Issuu

50th issue retrospectives: A seven year Odyssey

ODYSSEY

Volume 7 Issue 5 March 2010 $3.00

Table of Contents

March 2010

Cover Story

32 Graphic by Dylan Reeves

To commemorate the ODYSSEY’s 50th issue, current staff members look back on previous articles and years past to recount the stories behind the ODYSSEY’s best works.

Left: A SEVEN-YEAR ODYSSEY: After 50 issues, the ODYSSEY staff reflects on past articles and the journey the ODYSSEY has traveled over the last seven years of its existence.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Viewpoints

Women are not often thought of as significant figures in history, but March is National Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is “Writing Women Back into History.” It’s time for women to get a chance to have their names inscribed in the history books.

News

For five years, the Clarke Central High School Mock Trial team has been in a slump. But, thanks to the help of new talent and hours of practice, the team advanced to the state final for the first time in half a decade.

A retrospective look at the past seven years, from beginning to present-day, of Clarke Central High School’s award-winning newsmagazine.

Variety

The Athens community has embraced 50 fiber-glass Bulldawg statues, however several of the statues have been damaged since the program began in 2003.

Sports

For the first time in years, the Clarke Central High School’s soccer teams faced cuts at tryouts, leaving many young players without the chance to play on the team for the 2010 season. Cover design by Dylan Reeves

Photo by Jeffrey Rogers

Focus

Left: LOOK AT ME, I’M SANDRA DEE: On March 25-27 the Clarke Central High School Players will host the production of the musical Grease. Filled with catchy tunes and a realistic storyline, Grease, the show contains some racy content that the directors edited. “If the guys don’t want to say it in front of their mammas, we ain’t gone say it,” Harriet Anderson, CCHS Fine Arts department teacher and co-director of Grease said.

Above: VAULT ASSAULT: Clarke Central High School senior Michael Stephens performs a vault during a parkour training session on the University of Georgia’s North Campus. “A vault is done when you have a wall that’s around waist height or that’s right at your shoulders. It’s basically just throwing your body over. It’s just a really efficient way to get over something,” Stephens said.

Covers from ODYSSEY archives

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

News Staff

December March2009 2010

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Staff

March 2010

The ODYSSEY is published monthly. Published opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of anyone other than the staff. The ODYSSEY is a student produced newsmagazine, published with the intent to inform, entertain and give voice to the Clarke Central High School community, as well as to educate student journalists. Each issue is an open public forum for student expression under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Student journalists are provided with opportunities to investigate, inform, interpret and to evaluate: all traditionally accepted functions of the press in America. The ODYSSEY staff is committed to reflect the mission statement set forth by Clarke Central High School. The goals of the staff are to provide fair, accurate news and commentaries, as well as to serve the interests of the school and Athens’ community. Advertising must conform to the guidelines set forth for editorials. Publication of advertisements does not indicate an endorsement by CCHS or by the ODYSSEY staff. Students pictured in advertisements are not given monetary compensation. All advertising rates are available upon request from any ODYSSEY staff member. The ODYSSEY is a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Georgia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association, and Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Corrections of errors and omissions will appear in the next issue.

Editor-in-Chief: F. Tyler Elrod Managing Editor: Lexi Deagen Senior Copy Editors: Lauren Corcino Gayatri Setia Junior Copy Editor: Jesse Siebentritt Viewpoints Editor: Claire Dennis News Editor: Emily Allen Features Editor: Lauren Pruitt

n the eighth century, a Greek poet named Homer produced what would become one of the most widely read epic poems of all time, “The Odyssey.” The story, which was handed down from generation to generation, has become a staple in modern-day literature classes. Seven years ago, a dedicated group of students, under the guidance of a faculty adviser, founded Clarke Central High School’s first newsmagazine, the ODYSSEY. It is through the ODYSSEY that students who are a part of the newsmagazine staff at CCHS have come to connect with Homer’s most famous character, Odysseus. Odysseus underwent a journey in Homer’s epic, and much like Odysseus, staff members of the ODYSSEY have gone through their very own journeys and their journeys have led the ODYSSEY to this: the 50th issue produced. In this issue, the editorial board has selected several stories from the past seven years. By detailing what it took for the writers to produce high-quality pieces, we hope to show why these stories have resonated with readers since their production. Along with the selected pieces, the Features staff has undertaken the task of chronicling the past seven years with articles detailing, what we consider to be, the three main time periods in which the ODYSSEY was founded, was developed and reached a degree of consistency; each year featuring the forebears who laid the foundation for years to come, imparting lessons such as respect, love and family to their successors. We have interviewed more than 30 of the 150 ODYSSEY staff writers from the past decade with more than 60 expressing willingness to participate, all in order to retrace the hubris, adversity and adventures that the class and magazine has provided to all involved. Fifty issues is a huge accomplishment for a journalism class that started off as a 20-page, fledgling, school publication with no budget and an entirely inexperienced staff. While this milestone may not seem particularly consequential, it means a whole lot to the staff members of the ODYSSEY, past and present. Regardless of whether you’ve been with us for all seven years or just picked up the magazine today, we couldn’t have done this without you. You, the students of CCHS. You, the faculty of CCHS. You, the parents and the supporters and the CCSD Board of Education members and subscribers. You, the reader. It is with both great pleasure and pride that I give you the 50th issue of the ODYSSEY. Here’s to 50 more.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Variety Editor: Kinsey Clark Sports Editor: Jeffrey Rogers Photography Editor: Isabel Atkinson Staff Writers: Killian Begnaud, Aashka Chaudhari, Shelby Rae Curran, Katie Downs, Eben Elrod, Alexa Friedman, Fakari Gresham, Kim Guzman, Caleb Hayes, Sallay Jabbie, Lily Kohn, Betty Migombo, Alex Morris, Olivia Murphy, Carlo Nasisse, Kayli Read, Dylan Reeves, Tamar Schmidt, Mollie Sherman Adviser: David A. Ragsdale

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE Clarke Central High School 350 S. Milledge Avenue Athens, Georgia 30605 Phone: (706) 357-5200, Ext. 17370 Fax: (706) 357-5269

Above: I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE: Seniors, from left, Killian Begnaud, Lexi Deagen, Alex Morris, Tyler Elrod and Lauren Corcino have been a part of the ODYSSEY staff since their sophomore year in 2007-08. After three years of working together on the magazine, helping at fundraising activities and traveling to conferences across the country, the seniors hope to leave lasting impressions on younger staff members. “I think we’ve all worked hard to show the younger kids what our experience has meant to us, and we want them to grow as writers and leaders in the future,” Deagen said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Viewpoints

Letters to the Editor Keepin’ it real in the Classic City Athens is known for its music scene, but I don’t think hip-hop gets the recognition it deserves. Atlanta’s hip-hop scene steals most of the spotlight, but that doesn’t interfere with Athens’ artists’ pride for their city. There is nothing I can respect more than being proud of where you are from. The hip-hop scene is just beginning and I cannot wait to see where it goes. What I love most of all is the artists’ passions for their music. These local rappers are definitely keeping it real. -- Aster Robarge, senior Above: Our readers critique the February 2010 issue.

Going all the way As a part of the Clarke Central High School football team, I have developed a special brotherhood with the other players. We went to the Georgia Dome, believing that we would go home with a state championship ring, and even though we did our best, we left empty-handed. Nonetheless, our loss to Sandy Creek High School gave us more motivation and desire to work harder to return to the Georgia Dome for next year’s championship playoffs. In the 2011 football season, the leadership of seniors, like Terrance Bradshaw, will be missed. -- Charles Straughter, sophomore

Seeing new possibilities for students Jesse Siebentritt’s report on how administrators and others at Clarke Central High School are viewing the separate, but related issues of graduation rates and school attendance interested me. Ideally speaking, both problems would be solved by making classes so challenging, interesting and rewarding that school becomes the place students want to be. I am realistic enough to recognize the difference between the ideal and the reality; but concerning this educational issue, I hope that as those in authority work toward sensible solutions, they will not lose sight of, or abandon faith in the ideal.

Dear readers, The ODYSSEY welcomes your feedback, input and letters. We ask that all letters be under 250 words and signed. We reserve the right to omit or edit any letters received. Insulting, unsigned or libelous statements will not be considered for publication. Mail letters to the address below or drop off at the main office care of the ODYSSEY. Sincerely, Foster T. Elrod, Editor-in-Chief

The goal of making school a place where students want to be may never be perfectly attainable, but it remains an ideal that should inspire and justify even the most practical policies. -- James Kissane CCHS grandparent Finding the funding to fuel athletics I am amazed at how Clarke Central High School Athletic Director Jon Ward is able to balance and distribute the money CCHS athletics makes. However, being a threeyear member of the golf team, I would like to see a bit more money being put into the “fourth tier” sports, such as golf, tennis and cross country. I understand that bigger sports like football and basketball generate revenue, while golf doesn’t, so I have to be happy with what we have. -- Gianni Powell, junior The article “Finding the funding to fuel athletics” drew my attention, especially the area on the funding for Swimming and Diving at Clarke Central High School.

I’ve just completed my third season of swimming for CCHS and know about the expensive fee to swim. Some kids who have the dream of swimming aren’t able to fulfill it because of the cost. Maybe now that the topic is addressed by a student, more adults, such as the boosters, will notice and more students will be able to do sports, such as swimming, despite large fees.

-- Michelle Legette, freshman

My Word vs. Yours I thoroughly enjoyed this article. It covers both opinions on the issue of Valentine’s Day flawlessly. I am currently single and can understand how people hate this holiday. However, I have had boyfriends before on this holiday and can also understand why some people love this day. There are pros and cons to everything, so don’t let this one day ruin your life. The ODYSSEY provides a practical and humorous article for readers yet again.

Corrections/Omissions March 2010 On pg. 3, in the “Table of Contents,” the photo was taken by Isabel Atkinson. On pg. 19, in “Donations take a hit,” the photo was taken by Isabel Atkinson. On pg. 26, in “Blueprint for Sisterhood,” Renee Daniels is currently an inactive member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., not a former member. On pg. 44, in “Bringing legacies to life,” due to a last-minute cast change, Chelsea Lumpkin did not play the role of Angela Basset. Instead, Krystian Gantt took the role. The ODYSSEY staff apologizes for any errors or omissions in our content. We appreciate our readers’ support and understanding as we strive to make corrections. Sincerely, The ODYSSEY staff

-- Sabrina Partridge-McNeil, sophomore

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Viewpoints

March 2010

Thumbs

Photos by Kim Guzman

The ODYSSEY staff’s opinions on this month’s issues.

Keeping hope without Pope After a nine-year run, Associate Principal Tammy Pope is retiring. We wish her great happiness in the future, but hope her replacement will have half of Pope’s intelligence and compassion for kids. We’ve got some big shoes to fill around here.

Justice has been served After five, frustrating years of rebuilding, the CCHS Mock Trial Team beat the odds and made it all the way to the state-wide competition semifinals. The verdict is in: we’re back on the map for state-level competition.

2 Plugged N Whether using spell check on the computer or texting in class, teenagers are addicted to technology. This dependence may be a bigger risk than they think. When’s the last time you got through an entire school day without your cell or checking e-mail? We can’t remember either.

Your friendly, neighborhood Stephens Parkour is an alternative sport, which remains unfamiliar to most Clarke Central High School students. Who would have thought the shortest distance between two points would be to vault over a wall? Just ask our own wall crawler, senior Michael Stephens.

or the third consecutive year, the students and faculty of Clarke Central High School will undergo an administrative change during the summer before the upcoming school year. The first such transition occurred in spring 2008 and marked the last semester for Clarke Central High School’s former principal, Dr. Maxine Easom; the second in June 2009, was the end of former Clarke County School District Superintendent James Simms’ era; now, as the spring 2010 semester draws to a close, so does the nine-year-long tenure of CCHS associate principal Tammy Pope. Just as current CCHS principal Dr. Robbie Hooker and CCSD Superintendent Dr. Phil Lanoue both faced exhaustive application protocols, candidates for the associate principal position will undergo a thorough selection process. As the numbers of applicants are narrowed down, these candidates will be required to meet more and more of the hiring committee’s expectations. A large portion of an associate principal’s duties fall under three categories: policy interpretation, test coordination and scheduling. As the second-incommand to the principal, it is imperative for the associate principal to also develop working relationships with the student body and take an active role in school events. Additionally, a candidate for the position of associate principal must meet all the logistical criteria. Organization, experience, objectivity and discipline are requisite traits the position in the opinions of the school’s upper management. But will the selection team take into account the expectations and needs of students? Teenagers respond much better to encouragement and to seeing their administrators participate alongside them, and, while discipline should definitely remain high on an associate principal’s list of priorities, students are more likely to respect someone who encourages, rather than punishes. Students need to know how personable he or she is. Is their new associate principal approachable? The new associate principal should spend time at school events. Fine Arts performances, athletic and academic competitions, and end-of-the-year banquets offer administrators the opportunity to connect with those they serve on a daily basis. For CCHS students, there are more abstract criteria to meet in order to pass the test for the new associate principal: dedication, participation, encouragement and accessibility. Faculty and fellow administrators, of course, need to be able to have functioning relationships with the newcomer to succeed. The hiring committee must remember, however, that the true effectiveness as associate principal lies in the hands of the 1,500 students of CCHS. Photo by Eben Elrod

Lending a helping hand Clarke Central High School’s Parent, Teacher and Student Organization gives parents a chance to help out around the school. From campus beautification projects to classroom grants, the PTSO helps educators provide the best educational environment for students.

Our Take

Highway to health For busy teenagers, it’s easier to grab a burger on the way home from practice or power through a bag of Cheetos before lunch. But these unhealthy decisions only result in lifelong negative eating habits.

-- Compiled by Viewpoints staff

Above: GREAT EXPECTATIONS: With current Clarke Central High School associate principal, Tammy Pope, retiring at the end of the 2009-10 school year, the hiring committee must interview several candidates to fill the position for the 2010-11 school year.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Viewpoints

Marriage: I do or I don’t

Teacher and student clash over an age-old institution: marriage.

“I

now pronounce you man and wife.” s the institution of marriage becoming an Was the love not enough? old-fashioned idea, an outdated reminder of Marriage counteracts the primary reason times gone by? people marry in the first place: love. I meet a growing number of people who When I picture love, I picture two people seem to feel that a marriage certificate is an demonstrating their affection in new ways every unnecessary document. In some cases, it seems day -- whether it is as small as kissing a hand or that marriage is almost viewed as an insult to as big as walking nine miles to see a loved one one’s independence or identity. for the last time before leaving. Contrary to this, I say that making a life-long I don’t picture church and government BY SHELBY RAE CURRAN BY GINGER LEHMANN commitment to another human being can be a Business Staff Guest Writer certificates and other documents declaring the defining moment in the shaping of an identity. unification of two people as love. I want to be known as a person that had the I’m not completely opposed to the union of two people or two people staystrength of character to make such a commitment to be part of a union that ing together for the rest of their lives. I’m just incredibly hesitant towards the stood the test of time and all the challenges that life brings. idea of marriage. I have been married now for almost 16 years. As any married person will tell I have personally witnessed my parents’ marriage fall apart right before my you, it has not always been easy. But knowing that my spouse and I are commiteyes due to the fact that they don’t know who they are anymore. According to ted to each other for life has given both of us strength to make it through the Divorce Magazine, 45 to 50 percent of American’s first marriages end in divorce. difficult times. We have developed aspects of loyalty and faithfulness that could With these numbers, I am clearly not the first offspring to witness an end to the only be gained in a type of relationship, such as marriage. “traditional American family.” There are other benefits, as well, such as a sweeter celebration during the Never have I seen two people as in love as my parents are. However, it is joyful times because we are sharing it with another who knows us intimately -nearly impossible to maintain your identity and keep a relationship intact when someone who has shared the trial with us. The family we have built is a shared you are bounded by a certificate from the government. creation. I picture living off of love and only the love -- not off of a marriage license. I The union of marriage is at the heart of the family structure. I believe children feel most secure when they know that they are surrounded and supported picture spontaneity. Love is acting on your instincts -- strictly your impulses. It is marriage that takes away that impulsiveness, replacing that spontaneity by a committed union between parents. with routine. Maybe it isn’t the actual marriage itself, but the idea of marriage Although successful families come in all shapes and sizes, the benefits of a that triggers the strong marriage Cartoons by Katie Downs excessive routine as a framework lifestyle. Regardcannot be denied. less, it is that Some may say that repetitive succesthis framework of sion that damages support can be the relationship. created without an Subconsciousofficial document ly, one begins to or ceremony, but it act as what they is not the same. consider to be There is their role in the something about marriage. They signing your name are absorbed by to a document the custom and that represents suggestion of the your commitment. typical marriage There is something and what it important about should be. standing up in front The role of the of your family and Above left: TILL DEATH DO US PART: As married couples work hard together to build their marriage, they also traditional housefriends and stating build a foundation of everlasting happiness. Above right: BURYING HER IDENTITY: With marriage comes a loss of wife who stays at publicly identity. Bounded by rings and society’s suggested roles, marriage results in an ultimate loss of one’s self. home, takes care that you are planof the kids and has ning to spend the dinner on the table for the hardworking businessman she has for a husband, rest of your life with one person. the idea of a “traditional American family” force this sense of routine upon the It means something. relationship. For me, it was a spiritual experience and it made a statement about the When lost in the suggested roles of marriage, people lose sight of their true person I am, the family I want to create and the legacy I want to leave. selves. That is the scariest part about marriage -- losing yourself. I wouldn’t want Marriage is a crucial part of my identity as a faithful and loyal person, one to lose myself in a marriage. I’d rather simply grow with someone I love. who understands the beauty of a lifelong commitment to another person. And just the love? Well, that would be more than enough.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Below: HALL OF FAME: The famous faces of these women are representative of the women’s rights movement and the continued fight for equality.

Photo illustration by Claire Dennis Photos courtesy of http://nwhp.org

WRITING WOMEN BACK INTO HISTORY

Celebrated each March, National Women’s History Month has a yearly theme. For 2010, we remember the historical contributions of the ladies.

arch is National Frozen Food Month, Caffeine Awareness Month, Nutrition Month, Red Cross Month and Music in Our Schools BY Claire dennis Month. Viewpoints Editor Remembering all of these honorary titles may not be easy, but March carries one moniker everyone should know: National Women’s History Month. Unfortunately, many students aren’t aware there is a NWHM, let alone when or why it takes place. We can assume from the name that NWHM is about the celebration of women in our nation, but beyond that, its purpose might not be so obvious. According to the award-winning National Women’s History Project (http://nwhp.org), NWHM provides a venue to recognize women’s historic achievements, as well as an opportunity to honor women within our families and communities. NWHM follows a new, overarching theme every year, each with the goal of bringing attention to certain aspects of women’s achievments. “Women’s Art: Women’s Vision,” the 2008 NWHM theme, honored the originality, beauty and imagination of women’s artistry throughout history. It celebrated the vision of women artists in all forms of art, including painting, sculpture and dance.

Themes are motivated by the need to increase conscientiousness and knowledge of women’s history by taking one month of the year to remember the contributions of both ordinary and extraordinary women. But what are the contributions we need to remember? Think Susan B. Anthony, who worked against the domestic abuses of alcoholic husbands and rallied for women’s right to vote. Think Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who is known as a mother of the women’s suffrage movement because of her strong leadership and determination. Think Sojourner Truth, who fought through slavery, racism and sexism for equal rights. These women have made monumental advances for women’s rights, yet even today their names remain unfamiliar to some. The 2010 theme is “Writing Women Back into History.” It often seems that women’s history is written in invisible ink, as if the contributions of women are negligible. “Writing Women Back into History” means bolding the names of mavericks like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth, headlining these women’s accomplishments and permanently inscribing their importance in all settings of history. To celebrate the 2010 theme, the University of Georgia hosted a seminar to inform students of various high schools in the Athens area about NWHM. Twenty-eight Clarke Central High School

students attended, and many felt it was a positive experience. CCHS sophomore Troy Yearby, a trip participant, was exposed to the resolute strength of women as they surmounted the obstacles of sexism. “I learned that women became more than they were allowed to be. They came together, overcame and became stronger together,” Yearby said. At the seminar, students learned about the founding of the women’s rights movement. One of the first major accomplishments in American women’s history was reached on July 19, 1848, when more than 300 suffragists convened in Seneca Falls, NY to discuss women’s rights. Participants in the convention composed a Declaration of Sentiments with signatures of 100 men and women affirming their belief in justice for women. Now, 162 years after the Seneca Falls Convention, we have women like Oprah Winfrey and Hillary Clinton, continuing the growth of women’s roles in society. We have modern examples of the potential women possess to initiate change. One hundred and sixty-two years later, we can sign our names by celebrating present and past, ordinary and extraordinary women through NWHM. One hundred and sixty-two years later, it’s our turn to pick up a pen and help write women back into the very history they began.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Viewpoints

Life in the fast (food) lane When students are pressed for time, it’s easy to stop at McDonalds or scarf down a fruit roll-up, but there are healthier ways to eat on-the-go.

Photo illustration by Kinsey Clark

Viewpoints Writer

By the numbers Do you eat breakfast every morning? Do you eat healthy breakfast food? 278

302

Yes

325

Yes

Do you eat fast food more than three times a week? 186

394

Yes

-- Survey compiled by Shelby Rae Curran

255

-- 600 students surveyed

some choice. Families and communities should be encouraged to make healthy eating a group effort. If the parents buying the food aren’t making healthy choices, their kids won’t be eating healthily or building good habits. Harris also suggested that middle and high schools should require students to take nutrition and cooking courses, with some take-home work for teenagers to complete with their parents, in order to “get parents on board.” “[Schools] require all these supposedly basic subjects like math and science, but what’s more basic than knowing how to nourish your body?” Harris said. Healthy choices can be as easy as you make them. With a little guidance from teachers, coaches and parents, kids can grow up with the right idea of how to take care of themselves. So next time you need to eat a meal on-the-go during a busy week, try and resist the tempting and easy Taco Bell or an enticing, quick bag of Sour Skittles. Instead, plan for a busy day by bringing along prepared snacks like cheese and crackers, a fruit salad, veggies and ranch or a smoothie. The rewards will be apparent in how you look and feel.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photo by Eben Elrod

t’s 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday afternoon. You had tutoring with your math teacher and afterwards, went straight to basketball practice. Now it’s time for church, which won’t be over until 8:30 p.m. or later, when there will be homework to attend to. It’s been hours since lunch time and a stop at the Taco Bell on Atlanta Highway is imminent. It’s not the healthiest option, but it’s the easiest, and when there are important things to get done, fast is what matters most. The average high school student lives a busy life: always on the go between school, sports, rehearsals, church, clubs, etc. With so many activities, good eating habits are often bypassed or forgotten completely. If you turn on the TV, within 10 minutes you probably will have seen at least one advertisement for a fast food restaurant, M&Ms, Gatorade, Pop Tarts, or some sort of packaged and processed food. The advertising industry focuses its efforts away from healthy food and on the products that will sell easily and Above: COUNTING CANDY: About one third of the students at CCHS eat fast food more than frequently, such as junk food. three times a week, and more than half of students do not eat breakfast every morning. Less than “Advertisements emphasize packaged foods and the salty and half of the breakfast-eaters at CCHS eat what they consider “healthy” food. When presented with sugary stuff to entice little kids and teens. If you try to advertise the raw facts, it is easy to see that teenagers have a hard time resisting the junk food that is so readily available. apples and oranges, you’re not going to make a lot of money,” Clarke Central High School parent and former Athens-area doclowest body mass indexes, or the least amount of fat. This is because eating tor Alice Harris said. breakfast kick starts your metabolism, helping to moderate eating habits as well It’s true. Some kids consciously make the choice to eat unhealthily, but many as lessen food cravings. A breakfast as simple as a bowl of milk and cereal with others just aren’t aware that there are healthy choices that fit their on-the-go fruit can provide the energy to get through a long day. lifestyles. Sophomore Bridgett Watkins, a member of the CCHS Mock Trial and Step “The main problem kids have is that they simply don’t know what is or isn’t teams, is often at school until 9:00 p.m. She finds that the best thing to do is to healthy,” Harris said. “They think low fat means it’s good for you, but low fat wait until she gets home to eat, where her mom cooks her dinner. may mean they just replace the fat with sugar.” Watkins tries to avoid unhealthy eating habits, but she finds this difficult At CCHS, polls show that about half of the student body does not regularly when junk food is so readily available. The temptation is everywhere. eat breakfast. Many students skip breakfast and eat food that is detrimental to “When my step coach brings us food, she always brings Burger King … and their health simply because they don’t have the time for a home-cooked meal I mean, that’s good; but she could supply us with healthy food, or if they’re givor to prepare something healthy. A recent study conducted by the University of ing us advice on what to eat, they could encourage us to eat healthily,” Watkins Minnesota showed a connection between breakfast habits and weight changes said. in teenagers. In reality, it’s easier to buy bags of potato chips and six packs of soda when People who ate breakfast consistently in the morning tended to have the you know a busy week is approaching. However, this is not the most whole-

By EMMA KISSANE

Viewpoints

March 2010

What’s happening this March?

Photo courtesy of Jeff Barnett

Too plugged in.

echnology is the trademark of our generation. Instead of being identified by their personality traits, people are known for what electronics they’re plugged BY KIMBERLY GUZMAN into. Photography Staff Electronics have become a modern drug. Students are heavily dependent on their CrackBerries, iDrugs and other gadgets. It has gotten to a point where those gadgets are a top priority in people’s lives. I, for one, can’t live without having an iPod, constantly pouring a dose of music into my system. People’s dependence on technology can handicap them. Although Spell Check seems like a harmless tool, it automatically corrects the writer’s misspelled words and indicates if there is a problem in their paper. Spell check is my best friend, as I am a horrific speller. Without it, I do not know what I would do when writing school essays. On the other hand, I never actually learn from the corrections spell check does for me. At the rate technology is evolving, I wouldn’t be surprised if, in only a few years, everything

Above: IV-POD: Technology, a modern drug, is resulting in widespread addcition among the younger crowds. As the dependence spreads, technology may become the only way of life in the future.

once done through human contact will be done through electronics. E-mail and texting will be the main sources of communication. Very little will be printed; instead it will be downloaded. Although society has not reached the point of complete dependence, there are times when a group of people gather together without speaking one word. Each of them is off in their own world. Some are texting, listening to music, or playing various games. People go out of their way to avoid socializing or even speaking to those around them. Using only electronics has become part of the norm and, more than that, has become a comfort for society. The human aspect is slowly being lost, and our future is so entangled in technology that younger generations won’t know any other way of life.

Appreciating the art of Athens.

t’s amazing how much talent comes out of our little town of Athens. From our music scene, where so many artists have risen, to BY JONATHAN MINGLEDORF the painters and Guest Writer sculptures that complement the beautiful scenery, Athens is a town enriched with art. Every house, yard and street corner around my neighborhood of Boulevard is unique. Small five-by-eight inch pieces of wood are covered in designs and are nailed to whatever is closest. One of my favorite types of art in Athens is the insects made of scrap metal using reclaimed materials. You see these almost as frequently as the variety of painted bulldogs (see page 46). No, I can’t build an insane metal bug or sculpt a body out of clay, so I’m glad that we have so

Photo by Carlo Nassise

eff Barnett, of the Clarke Central High School Fine Arts department, took his place at the head of the classroom, and with a clear voice, offered his BY ASHLEY CONRAD second block art Guest Writer students a project opportunity for National Women’s History Month. I didn’t know that March was women’s history month, but I decided to volunteer despite my naïvety. The project was a piece commemorating influential women from the past and present. The work could be in any media, and involve any creative aspect the artist desired; the only requirement was an image of the woman herself. For the past couple of weeks, several students have focused on what made their chosen woman so significant and interpreted that into their art. Acrylic and charcoal have been used to portray women like Kristi Yamaguchi, Frida Kahlo and Audrey Hepburn. My personal choice was a mixed media, including pen and ink paired with watercolor, in the form of Emily Dickinson. A woman of the late 1800’s, Dickinson was an unknown and private writer, Above: INFLUENTIAL her poems mostly WOMEN: Clarke Central High surfacing after School junior Ashley Conrad portrays poet Emily Dickinson her death. Dickin a piece of art to honor influinson is one of ential women in history. my most beloved poets; her words touched the hearts and minds of many. Hundreds of years after her death, Dickinson continues to be widely known for her impressive literature. I chose Dickinson because she is a truly admirable woman. In honor of women’s history, Dickinson, among other honorable figures, will be displayed at the Russell Research Center on College Station Road throughout the month of March. If in the neighborhood, make an effort to come by and take a look at all the great work.

Cartoon by Shelby Rae Curran

Painting a part of history.

Above: BUGGING OUT: The persuasive art culture of Athens is seen almost everywhere and comes in almost all shapes and sizes -- even insects.

many opportunities for rising musicians here. Music is my passion; I see it being a part of me for the rest of my life. I have been playing guitar for two years now. Coming from a rich musical background, I am confident I will do well. All in all, I feel blessed to have been brought up in Athens. I’ve been here my entire life and I don’t ever picture myself leaving. Travel? Definitely, but I’m here to stay.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Viewpoints

Question of the Month?

Making the band

What is a person, place or thing that represents your childhood?

“My grandma, because she’s great. When my mom went to work, she used to take care of me. I grew up with her in my life.” -- Roberto Luna,

junior

freshman “I remember growing up in New York and going to school on my own, hanging out with my friends and playing Double Dutch and Hop-scotch.”

-- Nik-keya Telford, senior

“My father, because he represented persevering through a lot of stuff. He doesn’t have use of his legs. It just helps to have someone there.”

-- Elliot Radcliffe, sophomore “When I think of my childhood, I think of the Pink Panther cartoon. It had no sound, but it was still funny.” -- Greg Wade,

senior

“Babcock Hall Dairy orange custard ice cream with chocolate chips, because it was a big deal to get ice cream.”

-- Lenore Katz, Counseling department 12

hat do most people picture a band as? Random people that pick up random instruments, and randomly have ideas for lyrics, concerts, and songs. The experience with my band,706, has been nothing close to this description. It all started as a simple interest: the guitar. I was about 12 years old when my dad taught me “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. As I began to learn a few more chords and play in public, I learned that Clarke Central High School freshman William Kissane played the drums. We began to play together and we started to play some live shows, including our first concert at a remote venue: Fat Daddies to the Human Rights Festival. I will never forget our first concert experience. You might think that walking onto a stage would be exhilarating, but it is probably one of the most petrifying, horrible, terrifying things that I’ve ever done. Playing in front of tons of people you don’t know is a very humbling experience. After playing for a few months, we learned that freshman Foster Gorman, who we had known for awhile, was starting to learn the bass, and we invited him to join the band. It took a long time before we could transition from practicing and writing songs in William’s attic, to playing at formal concerts. It became increasAbove: PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC: Four Clarke ingly obvious that a Central High School freshmen, including freshman keyboardist was required Jacob Cona, have banded together in hopes of becoming for our songs. Another a successful band in the Athens community. friend of ours, freshman Henry Siebentritt, is very talented on the piano, and he also joined the band. This was the beginning of our major concerts. We began to play many more shows. One of our largest venues at the time was Mulefest. Many different Athens bands played there. This is also when we started practicing on a regular basis. Practicing has become an essential part of our band experience. All of us have very specific musical interests, which naturally leads to disagreements on what songs we want to learn or make. We normally try to learn covers for half of the practice time and make songs for the other half. But most of this time is lost to wrestling, playing pool or raiding William’s food cabinets. All of this is nowhere close to simple. We constantly have disputes that range from which songs we have lined up for our next concert, to where we should eat dinner after practice. Even though being in a band poses many problems -- some big, some small -- we have come a long way from messing around in an attic to playing at huge concerts in front of people we don’t know.

Photo by Carlo Nassise

“I think I would say my first bear. I had it when I was really young, and I just really liked it. ” -- Timothy Searcy,

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

News

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

December 2009

March 2010

Put a smile on Clarke Central High School’s Glad Morning Café reopened for teachers during the spring 2010 semester. The café is run entirely by students in the CCHS CAPS department and advised by CAPS department teachers. Open on Tuesdays or Thursdays for the CCHS staff, the café offers them a hot breakfast. Students plan the menu, take orders, prepare the meals, make deliveries and manage the money. “The Glad Morning Café came about as part of our program to make community based instruction, cooking and money management a relevant part

Classes promoting peace In the 2009-10 spring semester, Clarke Central High School’s PeaceJam program was expanded from an after-school club to an accredited class. The PeaceJam class meets once a week after school. Meanwhile, students are expected to work on individual service projects on their own time. “We go to conferences and learn techniques for getting more involved in the community,” CCHS freshman and PeaceJam class member Maddie Jasiulevicius said. Students participating in the class are: Freshman Nour Burjak and Matthew Dellari, sophomores Charnetta Croffie, Jordan Evans, Juanita Garcia, Annie Jenkins, Morgan Johnson, Dreidan Thomas, and Jacqueline Urillas, juniors Ashley Conrad, Eva Crowe, Tiffany Eberhard, Nicki Goetz, Jakob Kagel and Tamar Schmidt and seni-ors Claudi Guillen and Carla Sanchez. Photo by Kim Guzman Photo illustration by Killian Begnaud

Welcoming the baby glads Clarke Central High School students took their annual trip to Clarke Middle School and Burney Harris Lyons Middle School to talk about their high school experiences. CCHS students explained major clubs and classes offered at CCHS including the Marching Band and various sports teams. Representatives from the Fine Arts department, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and Band each gave a performance for the middle school students. “It was weird dealing with middle school students because I remember how I felt when I was their age, but in the end it was a fun experience,” junior Shaundre Drumwright said.

of daily living skills class, but also to challenge students with the operations of a business,” CAPS department teacher Jennifer Frost said.

Collecting small amounts of help Clarke Central High School’s Key Club hosted Pennies for Patients, a fundraiser created by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The drive began on Feb. 1 and ended on Feb. 26. The Key Club’s goal was to raise $2,500 and bring awareness to Leukemia and Lymphoma patients. “I think that teachers have been fairly supportive and students have been supportive,” sophomore and Key Club member Mary Winn Granum said.

Photo by Shelby Rae Curran

News briefs

News

Power to the women As a part of National Women’s History Month in March, Clarke Central High School students from various English classes took a trip to the University of Georgia on March 1. The CCHS students were invited by UGA students at the Institute of Women’s History. While on the field trip, students from surrounding schools watched the documentary, “Seneca Falls.” CCHS students who attended included sophomores Marie Downs, Jordan Evans, Jaymie Friedman, Marie Guzman, Anthony Hayes, Duke Kissane, Gloria Kohn, Rose Murphy, Brooke Read, Fabian Rolle, Felice Sherman, Octavious Vereen, Troy Yearby, juniors Davonta Appleby, Lee Clark, Edith Dennis, Jalen Gresham, Michelle Pruitt, Leah Schmidt, Carter Siebentritt and seniors Marie Atkinson, Nathan Caskey, Rae Curran, Taylor Deagen, Daniel DeSimone, Foster Elrod, Natalya Haas, Betty Migombo, Clayton Morris and Wakefield Rogers. Above: LADIES FIRST: Students from the University of Georgia’s Institute of Women’s History invited Clarke Central High School students to their campus to view the documentary “Seneca Falls.” Before the documentary, two UGA students and a professor in Women’s Studies spoke about Women’s Rights. Left: PENNIES TO THE RESCUE: Clarke Central High School’s Key Club hosted the Pennies for Patients fundraiser during the month of February. The club used posters to promote awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma patients.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Acting out

larke Central High School English department teacher Lindy Crace worked cohesively with other English department teachers to organize a trip to Seney Stovall Chapel on March 26. Students enrolled in a Literature and Composition class, at any level, for the spring 2010 semester were invited to attend the field trip. Once at the Seney Stovall Chapel, CCHS students saw Tennessee William's famous story "A Glass Minagerie" performed by

the Rose of Athens Theater Company. On March 17 and 19 the Company members who starred in the performance joined several CCHS Literature classes to lead them in various acting games and to allow students to understand what the Company members experience regularly. “We talked about the play and what it was about … we acted out characters,” Sophomore Roreyale Jones said. “It made me excited to go and see the play. It was fun to play the games that had to do with the ‘The Glass Menagerie.’” -- Compiled by the News Staff

Right: HANDS IN: Clarke Central High School English department teacher Marlana Street allowed actors from The Rose of Athens Theater Company to come to CCHS and work with her Literature and Composition 10 classes. The actors from the Company visited the classes on March 17 and 19. They worked with the group by playing various theater games associated with the play, “A Glass Menagerie.”

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

News

March 2010

Shouting financial rejoice Clarke Central High School’s Parent, Teacher and Student Organization gives teachers financial relief.

ach month, Clarke Central High School’s Media Center plays host to members of the Parent, Teacher and Student Organization as they discuss ways to make CCHS a better learning environment. “PTSO is a place for parents to come and actually hear about what’s happening at Clarke Central since many teens are highly selective about what they will or will not share with the old folks at home,” PTSO president Liz Conroy said. Conroy, who has had two children enrolled at CCHS, joined PTSO in 2002 after hearing negative stories about CCHS in the Athens Banner-Herald and felt that the best way to learn more about the school was by joining the organization. “PTSO seemed like a good place to find the inside scoop on this school, but to my surprise, I kept hearing good things going on at (CCHS),” Conroy said. The organization is led by its Executive Committee, headed by Conroy. Along with Conroy, the Committee consists of Vice President Leslie DeSimone, Treasurer Mary Porter and Secretary Marcia Caskey. Topics for PTSO meetings are chosen from proposed ideas that could be of concern to teachers and parents. “Sometimes we are approached by people by olivia murphy News Writer

wanting to make a presentation and sometimes we think of a certain topic that might be on parents and students minds,” DeSimone said. Outside of meetings, the Executive Committee provides teachers with PTSO Classroom Grants. These are donations from parents and organizations within the community to help teachers financially. English department teacher Lindy Crace was able to receive a classroom grant in order to purchase a bookcart for her students. “I got the first grant, and that was for a book cart, and it was $300 worth of young adult literature for my classroom library. That was awesome,” Crace said. The PTSO also facilitates landscaping projects around the school. These projects allow members to clean up CCHS’s appearance and public perception of the school’s campus -- CCHS’ BETA Club and National Honors Society are also actively involved in campus clean-ups. “Everyone was thrilled to have tree plantings organized by PTSO to make (CCHS) look less like a prison and more like a college campus,” Conroy said. The PTSO’s efforts are appreciated despite a limited number of participants. While CCHS has an enrollment of more than 1500 students, PTSO is a relatively small organization and according to

Conroy the number of participants varies. “We can go as low as six to eight people and then have as high as 50, like the night we had college admission officers speak. Usually about a dozen people attend the PTSO meetings on a regular basis,” Conroy said. Sophomore and Orchestra member Nina Broocks feels that communication between parents and teachers is valuable in order for parents to be more in tune with what is going on in their children’s educational careers. “(Parents) just need to be involved because kids are (not) going to tell their parents everything,” Broocks said. Thanks to the PTSO’s efforts, members of Athens-based band Widespread Panic donated a new viola and two violins to Fine Arts department teacher Dr. Eunice Kang. Kang feels grateful for the organization’s assistance provided for her students. “We just feel so grateful, and it was just too good to be true,” Kang said. Crace feels that the PTSO supplies the encouragement needed to influence CCHS teachers and students to succeed. “No school can be as good as it can be if it (does not) have parents to support it, and no teachers are as good as they can be without parents helping them out,” Crace said.

Photo by Lexi Deagen

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Above left: SOAKING UP THE SUN: Clarke Central High School juniors Michelle Pruitt and Carter Siebentritt enjoy a sunny afternoon on the CCHS campus. Pruitt and Siebentritt completed classwork for their AP Language class while relaxing in an area that was landscaped by the PTSO’s Landscaping Committee. The small garden was planted in fall 2008 and was dedicated to CCHS’ 2004 Valedictorian Eve Carson, whose life was taken during Spring Break of 2008. Above right: MUSIC TO MY EARS: Clarke Central High School freshman Kiayra Erwin plays one of two new violins that the Parent, Teacher and Student Organization provided for Fine Arts department teacher Dr. Eunice Kang’s Orchestra class. Along with the two violins, the PTSO and members of the Athens-based band Widespread Panic contributed a new viola to Kang’s class. “The PTSO is wonderful and deserves so much for their support of all programs at CCHS,” Kang said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

News

It’s a long way to the top The Clarke Central High School Mock Trial team made it to the State Final Mock Trial Competition for the first time in five years.

Photo Illustration by Caleb Hayes

Photos by Isabel Atkinson

hroughout its 21-year existence, Clarke Central High School’s Mock Trial team has sustained a positive verdict, achieving more than ten Northeast Georgia Regional Competition championships. Starting in 2005, the team experienced a downtrend, but redeemed itself this year by acquiring a victory at the NGRC and moving on to the State level of competition. “The (Regional competition) was really intense,” junior Eleanor Golembiewski, a spectator at the NGRC, said. “(There was) a lot of heated debate over the trial. It was all really exciting and fun to watch.” CCHS’ Mock Trial team took on local teams in simulated trials on Feb 13 at the NGRC. In the trials, the students act out a predetermined case. A month before the NGRC, the High School Mock Trial Committee assigned all of the Mock Trial teams a case, which they had to defend and prosecute in two separate teams against other schools in front of a panel of judges. The seven students on each team act out the roles of witnesses and attorneys based on materials provided by the HSMTC. The students are then judged on their presentations, and the schools with the highest score continue on to the following round. “Everybody (on the team) is really strong; our witnesses are really good, and that’s a huge part of it. People think it’s all about the attorneys, but witnesses are really what decide matches because if they don’t know their stuff, they can throw your case,” CCHS Mock Trial team member and junior Ainsley Liken said. CCHS’ Mock Trial team began meeting in October 2009. The team received the case materials they needed to prepare for the NGRC in December 2009 and began to practice outside of school immediately, including scrimmages against themselves and against Henry W. Grady High School’s team from Atlanta, Ga. “We practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Sundays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Mock Trial is kind of like another class; you still have to prepare (for it),” CCHS Mock Trial team member freshman Keyana Browning said. “Mock Trial is 98 percent preparing and two percent (presenting).” After practicing for months, the Mock Trial students traveled to the University of Georgia School of Law for the NGRC to challenge other high school teams from the region. The CCHS team won the competi-

BY CALEB HAYES Variety Writer

Above: LEARNING FROM THE PROS: Members of the Clarke Central Mock Trial team listen in as Assistant Attorney Coach James Chaffin gives feedback on engaging a witness. The team went on to compete at the Mock Trial State Championship in Lawrenceville, Ga. “I thought we did remarkably well and it could of gone either way. We didn’t get all the way to the end,” District Attorney of the Western Judicial Circuit and head coach of CCHS’ Mock Trial team Ken Mauldin said. “But they certainly have gotten a taste of what it’s like, and they got to see what it takes.”

tion, and Liken feels that the team achieved a remarkable victory. “In the final round we swept the ballots, which is a big deal,” Liken said. “It means every judge, all six, voted for Central.” With the Regional victory in hand, the participants practiced in preparation for the upcoming State Final Mock Trial Competition, where they faced the top 16 schools in Georgia at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Ga. On the morning of March 13, the team competed in the first two rounds of the SFMTC. The competition was followed by an assembly where the awards for outstanding attorney and outstanding witness were presented, and the four semi-finalist teams that were to return the following day were announced. CCHS’ Mock Trial team won the first two rounds of the SFMTC, placing them in the semifinals. When the awards were given for the preliminary rounds, the team received seven out of the eight awards; four out of four best attorney awards, and three out of four best witness awards. However, in the semifinals CCHS lost by a close decision to Henry W. Grady High School, taking them out of the competition. “It was a remarkable road that they traveled this year,” District Attorney of the Western Judicial Circuit and head coach of CCHS’ Mock Trial team Ken Mauldin said. “They went against (Henry W.)Grady High School who was last year’s state champion and Grady went on to win the state championship this year.” Although they suffered a loss, Mauldin stays positive and welcomes the regional victory, knowing that it is the furthest the team has made it in five years. “(The current team is) as good as any team we’ve had before,” Mauldin said, “We only have one senior that’s graduating. We’ll have almost everybody returning next year, so the future is good.”

Left: MAKING A STATEMENT: Junior and Clarke Central High School Mock Trial team attorney Ainsley Liken practices her opening statement for the Northeast Georgia Regional Competition. Liken received the Best Attorney award at the competition. The team also advanced to the State Final Mock Trial Competition, which Liken could not participate in. “I signed up for the Europe trip with Mr. Cooper, so I couldn’t go to State, which literally breaks my heart,” Liken said. “We all put in so much time and we’ve become so close to each other, so it’s this great chemistry. And now I’m removed from it.”

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

News

March 2010

Hard to say goodbye

Associate Principal Tammy Pope worked as an educator for 30 years, with nine spent at Clarke Central High School. She retires this May.

Photos by Eben Elrod

ODYSSEY Archives

Above Left: A SMILE A DAY: For the past nine years, Clarke Central High School Associate Principal Tammy Pope has worked in her office on the first floor of the CCHS main building. Pope meets with teachers and students daily to talk about problems, conflicts or just to check in. “Well, I have hit 30 years, and that is generally the retirement age,” Pope said. Above Right: EVERYBODY NEEDS A BUDDY: CCHS Principal Dr. Robbie Hooker and CCHS Associate Principal Tammy Pope have worked on the administrative team together for two years. Hooker and Pope pose for a picture together after finishing up afternoon bus duty on the breeze way.

needed her, so when I come back to Central I’m going to miss not seeing her,” Willoughby said. While dealing with both teachers and students is one of her duties as associpresented. ate principal, Pope must also acts as a policy interpreter, a testing coordinator “Every day is something new for me, but I love doing my job,” Pope said. and a creator of CCHS’ master schedule and individual student schedules. Pope As the 2009-10 school year draws to a close, Pope will conclude her 30th also works with assorted committees in the Clarke County School District. year in education and has made the decision to retire. Although her decision is CCHS principal Dr. Robbie Hooker began working with Pope during the firm, Pope has enjoyed her nine years at CCHS. 2008-09 school year. As associate principal, Pope is second-in-command to “Well, I have hit 30 Hooker and works closely with him. years, and that is gen“She’s more than an associate (principal) to me, she “She’s more than an associate to me, erally the retirement is a friend, and it’s going to be difficult for me to replace she is a friend, and it’s going to be difage,” Pope said. her because she brings a wealth of experience,” Hooker For the past nine ficult for me to replace her because she said. years, Pope has had With Pope retiring at the close of the year in May, brings a wealth of experience.” various duties as a Hooker has started the process of searching for candiCCHS administrator, dates to fill her position. first serving for five “We already have people sending in applications and -- Dr. Robbie Hooker, years as an assistant we (currently) have 14 candidates,” Hooker said. Clarke Central High School Principal principal and the Hooker will lead a hiring committee composed of last four as associate CCHS teachers who will conduct interviews with candiprincipal. Prior to dates. coming to CCHS in 2001, Pope was an English teacher at Monroe Area High “By the end of spring break, we should know who will be taking her posiSchool for nearly 21 years. tion,” Hooker said. Her decision to retire came down to changing family dynamics. While the newly hired candidate will begin work during the summer prior to “Both of my sons are expecting my first grandkids, one in April and one in the start of the 2010-11 school year, Hooker will still rely on Pope’s expertise. June, so I can’t wait for that. I’m going to need to be there,” Pope said. “It’s going to be a big piece that will be missing, but we’re going to replace English department teacher Erin Cawthon has known Pope for four years her with a TWA (Temporary Work Agreement), so anytime we have questions and is saddened by her exit from CCHS. we will call her and she will answer our questions,” Hooker said laughing. “When she told me she was retiring, I almost cried. I will truly miss her and Pope is saddened by her departure at the end of the year, but plans on the school is losing an amazing administrator that cares for the faculty, staff, and returning to CCHS for multiple visits. students here at (CCHS),” Cawthon said. “I love (CCHS). I love the people I work with. I work with the best. I love Students, such as senior Terry Willoughby, have had relationships with the students here, so I wouldn’t say I will be here every Friday night, but I will Pope since first entering the halls of CCHS. “She has always been there when I definitely say you might see me coming through,” Pope said. BY SALLAY JABBIE News Writer

y 8:00 a.m. each day, Clarke Central High School’s Associate Principal Tammy Pope is in her office preparing to take on the daily challenges she is

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Focus

ARTWORK BY SHELBY RAE CURRAN Business Staff

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Focus

March 2010

After the fall of Troy, a Greek hero named Odysseus headed home from battle to the land of Ithaca. Though aided by the Greek goddess Athena, Odysseusâ€™ journey home was wrought with obstacles. Odysseus was a natural, flamboyant leader, and throughout the tale, he guided his men through great trials. He was resourceful -- building a ship with his bare hands. He was cunning -- disguising himself as a beggar to evade death. He was witty -- battling Polyphemus, a Cyclops. Most of all, he was prideful -- recounting this chain of events to eager listeners. Upon his arrival home, he was reunited with his loving wife Penelope and his son Telemachus.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Focus

The founding Editorial Board

Roxanne Reeves, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Natalie Wilson, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Olivia Boyd, Copy Editor

Adam Bewley, Business Manager

Amaris Bradford, Photography Editor

Katie Buckles, Sports Editor

Kelly Reel, Entertainment Editor

Caroline wilson, News Editor

In the beginning...

N BY LAUREN PRUITT Features Editor

o one would have predicted a teacher’s late arrival to a conference in Atlanta would have inspired an unexpected journey -- one that mirrored that of Homer’s Odysseus, a voyage that told of a magazine staff which overcame a series of challenging obstacles. Through a desire to produce a magazine for their school and community, a battle with funding and a pride that pushed it to be an award-winning publication, as well as a family, the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was named to honor the legendary storyteller who gave name to the epic hero of ancient times.

“It was a nod to Homer, it was a nod to the Iliad (Literary Magazine) and I think seven years later, it couldn’t have been a more appropriate name,” CCHS ODYSSEY and Iliad adviser David Ragsdale said. “I think if you look at the ODYSSEY, it’s a journey. I think every kid that’s been involved, even their parents, the community, they’ve gone on this trip with us. And even for the kids it doesn’t work out for, they learn a lot about themselves, what they can and can’t do and what they’re willing to do. It’s a trip every year.” The concept of the ODYSSEY came about as a faint idea in the fall of 2002, when Ragsdale arrived late to a National Council of Teachers of English conference in Atlanta after getting lost in traffic. The only class available was a student publication workshop, and having advised the Iliad, Ragsdale felt it was a natural fit. “Just listening to these people talk about their schools and their publications, I just felt like there was no way a school this big doesn’t have a consistent newspaper. We had to do something,” Ragsdale said. “I went to this workshop and it sounded like something I could do. I just started e-mailing different advisers from across the country.” With award-winning high school publications as a template, such as the Paladin of Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, Wichita, Ks. and the Carpe Diem of Decatur High School, Decatur Ga., and the knowledge of former CCHS Red and Gold adviser Keith Wilson at his disposal, Ragsdale took a handful of students he taught as sophomores to the Georgia Scholastic Press Association conference in Athens, Ga. in May 2003. As they attended classes and presentations, it became clear that his vision could be achieved. “It was just obvious we could do this, we had the man-power, we had the kids for it; it was just a matter of figuring it all out. Within the span of a school year, I figured we could do this,” Ragsdale said. Former CCHS principal Dr. Maxine Easom approved the class for the 2003-04 school year. After a seven-year absence of a student publication in the English department, she felt a periodical was long overdue. However, Ragsdale would be accountable for more than just running the class. “When he came to me, he had done research on (publications) that you could do in a high school. So he described the magazine to me and said, ‘This is what I want to do,’” Easom said. “Of course I was thrilled that he would want to

Not pictured: Dana Yen, Staff Cartoonist; Tony Mack, Opinions Editor; Alice Yu, Features Editor

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photos from ODYSSEY archives

Above: EDITING UP A STORM: Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine 2006-07 Managing Editor Kalle Horne edits an article, a crucial part of the writing process in the ODYSSEY. Each magazine presents new editing challenges. “We probably changed every issue after the first issue, just tweaked it a little. We learned that we were too text heavy our first couple of issues and that people didn’t want to read that much, that they wanted to see pictures, and they wanted to see their names and wanted to have cross-word puzzles, more interactive stuff,” CCHS 2005 graduate and former News Editor Julia Wilson said.

Editor descriptions Editor-in-Chief Responsible for every aspect of the newsmagazine from initial planning to distribution of the final copy in print. They establish the ODYSSEY work schedule for the year, as well as deadlines, and are the head of the Editorial Board, facilitate staff meetings and lead the classroom.

Managing Editor Above: TWO STAFFS, ONE YEAR: Due to the Clarke Central High School journalism class being new in 2003, many students only took the class for one semester. The founding ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff (top), posed for an out-take picture. Despite having lost key members when the second semester began, both staffs were dedicated to creating a quality newsmagazine for the CCHS student body. However, the transition was hard for CCHS ODYSSEY and Iliad Literary Magazine adviser David Ragsdale. “In those days it wasn’t a guarantee you would have everyone for a full year. So, at the end of the first term on that first staff, I lost half of them. I had to replace a Sports Editor, Viewpoints Editor and Features Editor. I lost my Copy Editor,” Ragsdale said. “It was, frankly, devastating.”

do that. However, there’s virtually no money. So I said, ‘David, this is great, but we can’t finance this. There’s no way we can pay for a magazine.’” Ragsdale and Easom agreed that funding the magazine would be his responsibility, using revenue from advertisements sold by students to local businesses and donations from parents and friends of the program. It was also Ragsdale’s duty to recruit students for the class, and being a 10th grade Literature and Composition teacher, Ragsdale already had a list of students lined up. CCHS senior, Iliad Editor-in-Chief and the first ODYSSEY Co-Editor-in-Chief Roxanne Reeves was involved in recruiting. “The first year, when we set it all up, we were just trying to get people to commit to (the class),” Reeves said. “We were really fortunate because the people that we had were all really committed people.” Senior Natalie Wilson partnered with Reeves for the Co-EIC position, while Ragsdale placed other leaders in the room according to their personal interests and talents. “Certain people fell into place -- this guy likes to take pictures, well he should be the Photography Editor. I taught so-and-so in 10th grade, they’re very opinionated; they should be the Viewpoints Editor. The kids who could write longer (stories) were Features (staff ), much of the same way we recruit now and put people in positions.”

The right-hand of the EIC and is responsible for nearly all facets of production, specifically relating to compiling peer evaluations, time logs and conferences. Other responsibilities include copy editing, managing staff conflict, leading staff brainstorms and taking minutes at staff meetings.

Copy Editor Responsible for editing and proof reading each article before it can be placed on its page. Must fully master the Associated Press and ODYSSEY style books and have access to each at all times. They frequently update the ODYSSEY style book to reflect changes in journalistic writing.

Business/Public Relations Manager Responsible for selling advertisements, making sure all ad copy assigned for the month is correct, finished and placed on its appropriate page before deadline. Additional duties include organizing and scheduling fundraising activities.

Photography Editor

Responsible for all photos that appear in the magazine and must ensure that the pictures/graphics are of good quality and uploaded to the proper location before the appropriate deadline. They are also responsible for all equipment used on staff.

Section Editors Assigned to a specific section, either Viewpoints, News, Features, Variety or Sports, and they are responsible for assigning articles to their staff, editing their section and putting all articles for their section in a master layout.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Focus

Production of the first issue commended after a two-week in-class workshop none of us had really had a lot of experience taking pictures everywhere we on journalistic writing and media ethics. The students had the opportunity to went, or just walking up to people and asking questions and interviewing learn the difference between subjective and objective writing, as well as other people like Dr. Easom and other important people in the community, so it was journalistic conventions. a huge learning curve the first year.” Although Ragsdale was did not have multiple computer “We ended up being a family because we labsCCHS teaching the class things such as in 2003; therefore, Ragsdale scrounged Associated Press Style, a list of together three discarded desktop computers spent so much time together -- learnguidelines and grammar specific the English department store room for ing together, working hard together and from to journalism, he was also learnall 30 journalism students to write and deing the material himself. being frustrated together ... There were sign their articles. The ODYSSEY’s first issue “He was a great, great journalwas completed using QuarkXPress 5.0 and definitely times we fought like family, ism teacher, and I think because Adobe Photoshop 2.5, which were cuttinghe was learning at the same time edge design and photo editing software at and we celebrated like family, too.” we were, it was a lot of fun,” Julia the time. Wilson, a founding member of However, the staff realized that with a -- ROXANNE REEVES, the class and 2004-05 News Edinew product unfamiliar to the student body, 2003-04 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Co-Editor-in-Chief enthusiasm for the magazine would take tor, said. “It was challenging because he was an English teacher, time. so he wasn’t used to AP style. He was very patient with us, but still a lot of fun.” “The staff and Ragsdale had to really work at it, the promotion of the magaAt the end of August 2003, the class began work on its first issue of the ODzine was really important for them,” Easom said. “It wasn’t that there was this great magazine and everyone went, ‘Wow’ after the first one; it was a hard road YSSEY -- a 20-page, newsprint magazine, chronicling the happenings in CCHS, as well as the community. to get it to where it is now.” “The class was pretty difficult because I don’t think anyone really knew how Getting students interested and excited about the ODYSSEY was not the much work went into producing a magazine like that, and the school had never only unexpected obstacle facing the class. The funding for the magazine, which done anything like that,” Reeves said. “It was a lot of getting used to, because had been Ragsdale’s responsibility from the start of the class, proved to be extremely difficult once the first issues began being published. “Our ad revenue was the kids selling ads and me calling in favors around town, but every issue was, ‘I don’t know if this is going to come out. We’re going to work no matter what, but I don’t know if we’re going to have the money,’” Ragsdale said. “It was scary and challenging, but it was exciting; no one knew what it was like, no one knew what a magazine could be every month.” The challenges the ODYSSEY faced only strengthened their journey as a team. Ragsdale witnessed the staff grow closer during long hours after school and on weekends, producing the magazine with a “we, us, our attitude over the I.” “We ended up being a family because we spent so much time together -learning together, working hard together and being frustrated together,” Reeves said. “Just the amount of time and work that we did together, I don’t think any of us had a choice but to feel like a family. There were definitely times we fought like family, and we celebrated like family, too.” One year after their first visit to GSPA, the class returned to the convention -- not as a cluster of people, but as a magazine staff. The staff celebrated as Features writer Christine Barrett won second place for Best Personal Feature and sophomore Sports Editor Katie Buckles won first place for Best Sports Feature. The ODYSSEY staff, with awards in hand, left the ceremony knowing they were more than a brand new high school publication -- they were an established magazine with content that could compete with the best in Georgia. “It wasn’t about getting awards, but rather seeing that we could tell stories about our community and school that were close to, if not on par, with other established programs in the state. I wanted to honor our founding members by building upon their strides for the next year,” Ragsdale said. Right: STEPPING UP THE TECH: When the Clarke Central High School journalism class began, ODYSSEY Newsmagazine adviser David Ragsdale scrounged three discarded desktop computers (top) from an English department store room for all 30 staff members to use for production of the magazine. Amaris Bradford, 2003-04 Photography Editor works on uploading photos on one of the few computers available to her. As the ODYSSEY began its third year of production, more equipment was provided for students (bottom), making it possible for each person to work on their articles and layouts for the entire class period. CCHS senior and Co-Editor-in-Chief Phil Stice worked on a sports layout on the new equipment. The independence each staff member was given taught responsibility. “It was a learning process for everybody, we were all learning together and it was really just like a little family,” 2004-05 Features Editor Laura Benson said. “It was also the first time that a lot of people felt responsibility, which comes from working with people because you’re meeting deadlines and you knew you had to get it done, and you wanted to get it done.”

Photos from ODYSSEY archives

Above: STAFF GONE WILD: The 2004-05 Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff posed in costumes for Halloween on the front steps of the school. For the second-year staff, the seniors who founded the magazine as juniors had to say goodbye. “I was actually looking at pictures of the banquet not too long ago and I’m crying, (CCHS ODYSSEY Newsmagazine adviser David) Ragsdale’s crying,” 2005 CCHS graduate Julia Wilson said. “It was very emotional, especially because we were part of the first staff and it was so hard to think about leaving and leaving such a great thing behind that we had started.” Above right: LEADERS BY EXAMPLE: 2005 CCHS graduates Adam Bewley (top) and Levi Slaboda (bottom) lead the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine as Co-Editors-in-Chief during the second year of production. “You couldn’t look at Adam and not want to work hard. You couldn’t look at Levi, who never said a word, and not want to do well, because he was working hard,” Ragsdale said. “They had a pride in themselves, a pride in each other and a pride in the staff. And that they knew, even in the early years, that they were part of something big, something bigger than themselves.”

The next year began with new leaders, inspired by the accomplishments of the founding members. Co-EIC seniors Adam Bewley and Levi Slaboda, both 2005 graduates, led the room with quiet respect that brought out the best in the new staff. “You couldn’t look at Adam and not want to work hard. You couldn’t look at Levi, who never

prevent the staff from accepting knowledge from other publication staffs. “We really had such a strong sense of competition with some of the other schools; the Carpe Diem was always good, and it was fun to see what they were doing and learn from them,” 2004-05 senior and Features Editor Laura Benson said. “That’s a lot of what the beginning was like, learning “Everybody really loved growing as a from other schools and team together, and working as a team. It magazines and trying to really was just a little family, all-or-noth- do Asit better.” the ODYSSEY ing -- if one person was behind, everyone continued to produce magazines the second would help them get the story done,” year -- covering topics that included a weight-- LAURA BENSON, loss themed issue, a 2004-05 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Features Editor Question and Answer session with Easom said a word, and not want to do well, because he and the Special Olympics -- the student body and was working hard,” Ragsdale said. “They had a faculty’s interest in the magazine grew. pride in themselves, a pride in each other and a “It got a lot of attention, it didn’t always show pride in the staff. And that they knew, even in the when we were trying to sell them because no one early years, that they were part of something bigger wanted to pay money, but they would still find than themselves.” ways to read it,” 2004-05 senior and Variety writer The staff continued to grow and bond throughChuck Griffin said. “Some of the teachers would out the second year of the ODYSSEY. There was a make their students read the ODYSSEY in class, I common pride in their product, but that did not can’t think of a single teacher I had senior year who

didn’t have an ODYSSEY and read it every month.” As several founding members and key seniors were set to graduate, Ragsdale wanted the students to be able to present their own personal odyssey to the class. For their final grade, Ragsdale had the students complete a portfolio of their work, along with a reflective essay to synthesize their experience as a journalist at CCHS -- their highs and lows in the class, as well as areas in which they could improve. Benson felt a singular sentiment shine through as each person shared their portfolios; something she felt reflected her experience in the class, as well. “The common theme was that people really grew as writers and as leaders. Everybody really loved growing as a team, and working as a team,” Benson said. “It really was just a little family, all-or-nothing -- if one person was behind, everyone would help them get the story done; if one person had to do something, we were all going to do it together.” With the end of the second year, the seniors that helped turn the ODYSSEY from a newly created publication to a magazine established in the school, and a staff that was proud of their content, could no longer guide the class. The staff held a banquet to say farewell to the seniors and welcome the juniors, who were inspired by the work of their predecessors and ready to step up as the next leaders of the class. “I was actually looking at pictures of the banquet not too long ago and I’m crying, Ragsdale’s crying,” Wilson said. “It was very emotional, especially because we were part of the first staff and it was so hard to think about leaving and leaving such a great thing behind that we had started. It was hard to know if the next group was going to be able to carry on, so it was really emotional to say goodbye to that.”

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Focus Photos from ODYSSEY archives

The journey continues BY LAUREN PRUITT

Features Editor

BY TAMAR SCHMIDT Features Writer

ven as the Trojan War ended, the journey of Homer’s Odysseus was not over. He persisted, through endless obstacles, often hindered by his pride when placed against those stronger than himself. The experiences gained during his exploration of an unfamiliar world left Odysseus a changed man, brought down by his overt arrogance. Similarly, during their third year, the Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff would continue on a journey to be noticed by their community, as well as gain recognition in the realm of high school journalism. However, they too struggled with a pride that could hinder their success. As the 2005-06 school year began, seniors and Co-Editors-in-Chief Christine Barrett and Phil Stice were visited by former EIC Adam Bewley who exposed his displeasure regarding the magazine’s progress. “Adam Bewley came back to visit us and said, ‘I’m disappointed. Your magazine looks the same.’ Essentially the ODYSSEY looked the same for the first three years,” CCHS journalism adviser David Ragsdale said. “I think that hurt feelings in a good way. I think that made (the staff ) want to be better.” The new leaders in the room were motivated by more than the beginning of a new year. With a

template in place, they were driven to produce a magazine with an improved design. “Once we had the formula down and we knew what to do, we really started having fun with it, and it became this thing that everyone wanted to do,” Barrett said. The Editorial Board was aware of what the magazine could become under fresh leadership, ready to branch out with content into the Athens community. In turn, the ODYSSEY became a recognized publication in Athens. “I think the years of Stice and (Barrett) might have been the turning years,” former CCHS princi-

pal Dr. Maxine Easom said. “I don’t mean that what the (ODYSSEY) staff was doing changed. I think it had just been happening long enough that suddenly people started realizing what (the ODYSSEY) was.” Inspired by Bewley’s challenge to improve the magazine, the staff tried to find new and creative ways to further the ODYSSEY’s progression. Fundraising efforts took a positive turn during the 2005-06 school year as the staff began working a concession stand at the University of Georgia’s home football games. Each game involved the 30-person staff working a single concession stand, serving hotdogs and sodas to football fans for the entirety of the game. “The football games were a pretty good bit of team building and made everyone come together through the misery. It helped me get to know some people in the staff better when I was a little bit on the outs because I was just a baby,” 2005-06 sophomore and Variety writer Chris Miller said. “It was nice to actually have some real money; that was when we started getting color.” The program, which had previously been financially unstable, began to reap the benefits of a surplus of funds. Ragsdale was able to start sending students to journalism workshops and conventions out of state, as well as to provide scholarships for summer camps. “We were able to publish successfully without the monthly stress and hassle we had previously

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Focus

March 2010

Photos from ODYSSEY archives

SIPA convention, but started an on-going streak and Viewpoints writer of winning Best in Georgia, along with awards Andy Whitehead said. to individual staff members. The senior leaders “I remember the team attributed the good fortune of the program to the being there and getting tight-knit atmosphere of their staff members, who recognition and being hailed from different grades levels, origins and had happy about it.” unique personalities. Whitehead, a rarity “They were all different and crazy, they all came as a senior addition to from different backgrounds, that’s for sure,” Miller the staff, found his niche said. “We had the step team diva, the jocks on the with his classmates soccer team, baseball team and football team, the during the trip. The Opposite Page: ON THE ROAD: The 2005-06 Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY was a growing beauty queen ... It was just a great place to be as a ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff attended the Southern Interscholastic Press Associaforce in the eyes of sophomore and made me want that experience for tion convention for the first time in order to receive their All-Southern award, those competing at the future ODYSSEY kids.” one of the highest honors for high school publications in the Southeast. “That was probably our best bonding experience. It was definitely a close-knit crowd and we SIPA convention, as well As seniors David Gordon and Meg Granum rose had everyone out there,” 2006 graduate and Viewpoints writer Andy Whitehead as in the staff ’s own into their positions as 2006-07 Co-EICs, their aspirasaid. Above: EDITORS IN CHARGE: The 2005-06 Editors-in-Chief were seniors tions for the ODYSSEY rose, as well. The rising EdiChristine Barrett (left) and Phil Stice (right), who began to explore new ideas while perspective. leading the ODYSSEY. “Once we had the formula down and we knew what to do, we “The ODYSSEY was torial Board evaluated the magazine in the summer really started having fun with it,” Barrett said. definitely one of the bet- of 2006, focusing mainly on aesthetics and length of ter newsmagazines, one the publication. Glossy paper was adopted in lieu faced and we were able to begin taking out-of-state of the best newsmagazines I had seen at the time,” of newsprint, and the publication was lengthened fieldtrips, like the Southern Interscholastic Press SIPA Press Manager Leslie Dennis said. “I thought to more than 40 pages per issue. Association convention, and some short months the writing was really well done and the topics well “We sat down as the editorial staff and decided to later, the National Scholastic Press Association,” researched.” make a very big change, and the biggest change was Ragsdale said. that we were going to full glossy,” The SIPA convention, held in Lilli Crowe 2006-07 Variety Editor “I think the years of Stice and (Barrett) Columbia, SC., is an annual high said. “I’m the one that started the school journalism conference in might have been the turning years ... I Cultural Buzz. That was my baby. I which students and advisers attend really wanted to do that.” classes ranging from design to writing think it had just been happening long These large scale improvements to photography. The conference also were mirrored by changes in section enough that suddenly people started realinvolves several competitions and content. Crowe created Cultural concludes with an awards banquet. izing what (the ODYSSEY) was. Buzz, a two-page spread featuring Student publications evaluated as “Allreviews on local eateries, cinema Southern” are invited to attend the -- DR. MAXINE EASOM, and fashion, which became a hit with conference, so they’ll be eligible for Former Clarke Central High School principal the student body. As Sports Editor, SIPA’s most prestigious overall award, Rachel Bowers took the reins, she the Scroggins Award. Thus began a phase in which the modest magaadopted Sports Briefs, modeled after the traditional “We found out in December that we’d been rated zine became a fully established entity, worthy of News Briefs. All-Southern. We didn’t really know how far we’d “That really changed everything because everyregional accolades. come, but the invitation to attend and to compete “We were pretty for the Scroggins was appealing, but even more humble from the so was the opportunity for the class to attend, as beginning. I think a staff, a regional conference in South Carolina,” pretty quickly we Ragsdale said. started to realize we The convention offered more than knowledge had a great thing for the ODYSSEY; the staff as a whole bonded durgoing and people ing the trip, encouraged by Ragsdale, who chose started to respect it,” roommates by picking those who did not normally Stice said. interact and rooming them together. The ODYSSEY “That was probably our best bonding experidid not only receive ence. It was definitely a close-knit crowd and we an All-Southern had everyone out there. (SIPA) put a nice little evaluation at the period on the whole senior year,” 2006 graduate Right: BREAK-LESS CLUB: Clarke Central High School 2006 graduate and

ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Viewpoints writer Andy Whitehead wrote a column,

complete with a graphical allusion to “The Breakfast Club,” illustrating the diverse newmagazine staff. “They were all different and crazy, they all came from different backgrounds, that’s for sure,” 2005-06 sophomore and Variety writer Chris Miller said, who posed for the graphic. “We had the step team diva, the jocks on the soccer team, baseball team and football team, the beauty queen ... It was just a great place to be as a sophomore and made me want that experience for future ODYSSEY kids.”

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photos from ODYSSEY archives

March 2010

Top: POWERFUL PAIR: Clarke Central High School 2006-07 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Co-Editors-in-Chief Meg Granum and David Gordon took control of the magazine’s design with the rising Editorial Board and made drastic changes. “We sat down as the editorial staff and decided to make a very big change, and the biggest change was that we were going to full glossy,” 2006-07 Variety Editor Lilli Crowe said. Above: WORKING THROUGH THE WEEKEND: The CCHS 2005-06 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff put in extra time on weekends and after school to fill their extended 40-page magazine with content. “Everybody had to write something to fill up 40 pages. That really changed everything because everybody had to write something and it had to be good,” Gordon said.

Focus body had to write something to fill up content of the magazine, already enthusiastic about 40 pages and it had to be good,” Gordon their new design. The staff ’s pride in their product said. flourished, and in fall of 2006, following the release To gain credibility in the community of that year’s third issue, a portion of the staff and include an administrative perspectraveled to Nashville, Tenn. to attend the National tive in their articles, the staff started Scholastic Press Association convention for the first monthly press conferences with Easom, time. spending all of their third block class, At the NSPA convention the ODYSSEY was including lunch, asking questions of entered in the Best-in-Show competition, which their principal. honored 12 high school publications from across “It was good for (the staff ) that they the nation. got information and good for the principal, “It was never about the awards for so I didn’t have to meet with every single any of us. It was about the relationperson who had an ships within the class that defined article,” Easom said. “It gave me a wonderthe atmosphere.” ful time to really get to know kids and for the -- DAVID GORDON, kids to really get to 2006-07 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Co-Editor-in-Chief know me.” Easom’s 30 years of experience in the Clarke County School “We were sitting there and we thought we were District allowed students to tap into an awesome,” Vashisht said. “We were the ODYSSEY extensive network of knowledge and with lots of awards on our shelf.” sources. Vashisht witnessed the staff rifling through other “She took half an hour to an hour award-winning high school publications, openly out of her day to discuss topics, and she pointing out flaws with an arrogance that accompanever seemed flustered. It was always, nied them into the awards ceremony. They sat near ‘You’re a great group of kids, I love what the back of the auditorium, pride emulating from you’re doing,’” 2006-07 Senior Copy the entire staff as the Best-in-Show winners were Editor Sameer Vashisht said. announced from the list of 13 semi-finalists, which The support of the CCHS administraincluded the ODYSSEY. tors gave the staff confidence in the “They kept going up the list and we got more and more excited every time that it wasn’t the ODYSSEY, because that meant we placed higher. We were ecstatic, and finally they called number one. It was some other school. We were number 13,” Gordon said. “That’s when I got up from my chair and walked out.” The sudden shock of the loss left Gordon and the staff numb and defeated, but not for long. “That feeling of disappointment brought everybody who was on that NSPA trip closer together,” Vashisht said. “Like we know what it feels like to be completely derailed, and we don’t want to feel that ever again, so I feel like it was the work ethic that picked up a lot.” The staffs’ arrogance so prevalent at NSPA was

Left: ON A NATIONAL LEVEL: The 2006-07 Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff travelled to Nashville, Tenn. to attend the National Scholastic Press Association conference for the first time after the release of the third issue of that year. However, the staff’s blatant pride during the awards ceremony lead to devastation when the ODYSSEY did not place in the Best-in-Show competition for high school publications nationwide. “NSPA was heartbreaking. Though it was humiliating, we started to realize it wasn’t about the awards. It was never about the awards for any of us. It was about the relationships within the class that defined the atmosphere,” 2006-07 Co-Editor-in-Chief David Gordon said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Left: PRINCIPAL ADVICE: During the 2006-07 school year, the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff began having monthly press conferences with former Clarke Central High School principal Dr. Maxine Easom, allowing students to gain an administrative voice in their articles. Managing Editor Kalle Horne (left) and Co-Editor-in-Chief Meg Granum (right) engaged Easom during a press conference. “It was good for the staff to get information, good for the principal so I didn’t have to meet with every single person who had an article,” Easom said. “But the press conferences ended up being more for me, and for the staff. It gave me a wonderful time to really get to know kids and kids to really get to know me.” Below: HARDLY A ROCKY PLACE: The CCHS ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff has always felt as though each year they become a family. “The relationships in the class are 10 times more important than any awards,” 2007 graduate and Co-Editor-in-Chief David Gordon said. “It wouldn’t matter if there was only one magazine in the year that everyone worked on, as long as the leader is a person that really takes the time out to ask, ‘Hey how are you really doing?’ Not, ‘How’s your article going. How are you doing?’”

left behind as the staff changed their outlook on conferences as a whole. “NSPA was heartbreaking,” Gordon said. “Though it was humiliating, we started to realize it wasn’t about the awards. It was never about the awards for any of us. It was about the relationships within the class that defined the atmosphere.” Gordon took it upon himself to create an aura in the room beneficial to building close relationships with the staff. “It wouldn’t matter if there was only one magazine in the year that everyone worked on, as long as the leader is a person that really takes the time out to ask, ‘Hey how are you really doing?’ Not, ‘How’s your article going. How are you doing?’” Gordon said. The staff ’s relationship with each other grew as March approached. For the second time, the ODYSSEY attended the SIPA convention with a new presence along for the trip. “I went because they asked me to go with them, and it was wonderful, I loved it,” Easom said. “We

rode the bus and it was fun. We got lost and it was all the fun things. It was great to be with the kids in a different way; you get to be a real person rather than the principal. I felt like I didn’t just go and watch kids and go to an awards ceremony, but I learned, too. I went to a workshop and I learned information and I came back and was able to use that in our school.” As the awards ceremony approached, the ODYSSEY staff focused on the things they learned in the convention and maintained a quiet pride in their work. In addition to the awards the ODYSSEY received, the staff nominated a CCHS figure for a special honor. Easom was named Administrator of the Year for her ongoing support of the ODYSSEY. “I was very honored, I was more honored not that I’d gotten the award, but more that the staff nominated me. You know when your home folks nominate you, that’s the best part of it all,” Easom said. Vashisht felt that having Easom accompany the staff to SIPA further elevated her appreciation of the class. It became clear that they were doing a service for the school and the community in becoming a credible source for news around Athens.

“We were setting a good name for CCHS,” Vashisht said. “There were a lot of people who loved and depended on what we were doing.” The ODYSSEY’s coverage extended past the school and encompassed issues that resonated in the community surrounding the school. “As a resident of Athens, I really feel the magazine helps me get some insight into what the students are seeing as critical issues,” Georgia Scholastic Press Association director Joe Dennis said. “As someone who has two kids little kids raising them in Athens, I’m getting some ideas from articles I read in the ODYSSEY as to the teenage culture in Athens.” At the GSPA convention in spring 2007, the staff ’s hard work was validated when the ODYSSEY received a ranking of General Excellence for the third straight year, as well as Best Features Coverage and 10 individual awards. Ragsdale was announced Adviser of the Year, having been nominated by a staff thankful for his guidance and passion for the magazine. “Ragsdale’s influence has made a bigger impact on my life than almost anyone else. He loves what he does,” Crowe said. “He loves the people who he’s working with and you can see in all of the hours he gives.”

March 2010

Looking back on legacy

Focus

BY KAYLI READ

Features Writer

war began his journey. Away from home for years. Overcoming tremendous obstacles. Learning to control his ego. Homer’s Odysseus finally made it home after trying to maintain his reputation in the world. Now, all he had to do was prove himself in the place that mattered most to him -- his home -- in a challenge showcasing one talent that only he possessed. At last, Odysseus could carry the title of hero among his fellow people.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

The Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine has consistently held the prestigious

awards of Best-in-Georgia and All-Southern from the Southern Interscholastic Press Association since 2005. However, that identity was not valuable when they returned to their hometown of Athens, Ga. For five years since the founding of the magazine, the staff competed for Newspaper All-Georgia, the highest award given by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, an association based at the University of Georgia’s Grady College. The award represented more than recognition by their hometown; it was validation for each staff member’s personal journey as a part of the ODYSSEY. David Ragsdale, CCHS ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and Iliad Literary Magazine adviser, hoped that as 2006-07 seniors and Co-Editors-in-Chief David Gordon and Meg Granum left their ODYSSEY journey behind, the incoming leaders would bring a maturity to the classroom that allowed him to fulfill his role as adviser and less as an additional leader on staff. The reins were handed to 2007-08 seniors Chris Miller and Lisa Glaser, who became Editor-inChief and Managing Editor, respectively. “I wanted to be in charge because (the ODYSSEY) Above: COLORFULLY LOUD ‘N PROUD: 2009 Clarke Central High School graduate and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief Bryan Barks shows her pride for the ODYSSEY by dressing in all blue on the final draft deadline day. “Someone mentioned Deadline Pride as a way to boost staff morale and get people excited for what can be an otherwise stressful day,” Barks said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

ODYSSEY

archives

Focus

March 2010 Left: A BRIGHT FUTURE: Clarke Central High School’s 2007-08 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff shows their family dynamic. “I loved it, I loved the people, I loved feeling like I was doing something real,” 2008 CCHS graduate and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-inChief Chris Miller said.

good product every month.” In spite of the meaningful achievement, the staff curbed their sense of pride with a year’s worth of memories that reminded them of what they truly valued from their journey as a team. “There are a lot of memories of the ODYSSEY that are a lot more important to me than winning that little plaque,” Miller said. “Throwing the football around in the quad out back, feasting with the whole class and reading through an article that I got to watch grow to an amazing piece of journalism … all of those memories really do mean a lot to me.” The 2007-08 staff had earned the title of best high school publication in Georgia, but was faced with the challenge of passing on that legacy to next year’s staff, unsure if it would repeat as All-Georgia. was a huge part of my life, and I loved working with Glaser said. “By delivering our own work, we “Every year is different, and each staff makes the people,” Miller said. “I decided to stop acting expected our staff to follow suit and turn in their their own unique imprint on the ODYSSEY,” Glaser like a child and start acting like someone who best work, as well.” said. “I think each year speaks to the nature of the wanted to have a serious role in the class.” As the year progressed, the staff began looking magazine -- it is constantly changing and growing, With the help of a strong Editorial Board, the for opportunities to build presence in the high moving and developing in different directions and 2007-08 ODYSSEY staff succeeded in redesigning school journalism community. Ragsdale proposed the magazine by adding a new Cultural Buzz layout, presenting sessions at scholastic journalism conven- with different perspectives.” As the incoming EIC, 2009 CCHS graduate creating a new cover format and implementing tions, such as SIPA and GSPA. Bryan Barks would become the face of a respected “What’s Happening Now” in the Viewpoints section. “I felt we were ready; we had a lot of things to publication. “My main goal was to help people become better share. We had gone to so many conferences and “My vision for the ODYSSEY was essentially writers, better photographers and better designgathered information from others,” Ragsdale said. a bunch of high schoolers putting together a ers,” Miller said. “I had accumulated a pretty good Miller and Glaser were ecstatic. They seized professional magazine that, journalistically, could bit of knowledge just because I’d been around for Ragsdale’s proposal and ran with it, giving the staff compete with any professional publication in the two whole years working in various areas of the an opportunity to show the journalism community country,” Barks said. “I wanted us to use our high magazine. I just wanted to help people get better what the ODYSSEY was as a team. school-ness to make important issues because I knew it would yield a really good product.” “Every year is different, and each staff makes accessible to our same-age peers. I didn’t want us to publish the fluff that a Aside from the changes their own unique imprint on the ODYSSEY,” lot of high school publications print.” in design, the two leaders Although Barks had an idea of what brought a sense of unity, -- LISA GLASER, she wanted the ODYSSEY to become in which Ragsdale was able to 2007-08 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Managing Editor order to improve, she came into the observe more freely as an classroom ready to collaborate with adviser. Glaser and Miller’s personalities worked well together, which helped “I feel like when you’re preparing a presentation, 2009 graduates Managing Editor Christina Downs and Senior Copy Editor Caroline Foster to decide them establish checks and balances between the it makes you reflect on what has worked and what what direction they wanted to take the magazine, as EIC and Managing Editor when it came to making has not worked for the past year,” Glaser said. “You decisions within the classroom. realize what needs to be refined, what is interesting, well as the atmosphere in the classroom. “What Christina, Bryan and Caroline advocated “Lisa was a machine. Lisa wasn’t going to yell at what the process truly is.” for was a more professional staff, a more profesthe room, Lisa was going to talk to you outside and Throughout the year, the ODYSSEY staff continsional demeanor in the room. I think you saw let you know what was up,” Ragsdale said. “Chris ued to perfect their process leading up to the GSPA could lead the room, Lisa knew the book.” awards ceremony, one of the staff ’s last outings as a a more concerted effort to dress professionally, behave professionally, to essentially run the room The staff grew stronger as a result of the stable group. It was there that they began to feel the preslike a newsroom as opposed to a gaggle of kids who leadership, and everyone in the room was trusted sure build as they waited to see their final evaluacame together every day,” Ragsdale said. “So there to work as a team, putting in their full effort to protion. Sitting in the audience with bated breath, the was a difference in dynamic that wasn’t something duce a high-quality magazine. The family dynamic staff hoped they would receive recognition for their that I personally sought out, but it was kind of what strengthened staff morale and encouraged students hard work. When they were announced Newspaper those guys wanted to do as leaders.” All-Georgia for the first time in the magazine’s fiveto produce their best work in hopes of producing For Barks, finding herself in a place of power a magazine worthy of recognition as an exceptional year existence, the staff was elated. and responsibility took a lot of adjustment, but “It is an amazing feeling to have all that work publication in Georgia. she eventually became comfortable with her own vindicated. Would I have been disappointed had “I think both Chris and I tried to lead by unique style in the classroom. we not won any awards? Yes, because we deserved example. Everyone took care of their own business “My admiration for Chris’ leadership style really them,” Miller said. “No ego. We put out a really and pushed those around them to do the same,”

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March 2010

“Obviously, it wasn’t perfect, but more so than that, it was a source of accountability for people. Once you hand it off that is saying, ‘This is the best I can do with it.’” After having developed practices of their own, the Dream Team continued the tradition of sharing their ideas with other publications and, in turn, learning things of their own at conventions such as NSPA, SIPA and GSPA. “I never wanted our presentations to come off as us saying that we have the best way of doing things and every publication should be just like us,” Barks said. “Sometimes we’d actually get into discussions with the people in our sessions, and they’d give us good ideas about how we could improve upon what we were doing. Our presentations were very give-and-take.” To finish off a year of many personal accomplishments and teaching others, the 2008-09 ODYSSEY staff waited for validation of their hard work at the GSPA awards ceremony. Miller and Glaser left behind the legacy of being the best high school newsmagazine in the state, one that stuck with the 2008-09 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff when they attended the awards ceremony at GSPA. With the 2007-08 accomplishments looming over their heads, they were wondering if they, too, would be considered for the same acclaim. “When they called our name, I felt like that moment was the point at which I exploded. All

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the room by getting the entire staff to dress up in the same color on the day of final draft deadlines. “Someone mentioned Deadline Pride as a way to boost morale and get people excited for what can be an otherwise stressful day. I thought it was a really great idea,” Barks said. “The staff was stressed. Deadline Pride came at the perfect time.” In order for this team activity to be effective, Downs had to get everyone as excited as the class leaders were about dressing up. “It wasn’t, ‘You have a grade for this,’ it was a fun opportunity. I really pushed people to do it,” Downs said. “Just like football players have to dress up on game day, it shows a sense of unity and that you’re really committed in an odd way.” Through encouraging staff unity, Barks, Downs, Foster and Ragsdale found themselves becoming closer. As their check-ins with Ragsdale became more frequent, the group earned a new title. “The Dream Team consisted of me, Caroline, Bryan and Ragsdale,” Downs said. “The Dream Team was a product of our delirium at like 10 o‘clock at night -- us just trying to get through the day. The four of us really bonded.” Many Dream Team meetings were held while editing staff member’s articles. Editing every writer’s work resulted in the establishment of a technique designed to make the process easier: the Editing Gauntlet. “It was the tiers of editing. Staff writers to the section editors, and then section editors would make sure that it was up to their standards. Section editors would hand it to the copy-editors and they would check it off and hand it to the top people and then we would edit it,” Downs said.

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helped me in a lot of ways, but I think for the first few months of the school year, it really paralyzed me,” Barks said. “I just felt like I had to be serious and stern and tough to make up for the fact that I was a serious girl and not a fun, laid back guy. I really beat myself up over that for a long time, but I eventually figured my leadership style out. I just had to accept that this is who I was as a leader.” While Barks had to find a balance between being herself and being EIC, Downs never felt that her position compromised her identity. She tried to bring her own approach to the job as Managing Editor. “At no point did I ever think that, ‘I’m turning into this person that I don’t want to be.’ That was probably a really satisfying part of the job’” Downs said. “I define myself as someone who’s able to be professional and yet really silly at times. I would stand in front of the class and I would just say something stupid or sassy, but then at the same time people knew that if you were not working, I was going to call you out on it.” As the two leaders were working to command the room, they also focused in on the different possibilities for staff bonding. While attending a class at the National Scholastic Press Association convention, Barks came across a unique idea of unifying

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Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Top Left: DYNAMIC DUO: 2007-08 Clarke Central High School graduates and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief Chris Miller and Managing Editor Lisa Glaser were a strong leadership team because of their ability to balance each other’s roles in the classroom. “At the ODYSSEY banquet my senior year, Chris made the comment that I wore the pants in the family,” Glaser said. “We balanced each other out well in our separate roles.” Right: LAYING A LEGACY: 2007-09 CCHS ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff members Stephanie Aronson, F. Tyler Elrod, Sarah Nehf, and Ria Mehta posed as the business staff for the ODYSSEY. Bottom right: ONE-O: As part of the memories left from the 2008-09 ODYSSEY staff, “One-O” was a hand-sign that they would make to show pride for the hard work they did everyday. “Drinking horrible coffee with the editors who came in early, or singing Red Hot Chili Peppers during workdays or singing and dancing on the bus ride to the Southern Interscholastic Press Association convention -- those are the things I remember most when I think about the ODYSSEY,” 2008-09 CCHS ODYSSEY Newsmagazine EIC Bryan Barks said.

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March 2010 Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Right: LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: Despite the fact that Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Newsmagazine’s accomplishments at the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, the 2008-09 staff believed in more than winning awards. “I’m a firm believer of if you do what you’re supposed to do or if you do what you say you are going to do or what you believe in, it will pay off in the end,” ODYSSEY Managing Editor Christina Downs said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photo by Steven Hinsch

the difficulties and triumphs of the year just leaked out of my body into a puddle on the floor,” Barks said. “I cried. I started as soon as the ceremony ended, and I just couldn’t stop. I think I cried on and off for 48 hours. I cried a good two hours for every issue I’d done with the ODYSSEY. ” Having poured so much of herself into the class, Barks was left with three years of accomplishments and struggles that she will never forget. Barks’ love for the magazine drove her to try to pass on that dedication to the next Above left: WORK ZONE: 2008-09 Clarke Central High School junior and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Variety writer Jeffrey Rogers focuses EIC, and attempt to share on writing his final draft on one of the ODYSSEY’s Saturday work days, so he can begin a layout. “Sometimes it’s difficult to concentrate how the responsibility that when you’re confined to a hot computer lab on a weekend. When I wrote for Variety, my editor (2009 graduate) Rachel Amster would came with the position would occasionally write notes on my back to remind people to not distract me,” Rogers said. Above right: EMERALD ATTIRE: 2009 CCHS graduates Editor-in-Chief Bryan Barks and Managing Editor Christina Downs ate lunch in Room 114 while showing their deadline change a person. pride by dressing up in all green for the final draft deadline. “(Deadline Pride) was something that occurred consistently enough that Even with two EICs before people expected it. So it was, ‘Oh we have a lot of work to do, but we have Deadline Pride,’” Downs said. him as an example, current CCHS senior and EIC Foster “If I can just be the person to somebody one learned from,” Miller said. “I don’t really want Tyler Elrod was not fully aware of how the experianyone trying to do the ODYSSEY my way though. day that they look back on and say, ‘I remember ence would change him, not only as a journalist, when Tyler was editor, and he did this, and I want Everyone needs to experience that their own way if but also as a person. to make it look better,’” Elrod said. “I want them to they’re going to get anything out of it.” “No one is ever going to know the responsibildo it. I want them to be proud of themselves, and I Having gone through almost three years with ity until they actually take the position. Bryan hope I can be the example.” the ODYSSEY, Elrod hopes future members will mentioned that my junior year. She said, ‘You live, learn from everything he has incorporated into the For each new editor and staff member, a journey breathe, eat journalism, and it’s going to kill you,’” magazine and EIC position. begins. But for Ragsdale, the end of each year Elrod said. “I didn’t believe her, but I came into means saying goodbye to the students he has seen this year, and she was right, and it’s transformed by the ODYSSEY. While new leaders definitely a new experience -- one that “All the difficulties and triumphs are trained to take over the ensuing year, he faces has made me stronger.” tough moments that have become just another part of the year just leaked out of my Through the struggles he faced of the process. throughout the year, Elrod had to body into a puddle on the floor,” “Every year, I lose a piece of me. I’ve watched grow as a person while helping the these people grow up. You don’t raise these folks to magazine grow. As EIC of an awardkeep them around; you raise them to let them go,” -- BRYAN BARKS, winning magazine, Elrod was faced Ragsdale said. “And there’s always a question: How with a challenge and felt obligated 2008-09 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Editor-in-Chief can we do better than last year?” to live up to the standard set by his predecessors. “I compare myself to Chris Miller. Everybody liked him, and he was fun to be around, and then I compare myself to Bryan. Bryan was the best writer that I’ve ever seen,” Elrod said. “How can I live up to that?” As they play such a huge role in the ODYSSEY staff, each EIC strives to bring a different dynamic to their year. Despite these differences, every EIC hopes the next year’s staff will learn from everything they accomplished as leaders. “I hope I made some mistakes that somebody

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The coach and the kid

In her first article, sophomore Christine Barrett profiled legendary Clarke Central High School head football coach Billy Henderson. News Writer

ODYSSEY archives ODYSSEY archives

Above: COACHING CONFERENCE: Former Clarke Central High School head football coaches William DeVane (left) and Billy Henderson (right) were pictured in the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine’s first issue in Sept. 2003, which gave readers insight on Henderson’s legacy, including three state championship titles. Henderson appreciated the article and its author, Christine Barrett. “He mailed me a letter shortly after (it was published), thanking me for the work I did,” Barrett said. Right: THEN AND NOW: Christine Barrett (top) was a 15-year-0ld Features writer in 2003, who went on to be Co-Editor-in-Chief of the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine. Presently, Barrett is a senior at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, where she is majoring in Communications.

even years ago, in Room was still kind of awkward and shy,” Barrett said. 209 of Clarke Central However, once the interview began, Barrett High School, there sat found herself able to relax. three desktop computers found in an English “He was so willing and excited to talk to me, so I department store room. Sophomore Christine got comfortable with it really quickly,” Barrett said. Barrett, 2003-04 Features writer, sat diligently “For my first interview, I think it could have been a working as a line of students waited their turn lot scarier and a lot more difficult.” behind her. Barrett wondered how the student body would All of these students were working towards react to her article, since Henderson was, and the same, singular goal: to produce CCHS' first remains, such a monumental presence at CCHS. ever issue of the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine. “There was a lot of pressure be“There was a lot of pressure cause it was the first issue ever, and because it was the first issue ever, and we all knew that it we all knew that it had to be good,” had to be good,” Barrett said. Barrett was writing the -- CHRISTINE BARRETT, article “Catching up with the 2003-04 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Features writer coach.” Not only would her article be the most in-depth “A lot of people that I talked to said how much article in the first ODYSSEY, it would also be the first cover story. they loved the Billy Henderson article,” Barrett said. “It's a pretty big deal to write the cover story, “Many people named it as one of their favorites in so I was excited, but it did add to the pressure,” the first magazine.” Barrett said. “The rest of the staff was excited The work Barrett put into her article paid off. At about the article, as well, and I didn’t want to let the 2004 Georgia Scholastic Press Association conmy classmates down.” ference, “Catching up with the coach” won second “Catching up with the coach” was a Features place for Best Personal Feature in the state. profile on former CCHS coach Billy Henderson. “I was completely shocked,” Barrett said. “It was Henderson was head football coach at CCHS for a very proud moment for me.” 23 seasons, during which the Gladiators went While the article was a success with judges at 222-65-1. The CCHS football stadium now bears GSPA and students at CCHS, Barrett felt the most the name of the school’s most accomplished important judgment would come from Henderson football coach. himself. Interviewing such an iconic CCHS figure was “We sent a copy to (Henderson), and he mailed a nerve-wracking experience for Barrett. me a letter shortly after, thanking me for the work I “I was really anxious; I had never interviewed did,” Barrett said. “He loved the article, which was anyone before. Plus I was only 15 years old, so I the most important thing.”

BY LILY KOHN

Photo courtesy of Christine Barrett

“Catching up with the Coach,” September 2003

“ARE WE READY?” April 2004

The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine debuted in Sept. 2003 with a cover accentuating the importance of knowledge and unity at Clarke Central High School. Featured in the issue was a profile of former CCHS head football coach Billy Henderson and his legendary years at the school, along with a story on the bulldog statues scattered throughout Athens, Ga. The first issue also included Question of the Month, Star Players and Sports Preview, which have consistently been in the ODYSSEY for seven years since its premier.

The ODYSSEY covered the topics of depression and whether television content was too graphic for its intended audience. The theme of the issue was responsibilities that teens face, including an article on a teen mom who attended Clarke Central High School, where readers were taken through the journey of her daily routine. The newly implemented Georgia High School graduation test was covered, along with its effects on the juniors at CCHS. The Feature article was the tale of 1997 graduate Brian Wooten’s experience as a soldier in Iraq.

-- Kinsey Clark, Variety Editor

-- Alexa Friedman, Business Staff

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March 2010

Dealing a hand in the poker trend ODYSSEY archives

Focusing on the poker craze that swept Athens, Ga., Sports Editor Alexander Stephens investigated if high school students received a raw deal.

BY JEFFREY ROGERS Sports Editor

The ODYSSEY focused on concerns with weight, both on a national and local level. These articles ranged from a News article discussing eating disorders to a Features spread on the obesity problem to a Sports article about wrestlers losing weight for weigh-ins. The ODYSSEY also included two articles about hunting as a sport, one as an editorial and the other covering the facts about hunting. The Variety section reviewed Asian cuisine and popular music, actors and movies. Both Viewpoints and News covered the legality of gay marriage. -- Emma Kissane, Viewpoints Writer

ODYSSEY archives

“How Much Makes You 2 Fat?” December 2004

Above: NO BLUFF: The Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine published “Feeling Flushed” in October 2004, investigating the effects that playing poker has on teenagers. CCHS Junior and 2004-05 Sports Editor Alexander Stephens took on the article, as well as made his own graphics for the layout. “Alexander was at the vanguard in that era of being an all-in-one guy. He was able to do the graphics, the writing, the editing,” CCHS ODYSSEY adviser David Ragsdale said. Right: THEN AND NOW: Alexander Stephens (top) is now attending University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and plans to work in radio journalism and audio documentaries after graduation.

Photo courtesy of Alexander Stephens

s professional poker gained newfound national exposure through TV programming, 2004-05 Clarke Central High School junior and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Sports Editor Alexander Stephens wrote the article “Feeling Flushed.” “There was a new trend of people in high school playing poker after the World Series of Poker, the year Chris Moneymaker won,” Stephens said. “I was interested to see how that might have affected the frequency at which young people were playing.” Stephens was concerned that poker habits might negatively impact his peers. In order to ensure his reporting was accurate, Stephens interviewed Athens Regional Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. Sharon Esposito. “I interviewed (Esposito) about gambling addictions and how those might develop, and if people gambling at an early age was potentially dangerous,” Stephens said. Esposito concluded that, in moderation, the social interaction that occurs while playing poker is generally beneficial to teens, but concedes that there is potential for gambling addiction when there is money involved. “I didn’t find it a difficult article to write. It was something that was interesting for me, and a lot of my friends had started playing poker; it was a good thing to do at the time,” Stephens said.

After writing his article, Stephens designed a layout that included a complex graphic of playing cards, as well as a poker chip bar graph that illustrated the ascension of poker games being broadcast on national television networks. “Alexander was at the vanguard in that era of being an all-in-one guy. He was able to do the graphics, the writing, the editing; it was just not the typical in that era, and in truth, we don’t necessarily do all that today,” ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and Iliad Literary Magazine adviser David Ragsdale said. Ragsdale was further impressed by the timeliness Stephens’ displayed in writing about poker just as interest in it began to grow. “A lot of our seniors of that class in 2005 were getting sucked in (to the poker scene). So it was a very timely article. And you look forward to 2010, there are about 8,000 poker websites,” Ragsdale said. “This kid was calling a trend six years ago. That’s heavy stuff.” Stephens was recognized for his efforts when he was awarded 2nd Place for Information Graphic and 3rd Place in the Sports Feature competitions at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. “I felt proud for having achieved the individual awards because of the work I personally put into that article, but coming away from the awards ceremony I was mainly happy and proud that the ODYSSEY had made a name for itself,” Stephens said. “We took home a lot of awards, and that was a great feeling.”

“The Man Who Bleeds Red and Gold,” February 2005 The ODYSSEY paid tribute to German teacher of 28 years Charlie Wooten by profiling his experiences at Clarke Central High School. It featured a collaboration between the drama department of CCHS and neighboring Cedar Shoals High School in a production of the musical “Chicago,” along with the article “Where have all the teachers gone?” which focused on teacher turnover at CCHS. The sports feature covered the participation of nine CCHS students who competed in the Special Olympics. -- Isabel Atkinson, Photography Editor

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March 2010

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Don’t worry, be happy Taking on a faith-based story involving spiritual leader Meher Baba, junior Features writer Lilli Crowe sought to enlighten the student body. News Editor

ODYSSEY archives

Photo courtesy of Lilli Crowe

ODYSSEY archives

Above: THE ENLIGHTENED ONE: Though he was born in India, the spiritualist leader Meher Baba’s message transcended national boundaries. In the November 2005 issue of the Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, Features writer and junior Lilli Crowe captured Baba’s influence on Athenians, but did so with reservations. “I was fearful of improperly communicating important principles simply through my inexperience of journalistic writing,” Crowe said.

Above: THEN AND NOW: (Left) Lilli Crowe was a 17-year-0ld Features writer when she covered Meher Baba. She went on to be Variety Editor during her senior year. Presently, at right, Crowe is a junior majoring in International Affairs at the University of Georgia.

he first time an iconic face ever graced the cover of the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine was the first time the ODYSSEY ever sold out. The sepia-toned cover featured a quote and photo of Meher Baba, a seemingly obscure religious leader. The cover story explained Baba: his ideals, his supporters and those who followed him in the Athens community. Clarke Central High School junior and 2006-07 Features writer Lilli Crowe fought for opportunity to write the article, as she was curious about Baba’s teachings. “I wasn’t incredibly familiar about the ideology of the Baba followers,” Crowe said. “But I’ve always been interested in various religions and how they connect, so I was definitely ambitious about writing the article.” Crowe’s passion for learning about different religions helped to convince her editor and staff to let her write the article, “The Compassionate One: Meher Baba.” However, the idea had initially come to her unexpectedly. “A childhood friend followed Meher Baba, and I remember seeing his picture all over her house,” Crowe said. Crowe soon learned more about Baba through a close friend. “When I was 11, I met a boy named Gus Darnell (Cedar Shoals High School 2007 graduate). He had a shirt with Baba on it,” Crowe said. “He was the one to explain the bare essentials of the Baba theology.” In her article, Crowe explained how Baba was a religious figure followed by a group of people with no specific name for their ideology, as well BY EMILY ALLEN

“There’s No Place Like Home,” December 2005

“It’s BOTOX Baby!” May 2006

The ODYSSEY examined the lives of Athens’ homeless community. By spending two nights without a home, a staff writer exposed the difficulties that the homeless face every day and reasons why they frequently do not seek help. The ODYSSEY explored the growing diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder. It also described the positive effects of medicating the disorder, as well as the dangers of a misdiagnosis. Staying within the medical lines, the ODYSSEY described the dangers and misconceptions of “fad diets.” -- Carlo Nasisse, Viewpoints Writer

as answered the questions of how Baba started his teachings and how they affected the Athens community. “I was definitely worried about offending followers of this particular religion,” Crowe said. “The followers that I talked to seemed really excited about the fact that I was writing this article and I was concerned about letting them down -- or worse, offending them with inaccuracies.” Crowe interviewed avid followers of Baba in order to get accurate information for her article, but her sources were limited in the Athens community. Two of her key interviews were held with 2005 CCHS graduate Walker Horne and Darnell. “It was difficult to research because there were not very many people for me to speak to,” Crowe said. “I was very scared of leaving out a really big piece of the doctrine because of the lack of people that I spoke to.” With Crowe’s difficulties in attaining resources, it was hard for her to objectively present the story of Baba. “I would say the article was somewhat inaccurate, but it did not matter because Baba’s philosophy of love shined through it. And just to have the article in the ODYSSEY was wonderful,” CCHS parent and follower of Baba, Rebecca Horne said. Despite the innaccuracies, Crowe felt accomplished. She followed through and published a story about a topic she was passionate about. “I definitely learned something new -- an entire religion. I was more and more passionate about this topic the more I learned about the belief systems,” Crowe said. “I really enjoyed the overall optimistic and loving aura of this system.”

“There’s No Place Like Home”

The ODYSSEY revealed the latest dangerous trend amongst teens: BOTOX. The staff investigated the popular uses of BOTOX, including its utilization for cosmetic purposes, as well as the prevention of excessive perspiration. The ODYSSEY also described the aid provided to the numerous victims of Hurricane Katrina who relocated to Clarke Central High School. A staff writer argued the Subway diet was highly ineffective and detrimental to one’s health. -- Shelby Rae Curran, Business Staff

“It’s BOTOX, Baby!” ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

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March 2010 Photo courtesy of Bryan Barks

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the community as prostitution, another face of poverty, was painted. “( Writing about prostitution) helped me better understand the extent of poverty in Athens and our community’s problem with sticking our heads in the sand when it comes to these issues,” Barks said. “Our downtown and the (University of Above left: LIFE IN THE GUTTER: The cover story of the March 2007 issue of Georgia) atmosphere the Clarke Central High School ODYSSEY Newsmagazine exposed prostitution to the gives the impression magazine’s readership, however there were concerns with the article’s subject that everything is fine mater. “This was a story that could get the ODYSSEY in serious trouble. It was a story that had to be handled in just the right way, or else it would offend a lot of in Athens when there people,” Barks said. “So I felt a little nervous -- it was a lot of pressure. If I messed are some really major up, it would hurt the entire class.” Above right: THEN AND NOW: (Bottom) problems beneath the Barks, a sophomore ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Features writer in 2007, recognized the risks of publishing her article on prostitution. She is now majoring in Social Work surface.” at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Having witnessed prostitution in her neighborhood growing up, Barks felt it was an important issue to address. She felt the need to expose the controversial issue and tell the stories of the women involved. “At first we didn’t want to run the story or let Bryan go for it. We BY LAUREN CORCINO ands pushed were worried about her safety and how credible Senior Copy Editor up suggestively her sources would be,” ODYSSEY adviser David against a car, Ragsdale said. a lit cigarette hanging off her lips in the pitch Eventually, Barks was assigned the topic after black night with headlights illuminating the scene, Ragsdale and 2006-07 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Cothe staged picture illustrated the seedy world of Editors-in-Chief David Gordon and Meg Granum prostitution. discussed the story’s pros and cons at length. Bryan Barks, 2006-07 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine “Athens is named for the goddess Athena, who Features writer, wrote an in-depth investigation on was the goddess of knowledge. I found it ironic prostitution in the Athens community. Bark’s arthat Athenians are unaware of what Athens is really ticle, “An ugly truth,” provided conversation within ODYSSEY archives

An ugly underbelly Sophomore Bryan Barks exposed the blight of prostitution in Athens.

“Give Me Shelter,” October 2006

like. We had to cover this story because it was a real issue, and people in our community needed to be aware of what was actually going on,” Gordon said. With the opportunity to expose a serious underlying problem in the community, Barks faced a great deal of pressure concerning the possible consequences of publishing this article. “This was a story that could get the ODYSSEY in serious trouble. It was a story that had to be handled in just the right way, or else it would offend a lot of people,” Barks said. “So I felt a little nervous -- it was a lot of pressure. If I messed up, it would hurt the entire class.” While Barks had the desire to write about the topic, she faced challenges as a teenager dealing with such adult subject matter. “There were a lot of safety issues involved in writing this article. I really wanted to get out on the street and just sit down and talk to a prostitute, but I was 14 years old and that would have been dangerous,” Barks said. Unable to approach prostitutes due to safety concerns, Barks went to the Athens-Clarke County police station to gather information. With the help of Sgt. Aubrey Epps, Barks planned to interview incarcerated prostitutes, but none were willing to comment directly. Instead, Barks convinced the prostitutes to let Epps tell their stories under pseudonyms to protect their identities. “(Epps) told me about his experiences with these women and what they were experiencing, which added a level of credibility and authenticity to the story that was really difficult to get,” Barks said. After five weeks of production, “An ugly truth” was published, leaving Barks with lasting impressions about prostitution in the community and the impact that it has. “The most satisfying part about writing the article was understanding more about prostitution -- why women turn to it, how it affects them and how the community is dealing with it.,” Barks said. “Prostitution is romanticized a lot, and I think writing the article gave me a sense of what it actually was.”

“Fake IDs: A Real Problem,” April 2007

The ODYSSEY looked into poverty in the Athens community. The cover story told a Clarke Central High School student’s story, who, despite living in poverty, found hope and worked for a better future. The ODYSSEY highlighted Foreign Language department teacher Emily Dowd’s return to CCHS after a three-year absence. Other articles range from a story about 2006-07 senior JB Erickson, the football team’s kicker, to the intentions behind student volunteerism. -- Kim Guzman, Photography Staff

Students’ eyes were opened to a variety of different topics, from the abuse of fake IDs in Athens, Ga. to Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder to sexual harassment in the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine. A first-person narrative made it easy for readers to connect to the struggles of an ODYSSEY writer with cerebral palsy. The ODYSSEY also recognized the presence of music in Athens and at Clarke Central High School by highlighting both CCHS and local musicians. Sports covered the varsity girls basketball team’s undefeated season.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

-- Claire Dennis, Viewpoints Editor

March 2010

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Delving into unseen Athens News Editor and 2008-09 junior Caroline Foster investigated gangs in Clarke Central High School and her hometown, Athens, Ga.

ODYSSEY archives

Top: COVERING GANGS: The Clarke Central High School

ODYSSEY Newsmagazine recognized gangs as a

serious problem in Athens, Ga. and within the school. The article exposing gangs was the cover story in March 2008 Above: THEN AND NOW: CCHS 2008-09 junior and News Editor (left) Caroline Foster is currently traveling the world in a gap year until she begins college.

“Chasing Easom’s Shadow,” May 2008

“Band Together,” December 2007

ODYSSEY archives

found herself learning more about the problem at hand. “I didn’t know there were that many gangs in Athens or that it was enough of a deal to have a specific police officer assigned,” Foster said. The police officers Foster interviewed for her article shed light on some of the often misinterpreted facts about gang members, such as age, gender and initiation processes. “I was surprised at how young people became involved in gangs and how intertwined it was with families,” Foster said. “I was surprised at how young people “Gangs in Athens” became involved in gangs and how intold the story of 2008-09 CCHS junior tertwined it was with families,” Zaydi Garcia. Garcia’s -- CAROLINE FOSTER life had been drasti2008-09 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Senior Copy Editor cally changed by her brother’s involvement in the gang Los Primos. “I talked to (Garcia) twice or so, that way “I was enthusiastic about the article more than she would be more comfortable to talk as time anything else,” Foster said. “I really wanted to bring went on,” Foster said. “I remember her being people’s attention to gangs, so they would at least very open to talk about it; she wanted to get the be aware of the problem.” While Foster was excited to write the article, she information out there.” While “Gangs in Athens” may have been one felt some ODYSSEY members were apprehensive of the most researched and heavily edited articles about the potentially dangerous issue, but she Foster wrote for the ODYSSEY, she felt it was one remained unfazed. “I had so much to think about in terms of who of the most rewarding. to talk to and where to go with the article that I “I was excited because the article ended up being the cover story and I think it helped me win wasn’t ever concerned about safety,” Foster said. runner-up for Georgia Champion Journalist my Foster worked her way through a web of contacts to find the right people for her article. senior year,” Foster said. “It’s always really gratifyAs Foster continued her extensive research, she ing to get recognition for something you worked so hard on.” News Writer

ODYSSEY archives

loods and Crips, Sur 13 and 18th Street, Los Primos and Nortenos: These names alone can instill hate in some and a sense of loyalty in others. Schools, neighborhoods and families fear the vandalism and destruction the gangs of Athens, Ga. can cause. In the 2008-09 school year, Clarke Central High School junior and ODYSSEY Newsmagazine News Editor Caroline Foster explored a darker side of the Athens community in her article “Gangs in Athens.” BY LILY KOHN

The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine examined the importance of protests, reporting that peaceful rallies and marches were more effective than virtual protests on Facebook. The staff covered the overuse of bottled water and its effects on the environment. Herbert Kohn, a Holocaust survivor, was profiled with his message to Clarke Central High School students, “Never Again,” about discrimination. The ODYSSEY focused on paraprofessionals and teachers, highlighting their duties and out-of-pocket expenses to ensure students learning opportunities.

The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine focused on the retirement of Dr. Maxine Easom after nine years of serving as principal at Clarke Central High School, as well as Felicia Kay, a 2007-08 CCHS senior diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis. An in-depth News article focused on the new state-mandated curriculum that would be implemented in Georgia during the 2008-09 school year. The ODYSSEY Sports section informed students about the former CCHS coaches and parents after whom the sports facilities were named.

-- Emma Kissane, Viewpoints Writer

-- Isabel Atkinson, Photography Editor

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Focus

March 2010

Writing with a sensitive flourish

n the spring 2009 semester, the initials “ZK” abounded throughout Clarke Central High School. It was painted on the baseball field, embroidered on the team hats, mounted on the field fence and pressed onto the back of the team shirts, all to remember and honor the short life of head baseball coach Kyle Kirk’s infant son, Zach. Class of 2008-09 CCHS graduate and former ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Managing Editor Christina Downs detailed the story of Zach Kirk in the last article of her high school journalism career, “Angel in the outfield.” BY GAYATRI SETIA Senior Copy Editor

Right: ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD: Players on the 2008-09 Clarke Central High School baseball team paid tribute to their coach, Kyle Kirk, and his late son, Zach, by wearing an honorary No. 7 on their jerseys.

The ODYSSEY Newsmagazine reported the history of the long-lived high school rivalry, most intensely seen on the football field, between Clarke Central High School and its cross-town rival, Cedar Shoals High School. Because of its publication a month before the 2008 presidential election, the ODYSSEY showed the reaction the election elicited in Athens, Ga. Following the political theme, the ODYSSEY included a spread about CCHS’s political clubs, Future Democrats and Future Republicans. -- Isabel Atkinson, Photography Editor

Above: THEN AND NOW: (Left) The author of the article, Christina Downs, worked on the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine staff for three years. Her duties included work on the News staff, as Junior Copy Editor and she served as the Managing Editor for the ODYSSEY during her senior year. (Right) Downs is presently a freshman at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The Kirk article was the impetus for a future career. “My whole passion with the communications field is storytelling. Stories like the Kirks’ reminded me why I ever got into this business,” said Downs, a freshman majoring in Print Journalism at Howard University.

Photo courtesy of Christina Downs

“Rumble in the Jungle,” October 2008

ODYSSEY archives

“My initial reaction was extreme apprehension of how to handle this story. I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes,” Downs said. “I really wanted to share this story, but I also did not want to really invade these people’s privacy and their healing process. I really didn’t want to be disruptive, so it was just the mental preparation of just knowing that I’m about to enter into a very sticky situation.” Something that Downs especially wanted was to delve “My motivation was to expose these further into the story than people’s extremely admirable will and simply the tragedy aspect of Kirks’ lives. an immense amount of love circulat- the“There’s a certain sympathetic impulse that you have, ed throughout family and team,” and that kind of takes over -- CHRISTINA DOWNS you. All you can see is this 2008-09 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine Managing Editor family who is hurting, and you feel awful for them. You’re kind of blinded by it,” Downs said. “My motivation was to expose these people’s “This was at the point where I was coming off as extremely admirable will and an immense amount being Managing Editor and could finally sort of just of love circulated throughout family and team.” breathe as a writer, something I didn’t really get to Although “Angel in the outfield” was her last ardo at all my senior year, and I wanted to take on a ticle on the ODYSSEY staff, Downs sees it more of a sensitive issue that would kind of stretch me as a testament to how much she has to grow as a writer. writer,” Downs said. “This piece came at the perfect time of showing This article was not only the first time in a year me that I have a lot more to do,” Downs said. that she had the opportunity to write a two-page “Chronologically, it was the end, but it marked the story, but it was also the first time she had ever beginning of what I want to pursue, my future in undertaken such a sensitive issue as the story of everything.” Zach Kirk.

ODYSSEY archives

In her final article for the ODYSSEY, Managing Editor Christina Downs elevated her writing to capture the significance of a child’s passing.

“ODYSSEY presents: Life Swap,” May 2009 In the last issue of the 2008-09 school year, the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine writers switched things up a little bit -- literally. Two senior writers from different backgrounds switched lives for a week, chronicling their adventures. The issue also focused on breast cancer, the silent killer of thousands of women each year, as well identity loss due to the usage of proxy servers in the school computers. With other stories ranging from “sexting” to the baseball team’s willingness to come together after a tragic loss of life, this issue left a lot of readers talking. -- Betty Migombo, Viewpoints Writer

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Variety

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Variety

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Variety

Photo courtesy of www.impawards.com

C u lt u r a l B u z z “Modern Family,” American Broadcasting Company Claire and Mitchell’s father Jay is married to Gloria, who is bilingual and half his age, with a 10-year-old child, Manny, from another father. Claire and her dorky husband, Phil have three children – the diva teenager Haley, extremely smart Alex and slightly dull Luke. Mitchell and his partner Cameron work together to raise their daughter Lily, who they adopted from Thailand. Although an odd group, they all fit together perfectly to make one big, hilarious, happy family. In each episode of American Broadcasting Company’s Modern Family, the three families, each with their respective issues, come together to solve their problems. Their interactions are hilarious, and the show is full of dry and compelling humor that flows from the beginning of the episode to the end. Mitchell ( Jesse Ferguson) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet), my personal favorite characters, are constantly arguing on the best way to raise their daughter. Mitchell, for example, the much more level-headed of the two, tries to train Lily to sleep on her own, while Cam claims that it’s torture and proceeds to sneak into her room in the middle of the night when she cries. Their sarcastic banter in these situations is never ending and keeps me glued to the TV. I would recommend this comedy to anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a unique dialogue between characters. However, you have to be open-minded to like the Modern Family premise because it illustrates non-traditional dynamics – truly a “modern” family.

Miscellaneous

Music “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum As one of few country music lovers at Clarke Central High School, I counted down the days until Lady Antebellum’s second album, “Need You Now,” was released. Titled after their hit single, the album consists of 11 songs, each with a beat of its own. “Need You Now” offers listeners a wide variety of melodies. “Hello World,” the fourth track on the album, is one of those motivational songs that makes you just want to sing at the top of your lungs. With two or three of these ballads interspersed throughout the other catchy pieces, this CD is great for anyone who simply loves to sing along to what they are listening to. Despite the fact that this album falls under the genre of country, there is not a single banjo strum or “ye haw.” I am certain that anyone could enjoy listening to “Need You Now” if they are looking for a fun, feel good album. -- Emily Allen, News Editor

“Fearless,” Jazmine Sullivan I popped in “Fearless,” by Jazmine Sullivan, and was pleasantly surprised. I’m used to R&B music with crazy usage of autotunes, but this CD was completely different. After listening to “Bust Your Windows,” the first track, Sullivan’s voice is so clear that even a person who isn’t good at singing could sing along to every word. Her style is so different from everyday R&B music. It was like each of her songs had their own meaning. Along with her sensational music, the album’s songs tell a story with great beats to set the mood. I would suggest this CD to anyone that wants something that they can dance to, but learn from, as well. -- Olivia Murphy, News Writer

Of Montreal, 40 Watt Club Being squished by large sweaty men, having plates of spaghetti and feathers thrown at you and watching men dressed as animals wrestle on stage might seem like an unpleasant experience. It might have been, if not for the Athens pop band, Of Montreal serenading the crowd. The 40 Watt Club in downtown Athens hosted a show on Feb. 4. The crowd was infected with the glamorous energy of lead singer, Kevin Barnes, dressed in a cross between Red Riding Hood and a pirate. He sang vibrant tunes reminiscent of Michael Jackson and Prince. Of Montreal’s eccentric dress and lively stage performance left me warm inside and the exquisite craftsmanship put into something so absurd gave me hope for the world. -- Carlo Nasisse, Viewpoints Writer

Bop it EXTREME, Milton Bradley Milton Bradley really out-did themselves with this toy. Bop it EXTREME is perhaps the only thing capable of keeping my attention for more than five minutes. Bop it EXTREME has five mechanisms: Flick it, Spin it, Twist it, Pull it and of course, Bop it. It is safe to say that people like to push buttons, and this game lets you do just that. An enthusiastic male voice tells the player which motion to make. The player then has a short amount of time to push the right button. Bop it EXTREME is great for hand-eye coordination and keeps me on my toes. It is the perfect solution to Attention Deficit Disorder. Bop it EXTREME is extremely addictive, and a ton of fun. -- Alexa Friedman, Business Staff

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photo by Alexa Friedman

Photos courtesy of (from left) cdn2.overstock.com, rcamusicgrouppress.com, weblogs.dailypress.com

-- Kinsey Clark, Variety Editor

Photo courtesy of: movie.zing.vn

March 2010

Video Games

Food

Movies

Mass Effect 2, Bioware After four years of waiting, the name Mass Effect 2 appears on the screen. What happened to Commander Shepard? Have they found any signs of the Protheans, an alien race close to extinction? These questions still buzzing through my head, I quickly pressed the start button and got thrown back into the shoes of Shepard, a futuristic soldier trying to save the galaxy. This game is yet another example of how great Bioware is at making Role Playing Games. Everything I didn’t like in the first one has been improved 15 times over. However, anyone that picks up this game without playing the first is making a huge mistake. You will be completely lost and will have no idea who any of the characters are or what any of the many plot twists mean. With that said, anyone who is torn between this game and another should go with Mass Effect 2. It is one of the best games I’ve ever played. -- Eben Elrod, Photography Staff

Tongue Taco, Tlaloc el Mexicano, 1225 Chase St. At first glance, the menu at Tlaloc el Mexicano restaurant looked like a common selection of Mexican cuisine. But then I saw it, lurking at the bottom corner of the taco section: tongue taco. After asking the waitress, I found out that this dish consists of the average taco fixings, but with the unexpected addition of chopped up cow tongue, grilled and seasoned to perfection. As my taco arrived, I realized that it looked and smelled delicious. The ingredients were piled high on top of a fresh flour tortilla, and the smell made my mouth water. I took my first bite, and was pleasantly surprised. The tongue was a bit spongy, but incredibly flavorful. I quickly ate the whole thing, and was left full and satisfied. At $2 per taco, the price was just as appealing. I would recommend the tongue taco to anyone looking for a new dining experience, even to those afraid to taste the food that can taste back. Trust me, the flavor will leave you wanting more. --Eva Crowe, Guest Writer

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Chris Columbus Everyone knows the feeling: reading an awesome book and getting excited about the movie only to watch as your dreams are slowly crushed before your eyes. The movie version of the first installment in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series was a huge disappointment to me, as a fan of the books. My main issue with the film was how badly it struggled to stay along with the book’s story line: A 12-year-old boy named Percy Jackson finds out that all of the Greek myths are true and he is actually the son of Poseiden, God of the Sea. After being framed as the thief of Zeus’ lightning bolt, Percy and his half-goat, half-human friend Grover team up with a daughter of Athena, Annabeth to end the tension and save the world. I would recommend The Lightning Thief to anyone who has time to kill, but I must warn all fans of the books that they will be left very disappointed. --Caleb Hayes, Variety Writer Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Photos courtesy of (from left) iconocritic.com, deepfriedkudzu.com, moviecarpet.com, impawards.com

Variety

Dear John, Lasse Hallström Girls around me sighed and dabbed their eyes with crumpled tissues. It was the opening night of the movie Dear John and the theater was packed. Dear John is the story of soldier John Tyree (Channing Tatum) who falls in love with a college student named Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) while on-leave in Charleston, SC. John and Savannah grow to be inseparable in the two weeks following their first meeting. However, the two weeks are soon over and it’s time for John to leave. The two promise to keep in touch and tell each other everything through letters until they meet again. While the movie was visually appealing, it did not really offer anything else. The lackluster dialogue and acting made some scenes almost laughable. I feel I would have enjoyed the movie 10 times more if I had put earplugs in when watching it. -- Lily Kohn, News Writer

Religulous, Larry Charles In Religulous, starring Bill Maher, Maher provides an intriguing, satirical perspective on the nature of modern religion, particularly extreme fundamentalism. The documentary is consistently humorous, and is comprised mostly of footage of Maher interviewing assorted religious leaders and believers. Generally, these interactions aim to ridicule the belief systems of their subjects, and meet with varying degrees of success. While Religulous gets across a strong anti-religious sentiment, Maher’s arguments would have been much stronger if there were more variety among his interviewees. While the documentary uses voices from many different religions, ranging from Christianity to Scientology, most of the subjects of these interviews hold extremist beliefs and therefore are in the minorities of their respective faith systems. Had Maher been able to support his argument with a more moderate compilation of interviews, Religulous would have gained a lot of credibility. That said, in its comedic pursuits, Religulous hits a home run. Director Larry Charles, whose previous films include Borat, has certainly proven his ability to provide laughter at the expense of others. All in all, Religulous provides great entertainment as well as thought-provoking content, but it certainly does not constitute well-balanced reporting. -- Jesse Siebentritt, Junior Copy Editor

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

is the word The Clarke Central High School players will perform “Grease” -- a play that focuses on some controversial material. By kinsey Clark Variety Editor

“I don’t drink or swear, I don’t rat my hair, I get ill from one cigarette.”

n the song “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee,” Sandy’s friends insult her for her virginity and innocence. Controversial high school issues of sexuality and popularity arise in the American classic Grease – a show that the Clarke Central High School players will perform as this year’s spring musical. Grease is a very popular, very high-energy show that everyone has heard of,” Fine Arts department teacher and co-director Harriet Anderson said. “The lyricists, Jim Jacobson and Warren Casey, did a wonderful job of creating these really fun, sing-able songs (that are) very memorable.” Grease, which will run from March 25-27, tells a fictional story, set in the 1950s, of Rydell High School students Sandy Dalton and Danny Zuko. Their rollercoaster romance, framed with peppy songs and true-to-life high school experiences, carries the plot. In the CCHS rendition of “Grease,” senior Greg Voyles will co-direct with Anderson. Danny, who will be played by senior Kameron Sigman, is a member of the Thunder Birds, or T-birds, while Sandy is a new student who becomes friends with a clique of girls known as the Pink Ladies. Senior Janette

Peterson will star as Sandy. “(The T-birds and the Pink Ladies) are the two most well-known gangs, you could say. They’re the biggest cliques,” freshman Paul Weinrich, Rydell High’s valedictorian, Eugene, said. Because the play depicts issues such as gangs, teenage pregnancy and underage drinking, and has a thorough use of coarse language, Anderson cut some of Grease’s racier content. “To be such a popular show that is considered to be so clean, we actually have to edit ‘Grease,’” Anderson said. “I’m not having teenagers say some of (the inappropriate) things. We’re leaving the story alone. Yes, (the Pink Ladies leader Rizzo) thinks she’s pregnant. The bottles will be brown; people can decide what’s in there for themselves, if they want.” The decision to edit content is made by Anderson, as a Fine Arts department teacher, but administrators are often consulted. “The drama department makes the decision about the works they wish to present; however, Ms. Anderson always makes sure to speak with the principal ahead of time if she feels there might be something questionable about a scene,” CCHS assistant principal Tammy Pope said. Anderson feels that although she has attempted to censor some of the musical’s language, not all of the contentious content can be filtered.

“We can’t make everything squeaky clean. It’s not squeaky clean; life is not squeaky clean, and there’s always going to be something,” Anderson said. Because the plot will stay intact, the play’s conclusion, in which Sandy changes her appearance and identity in order to publicly date Danny, will remain. “What a lovely message this wonderful, wholesome story gives us: that message is conform to peer pressure and make yourself sleazy to be happy,” Anderson said sarcastically. However, Weinrich feels that students can learn something from this unconventional ending. “I don’t agree with the moral, but I think that showing that makes (Grease) a compelling story. The moral is probably more realistic to real life,” Weinrich said. “If girls (watching the play) realized the reasons behind Sandy stooping to a lower level, it could encourage them not to, and I think showing that gives (girls) a good idea of what not to do.” With a positive outlook similar to Weinrich’s, Anderson feels the play will be a success, regardless of its potentially controversial nature. “We have a whole lot of talent in this, and we have brand new people we’ve never seen before,” Anderson said. “The students are on stage all the time; they’re always moving, always working, but that’s what makes it fun. We’ll have a real good time with it.”

Below: GREASED LIGHTNIN’: (From left) Freshman Kyle Fox, seniors Kameron Sigman and Taylor Barnes and junior Alexander Boza sit down during practice for this year’s spring musical, Grease. They will play the roles of the Thunder Birds -- a high school gang in which the leading male role, Danny Zuko (Sigman), is a member. “(The T-Birds) are the group that everyone wants to be in, but only a few people actually get to be in there,” freshman Paul Weinrich said, who will be playing the role of valedictorian Eugene in Grease. Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Photo illustration by Caleb Hayes

Enjoy a serving of seafood at Square One Fish Company

Viewpoints Writer

restaurant that specializes almost exclusively in meatballs may not hold broad appeal, but for meat-lovers like me, Totonno’s Famous Meatballs was a welcomed experience. Totonno’s shares owners with the upscale Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita, located in downtown Athens, Ga. Because of the popularity of the meatballs served there, a new restaurant was opened dedicated to serving the meaty morsels in a more casual setting. The locallyowned eatery, which is situated at 720 Hawthorne Ave., has limited parking spaces, but the inside is comfortably spacious. The menu offers Above: MEATY MEAL: Totonno’s Famous Meatballs is a modest variety. It a restaurant in Athens, Ga. that specializes in meatballs, offering them in a variety of dishes like sub sandwiches and lists four different spaghetti, as well as four different types of meat. Totonno’s types of meatballs, provides tasty, quality food in a casual setting that is well each seasoned with within the budget of the average wallet. different flavors and spices: beef with parsley and garlic, lamb with rosemary, pork with sage and turkey with spinach. Meatballs can be served on a sub sandwich or atop a pile of spaghetti, each with marinara sauce and in varying sizes. A small order of two meatballs costs $4.95, medium with three meatballs is $6.95 and large, four meatballs, is $8.50. The Sampler submarine sandwich, priced at $8.95, attracted my attention. It was a monstrous combination of all four scrumptious types of meatballs lined up next to each other in a bun. While this order was way too much for me to eat by myself, sharing it with a friend provided a perfectly portioned size. The meatballs are typically sized, about 2 inches in diameter. My personal favorite was the turkey, but each was delectable in its own way. For first-time diners, the Sampler is an excellent means of choosing a personal favorite. After ordering, I evaluated my seating options. The kitchen area takes up one corner of the restaurant, and the rest is designated to seating. Sitting at a window table, the view is not ideal: a busy road that separates Totonno’s from its across-the-street neighbor, CVS Pharmacy. Totonno’s offers its diners a comfortable atmosphere, friendly service and best of all, meatballs that live up to their famously delicious reputation. By Isabel Atkinson Photography Editor

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photos by Isabel Atkinson

winkling lights, a large patio and an ornately-carved wooden doorway invite guests into the Athens seafood restaurant, Square One Fish Company, located at 414 N. Thomas St. Even on a busy Saturday evening, I was seated quickly at a cozy table with barstool-like chairs. The casual, yet polite waiters and the summer décor make it easy to imagine being on the seaside. Patrons sitting in the room nearest to the open kitchen can watch their food being prepared and enjoy the smells of fine cooking wafting throughout the restaurant. The wait for my drinks and appetizers to arrive was not long at all. Complimentary, fresh-baked bread is provided to each table. The next culinary treat to arrive was the calamari, a fried squid appetizer that usually resembles shapeless blobs of crispiness. A word of caution: when the charming waiter brought out the dish, I was distracted from his good looks by the plateful of miniscule, fried, eight-legged squid staring up at me. However, if you can brave the odd appearance, you are in for a unique treat. Living up to its reputation as one of the only high-end seafood restaurants in Athens, Square One cooked my five-course meal to perfection. The trout was very light, accented with lemon and almonds, not at all dry and possessed the perfect degree of “fishiness.” Also available to diners is the Raw Bar. Don’t be scared away by the unappealing name -- the Raw Bar simply consists of oysters, mussels, clams, tuna and scallops, as well as several cold sandwiches. Above: LANDLOCKED: Square One Fish Company With the nutritious, brings the seaside to Athens. A casual atmosphere, with yet delicious menu outdoor seating and fresh seafood cuisine make this high-end restaurant the perfect choice for a night on the selection, guests can town with friends or family. feel pretty good about their eating habits. That is, until it comes time to peruse the irresistible dessert menu, which, according to my waitress, was “the best part of the meal!” A delightfully tart key lime pie nestles itself into a bed of freshly-whipped cream. So much for healthy. Square One leans towards the expensive side, with prices of main dishes ranging from $14 to $21. However, your time and money will be well-spent on a satisfying meal at Square One, Athens’ little piece of the ocean. By Emma Kissane

Take a trip to try the famous Totonno’s Meatballs.

March 2010

Variety

Scenes of Athens seen in Athens Many historic landmarks have been sold and saved throughout Athens’ history. In 2010, they all stand as some of the city’s most famous sights. by killian begnaud Variety Writer

he T.R.R. Cobb House, built in 1834, has undergone a long journey to reach its current location on 175 Hill Street. Joseph Henry Lumpkin gifted the house to his daughter, Marion Lumpkin, to celebrate her marriage to T.R.R. Cobb in 1844. After her husband’s death in 1862, Marion lived in the house for 11 years, until she sold it in 1873. The Archdiocese of Atlanta, the religious district of Atlanta, Ga., purchased the house in 1962 for Saint Joseph Catholic Church. When the church began expanding in the 1980s, the house was on the brink of demolition. Luckily, the T.R.R. Cobb House was saved when the Stone Mountain Memorial Association purchased it in 1984 and moved it to Stone Mountain Park the following year. The house was never restored there and instead remained on the same cement blocks for almost two decades. The Watson-Brown Foundation purchased it in 2004 and moved it back to Athens in 2005 to restore it, where it was later chosen to win the Preservation Award for its restoration in 2008 by the Georgia Trust. “We entered into the project of restoring the T.R.R. Cobb House as historically accurate as possible,” Curator of the Cobb House Sam Thomas said. “We have gone to great lengths in terms of money, research and craftsmanship to preserve a part of Athens’ history.” Photo by Isabel Atkinson

he Iron Horse has been a popular historic landmark in Athens for years. However, it did not start out that way. Local artist Abbott Pattison gave the Iron Horse to the University of Georgia in 1954, having built it as a gift for UGA. The students were not fans of the overly modern iron statue. When the 10-foot-high Iron Horse was placed on the Reed Hall Quadrangle, students chose to show their distaste for the artwork by hosting parties around the statue and lighting fires underneath it, along with other forms of vandalism. When the police showed up to stop the students, many refused to move from their positions surrounding the statue. In that same year, shortly after the vandalism, UGA put the Iron Horse into an unknown location to hide and protect the statue from further destruction. Eventually, a farmer in Watkinsville, Ga. volunteered to take the artwork and display it in his cornfield. It was agreed to place the Iron Horse in the field where it can be visited by Athenians whenever they please. The sculpture remains today in the same pasture off of Highway 15, where drivers passing by can admire it.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

T.R.R Cobb House information courtesy of http://trrcobbhouse.org and http://visitathensga.com. Information on the Iron Horse courtesy of the Red and Black, Roadside America and Places Online. Seney-Stovall Chapel information courtesy of http://cviog.uga.edu Information on the Wray-Nicholson House and University of Georgia President’s House courtesy of Executive Director of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, Inc. Amy Kissane.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Variety

March 2010

he Seney-Stovall Chapel was built in 1882. It was designed at the time to serve as the chapel for a local girls’ boarding school, the Lucy Cobb Institute. For over 40 years, the chapel played host to community and cultural events until it was abandoned shortly after World War II. The SeneyStovall Chapel soon began to fall into disrepair and it was not until the next decade that it slowly started attracting attention once again. The University of Georgia acquired the chapel in 1953 and, in 1961, UGA contributed to its restoration. Although it took the better part of 36 years, the renovation was finally completed in 1997, and the chapel was restored to its original beauty. “The effort to save the Seney-Stovall Chapell and the Lucy Cobb Institute in the 1980s was the quintissential grassroots preservation success story,” Executive Director of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, Inc. Amy Kissane said. “Led by UGA history professor Dr. Phinizy Spalding, preservationists formed the Friends of Seney-Stovall and Lucy Cobb. Their work inspired others to never give up when a historic building was endangered.” Today, the Seney-Stovall Chapel is used to hold many cultural and school-related events, such as concerts and plays for the Athens community.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

he University of Georgia’s President’s House is a building of timeless elegance located at 570 Prince Ave. The house was built in 1857 and finished in 1858 by UGA alumnus Col. John T. Grant. Benjamin Harvey Hill later purchased what is know known as the UGA President’s House from Grant in 1869 after renting it for two years. In 1872, Hill and his wife moved out of the house to Atlanta, Ga., leaving the property in their son’s name. In 1883, James White bought the house from Hill’s son. White then left it to his daughter, W. F. Bradshaw, until her death in 1941. Throughout World War II, Bradshaw’s daughter continued to reside in and maintain the UGA President’s House. In 1949, the University of Georgia Foundation received the house as a gift from the Bradley Foundation of Columbus, Ga. The UGA Foundation continued to ensure that the UGA President’s House was kept in acceptional condition. “(The UGA President’s House,) built by rail road contractor John Grant, is one of the most elaborate Greek Revival houses in Athens,” Director of UGA’s Master of Historic Preservation Program and founder of Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation John Waters said. “It also has a Boxwood Parterre garden, which was popular in the Antebellum period. It is the only original garden of that type to survive in Athens.” This house was built at a cost of $25,355. Now, the UGA President’s House is being prepared for renovations which will cost $1.8 million to restore the house, improve security and install an elevator for the use of disabled visitors.

Photo by Kim Guzman

Opposite page top: RENEWED AND READY: The T.R.R. Cobb House rested on cement blocks for 20 years, but its historical significance is what brought it back to Athens. This pink and green house was hauled back to Athens in pieces on a truck and the long process of restoration began in 2005. Today the main floor of the house is a representation of its former and original beauty, while the upper floor serves as an office area for the people who work there on a day-to-day basis. Opposite page bottom: HOME AT LAST: The Iron Horse was constantly on the recieving end of acts of vandalism throughout its time on the University of Georgia’s campus. UGA students would light fires beneath the horse to show their dislike of what was considered to be modern art. After being saved by a farmer, the Iron Horse stands proud in a corn field to be admired by many. Top: WHERE CULTURE THRIVES: The Seney-Stovall Chapel has served as the home for community and cultural events since it was first built and, although the culture may have changed, the purpose remains the same. Schools can host events at the chapel such as band performances and plays for family and community members. After 36 years of work, the chapel was restored to a condition that could be admired as a small piece of history. Bottom: PRESIDENTIAL PRICES: The University of Georgia President’s House is currently under construction to move the house from its more historically accurate look into a more modern appearance that includes an elevator and other changes that have been designed to make the house more easily handicap accessible. The cost of these changes cost $1.8 million dollars, which is much more costly than the $25,355 it cost to have the house built in 1857.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Variety

Dawgs beware? For seven years Athens has housed a multitude of uniquely designed bulldawgs that guard the Classic City, but who guards them?

hey don’t bark, they don’t urinate on your new rug, they don’t follow you around all day, but you’ll find them at almost any corner you turn in Athens, Ga. A spectrum of creativity, Athens is home to “Ain’t nothin’ but a hound dawg,” “Theanna,” and “Bugga,” among 46 other bulldawgs, as part of the “We Let the Dawgs Out” project. “We get emails all the time from visitors and residents of Athens who love these dawgs. They feel that it shows how the community appreciates public art,” WLDO co-chair and member of the AthensOconne Junior Womens Club Linda Ford said. Inspired by the world’s largest international art event, “CowParade,” a project beneficial to charities, WLDO, which was unleashed in April 2003 and founded by the AOJWC, featured the fiberglass bulldawg as a way to foster an appreciation for the arts and make an economic impact on the Athens community. However, unlike “CowParade,” which auctions off each sculpture after a short display period, the bulldawgs of Athens are permanent fixtures, though four-and-a-half inch replicas are available for sale through local businesses for $35. The bulldawgs, each clad in unique, one-of-akind designs celebrate their seventh anniversary on BY AASHKA CHAUDHARI Variety Writer

esigned by Brittny Teree Smith and sponsored by Wachovia bank, “Sit, Rock ‘n’ Roll Over,” part of Athens-Oconee Junior Woman’s Club’s “We Let The Dawgs Out” project, was placed at the corner of College Ave. and Washington Street, in front of Wachovia bank’s downtown branch in April 2003. The dawg received large amounts of visitors, but its time on the Athenian streets was short-lived. The structure, covered in posters from the local music scene, often had visitors so intrigued that they picked at the design. Finally, after multiple renovations, the dog was taken away by the end of 2003. “I spent over 70 hours on the project. For it to be so quickly ruined was disappointing,” Smith said. “I didn’t expect (people) who obviously weren’t that interested to even care enough to go to the trouble to vandalize (Sit, Rock, ‘n’ Roll Over).” Two years after the release of the orignial dog, Wachovia received a new dawg, “Athens Music Scene,” painted by local artist, James Calkin. The dawg lives up to its name, featuring popular bands and local music joints that have made names for themselves. “Athens Music Scene” currently resides at 1200 Mitchell Bridge Rd., proudly guarding Wachovia bank’s Atlanta Highway branch as it safely stands in pristine condition. -- Aashka Chaudhari, Variety Writer

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the streets of Athens. Each bulldawg is maintained and depicts the culture and diversity of the Athens by focusing on different aspects of the dynamic traditions of the Classic City. “We picked the bulldawg for a reason. With the (University of Georgia), everybody gets it, but it’s not just the University Bulldawg. It was a fun way to unite the whole community from athletics to regular, everyday workers,” local sculptor and “Showdawg” artist Stan Mullins said. Tourists and residents alike hold the bulldawgs dear, but if it was not for the generous businesses and individuals throughout Athens who sponsor them, WLDO would not exist. For $2,500 a dawg, local businesses and individuals can sponsor an artist’s design to be displayed. After initial expenses of close to $1,500, which cover the sculptures themselves and artist’s payments, the remainder of approximately $500 is donated to local and national charities, such as Georgia 4-H, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Nuçi’s Space. “The business owners and individuals who sponsor (the) dawgs want to support the project for the benefit of the community. They also recognize the tremendous promotional value that the exposure of the dawgs gives to their businesses,” Ford said Many of these bulldawgs are purposely placed in

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

March 2010

high-traffic areas, such as downtown Athens or Five Points, not only to increase their promotional value, but to maximize the sculptures’ public appreciation, as well. “We place the dawgs around town in clusters so that a complete tour could easily be taken in a day, with several (specified) areas encouraged to walk to, such as downtown,” said Ford. Children and adults around Athens enjoy visiting the bulldawgs and getting their photographs taken as they sit on a dawg’s back. Though this is a form of appreciation, many times visitors unintentionally damage the sculptures through excessive contact. “The whole intention of ( WLDO) is for the fans. Touching a bulldawg is not going to hurt it, but treat it with respect,” Mullins said. Expecting normal wear and tear over time due to weather, the AOJWC planned in advance by having each of the bulldawgs clear coated at an auto body shop before they were placed on the streets, but with the public’s mistreatment, many of the bulldawgs require regular maintenance. Understanding the risks of putting their artwork on the streets, artists continue take part in the WLDO project. With a noble purpose to foster an appreciation for art and make an economic impact on the community, WLDO continues to grow. “The whole project is just trying to promote local artists and it is a good thing,” Mullins said. “Here is something not so serious, and it’s a neat way to incorporate the diversity within Athens.” Top right: THIS IS SPARTA: Designed by local artist Gretchen Fennel, “Dawgustus,” part of the “We Let the Dawgs Out” project, stands tall and proud on College Ave. in front of Starbucks. Today the dawg is worn and chipped, but continues to hold its head high. “They require refurbishment from time to time,” WLDO project co-chair Linda Ford said. “‘Caesar Dawgustus’ is about to leave the pound for a few weeks for some well-deserved touch-up.”

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Photo by Isabel Atkinson Photo illustration by Fakari Gresham

Serving the competition The Clarke Central High School tennis team won their region 8-AAAA opener on Feb. 24 against Winder-Barrow High School by a score of 3-2. Senior Josh Smith helped the Glads take an early lead with a shut-out against the Bulldoggs. Senior David Franklin won 7-6 in both of his sets at the No. 3 singles spot. Sophomore Hunter Mauer and senior Paul Raser continued the streak with a win in the No. 2 doubles spot. “It was a good game,” Raser said. “Hunter and I had some pretty close matches, and (the other team) had some good shots when they were at the net, but (Hunter and I) finished it up with a pretty solid win when we started to place our shots a little better.”

Scoring machine On Feb. 24, the Clarke Central High School baseball team hit seven doubles in a 10-7 victory over Flowery Branch High School. Senior Will Lance accumulated three of the doubles, as well as two runs batted in. Senior Jay Swinford had two doubles in a 3-4 batting performance, and senior Eric Gordy added a double with two RBIs. Senior Dillon Bawayan also had a double with an RBI. After a loose first inning defensively, Lance tightened up his pitching to strike out six Flowery Branch batters in three innings. Gordy relieved Lance, striking out nine batters in four innings and picking up the win. “We started off (the game) having to fight after giving up four runs in the first inning,” Gordy said. “But as a team, we did well to manufacture runs. There is always room for improvement, but it was a very fun game.” State playoff berth Both varsity basketball teams finished within the top four seeds in the region tournament, and advanced to the Class 8-AAAA state tournament. The Gladiators got off to a slow start against Mays High School, scoring a total of four points in the first quarter. After picking up the level of play in the second half, the boys team scored 38 points in a losing effort to Mays, who would go on to win 43-38. Senior Babatunde Olumuyiwa scored a total of 16 points, followed by fellow senior Marquise Faust, who scored 10 points. The Lady Gladiators faced Fayette County High School in their tournament game. They came out with a defensive mind-set and, at the end of the first quarter, led six to four. With a total of six lead changes, the Lady Glads and Tigers found themselves in a tied ball game as time expired in the fourth quarter. However, Fayette County would go on to win 46-42 in overtime.

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

The Box Score

Sports

Elevated game Clarke Central High School senior Dimitri Holmes drew a crowd on Feb. 4 as he signed his letter of intent to play football with Savannah State University in Savannah, Ga. Holmes’ signing capped off a season in which he broke the record for most receptions in CCHS history, with 71 catches. Holmes also had 1,062 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during the 2009 season. “It was great getting signed, but I have to get right because I’m stepping up to a newer and higher level,” Holmes said. Above: COLLEGE COMMITMENT: Clarke Central High School senior Dimitri Holmes addresses a crowd on Feb. 4 in the Gladiator Gallery before signing his letter of intent to play football at Savannah State University in Savannah, Ga. “I know in order to be successful on the next level I have to get more physically and mentally ready. Staying focused is the key,” Holmes said.

Photo by Lexi Deagen

Mat skills

Above: GETTING A GRIP: Clarke Central High School freshman Andrew Giegerich attempts to pin his opponent during the Area 8-AAAA tournament at Apalachee High School. “We had six people go to state, and that was a record for us,” Giegerich said. “I was excited because I’m the first freshman to qualify at CCHS.” Top Left: BACKHAND BLAST: Senior David Franklin practices in preparation for his match against Winder Barrow High School. “I think the team preformed really well,” Franklin said. “I don’t know if we were supposed to win, but we definitely pulled it out.”

n Feb. 5-6, the Clarke Central High School wrestling team competed in the Area 8-AAAA tournament at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. Six Glads qualified for state at the tournament, including freshman Andrew Giegerich at the 103-pound weight class, sophomore Kadeem Combs at the 135-pound weight class, sophomore Anferknee Hanson at the 145-pound weight class, junior Devonte Upshaw at the 112-pound weight class, junior Prince Hudson at the 171-pound weight class and senior Derrick Smalls at the 119-pound weight class. Of the six qualifiers, three placed at the state tournament which was held the following weekend, Feb. 18-20. Combs finished fourth in his respective weight class and was the first sophomore at CCHS to ever place at the state level. Upshaw finished sixth in his respective class, and Hudson finished fourth. CCHS head wrestling coach Tim Stoudenmire was pleased with the success of his wrestlers but has higher expectations for the future. “It was a pretty good showing (at the state tournament), but not where we want to be,” Stoudenmire said. “We’ll spend the whole month of June wrestling and getting ready for next season, and that’s what it’s going to take to get us to the next step.” -- Compiled by the Sports Staff

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Sports

March 2010

Hitting the ice A long time sports fan attended her first hockey match and found the ice to be twice as nice as expected.

Watermark by Alex Morris Photo illustration by F. Tyler Elrod

ational Basketball Association: March marks the end of the regular season -- go Los Angeles Lakers! National Football League: It’s draft BY Betty Migombo season, will Ndamukong Viewpoints Writer Suh be the number one pick? Major League Baseball: Will the Yankees build upon their dynasty? National Hockey League: Um … Hockey? Until March 16, hockey was not a sport even on my radar. It was like tuna fish to me -- never had it, not interested in trying it. Occasionally while channel hopping, I would tune into a game. But five minutes later, it would be time to change the channel. Now don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I didn’t think that it was a real sport or appreciate its

athleticism, I was just too unfamiliar with the sport to care. So, when I was invited to the Atlanta Thrashers versus Ottawa Senators hockey game, I was skeptical. I was curious to see what makes the sport so special to some people, so I agreed to go. Section 307, Row A -- the best seats in the Phillips Arena as far as I could tell. The lights were dim and as the giant, fire-breathing Thrashers logo descended from the arena ceiling, you could feel a tangible energy in the air. It is a Thrashers tradition that whenever the home team is introduced or scores a goal, two giant Thrasher heads suspended from the arena ceiling emit real fire from their enormous beaks. The Ottawa players were introduced and the crowd cheered with little enthusiasm, but when the Thrashers stepped into the rink, the crowd went crazy. The two Thrashers spit out fire, and the music grew louder, and the energy intensified. The game began when the puck dropped on center ice. In a matter of seconds, my eyes began darting left, right, left, trying to keep up with the

players and most importantly, the puck. The fast pace of play surprised me. I was shocked at how quickly I got sucked into the game. With my limited knowledge of the rules and regulations, I could not decipher the technicalities of the game. All I knew was that the puck had to get into the opponent’s goal. Score. The puck entered the Ottawa goal within the opening minutes as the Thrashers scored the first point of the game. The giant Thrasher spit hot fire and the crowd erupted in jubilation. I was so engrossed in the game, I joined in on their loud chants, forgetting that it was my first time watching live hockey. Walking out of Phillips Arena after the Thrasher’s dominating 6-3 victory, which included three Thrashers goals scored in the last period, my preconceived notions regarding hockey had vanished. It was not just a bunch of guys in ice skates with sticks chasing a puck. It was that and a whole lot more. The intensity, skill, physicality and agility that the players demonstrated was highly commendable and earned my respect. Now as I look at my newly revised sports itinerary, hockey makes the cut.

Support Clarke Central’s Literary Magazine and look cool while you’re doing it! Sizes run from Small-XXL. Groups of five or more will receive a discount on their shirt order. Get yours today.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010 Sports

FebruarySports 2010

enior Michael Stephens isn’t your typical superhero. In fact, judging from his reserved nature, it’s hard to imagine that his classic Adidas have ever traveled anywhere more venturous than the halls of Clarke Central High School or a local concert. But the truth of the matter is, Stephens does parkour, and those old school sneakers can fly.

“The basic idea behind parkour is getting from Point A to Point B in the most efficient way possible, even if that includes climbing over walls, vaulting over something or crawling under something,” Stephens said. Parkour, a French word, translates to “the art of moving.” Traceurs, or those who do parkour, value the creativity allowed by a sport without rules or competition. Instead of walking up a set of stairs, a traceur might climb up the side of the staircase. As opposed to walking down a ramp, he might just jump off the side. “There’s no competitive part of it or anything. You can just kind of do whatever you want to while getting physical exercise out of it. I think that’s a really cool aspect of it,” Stephens said. The freedom afforded by a sport with neither rules nor regulations is what sets parkour apart from the more traditional, team-oriented sports that Stephens has previously participated in. “I used to play soccer back in middle school. With that, there was an amount of pressure behind it, (coaches) telling you that you have to do what you can for the team, and you have to keep your skills fine tuned with everybody else so you can have a winning season or whatever, but with parkour, it’s just self-motivation. You work at your own pace,” Stephens said. Stephens has developed a Spidey Sense of sorts by strengthening the relationship between his body and mind -- a heightened awareness necessary in order to make on-the-fly decisions when running at full speed across an urban landscape. “Whereas conditioning really improves your body’s creativity, the way you figure out how to get through different areas would be the mind aspect of it. You become more familiar with what works best with each obstacle. You just become more alert, and it’s useful,” Stephens said. Although parkour is practiced individually, Stephens is a member of the University of Georgia parkour group that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Tate Student Center to work on conditioning, teach each other new moves and feed off each other’s creativity. “A couple of guys read about parkour online and thought it was really interesting, so they got together to bounce ideas off each other and travel to different locations and see what they could do there,” Stephens said. The group begins each practice by stretching and working on balance fundamentals for 20 minutes before jogging to any number of spots around campus. “In each area we have specific locations that we like to go to that provide a lot of various elements to them, like different obstacles you can try to think of new ways to get over,” Stephens said. “We have certain days occasionally where we’ll just go out for creativity training and go to certain spots and really focus on what all we can do there.” The group sometimes travels to participate in what is known as a Jam, or an event where traceurs congregate in a designated city to practice parkour. The events are organized almost entirely electronically, through overflux (http://overflux.com), which serves as a forum for parkour enthusiasts. “The most recent out of town Jam was in Florida. We got about 30 to 40 people together all across the Southeast to meet at a specific spot, and we stayed at this one guy’s house that lived there. We all went out to various areas and did our thing,” Stephens said. True to the unconventional nature of the sport, Jams are oftentimes spontaneously conceived. “They’re usually not very organized, it’s just like, ‘Hey let’s just meet up one day and have a Jam and see how many people we get together.’ So it just sort of happens how it happens,” Stephens said. Just as the Jams could stand some improvement, Stephens sees potential for growth in his abilities, even if they already seem supernatural. “I feel like parkour is one of those things that you can never become perfectly pro at,” Stephens said. “You just keep getting better, and there’s no real limit to it.”

50 ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE 50

Sports

March 2010

Clarke Central High School Senior Michael Stephens practices parkour, the non-competitive sport of motion.

by Jeffrey Rogers Sports Editor

Above: PETER PARKOUR: Clarke Central High School senior Michael Stephens practices his wall runs at the University of Georgia Tate Student Center where the UGA parkour group meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. “Parkour is a totally non-competitive sport, if you would call it a sport. It’s just like a whole self-driven thing; there’s no pressure behind it, and you work at your own pace,” Stephens said. Photo by Isabel Atkinson

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photo by Kim Guzman

Left: GROWING PAINS: Clarke Central High School boys varsity head soccer coach Sam Hicks had the task of cutting athletes for the 2010 season. This task was difficult for Hicks, as he did not want to disappoint students. “Honestly, there were some guys cut that I like a lot personally,” Hicks said. “(Cutting players) was painful. It’s really hard to look that kid in the eye.” Above: AND THEN THERE WERE 65: Members of the CCHS varsity boys soccer team practice after school on March 2, 2010. These students are among those few selected to play after several students were cut because an increased number of players tried out for the team. “High school is about being competitive and representing your school in the best way possible,” Hicks said. “I was able to pick the best of the best.” Photo by Isabel Atkinson

The coldest cuts of all An increased number of Clarke Central High School students tried out for soccer, leading coaches to make roster cuts for the 2010 season.

ryouts are over. Rosters are posted. Expectations are high. Clarke Central High School senior Ben Crews scans the tell-all piece of paper and walks away dejected as he realizes he has been cut from the team. “I played soccer for the school all three years, and I’ve been playing soccer since first grade,” Crews said. “I was shocked when I saw the list. (Through my junior year) I always played junior varsity, and I did expect to play all four years (at CCHS).” Crews, who was a JV soccer captain his sophomore and junior years, is one of several students cut because of a sudden increase in players who tried out to be a part of the team. “During pre-season meetings, we had about 45 (prospective players),” CCHS boys varsity soccer head coach and Counseling department chair Sam Hicks said. “But (during tryouts) we had about 65 players pretty consistently showing up, so we had a group of 20 or 25 kids who showed up that we had no idea were coming out.” This number of interested athletes is not unheard of for soccer, it was just forgotten. Six years ago, it was common to have nearly 70 students trying out for soccer, and the soccer program took steps necessary to accommodate all interested athletes. “At that time, we started a C-team,” Hicks said. “So we had varsity, JV and C. That way we could pretty much keep everybody engaged who wanted to play soccer.”

by Mollie sherman Sports Staff

Eventually, the number of athletes trying out for soccer declined, and there were no longer enough players to field a C-team. “Then the numbers dwindled and we couldn’t maintain that C-team anymore,” Hicks said. “(Since then) we’ve usually had 40-45 kids over the last four to five years who have been coming out (to play) and we can pretty much accommodate everybody. Twenty on (varsity), 22 or so on (junior varsity), and we’ve been okay.” When the numbers shot up for the 2010 season, soccer coaches were no longer prepared with a C-team because of time constraints. They had no choice but to cut players, which was an emotional task for those involved. “(The numbers) put us in a position to make a lot of decisions this year that were difficult,” Hicks said. “We had to look at (the issue of selecting players) from many aspects, like who can help the team right now and who can help the team long term. Honestly, there were some guys cut that I like a lot personally. (Cutting players) was painful. It’s really hard to look that kid in the eye.” As difficult as making the decision to cut players was, seeing the impacted students was even harder for Hicks. “I dread the day (lists come out) more than anything,” Hicks said. “You have no idea. It’s awful. I can’t tell you the nights my wife and I have to sit and cry. That first day when you see a kid looking on the list and he sees that his name’s not there, it breaks your heart.”

Although he is unable to play, Crews understands the difficulty that Hicks faced this year. “(Hicks) has to pick the best players, and there are players better than me,” Crews said. “For the advancement of the program, they should have the best players out there. You want your team to win, so I understand where (Hicks) is coming from.” Many factors were taken into account for which names ended up on the final list. “We look at a lot of things,” Hicks said. “We looked at their overall attitude, fitness, speed. But ultimately it came down to soccer ability.” Although having to cut students was difficult, Hicks feels as though a more successful and balanced soccer program will shine through and have a positive impact on the entire program. “The players who were capped are by and large really good kids,” Hicks said. “The skill is, without question, better than it has been in the past. The level of play has increased this year and it’s going to be pretty noticeable on the field.” Although the cuts that were made linger in the back of his mind, Hicks has been able to push all of his efforts towards developing the players that made the team and looks forward to the season ahead. “I was able to select the best of the best,” Hicks said. “We already had some pretty good players out there, and we were able to pull out those who are pretty exceptional players.”

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Sports

March 2010 Davonta’s Story

Grade: 12 Sport: Track & Field Years experience: 11 GPA: 3.5 Game day rituals: Isolate myself from everyone and play every part of my race in my head as if I already ran it. Personal Motto: The whole point of winning is having the bragging rights until someone takes it away. What teammates say: “Jamel brings experience to the team, and he is an overall leader for the track team.” -- Ken Booker, junior What coaches say: “Jamel is the true definition of dedication. There are times when I’ve been at the school on Saturday mornings and seen Jamel racing around the track.” -- Damien Gary, head coach Best athletic achievement: Placed 13th in the 400-meter dash at the Junior Olympics.

Photos by Isabel Atkinson

Photo illustrations by F. Tyler Elrod

Star Players are selected based on their academic standing and commitment to teammates, their sports program and Clarke Central High School. Star Players are selected each month by the Sports staff based on interviews with players and coaches.

ODYSSEY

Photo by Kim Guzman

Grade: 9 Sport: Tennis Years experience: 1 GPA: 4.0 Game day rituals: Stretch and drink lots of water. Personal Motto: Never give up. What teammates say: “Ariel always works hard at practice. Her strokes get better every day, and I think she will be an integral part of the team in years to come.” -- Nisha Vashisht, senior What coaches say: “Ariel is a reliable teammate and a great contributor to the Clarke Central High School tennis team. She displays good work ethics, shows up to practice every day and promises a good future on the tennis team.” -- Michael Goolsby, head coach Best athletic achievement: Improving skills on the court as the season has progressed.

ach time junior running back Davonta Appleby had the ball this past football season, he carried more than the burden of the Clarke Central High School football team; he also dedicated each game to the memory of his mother, Loretta Appleby. Loretta was in an Intensive Care Unit at Athens Regional Medical Center where she was suffering from a lung condition and other medical complications. As the season went on, her health worsened. In December 2009, with the football season well underway, Loretta passed away, leaving Davonta confused and off balance. Devastated by the loss, he found it difficult to focus on everyday activities. “I couldn’t function in school. I couldn’t do anything. People were telling me that it was going to be OK, if I could just stick with football to get it off my mind. And I’m telling them, ‘How could I?’ You know what I mean? Because that’s my momma,” Davonta said. Davonta was consumed by thoughts of his mother and contemplated quitting football on a daily basis. However, his competitive nature wouldn’t allow him to stop playing the sport he loves. “Once I start something, I’m going to finish it. So I said I might as well play it. I just tried to get (my Mother) off my mind. Even though I couldn’t, I had to try to,” Davonta said. Davonta, who currently lives with his aunt, Linda Smith, found a regained sense of family among his teammates and managed to transfer some of the emotion building within him into breaking tackles and running with abandon. He finished the season as the second leading rusher on the Gladiator football team that made it to the AAAA State Championship. Davonta intends to put an emphasis on his school work next year and has decided to forego his senior football season, but he remains appreciative of what the sport has done in helping him deal with his emotions. “Basically, it’s a tough thing to get over. ‘Cause it’s so much stuff I couldn’t do with her, such as shop, you know what I mean? I never ate at a restaurant with her or nothing like that,” Davonta said. “I probably wouldn’t have made it without playing football.”

Above: A POWERFUL MEMORY: Clarke Central High School Junior Davonta Appleby reflects on the time he had with his mother, Loretta Appleby, who passed away in December 2009. “Basically, it’s a tough thing to get over ... I probably wouldn’t have made it without playing football,” Davonta said.

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Sports

Girls soccer Last season: 10-7 Head coach: Rob Walsh Key returning players: Tiffany Eberhardt, Audrey Horne, Ainsley Liken, Marina Thomas, Lisa Traore, Ashley Wassel Key senior losses: Kelly Henderson, Abby Trevino

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Assistant coaches: Jason Pickhardt, Matt Spoon Season outlook: “We’re going to be a good team. I’m looking forward to building up last year’s state tournament berth and expose our new talent that we have coming into the season,” Walsh said.

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Last season: 13-11 Head coach: Kyle Kirk Key returning players: Dillon Bawayan, Eric Gordy, Alex Harris, Will Lance, Taylor Layne, DeShawn Smith, Jay Swinford, Chris Walker, Bradley West Key senior losses: Sam Cornwell, Jeron Draine, Parker Evans, Greg Goetz, Bill King Assistant coaches: Nick Allen, Jerel Bawayan, Matt Lund, Eric Smith Season outlook: “We have a veteran team that has been through a lot together. They have a special opportunity to put together a great season. We have the ability to finish in the top of the region and make a run in the state playoffs with good play.” -- Kyle Kirk, head coach

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

Photo by Kim Guzman

spring sports

Baseball

Photo illustration by Fakari Gresham

2010

Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Sports

March 2010

Boys soccer

Golf

Last season: 6-8-1 Head coach: Sam Hicks Last season: Fourth in region Head coach: Matthew Snow Key returning players: Adam Erickson, Braxton Hudson, Jonathan Striepen, Noah Welch

Key returning players: Harold Hager IV, Michael Holden, Rush Maxwell, Thomas McCallister, KJ McCoy, Gianni Powell

Key senior losses: Juan Benavides, Andres Giraldo, Jesus Parra, Drew Self

Key senior losses: N/A

Assistant coach: Paul Wells

Season outlook: “We have a good group of returners and we have a good foundation. Also, we have Yasiri Gomez who is our only girl, but we’re excited that she will be able to compete in region.” -- Dinah Posey, assistant coach

Photo illustration by F. Tyler Elrod Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Girls track

Boys track

Key returning players: Jillian Anderson, Brianna Bowles, Bianca Davis, Dayna Edwards, Deanna Edwards, Tamara Jones, Claire Rosemond

Key returning players: Arion Bolds, Terrence Bradshaw, Jamel Davis, Tony Glenn, Dimitri Holmes, Jarron Hutchins, Ivan Santillan, Quenshaun Watson

Key senior losses: Azea Allen

Key senior losses: Marcus Maxey

Assistant coaches: Stacey Scott, Quincy Wilkens

Assistant coaches: Brian Deitz, Drew Haro, Mike Williams, Tom Dover

Season outlook: “We have a strong group of returning seniors and we are looking to push for a region championship.” -- Reginald Thomas, head coach

Season outlook: “One key thing I tell my guys is that in order to be successful on the track, they must remember that ‘you get out what you put in.’” -- Damien Gary, head coach.

Photo illustration by Fakari Gresham Photo by Isabel Atkinson

Last season: Fourth in Region 8-AAAA state championship Head coach: Damien Gary

Photo by Eben Elrod Photo illustration by F. Tyler Elrod

Boys tennis

Girls tennis

Last season: 5-8 Head coach: Michael Goolsby

Key returning players: David Franklin, Engel Nasisse, Paul Raser, Josh Smith

Key returning players: Rachel Grossman, Emily Hubbard, Abby Suddreth, Kendall Turnipseed, Nisha Vashist

Photo by Isabel Atkinson Photo illustration by Caleb Hayes

Photo by Isabel Atkinson Photo illustration by F. Tyler Elrod

Last season: 8-AAAA region runner-up Head coach: Reginald Thomas

Photo by Isabel Atkinson Photo illustration by F. Tyler Elrod

Season outlook: “We have a good balance of senior leadership and young talent to have a strong team this year. We expect to return to the state-playoff picture this year.” -- Sam Hicks, head coach

Assistant coach: Dinah Posey

Key senior losses: Jerry Griffin, Don Shon Key senior losses: Sarah Grace Dennis Assistant coach: Dale Autry Assistant coach: Dale Autry Season outlook: “We are looking to be competitive in each region match. We have a nice way at making a run for region.” -- Michael Goolsby, head coach

Season outlook: “We are looking to be competitive in each region match. We have a lot of depth to help out in case of an injury or other circumstances.” -- Michael Goolsby, head coach.

-- Compiled by the Sports staff

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE

March 2010

Sports

ODYSSEY NEWSMAGAZINE