BACK Thecompleteback-to-schoo l guidefortheMcIntosh Chiefs 2022-2023 AUGUST 2022 Vol 38, Issue 1 MAC to JOINUS:MHSCLUBSANDORGANIZATIONS PARK LIKE A PRO senioradvicefromthe classof2022 Q& A WITH COACH SMITH and his plans for Chiefs football welcome McIntoshHighSchoolPeachtreeCity,Ga. MCINTOSHTRAILSTUDENTNEWSwhat 's inside 7 6 14 4-5 STAYING BALANCED12 grade level tguide o a stress free year 10-11
fromseniorswhowerefreshmenonce "Joining
Abbey Terry, class of 2022 clubs and organizations is a big part of the high school experience meet new people who turn into your best friends all while doing things enjoy, like art or volunteering Emma Bellantoni, classof 2022 joinactiv classof 2022
The McIntosh Trail isa member of the Georgia Scholastic PressAssociation and the National Scholastic PressAssociation Asa scholastic publication, it subscribesto the Code of Ethicsof the Societyof Professional Journalists the are encouraged be signed; nameswill be withheld onlyin exceptional cases The staff reservesthe right to edit be sent via email to the mcintoshtrail@fcboe org
Lettersmust
The McIntosh Trail ispublished digitallyat mhstrail org asa limited public forum for student expression for McIntosh High School, in Peachtree City, GA, bythe student membersof the newspaper staff, under the direction of a facultyadviser Thisissue ispublished asthe back to school issue and isdistributed to the student bodyat no cost thanksto the generosity of the PTSO and local advertisers
The McIntosh Trail hasbeen publishing student newsrelating to McIntosh High School since 1984, producing award winning stories and photographyand consistentlypublishing transparent, honest reporting to the community Mygoalsfor thisyear are to improve our scoresat state and national level scholastic pressassociations, continue our ethical writing, and build a strong bond between the studentsand the staff The Trail would like to thank the PTSO for their financial support of thisback to school edition to bring the student bodyvaluable information about the 2022 2023 school year. Inside our veryfirst back to school issue, you'll find plentyof information about clubsand organizations, an interview with new Head Football Coach Derek Smith, a map of the building, and so much more. I am extremelyproud of the hard work the outgoing staff and editorsput into thisprint edition You can contact usbycommenting on our website mhstrail.org, emailing usat mcintoshtrail@fcboe.org or through our Instagram @mcintosh trail Please feel free to get in touch with the issuesthat matter to you the Trail staff wantsto hear from you
You
softball team freshman year
"
joinasport 5 takeadvantageofeverymoment
national origin, sexor handicap in educational programs, activitiesand employment. EDITORIN CHIEF: Rebekah Bushmire MANAGING EDITOR/ FEATURESEDITOR: Lulu Vitulo NEWSEDITOR: Savannah Hayes OPINIONSEDITOR: Marjorie Smedley ADVISER: Shanon Woolf, CJE Contributing Trail Editorsof the Classof 2022: Jordyn Mobley, Landon Wilde, Zara Morgan, MaxLawson Trail Staff Contributors: Morgan Green, Estrella Jones, Alise Morawsky, Talia Morley, Chloe Torrechilla, AudreyZimmerman LETTER RebekahBushmire,TrailEditorinChief EDITOR 2intro fromthe FRESHMEN... TOPTIPSFOR 1 2 3 4"Once you enter McIntosh, academicallyyou start completelyfresh Whatever gradesyou mayhave earned in middle school, collegesaren't ever going to see So make sure you understand that even freshmen year, yourgradeswill matter" Morgan Green, class of 2022 "
The Fayette CountyBoard of Education doesnot discriminate on the basisof race, color, Playing on the helped form friendshipsthat I might not have formed before and now some of my teammatesare mybest friends?
me
you
ities gradesmatter-startingnow makeschoolapriority ?Do your work , don't procrastinate and don't let small obstacles get in the way of you getting stuff done ? FaithMiller,
all lettersto the editor Letterscan
The year will fly by so quick ly and before kyou now it, you will be graduating Make sure to live in the moment as much as Ppossible articipate in every activity that is offered You will seriously regret it if you don?t take advantage of every moment
Editor
The McIntosh Trail'swebsite ismhstrail org and publishesstoriesand photographsdaily The McIntosh Trail hasan active Instagram (@mcintosh trail) and Twitter (@mcintosh trail) where followerscan keep up with school events Signed editorialsrepresent the opinionsof the writer and should not be interpreted asrepresenting those of McIntosh High School, Fayette CountySchools, the administration, the faculty, or the student body Unsigned editorialsrepresent the opinion of a majorityof the McIntosh Trail editorial board Advertising ratesare available; please call (770) 631 3232 or email adviser Shanon Woolf at woolf shanon@fcboe org
Lettersto
JordynMobley, classof 2022
Besideshomework, balancing extracurriculars and free time can be difficult. It?snot impossible, but keep in mind what you?re prioritizing. Having extracurricularscan even provide structure ?For me, I find that I manage my time better whenever I actually have other activities and extracurriculars going on If I don't, my brain just doesn't work that way,? senior Rachel Slepicka said. However, while McIntosh sportsand club offeringsare extensive, don? t overfill your schedule beyond what your academicsand other commitmentsallow ?[Homework ] was hard to do during lacrosse season; I would stay up until like two a.m. every single night because of how much it was,? Paynter said.
Storyand GraphicbyLuluVitulo, FeaturesEditor foreign language Some departmentswon? t take late assignments, and othersleave their policiesup to individual teachers Alwaysremember to communicate with your teacher, who maybe willing to give extensionsif you communicate difficultiesahead of time, or theycan help you sort out the problem. Telling a teacher about reasonswhy work waslate after it?s alreadylate won? t do much to help the situation
tipsforbeingmoreproductive andusingtimetoyouradvantage
MATTEROFTIME
Asthe new school year begins, it?simportant to start it right and with a plan One of the biggest challengeswill be the amount of homework Especiallyfreshman year, the workload can get overwhelming, and assignmentscan start slipping by ?The [high school] work load is a lot more than it was in middle school [T]here was less of it, and it was easier,? sophomore Gerardo Perezsaid Starting homework in anyextra classtime, and finishing up at home isa better plan than waiting to do it all after school. Starting homework right after school or waiting to start after dinner will really depend on whether or not you playa sport or have a job Waiting until too late at night can lead to a slippery slope that pushesinto the time you should be sleeping ?I managed [my work ] by honestly just staying up really late, because it was so much,? junior Jenna Paynter said There?ll be a lot lessstressbeing able to wind down after eating and getting in those eight hours Grading doesn? t change a lot from middle school to high school, but knowing your teachers?grading policiesisreallyimportant At McIntosh, core subjectshave department policiesthat are the same for everyteacher in that department, like math, science, or
2timemanagement it'sonlya
Children's Literature for Children To educate and inspire club membersabout children's literature so they will help collect and share bookswith underprivileged communities
connectedtowhatyoulove
Knitting and Crochet Club To provide hands on opportunitiesto learn new skillsand make a variety of projects
Academic Team competesin meetsthroughout the year Memberspractice regularlyto increase their knowledge in a varietyof topics Ambassadors work with studentswho are new to MHSto help them make a smooth transition Our Ambassadorsoften provide new studentsand their parentswith their first impression of McIntosh Art Club meetsfor studio time and art related service for the school and community Anyone can join Art Club Black Student Union To provide a safe space for Black studentsto learn, give back and participate in their community
Global Citizens Club To promote greater awarenessof the global community
Key Club To promote community service
French Club To promote interest in and enrich student understanding of the French language and culture
GSA To provide a safe place for studentsof all genders, religions, race, and sexualityto bond, participate in fun activitiesand create friendships Guitar Club To engage new and experienced players, enthusiasts, or those seeking to learn more about guitar playing HOSA: Future Health Professionals to empower its members?to become leadersin the global health community through education, collaboration and experience.? Interact Club To bring together young people and develop leadership skills
During the 2021 2022 school year, The Unity Project worked with various communityservice organizationsincluding the NAACP, Healing4Heroes, Keep Peachtree CityBeautiful and the Midwest Food Bank All are welcome to join the club at anytime.
Membersof the Knitting and Crochet Club at a spring 2021 meeting Photo byCamilla O'Connell Membersof the French Club at the 2021 Homecoming parade Photo submitted bySarahArriola 4clubs&orgs
Environmental Club To maintain the school wide recycling program affiliated with the town Fellowship of Christian Athletes To promote fellowship, worship and discipleship among Christian athleticsand students
Debate Club To develop the skillsof debate to build a foundation for participation in democracy.
The club strives"to provide a medium to connect studentsfrom McIntosh High School with non-profit organizationsin the community," said TracyGuo, classof 2022 and the former president of The UnityProject "Everymember of our club isdedicated to bettering our communityand devoting their time to causessuch asalleviating hunger, supporting veteransand wounded animals, conserving our cityand spreading civic engagement,?Guo said Last April, The UnityProject volunteered alongside the Midwest Food Bank. Through their effortstheywere able to feed over seven thousand people The club also hostsKindnessMatters meetings, where memberstake part in arts and craftsprojects The purpose of these craftsisto write positive messagesfor others in a creative way. The best wayto attend a meeting, Guo said, isto "payattention to the posters around the school that provide information meetinglike-minded peoplecanhelpyoufee l
A Thousand Lives Book Club
To foster in studentsa lifelong habit of reading for pleasure
JOINYOU? mindifI
WHAT TOJOINInformationgatheredfromthe official MHSextracurricularwebsite atwww.fcboe.org/Domain/551
International Thespian Society To promote participation in and appreciation of theatre arts
There are a lot of clubsto join for McIntosh studentswho would like to contribute to making their communitybetter The UnityProject, Beta Club and the Key Club are three such service based clubsat McIntosh
Japanese Cultural Club To educate and immerse membersin Japanese culture
German Club To promote interest in the German language and culture
Young Libertarians To provide a forum for the promotion and discussion of libertarian idealsand to honor our founding fathersand their creation of the Constitution of the United States
Young Republicans To advance the idealsof the Republican Party bydiscussing relevant issuesand supporting Republican candidates
Studentswho want to join must sustain at least 10 service hoursper year and a 3 7 GPA in order to remain in the club. Students that meet these conditionsare welcome to join the Beta Club at the start of their sophomore year
McIntosh Aeronautics
Young Democrats To advance the idealsof the Democratic Party bydiscussing relevant issuesand supporting Democratic candidates
Much like the UnityProject, the Beta Club encouragesstudentsto partake in communityservices
misCHIEF Literary Magazine
To create a lterarymagazine that showcasesthe manytalented writersand artistsat MHS.
former English teacher Alysa Johnson, the sponsor for the National Beta Club, said The Beta Club incorporatesboth communityservice and academic excellence.
McIntoshhasawidevarietyofclubs&activitiesthat cankeepyouconnected
The Trail Student News Site convergesprint, photographyand digital media to tell the storiesof MHSstudentsand communityat their award winning newssite mhstrail org
"It looksgood on your college resume and there are leadership opportunities,? junior Christan Clarke said The Key Club hassimilar goalsasThe UnityProject and Beta Club. Much like Beta Club, the KeyClub offersleadership opportunitiesto studentswilling to join the club.
Korean American Student Association To give studentsof all backgroundsan opportunityto experience and explore the Korean culture and to share and celebrate Korean heritage Latin Club To meet with other studentsthat share an interest in Latin and to promote the studyof Latin and classical antiquity Math Team and Club To develop math skillsto prepare for competitive events
5clubs&orgs
The Beta Club "combinesservice and academic excellence"
The Society for Social Equality To promote intersectional equalityand raise awarenessand fundsfor select non profit organizationsto help aid our community, with a focus on women
The Unity Project isa club whose purpose isto engage in and initiate volunteer projectswithin our community World Linguistics Club To learn about languagesthat are not provided in the FCBOEcurriculum World Religions Club To learn about and embrace the significant charactersand storiesof the many religionsof the world
The Legend Yearbook uses journalism, photographyand graphic design to create and design the award winning McIntosh High School yearbook
"KeyClub isa veryunique and special service organization because of its international impact, involvement, and outreach," senior Mahika Patel, president of the KeyClub, said The opportunitiesthat the KeyClub providesare brought bythe KiwanisFamily connectionsand participation scan here for a complete list of MHSclubsand torganizations, heir sponsors, and how to contact them
PALS All studentsmayjoin and experience friendshipsat MHS Club membersmaybe allowed to volunteer at Fayette CountySpecial Olympicsin the spring if theymeet requirementsof participation and grades. PTSO Club To aid and support the PTSO and to operate the Outpost (school store) Spanish Club To engage in activitiesdesigned to enrich student understanding of Hispanic culturesand languages
Membersof The UnityClub at the April 2022 Midwest Food Bank Photo Tby racyGuo
Student Government
StorybyAlise Morawsky, Trail staff about meeting dates,"she said. Guo also advisesupcoming first year studentsnot to "be afraid to join service clubs and explore the opportunitiesthat clubshave to offer"
To provide opportunitiesfor competition in the design, construction, operation, and application of drones Multi Cultural Club To promote an increased understanding of diverse culturesthrough exploration and celebration of tradition, language, and heritage
The Student Government Association plansstudent eventssuch as homecoming and prom and we raise moneyfor school improvements
StorybyJordynMobley, classof 2022 Photo byCaroline Franklin, LegendYearbookPhotographyEditor classof
Apply to Multiple Colleges Do Not Rely on One Program
Do Not Let Senioritis Get to You Slacking off isnot in your best interest. It isessential to keep your gradesup because collegesstill look at your gradesduring senior year "Just because it?s your last year doesn? t mean that you can slack off Keep trying like you previouslywould and appreciate it,?Javier Peralta Carillo, classof 2022, said. Even if you are accepted into a college during the first semester, collegeshave the abilityto retract your acceptance if your gradesslip significantly "Definitely don? t slack off You?re so close, so don? t give up now,"Wright said classof2023:howtohavethe senioryearofyourdreams
Apply for as Many Scholarships as you can
There are manywebsitessuch asScholarshipscom and Scholarship Owl that aid you in finding scholarshipsthat are specific to you It isimportant to apply to multiple scholarshipsbecause you never know how much moneyyou could receive The $500 scholarshipsand the $1000 scholarshipswill start to add up Eventually, you will end up with a lot of moneyif you search ?Definitely get scholarshipsand start looking for these assoon aspossible Definitely don? t slack off You?re so close, so don? t give up now,"Sanaa Wright, classof 2022, said Didn't Get the Score You Want? Keep Trying It isimportant to tryand get the highest score possible for you on the SATor ACT; especiallyif you are going to college in Georgia If you are eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship, it requiresyou to have at least a 26 on the ACTor a 1200 on the SAT. It isessential to get these scoresbecause that securesfree tuition for anypublic school in Georgia If you do not plan to go to a school in Georgia, it isstill necessaryto get a good ACT/SATscore because you can earn scholarshipsfrom out of state schoolswith your ACT/SATscores.
If you have no idea where you want to go, it mayseem stupid to just randomly applying to colleges ?The advice I have for upcoming seniorsisto start your college applicationsearlybecause the deadlinesapproach faster than you expect,?Anna Duvall, classof 2022, said Most collegesgive out scholarships in the fall semester for studentswho applybefore the prioritydeadline Aslong asyou are not committing to that college with earlydecision, there isno harm in applying during the earlyapplication pool.
6seniors 2023
Seniors, if you don? t have any idea where to start preparing for your senior year, the entire processcan seem daunting However, these tipswill set you up perfectlyfor graduation and beyond Start Applying for Colleges Early
Manystudentshave their mind set on their dream school and theycompletely overlook collegeswith better opportunities If you have the financial abilityto attend your dream school, that?sgreat; if you can?t, do not feel dismayed
There are so manygreat schoolsacrossthe countrythat will give you the same (if not better) resourcesthat your dream school can give you
A: ?Tackling isone one of the thingsthat saw from [watching] film I saw the fundamentalsand conference side of the ball were there. I thought theywere run well, just the style [of] offense wasn't conducive to scoring a lot of points So when you fell behind asa team, you couldn't catch back up because it wasa slow, methodical offense, but it wasrun well [I]f you line up wrong, [it] doesn't matter what your physical capabilityis, you're alreadywrong by alignment to the tackled average instead of great In defense, the number one end result is tack ling; it doesn't matter how well you get to a ball If you don't tack le you've wasted your time and that was a fundamental that I saw that lacked ?
7newheadfootballcoach WITHANEWMENTALITY NewHead Footba
NEWCOACH
Editor'snote: Thisinterview hasbeenedited forlength and clarity. The Chiefs'first home game isa scrimmage against WhitewaterHighSchool Fri Aug 12 at7:30 p m ?If you give a good product, if that product is there, people will want that product? My product hasto be a winning product ?
Q: Do we need to attract more players to the program? What is your plan to do that?
Bottom line iswe want to win You guyswant to see asthe student body: wins You want to go crazyin the stands, you're not going go crazy with losses. You're gonna go crazy with wins offer that product. And now you'll get outside people that want to be part of the product ?
Q: What else is on your agenda for the team this year?
A: ?The fundamental concept of winning Winning hasto be taught Your winning mindset or winning attitude istaught You have to hate losing with the same intensity. I want my players to feel the same way That they will do everything in their power to build themselves into a winning team because they don't like that feeling of losing That's got to be taught in the kids COVID isa perfect example How manyindividuals men, women lost their jobsduring COVID And then theyhad to do what theyhad to do to find the wayto put food on the table, payfor the bills. So it'san attitude that will increase you in the future Asa college student, you're going to have a hard class, it'scrunch time and you got to studyand everything in your mind?sgonna be like, ? I don't want to study, I want to do this,?but you got to InterviewbyLandonWilde, classof 2022 Photo byRebekahBushmire, Editor-in-Chief llCoach DerekSmithtalks andwhatittakes towin
Q: Any other goals for Chiefs football?
A: ?I'm excited to see the defense with some reallygood coaching because they're all out there and excited. But there'sno one player that I'm not excited to see I'm excited to see them all but they're showing enthusiasm I think they've got this rejuvenated energy to where I think we're going to shock this county, let alone the state of Georgia with a lot of wins ?
Q: Are there any players you?re excited to see this year?
A: "The first goal isgoing to be to win football games Win everydarn one of them That'sno doubt asI want to win. I want to win our region. Get everyone of these guysthat want to play college football, find them a wayto playcollege football That'smygoal too And mythird goal is pour that energyout to other sportsI love I love going to baseball games go to girlslacrosse games. I've been the track meet. I didn't miss anyhome basketball gamesfor boysand girls I want to push that energyonto other coaches and other studentsbecause to me, familyis family The family is McIntosh and I'm part of this family I'm no greater than anybody on this campus I'm just a part of this campus that wants to go energy and energy is infectious Positive energyisinfectious And if I'm in a room showing positive energy, you're gonna be shown positive energyand we just rub off on each other and keep showing positive energyand make everything around campusget better?
New ChiefsHeadCoach Derek Smith
Q: What?s your first goal for the Chiefs?
family,energy
have thisdesire I want k ids to experience that because I wasn't raised think ing about college I wasn't raised with two parents that went to college I had militaryparents that were stripers; I didn't have verymuch money. And I never reallythought of the word college until mysenior year when college coachesstarted to go, ?Thiskid can play football,?and because of college, I have the capabilitycome to work everydayand I'm not gonna saywork I come to a career everyday I still get to enjoymycareer everydayand hang out with youth and have fun, do what I'm doing, because of college, because somebody pointed me in the right direction and I want to do that for the athletes that are in this program ?
A: Well, the first step isnot to lose players Kids leaving the eighth grade that are supposed to be McIntosh kids. You don't want to see him going to Trinitybecause theythink it'sa better product or going to Starr?sMill because they think it'sa better product So that'sthe first thing, making sure you keep our kids It'sjust like anything, give a good product, that the product isthere. Myproduct hasto be a winning product. And it'snot going be, ?Oh, he'sgood He'snice coach He'sfriendly?
StorybyMarjorie Smedley, OpinionsEditor GraphicbyLuluVitulo, FeaturesEditor it issions?
ACT comparing t he 8act&sat SAT&
Taking the ACTand the SATcan be a defining moment for high school students
Both examsare considered to be "predictor tests"of college readinessrather than be general knowledge exams What many studentsdo not know isthat theyare two different testing companies; according to itswebsite, the ACTisa non profit organization The SATisowned bythe College Board, the same companybehind AP coursesand tests
According to both exam'swebsites, there are exam costs, but also chargesfor making changes, so planning ahead iskeyto saving moneyand taking the test asfew timesaspossible
The Basics
While during the earlyyearsof the pandemic, some collegesand universitieswaved a student'sSAT/ACTscoresfor admission and some schoolsare still "test optional,"manypost secondaryschools require at least one of these examsfor admissions Visiting the websitesof the schoolsyou plan to attend to see what theyrequired is the first thing seniorsshould do before signing up to take either exam
The 35 minute reading test has40 questions, the 45 minute English test has75 questions, the 60 minute math section contains60 questionsand the 35 minute science test has40 questions The ACTclocksin right under three hours.
whichtestisbestwhen
The Differences
The ACT'swebsite, on the other hand, liststhe exam at having four sections: English, math, reading and science
The full ACTwith no writing costs$63 and theywill allow you to send your score to up to four colleges If you take the writing portion of the ACT, the price jumpsto $88 Should you need to send your score to more than four colleges, the ACTwill charge you $16 for
comestocollegeadm
In Jan 2022, the College Board announced the SATwasmoving from the traditional paper/pencil format to fullyonline According to National Public Radio, in a Jan 2022 article on the change, the test will "shrink from three hoursto two, include shorter reading passages and allow studentsto use a calculator on the math section "
For decades, studentshave taken either one of these college entrance testssince 1926 for the SATand 1959 for the ACT, and since then, both examshave been a huge part of a senior's preparation for college and getting into higher education
According to the College Board'swebsite, the SATismade up of three sections: reading, writing and language and math The reading test takes65 minuteswith 52 questions, a 35 minute writing and language test with 44 questionsand an 80 minute math section with 154 questions That'sa three hour exam ?I was not expecting it to be that long I thought it was going to be like two pages and then I was going to be out,? sophomore Ava Floressaid
The ACTalso hasan optional writing test, which runsfor 40 minutes Checking with the collegesyou want to attend to determine whether or not to take that section isbest, considering it costsmore to take Costs of Testing
ACT SAT more sections slightly more expensive lots of fees for changes slightly shorter optional essay no essay section shorter reading passages long no calculator math section lots of fees for changes
Paying attention to college and university deadlinesisgoing to save you moneyand stress act&sat
adding a fifth and sixth college to the list Registering late for the ACTwill add $36 to the cost of the test
Waiting until the last second to take the SATis going to cost an extra $30 if you register after the regular deadline, and theywill also charge you $25 if you need to change your test center location or if you need to cancel your test registration
Another wayto help prepare for the test is going over old material, especiallyin subjects that will cover a wide varietyof material, such asmath Going over old notesand testscan help refresh the memoryof old coursework and what might be covered in the ACTor SAT ?I felt like I k new most of the things on it Like, it didn't feel that hard to me,? said Flores ?The only thing that was k ind of hard for me was when it got to social studies that was k ind of like, what is this??
Finally, another wayto prepare for the SAT isbytaking the PSAT It?sa test styled after the SAT, and your score on the PSATcan be scaled to determine what your likelySATscore might be ?The math portion was difficult,? Homan said ?I wouldn't say someone with good algebra sk ills would find it that difficult, though "
At MHS, freshmen and sophomoreswill take the PSATon Oct. 12 for free to get them started on preparing for their college journeys Scoring
9
Getting a rush report for your SATscorescosts $31. Test Preparation
Both the ACTand the SATwill show your scoresin different ways Your ACTresultswill fall between 1 36 The SAT'sscale rangesfrom 400 to 1600 How you will know if your score is"good" will depend on whether or not you know what the minimum score isto applyto your college or university
For example, the Universityof Georgia's incoming freshmen classof 2021 had an SAT score range between 1350 1480 and an ACT range of 31 34 Georgia State University'sSATrange listed on their website lists1030 1220 and an ACTrange between 20 26 asthe minimum scoresneeded for entrance
Isit better to send a college your results before you see them, or isit better to wait until you've seen your results? Whatever you decide, know the ACTwill charge you an extra $10 to place test release information after the test is taken, where if you order the results before you take the test, it'sonly$30 At the College Board'swebsite, the SATfee is $60, and there are fee waiversfor eligible studentsso reaching out to your MHSguidance counselor to find out more isbest Part of that test fee includessending your SAT scoresto four locationsaslong asyou order them within nine daysof your test date Ordering after the nine dayshaspassed will incur more fees, according to the College Board'swebsite Planning to send your scoresto five or more schoolswill cost you $12 per report
Studentswith SATwaiverscan send their scores to an unlimited number of schools
There are manyACT/SATprep classes, some of which are free online and some preparation coursesoffered bythe same organizations administering the tests There are dozensof ACT/SATprep manualsavailable online or in book stores These preparation coursescan help studentsget a feel of how the test will be, how it will look like and how to better prepare for it ?I did a little bit [of preparing] but I could have done more Khan Academy is good practice,? junior Kate Homan said Khan Academyisthe official SATpractice site and all of their resourcesare free including full length practice tests
Additionally, the PSATisused to determine the National Merit Scholarship Program; students who earn qualifying scoreswin thousandsof dollarsto applyto the college they're attending
And what happensif there'sa last minute change in your schedule and you need to change your testing date or location? According to the ACT'swebsite, that will set you back $40 in addition to the test itself
No matter which test you choose, the first step isto check with the college you're planning to applyto to see what they require The second is to check the deadlineswith those collegesand sign up for the test in advance, which will also save you money
Get involved Getting involved during high school isthe best wayto get to know people, make connectionswith studentsand teachers, figure out thingsyou do and don't like, and show colleges that you care about being in the community ?Get involved and find your niche and your people, where you fit,?Guidance Counselor Diana Lee said Finding where you belong among so manystudentscan be hard but finding these people is important so you can have a support system, people to talk to, people to ask for help and to have fun with
2 Take school seriously ?Make sure to have passed all your classes,?Lee said Applying to collegesmeansthey'll onlysee your freshman, sophomore and junior yearson your transcript Thismeanscollegeswill see your freshman year gradesto determine if you get in, so everyclasscounts
Sophomore year is a challenging year most often because of what is called the ?sophomore slump ? In reality it is a vital year, especially for early college admissions
1 Know graduation requirements
4 Researching or having options for colleges at the end of sophomore year isimportant because junior year can be dedicated to more research, visiting campusesand applying to those colleges ?Should begin thinking beyond high school? start exploring the optionssuch astwo and four year colleges, technical college, apprenticeships, military options, and the world of work,? Love said astep-by-stepguide togettingthisyear's importantmilestones organized, accomplished andoutoftheway
Being familiar with what a student wantsto do during their high school yearshelpswith planning and executing important thingssuch as getting a job or taking a certain classthat isrequired for college and even taking important testslike the SATs
3 PSAT Taking the PSATisone thing that all McIntosh freshmen and sophomoreswill do for free PSAT DayisOct 12, 2022 Having a PSATscore will give you experience with the SATformat and an idea of how much you mayneed to raise your score if you're thinking of attending a particular college to see if your score meetstheir minimum entryrequirement
Freshman year is exciting and new For some, the change is hard and for others, becoming a freshman is not much different from being an eighth grader
1
2 Join or continue in a club or after school activity Activelybeing a part of a club showscollegesyour initiative and leadership qualitiesas well asyour being engaged in the MHScommunity
forfreshmen(classof2026) forsophomores(classof2025) 10gradeleveltodolists
Taking coursesof rigor can help boost your college application especiallyif you start taking them during Freshman year Some courses of rigor are required, such as algebra and biology, however, the onesthat aren't required are still highlyrecommended to be taken astheyshow collegesor future employersinitiative and organization skills
According to guidance counselor Lisa Love, studentsshould ?be familiar with graduation requirementsand have an idea of classestheywant/need to take for the next two years?Thisstep is crucial for organization purposes
3 Get to k now your counselor Meeting with your school counselor and finding out about graduating requirementsis important to know how you will proceed next year and the year after that. Staying organized and having your school counselor help you stayon track can be really beneficial
StorybyEstrella Jones, Trail staff
your transcript aswell asshow college admissionsthat
test maybe right for you 3 Updating your resume asyou participate in service activities, organizationsand clubs Teachers will ask for thisto help them write lettersof recommendation for you 4 Ask questions When you're confused or
6 Avoid Senioritis ?A lot of times seniorswill get senioritisbut they need to make sure that theyfinish strong because sometimes collegescan take back their acceptance ?Wooden said
accountable
YOURGRADE'S TO-DOLIST for a stress-free year forjuniors(classof2024) forseniors(classof2023) 11gradeleveltodolists Fansin the MHSStudent Section, August 2021 Photo Aby udreyZimmerman
However, the whole reason you come to school isto learn Paying attention and asking questionsisthe onlywayto clarifyconfusion and solidifythe conceptsin your brain,? guidance counselor Lisa Love said 5 Extracurricular leadership You've participated in clubsand organizationson campus junior year isthe time to stand out bytaking an active leadership role Collegeswill want to know how you will add value to their campus; show them how you added value to MHS
7 Have a support network
Consider a job asit teaches you soft skillsand prepare you for entering the workforce It also allowsyou to add experience to your resume
eligible 1 Tak ing AP courses and
6
2 Tak
5 Commit and pay the fees Near the end of spring semester, most seniorshave accepted to the college theyare going to and paid the fee to hold their spot for housing and tuition Once accepted, checking their college emailsisanother thing seniors need to do to make sure theyare not missing anything from their school
enrollment can
end of junior year See our storyon page eight and nine about
For some, senior year is sentimental and for others, it is not There are a few things that seniors should've done before graduating to ensure entering a college or the work force is as simple as possible
Organization to ensure that all these last-minute tasksare completed isvital. ?Make sure [seniorsare] meeting deadlines? Because college applicationsare going to be verystrict on deadlines,?Wooden said.
Junior year is the last complete year to get good grades before colleges start look ing at them and get your GPA up to be HOPE dual boost you can be Note that your gradesin DLclassesaffect your HOPEeligibility ing the ACT and the SAT is also something that most colleges require and should be taken by the which under stress, hesitate to reach out to teachers or your guidance counselor for help. "Manystudentsare afraid to ask questionsfor fear of appearing lessthan smart
1 Get organized ?Because the senior year can be overwhelming, [seniors] definitelyneed to come in with a game plan and be organized," Head of Guidance Jennifer Wooden said.
2 FAFSA and Financial Aid Getting in to your first choice doesn't matter if you can't payfor it. Complete the FAFSA earlyin your senior year and in the fall semester applyfor financial aid and scholarships Male seniorsneed to know that the Department of Education requiresstudents applying for Federal Financial aid to register for the Selective Service when theyturn 18 3 Letters of Recommendation ?[Seniors] need to talk to their teachersto see who will be willing to write lettersof recommendation,?Wooden said. It isimportant to remember to choose teacherswho know you well academicallyand personally, who will recommend you positively Most collegesask for two to three lettersto see how the student behavesand treatsothers
4 Military option If a student is contemplating going into the militaryinstead of a college, Wooden sayscontact a recruiter as soon aspossible to talk about the process
Junior year isstressful and can be extremelydifficult sociallyand mentally, but having a support system can keep you balanced
don't
Focuson spending more time gathering the componentsthat are absolutelynecessary for your project instead of focusing on smaller details Remembering the "big picture" and noticing if you're getting caught up in the detailsisone wayto keep perfectionism at bay ?
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Moodiness If you have noticed you?ve been hostile towardsyour friendsor family membersaswell ashaving intense emotions, that isalso a sign of having stress
Exercising, getting enough sleep and spending time with your loved ones are all great waysyou can regulate your mood when you become stressed out
KEEPINGLIFEBALANCED NEWYEAR,NEWGOALS : highschoolcanbe overwhelming:knowing yourselfisthekeyto yoursuccess
An increase in anxiety
? Reduce phone use when you have downtime Instead of spending your downtime scrolling endlesslyon social media, use that time to maintain a physical interest or hobby ? Create habits for self care. Turning every dayactivitiesinto something you actuallylook forward to ispossible if you have a good mindset going into it For example, buyyourself new productsfor when you shower so you have something new to try Peachtree Cityhasa varietyof public spaces, so taking time to get out into nature can provide you with a wayto recharge that doesn't cost you money
StorybyAudreyZimmerman, Trail Staff Photo bySamantha Cornett, classof 2020
12selfcareforschoo l
Unmanagedanxietycan cause a toll on your personal life aswell aswork life, and isoften caused byongoing stress. If you notice you are starting to feel more anxiousthan usual, tryto do an activity that comfortsyou. Talking to a parent or trusted adult about your concernsis another wayto help you mediate stress
Plan your schedule week ly Investing in a small planner or even using resources such asyour notesapp isan organized wayto keep all of your weeklygoals/plans in one space ? Setting deadlines and goals Being a student, it isveryeasyto get overwhelmed byschoolwork, especiallyif you have a job or extracurricularsto attend to. Creating mini deadlinesfor yourself in order to complete assignmentsand projectsisthe best route to go if you want to avoid procrastination For example, if you have a test on Thursday, start studying at the beginning of the week and set aside more study time asthe week progresses until your test, rather than staying up far
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too late the night before to cram, which will also leave you feeling tired the next day ? Avoid perfectionism Have a huge project to worryabout?
High school studentsare notoriousfor not getting enough sleep and the Centersfor Disease Control suggest high school aged studentsget eight to ten hoursa night Going to bed earlier and getting the sleep you need could provide an attitude boost
13PTSO
In mypersonal experience of getting caught parking on campuswithout a parking pass, an administrator spoke to me personallyand McIntosh parking passesare limited, and theysell out fast If you've come back to school hoping to get a parking space, make it a priority ?We have 350 car parking spaces However, that'swith usoverselling taking into consideration the number of studentswho opt in and out throughout the day, whether it be COI courses, Southern Crescent courses, or just opt out for work or opt in to school late
So you can't get your handson a parking pass what'sthe worst thing that can happen if you park on campusanyway? If you park on campuswithout a parking pass, the first time you get caught you will get a warning If you continue to get caught parking on campuswithout a pass, further disciplinaryaction will be taken, and the potential risk of your vehicle getting towed surfaces
The parking lotsfill up veryquicklyin the morning, so if you are pulling up at 8:30 you maystruggle finding a spot on or off campus. Even having a parking passdoesn't guarantee a space. Be sure to get to school earlyto be able to find a parking space and get to classon time ?I love the park ing lot experience There's a lot of people out there, and you can talk to all your friends in the morning, before your day starts. And after school, you can just hang out in the park ing lot and talk about your day,? junior Brandt Adamssaid
14hoco
So now since fourth period being an opt out period, it hasopened up a few more spaces because theyhave vacanciesthroughout the day,?Assistant Principal Leon Hammond said ?I hate how fast park ing sells out I didn't get my pass until after the school year started so I wasn't able to get a park ing pass I was stuck riding the golf cart all year,? Lucia Maceda, classof 2022, said Storyand Photo byTalia Morley, Trail staff
A 2022 Homcoming pep rally is something Athletic Director Leon Hammond said he is "work ing to make it happen " ?I think it?sa good tradition that should be continued,?Carter Hudson, classof 2022, StorybyMaxLawson, classof 2022 MHSStudentson Character Dayduring lunch for Homecoming 2021 Photo EbyRebekahBushmire, ditorin Chief
If you're luckyenough to get a parking pass, that doesn't necessarilyguarantee you an actual parking space
so you have agolfcart or acar - now where do you park it?
WHATTOKNOWABOUTMHSHOCO
threatened to tow mycar From there on I never parked on campusagain, knowing that theywill actuallygo through with it
CAMPUSPARKINGDRIVESUSCRAZY
said ?[The pep rally] would definitelyget a lot more people to come to our gamesor get them informed about our athletics, or really anyschool event that theywould have no clue about,?Wiese said Another staple of Homecoming week isthe dance It happenson Saturdaynight following Homecoming week ?I wasexcited to get to hang out with my friend group and go to eat, it wasmyfavorite part of the dance,?Hudson said The best waysto get involved in MHS Homecoming week and itsculture are often the simplest Information about Homecoming isshared throughout the school on social media, Schoology, the morning announcments, and mhstrail org Homecoming 2022 is the week of Oct 10 14, with the parade scheduled for Thurs Oct 13 and the football game set for Fri Oct 14 against Charles Drew High School
Some studentsthat do not have a parking passwill either park acrossthe street in the parking lot behind Sprouts, or theywill park in the church parking lot There isno assurance that your vehicle will not get towed if you park there, and there are signsbehind Sprouts indicating they will tow unauthorized vehicles.
Homecoming week isa celebration of McIntosh, with manystudentsand staff participating in eventssuch asdress up week, parade floats, the football game and dance There are a handful of things, however, that can make getting involved in Homecoming week and student culture asa whole much easier ?I was a bit confused when [Homecoming activities] started, but it was just something new, and it ended up being fun,? senior Zander Haselwood said Manystudentshave had similar experiences, with one of the simplest waysto become more involved being through clubs and extracurriculars ?[Being on CrossCountry] definitely helped, but I alreadyknew a lot of people, and it wasa fun week because of them,? Haselwood said One of the most well known traditionsof MHSHomecoming week isthe dress up week ?I wasreallyconfused byall the costumes at first,?sophomore Jayden Wadlington said, ?It ended up being a good conversation starter anyway" ?Someone dressed up fullyasa foot,?Cole Wiese, classof 2022, said The pep rallyisanother tradition that is held before the Homecoming football game each year For the 2020 and 2021 Homecomingshowever, it wasnot held due to COVID 19 restrictions, and whether or not there will be a pep rally
Longtime McIntosh staff member Jerry Prince isthe parking attendant and rides around the parking lot everydayand checks the parking passeson carsand golf carts If he seesa vehicle without a parking passhe reportsit to administration, and they will find the person whose vehicle it is
ASKING FOR HELP
COURTYARD McIntosh studentswill find the courtyard isa versatile space some teachersuse it to hold their classeswhen the weather isnice and it'san easywayto get to the science classesfrom the English department in between classes. It'salso a popular spot for lunch, even through some of the colder winter months
StorybySavannahHayes, NewsEditor
In addition to grouping all the subjectstogether on the same hallway(there are some exceptions, like Fine Arts), each hallwayhasa name after a specific village in Peachtree City An example isthat all the English teachers' classroomsare downstairsin Wilksmoor Village Math classesare upstairsin Wilksmoor When teachersor administration reference the hallwaysof the school theysometimesuse the village name English (downstairs) and math (upstairs) are located in Wilksmoor Village, social studies(upstairs) and CTE(downstairs) are located in Aberdeen Village, science classesare located both up and downstairsin Braelinn Village Foreign language classesare upstairs in Braelinn. The other CTEhall and the cafeteria are located in Glenloch Village The gym and auditorium are located in the section of the school called Kedron Village
MAPPINGitout McIntoshcanfeellargeand confusing-usethesetipsto getyourselfaround
Studentsnew to McIntosh often have a hard time navigating the building Built in 1981, with two major additionsin 2015 and 2019, MHSisa big school with confusing, long hallwaysand a second story To help studentsbetter navigate the building, changesover the past few yearshave helped make the building easier to get around VILLAGES
"It isreallyasnot asbad asthe media makesit out to be It'sa veryfun relaxing class I would just say make friends[and] enjoyit,"Mayessaid. Since the gym islocated acrosscampusfrom all the academic classrooms, the fastest wayto get to it isuse the first floor and heading toward the auditorium. Once you've passed the auditorium the hallwayautomatically continuesto the gym
"I thought it wasgonna be a lot harder especially because in the moviestheylike make up all thisstuff about climbing a rope and having to do all thishard stuff But it wasn't hard and I waswith a bunch of friends," Ermolaev said.
?I don't eat in the courtyard, but I used to eat there I stopped having lunch there, I think it wasaround the fall when it wasrainyfor a long time," junior Julia Varga said
"I started bygoing over myschedule and kind of memorizing it and then I looked up a map of the school and mapped mywayout with a highlighter," junior Ali Ermolaev said One worrymanystudentshave isnot being able to find their wayaround, however, MHSstudentsare considered helpful to one another when asked where a teacher or a room is "I would probablygive them the map that I have and then show them where their room ison that map. If theyneeded further help I would give them directions,"junior Lana Mayessaid
Even seniorsmaynot know where everyteacher's classroom is, so using the map and asking friendsif theyknow where a particular room isiscommon Knowing where you are going before the bell rings meansnot being tardyto that classand walking in after the bell rings.
THE GYM
Freshmen are tasked with taking PEtheir first year at McIntosh, but some upperclassmen have to take it as well if theydid not get the chance their freshman year, asit and Health are a requirement to graduate from MHS.
Advice for freshmen taking gym? ?Find people you know and do stuff with them,? sophomore JoeyMasserini said.
Manystudentsuse the map MHSgivesout when trying to locate their classes. Check out the back page of the Trail to find a copyof the McIntosh map
15gettingaroundmhs
SPECIALTY CLASSROOMS Graphic design, engineering, health occupations, band and orchestra are past the cafeteria and the chorusroom Also in thisarea isthe Athletic Office, so if you're an athlete you will probablyhave a need to head that way
16mapofmcintosh totheauditorium andthegym FIRSTFLOOR CTE & ART thecourtyard ENGLISH SCIENCE FINE ARTS, ENGINEERING, HEALTH OCC MAINENTRANCE LIBRARYENTRANCE MATH SOCIAL STUDIES SCIENCE & FOREIGN LANGUAGE SECONDFLOOR FRONTOFMCINTOSH
