THE
Starkville High School
JACKET BUZZ Volume XXV, No. 2 • February 10, 2016
INSIDE
National Signing Day Jones stays at home, signs with Miss. State
SHS wide receiver A.J. Brown signs to play football at Mississippi Page 5
SHS Theatre students advance to regional competition Page 3
SHS students make record donations in blood drive Page 2
By Camryn Dawkins Jacket Buzz Editor
On February 3, 2016, Four Star Defensive Recruit Kobe Jones announced the biggest decision of his life at the Starkville High School Athletic Complex. “I actually made the final decision last night because it was a hard process.” Jones said. With offers from the University of Miami, University of Alabama, and Mississippi State University, Jones committed to Mississippi State University, a decision which will keep him at home. “As I looked at the statistics, I could not afford not to go to MSU,” said Jones. Mississippi State Defensive Line Coach David Turner, played a major role in his final decision. “He makes me feel comfortable, and we have developed a very strong relationship over the past few weeks,’ Jones said.
Kobe Jones unzips his jacket to reveal his pick.
Red-shirting his freshman year does not worry Jones because he feels his work ethic will win him a starting position. “It is my home town and I am going to feel like a king around here,” said Jones. Growing up in Mississippi
Jones felt there was so much out there, so he took every official visit possible. “ It was really hard to choose MSU because I did not want to miss out on something bigger and better, but the grass is not always greener on the
Photo by Camryn Dawkins
other side,” said Jones. Jones felt MSU was his pick over Miami because of the home support he would receive from the Bulldog community.
See “Signing” page 8
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The Jacket Buzz
FEBRUARY10, 2016
Exchange students share feelings about new home By angel tate Jacket Buzz
The experience of being an exchange student can be everlasting. An exchange student is a one in high school or in post-secondary systems of education who leave his or her home country to spend anywhere between a few weeks and an entire year within a foreign country. Starkville High School has three foreign exchange students this school year: Paul Enseling, Eduardo Aguero, and Benedetta Trentarossi. Paul Enseling who is from the west side of Germany, close to the Dutch/ Netherland border is a 15 year old junior. Paul plays soccer for the Starkville High School Boys’ Soccer Team. Paul truly likes America and said his favorite thing here is the people, but his least favorite thing is cafeteria food. “They (the people) are so nice,” said Enseling. Enseling said there is not a huge difference between American and German the culture, yet one difference is there are no school or university sports teams in Germany.
Photo by Angel Tate
Enseling, Aguero and Trentarossi enjoy the culture of Starkville High School.
“You have to go to a club or select team to play sports. I really like it better here. Everybody at the school sticks together and supports the school, for example, at football games,” Enseling said.
The second exchange student is Eduardo Aguero. Eduardo is from Coahuila, Mexico, located about three hours from Texas. He is a 16 year old junior. He plays golf and soccer for the Starkville High School Boys’ Soc-
cer Team. Aguero said he likes everything about the USA but he misses home too. “My least favorite part about being in America is that I miss a lot of things in Mexico,” Aguero said. Benedetta Trentarossi is from Milan, Italy. She is a 17 year old junior. She said her favorite thing here is the school and the football games. “I do not think there is anything that I do not like. It is all new and I love new experiences. It is very different from Italy. The biggest difference would probably be the school,” Trentarossi said. In Italy school is only for study, and they have the same classmates for five years. Trentarossi said here there are a lot of fun things to do. There are a large number of clubs and sports teams. She hopes to be on the track team. “Also, here you change classmates every block and you get to meet more people,” Trentarossi said. Being in a foreign country brings about experiences that one never forgets. It teaches a great deal about becoming more open to new ideas and change.
SHS students make donations in record for blood drive By Ethan Tucker Jacket Buzz Staff
SHS students gave blood January 20 - 21 in the bloodmobile parked on Victory Lane right outside the SHS gym. Cameron Maddox, a senior, gave blood to help others. “It is an easy way to contribute to saving lives,” Maddox said. Each year we have numerous students here at SHS ready to donate blood to those in need, and this year was no exception.
“We had 132 students to sign up… the most we’ve ever had,” Nurse Gruchy said. She was excited and very proud of the student body for being very selfless and willing to donate blood in order to help those in need. The blood donated by SHS will be transported to multiple hospitals all across Mississippi. This life saving blood is very important for many injuries that occur every year in Mississippi.
Photo by Lawson Joy Dumas
Tyrese Kelly grimaces as a nurse prepares him for a blood donation during a drive held at Starkville High School Jan. 20 and 21.
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New program recognizes, praises students’ efforts By katelyn Peeples Jacket Buzz staff
Examples of Excellence is a new event at Starkville High School. The administration, counselors and SHS Leadership Team has started this program to recognize teachers and students whose efforts have made an impact on the school. “The criteria is open, you can get this award for anything, you do not have to be a straight A student to be excellent. Excellence is across the school,” lead teacher and program facilitator Ginger Tedder said. Any student in the school has a chance to receive this award. Per month all academic and curriculum departments choose one student to recognize. The nine students who have been chosen to re-
ceive this award are called to the office to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the school. Following this recognition, each student is then asked to choose a teacher who has directly impacted his or her life. “I was excited, and it was a bonding moment for my teacher and me. I felt honored and grateful that I was chosen,” freshman recipient, Georgia Grace Thurlow said. Receiving the Examples of Excellence award is a great honor for both teacher and student. With recognition comes the big perk — both the students and the teachers they have chosen are invited for a catered meal in their honor the following week. The meal is hosted by the school’s administrators as a way for them to show their appreciation for true student and teacher ded-
Students and teachers celebrate Examples of Excellence.
ication. “Starkville High school will hold this event for many years to come; it has really shown the students that people no-
tice the hard work they have put in to really represent their school in the best way possible,” Tedder said. A display case in the down-
Submitted Photo
stairs main hall of SHS has been designated as the Examples of Excellence showcase. Recipients’ photos can be viewed in the case.
SHS theatre students advance to regional competition By Lawson Joy Dumas Jacket Buzz Staff
Submitted photo
Starkville High theatre students advanced to regional competition with their state festival performance of “Eurydice.”
The Starkville High School Theatre competed in the Mississippi Theatre Association competition January 14-15 in Meridian, Miss. “Eurydice”, a Greek Myth about Orpheus and Eurydice, is the play they performed at MTA. The play pushed them on to compete at the next level, Southeastern Theatre Conference in North Carolina on March 1-6. The cast won Runner-up for Best Production at MTA. They
also received many rewards such as Excellence in Sound and Makeup design, overall Technical Excellence, and Best Actress, Liz Jones, for “Eurydice.” “As a whole this was our best performance yet. We really connected onstage and the judges noticed.” said Liz Jones. Jones believes they still have room to improve and will put on an even better show at SETC. Progressing on to the next level, SETC is something that hasn’t happened in over 5 years.
“To advance to the largest theatre conference in the world is a rare honor that reflects greatly on the Starkville School District.,” said Jones. Jones also believes that SHS is not only a school of athletic and academics excellence, but artistic excellence as well. Achieving all the awards they received took a good director to help push them selves to be the best they are. “Mr. Dendy, the director knew what kind of talent he had to work with and out everyone in a place they could shine,” said Jones.
OPINION
Page 4 The Jacket Buzz february 10, 2016
Social media, the new note home Restrictive gun laws unfair life saver. Many students folThe use of social media by schools, low the account and receive teachers, and coaches is beneficial. helpful information. It helps Technology has taken over our socibring money into the school ety and we all know it’s the best way also by the alert of all the to stay in touch. fundraisers that go on. GroupMe, Twitter, Instagram and Social media is the best Facebook are examples of apps and way for the faculty as well social media used by some coaches to Tatiana Burgess as the school board to reach keep their athletes informed. out to the student body. There I hear students say they don’t at- Columnist is probably no other way to tend certain school events, or sign up for certain activities because “they didn’t reach such a huge portion of students at one time. Everyone is not available know about it,” myself included. According to Jose Duarte from omg- through social media, but most are and facts.com “an average smart-phone user then that’s where spreading the word checks their phone around 110 times a comes in. Before we had all of these cyber connecday. Meaning during walking hours, you probably check your phone more than tions, schools sent letters home providing information, but I know I always lost it beonce every 10 minutes.” Some people’s habit is worse than oth- fore it ever reached the destination of my ers, but if we’re going to check it so much parent. Most students leave these notes in why not for the right reasons. Schools cre- their lockers, cars, backpacks or toss them ate social media accounts to alert students in the trash as they exit the building. Now, using social media eliminates this and parents of school-related activities, providing way more interaction from the problem because students and parents students. Teachers and coaches should do can always go back and find everything on the Internet. With social media parents the same. The journalism staff, here at Starkville become more involved in their children’s High, manages a twitter account which school events. They receive updates and keeps students updated about sports, stay posted. Everyone deserves a right to academic achievements, scholarship op- know of all the things we have going on portunities, and just general after-school in the Jacket Nation. Social media is the activities. I view this social media use as a new “note home.”
Staff
Leadership Team Editor in Chief: Camryn Dawkins Photography: Tristen Grantham Faculty Adviser: Angela Hobart
lose a little sense Recently there has been a lot of of security. controversy about gun laws. The Gun control is president has stated his opinion not the answer. about them by saying that we If we stop crimishould ban use of assault weapnals and take their ons. Altering these laws is not guns, then we beneficial. wouldn’t have to If a criminal wants a gun, he limiting or she will get one illegally from Coleman Kennedy discuss guns to citizens. the black market. If a criminal re- Columnist America would be ally wants to use a gun for force or to kill someone, then a piece of safer with fewer criminals on the street meaning fewer guns in the paper will not stop him or her. Restrictive gun laws make it wrong hands. Some people do not eat prodifficult to practice our rights as Americans. It also hinders our sec- cessed meat, they live off the land ond amendment which says we and they need guns to survive. have the right to bear arms. Ev- Without guns, those people have eryone should have equal rights a hardship of getting meat to eat. to guns. According to the Geneva- Who are we to say that any certain based small arms survey, 89% of choice of lifestyle is right or wrong? the people in the United States Better or worse? Shouldn’t we, as own guns. That is a very large por- Americans, have the right to live tion of America. It would be hard as we choose within the law? If gun laws are made, and into make these laws and changes if nocent civilians have to pay conmost people already have guns. If criminals can get guns then sequences for simply owning a why can’t everyone? If people lose gun, yet criminals walk the streets their rights to guns, then the inno- with the guns, there is something cent civilians will be helpless be- seriously wrong with that. For a cause nobody will have a gun but criminal, owning a gun is just one the criminals. When we don’t have more law he or she does not care a weapon to defend ourselves, we about breaking.
Mari Hunter Brown Dawson Burrell Carly Daniewicz Lawson Joy Dumas Kennis Kingery Hailey Locke Cameron Maddox Katelynn Peeples Ethan Tucker
Editorial Policy
The Jacket Buzz is published by the Journalism Department at Starkville High School. The Jacket Buzz is a student-run publication committed to providing SHS with objective information and serves as a forum for student expression. Opinions expressed are those of students and do not necessarily reflect the views of administrators and others in the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District. Content decisions are made by student editors. Factual errors will be corrected in the next scheduled edition. Letters to the editor are accepted and published, excluding those that are deemed libelous or disruptive. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for grammar and space availability. All letters and comments may be e-mailed to shsjacketbuzz@gmail.com.
CLUB BUZZ
Page 5 The Jacket Buzz february 10, 2016
Honor Society builds ‘Left Field Lounge’ at Carlisle Field By Cameron Maddox Jacket Buzz Staff
The National Honor Society is working on multiple projects throughout January and February including the Left Field Lounge Project led by Cameron Johnston at Starkville High School’s Carlisle Baseball Field. Johnston squired the idea when “some of the guys wanted to have a construction project and we felt like a baseball lounge would be fun to build and encourage people to attend the games.” Although the initial plan was to have the project done by the start of the baseball season, the reoccurring bad weather may cause the project to be prolonged. On Feb. 11, 34 new members will be in-
ducted into the National Honor Society. Patrick Bell, a member of the Honor Society, is “looking forward to having more great service members to pass the torch on to for the upcoming year.” Other projects such as The Starkville Manor Project will also be ongoing throughout this semester. Josie Buntin, the founder of the project, describes the project as a “great way for the residents to spend their time” and to have “an even greater way for the students to make an impact on their lives there at the nursing home.” The National Honor Society also changed multiple rules, including changing the minimum service hours required from 2 Photo by Ethan Tucker personal hours for seniors to 10 personal The National Honor Soceity is constructing a left field lounge to Carhours. lisle Field as a commmunity service project.
DECA students win big
Debate Club masters art of effective argument By Carly Daniewicz Jacket Buzz Staff
Kathy Dawkins/For the Jacket Buzz
Fifteen members of the Millsaps Career and Technology Center DECA recently won honors at the district competition. In addition, DECA advisor Kathy Dawkins was named as District III MAME Teacher of the Year for the third consecutive year and will compete for the State Teacher of the Year this month.
The Starkville High Debate Club is one of the many clubs students can join to learn how to debate and speak at competitions. “Debate is where you get controversial subjects and have your best arguments with your opponent and you really try to figure out what should be done,” debate student Ethan Hall said. “One of our past ones we had was if hand guns should be banned in the United States.” As for debate student Hannah Jian, joining the Debate
Club was a decision she made with the help of her friends. “A lot of my older Asian friends always did it and would talk about it and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, this sounds really interesting!’ For me personally, I would always do sports but I was horrible at sports, so I found this,” Jian said. Debate students are required to speak in front of judges and a large crowd at competitions, so mentally preparing for a debate can be tricky. “You have to expect to do the best you can,” Hall said. “You have to accept defeat if it happens, but you’ll have See “Debate” page 8
SPORTS
Page 6 The Jacket Buzz february 10, 2016
SHS’ Brown signs letter of intent with Rebels By Acacia McBride Jacket Buzz STAFF
Senior Arthur (A.J.) Brown signs to continue his football career at the Univerisy of Mississippi. With about 15 offers from different universities, Brown said his decision to play for the Rebels was made long before signing day. “I basically just went with my gut. I wanted to play for them a long time ago.” Brown said. He also admits to narrowing his final decision to Alabama and Ole Miss. After signing day, he said he is confident in the decision he has made, regardless of it being in favor of his hometown’s rival.
Head Coach Ricky Woods was proud of Brown and this senior class. “They just need to make up their own minds and go where they think is best for them and where they feel most comfortable,” Woods said. On knowledge of where the players were signing, Woods said he didn’t know where they were signing until the actual moment to sign. Brown looks forward to attending Ole Miss and is ready to see what the future holds for him. “It’s a win-win situation. I will be getting my education and playing at the University of Mississippi,” Brown said.
Photo by Kaylie Beth Hobart/Jacket Buzz Staff
Starkville High School four-star wide receiver A.J. Brown signs his letter of intent to play football at the University of Mississippi on National Signing Day last week.
SHS Jacket Nation signees celebrate Photo by Kaylie Beth Hobart/Jacket Buzz Staff
Starkville High School players who signed letters of intent on National Football Signing Day include, from left, Malik Bell, Aretavis Hendrix, Monterrio Montgomery, Terrance Grayer, Kobe Jones, Lorenzo Dantzler, Avery Brown, A.J. Brown and Rontavis Clark. Also signing a letter intent is Parker Lemm, who is not visible.
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Cross country, track standout New SHS archery Kate Mattox named state coach not new, Gatorade Runner of the Year looking forward By Dawson Burrell
By Kennis Kingery
Jacket Buzz Staff
Junior Starkville High School cross country and track runner Kate Mattox was selected Mississippi’s Girls Gatorade Runner of the Year for the third year in a row. Mattox is only the second athlete to ever win the award three consecutive years. “A huge factor for winning this award is the state meet, and who performs the fastest times there,” Mattox said. Mattox said that not only do officials look at state times, but they also look at the season as a whole and what a runner does for the community. “You just prove that you want it through your training and racing,” Mattox said. Working hard in the classroom also played a factor in Mattox receiving the award. “It means so much to me to receive this award. It has been my goal since seventh grade to get it,” said Mattox. Mattox gives credit to her teammates for always supporting her and pushing her to work the hardest through the season, from early morning workouts to summer running. “I want to thank my coaches for their support and constant encouragement,” Mattox added.
Jacket Buzz Staff
Submitted photo/Jacket Buzz
Cross country and track runner Kate Mattox was named as Mississippi’s Gatorade Runner of the Year.
After the recent resignation of previous Archery Coach Michelle Guyton, Assistant Football Coach Tate Fischer will be filling the slot for the upcoming season. “Ms. Guyton left for family reasons, so they asked me to step up and be the guy,” Fischer said. Although switching from football to archery can be a drastic change, especially with the major success of Fischer this year’s team, adding yet Returning team member another sport to his schedand senior, Garrett Phelps ule, Coach Fischer has spoke regarding Coach Fisplenty of experience with cher. this to ease by without any “He (Fischer) worked trouble. well with everyone last “I’ve done it my whole year, so I think it will work career,” having coached out. He did fine with her football, archery and track for twenty-five years, “they (Coach Guyton) here so I don’t conflict so it won’t be think he’ll do fine without her as well,” Phelps said. a problem,” Fischer said. Although Coach Fischer This being his third year and having eight seniors by was not present for tryouts, his side, Coach Fischer has he still has some idea of who he has to work with based nothing to worry about. “Looks to me like there’s on returning members. Having some experia lot of new kids who have enced members tagging never shot before, so just along with him still, Coach getting them to be able to Fischer should only have to consistently shoot on target will be the biggest chal- coach up a fair amount of newcomers. lenge,” Fisher said.
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The Jacket Buzz
february 10, 2016
Gee represents SHS JROTC holds annual Military Ball on indoor track team By Mari Hunter Brown
Jacket Buzz Staff Ralesheia Gee represented Starkville High School on this year’s indoor track team. Gee strives to do her best when it comes to track. Gee has been running track for five years. “So far this season I’ve placed third in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.91 seconds,” Gee said. “I have also won long jump with a jump of 17.9 feet.” Both of these events took place at the L.S.U. High School Ralesheia Gee Classic on Jan. 9. “The difference between Although Gee prefers outdoor track because of its in- indoor and outdoor track are tensity, she is pleased with her the track sizes. The indoor track is 200 meters, while the senior indoor track season. “Before every meet I pray, outdoor track is 400 meters,” stretch and listen to music to Gee said. Gee said she does not know get in my zone and get foif she is signing and has not cused,” Gee said. Gee said running track made a decision on where she plays a huge role in her life. plans to attend, but said she It teaches her leadership and looks forward to running in college. responsibility.
Debate From page 5
to accept the success, a huge
Signing From page 1
Head Coach Ricky Woods was ecstatic with the group
Photos by Tristen Grantham/ Jacket Buzz Photo Editor
Top Photo: Yellow Jacket Batallio Staff, Antoiette Hinton and Darius Bell make their grand entrance into the Military Ball. Bottom Photo: Commander Shaliyah Miles and Eric Lowery make their way through the honor guard.
success. A lot of preparation helps definitely, that helps you not be so anxious and nervous and helps you be prepared in general.”
The students in Debate Club learn a lot from debate and pull out a lot of significant value from it. “One thing debate has re-
ally helped me do is help my public speaking,” Jian said. “You need a lot of attributes way off in high school and into college and maybe in the
work force, and I think debate really helps with that.” The Debate Club members competed last week in Salt Lake City, Utah.
of seniors that signed their National Letters of Intent. “I appreciate what they did for Starkville High School and the community as a whole,” said Woods.
Other signees include: Four star recruit AJ Brown, University of Mississippi; Parker Lemm, East Central Community College; Lorenzo Dantlzer, University of
Southern Miss; Avery Brown, East Mississippi Community College; Rontavious Clark, Itawamba Community College; Monterio Montgomery, Itawamba Community Col-
lege; Terrance Grayer, Mississippi Delta Community College; Montavious Hendrix, Gulfcost Community College; Malik Bell, East Mississippi Community College.