Jacket Buzz (08/05/10)

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Students get uniforms and IDs By Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief This year at Starkville High, students will be wearing an all new wardrobe that includes not only a variety of gray, white, and black polos, but also a brand new ID badge. This ID badge is something completely new for SHS. With it, students will be more easily identifiable to teachers. “The biggest disadvantage to not having ID badges is that the students know who the faculty is, but we don’t know who all of the students are,� Millsaps director Jamie Stidham said. The main purpose for the ID badge is of course identification, but the tag also has a number of other functions. Students can keep their lunch money balance on the card and check out library books with it. The badge will also be attached to the lanyard with a quick-release mechanism. This device will prevent the lanyards from becoming a choking hazard for students, as

JCPenny employee Caleb Baker said. Stores are even promoting special deals on the dress code clothes in order to lessen the cost. So SHS is going to have a brand new look this year. “When people see ‘Starkville High School on the side of the bus, and then see the students, they’re know we’re a good looking school,� Stidham said. “I want to look good and look sharp.�

A mother and her child shop for their black polos and khaki pants at JCPenny. The store sees an average of 60 people per day that ask for uniforms. Photo by Ruth Brown

well as a means for identifying fleeing students. “A few years ago I caught some kids smoking out back. When they saw me, they bolted off, and I never saw their faces,� Stidham said. “This quick release system helps the teachers know exactly who is doing wrong.�

While Stidham feels that the ID badge is relatively simple and painless, some students think differently. “People recognize who is in the school anyway,� senior Muhammad Dakhalla said. “I don’t think [the badges] are necessary.� Students will be expected to

wear their ID badge on their lanyard at all times during the day. This is in addition to the new mandatory dress code, which has parents buying uniforms for their children in droves. “On average we have about sixty people per day coming in and asking or buying uniforms,�

Channel One brings daily news show to SHS By Taylor Bowden News Editor Along with the various changes going on this year at Starkville High School, the school will be showing about ten minutes of a teen-oriented news program called Channel One. Students at SHS will view the program at the end of second block everyday, hopefully. “As this is the first year to have this program,� principal

Keith Fennell said, “the first time or two we try and show it in the classrooms might be technically difficult. We wouldn’t have a way to know if it was successfully playing in all rooms unless we did a walk though the whole school and check. So it might be a few days until we get it running in all rooms.� Channel One is a nationally syndicated news program produced and designed for teen viewers.

It’s owned by Alloy Media Marketing, a private company, and is hosted in hundreds of high schools across the nation. “Its an opportunity for kids to view current events on a teen level,� Fennell said. “It’s a very professional production.� One reason for Channel One’s success is that it’s free, and the company provides the TVs and any other equipment the school needs to have the

program shown in every classroom. “We already have TVs in most rooms, and cable in a few from a grant we received,� Fennell said. “The equipment we received will put TV’s in the rooms that don’t already have them, and a satellite to receive the Channel One broadcast.� Channel One pays for the news program it produces, as well as the equipment it provides the schools by selling air

time during its show to advertisers. “Channel one has a lot of companies wanting to buy ad space, and that allows them to pick and chose what ads they want on their channel,� Fennell said. “So they have high school appropriate content even in their ads. Things like college ads.� The network also broadcasts teaching aids for many classes and homework help programs.

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Students grab summer jobs

By Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

For most students, summer means one thing: freedom. However, some students pick up jobs during the summer, whether it be for the extra money or to get by. Quint Pannell, recent Starkville High School graduate, has worked at Restaurant Tyler since the end of his sophomore year. “I just wanted the extra money,� he recalled. “I wanted to be able to pay for the things that I wanted.� Quint is not alone in his need for extra money. According to the University of Washington, a little over half of all high school seniors are employed. The obvious problem with this is that work may interfere with school SHS senior Raveonne Shoemaker serves a snowcone to a customer. work. According to the University of Washington, Photo by Ruth Brown

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most students that do work alley, and feels that it doesn’t more than fifteen hours a interrupt school at all. Unlike week. This hectic schedule Pannell, she started her job can lead to all-nighters the for a more personal reason. “The money was nice, but I day before tests, homework not being completed, and wanted this job in particular so I could hang out with my snoozing through classes. Raveonne Shoemaker, an friend Kayla,� she said. Though students may not SHS senior who has been working at Starkville’s Snow be quite ready to make a living Biz since she was ten, agrees. on their own, these jobs have “It’s really hard for me [at given them some valuable real-world exschool] durthat ing the very “I’ve had to perience can be apbeginning and very end,� deal with all plied in their lives. Shoemaker different types “I’ve had said. Because to deal with snow cones of people.� all differare not an all - Raveonne Shoemaker ent types of year food, people,� ShoeShoemaker only maker said. “My communiworks summers. To counter this, some stu- cation skills have definitely dents (including this reporter) improved.� No matter what jobs stuonly work on weekends during the school year. Mariah dents get, the benefits are nuNewman, SHS junior, works merous. SHS will always be weekend shifts at the bowling home to students with jobs.

Drama camp staged at MSU By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor Every year in July, a group of teens write, produce, and perform an original musical in three weeks. This program, called Summer Scholars, is very popular among students at Starkville High School and is hosted at Mississippi State. This year, 25 kids wrote a full three act musical during the writers’ camp portion, which is one week. 56 campers, including the 25 that wrote the musical, prepared and performed it during a two-week span at performance camp. 31 of these campers currently attend SHS. “We’ve been told it’s im-

possible,� music director and SHS music and history teacher Joe Evans said. “It’s done a lot of good for a lot of people and it’s not just an exercise in the arts, though that would be worth while in and of itself.� Students also meet new friends and find themselves. “It’s a great way to be yourself,� sophomore Lacy Claire Whitten said. “You find out who you are and not what people want you to be. You make tons of friends that have your back. If you call them, they’ll be willing to listen to you. It reminds you that you’re not the only one going through something. It gives so much confidence.� After a student’s junior

year, he or she may enroll in a college course during the camp with a high enough ACT score and a recommendation from a teacher. “You’re getting university credit on a sophomore level,� MSU professor and teacher of the course Wayne Durst said. “It gives a heavier introduction to a university and a chance to step closer to a degree before you step through the door.� Students learn about how a set is built and the mechanics and tools of a theater. “Sometimes they get to work with lights,� Durst said. “They also get to do an awful lot of painting.� Going to both production

The Summer Scholars writers camp pose before the rest of the production camp join the camp. Courtesy Photo

and writers’ camp costs $1,500. Going to only production camp costs $1,000. Taking the course waves

camp fees and one only has to pay for housing, food, and the course tuition of $850.

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Several new teachers join SHS faculty By Taylor Bowden News Editor This year at Starkville High School is a year that has been subject to many changes and new things. New dress code, new I.D. badges, new students, and new teachers. A few of the High Schools teachers either retired or have otherwise left Starkville High School, and there are many teachers, either new or just new to Starkville High, taking the places now available, eager to start their lives at SHS Among them are two names already familiar to some students at Starkville High School, Catherine Woomer and Angela Hobart. Both have worked at AMS until this year and are now moving over to the High School. Coach Woomer is going to be teaching Spanish and Hobart will be teaching English. “I’m also a Coach at the high school, so being over

here will be nice,� Woomer said. “I won’t have to run from one campus to the other, and keeping my athletes informed will be easier.� One new teacher, Joe Evans, won’t be coming to a new place as much as he’ll be returning home. Evans graduated from Starkville High School In 1988 and has had plans to return. Until this year he worked as the drama teacher at Starkville Academy and before that he worked at Armstrong. Evans will be teaching World Geography, Mississippi studies, choir, and general music. “I’ve always wanted to come back and teach,� Evans said. “I’m going to miss some people at the academy, I worked there for 3 years and made some friends, but I am looking forward to being back at the high school.� One teachers is completely new to Starkville High School, both to the town and

Release time changed to ten minutes later By Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor Though there have been rumors about Starkville High School getting out of school at 3:00 p.m., it has been confirmed that students of SHS must stay in school until 3:30 p.m. instead. Though the administrators of SHS have fought hard for the wanted-time of an earlier release, the central office has added an additional ten minutes to the school day. Some may assume these extra minutes have been added because of Channel One. Students must watch Channel One each day for around ten minutes. Even though this sounds

sensible, this isn’t the real reason for the added time. Transportation is. Since students of the other schools are being let out later, the central office has decided, in order to make transportation easier, to also release high school students later as well. The transportation office wasn’t available to make a statement. Keith Fennell, SHS principal, didn’t like the idea of the change either. “We tried and tried to keep it the same, but it still got changed,� Fennell said. Though this may leave a bad taste in some students’ mouths, the time has been set and can only be changed at the central office’s discretion.

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the school. She is Amanda Wilson, the new special education teacher. Before moving to Starkville after her

husband got a job in town, she worked at an elementary school in south Carolina. “I’ve heard a lot of good

things about SHS,� Wilson said. “I’m excited about the kids and about working on the high school level.�

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Band campers sharpen By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor Band students work hard, even during the summer. Starting July 19, SHS band camp is where band students work, march, and play for the last two weeks of summer. “It’s tough,� senior bassoon and tenor saxophone player Kenton Coble said. “You’re basically going to school for two more weeks than anyone else.� Each year, the students learn marching techniques. At the end of band camp, a show is performed with the music students have practiced, but band camp’s main purpose is to prepare for the fall marching season. Students work from 8:00 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. and from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Each section has its own instructor and works independently. The entire band then practices together. This year, the show is entitled “Into the Dark� and consists of “Toccata on Bald Mountain� by Bach and Mussorgsky, “Faure Requiem� by Faure, and “Pandemonium� by Berlioz. “It’s classical with a dark,

scary, horror undertone,� classmen,� Brooks said. Band director Shawn Sullivan “They’re teaching me about said. “The music is written in what to do, SHS, and everythat minor key that gives it thing else.� that scary feeling. It’s all muEven with so many new sic that you would’ve heard members, the band is still in a scary movie.� strong. Keeping up with the music “It’s one of the best group and marching and dealing of kids I’ve ever worked with the heat is difficult, but with,� Sullivan said. “We’re it pays off. getting better through per“It’s helping because I don’t sistence and everyone is usually practice during the working hard.� summer,� Band memfreshman bers all know bass drum that they player Justin have to work Brooks said. hard as soon “It’s helping as they sign me get my up for the skills back band. together.� “It disciWith band - Shawn Sullivan, band director plines you,� taking up sophomore two separate Jasmine blocks in scheduling and re- Mangual said. “It’s all necesquiring effort from all the sary for being a 6-A band.� students, members must be The band is gearing up dedicated. for their many competitions “It’s just like drama, sports, throughout the year. and choir,� Sullivan said. Watch out for them at the “They’re proud of what Tenn-Tomm Marching Conthey do and put in the extra test on September 25 and time.� their Regional Evaluation on This year, the band is most- October 9. ly composed of freshmen and sophomores out of the Right, below: Alex Nash and the 115 members. SHS color guard practice their “I’m enjoying the upperroutines. Photos by Ruth Brown

“It’s one of the best groups of kids I’ve ever worked with.�

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n skills in summer heat

Above, below: S. Kemp, T. Austin, M. Dunaway, and B. Hamilton practice their drums in the theater. Photos by Ruth Brown

Opinion

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Editorial

The Jacket Buzz Volume 18, Issue 1

Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

Taylor Bowden News Editor

Tess Long

Opinions Editor

Lammi Micha Sports Editor

Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor

Ty Ringo

Yearbook Editor

Ruth Brown Photo Editor

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 District. 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

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The editorial below is a written collaboration among all members of the Jacket Buzz editorial staff. Ideas expressed represent the majority opinion of the staff.

Graduation. Scholarships. College applications. The junior and senior years of high school are pretty exciting, but also a little intimidating at times. As most of us on the Jacket Buzz editorial staff are seniors ourselves, we know first hand that this is a stressful time in a person’s lives. At Starkville High School, the guidance counselors spend countless hours trying to prepare us for our college journey ahead. However with more than 200 students in our senior class, our devoted counselors are stretched few and far between.

While much important college information is given out during the year, we think it might be helpful to us (and take a load off our counselors) if the school organized more opportunities for college representatives to visit our school and hold workshops for the junior and senior classes. Information on where and when scholarships are available, workshops on writing the perfect scholarship essay and basic college info might take a little stress off both students and counselors. Information on financial aid and student loans might also be helpful before our parents start writing the checks.

Understandably, more assemblies will take up more class time, which we know is always an issue with the administration and faculty. However, senior schedules are very lenient. They almost always lend themselves to allowing more time for experiences outside of the classroom, with a good portion of the senior student body taking senior privilege and being teachers’ assistants. We all appreciate a little boost when it comes to starting the next important chapter in our lives, and we as students are definitely not too proud to ask for a little more advice and encouragement.

Tuition costs skyrocket While costs continue to increase colleges ask students and families to continue to support higher education By Tess Long Opinion Editor By now, everyone knows that the economy has been struggling. In some cases it even becomes a joke: “I can’t buy you that, we’re in a recession.� We laugh off lots of our expense issues, but in all seriousness, the economy is having major affects on America, especially regarding higher education. The struggling economy has made tuition costs rise by thousands of dollars. “Federal government subsidies and state tax collections used to be a huge part of college funding,� Mississippi State University professor Robert Long said, “but they have just gone way down.�

Tuitions have skyrocketed in the past several years, and scholarships are becoming slimmer. Even in a good economy college is still costly and tuitions increase each year, but when the economy is down it increases these costs to higher than average rates. “This fall the university will increase tuition by 6.3 percent and then another 6 percent next fall,� MSU vice president of finances Wayne Bland said. Many families feel that they are struggling to pay outrageous college fees without any help from the schools, however colleges are trying to help students with the funds they are allowed. So instead of all the blame being placed on the universities, maybe more of the focus

should be put on the state and federal governments which continue to decrease funding for higher education. “The university is trying to do their part, and we’re asking students to do the same thing,� Bland said.

But in many cases the state funding is just not there. “A major source of income is state appropriations and they are falling like a rock,� Bland said. “From July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010 they have fallen 29% which is the most I’ve seen in my time here.� Even though the facts and numbers can be intimidating, it’s not completely hopeless out there in the school world. Many universities are still giving out scholarships that almost or completely cover the cost of school, and other colleges have very low tuitions in the first place.

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Cheerleading not sport, Softball sports Connecticut judge rules senior leadership By Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor Throughout the United States, there have been debates of whether cheerleading is an official sport. Two weeks ago in Connecticut, a federal judge said that competitive cheerleading isn’t an official sport that schools can use to meet gender-equality requirements. This came to pass after several volleyball players and their coach sued Quinnipiac University after the college announced it would eliminate the team and replace it with a competitive cheer squad. Title IX is a 1972 federal law that orders equal opportunities for men and women in education and athletics. Under this 1aw, U.S. District Judge Underhill basically said that cheerleading is too undeveloped and unorganized to be treated like other athletics and shouldn’t receive the same opportunities.

Starkville’s own athletic di- has to be in your heart.� rector Stan Miller believes the Toria Carter, who has been complete opposite. a cheerleader since her sevTo him, cheering is as much enth grade year, feels cheerof a sport ing should as basketball be a sport and football. because it is The girls a competimust try out, tive activity be physithat requires cally fit and agility and compete just skill. as the other “People athletes. only see what “They acwe do on Fritually have day nights,� the longest Carter said. - Jessica Gray, senior season of all “They don’t the sports,� see us when Miller said. we go to the “They cheer from football regional, state and national to basketball season, which levels.� means from August to basiJessica Gray, another varsity cally March.� cheerleader, believes cheerThe SHS cheerleaders also leading should be recognized agree with Miller. just as much as basketball and “I feel we do just as much football. as any other sport,� senior “A Yellow Jacket is a Yellow cheerleader Jondia Weather- Jacket whether we run, dribspoon said. “It takes endur- ble, hit or cheer,� Gray said. ance and conditioning, and it “We represent Jacket pride!�

“A Yellow Jacket is a Yellow Jacket, whether we run, dribble, hit or cheer.�

By Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor This season, the Lady Jacket softball team is filled with many talented players. Some players are just beginning, some have been playing since their freshman year and others have been playing since their Armstrong years. “I’ve been playing six years straight, since my 7th grade year,� senior Shanice Campbell said. Throughout the years of playing slowpitch, seniors have developed skills that have helped them become successful over their softball careers. More has been learned than just catching, throwing, and hitting a ball, however. “Playing softball has made me a strong player, as well as a stronger person,� Campbell said. Senior outfielder T’Keyia Davis has learned that when it comes to the game, hard work

First Game SHS (0-0) @ Houston Classic Saturday, August 14 Houston, Miss.

is key and giving it your all is vital to being a success. “Even if you’re not the strongest in a certain area, if you try your hardest and give it your all, then it’s more important than knowing you’re good and slacking off,� Davis said. “I’ve learned to be a smarter player and not just a physical player.� If one thing is certain, the 2010 Lady Jacket team won’t be the same after the senior class leaves. “I’m going to miss playing for SHS and my coaches,� Davis said. “It’s a sisterhood that we built around what we love to do and I’m seriously going to miss it!�

Davis scores accidental scholarships By Lammi Micha Sports Editor As Ti Davis practiced walking on his hands for the Summer Scholars talent show, he noticed about four 4 foot 7 inch chairs in the corner of the room. He immediately formed the idea to jump over them. He practiced the jump a couple of times and when it came time for the talent show, he set up the chairs on the stage (with help from recent SHS graduate Zak Mayo) and proceeded to perform his talent. He addressed the audience while wearing a cape and glasses.

“Who wants to see me jump these chairs?� he asked the crowd. With the crowd’s support, he attempted his jump and fell a little short, clipping one of the chairs, causing him to roll across the stage. He immediately stood up and said, “Now, who really wants me to see me jump these chairs?� As the crowd screamed for him to not jump, the 5 foot 5 inch SHS senior jumped over four 4 foot 7 inch chairs with ease. The crowd went wild! As soon as Davis stepped off the stage, former Mississippi State track coach and

high school principal, Sean Richmond, talked to him and told Davis that he could possibly receive a scholarship for long jumping. Davis jumps a 6 foot 9 inch long jump. “I was stunned,� Richmond said. “I was impressed by how easily he jumped the chairs.� After making a couple of calls, Richmond was able to confirm that Ole Miss, Auburn, and Texas State were immediately interested in Davis. However, he is waiting for an answer from Mississippi State before he makes a decision on where he may want to attend college.

Ti Davis prepares to jump four chairs at the Summer Scholars talent show. Courtesy Photo

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2010-2011 SHS Football Schedule 8/20 8/27 9/3 9/10 9/24 10/1 10/8 10/15 10/22 10/29 11/5

Noxubee Co. @Louisville @Meridian @West Point @Desoto Central Tupelo @Horn Lake Southaven (HC) @Olive Branch South Panola Columbus

Pitcher Johnson signs pro deal Senior quarterback Jaquez Johnson takes his position as leader of the Yellow Jacket football team in the middle of the huddle at preseason practice. Photo by Ruth Brown

New Coach, New Season Mitchell turns up tempo, expectations on talented group of seniors By Lammi Micha Sports Editor The 2010-2011 Starkville High School football players seem excited to have a new head coach. Coach Jamie Mitchell, who came from Itawamba High School to coach the Yellow Jackets, says that he is excited to come and do one thing: bring tradition back. According to Mitchell, Starkville High School has competed for seven state championships and won four of the seven. Mitchell plans on meeting those expectations again. “Work ethic and practice tempo are the two things that I am working on with this team,� Mitchell said. Senior tight end Martavius Foster

agrees that a faster practice tempo helps keep him in shape. “I am in a lot better shape than last year,� Foster said. “Even though we don’t run after practice for conditioning, it is the full speed practicing that is keeping me in shape.� Quarterback Jaquez Johnson, who Coach Mitchell has confidence in as leader of the offense, said that he feels good about being a leader. “I have wanted this all my life,� Johnson said. “I have always wanted to be the leader of my team and to lead the team to victories.� The new coach seems to be motivating the team and making positive changes in the Yellow Jacket game plan. Johnson describes having a new coach as having a new first impression.

“Everyone is working really hard and is trying to show him what they can do,� he said. “The sophomores are stepping up and working hard, which is impressive. Of course we have the big boys working hard and the seniors coming back, and they all want to improve their game.� The Yellow Jackets seem determined to make the state championship game this year and plan on working very hard to get there. “Everyone wants to be here and we want to change it and turn it around,� Foster said. Though considered a longshot for such a finish, Johnson and his teammates are not shy about setting lofty goals. “The goal is to not lose,� said Johnson.

By Lammi Micha Sports Editor When one thinks of the Milwaukee Brewers, one thinks of players such as Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, and Corey Hart. However, recent Starkville High School graduate R.J. Johnson may be added to that list. Johnson was drafted from the SHS baseball team in 2010, and went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to join the Brewers. He signed with the Brewers on Sunday, June 27th and officially went pro. Johnson says that he is not planning on going to college immediately, but, his contract with the Brewers gives him the option to go to college later on with financial support from the team. As a rookie, Johnson has already started games for one of the Brewers minor league teams. “It’s a lot of work, and no play,� Johnson said. With practice and/or games almost everyday in 115 degree weather, one can only imagine how Johnson’s work is cut out for him.

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