Jacket Buzz (12/02/10)

J acket The

buzz

starkville high school • 603 Yellowjacket Dr. Starkville, MS, 39759 • www.shsjacketbuzz.com • VOLUME XVIII, No. 4 • 12-02-10

z z u B

The

Box

December

4

Christmas parade

4

6

Band Concert

6

7

I-STEEP testing

7

9

Choir Concert

9

11 ACT test date 11

15

Senior portrait deadline

15

Stidham proposes year-round school

By Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief Starting next year, Starkville High School may be moving to a new school calendar: the flex quarter system.

Under this system, students, teachers, and faculty will attend school for nine weeks at a time and then have a three week break before returning to school again.

This new system was proposed to the school board during their Nov. 2 meeting by Millsaps director James Stidham.

“We’re in the 21st century, but we’re still operating under a 19th century calendar,” Stidham said.

Stidham feels that the main advantage to this new system is that it will help with the dropout rate.

“It makes school seem a lot shorter,” Stidham said. “Students

won’t think of it as a straight 180 days, but as in smaller nine week tunnels.”

During the nine weeks that the school is in session, school will operate as normal. However, during the three week break, students who failed a course during the previous quarter will be able to immediately recover the credit in what Stidham called “instant summer school.” During the last week

of the break, the entire school will shut down, and students and faculty will all have a break.

“It’s an incentive for students to study,” Stidham said. “If I was a student with a 64 in English toward the end of the quarter, I’d be doing everything I can to pull that grade up so that I can enjoy my full three weeks off.”

SEE “Flex Quarter”, PAGE 2.

Tardy Troub

les

By Dominic Henn News Writer

Getting to class on time is one of the fundamental rules at Starkville High School.

However, many students are, for whatever reason, incapable of upholding this rule and do not get to class on time.

The administration has made many attempts to lower the number of tardies, including giving the students a relaxed dress code day if tardies were kept low.

If students can reduce the number of tardies this week, they will earn a relaxed dress code day on Friday. The students have another chance to have the relaxed dress code by reducing tardies next week.

The dress code incentive was first tried in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break.

SEE “Tardies”, PAGE 2.

Photo by Ruth Brown.

SHS Celebrates the Holidays ... Feature on Pages 8-9.

Page 2 • 12-02-10

News

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AP classes prepare students for college

By Andrew LaFrance News Writer

Craig Piper is an AP course teacher at SHS. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

Tardies,

Former senior Collin Whitten has found the adjustment to college life in Alabama to be easy, thanks to the preparation given by classes he took while at Starkville High.

In addition to the usual class load, Whitten took several Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Whitten took AP Physics with the now-retired Paul Cuicchi and AP European History with Ty Adair.

“AP classes have helped me a lot. I scored high enough that I received three hours of Humanities credits, and two Science credits,” Whitten said. “They gave me a five hour head start, but I think they helped me know what to ex-

pect from a college class.”

SHS currently offers several AP courses ranging from chemistry and biology to United States history and literature.

AP art history teacher Marcy Smith believes in the benefits of the AP program.

“If a student performs well enough, they can earn college course hours,” Smith said. “That means they have to take fewer classes, which means their parents can save more money, which is always important.”

The benefits to students don’t end with saved money, though.

“Probably the largest benefit of AP classes is what the student learns in the way of skills,” Smith said. “Having a syllabus with actual due dates forces students to

cont’d from page 1.

During the first week of November, the administration offered the students a camo day if they were able to lower the amount of tardies that week.

On Monday and Tuesday there were fewer tardies, but on Wednesday tardies were back up. By Thursday there was no improvement, so the “Camo Day” wasn’t awarded.

The next week, the administration again challenged students to lower the amount of tardies, but tardy numbers remained high, higher than the week before.

Junior Andy Bond argues that the number of tardies won’t be consistent, that they need to give students something more long lasting.

Junior Quadry Edmunds agrees and suggests that food coupons or movie passes would provide more of an incentive.

The incentive days are part of the administration’s new approach to handling issues.

Asst. principal Sean McDonnall said that there is a positive behavior support committee comprised of teachers, administrators and parents whose job is to analyze discipline and compare it to previous years.

“We look at how many referrals are written each month under different categories, and we then think of incentives that will

encourage the students,” committee member Marcy Smith said.

At first, the administration gave the student body a chance for a relaxed dress code day in late October if students could reduce ID infractions.

Students successfully dropped the number of ID infractions down to six, allowing the students to wear jeans and a Starkville High T-shirt that Friday.

“I never thought that this was possible,” principal Keith Fennell said. “There are over 1,200 students that go here and only six incurred ID infraction.”

Fennell wants the incentive days to continue by focusing on certain infractions, and then a “mystery infraction.”

The mystery infraction would be a random infraction not announced by the administration to keep students on their toes and doing their best.

If the infraction numbers decreased, there would be a relaxed dress code on that Friday.

However, the administration is still working on decreasing the number of tardies.

“I don’t know what we are going to do about tardies,” McDonnall said, “but we will obviously have to revisit it in our future meetings.”

work on their time management skills. The workload is much more like college than other high school classes, too. For a student, in AP or in college, if he or she falls behind, it can be overwhelming to try and catch up. AP courses also allow teachers to go more indepth with our classes, and let’s us [teachers] learn to cover everything on time.”

Whitten knows how useful that can be.

“The only place in high school that required as much of me as college does now was those AP courses,” Whitten said. “When you’re thrown into a university setting, getting used to everything can be challenging. Having that experience, even if it’s something completely irrelevant to my college

“Why not take advantage of everything you can get?”

-Collin Whitten

classes, makes it that much easier to adjust and take everything in stride. I definitely think that kids who are considering going to college should expose themselves to college-level work as much as possible.”

Considering how cheap AP classes are ($80 to take the national exam) compared to college courses, there is little downside.

“It really is a hard transition,” Whitten said, “so why not take advantage of everything you can get?”

Example Flex Schedule July 19-Sep. 7

45 Days

School

Sep. 20- Oct. 8 Oct. 11- Nov. 19

15 Days

Vacation

30 Days 5 Days

School Vacation

15 Days

School

15 Days 45 Days 15 Days 45 Days 30 Days

Vacation School Vacation School Vacation

Nov. 22 - 26 Nov. 29- Dec. 17 Dec. 20 - Jan. 7 Jan. 10 March 12 March 15- April 2 April 5- June 4 June 7- July 15

Flex Quarter,

cont’d from page 1.

Teachers who choose to teach during the two-week remedial session will be able to earn extra money.

If the school cannot find enough teachers that want to teach in the remedial session, they will hire new interim teachers.

Though many may wonder how this will affect Starkville School District’s tight budget, both of these will be payed for by federal money, according to Stidham.

A committee - consisting of Stidham, the principals in the district, and the two assistant supts.

- is researching the topic.

SHS principal Keith Fennell said that he does not have an opinion on the flex quarter system yet.

“It has been beneficial for many

other schools, but I would like to wait for more info before I form an opinion,” Fennell said. “I’m in favor of anything that provides opportunities for success.”

There are some negatives to this new system, however. Athletic schedules may get thrown off due to Starkville being the only school that has this new schedule.

Some fear that teams will be playing to no crowd at all. Stidham believes that athletics won’t be a problem, however.

“Studies show that it won’t make a difference,” Stidham said.

“They can make it work. If our football team is having a winning season, people will come and watch the games even if we aren’t in school.”

Stidham also feels that the stu-

dents, teachers and community will all come to like this new system.

Some students agree with Stidham.

“I’m up for anything,” sophomore Gabriel Myles said. “I like what we have now, but we need whatever is best for us.”

Some, however, are already against the new schedule.

“I don’t think that it’s a good idea,” sophomore Angela White said. “It will be just like having the first day of school four times a year.”

Despite the criticisms, Stidham feels that his heart is in the right place.

“I’m not doing this for me,” Stidham said. “I want what I feel is best for the students.”

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News

12-02-10 • Page 3

Purple Fan heads to competition

By Andrew LaFrance News Writer

2nd 9 weeks Exam Schedule Mon. 12/13 Tues. 12/14 Wed. 12/15 Regular B day 1A Exam schedule 2A Exam 1B 2B

1B Exam 2B Exam 3A 4A

Thurs. 12/16

Fri. 12/17

3A Exam 3B Exam 4A Exam 4B Exam 3B 60% Day 4B

The exam schedule for the second nine weeks of the 2010-2011 school year will be brand new. Instead of testing in alternating blocks on a regular schedule, students will test during the first two blocks of each day to avoid testing during lunch periods. This will also allow for reviews in afternoon classes immediately preceding the exams the next morning. The students will not follow a standard A-Day B-Day schedule. Instead, they will visit classes from both days on everyday except for Friday, which is a 60% day with a 12:30 p.m. dismissal. See the schedule above for full details.

This Friday, Dec. 3, Starkville High School students will present their play, The Purple Fan, at the Mississippi Theatre Association Regional Competition.

The play is based on an Asian folk tale rewritten by Kenneth Scollon. The story follows a peasant boy, Jing Ho, as he searches for the missing prince, who was kidnapped years ago. Traveling with the boy is a ghost, Jug Lui, who witnessed the kidnapping. Jing Ho uncovers a magical purple fan, which will ring bells when it hits the true prince on the head. However, because the author is deceased, they were able to change some things about the tale, specifically the ending.

“The original ending didn’t really suit the direction we are taking the play,” senior scriptwriter Hal Sullivan said. “Since the play is public domain, we had the grounds to change it. I made an ending that fit better with what we are doing.”

The Regional Competition is held every year, and there are three competitions. The north regional has 17 schools, including SHS, entering. Five schools will move on

Bailey Brocato, Elizabeth Underwood, and Lacy Claire Whitten offer a dramatic interpretation of a tree in Purple Fan. A3

and compete in the State Competition in Meridian in January.

“We can really learn a lot from the competition,” director Mandy Kinney said. “After we finish our play, which has to be under 45 minutes (including set-up and clean-up), each of the three judges has five minutes to grade us.”

The students also get something out of the competition.

“The judges give awards based

on performance,” Kinney said.

“There are awards for best actor and actress, best ensemble, best technical staff, overall merit and even a peer choice award that all of the schools vote for.”

Previously, SHS has won the best tech and peer choice awards, and won the best ensemble award during the first year it was given.

“I really think we’re going to do well this year.” Kinney said.

Page 4 • 12-02-10

Clubs

Key Club plans fundraisers, float

By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor

SMYC members and seniors L.K. Lindsay and D. Richardson help set up the Kids Count Egg Ball. Photo by Ruth Brown.

Starkville’s first MYC is launched

By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor “The Starkville Mayor’s Youth Council strives to provide youths with opportunities for personal growth and ability to contribute to the city through community service, peer mentoring and leadership development that raises issues with community leaders in the city of Starkville.”

This is the Starkville Mayor’s Youth Council’s mission statement.

Though cities across America have had Mayor’s Youth Councils for years, this is the SMYC’s first year of operation.

The SMYC plans and executes fundraisers for charities, organizations, and churches.

“It’s starting because it had been a vision of the mayor [SHS graduate Parker Wiseman],” project coordinator Stefanie Shackleford said. “If any organization wants us to help with community service, that’s what we’re here for. We’re developing tomorrow’s leaders today to help move Starkville forward.”

The SMYC has already partnered with the organization Kids Count and has helped with the the Egg Ball, a silent auction on

the day before the Egg Bowl. students’ speaking skills.

One of the SMYC’s objectives One exercise the Council uses is to educate students on the gov- to accomplish this is the ‘elevaernment of Starkville. tor speeches’. Members pair up “The govand take turns ernment of telling each “We’re developing toStarkville is tryother what the morrow’s leaders today SMYC does ing to get the youth involved,” in under two to help move Starkville minutes, the vice chairperson and sophomore a p p r ox i m a t e forward.”

Emily Damm amount of said. “We sit in -MYC coordinator Stefanie Shackelford time spent on on Board of Alan elevator. dermen meetAnother ings and then tell them what we program that the SMYC may belike and don’t like. [We] make come involved in is Youth About sure that the youth is heard.”

Business.

The SMYC reports that the stuSeven members would be chodents signed up for several rea- sen to represent Starkville at a sons, like the prevention of gang conference in Tenn., where the violence and alcohol abuse. team would develop a theoretiSome members “wanted to get cal business in seven days. The to know the community more,” top three teams would go to Wall chairperson and senior Billy Ed- Street and be able to buy stocks monds said. in the stock market. The cost of One of the ideas many appli- going would be approximately cants for the city of Starkville 3,000 dollars per person. had in common was that of a In order to apply for SMYC youth center. next year, a student must apply, Ideally, the center would pro- which includes an application vide a place where students can form, conducting a formal and socialize, do homework, have informal interview, and letters alternatives to gangs and drugs, of recommendation. The SMYC and have many other needs met. will also be accepting new appliThe SMYC also aims to hone cations in the spring.

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The club is discussing Mr. Merry Christmas and Dancing with the Teachers as possible The Starkville High School fundraisers next year.

Key Club is designing a In Mr. Merry Christmas, Christmas float, still deciding SHS boys dress as contestants between “A Hogwarts Christ- in a stereotypical beauty pagmas,” “Christmas in Narnia,” eant, acting out the pageant at and various other themes. In the Greensboro Center. the meantime, some fundraisAs with most pageants, ers are planned. each contestant has a talent Key Club won best float and participants will compete in the nonprofit division of in competitions such as the Starkville’s Christmas parade swimsuit competition. with their “redneck ChristDancing with the Teachers mas” float last year, president pairs up several teachers with and junior Cat Everett said. students. Teachers sign up “The theme [last year] was with a chosen student partner. ‘a country Christmas’. We all The pair chooses a song to dressed up dance to and like rednecks “Last year, Key Club was performs it and had a in front of fun, but we didn’t do float with the students. deer and fish nearly as much as we’re Key Club heads and a encourages homey setgoing to do this year.” students to ting,” junior join and get -junior Key Club president Cat Everett Andy Bond involved said. with each One fundevent. raiser Key Club plans to bring “It’s just good to have peoback dedicates paper angels to ple involved with extracurstudents’ loved ones. Students ricular activities,” Everett said. will be able to buy an angel for “[They] have fun thinking 50 cents, write their own dedi- outside the box with it. Last cation to someone special on year, the float was really fun, it and post it on a tree outside because a lot of people were of sponsor Brenda Jackson’s involved with it. People can room. just come to meetings and get All proceeds will go to Op- involved. And last year, it [Key eration Smile, a club dedicated Club] was fun, but we didn’t to raising money for the cor- do nearly as much as we’re gorective surgery of children ing to do this year.” with cleft palettes in third Club members can be eliworld countries. gible for a scholarship from “Andy [Bond] and Laura Kiwinas, the mother organizaKathryn [Lindsay] are presi- tion of Key Club. dent and vice president [reStudents can become eligible spectively] of Operation for this scholarship by being Smile,” Everett said. “They active in the club and attendgave us the idea that Op. Smile ing the majority of the meetalways needs money when we ings, which are the second and were talking about where the last Tuesday of every month. money could go.”

“If we get 5,000 dollars’ In the spring, Key Club will worth of scholarship that we plant flamingo yard ornaments can divide amongst two stuin individuals’ yards. dents, it’s well worth it,” JackThe individual can pay to son said. have the flamingo removed.

The Christmas parade will The flamingo is then moved be Dec. 3. The club’s next to someone else’s yard, and meeting will be on Tuesday, the process repeats.

Dec. 14.

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Clubs

SADD, PASS use puppet show, dance to spread message

By Kiana Stinson News Writer Project PASS and members of Starkville High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions will be hosting a Christmas stage performance on Dec. 8 in the SHS Theater at 4:30 p.m.

“The students are so anxious to present their show to family and peers,” coordinator Linda Walker said. “One of the objectives of Project PASS and SADD is to reduce destructive decision making – especially during the Christmas holidays.”

The Project PASS dancers will present a dramatization with an anti-alcohol and anti-drug message to students through stepping, expressive dance, and cheering.

“We are here to send a positive message,” dance instructor Kayla Gilmore said.

SADD will also present a Larry Zinger puppet show, a show that focuses on consequences families often face when dealing

12-02-10 • Page 5

Morgan wins Turkey Teacher

By Cullom McCormick Clubs Editor

PASS memebers L. Henley and E. Thiam work with instructor T. Gladny. Photo by Ruth Brown.

with the dangers of underage drinking.

Junior Tori Butler plays a moody, independent African American girl.

“Like me, my character is very outgoing,” Butler said.

Freshman Akash Shanuk’s character is laid back, but likes to irritate his sister, Butler’s character, like any brother.

“I love my character because

he has long dreads like Waka Flocka,” Shanuk said.

Freshman Alfred Stockes is the protective father of the family.

“I enjoy using the puppets,” Stockes said. “You can become a different person.”

SADD and PASS encourage students to come out and enjoy the event.

Food and drinks will be provided.

World history and journalism teacher R.J. Morgan dominated social studies dept. head Ty Adair in the Thespians Turkey Teacher fundraiser with 1,029 feathers.

Morgan won a frozen turkey and, more importantly, bragging rights.

“I’m happy for my sophomores,” Morgan said. “They got cheated out of Spirit Week, and this was a chance for them to win something.

Plus I do enjoy a fine bird.”

In the fundraiser, teachers had ‘naked’ turkeys outside their doors.

Thespians sold paper feathers for 25 cents each. Students put them on the turkeys of their choice.

Morgan and Adair competed throughout, sending messages to each other. Adair’s class sent the first message, and Morgan’s class responded with: “You realize, of course... this means war.”

Adair tried to stop a student from sending a bluff.

“Mr. Morgan is a valuable, trusted friend and colleague,” Adair

Morgan’s students stare in silent awe of his feathers. Photo by Ruth Brown.

said. “The SHS social studies dept. is very fortunate to have a teacher with his enthusiasm and ability.

Additionally, Mr. Morgan is the current Starkville School District teacher of the year. He makes the social studies deparment a fun and better place to work.”

Morgan reports enjoying his free turkey with gusto.

“I took it home to my mama,” Morgan said. “I wouldn’t have even known how to start cooking it.”

News

12-02-10 • Page 7

Maggie George, Jarheads aim Band look to for more concert season mature

By Christine Mazzola News Writer Maggie George, a junior in the Starkville High School band, is prepared and excited for this year’s concert season.

“We have a really good group,” George said. “We’ll have a really good concert season this year.

There’s a lot of talented freshmen.”

George’s career as a flute player began in sixth grade, and she’s been a member of the marching and concert band since her freshman year. George has attended several workshops and clinics with the SHS band.

Currently, George is stationed as second chair in the flute section of the wind ensemble. She’ll say farewell to the aged piccolo she has been playing recently.

“I’m getting to play a new piccolo,” George said. “After the

Band

sound

Winter Concert Monday, Dec. 6, 2010 6 p.m. at Lee Hall, MSU

second practice [of concert season], Mr. Sullivan said the old one had to go.”

The first test for the band will be the Christmas concert at 6:00 p.m. Monday evening, Dec. 6 at Lee Hall on Mississippi State ‘scampus.

The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade bands and the orchestra will also perform.

The wind ensemble’s selection includes “Sleigh Ride,” “Christmas Sing-a-Long,” and “Happy Xmas (War is Over),” made famous by John Lennon.

“It’s a good, festive, and fun concert,” George said.

By Zach Mitchell Editor-in-Chief Although some of the songs were written almost five years ago when the band started, The Jarheads’ first full-length album, Breathe In, sounds very modern and fresh.

Singer, guitarist, and recent SHS graduate Grant Beatty said this was his main goal while recording the album.

“While we were in the studio, we revamped a lot of our older material,” Beatty said. “‘European Girl’ and ‘Dying Breed’ were written back when the band first started, but songs like ‘8:43’ are where we’re going now.”

The title song “Breathe In” marks a new direction that the

group’s sound is taking.

“The album relies heavily on heartbreak and angst, but is also about shoving those things aside and getting the best of life,” Beatty said.

The album is a much more cohesive record than their first EP, No Sugar. The band also used the studio to their advantage, from small things such as ground control telling the titular character of Astronaut Guy to “let it go,” to much larger things like the piano in the bridge of “Porch Song.” Producer Mike Yeager helped the band create many of the sounds on the album.

It was also Yeager’s suggestion that “Breathe In” be recorded at all.

The producer heard the band playing the song at a soundcheck and

Photo by Bailey Brocato.

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convinced them to go back into the studio just to record that song.

Despite the band’s success, Beatty describes this as “the hardest time” for The Jarheads, due to drummer Collin Whitten’s enrrollment at the University of Alabama and Beatty and bassist Adrian Lewis’ attendance at Mississippi State University.

However, Beatty wants to make music his career choice.

“This is my pursuit in life,” Beatty said. “We’re going to make connections and keep going back to venues that like us. And in six months, I hope we’ll be back in the studio.”

For a more detailed version of this story, go to shsjacketbuzz.com

Singing natural for Reynolds Choir

By Christine Mazzola News Writer

Christmas Concert

Starkville High School enior Hannah Reynolds has been singThursday, Dec. 9, 2010 ing for as long as she can remem6 p.m. at McComas Hall, MSU ber.

“My mom sang,” Reynolds said. since ninth grade and the mad“Between her and church, it was rigals since eleventh, she sings a very inspiring.” second soprano among the eighShe sings in the First Baptist’s teen-strong madrigals and is part youth choir, known as P 4:4 for of a sextet. Reynolds was also the bible verse honored as one Philippians 4:4. “Thank you, Ms. Weeks, of eight seAs a freshman, niors to attend for inspiring me and she made the a conference at Mississippi Bapthe University exposing me to all tist All-State of Southern Youth Choir Mississippi. different kinds of music.” She was a part and Orchestra -senior madrigal Hannah Reynolds “It was a great of the All-State experience, not Choir for two only because I years. learned a lot of great music but I The choir’s next performance made a lot of great friends along will be the Christmas concert, and the way,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds has high hopes for the A member of the SHS choir group.

“I think that our concert will be really good,” Reynolds said. “We have lots of challenging music.”

Selections for the choir include Halleluiah Chorus, Ukrainian Bell Choir, and traditional holiday favorites.

“We hope everyone will come out to support us,” choral director Regina Weeks said.

Spring competition season is right around the corner for the choir, beginning when students return from Christmas break.

“We aim for superiors at contest,” Reynolds said.

She’s not ready to stop singing after graduation, either.

Weeks has had a tremendous influence on her throughout her musical career.

“I plan on trying out for the choir at [Mississippi] State,” Reynolds said. “Thank you, Ms. Weeks, for inspiring me and exposing me to all different kinds of music.”

Page 8 • 12-02-10

Featured Story

www.shsjac

Holiday spirit encompass Household Living Skills class bakes for Christmas Bazaar

By Andrew LaFramce News Writer At Starkville High, the household living skills class is gearing up for a local Christmas Bazaar.

SHS student Adam Roman is a member of the classes that are making crafts and goodies to sell to the public.

“Basically, we make the food, ornaments and soap,” Roman said. “Then we can sell them during the three days.”

The Christmas Bazaar takes place December 1, 2, and 3.

“We want to show This year, the event these parents not only is taking what their children place at the S t a r k v i l l e have learned, but how Spor tsplex much we all on Lynn Lane. appreciate them.”

“This is - Mary S. Nichovich the first year the city is hosting it,” household living skills teacher Mary S. Nicovich said. “So this is the first year that the Bazaar is not on the MSU campus.”

The classes are making Christmas ornaments, candles, soap, and various food items.

The students rotate between two classrooms, making food with Nicovich and other items (ornaments, etc.) in Suzanna Brooks’ room.

“The teachers on this hall get pretty mad at us,” Nicovich said. “They can smell the food, and they all have third lunch. And of course we will have the tin-foil Christmas ornaments, and they will be tree-shaped and decorated for either SHS or MSU. We also make things like placemats and throw pillows for people to buy.”

The classes’ participation in the Bazaar is a part of a program to help the students learn life skills, but that’s not the only reason behind their involvement.

“We hope that we are giving them skills that our students can carry into adulthood,” Nicovich said. “At the end of the Bazaar, we will take the profits to pay for a luncheon for our students and their parents in May. It will be entirely organized by the students, who will have bought the food and prepared it for the meal.”

Lakesha Grayer, Lateshia Grayer, Brittany Hogan and Adam Roman cook fudge for this week’s Holiday Bazaar at Starkville Sportsplex. Photo by Ruth Brown.

Holiday Bazaar Booth #45 - Starkville Sportsplex Today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nicovich is confident that both events will go very well.

“We will be doing units on good table manners and ordering from menus, but that isn’t all we want to get from the luncheon,” Nicovich said. “We want to show these parents not only what their children have learned, but how much we all appreciate them.”

Roman is happy to participate in the events.

“The classes are pretty fun. For this, though, we have to make all of the items right so that they will sell at the Bazaar,” Roman said. “At the end of the three days, we get to take any of the leftover stuff to our parents, which is great.”

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Featured Story

12-02-10 • Page 9

ses both secular, spiritual

SHS is diverse with Hinduism, Judaism and Islam represented in the student body. Pictured above is the Muslim holy text The Koran, traditional Jewish gold coins and a dreidel, and the Hindu god Ganesh. Photo by Bailey Brocato.

Season special in different ways for Starkville’s diverse community

By Andrew LaFramce News Writer Christmas morning is a very stereotypical, yet memorable scene – children waking up early, racing down the hallway to wake their parents, and then gathering around the tree to open their presents.

However, for some students, December 25 is just another Saturday of the SHS winter break.

Jordan Cohen is a sophomore at Starkville High School. She is also Jewish, a religion

Senior Muhammad Dakhlalla is a proud that celebrates Hanukkah, not Christmas, in Muslim. the winter time.

“We don’t really have “The timing of Hanukkah isn’t always the same,” “The two holidays are not any winter holidays,” Dakhlalla said. “We did Cohen said. “So it only all that different; they’re have two around Novemcoincides with Christmas ber, though. One was celsometimes.” both about being with the end of RamaThis year Hanukkah befamily. Besides, we [Jews] ebrating dan, our month of fasting. gins on Dec. 1. This is beget the same amount of The other, Eid al-Adha, is cause the religious event follows the Hebrew calenpresents as [Christians] in remembrance of when dar, rather than the GregoGod asked Abraham to rian calendar most people sacrifice his son Isaac.” do.” are familiar with.

Divya Patel is a senior at -sophomore Jordan Cohen “The celebration of HaSHS and a member of the nukkah begins at sunset,” Hindu faith.

Cohen said. “For eight “We recently celebrated nights, we open presents, dance, and light New Year’s, by Krishna’s calendar, in Nothe candles.” vember.” Patel said. “All we do for that is get Judaism is not the only non-Christian reli- together and socialize, with a lot of people gion in Starkville, though. from our church.”

The religions, especially in the way they celebrate, are all fairly similar to each other.

Each deals with the majority religion and Christmas in their own way.

The Dakhlallas, for example, are very accepting of their Christian neighbors.

“It doesn’t affect us very much,” Dakhlalla said. “However, there are some Muslims that, when they come to America, try to assimilate, so they join in to the whole Christmas celebration.”

Cohen’s mother’s side is Christian, so her family is familiar with Christmas.

“The two holidays are not all that different; they’re both about enjoying being with family,” Cohen said. “Besides, we get the same amount of presents that they do. One thing my family does, though, is maybe go to a movie on Christmas day, because there won’t be very many other people out in town.”

Page 10 • 12-02-10

Editorial

Opinion

www.shsjacketbuzz.com

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.

Flex quarter schedule beneficial to students We feel that the flex schedule would be largely beneficial to our student body.

If the flex schedule is enacted, there will 45 days of school, followed by 15 days of vacation with 30 days of vacation for summer (June 5- July 15) and five days vacation for Thanksgiving.

With this schedule, students will still be in school the required 180 days, yet there will be more breaks throughout the year rather than one long summer break.

This should help students to retain more information from classes, as everyone knows that during the summer it’s very easy to forget everything that you’ve managed to learn in class the year before.

In the flex quarter schedule there will be shorter periods of school, so students will be less fatigued and will, hopefully, be more apt to stay focused while in school.

The three week breaks provide instant gratification for students after working hard in school, and the first two weeks of vacation the schools will stay open so any students who failed a class will be able to make it up in those two weeks.

Students that attend this “instant summer school” will be able to jump right back into their classes, instead of having to wait until the summer after they have forgotten what they have learned.

However, we do believe there are some negative aspects of this program.

It will increase costs for our school, because the air conditioning, electricity, and maintenence will be running longer due to the two weeks the school will be open for every break.

The schedule will also negate the cultural aspect of a “summer break,” where students have the entire summer off and are able to participate in different camps, trips, and activities.

We feel that many local activities would change their schedule to accomadate our new schedule in order to include the majority of their attendees.

Even with these issues that might come up, we still believe that the Flex Schedule could definitely help students have a more enjoyable school experience.

The Jacket Buzz

Volume 18, Issue 4

December 2, 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 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.

Ignorance strikes our generation Being brutally honest with myself, I realized that I really am quite clueless about the major issues affecting our country today. This came as a shock to me, as I used to consider myself pretty well informed.

But somewhere between juggling high school, two jobs, tons of homework and other responsibilities, I lost

By Tess Long sight of what is happening in my country.

I know many students who are extremely well inOpinion Editor formed, but sadly, for every one of those students there I have a love/hate relationship with reality checks. I are two or three who are just as clueless as I seem to be.

As high schoolers, we’re about to be thrown into the love them because they (occasionally) inspire me to take real world. We need to have the knowledge to vote, know some initiative and make myself a better person.

I hate them because they often force me to see things what’s going on in our community, and, on a larger scale, know how our country is involved worldwide and have a about myself that I would rather overlook.

The other night my mom and I were driving in the basic knowledge of our foreign affairs.

Whether it’s schools focusing more time on current car when she launched into this long story about how some guy who was doing a political survey had called events, or parents devoting more time to talk to their kids about these things at home, I think many people and wanted to ask her some questions.

She was laughing about how she had to skip half the will agree that something needs to be done.

As for myself, I’m hoping to turn this particular reality questions because she was so behind on current issues and politics and had no idea what he was talking about. check into a “love” relationship, and spend just a little While I was laughing along with her at this pathetic more time each day learning about this country we live in and call home. situation, I began to have a reality check.

www.shsjacketbuzz.com

Opinion

Music scene needs students’ support

By Hal Sullivan Opinion Writer Many know the feeling – the warmth of the stage lights, the thick, smoky air, the gallons of sweat that seem to be pouring out of your body – this is live music.

This is the raw, unbridled feeling of a concert; this is what we are missing.

Why do so many people flock to shows like Trey Songz, The Fray, Three 6 Mafia, and Jason Mraz when they come to town?

Is it because of their radio-friendly, danceable music?

Possibly. But it might also be because of Starkville’s strange aversion to concerts.

This aversion, however, might not be so strange after all.

Venues in other towns have more shows because people actually go to them. The essential “if you build it, they will come” has become, “if you bill it, they will come.”

So, why don’t Starkville kids go to local

shows?

The main reason is because the DJ has, essentially, replaced the band. Because of this, the local music scene is desolate.

“Back in the day” when high school kids would go to parties, there would always be a band, usually a local band.

People weren’t afraid to dance to the sounds of driving guitars, smooth bass, and the rhythmic pulsations of a drumbeat.

They would jitterbug, they would jive, they would boogie, they would two-step; it was what they did on the weekends.

Nowadays, bands can’t play the Stanky Legg, and you can’t do the Dougie to Queens of the Stone Age covers, so the local band has died out.

However, there are a few bands that choose to not walk it out, choose to stay on the grind, beating the pavement, keep on keepin’ on, and other musical clichés.

One of these bands is Starkville’s main local youth band, The Jarheads. They are comprised of Collin Whitten, Adrian Lewis, and Grant Beatty, all of whom are SHS alumni.

The guys recently put out their first fulllength album, Breathe In, on Nov. 5, but guitarist Grant Beatty is dismayed. “People

“You don’t believe in God.” My little sister told my family over dinner that in class someone had come up to her and told her that she didn’t believe in God. I remember being in elementary school and how no one cared what their classmates believed in—watching the same TV shows and playing the same games were enough. Now, it seems as if both little kids and high school students are seeing things from CNN and hearing things from the adults around them that makes them think that people that are different from them are doing something wrong.

My family and I are Muslims from Isparta, Turkey, and we moved here in 1994. In the span of 17 years, we’ve lived in Turkey, Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi. It’s always been a little weird, being a Turkish Muslim growing up in America; not being able to call myself American because I wasn’t born here, but not feeling Turkish because I had not grown up there.

12-02-10 •Page 11

The Jarheads rock their release party for their EP No Sugar at Barrister’s Bar and Grill. Photo by Mariel Marcum.

don’t go to bars to hear bands anymore,” Beatty said. “They go to socialize. It’s watered down; you don’t have to listen to it.

It’s background music. Those kinds of people don’t want to come to punk rock shows.”

So, what needs to be done?

Go to shows. Support your local artists.

If there are no bands, then there’s no music scene. And Starkville’s youth music scene is on the endangered list.

Investigate Islam before judging

By Merve Karan Opinion Writer

After 9/11, many misconceptions have come about regarding Islam and many people automatically assume that these misconceptions are true.

The most common misconception, articulated by the 5th grader above, is that Muslims “don’t believe in God.” This is ironic, considering Islam is the second biggest monotheistic religion, after Christianity, and all Muslims take the belief of one god very seriously.

Another misconception is that Muslims don’t believe in Jesus. However, Jesus is mentioned in the Qur’an (the Holy Book of Islam) about 30 times.

He is believed as a prophet and his life, family, and miracles are written in the Qur’an.

I believe that these misconceptions come from people believing everything they hear and not stopping to question it.

It comes from stereotyping and assuming that the minority represents the majority. When everything is at your fingertips and you choose not to know, there is no other word for it than ignorance.

There are times when that ignorance can be seen in our political leaders and celebrities—people that are known around the world. America is no longer seen as “the place to be.” It’s now seen as a country in a mist of ignorance, a country with people that are struggling to see outside the border.

Although Beatty has issues with the struggling youth scene, he tries to stay optimistic.

“I want to have hope for Starkville… we’re growing, we’re learning, and hopefully we can make some sort of impact,” Beatty said.

And we can. By going to shows and enjoying yourself. Because if your friends don’t dance, then they’re no friends of mine.

what part of the holiday season is most important to you?

Receiving gifts 13% Giving gifts 8% FOOD 18% Family 47% Religion / customs 14% Total Number of Polls Received 437 Polling based on # of 1st block surveys returned

Page 12 • 12-02-10

Sports

www.shsjacketbuzz.com

Boy bowlers win opener

By Bryson Gunn Contributing Writer This afternoon the bowling team will host a match against Kossuth at 4 p.m. at Bulldog Lanes. It will be their second match of the season.

Stephen Gunter, leading scorer for the bowling team, says the season is off to a “tremendous start.”

“We are currently 1-0 on the campaign after defeating East Webster,” Gunter said. “Overall I’m pretty pleased with the performance of our players, coaches, and student athletes who are currently on the Starkville High School Bowling Team.”

Although he wasn’t happy with the girls’ performance at the first match, head coach Jim Philamlee was pleased with the outcome of both the varsity and junior varsity boys’ games.

Gunter takes bowling very seriously as so does his family.

“Bowling is fun because it’s a sport that you can also play with your family,” Gunter said.

“Sometimes my family and I will go out to the lanes on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and just spend time with each other and have fun.’’

But bowling is not all fun and games. Bowling is also very competitive, and Gunter is dedicated to improving.

“The hardest part of bowling is when you get frustrated is to keep a positive attitude and move forward,” Gunter said.

“So, therefore, you can progress your way ahead and continue to climb the ladder that is laid out for you to achieve what you want to achieve.”

Chris Crosby is also a senior at SHS and encourages younger bowlers to work hard and make bowling a priority.

“It’s not something to take lightly,” Crosby said. “If you’re going to do it, be serious. Also,

Last Game Boys: Win vs. East Webster Girls: Loss vs. East Webster

Next Game SHS vs. Kossuth

Today 4 p.m. @ Bulldog Lanes

be willing to work to become better.”

When you are willing to work hard and not give up, your hard and dedication will pay off in the end.

Crosby and Gunter have certainly worked hard, and now they have very high goals for the remainder of this season.

“I plan on being in Tupelo for the State Championship,” Crosby said.

www.shsjacketbuzz.com

Sports

12-02-10 • Page 13

Jackets fall short to Falcons, miss playoffs

By Margaret Allison Contributing Writer It was the last game of the 2010 season and it was the game that would determine whether Starkville High School would seal that spot for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the senior football players experienced a heartbreaking 34-32 loss to Columbus on Nov. 5, knocking them out of the playoffs.

Head coach Jamie Mitchell is losing 24 seniors this year, all of whom have been committed to football for a long time.

“They have stayed in football even when the program wasn’t very good,” Mitchell said. “That isn’t very easy to do.”

Although it is their last year of being a part of the Jacket com-

munity, they have left behind we did. We are a lot more tala good example for the future ented than them, but effort can upperclassmen beat talent.” players to take Johnson isn’t “We are a lot more over. pleased with “They put talented than them, but his overall pera lot of hard formance in work, dedicaeffort can beat talent.” the game, but tion, and comis even less -Senior QB JaQuez Johnson mitment in the pleased with game,” Mitchell how the team said. “They got our program played altogether. back to where it’s competitive “For the most part the team again.” didn’t play the best they could,” Unfortunately, this was the last Johnson said. “The underclasshigh school football game that men didn’t play as hard as they senior quarterback JaQuez John- are capable of.” son will ever play. Johnson toJohnson wasn’t the only one taled 1,335 yards this season and who thought that. is the captain for the Jackets.

Senior cornerback Bryce Hen“I have a lot of mixed emo- derson thought some teammates tions about it,” Johnson said. didn’t take it seriously enough.

“Columbus played harder than “What killed us the most is immaturity and game preparation,” Henderson said. “[The players] didn’t know how to be serious and one person being childish can rub off on others.”

The Jackets ended their season with a 5-6 record overall and 3-4 in Class 6A. The returning players for SHS will be hitting the weight room in the spring to prepare for the 2011 season.

Senior quarterback Quez Johnson Runs the ball for the Yellow Jacket offense. Photo

by Bailey Brocato.

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

Bring this Ad and Play

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

Page 14 • 12-02-10

Sports

www.shsjacketbuzz.com

Midfielder Kingery doesn’t return for soccer

By Lammi Micha Sports Editor Junior midfielder Kase Kingery, who was one of the best players on the Starkville High School soccer team, isn’t playing soccer this season because he has to keep his grades up.

With classes like Advanced Placement European History, physics and trigonometry, Kingery says the main struggle is maintaining good grades.

“There was speculation that it was bad grades, but it’s just keeping them up,” Kingery said. “It’s hard classes and no time.”

Kingery, who started playing soccer at 6 years old in a rec soccer league, now plays soccer for a select soccer team in Jackson, Miss.

“It’s too hard to play for them, the high school and keep my

grades up at the same time,” Kingery said.

Kingery has given up SHS soccer this year so that he can keep his grades up.

“The biggest thing when you lose a good player is that it effects your depth,” head coach Brian Bennett said. “But we moved Alvaro into the center mid position, which I think helps him a lot.

According to Bennett, Kingery was a silent leader for the squad.

“If you followed his lead, you’d do well,” Bennett said. “He wasn’t the kind of person to try to tell you what to do.”

Kingery says that he needs to keep up all A’s so that he can go to an out-of-state college.

“He is a wonderful young man,” AP European History teacher Ty Adair said. “I enjoy teaching him.

But that situation is between him and his parents.”

Junior midfielder Kase Kingery watches and supports the Yellow Jacket soccer team from the stands. Photo by Mariel Marcum.

Yearbooks will be on sale again starting Monday, Dec. 6 outside the cafeteria. Last chance before prices go up!

Regular $45 Deluxe $50

Family Centered Programs Starkville School District 615-0033

Partnering with the community to create a safe school environment Social Services

Mentoring

Mental Health Services

WĞĞƌ DĞĚŝĂƟŽŶ Enhanced Security

&ƵŶĚĞĚ ďLJ͗ ĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŽĨ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ,ĞĂůƚŚ Θ ,ƵŵĂŶ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ĂŶĚ :ƵƐƟĐĞ

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Sports

12-02-10 • Page 15

Shoemaker plays through head trauma

By Lammi Micha Sports Editor Senior goalkeeper and captain of the Lady Jacket soccer team Raevonne Shoemaker fights a battle everyday in order to keep with her passion of playing soccer.

According to Shoemaker, her seizures happen when she gets “stressed or not enough sleep.”

At 4 years old, Shoemaker began playing soccer. By the time she was in the 8th grade, she was the starting goal keeper for the SHS Lady Jacket soccer team. In a home game her 8th grade season, she was kicked in the head by a member of the opposing team after she was already in control of the ball.

Approximately two years later, she began having very painful migraines.

After a CAT Scan and an MRI, she was told that there was left over iron from a hemorrhage and a concussion in her head.

“At any moment, I could have a seizure,” Shoemaker said. “It

could be devastating to the whole game; it could be devastating to the whole team.”

Shoemaker continues to push through game after game despite her condition.

“It’s just a 50/50 chance that it could happen,” Shoemaker said.

“I’m on better medication now.”

Even though there’s that chance, Shoemaker fights through her condition everyday to continue to play soccer.

Her teammates are her main motivation for not putting down her keeper gloves and walking away from the game.

“I’ve been told I was the one keeping us in the game,” Shoemaker said. “Seeing the smile on the girls’ faces when I walk off and them being like ‘Rae, look at you, you’ve held us up.’ motivates me.”

As a leader, Shoemaker feels like she provides back up as the last defender. She likes being the last line of defence to stop the ball from going in the net.

But, head coach Anna Albrit-

XC teams finish in top ten at State Meet

By Tierra Tillman Sports Writer Starkville High School’s cross country team ran in the Mississippi state meet Saturday, Nov. 6, at Choctaw Trails in Clinton, Miss.

The girls placed eighth and the boys placed sixth.

“Walker Mattox finished first for SHS girls, 25th overall,” head coach Caroline Woomer said. “Kamau Bostic finished first for SHS boys, 13th overall.”

Kamau Bostic’s time was 17:10 in the 5K and he earned All-State honors.

“Having Kamau and Joseph [MacGown] has been a big boost to the team’s moral,” Woomer said.

“This is the first time that a SHS cross country runner has made All-State since I have been coach.”

Freshman runner Joesph MacGown’s fastest time in the 5K is 17:09.

“I think I can do better,”

MacGown said. “But, for my age, I think I do good.”

The majority of the girls’ cross country team is young.

“More than half of our girls’ state runners are eighth graders,” Woomer said. “Walker Mattox leads the pack.”

The cross country team has improved this year.

According to Bostic, the team has gained a lot of experience and he has enjoyed the friends made and the experiences had.

“I really enjoyed being a part of the cross country team,” Bostic said. “I am looking forward to next year.”

The runners that ran cross country are ready to compete for spring track this year and use all of the new skills they have gained.

“Hard work doesn’t guarantee victories,” Barnett said “But at least it gives you a shot and no work at all will never give you a chance.”

Last Game 3-0 Win vs. Caledonia

Next Game SHS vs. New Hope

Tomorrow 5 p.m. @ New Hope

ton feels like she provides more knowledge and experience to the game and the team more than anything else.

“We sort of feed off of her,” Albritton said. “She understands how that defence is supposed to play and she doesn’t hesitate to come to me and tell me what’s going on out there. She’s like a third coach.”

In Albritton’s opinion, Shoemaker is one of the best keepers in the state if not the best.

“Well, she’s Rae,” Albritton said.

“She’s pretty amazing.”

Senior Lady Jacket goalkeeper Raevonne Shoemaker dives for the ball. Photo by Mariel Marcum.

Myles leads Lady Jackets

By Brandon Gardner Sports Writer Starkville High School Lady Yellow Jackets basketball team has had many great team leaders that have come through the school each year.

“All of my seniors are my leaders: “Whitney Taylor, Rebecca Myles, Chelsey Johnson-Weaver, Shareeda Brown, Jonissa Buchanan, Courtney Moore, and Tierra Tillman,” coach Kristi Williams said.

However, the team feels as though one player is more of a leader than the others.

“I feel that Rebecca is the leader,” junior Brittany Brown said.

“Rebecca plays a position on the team that she is good at already, so while she’s playing, she gives us constructive criticism.”

Myles isn’t the typical leader in the eyes of her teammates.

Usually, leaders are more assertive and demanding.

“Rebecca is the type of person that’ll keep you laughing,” Brown said. “She makes sure we’re all okay if it was a bad game, and she always makes sure we are always smiling.

“I think her personality and what she knows gives her more of the push as our leader.”

Myles has been playing basketball for SHS since her freshman year.

Myles is able share her extensive experience and knowledge of how the team and the game works with the rest of the team.

“I’ve been playing basketball for a while,” Myles said. “I really don’t see myself being a leader because we all play our part on the team, as a team. But I do help encourage us all.”

Myles likes to operate as if she was just another player on the team and not a key player or anyone to that degree.

Taking the game seriously is one thing, but taking it too seri-

Last Game 57-26 Win vs. Louisville on Tuesday

Next Game SHS vs. Columbus Tomorrow 5 p.m. @ SHS Gymnasium

ously is another, and Myles definitely doesn’t want to do that.

“I think I take the game seriously, but not to the extremes,” Myles said. “I feel no one should be pressured or yelled at for doing something.

“I sometimes use our flaws to make a joke, so I can make sure everyone is laughing so we won’t focus on the person who just messed up.”

The

Sports buzz

12-02-10 • Page 16 www.shsjacketbuzz.com

LARGE

& in charge Junior center Gavin Ware grasps hold of promising future as dominant force on court

By Brandon Gardner Sports Writer

“During conditioning season I try to limit my food amount,” Ware said. “When it’s time for Gavin Ware is a skyscraper offseason, I just throw down. in the halls of Starkville High If I go to McDonald’s, I get School. Standing at 6’8, there is two double cheeseburgers, two no way that anyone cannot spot apple pies, and a large fry, with the junior in a crowd or on the a Sprite.” court.

Before Ware was introduced Ware plays center for the Yel- to basketball, he participated low Jackets and averaged 9 re- in the Henderson Intermediate bounds per game and ended last School band. season with 288 points.

However, Ware knew that he “His size is the biggest thing,” was meant to do something else coach Greg Carter said. “When whenever he compared his size he’s playing aggressively with his to this fellow classmates and size, there’s no way others can peers. stop him.”

“I finally realized I was too big And he’s still growing. to be doing nothing physically,” “I was 6’6 or 6’7 last year,” Ware said. “I found something Ware said, “and now I’m 6’8. I I was good at, basketball, so I sometimes have to travel to Jack- started playing with Coach Mison to buy shoes, and my uncle nor.” ships me Although clothes that “I sometimes have to travel to Ware might he bought Jackson to buy shoes, and my be playing from big the game uncle ships me clothes that well, he is and tall places.” he bought from big and tall still develWare’s oping and size requires learning places.” a lot when more about -junior Gavin Ware it comes the game. down to “ H e ’ s nutritional matters, seeing as to [Ware] getting a lot better than how he is an athlete for a sport last year,” Carter said. “He still that requires a lot of energy and needs to develop in some areas working out. though.”

Last Game 76-55 Win vs. Louisville on Tuesday

Next Game SHS vs.

Columbus Friday, Oct. 29 7:00 p.m.

Tomorrow @ SHS 7 p.m. @ SHS Gymnasium

Ware takes basketball seriously, but enjoys the game for many benefits.

“I feel like basketball is an opportunity where you can make something out of yourself,” Ware said. “It’s also a good workout for you.”

Ware dreams of being in the NBA someday, but he isn’t the ordinary naive athlete.

“I hope to go to college for a four-year degree,” Ware said. “I want to have something to fall on if I don’t enter the NBA.” Ware is a junior, but he’s already expecting scholarships offers from Mississippi State, Georgetown, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana State, Tennessee, Georgia State, or the South Alabama.