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Thursday, August 4, 2016
Inside 3 News
OPD's Shipp trying to make a difference as a leader
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CHANING GREEN | OXFORD CITIZEN
Due to increased enrollment in the Oxford School District, first grade classes will resume at Bramlett Elementary School this year after having been moved to Oxford Elementary School in 2014.
Overcrowding obstacles First grade classes to resume at Bramlett as enrollment increases BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
As the number of students enrolling in the Oxford School District continues to increase, Bramlett Elementary School will be resuming first grade classes on their campus in an effort to prevent overcrowding at Oxford Elementary. When the new high school was opened for students in 2014, the organization of the Oxford School District was slightly
shifted so that Oxford Elementary School was the only school in the district offering first grade classes. Bramlett was made so that it only held pre-k and kindergarten classes. Under this model, each school in the district, excluding the Scott Center and the Learning Center, would each house two grades, until the students got into high school. Though first grade classes are now being shifted back to Bramlett, only four classes of first graders will be there, while the others remain at
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Oxford Elementary School. Principal of Bramlett Elementary School Suzanne Ryals has been with the school district since 2009, spending almost all of that time at the school. She said that having the first graders back at Bramlett is a most welcomed change. Ryals said that the school benefited from having the first graders in several ways, noting that they serve as great role modTURN TO BRAMLETT PAGE 5
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Arter Limits Fringe Festival returning to Oxford BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The Oxford art scene is booming, and it has been for years. Oxford has long been known as a town for writers, but we also have a host of painters, sculptors, actors, dancers, musicians and more. The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council has partnered with several local business and organizations to bring together the art community in the city’s third annual Arter Limits Fringe Festival happening next weekend. The weekend beings on Thursday, August 11, and features over 50 events in just four days. Every event taking place during the festival is happening in Oxford and is showcasing a different aspect of the town and the art community within in. Events are happening at the University Museum, the Powerhouse, Shelter on Van Buren, Square Books, Proud
Larry’s and few other places. Wayne Andrews serves as the executive director of the art council and has been overseeing the planning of the Fringe Festival. He said that he really enjoys this event because of the variety involved and the way it benefits both the art community and Oxford in general. “This event is fun because it gives us the chance to highlight a lot of different artists and try a lot of different things,” Andrews said. “Much of what we’re doing is playful, experimental and gives people unique entertainment options. This is a different way to do a festival. We’re celebrating what’s great about Oxford. We’re enjoying the town.” Events taking place during the festival are meant to showcase the best of what Oxford has to offer, engaging both the general public and the art community.
Andrews said that this festival stands out from some of the other events the arts council and Visit Oxford puts on in that, rather than focusing on bringing talent to Oxford, this festival is meant to showcase and enrich all of the art and artists already thriving here in Oxford. Many of activities and shows in the festival are free and open to the public, however there are some events that require a special pass. Rather than buying a $10 ticket to each of the headlining shows, festivalgoers can purchase a $45 all inclusive pass that gets them into each of the 4 headlining shows as well as all other events that require paid admission. If anyone attended just wants general admission without going to any of the headlining shows, $25 Festival Passes are available for purchase and grant access to every event but the headliners. Both of the passes are but-
tons that can be pinned on to a shirt so that there are no issues with keeping up with a paper ticket, and people will not constantly be asked for proof of admission. Buttons can be purchased at the Powerhouse from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, as well as anytime online. The headlining event for Thursday night is known as the Iron Bartender Cocktail Competition. Bartenders from popular Oxford restaurants will be competing at the Powerhouse from 6 to 8 to see who can come up with the most original and delicious cocktails. Each bartender will be given a mystery box of ingredients that they must use to make cocktails for people attending the event. The public gets to decide who came up with the best cocktail. Other events happening Thursday a Blind Book Exchange at the Shelter where people will have the chance to discover a new favorite book. The public library and Square Books have donated several new and gently used books for
the exchange. They will be wrapped in paper with the briefest description and a note on the genre written on the outside. People are encouraged to bring a book they would like to share. The headlining event Friday will be a Secret Show. The location for this event as well as the password to gain access to the venue will be announced Friday morning only to ticket holders. The only thing known about the Secret Show is that the theme will be game shows. Selia Something, contortionist and aerialist, will be preforming that night at the Powerhouse from 9 to 10. Other events happening Friday include a tour of the 18 public sculptures all over Oxford, an art auction at the Powerhouse, gallery tours at the University Museum and many others. This day will also include a tour of Oxford’s historic sites like the LQC Lamar House and the Cedar Oaks Mansion. Saturday night’s headlining event will again feature Selia Something and Thee VaudeVillians Burlesque
Company. The Blind Book Exchange will be happening again on Saturday. The Oxford Maker’s Market will be happening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Armory and will feature special demonstrations. Andi Bedsworth will be leading a weaving class at the University Museum. At 9 a.m. the Oxford Film Festival will be filming part of their Community Film on the Courthouse Lawn and will need extras. Those interested can email info@oxfordfilmfest.com The weekend winds down on Sunday with a some repeats of favorites that night have been missed during the other days. From 3-7 that afternoon will be the Sip Until Seven where people can enjoy live music, food and beverages at the Armory. This event is being hosted by Keep Oxford Odd and will feature a few interactive activities. For more information on the festival and a full schedule of events, visit www.oxfordfringefest.com. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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OPD's Shipp trying to make a difference as a leader BY JOHN DAVIS
ON THE BEAT
OXFORD CITIZEN
It's not often that someone employed with the federal government comes back to municipal level to work in law enforcement but Josh Shipp isn't typical. Shipp has returned to the Oxford Police Department after being a member of the U.S. Secret Service. “I got to do a lot of traveling and see some important people and work some important events in some big cities I wouldn't normally get to go to,” Shipp said about his secret service detail. “We protected any presidential candidates, Hillary (Clinton), (Donald) Trump, Bernie Sanders, Ben Carson. We also did details with their wives, the first ladies, foreign dignitaries from other countries. When we traveled, that's who we went with. It was randomized, you could go with any of them.” While the experience of working at the national level was a good one, Shipp wanted a change. The South Panola graduate, who played football at both Northwest Mississippi Community College and Ole Miss, started in law enforcement in 2011. Football taught Shipp about working together and about teamwork, and those traits have served him well as an officer. “We always had each other's back and encouraged each other. People always stepped up to be leaders, whether it was me or other people,” Shipp said. “Of course being in shape, it always helps. Those training camps help you prepare,
Josh Shipp mentally, for tough challenges. That transitioned to law enforcement. You work together on a shift and you depend on each other. My partner needs me to go home safe and vice versa. The team chemistry, the bonding and trying to stay in shape and being above the physical curve of the people we're trying to arrest, all that preps you for the stresses that come with the job.” July was a stressful time to be a police officer. Even if Oxford didn't deal with the events that haunted Dallas or Baton Rouge, Shipp felt it wasn't a time to step back from the current events, or to question whether he should be in the profession. “I feel like I was called to do this, so send me when there is turmoil and things going wrong, look to us to be the example,” Shipp said. “Things may be going wrong in other cities. Things may be portrayed a certain way by the media, but that's just a small perception or small percentage. There is a much bigger picture to it. If you're out here everyday, there is so much more to it. We're out here giving somebody some gas or boosting a car off. Or going to console somebody who lost a loved one. It's very rare that you have to pull out your gun and aim it at people. With the amount of pay for what we
do, the majority of people are in this for the right reason.” Shipp started out as a reserve officer with the University Police Department and for a year and a half, he was never compensated. He loved the experience so much, he participated like he was full-time officer. “I didn't care about the money. Even when I was waiting to get cleared back here, I was riding around with the guys trying to get acclimated because it's not even like work. It's fun. It's brotherhood and you work together,” Shipp said. “This is like a family. You're all here together.” When it comes to stopping a motorist on the side of the road, Shipp said officers need to have in their head the worst case scenario, or the idea of where to retreat to in case they are shot at. “You need to know where is my cover? How far is my backup away? Is it night time, day time? Those are all the things running through your head when you're pulling somebody over or you're going to a domestic violence call,” Shipp said. “We can go to a call where somebody is broken down on the side of the road on Hwy. 7. We don't know if we're going for somebody standing in the bushes to be shooting us or going to somebody that actually
needs help. You have be aware of that in the back of your head, but you can't be so stressed or your guard up so high that you don't even know how to deal with the person once you get there. Or your so worried that you can't treat them like a human being. I think there is a big misunderstanding with what we are legally OK to do as far as protecting ourselves and others and the public perception of what we're allowed to do,” Shipp added. “There are some things in the media that may look controversial, but it's not up to me to say what is right or wrong. That's what court is for. I think there is common ground on both sides that we can reach and say we can work on this as officers. We can train better and work on certain scenarios.” At the same time, Shipp agreed that the public needs to be more respectful to law enforcement, and that they needed to seek additional knowledge as well.
JOHN DAVIS | OXFORD CITIZEN
Josh Shipp has been serving the public in law enforcement since 2011. “They need to know what we are legally allowed to do and not allowed to do. I tell people all the time, but you can not have court on the side of the road,” Shipp said. “I'm a firm believer that the police will win every time. Most of the time, the majority of your officers, are not going to ask you to do anything that is unreasonable. If they do, the majority of police forces have video cameras, they have audio cameras. So when you start telling the po-
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lice on the side of the road that you're not going to do this or you can't do this to me, it's always going to end wrong. Not that it should end in a death or shot or arrested, but, there are usually no positive outcome on the side of the road when you're trying to argue your point. Even if you have to go to jail that night, got to jail, take the loss that night, and go to court.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
OBITUARIES OREN HALL CROWSN Oren Hall Crowson, Sr., 97, passed away Friday, July 29, 2016, at Baptist Desoto Hospital in Southaven. The funeral service was held Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, at 11:30 A.M. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Allen officiating. Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Crowson’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 800 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.
BRIEFING Couch to 5K to be held Aug. 15
provide Veterans with independence and a healthier lifestyle. Our Run Oxford and the community’s contribuOxford Park Commission tions to the AmTrykes in will begin another Couch Action race will be recogto 5K training program nized at the Ole Miss the week of Aug. 15th. Football Armed Forces The program is an eight- Game in November 2016. week course that begins Sponsors can provide with more walking than promotional materials, running and gradually product samples, incenincreases to more runtives, premiums, etc. for ning than walking. The inclusion in each participrogram offers coached, pant’s registration bag, team training three times so that each competitor a week at Pat Lamar Park. will gain first?hand expoTraining culminates with sure to your organizaparticipants running a 5K tion! Any raffle items are at a slow, relaxed pace. also welcome. If you $30 program fee includes would like to make a a t-shirt and race entry to monetary contribution, the "Great 38" 5K race on please see the SponsorOctober 8th on the Uniship Level document to versity of Mississippi's choose your sponsorship campus. See oxfordpark- level. commission.com for regWe hope that you will istration information. consider sponsoring this Questions? Email runox- event to help us provide fordc25K@gmail.com or disabled veterans with call 601-415-1718. mobility. If you would like to make a monetary UM sponsoring contribution, please checks payable to race to help vets make “Ambucs.” Other donaThe University of Mistions, such as sissippi Recreation Man- goods/services, are also agement Department greatly appreciated. We has partnered with the will gladly pick up any Ambucs organization, a donations, or they may 501(c)(3), to program the be mailed to: second annual event that Brittney Cable benefits Veterans with 642 All American Drive disabilities. The event 215 Turner Center will take place on Oct. 2, University, MS 38677 2016. Participating teams Back to school will race an AmTryke (adaptive tricycle), comwith church peting to complete 75 laps around The Circle Community Church is (on campus) in the hosting a communityfastest time. For every wide Back to School $1,000 we raise, we are Bash this Saturday from able to purchase one 5 to 7 pm. The event will AmTryke,which will be take place at the Old Ardonated to a Veteranwith mory Pavilion managed by the Yoknapatawpha a disability(s) at the end Arts Council on the corof the race. ner of University Avenue We are inviting indiand Bramlett Boulevard. viduals and businesses to sponsor the AmTrykes Everyone is invited to join us for food, games, in Action race. Your insnow cones, inflatables, volvement and support and giveaways. of this event will help to
CHANING GREEN | OXFORD CITIZEN
Parents and students line up outside of Lafayette Elementary School last Thursday, school supplies in hand, to take part in the school's open house.
Lafayette holds open houses in preparation of school year BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The hustle and bustle of the school year will be returning to hallways and highways as the Lafayette County School District returns to session this Friday. Open houses have been held over the past couple weeks to get students better acquainted with their schools and where and with whom they will be spending the majority of their days with in the coming months. Lafayette’s lower elementary held their open house last Thursday and saw a tremendous turnout, with well over 1,000 adults and children lining up to meet teachers and administrators. Head Principal at LES, Paula Gibbs, said that of the 650 students already enrolled for the upcoming school year 60-65 percent of them showed up to the open house with their parents and siblings. In order to avoid extremely confusing and overcrowded hallways, pre-k and kindergarten congregated on different sides of the building and all of the first and second grade teachers met with students and parents in their own classrooms. There were also teachers placed in various points throughout the school to help parents and little ones navigate the forking hallways and find their intended destinations. One of those teachers in the hallways was first grade teacher Anna Wallace. She has been with Lafayette for five years and said that she looks forward to open house for several reasons. “It’s fun meeting all the new people and getting the opportunity to meet the parents,” Wallace said, occasionally stopping to offer directions to families looking for a particular classroom. “I also like that it gives the kids the opportunity to see their classrooms and learn how to get around
LES Principal Paula Gibbs speaks to a crowd of parents and student during the open house. the school a bit. This school’s kinda hard to get around, so this gives them the chance to become a little more familiar with their surroundings and makes them more comfortable on their first day, I think.” Gibbs said that the great response from parents of LES students at the open house is nothing new. She said that during her time there, the students and their families have always been extremely supportive of the school district and the teachers within it. The two parent-teacher conferences the school holds each year always has a good turnout, according to Gibbs. The number of students and parents involved in the district is expected to rise as the school year begins. Gibbs said that due to various reasons, there are many families that register late. The current number of enrolled students, about 650, is expected to rise by about 30 students come the first day of classes. Though not every family chooses to attend the open houses offered by their school, Gibbs said that it is a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other and, despite the long hours she and her staff have to put in to pull it off, the open house is something that she looks forward to every year. In addition to getting to
see students she has not been around in months, she gets to spend time with their parents. “I love it,” the principal said when asked if she looked forward to the open houses. “I get to put a face to the names of all the parent I’ve been speaking with on the phone or emailing with. They get to see us and who we are. Both my assistant and I are very hands-on administrators. We’re out in the building, out in the classrooms all the time. When the parents come in, they get to see that their kids know us by name. They can see that we know their children and they can get to know us. I think it’s very important that they come in and feel welcome and participate however they can.” Gibbs went on to talk about how many of the families are coming to the school from the edges of the county to take the time to meet their children’s teachers and administrators. Parents also come in to volunteer for different parent organizations and extracurriculars. She said that the dedication from the parents to their children and the school system really says a lot about the district and the families it serves. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Bramlett FROM 1
els for the younger students. The first graders are significantly ahead of the younger students developmentally. The first graders are reading and are dealing with more challenging curriculum as well as behavioral expectations. They understand the rules of the school, know where everything is and know many of the teachers and the administration in charge. “We have an early childhood environment,” Ryals said. “The addition of the first graders sets up a situation for students where they have role models in the building. They have first graders, who have been through a year or two of school to look up to. They help each other out. That’s something about our culture here that I knew would change when first grade left the building. You think about how the high school seniors are the ones leading the freshman, helping to guide them, and we see that here, even with our little people.” Candace Gooch agreed with Ryals. Gooch taught at Bramlett for about three years before she was moved to OES in 2014. She said that having first graders in the same building as the pre-k
and kindergarten students benefits all of them. The first graders can be told to be on their best behavior because there are younger students watching them. Conversely, the younger students can look to the first graders and know the behavior they should be working to emulate. Though she enjoyed her time at OES and the administration and teachers she worked with, Gooch said that she missed her colleagues at Bramlett as well as having the ability to watch kids as they begin their school careers at such a young age. “I’m very excited to be coming back,” Gooch said. “Bramlett is where I started my educational career. It’s fun being able to get to go back. Although I loved being able to see my students at OES go up to the next grade, I’ve kind of missed being able to see the students grow up at Bramlett. Seeing them start out as itty bitty and then seeing them grow into first graders is kind of fun, I think.” Bramlett is where almost every student in the Oxford School District begins his or her school career. Ryals said that it is a major transition for both students and many of the parents, especially those who have never done this before. In order to deal with this, the school has a bit of staggered entry for younger students stu-
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Bramlett will only house four sessions of first grade this year, with the rest being held at Oxford Elementary.c dents. They hold an open house where all students can come and meet their new teachers and see their classrooms. This open house is happening today, Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Then on Monday, all of the first graders start school. For pre-k students this Monday, August 8, is known as Parent Day and is set up so that teachers can call and make appointments
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with parents so that everyone can get more acquainted. Tuesday, all of the pre-k boys will attend school. Wednesday, only the girls go to school and then everyone goes together on Thursday. Kindergarten boys will attend Monday, girls Tuesday and then both on Wednesday. Ryals said that the methodology behind this is to make sure the pre-k and kindergarten stu-
dents are not overwhelmed when many of them are attending school for the very first time. This way all of the kids get introduced to the school in small groups and allow them to become familiar with their new school before it becomes flooded with students. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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T
his week as the temperatures nip the century mark, I became nostalgic for miseries past. I began to ruminate on the hottest experiences of my life. Just scratching my brain for recall makes me sweat. Sitting on my sofa with the AC fogging up the windows, it’s hard to imagine times of hellish distress, but as a professional journalist, it’s my duty to transcend. The first hot flash is from last year on Sept. 5 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The mighty Rebels were playing the U.T. Martin Skyhawks. I made the mistake of running an errand on foot before kickoff. Once inside the stadium, I began sweating in waves curling enough to surf. Fans were instructed to wear white that day and my white shirt quickly turned invisible and stuck to me like toad skin. With five minutes to go in the first quarter, the Rebels were already up 20-0 and I did something I had never done before in decades of football attendance: I left the game in the first quarter. Due to my goat shirt and fresh waves of funk flowing in profusion, I felt I was a danger to myself and others – from drowning.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
What’s the hottest you’ve ever been? Jim Dees Tales of the Town
I went back to the Grove and peeled off my shirt right there on the spot, too hot to seek cover. I got the side-eye from my tail-gating neighbors who didn’t appreciate the visuals. The Rebels carried on fully dressed, eventually winning, 76-3. Thanks to the magic of big screen technology, I watched all eight succeeding touchdowns in the shade of our tent amid the Grove oak trees. At one point I could have sworn I felt a breeze. On Aug. 29, 2013, I was in Nashville for the Rebel game against Vandy on one of the steamiest nights in history. The game went back and forth, the Rebels not playing their best, especially on defense. Vandy took the lead on a too-easy pass with two minutes left and I had seen, and sweated, enough. I stormed out of the stadium and was sliming my way across the parking lot when Rebel tailback Jeff Scott ran
atre. She lasted for the whole movie while I bailed out before Tom Cruise even joined the titular group. I do recall that John served cases of ice cold Heineken after the flick. Any Neshoba County Fair visit has to rank on the heater meter, ditto the North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic held annually in Waterford in late June. I work on the stage crew of that event and the only time I ever had to seek refuge and sit in the crew’s airconditioned trailer was in 2012 COURTESY PHOTO when the thermometer hit 105. "I peeled off my shirt in the Grove and got the side-eye from tailgaters My buddy, Delta guitarist Duff Dorrough, played that year at who didn’t appreciate the visuals." high noon. He was very ill at the time but rocked like it was breezy 75 yards for the winning touchHeat memories are stirring and 65. He passed away three down with a minute left. Victory now like heat lightning on a dismonths later. is sweet, sweat is sour. tant horizon… I remember my Who knows, maybe the hottest Interesting my first two heat years working at the Hoka, the I’ve ever been will happen in the memories involve being in atten- much-missed movie coming weeks. August has rolled dance at an early-in-the-season theatre/café. During its first five in, boiling and bright, ready to football game. In such a setting, years of existence, there was no fry. Even the smirky TV weather you’ve paid good money and are air-conditioning making events people, none of whom look as bound to sit in your seat for three there part sauna. John Grisham hours plus. There’s no shade, very did us the favor of having the Ox- though they’ve ever been outside, seem to have pity in their little breeze and the added heat ford premiere of the movie verof 60,000 other sweaty souls, all sion of his book, “The Firm” there eyes. Don’t cry for me, weather geek. surrounded by concrete. You and the place was packed. I reI can handle August. Just throw can’t jump in a pool or lake, can’t member worrying for the health seek relief… you really can’t of an elderly lady in the crowd. It on some more blues and crank move. was easily 100 degrees in the the- up the BTUs.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
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Local orgs getting ready for Night for Nonprofits BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The anticipated Night for Nonprofits is now only two weeks away and organizations participating in the event are working to get their final proposals and presentations ready in order to compete for the $10,000 grand prize. The Lafayette Oxford Foundation for Tomorrow (LOFT) organized the event and it is the first of its kind the organization has hosted. On Thursday, August 18, five finalists representing local nonprofits will stand before a gathered crowd and present what they would do with money if they were chosen to receive it. Those who qualified as semi-finalists are also given the opportunity to demonstrate what they would like to do if they were able to receive more funding. The audience will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite semi-finalist. One of the finalists competing for the $10,000 is Horizons, a summer program operated
through the McLean Institute at the University of Mississippi. Emma Tkachuck is the director of Horizons and hoping to receive the money to implement a new level of computer science education to her program. Tkachuck wants to use the money from the grant to purchase iPads and software that will help educate the student in the basics, and eventually the nuances, of coding. Horizons has limited technology resources. For this past summer, they had to borrow iPads from the Oxford School District in order to properly stock their lab. Tkachuck said that she believes incorporating coding into the program will help give her students an edge that has the potential to really help them out down the road. “According to code.org, in Mississippi, we have nearly 1,200 jobs currently open for in the computing field,” Tkacuck said. “Only 5 high school students took an AP computer science test in the entire state in 2015. None of them were female, Hispanic or black. There’s
a gap there. If we can get this and make it part of these students’ lives in a fun way, the hopefully we can impact that and there will be more computer science folks coming from Mississippi.” Children who qualify for Horizons stay in the program, returning each summer for another year. Tkachuck said that if her program were to win the money, she would like to see this education implemented each summer so that it becomes more and more complex and challenging, eventually allowing for projects where the older students are developing computer programs and designing apps. Another program competing
for the $10,000 is Oxford Lovepacks. This organization works to fight childhood hunger in the area by making sure as many kids in the school district as possible are getting adequate nutritional support. The project the are would like to use the money for is being called Summerpacks. Lovepacks cofounder Mary Leary said that the idea for this project came from a need she and her collegues have been seeing in local summer programs. Summerpacks will be partnering with local programs like the Boys and Girls Club to identify student who are having trouble purchasing the necessary summer supplies that go
along with participating in a summer camp. Summerpacks will be providing a bathing suit, flip flops, sunscreen, towels and a bag to carry it all in. Leary said that she and her program have been able to identify different children in the community who show up to their programs with little or none of the aforementioned supplies, making it difficult if not impossible to properly enjoy their summer program. Summerpacks will also be working to make sure children who qualify for the program receive nutritional support on the weekends. Because the Summer Feeding Program operating out of Oxford Intermediate school supplies anyone in the area under the age of 18 with food during the week, the nutritional support component of Summerpacks will only focus on weekend meals. The Night for Nonprofits is open to the public and tickets will be available for purchase at the event. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Oxford’s Hemmins enjoys her time at DNC The following is a Q & A with John Davis and Oxford resident Cristen Hemmins who attended the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania last week.
in need. It was a stark contrast to the Republican convention the week before, which seemed to be all gloom and doom. Being a Democrat is about making sure everyone has a chance at success and happiness in America, and that's what many speakers adJOHN DAVIS: What was dressed--how we can create your overall impression of the an America where everyone has a shot at that dream. DNC? CRISTEN HEMMINS: My DAVIS: What did you enjoy overall impression was that it was incredibly well-run and the most about the experioptimistic. We have so much ence? Was there a favorite to be proud of as Americans, moment or a few favorite and there are so many good speakers? people in this country workHEMMINS: There were so ing to make it a better place many, it's hard to say! I was of for ALL Americans. America course blown away by already IS great--many Michelle Obama's speech on speakers pushed back day one...and then Bill Clinagainst Trump's campaign ton's speech on day two retagline. We certainly have ally gave everyone a great areas which need to be ad- personal perspective on dressed, like income inequal- Hillary--the entire arena was ity, climate change and rapt, listening to his folksy campaign finance, to name narrative about their history just three; overall, however, together and all the good the speakers and attendees at Hillary has done for others the convention had good through her decades of servthings to say about the state ice. President Obama is alof our country and how we ways just stunning to see can improve things for those speak--he's an amazing ora-
tor. The speeches given by the Mothers of the Movement were incredibly moving to me. And Khizr Khan's speech--when he drew his US Constitution out of his pocket and offered it to Trump, that brought the house down. Really, the one main thing which struck me about the convention were how many people had personal stories of Hillary helping them, quietly, in the background. There were so many speakers who were average Americans who had reached out for help, and she had helped them and then stayed in touch for years and years. I didn't realize that about Hillary. It really impressed me. These stories convinced me that she really is a good person who genuinely wants to help others. DAVIS: Geoffrey Yoste talked about Cleveland and how organized everything was. How was Philly? Did you feel safe and were things organized? HEMMINS: Yes, I felt safe, and it was impressively wellorganized. Transportation
can be difficult with this many people and safety perimeters, but they did a great job--better than Charlotte in 2012. And the flow of the convention was excellent--great job with pacing and speech ordering. It was very well-orchestrated, and all the visuals and videos were effective and inspiring. DAVIS: What was your reaction to the e-mail (s) that came out just before the convention? How do you think the Wiki Leaks stuff turned out as the week progressed? HEMMINS:Well, it certainly added fuel to the Bernie fans' fires...it was terrible timing, but I don't think it was damaging in the long run, in the minds of too many. Of course the DNC favors Hillary, who has worked for Democrats for decades, over a candidate who only very recently joined the party. I was very pleased to see DNC Vice Chair, Donna Brazile, apologize during a black caucus meeting: "I sincerely apologize, my friends, for those of you who took offense and were offended, for those of you who
feel betrayed and were betrayed by the ridiculous and insensitive and inappropriate emails released from the Democratic Party.” I think that was needed. DAVIS: What was your specific role at the convention? HEMMINS: I was the Clinton Campaign pick as Mississippi representative on the National Rules Committee at the DNC (MS had one Clinton rep on Rules, Bernie campaign picked one rep on Credentials, and then we had one rep on Platform). As a member of a national standing committee, I was a part of the Mississippi Delegation, but not an elected delegate. DAVIS:Where you the only one from Oxford and Lafayette County? HEMMINS: No — we also had attorney Bill Wheeler as an elected delegate. He's been to I think eight conventions! This was my second. DAVIS:What is your take on where the party is currently after the DNC? Is totally united or is there still a little
work to do like some think Trump has to do with the Republicans. HEMMINS: There are some Bernie supporters who won't vote for Hillary, but they are a small minority. Most realize the dire importance of making sure Trump is not elected. He's simply not a normal candidate or person, and handing over the nuclear codes to such a man would be dangerous. DAVIS: What state (s) are the most important to Clinton in your opinion? Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania seem to be the biggest three battleground states. Also Iowa. HEMMINS: I completely agree with your first three states listed. I'd add Virginia; hopefully Hillary's VP pick, Tim Kaine, will help with that one. President Obama won all three states in 2008 and 2012, and no Republican has won Pennsylvania in nearly three decades. So it's important Dems win those states, and the prospects look good. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 9
New parking spots designated by city for taxis BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN
Additional parking spots for taxis have been designated along the side of 10th and 11 streets to help meet the need of residents and those leaving establishments on the Square late at night. Four parking spots designated for taxis that have permits with the city will be located in the area on the right side of the road by The Lyric. There is another four or five spots available on the other side of the block by Funky’s. The new spaces were approved the city, and the new rules go into affect on Thursday. Taxis are currently located further down the streets, but those vehicles are quickly obtained by people who file out of the bars at closing time. With additional spots, the belief is that tickets for public
COURTESY OF OXFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
A map shows the two designated parking areas for taxis. The new rules start tonight. drunkenness or driving under the influence will decrease. Members of the Oxford Police Department will be enforcing the new parking laws. A warning ticket will be issued for the first weeks, but by September, tickets for those that park in the specific spots will be ticketed and possibly
towed away. The parking spots are for taxis starting at 10 o’clock which means anyone who has parked in those spots need to be gone by then. Large boards will be erected in the areas to serve as a reminder to motorists. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Saint Leo offers unique take on pizza, Italian fare BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN
There was a time in Emily Blount’s life that acting was her primary passion. Now, it’s serving the freshest and best food to the residents, and visitors, of Oxford. Through Saint Leo, the restaurant she owns along with her husband, a taste of Italy has never felt more local. A wood burning oven acts as the center piece of the recently opened establishment located on the Square. Margherita pizza and pies that are topped with burrata and soppresatta has brought in patrons to dine at lunch and dinner over the past month, but there is so much more to Saint Leo. Antipasti that include marinated house olives, tomato peach bruschetta and pasta that features littleneck clams also please the palate. There are salads and options for those that don’t want carbs or are gluten-free. As many of the ingredients that can be purchased locally are and that makes Saint Leo even more unique. Blount’s vision for the restaurant started in New York and it captures aspects of her ties to San Francisco as well. “I worked in a lot of restaurants just as a necessity. I was an actress in New York which means you work in restaurants as well. I knew when we decided to move here from New York, I had stopped acting after having my first son and I was in a show for a really long time,” Blount said. “I knew I was going to do something hospitality related, but I didn’t know exactly how it was going to take shape down here. We had been visiting and deciding about where we were going to live and it was definitely an option.” Saint Leo started out in different forms before turning into what it is currently. And because Blount loved the pace of the restaurant industry, she kept working towards having a place to serve and showcase her passion. “I grew up around food. I love amazing food. My mom was an amazing chef. She always had a huge garden which we ate out of all the time,” Blount said. “I love cooking with fire and that was one of the things that
JOEY BRENT | OXFORD CITIZEN
Shown above, Saint Leo staff members include Joie Blount, Marco D’Emidio, Emily Blount, Jeffrey Robinson and Taariq David.
INFORMATION Saint Leo is located at 1101 Jackson Ave. East. Phone is (662) 380-5141. naturally brought me to the wood fire oven. I noticed that there wasn’t one here. I saw that was something missing and the aspects of the California with the Italian simplicity, the fundamentals and ideas of community and being fresh and locally driven just all came together to what is now Saint Leo.” There has been a large outpouring of support, and positive reviews, for Saint Leo, and all of it has exceeded the expectations of Blount. “It’s been awesome. The people, the whole community, has been so welcoming and so enthusiastic and just willing to come in,” Blount said. “That’s one thing that I think is so great about Oxford, the people are so supof portive community-driven projects and businesses. It’s been great. Of course there are bumps in the road and kinks to work out, but it’s all about finding your groove and what works and what doesn’t. I’m happy we opened in July in order to get our legs underneath us and prepare for fall, which I’m sure is going to be busy or hope it’s going to be really busy.”
JOEY BRENT | OXFORD CITIZEN
Saint Leo has been open on the Oxford Square since late June. Prior to the restaurant coming together, Blount first introduced Oxford to her style through pop up events. She had the idea for Saint Leo well before those encounters, but while looking for a space to occupy — she said that took over a year — serving food, with the main concept as the backbone, was executed. “I started working with Dan Latham, who used to have L&M here a while ago. He is a good friend and when I had all the ideas, I called him and what really was a conversation about advice turned into him collaborating with me on this menu and all of the recipes,” Blount said. “Dan and I were working together and that’s
when the pop ups came about.” During that time, Jeff Robinson was helping cook at the pop up events. The two built a relationship, and Robinson is now the head chef at Saint Leo. When Blount was able to find her ideal location, more work was done on the menu while the space was renovated. Blount said that menu took over a year, from start to finish, to complete. “We care so much about not just every item on the menu, but where each of those items are sourced. Everything changes seasonally and when we thought that we were opening in spring, we had a spring menu and then that turned
into summer so we had to switch it to our summer menu,” Blount said. “We also traveled. I’ve gone to L.A. and to Atlanta to eat pizza all over and eat Italian food to see what is going on now in the whole restaurant scene. All of the pizzas have been thoroughly thought out and planned to not only what can we get, but what is delicious. Jeff has really taken what we came up with and is now executing this menu to perfection. “One thing that is awesome about the restaurant industry is that food is an immediate thing people react to,” Blount added. “It’s like you’re doing your art and you’ve either succeeded or failed 72 times a day, plate by
plate. It’s always a challenge and a lot of work. You’re sort of always surfing, dealing with the issue of the day, but honestly that’s what makes it fun and exciting.” Product integrity and quality are both very important to Blount. It’s important to her what people put in their body and she wanted to do that while making the price point accessible. The other aspect that Blount focuses in on is hospitality. Her goal is to find really good people, and then retain them so that the message of expectation is clearly conveyed all the time. “I’m working hard to have a very hospitable place and think that starts with taking care of our staff. When people that work for you are taken care of, then they provide a better guest experience,” Blount said. “It kind of trickles down from there. They are the first line of contact of communication. It’s like helping people raise their emotional intelligence, to read people who come in and try to tailor the guest experience and make people feel just well cared for and special. That would be my biggest goal over time, that this place would feel like a clubhouse for people, that this is their spot.” There are lunch specials, and there have been slight adjustments made to both the dinner and brunch menus. The menu will change in the fall, more when the temperature starts to cool, Blount said. When things can’t be purchased locally, the next ring of “people doing it the right way” are secured for ingredients. “We are constantly looking for farmers and producers who are doing the right thing, who take care of their people and take care of the product that they raise,” Blount said. “I wanted to make this accessible to people who are not into gluten or into carbs. That’s why there are the plates and the salads. There are a bunch of vegan and gluten-free options. There are literally seven or eight things people can choose from and I’m not sure people know that enough right now.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 11
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OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 13
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 15
John Davis Sports Editor
Ole Miss, Oxford well represented in 2016 Olympics
O
lympic fever is set to grip the nation and there is reason to celeberate the latest set of games here locally. Seven Ole Miss track and field atheltes will be in Rio de Janiero to compete for medals. That doesn't even include Connie Price-Smith, the head coach of the Ole Miss program, who is also the head coach of the women's track team. It also doesn't include Anthony Perez, who will be playing basketball for Venezuela or even former soccer player Rafaelle Souza, who will be competing for Brazil. The opening ceremonies are set for Friday, and competition has already started in some sports. One of the seven track athletes who is competing in the Olympics this year is former Oxford High standout Sam Kendricks. He won yet another USA title this past month in Eugene, Oregon. Kendricks won two NCAA outdoor titles at Ole Miss and he's been competing as a professional for over a year. Kendricks has a great chance of winning a medal in his first games. Many locals are excited about what he can do on the biggest stage of his career. It's great exposure for Oxford, and for Ole Miss overall from a recruiting standpoint. Even though there are some SEC schools with more athletes in the Olympics, nine overall from Ole Miss, and seven from one sport, is still a big deal. It's the kind of thing that can add to the momentum, and increase the success that Price-Smith has been able to spark so far in her one season. Price-Smith said she has spoken to a number of the athletes that are from Ole Miss. She is obviously very familiar with Raven Saunders, who will compete in the shot put, having coached her at both Southern Illinois and Ole Miss. PriceSmith said she has invited the former Rebels back home for the cross country meet they will host. “I know all of them and I'm good friends with all of them and talk with them everytime I see them competing,” Price-Smith said. “My goal is to actually a picture with all of us together and send it back. Ole Miss has great tradition and one of my goals TURN TO OLYMPICS PAGE 18
CREDIT
Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly is one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. If he has another great season for the Rebels, and leads them to some more big wins, there are some who feel he will be in the running for the Heisman Trophy.
Leading the Way OM's Kelly has all the tools to win the Heisman Trophy BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
Chad Kelly is a winner. Ask anyone who knows him well. That could be uncle Jim, who also played quarterback and is forever enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame. Ask his coaches, from Buddy Stephens at East Mississippi Community College, the place he made his name, or Hugh Freeze, the one who leads him currently. Kelly had a fantastic 2015 season in Oxford as he led the Rebels to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. He finished with 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns in the air and then another 500 yards 10 touchdowns on the ground. He completed 65.1 percent of his passes and ended the year with an efficiency rating of 155.86. He had all the stats needed to win awards, like the Sugar Bowl MVP, and be considered one of the top signal callers in the nation. With the 2016 season a month away from starting, Kelly is firmly in the spotlight. Ole Miss fans are anxiously awaiting his encore, while the nation is looking to see how he leads a program void of offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and Laquon Treadwell helping out.
Kelly has all the tools to win games, he’s already proven that. His leadership skills improved dramatically as the year went on. He put more on his shoulders. Kelly got the tough yards on runs, and he threaded the needle to wideouts in order to score a touchdown. Can he do it all again? And can he lead the team to the wins that really matter, like Alabama or LSU on the road? If Kelly keeps his stats up, but even more importantly wins those colossal matchups like he was able to last year, then he has a great chance of winning the Heisman Trophy. The key is to remain in the discussion, and let the voters have something to evaluate all the way until the end. “I think a lot of it will be based on what Ole Miss does as a team,” said Robby Donoho, the sports director of WCBI in Columbus who is also a Heisman Trophy voter. “If they get their double-digit wins, if they are able to get to the tops of the SEC West, I think Chad has a great chance of winning it. I think there is some sort of quarterback in the mix, whether that’s (Clemson’s) DeShaun Watson or someone else. I think Chad goes into the season as a Heisman candidate because he did have that great
season. That’s what most Heisman candidates do, they have a great season leading up to a big-time season. I think he’s had that launching pad season to get to that point.” Donoho has voted for the award the past two seasons and what he has looked for more than anything is consistency and a body of work for the entire year. “Take Christian McCaffrey for instance. He was the guy that ended up wining my Heisman vote last year. He consistently did it throughout the year where he had 100-yard games every single game,” Donoho said. “(Alabama’s) Derrick Henry was great, but there was one or two games where he didn’t have the stats he should have. Marcus Mariota was the same way. His stats were exceptional every single game he played at Oregon. That’s why he got my vote. I want to be able to see consistency throughout. If they make a mistake, they don’t make multiple mistakes in a game.” What Donoho means by multiple mistakes when talking about Kelly it revolves around interceptions, or TURN TO HEISMAN PAGE 18
OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Solid up Front Tapp's move from center to tackle makes LHS better BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
One of the first things that Michael Fair did when he arrived at Lafayette was to evaluate his roster. As a former offensive lineman in high school and college, Fair knew solidifying those five spots up front were key to success. There were some question marks and Fair knew that one of the answers would involve senior Drew Tapp. The senior leader started at center for the Commodores in 2015. Fair felt like he could move Tapp to tackle in order to solidify the rotation. Lafayette has started practices leading up to the season opener on Aug. 19, and throughout the summer, Tapp has done his part. “He’s loved the switch. He’s a great fun-loving guy in the locker room. He’ll be over there singing songs or dancing and at the same time, he’s out working everyone around him,” Fair said. “He’s got great work ethic and a great teammate.” Tapp was moved to tackle by Fair because he thought he had great feet and thought that he would be good on the edge handling some pass rush. “He’s quick and when Coach (Jason) Russell came in, he was playing around with him moving from right tackle to left tackle,” Fair said. “He’s got good feet, good hands and he’s a smart football player. He understands the game and we thought it was a good move for him.” Keonte Booker is now playing center for the Commodores after he played guard for the Commodores. Tapp said he has enjoyed the move. The newness
has been enjoyable even though the two positions are different. “I like being out in space more. It’s tougher in different ways. At tackle, you have to be a little more athletic and be able to show you can be able to move,” Tapp said. “You’re isolated one-on-one with your defensive end a lot. At center, you’re working more back blocks with big guys, having to move bodies out of the way basically. It’s different and harder in ways.” The transition has gone well so far and Tapp felt like he was up for the challenge when Fair asked him about the move adding he was willing to do whatever needed to help the team. “I told him if he wanted me to play free safety I would do it,” Tapp said. “(Fair) has a personality that is easy to work for and easy to come up here and practice for. That’s the best way to put it. He gets along with us really well and he knows how to respect us so we can respect him. I’ve always said if you show me respect, you will get all the respect in the world from me. He seems like he lives pretty much the same way.” Even with the loss of a player like Eli Johnson up front, Tapp felt like the offensive line was in line to be good in 2016. “We’ve lost a lot but by the same token, but we have a lot back,” Tapp said. “Coach Russell is a good coach. He really knows what he’s talking about. He’s a great offensive line coach. I could tell from the first day that he really, really knew what he was talking about just from reps and working out with him in practice.” Like a lot of the Commodores,
Tapp felt like the team could be great in 2016. Looking at the schedule heading in, there wasn’t a team that Tapp didn’t like the Commodores’ chances against. “I’ve watched these kids worked. When we’re out there running 100s, I sit there to myself and say I don’t see how we can’t do it,” he said. “I don’t see why not us. We work so hard and I don’t see how any other team in 4A is working as hard as us.” Tapp will be protecting for a seasoned quarterback in Will Ard, and opening holes for a number of weapons on offense. “I think we have some really explosive athletes on offense and I think we’ve got a really good offensive line to run the ball behind and protect our quarterback,” Tapp said. “I think we have an excellent quarterback. I think we’re going to be an excellent first down run team and really be able to air the ball out. We have receivers who can go out and get open and we have a quarterback who can deliver the ball. It’s really a pro style. It’s run first but with some shorter play-action and passes off those runs. We can stack the box and be real powerful when we need to. We have a lot of options, we really do. I’m very excited.” And defensively, because Tapp has gone up against them in workouts, Lafayette could be just as formidable. “The defense is so incredibly athletic. They’re going to do like they do every year. They’re going to fly to the football and make great tackles and dominate,” Tapp said. JOHN DAVIS | OXFORD CITIZEN
John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
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Drew Tapp has been moved from center to tackle in order to solidify the offensive line for Lafayette.
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 17
Annual 'Meet the Rebels Day' event on Aug. 13 Ole Miss fans will get an opportunity to interact with their favorite athletes during the 2016 Meet the Rebels Day. The annual event will take place Aug. 13 at the Manning Center. Doors will open to Rebel Kids’ Club Members (with up to two parents or guardians) at 12:30 p.m., at the east entrance of the facility, by the Grill at 1810. To enroll a child in the Rebel Kids’ Club, visit www.RebelKidsClub.com. The general public may enter at 1 through the south entrance, which faces the track & field complex. Admission to Meet The Rebels is free. Fans will enter via the south entrance of the Manning Center. Admission is first-come, first-serve. The line for Meet The Rebels will form at the south end of the Manning Center and continue toward Hill Drive. Only one entrance will be used to enter for the event. Fans are encouraged to park in the parking garage located at the corner of Hill Drive and All-American Drive. As the Manning Center opens, the Rebel soccer, volleyball, rifle and spirit squads will be greeting fans and signing autographs. Football coaches and players will be signing autographs and visiting with fans from 1 until 3, when the event comes to a close. In order to quicken the
lines and accommodate as many people as possible, fans are limited to one autographed item per individual player or coach, and photos or videos with football coaches and players will not be permitted. The Rebel Locker Room will be selling apparel, media guides and other merchandise. Additionally, the Ole Miss Athletics Ticket Office will be selling single-game tickets to the Rebels’ home opener against Wofford (Sept. 10). New team posters will be handed out and fans can also get their picture taken with the Sugar Bowl Trophy, the Magnolia Bowl Trophy as well as Egg Bowl Trophy. Chick-fil-A will be providing boxed lunches for purchase, and a food tasting exhibit will also be available at the event. A live broadcast from the stage will air on Q105 (105.1 and 105.5 FM in the Oxford area) beginning at 1 p.m. with an onair team led by the "Voice of the Rebels" David Kellum. Several Ole Miss coaches and administrators will be interviewed, including head football coach Hugh Freeze and athletics director Ross Bjork. Fans posting on social media about their Meet the Rebels Day experience should use the hashtag #MeetTheRebels.
JOHN DAVIS | OXFORD CITIZEN
The annual “Meet the Rebels Day” will be held on Aug. 13 inside the Manning Center.
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OXFORD CITIZEN
Heisman FROM 15
COURTESY OF SAM KENDRICKS
Former Oxford High and Ole Miss track standout Sam Kendricks is projected to win a medal in pole vault in the 2016 Olympics games, which are set to begin in Rio de Janeiro.
Olympics FROM 15
when I came here was to keep building on that tradition. I feel like I've been able to do that with having Raven going and Gwen (Berry) going. It's just great to go and represent the United States and Ole Miss at the same time.” It's not a surprise that Saunders is competing in the Olympics. There is also a chance for her to win a medal, and if not this year, the future is bright because Saunders is still so young. Performing at a high level allowed Saunders to earn her spot on the team, and she doesn't want that to change even though she made her goal. Once the arrived in Rio, there will be some opportunities to experience the pagentry that surrounds the games. Saunders said she would really like to meet tennis sensation Serena Williams. “I feel like I'm going to have to clear room in my phone for all
the pictures I'm going to take,” Saunders said with a laugh. “I've been going through Team USA and looking for people who I want to get autographs from.” Berry, who serves as a volunteer coach at Ole Miss and will compete in the hammer throw, she was looking forward to seeing Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, who are both members of Team USA basketball. “Besides that, I'm going to focus on myself and what I have to do. Opening ceremonies, I'm going to get a picture,” Berry said. Price-Smith felt like the team she will coach in Rio was well rounded, not only from an age standpoint, but also in terms of talent. “I think everybody that competed in the trials showed up and competed well and I think we will go down to Rio and do the same,” Price-Smith said. John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
turnovers in general. “I want to see him not have three or four picks and a good completion percentage, and touchdowns and then get your team nine or 10 wins. I think that’s what he has to do in order to stay in consideration,” Donoho added. McCaffrey ultimately finished second to Henry in the voting of last year’s Heisman Trophy. Henry is now in the NFL, but McCaffrey is back at Stanford and gearing up his redshirt sophomore season. He is one of the top candidates coming into the season, along with Watson, who also threw for just over 4,000 yards like Kelly and led the Tigers to the College Football Playoff Championship. Of course, those are just a fraction of the players who are on the radar. In the SEC, Georgia’s Nick Chubb and LSU’s Leonard Fournette are major contenders. And both Georgia and LSU are on the Rebels’ schedule this season. “I think those 3, Watson, McCaffrey and Fournette, are the top three coming into the season. But coming into last season, everyone thought Fournette was going to be the Heisman guy and then somebody came out of nowhere,” Donoho said. “I think being the Heisman guy or a potential Heisman candidate isn’t the best option. I think it may be better to have lower or tempered expectations so that you can work yourself up towards the top. That’s why Chad is in such a great position right now. He’s being talked about, maybe not a top 5 kind of guy, but he’s being mentioned. He is in the conversation and he can work himself into the top with some good stats and a good season.” There are some early challenges, and showcases, that will help Kelly if he is able to lead the Rebels to wins. Ole Miss opens up with Florida State, which has a Heisman candidate in Dalvin Cook. In Week 3, the Rebels host Alabama and then follow that up with Georgia. LSU is on the Rebels’ calendar later in the year, and on the road. A win at Tiger Stadium would be another feather in Kelly’s cap. Donoho said former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was hurt late in the 2014 season by the way he played against Alabama. “He was the leading candidate going into that game, but after he lost that game, it all went downhill,” Donoho said. “There are certain games that more gets put into them, more eyes are on them. There was a magnitude to that game so I think for Chad,
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
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Very few times do you find somebody that wins the Heisman on a subpar team. I think it’s a big team effort.
Buddy Stephens, East Mississippi Community College football head coach the Alabama game is going to be big. I think the LSU game is going to be large as well. He has the potential, with the Egg Bowl at the end, to possibly leading the team into the SEC Championship. Those are the types of games where you want to showcase your talents and your school. I think those are the ones he has to perform well in and Ole Miss has to get to nine or 10 wins for him to have a chance for him to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony.” Stephens laughed a little when asked if Kelly can win the Heisman because he looks at it as a team award. As good as the former Lion can be from a stat standpoint, wins and losses, and help from his teammates, is what will determine things for Kelly. “If Chad plays well and the rest of the team plays well, I think he has a very good chance of winning the Heisman,” Stephens said. “Very few times do you find somebody that wins the Heisman on a subpar team. I think it’s a big team effort. If he plays at a high level, and the rest of the team does as well, there are accolades that come along for everybody. Does he have the talent? I definitely think so. Will the team have the talent? I definitely think so. I’m excited for the year and to see what happens.” Kelly and Stephens keep up with each other on a regular basis. Stephens knows for a fact that Kelly is very comfortable with the offense and the coaching staff, and his leadership has grown tremendously. “I expect him to be more of the player that I think he can be. He can be even more dominant than he was last year, and that’s saying a lot,” Stephens said. “When I went to Pearl River and played junior college ball, I was able to room with Scott Favre. I’ve seen him and Brett Favre throwing the ball. There has only been two guys that I’ve ever heard the ball going through the air when they threw it besides Brett Favre. One was Randall Mackey and the other is Chad Kelly. The ball whistles.” Humble is the word that Stephens used to define Kelly from a personality standpoint, especially when it relates to winning awards. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t think the Heisman Trophy is Chad Kelly’s end all. I don’t think
that’s what his goal is,” Stephens said. “He wants to win a championship. If he is in contention for a Heisman, and the thing that will make him in contention for the Heisman, is that he’s not worried about the Heisman. He is only worried about winning as a team and the team goals. That’s why I think he will have the opportunity to put himself in that conversation because of the way he thinks.” Eli Manning was the last Ole Miss quarterback that even entered the discussion about winning the Heisman Trophy. He was a finalist his senior season in 2003, losing out to Oklahoma’s Jason White. Prior to that Deuce McAllister garnered a lot of attention heading into the 2000 season, but his campaign only produced moderate success before fading and then being completely out of the discussion. Ole Miss has never had a player win the Heisman. Archie Manning got close in the voting when he quarterbacked the Rebels, but even his overall play-making ability didn’t impress enough to win college football’s top individual award. The biggest difference between Kelly and Archie Manning is the exposure college football gets now. Years ago, a campaign had to be formulated and voters had to get constant information on that player. Now, with every game on TV, and the Internet filled with instant stats, exposure isn’t a problem. It will all revolve around wins, and losses, for Kelly. If he plays well, and the Rebels are as good, or better than they were in 2015, then he will be in the discussion all the way until the end. A trip to New York as a finalist would be outstanding. A win would be program changing in a lot of ways. The Heisman shouldn’t be the main goal for Kelly this season, or even thought about. Focus on each week, each opponent is all he needs to worry about. Still, if he is able to lock up the hardware, then the significance will be huge for the Rebels and the program moving forward. Kelly’s legacy would be cemented forever, just like Archie’s and Eli’s are. A Heisman Trophy would be a fitting end for a quarterback who has all the talent, and the pedigree, to be at the top of the college football ranks. john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
PAGE 19
Drewrey pleased with work put in by LHS coaches, athletes over the summer SPORTS EDITOR
There was no summer vacation for Lafayette Athletics Director Gary Drewrey. There wasn’t time to visit the beach or even take a road trip because this summer was the busiest one he had been a part of. From 7-on-7 tournaments to watching baseball and basketball games, Drewrey was keeping up with a number of different sports. “It was by far the busiest summer I’ve been a part of. It was unbelievable,” Drewrey said. “I’ve never seen a school get as much done in the summer time athletically. Our coaches, our coaching staffs, the work they put in is just unbelievable. They’re good to the kids and they’re good at their jobs. And all of them are passionate about their sport. It’s a lot of fun to watch them work.” Drewrey felt like the teams are as prepared for the upcoming school year as they possibly can be because of the work they put in during the summer. “I think we’re ready for the challenges of our district as we ever have been. As I’ve said before, we have great kids who are passionate about Lafayette,” Drewrey said. The biggest goals for Drewrey haven’t changed from the first day he started on the job back in 2014. He wants to continue the building process in each sport, and he felt like that vision and philosophy is shared by everyone. “I think everybody here thinks the same way and that is they don’t just want a great team, they want to have a great program,” he said. “Great teams take care of themselves. If you have a great program, you’re always going to have competitive teams. And when I say competitive, I don’t mean by how many games you win. I mean have a chance to build. You measure the job somebody is doing by how much their team improves from week one until the playoffs start and then you measure how good your team is by not necessarily winning state championships, but by whoever beats you is going to have to play great because your team is going to play great.” In high school athletics, coaches are limited on the amount of talent they have to work with. Drewrey believes that it’s not how talented the team is but how well the team is organized. “There is a lot you can do as a coach to prepare your team to not fail,” he said. “I think everybody up here has a great work-
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We have a legitimate shot at winning several state championships this calendar year. And that’s because of the way things are rolling. There is a lot of excitement in every sport.
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BY JOHN DAVIS
Gary Drewrey, Lafayette Athletic Director JOHN DAVIS | OXFORD CITIZEN
ing relationship. We spend a lot of time talking about having vision for the future. I think that’s important. Nothing is worse than to be talking about what you don’t have. “Every team can be successful and you don’t have to have the best players to win. You have to have the best team. When I think about the best team, Phil Ferguson, the year he won the state championship at Bruce, they went the last 14 quarters of the football season without turning the ball over. You’re awful hard to beat in football if you don’t turn the ball over. You can beat a lot of teams that are better than you if they do turn the ball over.” Drewrey felt like the Commodores were going to be more successful overall than they have been in a long time. That’s across the board, not just in football. “We have a legitimate shot at winning several state championships this calendar year,” Drewrey said. “And that’s because of the way things are rolling. There is a lot of excitement in every sport.” There have been upgrades made to the facilities that are used by the athletes. New weights were added in the fieldhouse, and Drewrey said a lot of work can get accomplished compared to the past. “One of the best hires I’ve ever made is Jason Russell. We’ve had a tremendous gain this summer in strength and conditioning,” Drewrey said. “It’s not just Jason either. He’s not doing anything in there that Coach (Michael) Fair doesn’t want him to do. I do think our new weight room is going to show dividends very quickly, in
www.oxfordcitizen.com CONTACT US • Sports Editor, John Davis, john.davis@journalinc.com • News reporter, Chaning Green, chaning.green@journalinc.com • Advertising, Sarah Brooke Bishop, sarahbrooke.bishop @journalinc.com, (662) 801-9607 CORRECTIONS The Oxford Citizen will correct any error found in the newspaper. To request a correction or clarification, call (662) 816-1282. A correction or clarification will appear in the next issue.
Lafayette Athletics Director Gary Drewrey is upbeat about what all the programs can accomplish this calendar year. game one. I had one of the assistant coaches tell me that they had worked a lot more hours up here this summer than they ever had. Our kids have too. From what I’ve seen, they’re having so much fun out there that it’s not like work.” On top of new additions from a facilities standpoint, Lafayette has added sports — archery, bowling and swimming — since Drewrey has been on the job. Nicole Robinson will instruct the swimming
team this coming fall. “I think bowling was a great addition but we’re a county school and the coolest thing is to go and watch 60 kids in archery,” Drewrey said. “That’s a lifetime skill. It’s not like playing football where you line up a play for the next 40 years. Swimming is the same thing. Those things are just as important for us to offer. That’s their chance to participate in sports that they wouldn’t have. Swimming can be the same thing. I’m excited that we’re able to offer things to kids that a lot of other schools can’t. We can offer things to kids that they can carry with them the rest of their lives, sports that they can participate in the rest of their lives that are good for them. It’s a wide variety of things to get involved in and anytime you’re involved in school stuff, the atmosphere at school is better.” Drewrey has seen the support carry over to the different coaching staffs as well. He noticed that when the annual coaching convention was going on. “They hung out with everyone and almost every coach was there. Football, baseball, basketball coaches all work together because everyone wants that other program to do well,” Drewrey said. “That’s huge, too. There isn’t any jealousy from one sport to the other. It’s just the right kind of folks.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd
OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
Schools cultivate good relationships with police BY PARRISH ALFORD DAILY JOURNAL
Before a Northeast Mississippi man was shot and killed by a Tupelo police officer, before a streak of incidents in other cities and states sparked outrage and demonstrations, and before officers were slain in Dallas, area college football coaches had long been proactive with law enforcement. Having seen a face on a practice field, having shaken a hand or posed for a picture can help both parties work through trust issues that can quickly arise if police are called to a disturbance in a community. Building trust and respect between their players and law enforcement are goals both Dan Mullen and Hugh Freeze have set out to accomplish. Mullen says law enforcement officials are present at Mississippi State practices almost every day. When players see the officers – and sometimes their family members – something clicks. “One of the things that will shock a lot of young players is here’s a guy with local law enforcement, he’s come out in full uniform. He has his two kids with him, and he wants a picture with me,” Mullen said at SEC Media Days. “It gets them to see and respect (officers) in a new light when they understand and respect what sacrifices these people and their families make on a daily basis.” Some players may come from a background where respect for law enforcement is natural and understood. Others may come from a different background. College football brings many backgrounds together, and if all goes according to plan, those players blend together to reach a common goal. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey referenced the nation’s officer involved shootings and subsequent unrest early in his opening remarks at SEC Media Days. “As college athletes we have a stage to show how different types of people come from different places and come together as one to perform,” Ole Miss tight end
JOSH MCCOY | OLE MISS ATHLETICS
Evan Engram said. “As a sport we kind of set an example of how different types of backgrounds work together.” It’s not uncommon for young people, whether college athletes or not, who are present when a disturbance breaks out in public to be questioned by police. The familiarity gained in a non-threatening environment could keep a situation down the road from escalating. Freeze also has officers around his Ole Miss program often. He keeps open the lines of communication, and officers will make sure he knows when there’s an event in town, a concert for example, that will attract a lot of college students. One way to avoid a difficult encounter is to avoid a difficult situation. “Say you’re at a bar, and they get to fighting. Just get out, just leave,” MSU defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson said. “If you get pulled over don’t try to talk back. Just say, ‘Yes sir, no sir.’ It makes everything go a lot smoother.” Ole Miss players on occasion will participate in “ride-
alongs” with Oxford Police. That gives them the chance to witness routine traffic stops and other adventures of the beat. “We do that from time to time particularly with kids who may have made a poor decision,” Freeze said. Engram and Jefferson are used to seeing officers around their football buildings and practice fields. “They bring their kids out. We give them gloves and stuff, take pictures with them and throw the football with them,” Jefferson said. “It’s all fun when they come.”
RECENT ARRESTS Both local schools have current players being disciplined now after recent brushes with law enforcement. Mullen took multiple questions on State’s decision to enroll freshman Jeffery Simmons after his arrest when multiple hits to the face of a female were caught on video. Ole Miss players Breeland Speaks and Rod Taylor are working their way back to good standing after misdemeanor arrests. Other SEC coaches were
JOHN DAVIS | OXFORD CITIZEN
Ole Miss coach High Freeze believs in an open line of communication with police officers, including having officers stop by the program. questioned in Hoover about their own player arrests. Freeze and Mullen are confident that educating their players on boundaries and expectations and building relationships with officers throughout the season helps lower the number of such experiences. “You don’t want any situ-
ations, but they’re kids, and they make mistakes like college kids do. The first thing I want to know from the report is how did our kids act in respect to the officers?” Freeze said. “Knock on wood, I haven’t had one yet that the police felt like our kids were out of line with respect. I
think that goes back to the fact that we’ve educated them, and we’ve brought (officers) in. Our chief and his guys have gotten to know our guys and in fall camp spent some time with us.” parrish.alford@journalinc.com Twitter: @parrishalford
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
OXFORD CITIZEN
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U-10 Yalobusha Giants win national championship BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR
The Yalobusha Giants 10-andUnder baseball team were crowned Kentucky Youth Baseball National Champions for 2016. The victory came in Elizabethtown and the six-day tournament ran from July 22-28. A total of 60 teams from around the country, Canada and Puerto Rico took part in the tournament. The Giants defeated the Legends Prospects, a team out of Middleton, Massachusetts, in the championship contest. The victory was the third meeting between the teams. The Prospects beat the Giants 9-4 in the first meeting. Yalobusha won 3-1 in the second meeting on the second day of the tournament before winning the title game in convicing fashion, 8-2. Other wins for the Giants included two victories over Macome, Michigan, 11-4 and 10-0. The Giants also beat another team from Michigan, Oakland, 17-6. The Giants also defeated a team from Chesapeake, Virginia. Bryce Burnett started the title
COURTESY OF JASON FARESE
Members of the U10 Yalobusha Giants include, kneeling left to right: Sharpe Smith, Barrett Kamman, second row, Grayson Alford, Bryce Butnett, Carson Norwood, Luke Farese, Rowan Gordon, Cory Langley, third row, Corey Watkins, Michael Johnson, Jackson Hood and back row, coaches Brandon Smith, Jason Farese and Chris Robertson. game for the Giants on the strikeouts in just four innings of mound before ace Carson Nor- work. wood finished out the game. A total of six Giants were seNorwood finished with eight lected to play in the All-Star
game. Luke Farese went 12-for18 with two doubles and 10 RBIs. He also scored 12 runs and stole 10 bases. Corey Watkins was 10-
for-19 with 13 RBIs. Sharpe Smith had four doubles in the six hits he had and five RBIs. He also logged two shutout innings on the mound. Rowan Gordon was 5-for-14 with five RBIs. He also pitched four innings, striking out three and scattering four hits. Jackson Hood was 6-for-14 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs. He also logged two innings on the mound. Norwood pitched 9 1/3 innings during the week, giving up just one earned run. He finished with 14 strikeouts against just five hits allowed. Coaches also praied the play of Grayson Alford, who scored five runs and drove in four. Michael Johnson had seven innings of work, allowing only one earned run. He also finished with seven strikeouts and drove in two runs in the title win. Burnett finished with a double and four RBIs, along with six stolen bases. He also scored 11 runs and had four innings on the mound without allowing a run. Cory Langley finished with five RBIs and seven stolen bases. As a team, the Giants hit .417 with an on-base percentage of .508 during the seven games. They also scored 68 runs and posted an ERA of 2.74.
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OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016