SIDNEY LANIER HIGH SCHOOL’S
The Blue & White
March 15, 2018 Special Edition
Ambition Motivates the ‘Kings’
Inside this issue:
Story behind ‘F’: Where from here?
2,3
How Colorism 4 shapes how we see ourselves Keisha Harvey: Custodian Cleanses Sunday Souls
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Diversity visible in LHS classrooms, but not on paper
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Net Neutrality: What you need to know
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How student absences/ tardies caused the ’F’
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‘The Conversation’: Driving while black
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Poet Style: Long tresses, Apples, and Military Swag
Honors in ‘The Castle’
Samuel said his mother's death pushes him harder to be able to make it, because she was always on to him about becoming someone in life.
By Cornelius Wright
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Coming from a tough childhood, three close friends -Johnifer Aaron, Samuel Robinson, and Marquice Davis -are attempting to move past those unfortunate times through music. Growing up was very troublesome for them. Being brought up in homes without father figures, death of close family members, and small houses with eight to nine people staying there at a time.
KWA is made up of, from left, Johnifer Aaron, founder, Samuel Robison, and Marquice Davis. Contributed photo.
“God wouldn’t put nothing on you that you couldn’t bear,” said Marquice after expressing their difficult childhoods.
up with so many people. Sometimes they wouldn't have enough
money to pay the light bill or sometimes the water bill. Even They all had rough childhoods, but meals were hard to come by. they all seemed to differ from each other. Marquice expressed that his “Sometimes there was nothing to childhood was difficult because he eat at all,” Johnifer said. didn't have a father figure to step up and Through all the struggles, the famishow ly packed up and moved to Monthim cergomery. tain things. “It was a change for the best.”, he Also he told that he made a couple recalled, adding that the move of bad choices by staying out all helped him get on the right path. night with older people who held a bad influence on him. The early life of Samuel was also hard. He, too, grew up in the coun“I see more things that i couldn’t try, where he lived in a trailer with see back then”, he said. his mom and sisters. At an early Now instead of those things, now age, he watched his father leave the family. After that, life started he focuses on music. to get harder for him. Without his dad being there, Sam and his Growing up for Johnifer was a mother started to bond, but sadly little different. He grew up in a small country town in a home were she passed away when Samuel was 15. as —many as eight people lived. Johnifer said It was hard growing
The three young men started making music around their middle school years, but never took it serious at first. Being inspired by Johnifer’s father they started to see the possibilities.
Johnifer's father told them, “I’m tired of you all rapping without taking this serious.” After the motivation from him, they came up with the name “K.W.A” , meaning Kings With Ambition. They felt that this name was perfect because, making it through all the tough times, they have something to prove and there is nothing that is going to stop them from accomplishing their goal. So after all the adversity they faced, the three young men will continue to publish their music. “We will never stop. There will always be ambition behind us,” Johnifer said. Only time will tell where the ambition will take their career.
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Poets Score an ‘F’; Where Do We Go From Here? Senior Bethany Deairy, who was especially In the New Year, the state of Alabama decidcritical of her school, ed to do a statewide evaluation of all the said: “A lot of teachers schools children attend. They graded schools aren’t taking interest in on an A-F grading scale to easier help people students. Students obviunderstand exactly where they stood. ously could do better, but school is supNaturally, with the academic intervention, they posed to be a way to get away from their home to come and make something of expected grades that would perhaps need imthemselves and learn. I see school as an provement. When it came to MPS, however, the results were a bit more shocking than stu- escape and a lot of teachers aren’t helpdents were ready for. The school system over- ing these students along, worrying about petty little stuff instead of education.” all scored a D average, scoring in the bottom 24% of the school systems in Alabama. Students found out about the score a few ways. Like every other school, Lanier was evaluated Some found out through Facebook. Many heard from teachers. But the most surprising and tragically scored an F. To put this in perspective, the only other high school to score an revelation? Some students hadn’t heard about F was Lee with JD, Carver, and Park Crossing the “failing school” status at all. Many students seemed visibly shocked when they were all scoring D’s. Lanier also had the most informed about our schools results, some outchronic absenteeism in the entire state with 37% of the student body missing over 15 days. right not believing it. By Andre Lamonte
These statistics, while easy to understand, beg so many questions. When were we going to be notified of our results as a school? Who does the blame fall on? Is the class of 2018 the reason we are scoring so poorly? Are teachers and administration at fault?
“I don’t want us to get caught up in improving to get an ‘A’. We need to improve so we can grow.” ~ Dr. Antonio Williams, principal
When we got the news these questions were swimming through my head but I was mostly concerned with how students felt, how teachers felt, and how principals felt.
“I was extremely disappointed in my school, we don’t need to look like that” said 12th Grade Government and Economics teacher Henry Tellis, known for taking real-life matters and presenting them to students in the
classroom.
“We don’t hold anyone accountable, the students aren’t being held accountable, the parents aren’t being held accountable for making When asked how they felt, seniors responded sure their students are at school and are actualin a variety of ways. Some responded with ly learning,” Mr. Tellis said. “People are so apathy saying that they were on their way out quick to blame teachers that in the process of it so they didn’t really care as much as they they don’t realize that the teachers aren’t takwould have a few years ago. ing these tests and giving out these grades. “Seniors aren’t applying themselves and teach- Students are earning them and it starts at ers aren’t either,” Senior Alexis Ellis. “Overall home.” everyone has to do better.” Principal Antonio Williams spoke at length about everyone taking responsibility, students, Some students were disappointed in themfaculty and parents alike. “Everybody should selves and their school. “I couldn’t believe what I saw,” said Keandrick Barnes. “I could- ask themselves ‘What can I do better’ individn’t believe that was my school they were say- ually,” said Dr. Williams, who seemed to take the F very personally, often going back to the ing these things about.”
phrase: “I’m constantly just trying to ask myself and push myself to see what I can do better and get these results.” Dr. Williams assigned teachers to meet and brainstorm a few strategies, analyzed them, and forwarded the information to him. From that, “tangible and realistic smart goals” were set. Since the interview, Lanier’s top administrator shared the plan, which includes a heavy focus on ridding the school of its chronic absenteeism rate and increasing the steadily improving graduation rate. Speaking of our biggest issue, attendance, he asked us personal to relay the message of how important attending school is. “Coming to school is so important. If you have something going on, come and check out, we have to put importance on our education.” He also had a message specifically for seniors who have been notably delinquent in attendance. “Seniors, whatever they plan on doing after Lanier, they are forming habits of not showing up on time. Your habits are your character. Those habits are going to come back when they have a job or are in college and those habits are going to negatively affect them.” Other plans include implementing an ACT Academy more heavily, daily ACT preparation during and after school and incentivizing students with rewards for attendance. He firmly believes LHS can be an “A school,” but not because the grade is appealing. “I don’t want us to get caught up in improving to get an ‘A’,” Dr. Williams said. “We need to improve so we can grow.” Please see page 9 for story on the role of student absences in the ‘F’ on state Report Card.
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Doc’s Orders: Cure for the Common ‘F’ Early in the 2017-2018 academic year, the handwriting was on the wall that Sidney Lanier High would land a spot on Alabama’s list of “failing schools.” School leaders launched an action plan to bump LHS off the list and stay off the list. Following are highlights of Dr. Antonio Williams’ Action Plan:
Implementation of an ACT Academy. This will include before- and after-school tutoring, targeted pullout groups of students based on ACT Aspire Data, test prep in all core classes, daily ACT bellringers, instruction in test-taking strategies each Monday, and class challenges
Better use of preparation resources such as Quesbook online tutoring and Kaplan workbooks, as well as the Edgenuity standards recovery program
Incorporating various incentives for students who participate in tutoring and perform well on the test, such as a pizza party/cookout, gift cards, cash prizes and/or dress out day
Improve RtI (Response to Instruction) strategies to help students struggling to meet academic standards and the effectiveness of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Incentive System)
Identify students with poor attendance and identify attendance barriers. Also involve counselors, social workers, and at-risk interventionist to support students with chronic absences
Identify other programs for at-risk students who may not perform well in a traditional high school
Communicate the importance of attendance to students and offer incentives monthly for good attendance.
Work with Career Tech to purchase software programs needed for instruction to help students earn credentials for careers. Create four-year plans for students that include a route/option for credentialing.
Utilize At-Risk Interventionist more effectively.
Work with Computer Services and Guidance Office to correct errors in INOW.
Work with guidance office to meet with students to check progress and offer programs for students to recover lost graduation credits.
Implement Evening Academy and encourage students to attend summer school when needed.
Set class goals and follow-up with positive reinforcement and incentives to address chronic absenteeism. Make student attendance a competition
Create other options for students with continued unexcused absences — for example, Saturday school or Detention
Get parents involved immediately in Chronic Absences
Work with Curriculum and Instruction to work on better ways to code student absences.
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Colorism: Is it really just your preference? care so much struggle with similar issues,Cardi B and Colin Kaepernick are both celebrities who have had their accomplishments knocked because of their Eurocentric features. Even though they are similar, racial ambiguity is different than colorism.
By JaQuiatta Posey
An issue that creates so many issues, including the lowering of self esteem of so many young children of color, is that of colorism. By definition, colorism is prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. The debate on colorism and its relevance is age old. Colorism is another experience that people of color have to deal with. Some would argue that it is rooted in the internalized racism brought by slavery. During the Civil Rights movement, lighter skinned males were not considered as much as a threat especially compared to darker skinned people. Dark Skinned women, then and now, are perceived as angry and aren’t taken as serious individuals.
A celebrity that has changed herself in front of the whole world would be Lil Kim. She has faced worldwide scrutiny because of how harshly she has changed herself. She discussed in an interview that and went into a store, simply to shop, once she made this change because of black he went in he encountered a very racially men and what they desired. diverse group of people, all light skinned, but the store owner only decided to come from behind the counter to follow him. When asked why, he told Mr. Aaron that he looked suspicious.
These students all told me that colorism has shaped the way they look at race and skin color; whether it is that they feel betThis problem is just a social construct that ter or worse about themselves, colorism has no base at all but is prevalent in socie- has played a major role in more lives than ty. I spoke with Isaac White, a Lanier sen- you could imagine. ior, who told me how his mother always To say the least , colorism is universal and taught him to love his skin color. This common in most races. parent knew how oppressive people who
Nina Simone, a well known artist/Civil Rights Activist, is still experiencing colorism after her death. In her biopic, Nina, she is played by actress Zoe Saldana whom is a light skinned woman put in blackface and an Afro wig when other high stature, darker skinned actresses where available to play Ms. Nina Simone.
Job snags like this are not just obvious in Hollywood, but in the common workforce also. I’ve had many self esteem lowering run-ins with colorism, but the one that affected me the most was when I was directly told I didn’t receive a job because of practice colorism could be, and prepared Janiah Rogers, student who is of Domini- my skin color. I was told I looked angry her child for it. can descent, shared with me how colorism and that it didn’t help that I was a dark affects her life. Rogers said that since she skinned female. This obstacle isn’t something of a petty demeanor; I spoke with four different stu- is darker than her siblings they would alColorism is one huge issue that is still ways be able to do things like get new dents and they all told me of either being being fought. Will we ever recognize this shoes and she would get in trouble for appreciated or discriminated against beunproductive behavior and fix it? Will we things her parents knew her siblings did. cause of their skin color. dismiss this unmasked harmful conduct Her dad even told her almost her whole and replace it with open mindedness? I spoke with three light skin felife that she was not a black girl. This ismales,Breanna Mooney, Kamari Morris, sue is prominent in the Hispanic commuand a student who wished to remain anon- nity. ymous. They all told me tales of times when males didn’t want to have relations Reality shows are tackling colorism, LHH star, Amara La Negra, would be a great with their darker friends, specifically beexample of someone experiencing colorcause they were darker. ism in people of color communities. Even Johnifer Aaron told me he visited Florida celebrities who you never would think
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Custodian Cleanses Souls on Sunday By Ja’Vonde Robinson and Amiracle Hampton
Although she pushes a broom Monday through Friday, there’s something special you should know about Keshia Harvey. She is a gospel singer and First Lady. For Mrs. Harvey, “singing is a family tradition.” It started from her grandmother Mary Lee McCord then passed on to her auntie and then finally to her and her five siblings. Out of her five siblings she was the first child to start signing. She started singing when she was 12 years old. Her first performance was at a church called Shallow Baptist Church in Letohatchee, AL. She says “during my first performance I was nervous but once I closed my eyes and envision a nice place I felt very peaceful” The gospel group The McCord Singers was made by her grandmother including Keshia and her siblings. In her years as a young child she was very into singing and felt as if it was her passion. Her stage is her pulpit, where she sits every Sunday as the First Lady at Word of Life on Woodley Road. She says “being a first lady is okay, but I’m still going to be me.” Her favorite to sing is God Has Smiled on Me by Jessica Reedy. Having the gift of song and her husband Mark Harvey being a man of God, “when you’re in their presence you get chills through their voices.” Acapella is amazing but, with background music is impeccable. Both of her sons Marcus Harvey - 18 and Marquees Harvey - 17 have the special ear for music. Marquees plays the drums and Marcus plays the piano. Her youngest son William Harvey which is only nine also plays the drums. Gospel was what Keshia started off with, but she says “Both of my sons listen to R&B and Gospel, so I join in with them”.
Keshia Harvey Photo by Jasmine Trawick
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Minority Poets: Who Are We? By Emko Pash, Kamryn Young and Simone Slaughter
Minorities are chugging through media right now and Sidney Lanier High School is hopping on the diversity train. Minorities can be described as anyone who makes up a small number or part especially if it’s less than half. According to data entry, there is an unknown number of ethnic minorities as of the 2017-18 school year. But visually, there is a handful amongst these halls. Many veteran faculty and staff members say that there hasn’t been much diversity over their tenure at Lanier, one even stating that there’s been no more than 10 of any different race all at one time. It’s been so common to have nothing but African American students that Ms. Fannie Harris of the Guidance Office concludes: “There’s more diversity in the staff than in the student body”. As the question of “How diverse is Lanier?” floated from person to person, the realization hit that Lanier isn’t much of a destination for minorities. It’s come to light that racewise, Lanier is overlooked because of the predominantly black community in which it’s situated.
Diversity Matters— From left are, Amondo Smith, Charquan Lewis, Jamiya Smith and Angel Ruiz. Photo by Emko Pash
Angel translates for his parents in public. He has grown to have thick skin, to be independent, and to be the best that he can be. As far as the LGBTQ community, their come up has been great “I was raised around black people and they’re still on the rise. Many people aren’t too shocked to so I feel welcomed even though know someone prefers the same gender, but some aren’t too sometimes I get tried. You are who fond either. Many of the staff remember when students first you are and you can’t change that,” started embracing says senior Maria Harris who their sexually and poured out on how she felt being “coming out”. lighter toned and biracial in a black "I walk these halls school. without being touched Out of the few ethic minorities we and slang these invisihave at Lanier, The Blue & W hite ble inches, and let sought out Angel Ruiz who told us them know what's how he felt about transferring from good,” freshman a more diverse school. Amondo Smith had to Senior Maria Harris/ say about how he felt Contributed photo “There are more rules to folbeing “different” in a low. It’s very strict here,” said Ruiz, who is Mexican. not-so diverse comNegative comments are sadly a necessity for being “different,” munity. Angel said. “Every Mexican’s dream is to have an American Junior Charquan Lewdream, so I’m not really worried about what people say about is is one of the many me.” who embraces his sexuality. He lets it be known that “I still Coming from a home where his parents hardly speak English, love the person I am and I don’t care what anybody has to say
Statistics in iNow show the majority of Latino students identify as ‘white’ rather than ‘other’
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8 Things to Know About Net Neutrality By Jamarious Fulks and Kenshaun Gibson
Imagine you’re sitting in your room, watching YouTube on your phone. Suddenly, your phone starts to go slow. Your mom gets a call from AT&T saying that you can upgrade your service by paying more. The net neutrality is gone, and with it, your equal standing in the internet industry. Net neutrality is when internet providers, like Charter and AT&T, agree not to make people pay for more benefits. This gets them more money in order to stay ahead of their competitors. What this means for you, as a consumer, is that now your internet provider will be trying to make you pay for faster internet and streaming services. You may be wondering what this has to do with you. We have ten things you should know and how it affects you. 1. More money for faster internet; you might have to pay an extra fifty dollars if you want to watch the latest episode of Empire. 2.It's a violation of your rights. The Internet Service Providers aren’t allowed to control internet traffic. 3. Internet Service Providers can be charged for breaking net neutrality laws. 4. Companies like Google and Yahoo! are also obligated to pay higher prices for higher bandwidth. Net neutrality plays no favorites. 5. Comcast and other big broadband companies want to make a big profit so net neutrality doesn’t really matter to them. 6. On December 14th, 2017 net neutrality was officially dead. In a 3-2 vote the FCC repealed the rules that where set 2 years ago. 7. With net neutrality gone everyone thinks the internet will be different they think things will be slower and certain websites will be blocked.
8. Ajit Pai and the FCC refused to change their mind about the vote to repeal net neutrality even after the people voted against it.
So now that you know that you know about net neutrality and how it affects you, you can better understand the role that it plays in our everyday lives. Net neutrality is something that should never be taken away. No one wants to pay any extra fee for internet that they are currently getting.
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Poets Sign Off By Makaylah Harris
The 2017-2018 senior football team went total beast mode during the past season and made history for Sidney Lanier high school.
2016 and 2017. First group to win 10 games since 1978.
Throughout this journey the team was lead by Coach Marvin Cunningham. Many had faith and desire in Cunningham and his coaching. “Coach Cunningham has a lot of passion for the game of football, and his desire to prepare our young men Alfred Thomas, center, commits to Tulane University as his family look on. to be successful on and off the field is unrivaled” said Principal Dr. Antonio Williams. The Poets dominated their season Cunningham has plenty of history at Sidney Lanier High with a record of 10 wins and two School. He served as a defensive coordinator for L.C. Cole losses. In addition, the team made during the 2006 season. That was also the last year that the history by earning its first playoff poets won a playoff game. win since 2006; state runner-up in Garrison 2016; reigning champions for the Cam Cunningham has plenty of history at Lanier High. He Newton National 7 on 7 champions; state runner-up in 2017 served as a defensive coordinator for L.C. Cole during the and City Champions; and West Side Classic Champions in 2006 season. That was also the last year that The Poets won a playoff game. Altogether, a total of eleven seniors committed to six different colleges. Including: Alabama State University, Tulane University, Birmingham Prep School, Faulkner University, Texas A&M University, and Murray State University.
Photos by Andre Lamonte
James Foster— Texas A&M University Alfred Thomas and Ladedric Jackson – Tulane University Delancey Tolliver and Kris Jones – Alabama State University
From left, T. Williams, G. Adams, K. Jones, D. Tolliver, J. Foster, and L. Jackson
L’Dontay Garrison, DaCoreyon Johnson, Adjante Oliver, and Tyrese Williams – Birmingham Prep Academy Malcolm Davis – Faulkner University Glenn Adams – Murray State
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Student Absences Lead to ‘F’ Grade By Denise Ringo and DeAundre Phelps
The Montgomery Public School system was hit the hardest when the state of Alabama received the report card for all the school year of 2016-17. Sidney Lanier High was the one school that stood out above the rest when it came to student attendance numbers. The report shows that LHS posts at least 37 percent of the student body being absent for more than 15 days at a time. With the lack of students actually being in class this means that not only are students missing important lessons, but the school’s academic achievement and graduation rates are lowering. All of this combined led to the high school getting an overall score of a 37 F. When asked why she believed students skipped school, theatre teacher Angela Cobb Ellison responded, “They student felt the need to skip class, most felt that they had no have no motivation about learning, and getting a higher educa- good intentions. tion.” When asked what could be done to decrease the urge to skip, Ms. Ellison said she was not surprised to find out that Lanier students replied that they wish school rules weren’t so strict, had the school district’s highest level of chronic absenteeism. especially the one where students can not go anywhere during “I think that whatever we implement as teachers as fun is the first and last 15 minutes of classes. Another rule that annoys running out,” she said. “Nowadays you have kids who are students is the one that arrivals after 7:45 AM must have a having to be adults very early so they don’t get a chance to be a parent escort to check them in. Some found this to be unfair, especially if they have certain chores to do before coming to child long enough.” school. According to Lanier’s Data Entry office, the most used excuse for absence is the sick card, and Ms. Ellison disagreed, believing “half of the time they aren’t,” that if the school did show more clerk Laquasha Stokes said. leniency, the students would take it for granted. Principal Antonio Another issue is late arrivals Williams agreed. whose parents have already left them and not do the proper check “My motto is business before -in, “Sometimes they just leave. pleasure. I can’t take a vacation Not everyone has the sense to before I go to work. We have to call their parents.” handle our business properly,” Dr. Williams said. Until Lanier is able to get their students to be, and stay, in “I don’t care about dressing out their classroom on time, nothing of uniform when I struggle to keep will get better for them or their kids in uniform,” he explained. “I overall grade don’t want to punish the whole school over the actions of the few, Locking them in is not a but this Report Card is a perfect solution, veteran math teacher example that we are being judged Francine Ezekannagha said. as a whole and not as some. “Most students skip as class ~ Francine Ezekannagha, teacher “I don’t let my kids out the house because there is a bully…,” Ms. before they finish their Ezekannagha said. “Some homework,” the principal said. parents physically bring their kids to school and they go When asked if he had any more straight out the back door.” thoughts on the subject, Dr. Williams said, “Value education, Students say they could only guess what their classmates do value being in class, and value being on time.” when skipping, and their speculations are far from innocent, ranging from sex and drugs to thievery and revenge violence. When asked if they could just be “chilling,” the students felt that their truant fellow students could hang out in class. If a
“Some parents physically bring their kids to school and they got straight out the back door.”
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Cops Stop, Teens Drop By Ebony Allen
Don't talk back to cops. Keep your hands on the wheel. Don’t give them a reason to take your life. Black parents express such advice a lot before their sons or daughters leave home. For decades black people have had bad run ins with being stopped by the police. Some worry whether being stopped by the police will cost us our life. Other than Mexicans, African Americans are the only race in America stopped by police for unnecessary reasons. It seems the ones that are supposed to be protecting us from dangers from others are now causing the danger. Some would argue, though, that has been happening for centuries. One recent incident went viral on social media caused The Troy Police Department to ask the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the alleged unnecessary physical force used by officers during the arrest of a 17-year-old. According to police, Troy officers saw the teen walk from behind a closed downtown business in late December on a Saturday around 11:52 p.m. As the officers exited their patrol vehicle and approached, they say the subject fled on foot. Police say they apprehended the teen on Madison Street, but he refused to comply with officers' demands to put his hands behind his back. Police say the Ulysses Wilkerson, 17, suffered a brutal beatsubject struggled and ing by Troy Police December 23, 2017. reached for his waistCourtesy photo band as if reaching for a weapon. Officers said this led to them using physical force to restrain him. In March, a grand jury decided police brutality was not a factor in that incident, which means the police officers investigated will not face charges. The fact that when black boys are stopped either walking or driving they always make the claim that they looked ‘suspicious’. Even search the subject’s car because they think there are controlled substances in the car. If they find nothing they will always try to find a way they can lock you up or take your life knowing that they could probably get away with it.
A Blue & W hite staffer recalls being pulled over by police while traveling with his older brothers. They were pulled over for “suspicion of marijuana,” recalls Malik Stinson, a sophomore at Lanier. “They did a thorough search of our vehicle as two other patrol cars pulled up. They took our seat out the car and searched it for marijuana while we sat in 30 degree weather to find nothing, but lint and dirt,” he explained. “They apologized and wished us a safe ride home. “I was shocked and I didn’t expect to be pulled over for drugs. He also called back-up for some reason,” Malik said. “It made me feel like they just wanted to pick with because out of all the cars that would have passed them they chose to pick with us. “They don’t do other race of teens like that, just us.” Statistics show that black people are three times more likely to get killed by police with most being reported self-defense. In 2015, 30% of unarmed blacks were unarmed compared to 21% of white victims. Fewer than one in three black people in America in 2014 were suspected of a violent crime and allegedly armed. Levels of crime in the US cities do not make it any more or less likely for police to kill people. In the end, 99% of officers are not convicted of a crime. Police Departments that have adopted these use of force policies kill significantly fewer people, but fewer departments have adopted them.
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At War: Trends invade students from ear to waist By Tatiyana Campbell and Caleb Stephenson
Long hair, don’t care. The iPhone wins. And the camo has the flow. In and around The Castle, students are capitalizing on those latest trends.
Girls love the long hair. They say it’s affordable and it comes in an array of colors — you name it — and various lengths. Most girls prefer the long tresses that stretch from 22 inches to 30 inches. The longer the better, they say. Tenth-grader Jalesia Caldwell thinks all girls wear long hair because of the length and they see their idols — such as Beyonce and Nicki Minaj — sporting it, and they want that look, too.
Kamille Moten
Jalesia Caldwell
Then there are the military-styled jackets. Boys and Speaking of looks, a number of Poets like the quality girls are seen wearing them around school. Some of photos captured on the new iPhones. The iPhone people have made it into a style with matching shoes X, or 10, represents a new and better version. They that are the same color as the jacket. Aleisia Holt come in different colors. Many people are interested quoted army color jackets are actually cute, it is the in the new iPhone trending color in the Women Department. because of the camera. It is also waterproof. Others say the new iPhone has more updates than the older version of iPhones. Brittany Hubbard said the Jaylan Jones Jamarcus Adams new iPhone is “bigger,” has greater camera quality, such as screen recording and “it saves in your gallery.” A new trend with jackets are around Lanier — Army jackets! They come in so many different styles. Some of them come in a style of camouflage. Others come in shades of light green or dark green. There are some emblazoned with the military emblem.
Nicholas Lucas
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After QUEST, What Becomes of Gifted Program? By Makiya Salter, Tondrea Bryant and Ragan Purter
Are you a superb student? Do you possess skills like cre- regards it as one of their ativity, optimism, leadership, and high levels of intellect? best memories, there were also a few that weren’t fond Then you may be a gifted student. of it. Gifted students are children who give evidence of high performance capability. These students are usually given “It was okay, but I mainly an IQ test at a young age, specifically during elementary preferred to work by myschool. Depending on their score, they are administered self. I’m not a people perinto an educational program called QUEST, where they son, and big crowds give me anxiety,” said a student, take part in various activities to develop their skills. who wished to be anonySo what qualifies someone to be tested for giftedness? mous. “I hated when it was Well for starters, gifted education is not an elitist protime to go to the program gram. It is meant to help all high ability students, regard- every day.” less of class, wealth, or ethnicity, and helps them develop Gifted education is sometheir talents. thing that should be Gifted education also is not determined by grades. Poor acknowledged and celebrated, but it is also not something grades can be the result of a gifted student becoming that classifies one student is better than another. bored or frustrated in a class or activity that they feel they While some students may not be included on the gifted aren’t being challenged in. list, this doesn’t mean that they are necessarily uncreative Gifted education also extends to people who have disabil- or dull in any nature. ities as well. Every student that shows qualities or signs of being gifted is pulled aside for testing, and depending In fact, it seems that most model students seemed to be on their test scores they will be administered into the excluded from the list. QUEST program. Jasmine Grayson, 11th grade honor student, felt that she In order to get more insight into giftedness, we decided to should have been involved in the program. “I haven’t interview a few known gifted students around the school, heard of gifted education,” she said. “Perhaps if I would and question them about their experience with the have gotten introduced to the program, I would have enQUEST program and their personal feelings about gifted joyed it and gotten involved.” education in general. The gifted program is some“Yes, I knew I was a gifted thing many would be honored student. I’ve been aware of to participate in. It has helped The following services are defined by the this since I was young. I’ve many students broaden their Montgomery school district’s Plan for Gifted: always tried to excel in evehorizons and find activities rything I did, and I’ve always and skills that they excel in, High schools: Advanced P lacem ent felt slightly more advanced while also challenging them classes, Honors Courses, electives, and than those around me.” said and making sure that they extracurricular activities on site aren’t educationally reDiamond Harris, 11th grader. strained. Magnet schools: enrichm ent and/ or “The QUEST program was acceleration through the magnet program really enjoyable for me. It It is also helpful to note that broadened my mind to many the gifted students program things, and allowed me to proved to many people that participate in various fun activities that really challenged although a child may not be the best student, they can always prove the be the best athlete, musician, dancer, or me. I felt I really did well in their creative activities.” writer. But although many enjoyed the QUEST program and 12
Honors in The Castle 1st Semester 9th Grade Charles Beamon Jamirika Bell
Taniya Blakely
Cassandra Thomas
Xavier Todd
Chyna Rowell
Mercedes Mitchell
De’Asia Walker
Alexis Treadwell
Makiya Salter
Briana Nelson
Brooklyn Whittle
11th Grade
La’Metria Shackleford
Kendrall Parker
Jakeria Smith
Emko Pash
Renard Williams
Frederick Ballard
Shakim Casby
10th Grade
Tynija Blue
Shayla Davis
Antonique Ford
Tristen Broadnax
Kamarrie Dorsey
Christian Fore
Scottrell Brooks
La’Tresia Gaddis
Rongie Gordon
Elizabeth Gaston
Karisma Hall
Tashara Cunningham
Timisha Hall
Ke’Asia Hall
Kejoco Dorsey
Andrea Jackson
Mariunna Hill
Connell Ford
Desmond Jackson
Alesia Holt
Alyssa Grant
Destiny Jackson
Jasmine Jackson
Jonathan Lamar
Roderick Smith
Andrea Parrish Ariana Pettway
Brianna Talley
Alexia Richardson
Andrew Timmons
Amber Richardson
Tyne’ Washington
Jaterrika Roberts
Jayla Wilson
Ashley Shavers
Shekinah Wilson
Taylor Strother
Cornelius Wright
Kayla Suttles
Diamond Harris
12th Grade
Alfred Thomas
Kendarrius Jackson
Makaylah Harris
Bernicia Ballard
Delancy Tolliver
Shaniah Mitchell
Cayla Lewis
Ashley Caldwell
Jasmine Trawick
Marquarius Moore
Zedrick McCall
Shakereia Hawthorne
Zicoreya Palmer
Kiearra McCloud
Freddie Paul
Kendell Powell
Rakiya Perry
Latesha Roberson
Justin Ponder
Kenyon Roberts
Daray Roberson
Canaya Simpson
Daylon Rogers
Angel Smith
Jameria Russell
Destinee’ Smith
Nikya Smith
Malik Stinson
Zykeria Sweeney
Jaliyah Stokes
Corey Taylor
Eldon Thomas
Alexis Jones
Jo’Shanell CrumBrown
Chassity Jones
James Foster
Madison Jones
Charity Glover
Brandon Lowery
Ashanti Golsby
Zarria Maddox
Alexis Hall
Terence Mickles
Jasmine Hall
Jayshun Myles
Tavaris Harris
Deaundre Phelps
Lekeria Howard
Avione Provo
Alexis Johnson
Ja’Vonde Robinson
Shagarian Lane
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The Blue & White
Sidney Lanier High School 1756 South Court Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-269-3726 E-mail: ken.spear@mps.k12.al.us
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Editorial opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of
Lashawn Herring Shimiracle Patterson
Malik Stinson
Bernicia Ballard
Jeremiah Howard
Deaundre Phelps
Jasmine Trawick
Tondrea Bryant
Kenneth Isaac
Ragan Purter
Teranisha Treadwell
Ashley Caldwell
Andre Lamonte
De’Andre Reeves
Cornelius Wright
Tatiyanna Campbell
Shagarian Lane
Denise Ringo
Kamryn Young
Serenity Dorsey
Imani Lott
Ja’ Vonde Robinson
Jamarious Fulks
Brianna Mays
Makiya Salter
Taylar Meredith
Simmone Slaughter
Shakasa Oliver
Isaac Smith
Emko Pash
Caleb Stephenson
KenShaun Gipson Joseph Haigler Amiracle Hampon
Advisor: Ken L. Spear Co– Advisor: Yolanda Huntley
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