SIDNEY LANIER HIGH SCHOOL’S
The Blue & White Students in Driver’s Seat on Parking Fees
December 5, 2016 Special Edition
By Joshua Gordon and Emko Pash
Inside this issue: LHS’s Biggest Cheerleader
2
Is ‘The Block’ Hot or Nah?
2
Student Battles Eye Disorder, Bullying
4
‘The Castle’ Top Cop Not Clowning Around
6
Introducing ‘HeartBeats by Dre’: A New Voice
6
Ryan Dalton: Classic Man
8
Comics by Josh
10
Sidney Lanier High School’s students pay entirely too much to park in a parking lot deemed “crappy” by some students. Other schools in the area such as Robert E. Lee High School and G.W. Carver High School pay $10, while Lanier pays $20. At the way prices are set, it would seem that Lanier would have the best parking lot since they pay more. Wrong! It goes deeper than aesthetics.
When asked about Lanier’s parking lot compared to other schools, Ms. German said that students have been lax in paying for parking decals for the past three years. “That could be another reason why the price has stayed at $20,” she explained. “In order to repave the parking lot and make it look nice, you have to pay for the parking decals.”
Paying to Park
School bookkeeper Pamela German, prior to being interviewed, had never called other schools to check their parking decal prices, and to everyone’s surprise, Lanier pays the most. “I’m sure that our current principal had no idea he walked in to this,” she said. LHS Principal Antonio Williams, who said he is aware of students questioning the cost of the parking decal, is in control of the pricing. He has not received many complaints. However, Dr. Williams acknowledges that the parking lot is not in top-notch shape.
Lanier & JD: $20 Park Crossing: $15 Carver & Lee: $10
Ms. German furthers her argument by comparing statistics from past years and the current one:
In 2011, 42 students bought decals, generating $840
For 20162017, 25 students paid for decals, bringing in $500.
Those students are legally able to park in the student parking lot. At press time, more than 45 tow notices had been placed in student parking, Ms. German said. This begs the question: Can students really complain about something when they’re not paying to make the difference? When asked if she would have bought a parking decal even if she saw nothing would happen, senior Deja Robinson said, “I still would have paid even though nothing was going to happen because towing can happen any day and I’d rather pay $20 instead of hundreds.” Student driver Alex Pruitt, who chooses not to park at Lanier, said, “I just didn’t pay for one.”
ATMs: Convenient Banking, Moneymaker for Schools Don’t forget! ● December 16: Grading period ends ● December 19January 2: Winter break ● January 5: Report Card Day ● January 16: MLK Birthday ● February 20: Presidents Day ● March 20-24: Spring Break ● April 14: Holiday May 25: Last day for students
By Tre Hooks & Zakiya Starks
The pros of placing an ATM here, according to Ms. Oliver, boost sales Armed with of T-shirts and give convenience for stuno cash, but dents who need cash for class fees and the only a debit purchase of tickets to athletic events. card, Katlyn On the downside, an ATM Blue has felt tempted could cause heavy hallway traffic or a many times misguided student “may try and break into it,” she added. to sneak off Sidney Lanier High School’s campus and head to the bank just to get School leaders should put the money for game tickets. So, she took to ATM in a secure place so those who use it social media, posting that LHS needs an won’t feel threatened, said Camry Wilson. ATM. Other critics say an ATM promotes conBased on research, The Blue & sumerism, treating schools more like a mall White found that high schools with ATMS instead of a learning institution. have raised an enormous amount of money On the real, many students, like for their schools, with each school making Katlyn, hold part-time jobs and carry debit $1.25 per transaction. cards. Sometimes, they don’t carry cash History teacher Alexis Oliver, and find it inconvenient when they have to who supports this idea, says a school-based shell out funds for class fees or participate ATM has some disadvantages, too.
Katlyn Blue and her plastic money.
in events during school hours that have admission fees. “Having an ATM could help teachers, students and parents get cash if they want," Senior JaCorie Gipson said.
Sidn High Carv Lee
By Ebony Allen
In districts that have experienced a smooth transition to block scheduling, the administration has generally dealt with internal opposition that might exist among the staff and brought teachers on board beforehand.
While the entire Montgomery public school system has switched an instructional day to a block schedule of 90-minute classes a few days each week instead of the traditional six or seven 50minutes each school day, the views are still mixed. “[Block scheduling] gives more time to get things done,” said Lanier guidance counselor Annie Mathis when asked how would it help students. “So if kids have extracurricular activities, they won’t have to worry about having homework.” Dr. Antonio Williams, the school’s principal, said the block schedule should improve the failure rate. Yet it may prove “hectic” for some teachers who are accustomed to planning lessons for the traditional 50 minutes. When students attend as many as seven relatively short classes in different subjects every day, instruction can become fragmented. Longer class periods give students more time to think and engage in active learning.
The alternate-day schedule reduces the time teachers spend in record keeping because records need be kept only every other day instead of every day. That proves to be a benefit for students.
exacerbate discipline problems. Teachers benefit from more useable instructional time each day because less time is lost with beginning and ending classes. “The block schedule has potential if students put effort in it,” explained science teacher Candice White-Petty. Another benefit for science teachers, for example, is that “more labs can be completed.” Then there are the cons of having block schedule, drawing fire from some educators and parents. Critics assert that the new scheduling format creates or exacerbates certain educational problems. "I like it, but it gets boring over time because if the lesson is no fun, kids end up falling asleep ... so its kind of a bad thing," student Ashanti Golsby said.
A schedule with one relatively short period after another can create a hectic, assemOnce advocates and opponents of bly-line environment — that is the release of block scheduling become entrenched, comprohundreds of adolescents into hallways six, seven, or eight times each school day for four mise between the groups can be difficult, studies show. or five minutes of noise and chaotic movement. That alone can
"You don’t have to worry about homework and you get things done right then and there," student Imani Lott explained. “It may be long and boring, but at least you won't be busy with homework or even projects."
On the Block Pro: 90 minutes is lot of class time. Con: 90 minutes is a lot of class time Con: The temptation is there to simply combine two lessons that stretch from bell to bell. Pro: Students can read a work during class and have time for discussion/questions. Con: Student attention spans will not last 90 minutes. The brain can only absorb what the rear can endure. Pro: Students can practice group and individual skills all in one session. Con: Irrelevant activities planned to “fill time” must be avoided. Pro: Teacher can conference with students, students can peer edit, etc.
By JaChristian Dauda
To remix the lyrics of a jazz classic: What Cubie wants, Cubie gets!
school board tapped Dr. Antonio Williams as principal during the summer of 2014. Before him, “The Castle” had eight principals Cubie Rae Hayes, Sidin 10 years. The school’s morale ney Lanier’s parent liaison strives was sliding, with a low graduato promote Lanier in positive tion rate and an overall bad imways … daily. age. In 2013, it was strongly ruFor the past three years, mored that Lanier would be Lanier has been viewed positively closed down and turned into a following a rocky past before the magnet school. The school lost Page 2
dozens of its students and teachers. “I felt that Lanier High needed someone to broadcast their stories of accomplishments,” said Ms. Hayes, who experienced the closing of the original Booker T. Washington High School her senior year. “So I volunteered myself.” Please continue on page 3
Cubie Rae Hayes
The Blue & White
things happening in our school that all When school leaders closed BTW, should know about,” Mrs. Hayes said. Mrs. Hayes recalled it being a surprise to eveRunning with Principal Williams ryone who learned of the news when the next school year started. So she was motivated more “Reclaim the Castle” motto, Mrs. Hayes decided to use her Facebook page as a tool “to show to make sure that this did not happen to the Lanier family. With a background in education and media, she has used her experience to further the cause of Lanier’s mission to “Reclaim the Castle.” Before accepting the parent liaison position, she taught at a business college for seven years before serving as a permanent sub at LHS. Prior to entering the field of education, Mrs. Hayes paved the way as a media professional. The Montgomery County Commission named her its first public information specialist. She served as editor of the former West Side Weekly and later launched her own business as a public relations consultant. “We have far too many positive
“… I have a caring and compassionate attitude combined with an aggressive and persistent nature that allows me to knock on a door. And when it opens, I don’t often leave without getting what I want.”
ducer/host of a cable talk show, and host of the Turkey Day Classic parade for 20 years, it was easily known that Mrs. Hayes does not shy away from the spotlight. “I feel that I have a caring and compassionate attitude combined with an aggressive and persistent nature that allows me to knock on a door,” she explains. “And when it opens, I don’t often leave without getting what I want.” Mrs. Hayes makes it her business to not only get what she wants, but just about anything “The Castle” needs. Mrs. Hayes started a Poet’s Closet for students at Lanier to receive old or gently used uniform apparel to assist those who may be less fortunate or just happen to arrive to school out of dress code. She has also made it possible in gaining community, church and business donors to support the school.
the state and city how great Lanier is and to show that you don’t have to take the kids out to make a great school, just get a great Said Mrs. Hayes: “It was my gift captain.” from Heaven and just the right choice to use my public relations background to assist parAs a former radio announcer, proents, students, and teachers.”
The Blue & White would like to congratulate the Sidney Lanier High School Volleyball squad on winning its first area title since 2008! Go Lady Poets!
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The Blue & White
By Joseph Blackshear and NaKaiya Lewis
Transgender in the world today is a subject that is uncomfortable to some, but a reality to others. In this reality, people who are transgender decide that their self-expression of individuality is important and they will go through any means to make their voices heard.
as colleges. It has become a very pivotal and controversial issue. It is not a legal issue in Montgomery yet, but there are instances where the topic of transgender bathrooms have been debated in some classrooms. Some students are OK with this as a possibility, while others are not so enthused.
Bathroom identification is the issue Lanier today that has been accepted for review in the senior Melik Lane, nation’s highest court. In an opinion letter who says he is not released early this year, the Department of transgender, said he Education and Department of Justice interMelik Lane says that he is not would feel more transgender, but supports such preted that schools receiving federal funding restrooms. safe and comfortamust allow transgender students to use bath- ble if Lanier had a transgender bathroom. rooms and locker rooms that align with their Now with this federal law causing much conexpressed gender or risk losing federal funds. flict between parties, it will be hitting closer Some people feel that this is a secu- to home than you think. It also plays an important role in school systems now with sturity issue, while others feel enraged all todents being more self-expressive. gether. In many states across the country, including North Carolina, laws are in place and have taken effect in high schools, as well
“ ... I suffered from a condition called "strabismus," which is a disorder in which the eyes don't look exactly in the same direction at the same time.”
On the outside I would pretend that the jokes didn’t bother me, but on the inside it broke me! They tore down my self-esteem! I almost hated myself for something I had no control over! Eventually, the jokes got old, so I became immune to them.
my eye turning out when I was a few weeks old, but they didn’t pursue trying to fix it because they assumed that it was something that was happening because my eyes were still adjusting and because they thought it was a temporary side-effect of me being born premWhat people didn't know was that I aturely. suffered from a condition called "strabismus," Visit after visit to different eye docwhich is a disorder in which the eyes don't tors in the area, I constantly heard “There’s look exactly in the same direction at the same nothing that can be done for the eye.” I was time. Symptoms of this condition include torn. But then I heard about an ophthalmoloblurred vision (blindness), double vision, eye gist in Birmingham, Alabama that specialized strain, and headaches. I suffered, and still in strabismus surgery. suffer from blurred vision (blindness) and headaches. After much thought and hopes to My parents say they first noticed Page 4
Dr. Antonio Williams, the principal here, reserved comment based on the grounds of legal advice when asked about the effect such a law would have on Lanier.
Fortune magazine recently reported that president-elect Donald Trump could withdraw the DOE/DOJ letter and the SuIn late October, the Supreme Court preme Court could send the case back to the decided to hear the lawsuit of a transgender lower court to reconsider its decision. high school student who was born biological-
By Shramon Hurd
For years, I was joked on and teased for being what many people would call "cock-eyed" or "cross-eyed” and not many people cared what was really wrong or happened to my eye. They just saw it as an opportunity to joke and be deemed “funny.”
ly female but who identifies as a boy, and who wants to use the boys’ restroom at his school in Virginia. The local school board barred him from doing so in December 2014, and, the following June, he sued.
I decided that I wanted to have surgery. On May 27, 2016, I went through with having the surgery. It successfully straightened my eye, but it didn't do much for my vision because of the time frame it went without treatment. Even after accepting the fact that my vision was very poor in one eye, I couldn't let this stop me. This was just a small thing to a giant. I will still be great! I will still follow my dreams and I will continue to live my life
happily. My self-esteem is higher than ever and my confidence is Post-surgery healing now through the roof! My family would always say to me, "Don't let this discourage you! Continue to be great and push your way through." That's what I intend to do.
straighten and possibly bring my vision back, The Blue & White
Does anyone ever wonder what is up with the English language? I can’t believe some of the words people say and what they By Jamarious Fulks
mean. Half the time someone uses a “modern” around me, I just stare blankly at you. What does that mean? Here are some “new” words and their meanings.
MCM- Man Crush Monday Bruh- brother Suh- sister Cuz- cousin
But that’s not all! There are even racial slurs and affronts about one’s sexuality. Such as:
Dyke- slur towards a female individual that likes the same sex
Sissy- slur for a male that likes other males
Faggot- same as sissy Cracker- someone of Caucasian de-
of people through books, plays, poems, and many more. But now, the same language is now full of malice and ill intent toward others that go against the norm that I am ashamed that I speak the same tongue as the people who use and abuse the English language. It annoys me to no end when people use this illiterate and ugly form of English. To make matters worse, as time goes on, the words that people make up are only getting more and more ridiculous! If I were an English teacher, I would just retire! That’s how much I don’t like the modern English language.
scent
Nigger/Nigga/Negro-An African American person
Thot- slang for that “horse” over there Bae- slang for baby Forever- Flavor of the Month Lifetime- Synonymous with Forever WCW- Abbreviation for Woman Crush Wednesday
The English language used to be beautiful, and in the right hands, it can motivate, inspire, lead, enchant, and give others that special push they need. People like Shakespeare, J.K. Rowling, James Patterson, C.C. Hunter, and many more have entertained millions upon millions
By Edward Zeiglar
In our school system, we are not encouraged to express ourselves through our clothing. Instead, we are required to wear a uniform that the school system sees fit for us to wear. Not only that, but we are also restricted to wear certain accessories that they say are not "appropriate" for the school setting.
ity. We're human beings. Who gave them the power to dress us for the entire school year?
The student handbook states that accessories such as “grillz,” headbands, nose rings and anything they would deem distracting to others. They state that these parts of clothing will cause a distraction to the learning environment, which they want to avoid.
It feels as though we are being molded and forced to be what the school system thinks we should be as individuals. Giving us our creative freedom by letting us wear what we want makes for a better environment in school. I have noticed that when we are allowed to wear what we want on special days, the school's morale seems to be happier, which makes for a better school day for everyone.
Who are they to say what I can and can't wear? It feels as though we are being suffocated to express our individual-
I understand that it is tradition for men to not wear hats in the building out of respect, but if I'm the one wearing a hat who am I hurting by having it on.
Zeiglar
Also, with wearing our own clothes it sets us apart from each other. You can really tell who a person is by the way they dress. Our clothes give us a way to express ourselves, something we are barely able to do. Please see related story, “Students Customize Uniforms,” on page 8
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By Shantel Daniels and Kamryn Young
When rumors ran rampant about clowns lurking around schools, at parks and in cities, even Montgomery, Breyonna Daniels shuddered at the thought of someone getting hurt.
inhabitants in and around ‘The Castle.’
While clowns making threats via Facebook and Instagram to pop up on school campuses, public parks and cities in Alabama and elsewhere headlined media outlets earlier “It’s not right for clowns to be walk- this fall, stories continue to sporadically make ing around scaring people,” she said. “Clowns news. Earlier this month, a California judge are supposed to be cheerful and friendly instead handed down a 16-month prison sentence to a of horrifying and dangerous.” former high school student for threatening to attack his alma mater via a social media acD’Lacorious Thornton, a Montgomery po- count dedicated to creepy clowns. The 19-yearlice officer assigned to Sidney old student took a deal and pleaded no contest to one felony count of making criminal threats. Lanier High School, fails to see the humor in the threat of If any of these bozos set foot at Lanier: Officer clowns coming on campus. Thornton Thornton said he would radio in other officers He’s willing to protect the
to assist him, and set up a perimeter to keep everything else at a distance. Following that action, the school would be placed on “lockdown” as law enforcement figures out a way to arrest the clown. Thornton said that even those who have been reportedly armed "do not put fear in me, and I am willing to risk my life for the sake of the student body. The clowns will get arrested for frightening students whether it is a prank or not."
gress into the days of old where we were treatNo matter how open I keep my ed as minor cogs in a system larger than we mind, I just can’t see that nature in Trump. It could imagine. Without constant progression, seems as if he has his hand on the button with we are in fear of those days and rightfully so. no one to answer to when he presses it.
By Andre Lamonte
Donald Trump is projected to be the 45th President of the United States, and whether we like it or not, it seems he is here to stay. He won his presidency due to HeartBeats by Dre his most popular demographic, the white working class males of the country. His “edge”, so to speak, was that of an offensive, harsh, and tyrannical blowhard who wanted to “Make America Great Again”. Speaking for the majority of my peers at Sidney Lanier High School, I think I am the antithesis of all that he and his followers represent. We as the minorities in this country depend on equality to survive. Without it, the country would re-
From where we are viewing America, in the poorer schools and the lower income neighborhoods, we see Trump as someone that simply can’t be trusted. To quote my colleague, Joseph Blackshear, we see him as “an ignorant billionaire with money.”
No matter wherever this jet is routed, whether clear or cloudy, it seems Trump has a plan for failure first and his safety is the only safety he is concerned about. And that is something that I plain and simply do not respect.
As I see it, our president is not a man of honor or conviction with which he used to earn his seat as our Commander in Chief. Our president is the manifestation of the people’s ignorance and the people’s disgust with change.
But hey, I could always be wrong. I pray to God that I am.
America hosts some of the most stubborn, abhorrent and downright fearful people when change is approaching. As a result, people with zero potential, prowess, or practice are put in positions of power. All my life I have seen people of passion take office, whether their decisions were for the benefit or detriment of the country. We could have the worst economy and we could have a war or we could have a great market and total peace, but they still genuinely care for the people and want to have Americans be successful.
“It seems as if [President-elect Donald Trump] has his hand on the button with no one to answer to when he presses it.”
9th
10th
Adams, Nia
Barker, Tyri
Ballard, Bernicia
Turner, Marquez
Arrington, Kendrick
Pettway, Mi’Kayla
11th
12th
Adams, Queintarus
Smith, Angel
Blakely, Johnny
Coleman, Gerald
Whisenant, Devonta
Barber, Shauntia
Pettway, Ro’Shayla
Askins, D’Varia
Smith, Destinee’
Brooks, Scottrell
Danner, Tamaya
Williams, Kamiya
Borom, Omega
Price, Breanna
Brown, Jacqueline
Spurlock, Megan
Davis, Tierra
Davis, Kirkland
Williams, Tyra
Burney, Kayla
Robinson, Deja
Hall, Karisma
Steele, Tra Niya
Ford, Connell
Deeiarry, Bethany
Chappell, Devin
Sevion, Cedrick
Hill, Mariunna
Stokes, Jaliyah
Grayson, Jasmine
Dorsey, Serenity
Dauda, JaChristian
Simpson, Joshua
Holt, Alesia
Thomas, Eldon
Harris, Diamond
Ellington, Rodriques
Davis, Haneef
Thompson, John
Hunter, Ronald
Trawick, Mary
Hawthorrne, Shakereia Foster, James
Dickerson, Natasha
Thompson, Kenterrius
Jackson, Kendarrius
Vason, Kanahji
Holt, Tia
Glover, Charity
Favors, Jasmine
Wesley-Timmons, Makeyva
Johnson, Ronnie
Williams, Jayla
Johnson, Ashley
Goldsby, Ashanti
Gilder, Ti Yonna
Jordan, Ronnie
Myles, Jaylon
Haigler, Dominique
Gordon, Joshua
Kemp, Anteedra
Powell, Jasmine
Hall, Alexis
Gorman, Porsha
Knight, Sakoya
Robbinson, Tiera
Harris, Maria
Grice, Alexis
Lewis, Ta Kari
Shackelford, La’Metria Jennings, Sya
McClous, Kiearra
Wheat, Shakeyria
Parks, Antalesia
Williams, Jasmine
Williams, Jameshia Zeigler, Edward
Johnson-Hampton, Mya
Hatten, Kadijah Hopkins, Shandreon Hurd, Shramon
LaPrade, La’Precious Pennington, Brandi
Williams, Mya
Jackson, Kacey Lott, Imani
Rudolph, Justin
Wilson, Jayla
Jones, Kenya Matthews, Kierra T.
Scott, Shaquille
Wilson, Shekinah
King, Kristie Moten, Kamille
Shufford, Detaria
Wright, Cornellius
Lowery, Bobby Moten, Kamiya
Simpson, Canaya
Marlow, Tkeyah Pettway, Ariana McCall, Brittany Powell, Destini McCall, Shamiya Richardson, Alexia Richardson, Amber Shavers, Ashley Taylor, Zykia
McPherson, Tamaya Moss, Rachel Ocana, Joel
By Jasmine Jordan
Ryan Dalton, a new co-teacher at Lanier High School, is short in stature, but his experiences are long cultural and sociopolitical movements. “A social worker by degree. A retired rapper. Dalton A child activist at heart. And a writer for fun.” That is his self description on his blog, “Thoughts of Brown” (Brown is his nickname). It is so much more than a title as this is where he pens his thoughts on social justice topics.
that teaching was the next thing for him.
Mr. Dalton co-teaching in math class
being the lone white male teacher, saying that it would not be normal if he were not in a setting that is predominantly African American. “Coming from a school in Brooklyn, where little to no extracurricular activities, sports, or school spirit,” he adds, “it is amazing to be a part of the Poet family.”
At “The Castle,” students, faculty and staff know him as Mr. Dalton, a coteacher who is fluent in mathematics. The Traveling from Brooklyn to Cookeville, Tenn., native and new father South Africa, it seems as if Mr. Dalton is also in the minority at LHS. has been all over. He spent more than a decade in Cape Town, South Africa. However, he is undaunted by When he came back to America, he knew
“Half of my years were spent working in an elementary school one day out of the week for five years,” he explained. “The other half of my ten years was spent working with gangs and homeless youth in a life orientation program”. He says that he loves teaching at the high school level “because of the maturity and the development of responsibility that students have.”
By Karsolyn Fisher
Instead of bucking the uniform dress code, many students at Sidney Lanier High are expressing their individual style. Proponents of uniforms argue that the school system should keep uniforms because the clothing is simple and they are not a distraction in the classroom. Some claim that if uniforms were not required, students would be focused more on what they are wearing instead of what they are learning. Many students add a little of their own style to the knit polo-khaki uniforms without breaking the rules. can express in our uniforms.
Shegarian Lane, left, and JaTerrika Roberts, 11th
DeQuarius Riley, 12th
Ti Yonna Gilder, 12th
Brittany Hubbard, 11th
Lanier junior Shagarian Lane prefers that MPS maintains uniforms because without them “that'll be an easier way for trespassers to come into our school." Page 8
Dear Blue , How can I deal with being picked on by my classmates about my sexuality? Be sure to be confident with your decision. Show strength, report the situation to an administrator, identify the individual, and go by the office of social worker LaToya Patterson in Room 005 (in the basement). #AntiBullying
I feel like my girlfriend is losing interest in me. We've been together for nearly two years and I feel like our relationship is falling apart. She's talking to other boys and I feel like she will leave sooner or later. How can I win my girl back? Well, If your girlfriend is talking to other men, then she is more than likely falling out of love with you whether she is aware of it or not. Maybe she’s tired of the same old routine that you guys go through every day and needs more excitement. Stop being so predictable all the time. Also, if you really love her, be assertive by making it clear of how you really feel about your situation. Leave no stone unturned. Point out everything that you feel is wrong and let her know that you are really trying. #IfLovingYouIsWrong How can I tell my parents I'm pregnant? There's no easy way to tell your parents that you're pregnant, but they're obviously going to find out eventually over the next several months. The best way, in my opinion, is to be honest and sit down with them and just come right out with it. You may be scared because you don't want to disappoint them and think they may have a crazy reaction, which is normal. A parent will love you and support you and your baby regardless because you’re their child and that is their future grandchild. It'll all work out sweetie just pray about it! #GodWillHelpYouThroughItAll Why do women wear weave? Lots of women wear hair extensions, but for some reason it seems that the press focus on black women, according to Beauty Schools Directory.com. Black women wear hair extensions for the same reason other women wear hair extensions – to look different, try out other textures and sometimes to protect our own hair from chemical treatments. Wearing weaves or extensions that are a different texture, color or length to our own hair doesn’t mean that we want to be Caucasian – we just like to mix it up! Haven’t you sometimes wanted to be a ravishing redhead or have big voluminous hair? Weave makes some women happy. There’s no one definitive reason for why women wear weave; they just do. #BeWeavable I feel like my girlfriend is losing interest in me. We've been together for nearly two years and I feel like our relationship is falling apart. She's talking to other boys and I feel like she will leave sooner or later. How can I win my girl back? Well, If your girlfriend is talking to other men, then she is more than likely falling out of love with you whether she is aware of it or not. Maybe she’s tired of the same old routine that you guys go through every day and needs more excitement. Stop being so predictable all the time. Also, if you really love her, be assertive by making it clear of how you really feel about your situation. Leave no stone unturned. Point out everything that you feel is wrong and let her know that you are really trying. #PoetPride
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The Blue & White
The Prosthetic Savior By J. Teer’rell
Darkness. Everlasting darkness. All I have is darkness and the sound of slowly dripping water. Drip. Right on cue. I don’t know if I’m alive or dead. Most likely dead. Drip. Ah, the comforting sound of dripping water. Not. Wait. I heard something close to a voice. Like echoes of a whisper. They get louder each time I hear them. I can almost make out what’s being said. “Quinn…” The voice said my name softly. I wanted to respond, but I couldn’t. My name was repeated, Growing in volume each time. It reverberated throughout this place. My everything hurt. I felt reality shattering and in a burst of light, I was staring at a paramedic. “Can you tell me your name?” the paramedic asked. I nodded my head. “It’s Quinn.” The paramedic decided my answer was good enough. My sister was in the ambulance with me. She was crying. I tried to sit up, but pain flared through me and I groaned. This got Bridget’s attention. She hurried over to me. “Quinn! What were you thinking?” my sister yelled at me. She looked sad and angry at the same time. “I don’t know what you mean,” I said. “You don’t remember what happened? Quinn, you saved a girl from being run over. She hadn’t been paying attention and you saved her by pushing her out of the way,” she told me. I knew something was left out though. “What aren’t you telling me?” “Your left leg was crushed. You’re going to need a prosthetic limb.” “I wanted to look at my leg, but part of me knew if I did, I’d berserk. My leg was going to be amputated. People would look at me and stare. They’d feel sorry for me. The ride to the hospital was quiet. I sat in silence while I awaited to have my leg removed. To Be continued... Page 10
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Royal & Loyal Patrons
Dr. Antonio Williams Principal, Sidney Lanier High
Cubie Rae Hayes Parent Involvement Coordinator, Sidney Lanier High
Mona Taylor-Davis The Gift of Life Foundation
Drew Woods WCOV-TV (Fox) Akili Harris The Montgomery Design Agency
Staff members of Blue & W hite Productions are grateful for our Loyal and Royal Patrons, one of the major key funding sources to offset printing costs, repair equipment, and to operate the school-based multimedia outlet, which includes the soon-to-be-launched Poet TV. Again, we thank you for your support.
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The Blue & White
Sidney Lanier High School 1756 South Court Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Dr. Antonio Williams, principal
Phone: 334-269-3726 E-mail: ken.spear@mps.k12.al.us
MPS T he pen i s mi g hti er t ha n the swo r d .
The Blue & White is a student-run publication printing at least four issues annually. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Submitted materials, which must be signed, may be delivered to room 113 or given to any staff member, or placed in the box in front of The Blue & White (Room 115). Anonymity will be protected, if requested. The staff reserves the right to edit submitted material. Editorial opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper staff or school administration.
Reclaiming the Castle
The Voice of the Poets Ebony Allen Joseph Blackshear Shantel Daniels JaChristian Dauda Adasia Davis Zakiyla Ellis Karsolyn Fisher Jamarious Fulks KenShaun Gipson Josh Gordon Maria Harris Thomas Hooks Shramon Hurd Jasmine Jordan Andre Lamonte Nakaiya Lewis Zaakiraa Muhammad Azaria Perry Emko Pash Zakiya Starks Jasmine Trawick Kamryn Young Edward Zieglar Sponsor— Ken L. Spear Co-Sponsor—Yolanda Huntley
We’d love to hear from you! Here’s how you can help:
Letters to the Editor. Read any story and give us your feedback.
Original poetry. If you have that gift, the Blue & White can get you published.
Story ideas and tips. Anyone with knowledge of what makes news — achievements, trends, human interest stories, or issues — can share it with us
Congratulations to The
Blue & White
2016 winner of the Hallmark Journalism Award for Best All Around student newspaper 1st place — Quality Writing and Best School News Coverage 2nd place—Layout & Design