J acket The
buzz
starkville high school • 603 Yellowjacket Dr. Starkville, MS, 39759 • www.shsjacketbuzz.com • VOLUME XVII, No. 5 • 03-25-10
Mandatory dress code passes for fall of 2010 blouses or turtlenecks, and are not allowed to have logos other then the ‘yellow On March 2, the Starkville jacket’ logo. school board voted 5-0 to Pants must be either pass the new dress code black or khaki colored (uniform) policy. dress pants, and pants with Now, the Starkville High belt loops will require that School administration is a belt be worn. taking steps to implement The policy also states the policy for next school that each school will adopt year. colors of shirts with input “The whole process is go- from parents and students. ing to be a learning curve In January, the Student for me,” principal Keith Government selected Fennell said. “I’m entering black, white and gray as this routine with limited, if the designated colors for any, experience in my back- the tops. ground. I’ve not ever come However, both Fennell from a school that had uni- and Couey want more stuforms, so I am going to be dent involvement in the fiprepared to learn as we go nal decision. along.” “I’d like to get more feedOne of the major set- back from students and backs in the policy’s appli- parents about what they cation is the confusion that would like in the way of surrounds the topic. colors and stuff like that,” “I think it’d be good for Couey said. “I think everyeveryone to understand thing was too up-in-the-air what all the options are,” about whether we were gosuperintendant Judy Couey ing to have the policy or said. “I think there is still not that perhaps everyone a great deal of confusion, didn’t get enough input. I even though the policy has want to make sure everybeen released.” one has that opportunity.” The policy states that tops One of the larger tasks must be collared shirts, at hand is to find a list of By Taylor Bowden Contributing Writer
The Starkville school board, pictured above during a Feb. meeting, voted 5-0 to approve a mandatory student dress code on March 2. Photo by Ruth Brown.
vendors that sell clothing that passes the dress code requirements. While students and parents are not required to purchase clothing from specific vendors, the district is planning to work with a few businesses to provide reduced costs for the specified clothing. A controversial subject since its conception, reaction has ranged from outrage to agreement. Although a rare find with-
in the student body, there are a handful of students who agree with the dress code. “I think its one step closer to making Starkville High School a better school disciplinary-wise and even maybe a little safer for future students,” senior Jacob Jordan said. “I can’t think of any negative outcomes from having a dress code.” Of course, there are numerous students that disagree with the dress code
itself and the reasons behind it. “I think they should worry about other things like books,” sophomore Rachael Damms said. “They need to stop worrying so much on what people are wearing and pay more attention to the actual education that the schools provide.” But it is not just the students that are being affect SEE “DRESS CODE”, PAGE 2.
Did you know SHS has a bowling team? ... Feature on Pages 6-7.
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Arlena Fischer and her brother Arlington Fischer protest the dress code policy at a Supt. Judy Couey speaks at a recent Public Forum on the student dress code issue. Couey presented a slideshow detailing recent school board meeting. Photo by Ruth Brown. the effects of the policy on campus safety. Photo by Ruth Brown.
DRESS CODE, CONT’D FROM PAGE 1. ed by the change. Families will have to reexamine their clothing budgets and make the adjustments needed to purchase what may be, for some, whole new wardrobes. “I have mixed feelings,” art history teacher Marcy Smith said. “I don’t think it will solve any safety issues, and the policy we have in place now isn’t being enforced. As a parent it’s just going to be an extra expense and burden.” While some see it as a burden, others see it as a good change for the district. “We have students that are competing with clothing, buying name brand items that cost ridiculous sums of money that their parents have to pay for,” math teacher Rick Cham-
“When we have intruders on campus, as we often do, if our student body is wearing a certain kind of clothing apparel, intruders are that much easier to spot.” - Sammy Shumaker, School Resource Officer
bers said. “And then you’ll have the kid whose parents cannot afford to pay for expensive clothing and it does make them feel bad. It’s just not a good environment to be in. “If everybody is wearing khakis and a button-down shirt, then you eliminate that class distinction.” Although there are those who disagree with the Couey’s reasoning, SHS school
resource office Sammy Shumaker states that safety has been a problem in the past and that having a dress code policy will help in the future. “Most people don’t understand some things that have happened,” Shumaker said. “When we have intruders on campus, as we often do, if our student body is wearing a certain kind of clothing apparel,
intruders are that much easer to spot.” Several guards from other districts that have had uniforms say that it does greatly affect the safety of the school. While there are still those who push for its removal, both Fennell and Couey agree that what needs to happen within the district to get things back on track
and improve the Starkville Schools is unity. “I’m in it with you,” Fennell said. “I’m in it with the students to learn this process and make it as efficient as possible.” Couey is just as ready to move on. “I think it’s time we come together as a district,” Couey said. “We have more issues at hand.”
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03-25-10 • Page 3
Zombie Prom sure to bring laughs definitely laugh a lot. It’s a less serious type, one we can really just mess around It’s almost summer yet and have fun with. MUCH again, and that means it’s cheesier!” time for spring musical at Not only is SHS drama Starkville High School. department hoping to proSHS has performed an vide an entertaining expeannual musical since any- rience for all who watch one can remember, and their performance of this year director Mandy Zombie Prom, but they also Kinney had a treat ready hope to create a fun and for everyone. supportive cast for those This year’s musical is a involved. little different from those “My favorite part is formin the preing a family vious years. with all the However it is cast,” Lau“We definitely sure to offer Hughes laugh a lot, it’s a ren yet another said. “Evless serious type, ery year you wonderful theatre one we can really have a difexperience expejust mess around ferent from the rience and SHS drama and have fun it has a lot department. to do with with.” This year the differ- Laura Kathryn Lindsay Starkville ent cast High School m e m b e r s. students will Seniors are be performing the musical always leaving and new Zombie Prom. freshman coming in.” “[Zombie Prom] is a lot Not only do the cast cheesier. Last year had a lot members work with each of deep themes; this musi- other and Kinney in this cal is all about having fun,” musical, but also with Tom Davis Richardson said. Jenkins who is the music Richardson plays Jon- director at First Baptist. ny Warner, a boy in high Jenkins has been helping school who falls into a vat with the music for the past of nuclear waste, and is several musicals at SHS the play’s lead male role. and also played the role of Just as Richardson said, God in last year’s musical, as opposed to last years Children of Eden. The cast musical, Children of Eden, of Zombie Prom has also which had many deep and been working with Haritha religious themes, Zombie Nannapaneni, who has Prom is all about fun and been helping with the chocrazy situations. reograpahy. “It’s a hilarious script,” Zombie Prom will be playstage manager Laura Kath- ing at the SHS theater ryn Lindsey said, “so we April 15 -18. By Tess Long Editor-in-Chief
The cast of Zombie Prom works with choreographer Haritha Nannapaneni to perfect their dance moves for the performance in April. Photo by Brooke Underwood
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School prepares for ‘masquerade’ at sportsplex students and decided to have last year’s prom in the school’s gym instead. Regarding this year’s Formal gowns, tuxedos, prom location, students limos, party buses, dates and parents seem to apand booking dinners have prove. It will allow everyone to become the talk of students as prom is a little have more space, a stage and enough parking. over a month away. This year’s theme is a Starkville High School’s prom will be held on April “masquerade,” which is 24 at the Starkville Sports- an elegant, formal and sophisticated look, not to be plex on Lynn Lane. In previous years, prom confused with Mardi Gras. While decorating for a has been held at the Union on Mississippi State’s Cam- masquerade theme may pose a challenge, juniorpus. However, with the prob- class faculty sponsors lem of parking on cam- (Wendy Brewer, Kimberpus during Super Bulldog ley Killen, Denise TayWeekend, the school fac- lor, Wanda Monroe, Mia ulty and staff were worried Eichelberger, and Carolyn about the safety of the Goodman) have done maBy Cheyenne Underwood Staff Writer
jor planning for the event. “It’s just a matter of getting it all together,” Brewer said. “We have some great decorations and we’ve spent a considerable amount of money already.” Tickets will be sold two to three weeks in advance but there have been no set prices yet. “We’re going to try to keep costs as low as possible,” Brewer said. There has also been no set DJ, and as for food, there will be delicious varieties, with something for everyone. All in all, junior sponsors are working hard to make April 24 a night to remember for this year’s junior/ senior prom.
Sophomore Hannah Fischer searches for the perfect attire for this year’s prom’s masquerade theme. Photo by Cheyenne Underwood
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03-25-10 • Page 5
Band wins Sweepstakes By Ryan English Staff Writer
Jeffrey Jinkerson performs in the Starkville High School band during a rally for the basketball team. Photo by Ruth Brown
On March 12, 2010 Starkville High School’s wind ensemble and the symphonic band went to Pearl High School for the state band festival. The band prepared for the contest with a pre-festival competition on Feb. 25. Director Shawn Sullivan brought different band directors from around the state to watch his band perform and then to judge them. Sullivan has been band director since the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year. The trip to Pearl was not
without its share of problems. On the way there, the symphonic band’s bus broke down several miles from the school. The band had to be loaded onto another bus and hauled to the school, just in time for their noon performance. Symphonic band performed under the direction of Phillip Martin, who kept the band calm by joking around and believing in them. The symphonic band scored a 2 in concert, and a superior rating in sightreading. “Other than the bus breaking down, my most memorable moment would be the sight-reading,”
freshman symphonic band member Nicholas Estrada said. “It was strict.” The SHS wind ensemble performed later in the afternoon under the direction of Sullivan. Sullivan kept a smile on his face even though he had so much stress on his back. That smile paid off, as the Wind Ensemble made all superior ratings on both sight-reading and concert. The was also one of only 20 Sweepstakes winners statewide. “Sight-reading was pretty easy and we did a good job,” senior Mallory McCain said. “I was glad we did well for our senior year.”
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Jackets bowl to f place finish at Sta By Ruth Brown Staff Writer The Starkville High School bowling team is a force to be reckoned with. Many people are not aware of this, but bowling is the fastest growing sport in the United States. The team at SHS has currently been operating for four years, although it has only recently been recognized as an endorsed sport by the Mississippi High School Activities Association. Currently, SHS plays host to about three very supportive bowling coaches, Jim Philamlee, Dr. Walter Gonsoulin Jr., and principal Keith Fennell. Philamlee, although he is not officially hired by the school, is
the brains of the operation. He has 52 years of semi–professional bowling experience and currently oversees bowling at Henderson Intermediate School as well as Starkville High. Gounsoulin is the school-required coach and Fennell is the self-proclaimed “bus driver.” Another supporter of the bowling team is Supt. Judy Couey, who, along with Philamlee, took the bowling team under her wing. With practices every Thursday from December to February, the team has gained notable accomplishments in the 09-10 season. The team as a whole made regionals, and the varsity boys went on to play in the state championship tournament.
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03-25-10 • Page 7
fifthate Meet The game was held in Jackson, where the team finished in 5th place. “I like it,” said bowler Stephen Gunter, “Practice hard, and you will get good.” Gunter is currently the top anchor for the boy’s team. Notable members of the boy’s varsity are Stephen Gunter, Emmanuel Moore, Adam Hays, Chris Crosby, Andrew LaFrance and Rob Montgomery. Notable members of the girl’s varsity are Ashante’ Pritchard, who is also the girl’s anchor, Kereema Ward, Bernesha Pope, Arlena Fisher, Lillian Kennard and Donterea Bonnor. At the end of this year, the bowling team will be graduating four seniors: Emmanuel Moore, Decorey Williams,
Bernesha Pope and Lillian Kennard. These seniors, and those who will be seniors in coming years, all hope to win bowling scholarships that will give them opportunities in college. The scholarship tournament for this year is set for April 8 at Bulldog Lanes. The bowling team encourages the community to attend and cheer on the SHS bowlers. Scholarships for bowling receive generous donations from the Tuesday Night Men’s Bowling League. The school would like to encourage students who might be interested in bowling to tryout for next year’s team. Anybody who is interested should stay updated for tryout dates.
DeCorey Williams attempts to hit a strike in a recent bowling team practice at Bulldog Lanes in Starkville. Photo by Brooke Underwood
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Opinion
The Jacket Buzz Volume 17, Issue 5
Tess Long
Editor-in-Chief
Collin Whitten Assistant Editor
Staff Writers
Ruth Brown, T’Keyia Davis, Ryan English, Leena Mrayyan, Ty Ringo, Ebony Robinson, Jimmy Sherrod, Brooke Underwood and Cheyenne Underwood
Contributors
Taylor Bowden and Michael Mosley
R.J. Morgan Advisor
Statement of Policy
The Jacket Buzz is published three times each semester by the Journalism Department at Starkville High School. The Jacket Buzz is a student-run publication committed to providing the students of Starkville High School with objective and informative coverage of events involving or affecting the student body. The Jacket Buzz serves SHS as a forum for student expression and thought. Content decisions are made by student editors. Factual errors will be corrected by a retraction in the next issue. Opinions expressed are those of students and do not necessarily reflect the views of the adviser, administration, Starkville High School faculty, or the Starkville School Distict. Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Jacket Buzz staff. Letters to the Editor are accepted and published, excluding those that are deemed libelous, malicious, hurtful or disruptive. Unsigned letters will not be published, and all letters are subject to editing. Please email all letters, or other comments/concerns, to rjmorgan@starkville.k12.ms.us
Editorial
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The editorial below is a written collaboration among all members of the Jacket Buzz staff. Ideas expressed represent the majority opinion of the staff.
Congratulations to SHS basketball on state championship We, the staff of the Jacket Buzz, would like to congratulate the SHS boys basketball team for their spectaular win on Saturday, March 6, over Meridian in the 6A State Championship game. In recent year’s the boys basketball team has worked hard to make it to the state championships. In previous years, the Jackets came very close on several occasions to becoming champions, but have not made it since 1961. Coach Greg Carter shared his teams excitement, as he’s been coaching at SHS for nearly a decade. The Jackets won 57-51 against Meridian, the second win against Meridian for the Jacket boys this season. The next week, the boys also won the Mississipi Grand Slam Tournament, which is a competition between the state champions of all six classifiactions. We feel that their victory at the Mississip-
pi Coliseum in Jackson will create a better mood for the rest of the 2009-2010 school year. A sense of pride comes from knowing that Starkville High School is the best at something. That pride grew even more when on the same weekend the JROTC drill team won a meet in Louisiana. For years the boys’ basketball team has been working hard and have played countless winning games. They’ve become better and better at working as a team, and with this year drawing to a close, they’ve proven themselves to be a truly great team. To all the players who worked extremely hard to achieve success at state, congratulations on a great championship game. To the seniors, we wish you luck in your endeavors after high school and thank you for ending your high school career with a bang!
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Former principal Miller returns to SHS as new Athletic Director always be better,” Miller said. Miller has hit the ground The Jackets and family. running in his vision for the These things, combined athletic program, posing with a history in Starkville significant questions. schools, were the reasons “Where are the strengths, Dr. Stan Miller decided and where are the weakto apply for and become nesses? And more imporStarkville School District’s tantly, how do we improve new athletic director when those weaknesses?” he said. Bill Lee, also Starkville Early on, Miller plans to High School’s head football get improvements to facilicoach, announced his plan ties under way, with a field to retire after this school house, a new track surface year. and an all-weather surface Miller, a New Jersey na- for the teams and band to tive, is by no means new use holding high priority. to sports or academic ad“We have a great track ministration, particularly in team, but we have yet to host Starkville. a meet because we don’t Not only has Miller held have a suitable track…We a number of positions won the state championaround the South as assis- ship in basketball, so let’s tant and head coach and have a state championship superintendent, but he also facility,” Miller explained. served eight years as prinPossessing a wide range cipal of Starkville High and impressive depth of School and six years as as- experience, Miller was sistant principal. approved by the school Miller hasn’t worked in board against a number of Starkville schools since he qualified candidates to take took the position as super- on half of Lee’s position, intendent of Pearl schools which the school board in 2000. announced early-on in the Miller has a strong sense search would be split after of Jacket pride, and with Lee’s retirement. family in Starkville and a Miller plans to work love for athletics, returning closely with administraas athletic director was an tion, coaches, and players appealing opportunity for to bring the Jackets tohim. gether as a team and will Miller views the road officially take his position ahead with a unique com- as athletic director at the bination of optimism and end of the school year. realism. Ambition is a defining “I think I can contribute quality of Miller’s platto making the jackets bet- form, and it will likely beter; we’re great, but we can gin to show as early as the By Collin Whitten Ass. Editor
“I think I can contribute to making the Jackets better; we’re great, but we can be better. - Stan Miller, SHS Athletic Director
fall of next school year. With the remaining half of Lee’s position left unfilled, Miller’s first task as athletic director is to name a new head football coach for SHS. Miller, with the aid of a screening committee, has narrowed down the num-
ber of potential candidates from 27 to 8. In regards to naming the Starkville High’s new head coach, Miller could say very little. “We’re very close, but right now that’s all I can say,” he explained. “I’m hoping to announce the new
head coach by the end of March.” The Starkville Daily News has reported that the head coaching job has been offered to Itawamaba High School head coach Jamie Mitchell, but at the time of print, this hire has notyet been approved by the school board. Mitchell was 13-1 last year at Itawamba and took his team to the Class 4A finals before losing to Lafayette County. Look for updates to the situation on www.shsjacketbuzz.com.
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03-25-10 • Page 11
Baseball bonds, wins on spring break trip By Lammi Micha Contributing Writer Not many of the Starkville High School athletic teams get to go on week-long trips out of state. But the baseball team gets the opportunity to go to Florida every year to play ball, relax and even hit the beach. Even though the boys saw it as a vacation, Carlisle said that he was going to be on duty 24 hours a day making sure they behaved themselves. “The boys live together for a week to build up team unity and trust,” head coach Danny Carlisle said. Before the trip, Carlisle
“Of course I expect to have a good time, but I also expect to win those three games. Not just to play, but to win.” - Reggie Campbell, first baseman
seemed extremely pleased with the team’s 2-0 record. “They’re playing pretty good,” he said, “but we still have a long way to go before the season is over.” Carlisle was more than satisfied with Samuel Bigham’s pitching in the first two games, which he referred to as a “pleasant surprise.” The boys left Friday, March 12, to go to Florida
and got right down to business with two games on Saturday. From the get-go, Chuck Tillery knew that the team had to win games. “We know we have to take care of business and win three games,” he said. First baseman Reggie Campbell had the same goal in mind. “Of course I expect to have a good time,” he said,
“but I also expect to win those three games. Not just to play, but to win.” After their first game in Florida, the boys were in a comfortable position as fifth in the state. But after a disappointing loss in the second game, they dropped to 43rd on the chart. They played two games Saturday, took Sunday off, played two games Monday, two on Tuesday, and took Wednesday off for some relaxation and to visit Fort Walton Beach before returning home on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets returned home with a 2-1 trip record. The Jackets also beat Columbus 7-1 at Columbus on Tuesday night in both
Last Game 7-1 win vs. Columbus on Tuesday
Next Game SHS (6-1, 1-0) vs. Columbus (7-7. 0-1) Tomorrow, March 26 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. SHS Baseball Field
teams’ district opener. Senior pitcher R.J. Johnson recorded 15 strikeouts and also reached base four times. They will play the Falcons again tomorrow, with a junior varsity game at 4 pm and the varsity game at 6 p.m.
For a night of Miracles and Molecules.... April 15-17, 2010 7:00 p.m April 18, 2010 2:00 pm. SHS Theater Cost: $7
Sports buzz The
Jackets win 6A championship, Grand Slam By Ty Ringo Staff Writer 1961. The last boys basketball state championship was won forty-nine years ago. Now, it’s 2010, and after a 57-51 victory over Meridian in the finals of the State Tournament, the Yellow Jackets can once again say that they are No. 1. “It feels great,” coach Greg Carter. “Hard work really paid off.” The game also feels great for senior Rashad Perkins. “It feels really good,” Perkins said. “I just wanted to do whatever it took to help out my team.” Perkins, along with senior Edward Townsel, made the all-tournament team for Starkville. Perkins had 25 points and 14 rebounds against Meridian, and Townsel scored 11 points on the night.
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Carter and Perkins agree that the win against Meridian wasn’t because of just one player. “It was a team effort,” Carter said. “Without everybody we couldn’t have won.” On top of winning the 6A championship, Carter and his boys also won the Grand Slam Tournament, which matched up the state champions of all six classifications again in Jackson. Carter has been the head coach for the Jackets since the 2002-2003 season. Out of those eight years, the Jackets have been to Jackson five times, and to the championship game twice. Last year the Jackets barely missed going to Jackson, losing to Greenville at home. This year, the Jackets took no chances losing only two games on the season.
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