Jacket Buzz (10/28/10)

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BB o x October 23 ACT

By Andrew LaFrance News Writer

testing

Halloween 31

November Lions Band try-outs 6

9

Progress reports

Veterans Day program 11

20 Lions

Band call-backs

Chasity Swoopes was crowned 2010-2011 Homecoming queen last Friday night at halftime of the SHS vs. Southaven football game. Photo by Mariel Marcum

Queen Swoopes Chasity Swoopes wins Homecoming honor

26 Thanksgiving Break 22

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Purple Fan showing

SHS staff competes in Biggest Loser

By Dominic Henn News Writer Chasity Swoopes was crownded the 2010-2011 homecoming queen on October 15, during the Starkville High School football game against the Southaven Chargers. Chasity is not the sort of person who would go out campaigning, but her kindness appealed to the students. Her shyness was the main obstacle to becoming queen, but advice from her friends and family helped. “My parents told me to speak and be nice to everyone and people will come to you,� Swoopes said. “It worked.� Throughout her high school career, Swoopes focused on school, where she excelled in academic activities as well as extracurricular ones such as student government, Operation Smile, band, and and mayor’s youth council. “She is one of the most kindhearted students I’ve ever taught,� teacher Wendy Brewer said. “I can think of no one who deserves more admiration from her peers than Chasity.�

One of the most serious problems facing America, especially in Mississippi, is the growing amount of overweight adolescents and adults. The teachers and staff of Starkville High are taking an aggressive stance against this dilemma, and they have formed a weight loss group. The self-named Starkville’s Biggest Losers club is dedicated to helping their members lose, and keep off, weight. The organization is headed by assistant principal Debbie Thomas. “Our goal is weight loss and being healthy.� Thomas said. “But being healthy isn’t always enough of a motivation. So, money will provide an extra incentive.� The group has decided that each member will have to pay five dollars a month, from October through May. At the end of the school year, those members who have lost the most weight will be rewarded for their progress. With the more than 20 members they already have, the winnings will reach over $900. “We will have three place winners,� Thomas said. “Third place will get $100. The person above them will get one third of what’s left, minus 25 dollars. Finally, first place will win the remaining two thirds of the pot, SEE “Biggest Loser�, PAGE 7.

SENIORS win Spirit Week ... Feature on Pages 8-9.

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SMARTBoards expand learning options 20 classrooms get boards, more on way

Purple Fan selected for MTA By Christine Mazzola Nwws Writer

By Dominic Henn News Writer When the students returned to Starkville High School, they were surprised to see 20 new SMARTBoards in teacher’s rooms. This is a major change from the old dry erase boards and chalkboards. “It’s a new cool way of learning,� senior Jamie Kilgore said. Through class A funding, the district allotted money for 20 SMARTBoards at Starkville High School. “Mr. Fennell gave the first eleven SMARTBoards to subject area testing teachers,� technology coordinator Lenora Hogan-Samuel said. “The second nine were then chosen by other teachers on a first come first serve basis.� While there are still around five subject area teachers who do not have SMARTBoards, the school now has 100,000 dollars to spend in certain fields. Samuel recommended that some of this money be spent on more SMARTBoards since all core classes in grades K-8 have SMARTBoards but SHS does not. Many teachers are in favor of the new SMARTBoard. English teacher Robin Dibble is one of the teachers who received a SMARTBoard. “I didn’t know I had one until I showed up at school,� Dibble said. “I’m still figuring it out, but I’m really excited about it.� History teacher Ty Adair agrees about the SMARTBoard’s usefulness. Adair uses his Smartboard everyday, allowing him to project images and essays easily. “It allows my imagination to run wild,� Adair said. English teacher Angela Hobart had a SMARTBoard back at Armstrong Middle School, but not at SHS. Hobart used her SMARTBoard for notes and presentations. “Without the SMARTBoard, it is a lot harder,� Hobart said. Many teachers who have the

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Above: English teacher Nikki Buss utilizes her SMARTBoard while teaching a lesson on Beowulf. Right: Student uses the Smart Response system to answer exam review questions. Photos by Mariel Marcum.

SMARTBoards use them regularly. For example, Sue Ann Morgan uses her SMARTBoard for homework, notes, and review games. Many teachers are pleased with their new SMARTBoards, but have been forced to learn how to use the SMARTBoards by themselves. Like Dibble, some teachers were unaware that they had a SMARTBoard until they arrived at school. However, most teachers are very excited about their SMARTBoards and the innovative teaching methods that they provide. “In my opinion the SMARTBoard is the best teaching tool brought forth thus far in my teaching career, and I have been for 14 years,� English teacher Sherre Ferguson said.

The drama department started work on their annual play, expected to be Purple Fan, though drama teacher Mandy Kinney is still working out the details. “We have to negotiate royalties,� she said. The problem, however, isn’t with a disagreeable owner or company. As the writer is deceased, working out royalty rights is far more difficult. That hasn’t deterred hopeful tryouts or excited students. Nearly thirty students tried out for the roughly ten speaking roles and ensemble. Purple Fan parallels Children of Eden, a musical that Starkville High produced a year ago, in that the ensemble will create all the necessary set pieces using their bodies. “There’ll be no set,� Kinney said. “[The actors] will have to be strong and dressed ready to move.� Senior Laura Kathryn Lindsey will student-direct the play, and Joe Evans will assist Kinney in directing the production. Evans is a social studies and choir teacher with a heavy theatrical background. The play is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30. The district competition at Mississippi State University is the following Friday. District competition will pit them against schools from the northern half of Mississippi. Should the group advance from district, they would attend the MTA statewide competition in Meridian. The cast’s hopes are even a little broader, however. “We want to attend the SETC in Atlanta,� junior Lauren Hughes said. “We went a long time ago and we want to go again.� The South Eastern Theater Competition brings together one or two plays from each state to compete in a regional level. “It’s our nationals, basically,� Hughes said.

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Bond wins car show

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Living Legacy returns By Christine Mazzola News Writer

Starkville High’s first annual Homecoming Car Show was Wednesday, October 13th. Many students from all grade levels brought out their cars to have them judged for a chance to win a $75 prize package. The winners by grade level were Freshman Jadee Sexton, Sophomore Avonte Amos, Junior Calvin Young, and Senior Shareeda Brown. The overall winner, and the one who received the prize package, was Freshman Terrance Bond; his ride is shown above. All five of the winners drove in the Homecoming Parade later that week. For the full story, go to www.shsjacketbuzz.com. Photo by Mariel Marcum.

This year’s Living Legacy program has more to be proud of than just its annual performances. The group has won two more awards, for a total of five, in the three years the program has been active. Their first award, the National Middle School Association’s Teams that Make a Difference Award (2nd place), brought national recognition and a $1000 cash prize. They also won first in the ING Unsung Heroes Award for the state of Mississippi, earning a $2000 cash prize. Directors April Dill, Mandy Kinney, and Ginger Tedder are proud of the group and are gearing up for this year’s performance. They’ll be relying on cooperation from the weather, however. “We didn’t get to perform last year,� freshman Sanci Borganelli said. “It was rained out.� Despite last year’s disappointment, the hopes are high for the community performance scheduled for November 13. The program is composed of tour guides bringing onlookers

Sophomore Rex Ames acts as Mr. Stark in a previous Living Legacy performance at Oddfellows cemetary. Courtesy photo

through a visit of the Oddfellows Cemetery to listen to the stories of fifteen individuals, some buried there and others elsewhere, who left a legacy in Starkville. Several of these people include famous baseball player James “Cool Papa� Bell, Starkville High School band director John Thomas MacArthur, former superintendent John William Overstreet, and notorious mobster George Kelly Barnes (a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly). Sarah Beth Sewell is the jazz and blues singer who will perform at a

music stop along the tour path. Students from Armstrong Middle School and the Starkville High School Thespians act out various characters to enhance the individuals’ stories and perform as the tour guides and tech crew. “It was really fun, and we had a good time,� former tour guide Noa Hardin said. The total cast includes twentynine tour guides, led by head tour guide Laura Kathryn Lindsay, and thirteen tech crewmembers, led by Mikala Taylor and McKay Richardson.

Clubs

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Debate team prepares for Gulfport tournament By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor On November 5-6, the SHS debate team will travel to Gulfport to contend with multiple Mississippi schools. The team’s assigned topic is asserting that the abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not of criminal justice. The Starkville High School debate team competes against students from around the state for points in the National Forensics League (NFL). Students must learn to state their positions and defeat the opponent’s argument. “You can have an amazing plan and just screw up on the speaking part,� debate team captain and senior Zach Mitchell said. “If you get up there with one of the best plans ever and can’t speak, you’re going to look stupid. If someone gets up there and argues that, say, Russia is made of cheese and does it confidently, they’re going to do alright.� The team practices by running

“Sometimes, when you least expect it, it will happen. I’ve had students place first in several categories.� -Sponsor Wendy Brewer

drills of actual events. There are drills such as impromptu debates, where a member is given three topics, told to pick one, and then must research and write an argument for the topic within a given time limit. Ten out of the twelve debate team members are taking debate classes. Students interact with peers from other schools. The team gets to know each other and makes friends through debates with other students. “Though there’s not much time between events, you make friends,� Mitchell said. “Our team encourages each other as much as we can. You get to know everyone better than if you were just at school.� In the past, the debate team

has placed highly at tournaments. “Sometimes, when you least expect it, it will happen,� Brewer said. “We have a great chance of having students get great experiences and points. You never know. I’ve had students who placed first in several categories. I’ve been to tournaments where out of the top five, three of those spots went to SHS.� When a student participates in speaking events, the student earns NFL points. Once a student has 25 NFL points, he or she becomes a lifetime member of the NFL. The student can also wear special cords at graduation. To be able to earn NFL points, a student must pay Brewer $5 to join the NFL.

Debate team members Annel Opedal (left) and Sheila Arun Kumar (right) discuss debate techniques and topics. Photo by Ruth Brown.

Future Farmers of America attend national conference By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor

The FFA team walks from event to event in uniform in Indianapolis. Courtesy photo.

The Starkville High School Future Farmers of America organization just returned from the national FFA convention, where SHS students earned bronze and silver medals. The convention was held in Indianapolis and lasted all week. FFA chapters from across the country attended, totaling at around 55,000 students in attendance. The chapters stayed at hotels in the city. “It was interesting just to meet all these people from around the U.S. and hear how people talked and communicated,� junior Ashley Albritton of the Environmental and Natural Resources team said. “People from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were even there.�

The SHS chapter sent Parliamentary Procedure, Nursery Landscaping and Environmental and Natural Resources teams to the national conference for contest. These teams attended the conference by winning state-level competitions in April, May, and June. Each student in the Parliamentary Procedure team won a silver medal. The team as a whole won a silver medal as well, ranking 17 in the nation. The Nursery Landscaping and Environmental and Natural Resources teams won bronze and silver medals. “We did well,� junior and Parliamentary Procedure team chairman Peyton Jackson said. “We worked together and off of each other. There wasn’t just one person who bought us up.� Each team took a written and

oral test on general information. The Nursery Landscape team, for example, was tested on drawing and identifying landscapes and trees, shrubs, and insects. “This opened my eyes to the future,� junior Savannah Hobart of the Parliamentary Procedure team said. “It helped me realize that I want to be an agriculture teacher.� FFA sponsor Rusty Coats reports that the team excelled, but can still improve. “I’ve been going up there for 20 years,� Coats said. “This is the best group I’ve ever bought. But we didn’t do well on the general knowledge test, so that’s an area we can do better on.� Brooke Little is an MSU student majoring in agricultural education who coached the Parliamentary Procedure team.

Clubs

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DECA improves skills Op. Smile plans cooperative improv fundraiser with Thespians at Jackson conference By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor Operation Smile is cooperating with Thespians this year for a new kind of fundraiser. In November, Thespians will be assissting Operation Smile by helping the club put on a show dedicated to improvisation, or improv -- acting without any script and making up lines as needed. “It’ll be fun as soon as it comes together,� Operation Smile and Thespians vice president and junior Lauren Hughes said. “We’ll probably bring in some seniors from last year to do improv. Thespians will be involved because it’ts an opportunity to act.� Operation Smile is trying to get members from the Lab Rats involved. The Lab Rats are a theatre troupe at Mississippi State University dedicated to improvisation. “We know some of the Lab Rats personally,� Operation Smile secretary and Thespians president and senior Laura Kathryn Lindsay said. “We were hoping we could use

By Kiana Stinson News Writer

Op. Smile members meet to discuss their new improv fundraiser. Photo by Ruth Brown

them as contacts and get them to do it. It’d be a very fun and simple fundraiser.� Those interested in the fundraiser can buy tickets from Operation Smile members for five dollars. Operation Smile members will also set up a booth where the club’s duct tape wallets will be sold. The location is undecided. The

fudraiser is in November, but the date has not been set. Operation Smile is an organization dedicated to raising money for corrective surgeries of children with clef pallettes. Thespians is Starkville High School’s club dedicated to theatre. The clubs encourage patrons to bring both friends and family.

DECA, a club based in the marketing class at Millsaps, attended their state Fall Leadership Conference in Jackson, MS on October 2-4. The conference was divided into many activities over the three day period. Keynote speaker Bryan Garrett from Washington, D.C., gave the students an overview on the criteria and ideas they could learn from the other sessions they would explore. Garrett is author of several books, including The ABC’s of Life, and has traveled across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Caribbean giving presentations. “Bryan Garrett motivated the students to set goals, to be decisive in making future plans, and to reach their full potential,� DECA sponsor Kathy Dawkins said. At the convention students also participated in “Marketing

Madness,� an interactive game show review hosted by Julie Williamson and Stephanie Sullivan. “I enjoyed Marketing Madness,� senior Quadry Edmonds said. “It made preparing for our competition in Jackson lots of fun by entertaining us with the set up of Jeopardy.� Another session the students attended was “Rollin’ To Orlando,� a role-playing activity where students learn marketing ethics such as giving firm hand shakes, keeping eye contact and speaking clearly. After the conference, the students went to the mall. While at the mall, students were able to eat and encouraged to study the different window displays and other ways that the stores advertised their products. The DECA conference was not all the students did. While in Jackson, the students also visited the State Capitol Building.

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News

Band scores high ranks By Christine Mazzola News Writer The Starkville High School marching band has wrapped up their competitive season with more perfect marks in their final competition. “We received all superiors in all of our competitions,� senior Kenton Coble said. The SHS band has also received superiors for the majorette, color guard, and field commanders. They performed at the Chunky River Classic in Union, Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 16. It’s been the third competition for the band and their final one before they enter concert season. Starkville High football games continue into November, however, prolonging the end of the marching season until the last game. Tomorrow night marks the SHS vs. South Panola band night, where the SHS and Armstrong Middle School bands will perform before the home crowd at the south panola football game.

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JROTC navigates way to second place By Kiana Stinson News Writer

The SHS band performs at halftime of the Noxubee game. Photo by Bailey Brocato

Biggest Loser, minus 75 dollars. If there is a tie, we will go down to the ounces lost if we have to. Should we still have an exact match; the winners will have to split the pot.� School nurse Darinda Gruchy is acting as nutritionist for the group. “I was a member of Weight Watchers before, so I can share things that I know do or do not work, from experience.� Gruchy said. “One big thing is the ‘zeropoint soup’. It’s any kind of vegetable soup in chicken or beef broth, you can eat as much of that as you want. Having several meals of smaller portions can actually decrease hunger.� Gruchy also suggests substituting turkey products for beef or pork, switching to whole-wheat bread, and including low-fat yogurt as a desert. Other members have put forward ideas as to how to lose weight, such as a group mile walk/ run, or a club-organized skipping

On Oct. 23, the JROTC’s orienteering team traveled to Brandon High School where they placed second in an orienteering meet. “Orienteering is a tough physical and mental challenge,� C.S.M Houston said. “[It] provides an opportunity for the students to experience something different.� The orienteering meet was held in Rankin County. The navigations site was comprised of nearly three miles of tough, rough terrain where the team had to use their map skills to find several destinations, and then run to that location. “I grew up in the country,� sophomore Nick Sellars said. “I was ready for the challenge.� For each destination the teamreached, they would receive a point. The team to gather all the points first won the meet. Students were only allowed to use a compass, protractor, and

“Orienteering is a tough physical and mental challange.� -C.S.M. Houston

map to find the various destinations. They also took a written test on map reading and land navigation skills. When the team returned back to the starting point area, the time was marked by JROTC instructors. When the written test and navigation scores were tallied, and the course times compaired, Starkville High had taken the overall second place trophy. “All our hard work paid off,� sophomore Brittany Harris said.

cont’d from page 1. of one meal, like lunch, for the entire week. Webpage Design teacher Mia Eichelberger is also a member of the Biggest Losers. She hopes to develop a healthier lifestyle and gain a support system from the members. She likes the way they can come together and discuss each other’s problems. She cites the Bible as her inspiration for a healthy life. “Build upon the foundation of the rock,� Eichelberger said. “We have to get our foundations in order so we can build off it, to the end goal of weight loss.� Another member, main hall janitor Edward Deloach, has already lost over 14 pounds with the club. “I got tired of feeling so bad about this weight,� Deloach said. “So I made up my mind to lose it, one way or another. I’ve already lost 14 pounds, and I feel so good. My goal is to lose 100 pounds.� Deloach hopes his success

Mr. Hudson checks his progress with nurse Gruchy. Photo by Ruth Brown

motivates other people. “If I can do it, then so can they,� Deloach said.

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Featured Story

SENIOR

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Seniors come from behind to beat sophomores during new spirit week class competition By Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

Above: Hannah Reynolds nerds-out for Pick Your Clique Day. Below: Patricia Kilgore, Morgan Allstot and Tyne Gann dress for clique day. Photos by Mariel Marcum and Jennifer Hunt.

Spirit week provided SHS students with something new this year: the chance to earn points for their class. Students competed against other classes in dress-up days and in different competitions in order to beat the other classes and win the spirit stick. In the end, the seniors beat the sophomores by winning 170 points to 100 points. The freshman came in third with 65 and the juniors trailed with a grand total of zero points. The points system was a new idea conceived by principal Keith Fennell. “I know of other schools that do Spirit Week this way,� Fennell said. “It creates a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of school spirit.� Students competed in the community and school pep rallies, as well as the homecoming dance, the homecoming car show (see page 3) and the “find the Yellow Jacket� competition. However, the “find the Yellow Jacket� competition was thrown out when it was discovered that a student did not actually find the Yellow Jacket hidden in the tail pipe of bus number 59. “He was not in the wrong,� Fennell said. “He was not in violation of any rule.� The student body was enthusiastic about the competition, though, and Fennell said he plans to bring is back next year. The sophomores led early in the week, but the seniors came from behind and took both pep rallies and the homecoming dance contest. “The sophomores totally should have won,� sophomore Emily Damm said. “We deserved the title of most spirited.� Obviously, the senior class is thrilled about their homecoming win. “I’m really excited,� senior Chelse Swoopes said. “It’s our first time to win a competition of this kind. We needed the bragging rights, especially with it being our last year.� Though the sophomores had an early lead, many thought that the seniors would win from the beginning. “I was not surprised at all,� French teacher Sue Ann Morgan said. “I felt like the seniors would take it.� The school seemed to give their all in this spirit week, with almost every student dressing up and even teachers getting into the act. “I will definitely do this (the spirit week competition) next year,� Fennell said.

Left: Crayol senior...citiz

Featured Story

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la Day provided a nice contrast to the drab white, black and grey of the normal school uniform. Above: Kara Coble dresses as a zen. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

Score Breakdown

Above: Mirage Bell brings his own twin to school. Below: Hal Sullivan mocks Prinicpal Keith Fennell. Photos by Bailey Brocato and Mariel Marcum.

Opinion

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Editorial

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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 student editors.

Freshmen should be urged to get involved ASAP

Freshman year is a time of insecurities, state testing, and voice changes. It’s a rough time for all of us, and who doesn’t wish that they had a little peer support during the sketchy points in their life. We feel that a little involvement in the early years of high school goes a long way towards helping students feel like they’re a part of the SHS family and be more motivated to do well in high school. We feel that upper students and teachers should be taking the initiative in getting students involved as soon as they step through the doors of SHS on their first day of school. One idea is that different sports teams could have interest meetings early in the school year, and the freshmen

interested in joining are assigned a big sister or brother that will be there to encourage that freshman and help them prepare for tryouts and excel during their first year on the team. This method of having an upperclassman “adopt� a freshman student could also be used in clubs, where it could be helpful to have a big sister or brother to help new club members remember meeting dates and stay involved in the club’s activities. Students that are more involved in their school are less likely to drop out and more likely to make better grades and higher test scores. We don’t want any SHS students looking back once they’ve reached their senior

year and regretting the lack of involvement they had in their school. Upperclassmen and teachers: help students get involved, and be supportive and encouraging! Adopt a freshman and don’t let any opportunity be missed to encourage that freshman to be the best they can be. We believe that if the upperclassman and teachers can be enthusiastic about the upcoming freshman classes, then the freshman will be more motivated and enthusiastic about their own high school journey. Students should be taking advantage of every opportunity they have in high school, because we believe that the skills built here will affect a person for the rest of their lives.

The Jacket Buzz Volume 18, Issue 3

October 28, 2010

Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

Taylor Bowden News Editor

Lammi Micha Sports Editor

Tess Long Opinions Editor

Ruth Brown Photo Editor

Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor

Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor

LaMarion Lindsey Marketing Director

Staff Members Dominic Henn, Christine Mazzola, Kiana Stinson, Andrew LaFrance, Hal Sullivan, Merve Karan, Tierra Tillman, Brandon Gardner, Mariel Marcum, Bailey Brocato, Jennifer Hunt, Ahsia Temple, and Yingying Zhang.

R.J. Morgan

Applicant’s guide to college essays

Adviser

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, and 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, to

shsjacketbuzz@gmail.com.

By Hal Sullivan Opinion Writer It’s that time of year; the time when seniors get their standardized test scores back and they start submitting applications to the college(s) of their choice. It is a glorious time; we have yet to flap our wings, but have just poked our little birdie heads out of the nest. I believe that the college essay is an extremely crucial part of the application process. It gives your prospective school insight as to who you are as a person, rather than simply viewing you as “Applicant #7530.� The Common Application, which is accepted by numerous schools across the country, has a list of essay

prompts including writing about someone who has influenced your life and an issue of importance to you. Let the prompts take you where they may; the best way to convey who you are. Let’s say, for instance, that your prompt reads, “Anatole France said, ‘If 50 million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.’ On what subject do you disagree with most people, and why?� The possibilities for retorts are so vast that you should have no problem accurately displaying your values to the college of your choice. Make sure to phrase your responses well, but don’t sound like you’re using a thesaurus (colleges hate that). If you throw in some fancy, ten-dollar word, you might think that you sound like hot stuff, but colleges think you sound phony. I think that if you can affectively bear your soul to your prospective school, they will respect you much more than the applicant that they believe is simply telling them what they want to hear.

Opinion

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Students, teachers, administrators rock out By Tess Long Opinion Editor After a grueling two and a half months of black, white, gray and khaki, the Starkville High School student body celebrated homecoming week with a sigh of relief because they were able to wear jeans and a show of vibrant colors, crazy hairstyles and great attitudes. Maybe I just can’t remember the past three years very well, but it seems to me that this year the students’ enthusiasm for homecoming has reached a new level not seen in several years past. Personally, I believe this to be a direct result of the new mandatory dress code enforced for the first time this year. The promise of not having to wear the typical khaki pants and dismal polo-type shirt brought out the rock star, disco queen, pop princess, and country rocker in almost all of us. Of course there were those students who believed themselves way too cool to dress up like a crayon, and simply used this opportunity to wear their normal, everyday, clothes to school. But even including these students, at least it changed up the scenery a bit and none of the teachers or administrators seemed to be too willing to dampen the spirit of things by calling them out on it. And even if I do just have a horrible memory and students have been just as excited about homecomings in previous years, I still believe that there was some-

thing just a little more special about this one. Perhaps it is just the fact that this will be my last high school homecoming experience, but a part of me knows that the relief of not having to put on those uniforms every morning, if only for one week, is one of the best things homecoming could bring for the school year of 2010-2011. The surprise that I felt at the spirity aura that covered the school this past week will definitely keep me going for at least a week or so of polos and cardigans. And I definitely applaud the teachers and administrators for their school spirit as well. The school definitely went all out this year. From Mrs. Brenda Jackson, who dressed in all red for crayon day and took her whole class on a field trip to observe the class homecoming flats, to Principal Fennell, who rocked the halls of SHS with full tattoo sleeves, a jet black mullet, and fake earring, not too mention the numerous other activities such as a car show, homecoming parade, and yellow jacket scavenger hunt. All of these things coming together in one week succeeded in making a fun, memorable homecoming, at least for me, and I’m very thankful that I can go out with a great memory of my last Starkville High School homecoming. And sure, on Monday we were all back in the dreaded mandatory dress code (which seems to be becoming more like a uniform and less like a dress code every day), but I was definitely a little less reluctant to pull on those khakis after a fun week of crazy outfits with no one saying a word about red scarves or undershirts that don’t match.

Principal Keith Fannell poses as his evil twin for last Thursday’s homecoming theme day. Photo by Bailey Brocato

ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TOO OLD TO TRICK OR TREAT? No! It’s totally OK Yes! CREEPY

64%

Total number of votes: 258

16%

OK if the house is friends or family

20%

Sports

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PF Moore returns as Jackets set out to defend Lady Jacket leader last season’s championship First Game By Brandon Gardner Sports Writer

The Starkville High School Lady Jacket basketball team’s ending record last season was 16-9. Senior Courtney Moore, was the second leader in points and first in rebounds last season. “It feels great to be number one in rebounds and to be called a leader,� Moore said. Moore is the returning power forward. She averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. “I feel that it’s my job to be the leading rebounding and scoring person because of what I am capable of bringing to the

By Brandon Gardner Sports Writer

SHS vs. Meridian Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 Girls: 5:30 p.m. Boys: 6 p.m.

court,� Moore said. “I’m expected to get every rebound as well as putting the ball in the hole.� It’s not about a team being filled with great players to the Lady Jackets, but it’s about being willing, ready, and cooperative. “It’s not the quantity of great players on the team, but it’s the quality of us as a team,� point guard Jonissa Buchanan said.

Last year, the Jackets won the 6A State Championship title by defeating the Meridian Wildcats in a 5751 game and won the Grand Slam, which places them as the best in the state of Mississippi. The Jackets want to defend their title this season as state champions. Former guard Edward Townsel and former small forward Rashad Perkins motivated the Jackets last season. It may be hard to fill the shoes of two of the best players in Mississippi, but Gavin Ware just might be the next Rashad Perkins for Starkville High School. “I feel that I am not taking his position, but I am trying to lead the team to another state title like Rashad did,� Ware said. The boys practice every fourth block on school days. “We have been conditioning and going over the basic plays we run,� Ware said. “We started our official practice on getting better and trying to be involved in another great season.� In order to repeat something that

Head coach Greg Carter helps his basketball players understand what ii feels like to go to the goal with defensive pressure. Photo by Ruth Brown.

was so great, there are things that may have to be avoided and others that have to be accomplished. “This may be another challenge, but I’m sure me and my teammates can pull through and have another

successful season with the help from our fans and family,� Ware said. “If we work hard enough to overcome obstacles in practice, I’m absolutely sure we’ll have a repeat of last year.�

Located in the Old Main District of downtown Starkville 103 South Washington St. 662-323-7665

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Free pool after School 3pm to 5pm Monday thru Thursday (Starkville High School Students with School ID; Expires 5/15/2011)

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SHS holds Jacket Bowling Invitational wants state By Lammi Micha Sports Editor The Starkville High School cross-country team hosted the first ever SHS Yellow Jacket Invitational. There were a total of 16 schools that entered and 124 boys that ran in the varsity competition. The Jackets finished third overall and the Lady Jackets placed last. “It was nerve racking and stressful,� head coach Caroline Woomer said. “But it was a lot of fun.� Woomer expressed a great deal of gratitude for the parents for organizing and getting the meet going. “The meet was a great success because of the parents,� Woomer said. “They really pitched in and helped.�

“It was nerve racking and stressful, but it was a lot of fun.�

- Head Coach Caroline Woomer

In the boy’s varsity meet, Kamau Bostis placed top 5, Joseph MacGown placed top 10, and Jonnel Ward placed top 20. “I’m very proud of Jonnel Ward,� Woomer said. “This is a very hard course, and for him to cut his time down on such a hard course made me proud of him.� She was satisfied with Bostis and MacGown as well, but said that they could have easily done better.

By Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor After last year’s results, bowling team head coach Jim Philamlee hopes for a winning season. “We lost five seniors last year,� said Philamlee. “And our best girl moved away.� Last season, the team did well until losing their regional match to Tupelo. Luckily, a team was disqualified, giving SHS a spot in State. Overall, SHS finished 8th in the state. Being that this is his senior year, Stephen Gunter wants to win big. “I want to win state,� Gunter said. “It’s my senior year and I think we can do it.� Though none of their matches have been officially scheduled, SHS will be competing against Olive Branch, Tupelo, New Albany and many other schools in the area. The 2010 season begins in early November.

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Pichardo earns spot on US regional team By Lammi Micha Sports Editor Local soccer star Alvaro Pichardo made the regional soccer team after playing only one year in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). Pichardo has been playing soccer since he lived in Nicaragua with his family when he was 6 or 7 years old. “He has been working very hard for that,� Pichardo’s mother Argen Loaisiga said. “I think he deserves this opportunity. He has been waiting for this chance for a long time.� ODP was created in 1977 to identify the pool of players that will be used to create a national team for international competition. Players are selected based on their technique, fitness, athletic ability, and their attitude. Pichardo

presented enough in those 4 areas to be selected as the top 18 best players in the region. He was the only player from Mississippi to make it and he was selected as one of the best 4 forwards in all 12 states that make up the southern region. “I work hard,� Pichardo said. “I give it my all.� According to his mother, Pichardo spends all of his time exercising and playing soccer. “He doesn’t go any other place besides the SportsPlex to play soccer,� she said. “After school, during the night, during weekends. Always.� Pichardo plans on traveling to Santa Barbara, California, in December to take part in a regional event where four teams from the north, south, east and west will meet up to play games with the best 18 players from each region on each team. Every state except

First Game SHS (0-0) vs. Kosciusko (0-0)

Tuesday, Nov. 9 7 p.m. @ SHS

Alaska and Hawaii will meet in conjunction with a NCAA final four men’s soccer tournament. Over the course of the 20092010 season, Pichardo scored 11 goals and had 8 assists. Even though he sat out about six games last season, he led the Starkville High School boy’s soccer team in both goals and assists. Pichardo has the unconditional support of his mother in his soccer career. “He’s my favorite soccer player,� Loaisiga said. “I’m here to support him and always stand up by his side because he is a good boy and a good player.�

Pichardo competes for the ball in an Olympic Development Program match. Courtesy photo.

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Senior Smith flies under radar By Lammi Micha Sports Editor

Running back Garrett Smith runs in the ball for a touchdown to take the lead for the Yellow Jackets. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

Senior running back Garrett Smith flies under the radar and doesn’t get enough credit for being the great player that he is, according to SHS head football coach Jamie Mitchell. “Garrett’s been a blessing for us this year,� Mitchell said. “He’s really come out of nowhere. I had no idea he would be doing what he’s doing this year.� Smith began this season as a back up to sophomore Preston Baker, who was injured in the Jackets’ opening game against Noxubee Central. Once Baker was injured, Smith got a chance to showcase his skills. “From that day on, he’s been as good a back as you can find out there,� Mitchell said. Smith is now leading the Yellow Jackets in both rushing yards and touchdowns. Mitchell describes Smith as hard-nosed and tough, and says

“Sometimes I feel like God just put wings on my back.� - Senior Garrett Smith

that the team has 100 percent confidence in giving him the ball because he doesn’t fumble. “It feels great since I didn’t play the first game, coming in and backing up Preston,� Smith said. “It just feels great to come out and do my best.� According to Smith, the credit for his touchdowns goes to his coaches because they always tell him to use his vision and that helps him score. He also accredits the skills and energy that he has been blessed with to God. “Sometimes I feel like God put wings on my back,� Smith said. “There’s times when I may be down after a play and I just get another set of energy and do things for my team that people wouldn’t expect.�

Garret Smith *70 carries for 531 yards *8 catches for 188 yards Mitchell is proud to see a senior doing so well and leading the team by example. “It’s so pleasing to see a senior that a whole lot wasn’t expected out of to all of the sudden be doing great things,� Mitchell said.

Henderson frustrates offenses with 3 INTs By Lammi Micha Sports Editor Senior defensive back Bryce Henderson has been waiting for this season his whole life. Henderson, a senior who has played football since he was seven years old, is leading the Yellow Jackets with three interceptions and always seems to reverse the momentum of the game when it is needed most. “I always catch it late, when we really need it,� Henderson said. Every one of Henderson’s interceptions has resulted in a touchdown by the Yellow Jacket offense. “He’s the most seasoned defensive back,� head coach Jamie Mitchell said. “He’s very hard to fool, he’s not going to be in the wrong place very much and he has great balling stance- you throw it and he’s there.� Although he’s never returned one to the end zone himself, he

Bryce Henderson *caught 3 out of 7 interceptions *caught one touchdown off a teammates helmet

enjoys setting up his teammates. “I do my best to catch them, but I don’t know how to explain the feeling after I catch it,� Henderson said. “I’m thinking about winning every time I catch one.� Mitchell says that Henderson’s motivation comes from him knowing that he is a leader of the defense and that there are younger players that look up to him. “He knows he’s got to be the boss back there,� Mitchell said. “He’s got so much experience. He’s been in big games and knows how to defend.� Henderson, on the other hand, sees his team mates as his motivation. “We trust in each other,� Henderson said. “We believe that the others will do their job.�

Bryce Henderson catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Quez Johnson that bounced off of wide reciever Shaquielle Hill’s helmet. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

The

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JACKETS BY THE

NUMBERS

TWO

interceptions thrown by senior quarterback Quez Johnson this season versus 15 thrown last season.

266 2,899

points scored by the Jackets versus 165 points scored on them in 9 games.

total yards in the past 9 football games versus 1400 yards throughout the whole 2009-2010 season.

Senior running back Garrett Smith evades opponents during the 21-20 upset against the West Point Green Wave earlier this season. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

Tiger Hunting Jackets look forward to taking on No. 1 nationally-ranked South Panola By Lammi Micha Sports Editor After two heart-breaking losses the past couple of weeks, the Yellow Jacket football team is looking forward to the opportunity to take on the No. 1 South Panola Tigers. “South Panola is the benchmark of football in our state and they have been for a long time,� head coach Jamie Mitchell said. “We just cherish the opportunity to go play them.� The Jackets are coming off of two tough losses that were both given up late in the fourth quarter. But, they are sure that consistency is they key to beating South Panola. “We just have to be more consistent,� senior quarterback Quez Johnson said. “We need to play every drive like it’s our last drive.

South Panola (9-0, 5-0) has only lost two games in the last five years: to Memphis University School and Meridian High School. The Jackets (5-4, 3-2) opened division play 3-0, but, after consecutive losses to Southaven and Olive Branch, are struggling for a playoff spot. “We’ve got to just keep putting bad things behind us,� Mitchell said. “We’ve played as hard as we could play, but the ball just hasn’t bounced our way.� Senior wide receiver Shaquille Hill just wants to prove how well the new football program at Starkville High has come along. “Beating the number one team in the nation would prove how far along we are in the program and how good we truly are,� Hill said. “But first, we’ve got to believe.� Johnson, on the other hand, just looks at

Last Game 30-36 Loss to Olive Branch

Next Game SHS (5-4, 3-2) vs. South Panola (9-0, 5-0)

Friday, Oct. 29 7:00 p.m. @ SHS

South Panola as another team that has to be beat. “Beating South Panola would mean a lot,� Johnson said. Senior running back Garret Smith thinks that the Jackets need to throw the ball more in order to win. But Hill thinks that it will be a lot more simple than changing playing style. “I think we need to improve on our effort,� Hill said. “If we just go hard we’ll win.�

Swimmers head back to state By Ty Ringo Yearbook Editor The Starkville High School swim teams competed in the state meet on Saturday, October 23 in Biloxi, MS. MarkAnne Hobart, a sophomore swimmer on the team, is satisfied with the team’s performance. “Overall, we did our hardest and performed the best we could,� said Hobart. The boys also had an impressive finish, placing sixth overall. “We had high expectations,� said Wilhelm Liano, “But I think we met them.� Andy Bond, a 200 meter freestyle champion is happy with how well the boys did in the competition. “I think we did really good,� said Bond. “I actually think we did better than usual.� Head coach Angela Hobart was very proud of her team captains for keeping the swimmers excited and leading by example in the meet.

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