather Smith, Staff Writer
The Beacon
Throughout the novel Raeanne and Kaeleigh must learn how to conquer their emotional hurdles without losing sight of what is really important in life. I loved this novel because I am also a twin. It goes through all of the challenges of being a twin such as greed and the competition for parental affection. These girls go through things that some of the readers cannot even imagine. Like Ellen Hopkins' other novels, Identical is written in verse, so it takes patience to read this amazing story. Raeanne and Kaeleigh must learn to work together to solve their problems or face the reality of losing their parents and each other forever. I hope that this novel touches the heart of just one person like it touched mine.
“Chuck”: Season 3 on DVD hits the ground running Put on your sneakers and get ready. Chuck is back in the season 3 on DVD. Chuck has downloaded the new Intersect 2.0 completely updated with a mastery of Kung Fu and every other skill a fledgling super spy needs. Season 3 kicks off where the last season ended with Chuck surrounded by heavily armed, extremely ticked bad guys. Unfortunately, for the villains the new Intersect 2.0 is good for more than just “flashing” on random bits of CIA information. While I enjoy the addition of Chuck’s mastery of Kung Fu skills the actor has trouble selling the action.
It’s easy to tell that Zachary Levi, the actor that plays Chuck, is not the most capable athlete in the world. Despite the inadequacies of the martial arts action, season 3 of Chuck is my favorite in the series so far. The same off-beat “Buy More” humor is back and better than ever. CIA special agent John Casey (Adam Baldwyn) is back and his dry Ronald Reagan worshiping humor is off the wall hilarious. Jeffster, Jeff and Lester’s band have their own special feature on this DVD, which is reason enough for me to put down 40 bucks on it. The gag real is also a brilliant waste of three minutes of your life. Overall if you enjoy Chuck, or even action-comedy hybrids then Chuck is defiantly a must buy for any DVD collector.
F.B.I. Special Agent Adam Frawley, who is determined to bring down this intelligent, well-organized crew, and is relying on Claire to give him some concrete clue to go on, since the crew destroys all evidence that could lead to them after each job. As MacRay gets closer to Claire he finds his loyalties tested and his goals in life compromised. All the actors shine in the film, but there are two veteran actors who absolutely command your attention with very limited screen time allotted to do so. The first is Pete Postlethwaite who portrays small time crime lord Fergie Colm. His menacing stare and controlled movements are simply riveting, especially considering how little screen time he has. His cold and calculated character will stay with you. Perhaps, the most memorable performance is delivered by Chris Cooper, as Stephen MacRay, Doug’s incarcerated father, who has only one scene in the film, but manages to burn his character into viewers’ minds.
In the director’s chair, Affleck truly makes a splash with some of the best action scenes I’ve seen in years. The production is handsomely mounted and the tension and pace are handled with a master’s touch. I admit that I had preconceived notions of what this film would be like when I went into the theater. I expected something on an epic level, somewhere along the lines of Micheal Mann’s 1995 masterpiece “Heat”. What’s amazing is that Affleck delivered more than what I was expecting, simply on a smaller more personal scale. These characters and their settings are truly intriguing and involving, and if surrender to the dark currents running through the story, you will be swept up into one of the year’s most involving dramas. The only room for improvement lies with the somewhat conventional plot, which could have held a little more technical and procedural content. But, then, that is clearly not Affleck’s goal with this film. He is reaching deep into the heart with this one and it shows.
By Mark Fielder, Staff Writer
Affleck delivers with “The Town” Dason Pettit, Special to The Beacon There’s something very rewarding in watching the drama that is inherent in the situations that criminals (movie criminals, anyway) often find themselves in. In director/star Ben Affleck’s new film, “The Town”, viewers are exposed not only to the seedy, yet fascinating allure of the one mile square area of Boston known as Charlestown, but are also taken deep into the mindsets of the ordinary people who engage in that most daring of criminal activities : the heist. This is Affleck’s sophomore effort behind the camera. His first film being the truly remarkable and affecting “Gone Baby Gone”, also set in Affleck’s native Boston and starring brother Casey Affleck and Michelle Monahan. I was very impressed by Affleck the director, but now I find myself just as wowed by Affleck the thespian. It’s here in “The Town” where he finally proves
beyond any shadow of a doubt that his charisma as a leading man can truly carry a picture. Affleck has had his share of ups and downs when it comes to playing front and center in front of the camera, although this reviewer never shared the animosity that many critics have directed his way over the years. And, of course, it certainly helps to have the support of the stellar cast he lined up here, including Academy Award Nominee Jeremy Renner, British actress Rebecca Hall, and Jon Hamm. The story involves a small crew of career criminals who take down heists in their spare time. Led by Doug MacRay (Affleck) the film opens with a heist in which the robbers take bank teller Claire Keesey hostage in order to escape. She emerges from the ordeal unscathed physically, but emotionally fragile. MacRay enters her life at the behest of his loose-cannon friend and fellow bank robber, James Coughlin, who believes Claire will compromise them to the task force assigned to the case. Enter