The Enterprise Vol. 52 Is. 1 by Shreve Media

Vol. 52 Is. 1

Fall 2021

The Enterprise

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The enterprise, Fall 2021

The Enterprise Vol. 52 Is. 1 - Fall 2021

Avery Bryan Mia James Kaitlin Smith

TPT Maci Picou

Lacy Ephraim Alexis Johnson-Williams

4 Unprecendented Times How COVID-19 forced local businesses to adapt. 6 Featured Art Colored pencil on paper 8 More Than Just A Physical Threat COVID-19 changes to policies and procedures affect the social and mental health of students. 11 Theatre Spotlight Night of the Living Dead 12 Learn To Live For You Shreve student Isaiah Anderson lives life as an example of accepting who you are. 14 Featured Writing My Skin 16 The Burnout Year Students for years have experienced burnout throughout their education, but now, in light of the pandemic, burnout has increased.

Captain Shreve High School - 6115 E. Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71105 Faculty Sponsor - Brandon Winningham 2

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Student Editor - Genene Carter

Chloe Whittington & Kierra Douglas

18 Book Reviews The Degenerates, Slay

Faith Quarles

20 En Garde Jonah Barry is the first Shreve student to qualify and compete in fencing at the Junior Olympics.

Bryson Lewis

23 Crossword Captain Shreve edition

Bryson Lewis

24 Breaking Barriers Justin Thomas spreads encouragement and lives his best life as a Shreve cheerleader.

Avery Bryan

28 New Teachers Spotlight

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Unprecedented Times How COVID-19 forced local businesses to adapt. By Avery Bryan

alking into a local restaurant, the sounds of children and laughter echo in the building along with the delicious smells wafting from the kitchen. Old friends hug and catch back up with each other, talking excitedly as they tell the other all they have missed. Waiters and waitresses scurry back and forth between the sitting area and the kitchen doing their best to keep hungry customers from becoming restless. A customer places their order as they are greeted by the staff. “Good afternoon, Susan. Would you like the usual?” Ever since COVID-19 shut down the world, restaurants and small businesses had to change the way they were run. The number of people who regularly came in to shop decreased because the majority of those people were afraid of going out and becoming contaminated. The protocols and regulations the coronavirus caused businesses and restaurants to adopt affected many, including local eateries like Ferrier’s Rollin’ in the Dough. They struggled with supply and staff shortages and couldn’t update their kitchen. This forced the heads of the business, Robby and Katherine Ferrier, to change what they are used to in order to keep their business afloat. “In the beginning, it changed a lot because we couldn’t eat or dine-in anywhere, and we really felt the effects of that at Rollin’ in the Dough,” Katie Claire Ferrier, daughter of the owners at Ferrier’s Rollin’ in the Dough, said. On Saturday, November 8, 1997, Robby and Katherine Ferrier got the idea to start their own business in their hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. The restaurant started off as a bakery that sold different kinds of breakfast pastries such as donuts, cakes, and breads. The Ferriers soon realized that they could make more money cooking burgers and other lunch and dinner foods rather than just breakfast foods like cinnamon rolls. Along with the growth of the different 4

The enterprise, Fall 2021

varieties of food, Robby and Katherine’s relationships with their employees have grown as well. The majority of their employees have stayed with them all throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, even those who have worked for the Ferriers between 6 to 24 years. “We are a family business, and our employees are like part of the family,” Katherine Ferrier said. The restrictions and regulations Rollin’ in the Dough and other restaurants were

with a new set of challenges. A business owner in these unprecedented times has to learn to adapt to changing conditions and be able to persevere,” Katherine said. Since some older employees were more at risk, they weren’t able to come back to work until some of the restrictions were lifted. This required the Ferriers to find new employees which was difficult because people were being more cautious and many received financial incentives to stay home. Staff shortages were a problem and caused

“We are a family business, and our employees are like part of the family.” required to follow were much more strict at the start of the pandemic. Business owners were required to keep track of the number of employees working on each shift and the number of customers coming in. No events or gatherings were allowed if it consisted of those who weren’t living in the same household getting within six feet of each other. Most importantly, everyone in the restaurant had to wear their mask the entire time; well, unless they were eating of course. “At first, we were only able to serve takeout and had to bring the food to people in their vehicles. This was very challenging and probably the most difficult change we had to make and required a whole new choreography,” Katherine Ferrier said. In order to cope with these regulations, the Ferriers watched the news and paid close attention to the governor’s changes dealing with the regulations. Katherine and her daughter Katie Claire began posting more on social media to let the public know that they were open. They became more cautious in washing their hands and cleaning their building. Take-out was helpful for those who wanted to eat at home and it became more and more frequent. “Almost every day we are presented

Robby and Katherine to close on some days when they were supposed to be open. The pandemic not only affected those working at the restaurant, but also those who were just there to eat. At first, no one was allowed to eat out or dine-in anywhere which caused many smaller restaurants to close since they couldn’t flourish with the lack of customers. However, a loyal base of customers spurred motivation to support struggling businesses. “Since the pandemic, started there has been a big movement to eat locally which has helped our business,” Robby Ferrier said. Although the regulations for the pandemic affected the way Robby and Katherine ran their business, they never gave up on making their restaurant a place where everyone could enjoy. They found ways to help their business thrive even in the midst of difficulty. Katie Claire sees the silver lining throughout the whole process. “I think that we really just expanded because of COVID, and I think that was sort of the thing we had to do in order to survive. I think that it was time for something to change.”

Robbie and Katherine Ferrier have served the local community for over two decades.

The enterprise, Fall 2021

ART

Students in Mrs. Garcia’s art class replicated blobs of paint with just colored pencils. Their goal was to make it look as realistic as possible. Sophomore Mia James’s creation is pictured above and on the cover.

“I really like how it turned out. It reminds me of nature.” - Mia James

The enterprise, Fall 2021

www.optimist.org The enterprise, Fall 2021

More Than Just A Physical Threat

COVID-19 changes to policies and procedures affect the social and mental health of students. by Kaitlin Smith

ou wake up, and sleepily roll yourself out of bed. It’s 6:30 a.m and you’re thirty minutes behind schedule. You then eat your breakfast, get dressed and head for the door. You hear your mom yell, “Have a great day and be safe!” You reply, “Thanks, you too!” Next, you get onto your overcrowded bus and hope no one is ‘exposed’ as you sit cramped between two other people. You aren’t in the most comfortable position, but you bear with it because you know that in a few short minutes it will all be over. You start to think of how life was before this pandemic, and about the little things you missed like being able to go up the three flights of stairs to class without wheezing and inhaling your entire mask or showing off the bottom half of your face the one day it was clear. But now, all of that’s gone. You’re suddenly pulled out of your thoughts by the cough of a nearby person. You look around trying to find the source of the disturbance. You finally pinpoint one kid with their mask down and their face in someone else’s. Nobody else seems to care or even notice that their mask is down, but you do. The pandemic has affected the daily lives of every person in the world. From students and teachers to scientists and doctors. The engagement of students has lowered significantly and so have the test scores. Staffing has also become a global problem because people are scared, which is justifiable. Everyday, people who would start their morning with a usual cup of coffee at work, now have to use their own supplies or work from home. This has been a tremendous change for all. Many students were victims of being quarantined from school, and having to stay virtual for an extra year because of parents is no picnic. But now, being back at school after 1.5 years of being cut off from peers and friends – it’s an entirely different situation. Monica Montoya is a sophomore attending Captain Shreve High School, and 8

The enterprise, Fall 2021

during the 2020-2021 school year she had to wipe down the desks after class and wear her mask at all times. While at home, Monica had to take two showers a day to make sure she was clean of germs. Daily life for her, and all others, changed tremendously. Being a regular high school student was never easy, but doing it while social distancing, quarantining, and going virtual was even harder. Captain Shreve senior counselor Meagan Mills was asked how she feels about students coming back to school the second year of this ongoing pandemic. “The absolute best thing for students is to attend school in person. Not just for academics, but social and mental health is beneficial when teenagers can be around each other. Seeing everyone come back in person – that

big money earner and spender. Now, with money being tight and needed for Covid precautions, the school has had to cut back on extracurricular activities. Aside from money, many people haven’t spent much time focusing on the future. When this pandemic began, the first thoughts of many were: Wait, masks?... Will my newborn be safe?... What about my grandparents? These were all completely reasonable and understandable. But now is the time to think about what to do for the next pandemic and how people can better prepare themselves for when or if that time comes. So it begs the question: are schools doing enough now and will it be enough if or when another pandemic comes? “I think we will be better prepared [for the next pandemic] because we’ve lived

“Social and mental health is beneficial when teenagers can be around each other. “ has been such a positive experience to me.” Students from all over have experienced being away from school. Being isolated is not healthy for anyone. Having to cope with that isolation is something everyone learned to do. Apart from students having to deal with and learn from Covid – so have schools. This school and many others have had to learn how to deal with this pandemic financially, with precaution, and with its students’ and staff ’s best interests in mind. Ginger Gustavson, principal of Captain Shreve High School, explained how budget cuts and low staffing have affected the school. “Being wise and not just spending all the money we have has served us well,” Gustavson said. Athletics used to be a

through it,” Gustavson said. “When we read about something or learn about something, it’s a good way to educate yourself, but that’s in theory. We have actually lived through this and had to learn practical applications to keep us safe during a very contagious virus.” Being safe was always the plan. Having the mindset to actually do it – no one was prepared for that. So now, students are finally back and trying to have that “highschool experience” they all dreamed of. The stands in the football stadiums are getting a little bigger each game, each pep rally has more spirit than the last, and the students and teachers are doing their best to ensure a lively year.

The enterprise, Fall 2021

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The enterprise, Fall 2021

Theatre

Shreve’s Theater Performance Team performed Night of the Living Dead, their first play on stage since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, on November 2-4.

“Being on stage is a new experience.” - Dylan Phyllips

“People find their tribe in the theater. Without the shows, they don’t have that tribe anymore- that connection.” - Heather Hooper The enterprise, Fall 2021

Learn To Live For You

Isaiah Anderson lives life as an example of accepting who you are. By Maci Picou

The enterprise, Fall 2021

ugust 23, 2021 was the start of a new adventure for many students: the start of high school for all freshmen, the start of walking into this new school and into an unknown life of a high school student. Naturally, these freshmen have fears, worries, hopes, and dreams for these next four years that will create memories that will last a lifetime. In these four years, people learn who and what they want to be. The main goal for everyone is to make it through to graduation. High school is difficult, and no one can make it through without any issues or flaws. Many struggle with the fear of being different. No matter who you are or what you do, at least one person will judge you all because everyone is different. It is these differences who make us unique. Isaiah Anderson entered Captain Shreve as a freshman and is trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to be. Just like everyone else, Isaiah has his differences. Isaiah is 14 years old and has been blind his whole life. He has hypo-optic dysplasia, a disorder in early brain development that is one the leading causes of congenital blindness. Isaiah has his differences, but it doesn’t make him anymore different than anyone else. “You know, I kinda have a normal routine,” Isaiah said. Isaiah’s morning routine looks no different than any typical student. He wakes up, gets dressed, eats breakfast, grabs his backpack, and hops on the bus to go to school. He goes to seven classes all over the school and is a member of Key Club and Student Council. He loves playing music and reading stories such as The Hunger Games. Just like a lot of other people, Isaiah’s favorite subject in school is English. Isaiah wants these similarities, not just the differences, to be seen. “I just want people to know I’m not just a blind student. I can do a lot more.” Isaiah, in fact, does a lot at Shreve. Besides just being involved, he also leaves an impact on the people he meets. Haylea Moreau, Shreve’s Student Council president, met Isaiah during the first week of school. Since they first met, a beautiful friendship has grown. Our friends are supposed to teach us how to be better humans and Isaiah has done just that with Haylea. “Isaiah has shown me that being considered different is something to be proud of and that you should be proud of your uniqueness.” We all have our differences. We would not be human if we were all the same. We

are meant to be different. We are meant to be proud of our differences like Isaiah is. We all have our good days and bad. We all face challenges. “No matter what challenges he faces, he always finds the good in the situation,” Haylea said. Isaiah has faced many challenges in his life such as being the only blind student on campus or judgement from other students. Isaiah says “The judgement. The way people look at me” is the hardest part of any day for him. He can feel the tension or hear the change in someone’s voice when they talk to him.

when I found out I would have him as a student I immediately thought, ‘Alright, how am I going to teach English, reading and writing, to somebody who reads in braille?” The Friday before the first day of school Rachels was able to meet Isaiah for the first time and learn what type of reading he liked. About an hour after meeting Isaiah, Rachels was told a schedule change would take Isaiah out of her class. “I was disappointed, so I went and talked to the English department and then to his new teacher.”

Isaiah teaches many people that our differences change the world around us. Kyle Deville, a civics and AP Government teacher at Captain Shreve, taught Isaiah for a few weeks of the first nine weeks of this school year. Deville found out with the rest of the Shreve staff that Isaiah would be attending Captain Shreve in the 2021-2022 school year the year prior. He spent that summer finding ways to change the way he taught to make sure Isaiah received the same education that every other student in his AP government class received. “As long as he has the work ethic, I think he can be successful in any class he takes,” Deville said. “When he came in it was a learning experience for all of us.” These learning experiences are the things that are going to change the way Captain Shreve functions in the best way. Yet, these experiences have not been perfect. Through the process of Captain Shreve preparing for Isaiah there were many challenges that came up. Devin Rachels, a freshman English teacher at Shreve, was preparing for Isaiah’s arrival because he would be one of her students. She talked to the paraprofessionals who work with Isaiah and provided them with the class syllabus, names of the books Isaiah would need, and a copy of the textbook that she uses in her class. She gave them these resources so a copy of the texts could be written into braille. “I was excited,” Rachels said, “because as far as I knew at the time we had not had a student that was visually impaired to that extent. I am always up for a challenge, so

The first thing Rachels did with this change in plan was talk to the new teacher and help with the resources. The amount of time they had to adjust to this new plan was almost not enough. “You want to be able to make accommodations. You want to be able to reach every student, and you have to plan. You have to plan for everyone’s different abilities,” Rachels said. Teachers want to bring a fair learning environment for all of their students even if it means taking the extra mile to get there. Even though Rachels did not get to teach Isaiah he still provided a hope for her “Maybe Shreve is gonna end up being a place where any student coming from middle school who has that disability can come and we will be suited for them. I’d like to see that, it would be kinda neat.” By owning up to his uniqueness and not letting the world stop him, Isaiah is setting a pathway for other visually impared students to attend Captain Shreve. Kyle Deville speaks for the whole staff of Captain Shreve with his hope. “As time goes on, next year we will be more prepared in our classes [for students like Isaiah].” It takes time to learn new ways and new techniques, but it can be done. Isaiah knows the journey will not be easy. That factor will never stop him. He believes in making a change. “It’s what I’m here for.”

“I just want people to know I’m not just a blind student. I can do a lot more.”

Isaiah Anderson navigates the campus and overcomes challenges.

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Writing My Skin

By Lacy Ephraim

Words from the Poet “It was Mr. Doughty’s English assignment to write the poem, but I found it very interesting to make it about a personal experience.” “This topic came easily to me, and I can speak about it clearly and fluently because I have experienced it so much.” “I’m not good with rhyming. I love spoken word poetry, so as I was writing I would speak the poem.” 14

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Skin My skin, Oh how I used to pretend That the freckled black bend of my knuckles Were pale and non pigmented Or lighter and fair To hate the braids in my hair And wish no one noticed or cared About the bends in my hair To feel comfort in my mane Or to be so ashamed Of my hair and my skin Oh, my skin My skeleton therein The long brittle bones Where my soul lives My home Where my blood flows Cells roam Where my heart hurts Not medically- but to beat against my chest And to break through my skin My skin, So scarred So dented and marred That I pretend is so tough, tormented and scuffed To feel, and to peel Then eventually heal The memory of my palms My knees, my arms To recall a touch and feel it trill Throughout my skin Oh dear skin, Thank you for the permanent scarred memories On my skin and within The ones I regret, the ones I recollect, Is that the burn of a cigarette or a cut from a Gillette? Was it a mistake or kismet To remember that day When I fell off my bike Knees scarred from the tar Hands bruised by the painful cruise to concrete, Blood breaks from my skin So, dear skin I thank you For the scars and memories The good and the bad, The joyful and the sad the regretful and remorseful sins Recorded on My memorable skin The enterprise, Fall 2021

The Burnout Year

Students for years have experienced burnout throughout their education, but now, in light of the pandemic, burnout has increased.

By Alexis Johnson-Williams

ummer is the best time of year. Everyone is happy, and their energy levels are high. Then school starts, and the pressure is back on. Assignments start to stack up and tests fill the schedule. The high-pressure pursuit of high test scores on standardized assessments like the LEAP, SAT, and ACT can create a lot of stress which is damaging to student mental health. Sophomore student Mia James says, “School kills artists’ creative ability. The school system wants structure but most of us want to feel free.” The pressure to be the best and perform stifles expressive freedom. What has the school system done to bring about this loss of inspiration?

days a week with many students working extracurricularly after school. For many students, grades can lead to breakdowns or arguments with their parents, and some students have described their dissatisfaction with this system as “the school system grading them as people, not learners.” According to research done by TheBestSchools.org, “Students often see grades as the major obstacle to getting into college, earning their degree, or landing their dream job.” Adults will tell students the way to start on the right track in their adult life is to make good grades, and to show their capabilities. Grades are often stressful for students whether they need one more point to

“School kills artists’ creative ability. The school system wants structure but most of us want to feel free.” Burnout is hitting school districts nationally and especially since COVID-19 because student motivation has dropped. In Caddo, the introduction of the learning management software, Canvas, has added another layer of stress. It was a confusing transition for many students as it didn’t mesh seamlessly with the already existing grading software, JCampus. The Caddo school system is set up to have students working 7 hours a day, 5 16

The enterprise, Fall 2021

get an A or a test assignment has knocked them down a whole letter grade. The love of learning has been stifled by school districts wanting increasing test scores. Mia James is a sophomore at Captain Shreve who loves creating art but says her passion has dwindled in the past few years due to school responsibilities. She believes that school would be more pleasant if students had more creative freedom. Sophomore Aida Fall says that everything felt

better when she was a kid. “If I could speak to my younger self, I would say take this time just to live in the moment.” Living in the moment creates character and personality. School schedules can leave limited space for activities you do for yourself, which can stifle motivation and creativity. The shift to hybrid learning and then back to a full time traditional system has created a whiplash effect for some students. During hybrid learning, students had multiple opportunities to catch up on missing work whether they were behind or missed due to illness. This year, the reliance on Canvas has waned, and some students feel like they can’t catch up or have to devote their shrinking free time to out of hours tutoring or make ups. Student athletes also have the added responsibility of missing school days for travel and have limited time to catch up. Sophomore Bryson Lewis says, “The system is helpful in a way, but the grading scale and people involved can make the school system rough.” The school system as it is requires students to work at rates and hours that limit free time for artistic expression. However, the pandemic has sparked a call to change how it is structured and to destigmatize growing mental health concerns in students. School leaders need to include more student voices in decision making and address the problems that plague the pursuit of a love of learning. When students and teachers find their motivation in learning and teaching, the educational system will be able to flourish again.

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Book Review by Chloe Whittington

The Degenerates, by J. Albert Mann. This novel takes place in the mid 20th century, centered around an institution called The Massachusetts School for Idiotic and Feeble-Minded Youth. The majority of the patients during this time were women and young girls. Four of these young girls were Maxine, Rose, Alice, and London. All of them were in their early teenage years, brought to this institution for similar yet different reasons. Maxine and Rose are sisters, Alice has become their close friend, and London is the new girl. Maxine was admitted for questioning her sexuality. Rose was admitted because she has down syndrome. Alice was there because of her cleft foot, therefore labeled Idiotic or Feeble-Minded. London was forced to be institutionalized because she was a pregnant teeanger. These main characters stick with each other till the last page. These girls may be in their early teenage years, but they are smarter than they seem at first. They attempt multiple escapes throughout their time spent at the institution. Maxine even comforts London as she endures a traumatic experience. Alice finds love when she wasn’t looking for it. Rose grew so close to London that she called her a “friend.” Anything these young ladies went through stopped them from supporting and guiding one another. The Degenerates is about quickly building a bond of trust in times of need. All four girls needed someone to lean on, so they used each other. In the end, their bond was so true, they shed their old selves in order to grow. When I began reading The Degenerates, I had a small idea of what I was about to read. Little did I know, I would be crying while reading this book in the middle of the night. I went through a rollercoaster of emotions throughout this fascinating journey. Every time I put the book down, I wanted to pick it up again to find out what was going to happen next. Sadly, I haven’t found a book that carries on the journeys of the characters in The Degenerates. I would recommend The Degenerates to anyone who shares a love of adventure, fiction, love, loss, hope, and hopelessness. When I have spare time, I will definitely read this book again. While reading this amazing book, you will be drawn into the world of The Degenerates.

Book Review by Kierra Douglas

Slay, by Brittney Morris. Kiera Johnson is a 17 year old honors student at Jefferson Academy. She is also one of a few other black kids that go to Jefferson. Feeling like an outsider, Kiera has created a virtual world for her and other black people to be their authentic selves. Her game is a huge success until a player is killed. After the player is killed, people start to question whether SLAY should exist. I liked this book because it was relatable. There are plenty of black kids at Shreve, but sometimes there are spaces where you’re the only black person there. It can get awkward. Sometimes people will avoid you if you are one of a few black people. I also liked how it talked about different topics within my community. The main focus being hoteps. Hoteps are a huge problem within my community. I’ve heard “love your people and build them up” when things go the complete opposite. The main focus is building up black men. Well, I should rephrase that to straight black men. Black women and black LGBTQ+ people are not a main focus or priority when it comes down to talking about my community. Black women are pretty much ignored and seen as “reserved for the black man.” Basically, you’re beneath the man. But that’s also a problem within every culture/community. The woman is seen to be beneath the man or be “his property.” Black LGBTQ+ people are also not a main focus in my community. An excuse for shunning the black LGBTQ+ part of our community is mainly religion. But if my people actually looked into the research, they would be surprised at what they find out. It’s crazy how black power is talked and preached about, but my own people ignore and shun certain people within what they see as black power. What’s also crazy is how homophobia is linked to and has strong ties within white supremacy, and most of my own people don’t know that. Misogyny and homophobia are huge problems within my community. Brittney Morris covered this topic very well and that’s what caught my attention from this book. 18

The enterprise, Fall 2021

MAKIVA JOHNSON INJURY ATTORNEY

O: 318-888-8888 D: 318-716-5568 F: 318-946-8880 E: Mjohnson@getgordon.com 1754 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105

The enterprise, Fall 2021

En Garde!

Jonah Barry is the first Shreve student to qualify and compete in fencing at the Junior Olympics.

tepping onto the strip, adrenaline pumping and hearts racing, the two fencers checked each other’s guards and made their way to each separate end. In one of the biggest matches of their lives, each participant had to perform at their very best in order to move onto the next opponent. Failure to do so meant elimination, and another long wait until this opportunity arose again. With the strong smell of sweat encasing the convention, one could not help but be overcome with anticipation of what was to happen next. Imagine the rush that you would feel, first entering in one of the biggest competitions of your young life. This feeling was introduced to Captain Shreve’s Jonah Barry, when he first entered the Junior Olympics to compete in fencing as an incoming sophomore. After a two day drive from Shreveport, Louisiana to the big city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jonah Barry had finally arrived at the 2021 Junior Olympics. After years of preparation and training, he had finally been presented with the opportunity to qualify and compete. What came next was the experience of a lifetime and the title of Captain Shreve’s first male student to ever make it this far in competitive fencing. Jonah Barry has been fencing for five years now. He began his career in the sixth grade at Caddo Middle Magnet School. His instructor at CMM taught bigger classes, but that hindered any real instruction, so he encouraged dedicated students to go to private lessons with Andy Shaw, a former Olympian and instructor. Shaw is Jonah’s current instructor and has worked with him since he first started. “He’s the best coach I’ve ever had,” Jonah said. A natural athlete, Jonah has played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in addition to fencing. He now focuses on fencing in order to put all his energy into improving his game. Jonah says that because of fencing he’s “gotten a lot stronger and [his] reaction time is a lot better.” Due to his focus on fencing, he was able to improve so much and qualify for the 2021 Junior Olympics. He was able to qualify by winning a certain amount of 20

The enterprise, Fall 2021

By Faith Quarles

bouts and earning ranking points. Due to his location here in the South, he was able to compete in fewer bouts and still qualify at the same level as areas with higher competition and more clubs. This was Jonah’s first time to ever go to the Junior Olympics, adding to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. To many people, when thinking of fencing the first thing that comes to mind is two opponents in big suits of gear with sharp, skinny swords. The classic “En Garde!” rings in your mind. To most, that is the scene that we call fencing. However, this ancient sport is much more complex and detail oriented than what many think. Fencing consists of three styles of play. The differences are within the weapons and the strike zones of the opponent. The three weapons are the Foil, the Epee, and the Saber. Each style of play has its own unique rules and presents a different draw for each type of fencer. This presents many different opportunities for aspiring fencers and those who are interested in learning.

long and 2 meters wide. In regular/preliminary competition between two fencers, the bout continues until one fencer has scored five touches, and in the direct elimination (DE) round of a tournament, it can go to 15 points, though the DE round can vary, depending on age classification of a competition or in team events. In order to qualify for the Junior Olympics in Fencing, you must acquire a certain amount of points. These points are gained by winning multiple bouts and ranking higher as a fencer within the region. Depending on the harshness of competition in your region, that can make qualifying either much easier or harder. After the two day long drive to Philadelphia, Jonah had arrived at the huge convention center where the Junior Olympics were held. He handed in his Covid test papers, as they were a requirement in order to get in the building and compete. “Whenever I walked into the huge convention center, all I could think about was the amount of shops, the amount of people, and the harsh

In addition to the wide variety of fencing styles, the sport is versatile in that it can be recreational or competitive as well. So whether you’re looking to compete in the Olympics or just poke a little fun at your friends, fencing is a classic option. If you ask Jonah Barry, he’ll tell you that, “It’s competitive and good exercise.” A fencing bout takes place on what is called a “strip” or “piste,” about 14 meters

smell of sweat,” Jonah recalled. “There were a whole bunch of people, I could barely hear.” Everyone had to wear masks due to Covid protocols, even when competing during the bout. Jonah then had to get his jacket stenciled before his bout. “We were actually really short on time, we got it back right before we started bouting,” Jonah said. Jonah met up with his club soon after, “There were a whole bunch of different

Whenever I walked into the huge convention center, all I could think about was the amount of shops, the amount of people, and the harsh smell of sweat,”

strips going on at once, so we went to ours and they went to theirs.” Before the bout, Jonah had to get his gear checked. “They have to go through your glove, your cord and your mask. They stamp your mask to signify that you’re certified,” Jonah explained. “Then another person checked that you had all the gear, like the underarm protector, glove, mask, two body cords and two weapons.” Going into his first bout, he walked to the left side of the strip. He was hooked into the electronic scoring machine and went up to his opponent to check guards. This is all done in order to prevent false scores or off-target points. Jonah competed in round robin pools, consisting of five touch bouts. When it was time to begin the bout, he walked over to his designated side, “I got hooked into the machine that you connect to your jacket and hooked my cable to the sword.” After the procedures, Jonah awaited his opponent. In his first ever time to compete on the Junior Olympic level, Jo-

nah won his first bout. He said, “that was the best feeling of my life...there was such an adrenaline rush, my hand was shaking for two bouts after.” Jonah watched his teammates in their individual bouts up until it was his time to compete again. Jonah went on to say, “I went back to the strip and fenced the person who got the farthest, though I didn’t know this at the time.” Unfortunately, Jonah lost to his opponent in an extremely close match. “I either lost by one or two points, but I am very happy about that,” Jonah said. Shaw told him it was his best performance ever. After this intense bout, Jonah had lost much of his energy and wasn’t able to make it into the direct elimination rounds. “I was out of energy and had no more stamina, I could not keep up with anyone” Jonah described, “I just felt awful, I could not think, and I lost every single bout after that.” This didn’t discourage Jonah, however, as he plans to just go back and compete again in the next Junior Olympics,

Jonah Barry trains at Fairfield Avenue School of Fencing.

this time with even more wins. Jonah is the first male Captain Shreve student to accomplish this major feat. After asking him how that felt, he said, “It makes me feel happy because I get to know that I was the first and anyone who comes after me is hard second.” Jonah plans to go to Louisiana Tech University and study engineering. There, he hopes to start a fencing club where he and others can compete. He also encourages others to take a jab at fencing and take part in lessons. Since fencing is so small in the South, there is still much room to grow and Jonah hopes that it will increase in popularity as time goes on. With more exposure and accomplishments like Jonah’s, fencing will be a top sport in Louisiana in no time. Unsurprisingly, Jonah plans to compete in the Olympics when he’s older as well, so be on the lookout for his name in the news. Overall, Jonah says, “Fencing is about personal skill and a drive to win.” The enterprise, Fall 2021

The enterprise, Fall 2021

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The enterprise, Fall 2021

Breaking Barriers

Justin Thomas spreads encouragement and lives his best life as a Shreve cheerleader. By Bryson Lewis

“I

’m here to win, baby.” Justin Thomas is a male varsity cheerleader here at the swamp who is making progress at breaking barriers and moving towards getting rid of the norm that stems around male cheerleading. Justin brings a light to the cheer team that makes them shine bright. “He is very outgoing and positive all the time,” cheer captain Abby Presley said. “He’s very, very goofy and overall just a really good teammate who puts everybody in a good mood... and he’s a very good cheerleader, so that adds a lot of talent to our team too.” Being the only male on a female-dominated team puts a spotlight on Justin. So, Justin takes his part on the team very seriously, and he plays his part accordingly. “Like for me, I’m expected to do a lot of stuff. My name is held to a big, high standard. You have to be at school, make sure your grades are good and cheer. Cheer is really stressful, but you get through it.” Cheerleading is a historically female sport, but Justin wanted to join in and do something he loved which has ultimately changed his life and the perspective of the sport for the better.

be given.” Outside of school, Justin is more than a varsity cheerleader. He absolutely loves to dance, read and write and he’s a participant in many extracurricular activities. Justin is the Vice President of National English Honors Society, a part of Student Council, a member of BSA (Black Studies Association), of course, a part of varsity cheer. He is also a member of Shreve’s newest club, Swamp Medics. He’s hopeful to become a part of the National Honors Society and he was appointed to represent Captain Shreve at the Community Foundation’s Teen Institute. Juggling the life of an extracurricular activity and a normal life seems to be quite difficult, but Justin balances the two out well by fitting in the things he loves in cheer as well as things he loves outside of cheer. “It’s basically like school and then you have to maintain a lifestyle outside of school… I get tired sometimes like, hh my god, when am I gonna get a break, but Friday, baby, that’s my break.” Before trying out for cheer, Justin was just a regular student who was looking to start doing something he was really

“I’m here to win, baby.”

Justin is a one of a kind person. He’s confident, intelligent, and very kind. If he sees you in the hallway, he’ll always greet you with a “Hey!” and a nice smile. Even with the mask on, you can tell he’s smiling. He addresses the little things in situations and he isn’t afraid to stand up for anyone or anything he believes in. Justin has a very large support system, and it’s very easy to understand why. His energy is always so high and he brings such great vibes to a conversation or even a simple greeting. Justin gives cheer his all, and he knows that he’s gonna give the crowd what they need. Whether it’s a pep rally, football game, or any other event, there’s no doubt that Justin will indeed “give what needs to 24

The enterprise, Fall 2021

eager about pursuing. When he signed up for cheer, he didn’t have any second-guesses or regrets. In fact, his friends really encouraged him to cheer and he was actually excited to do it. Ameria Sanchez was an important factor in this journey. She was one of the main people in his support system, egging him on to cheer. She says she felt like she played a part in his journey because she “kept him optimistic about anything going on. This has made him the cheerleader he is today!” Justin says Ameria is always there to lift him up when he’s down, and she’s that one friend you can call and they have a great relationship. “It’s like that cousin you don’t see on a regular basis, but when you come

together, they’re cool.” Ameria thinks that Justin has broken barriers throughout his journey. “Justin has broken barriers as far as being a male cheerleader by changing the stereotype of just females being on a team. Also, showing that anyone could make the team as long as you have the spirit and love for your school, which Justin has shown all of us that he does!” When trying to create change, it’s a given for someone to encounter negativity. Justin has indeed faced discrimination throughout his time of being a cheerleader. Justin explains that he remembers going to lunch during his 10th grade year and hearing people mutter and talk about him, his sexuality, and being a cheerleader. “You know last year during lunch, that was the main area, and everyone stood there by the vending machines and I would hear stuff like, ‘Look at that gay a-word cheerleader’ and I was like, ‘Boy, really?’ It was really crazy and it kind of brought me down, but I would get back up because I can’t stay down for too long.” This was something that truly did affect Justin. With receiving that hate, he would take people’s words into consideration and that really played a negative part in his self esteem. Justin eventually grew above the hate and bossed up, which made him feel much stronger about following along with cheer. He made the best out of his experience, which led him to learn many lessons about himself. He knows what frustrates him about cheer and what he does enjoy. “Sometimes learning new stunts can be very difficult when you’re asked to do a job,” Justin said. He explains that he believes you should try to do something new to the best of your abilities. “If you’ve never done it before, try it because you don’t know how it’s going to turn out and it might look really good, so don’t be scared to try new things.” The things he enjoys about cheer outweigh the frustrating parts. Justin really

Justin Thomas brings a spirit of optimism and confidence to Captain Shreve.

likes to help out. For example, the cheer team did a workshop with the 1st and 2nd graders pep squad at South Highlands to help them learn new cheers to do at the game with them. “It was fun interacting with little kids because they don’t know how high schoolers roll, and it was fun educating young minds.” Justin also enjoys showing school spirit and taking pictures with his teammates and friends at the games. Throughout this journey, Justin has opened many doors for himself through

cheering and just being a very active and live face on the school scene. He’s gotten the opportunity to attend LASC for student council. It was a fun opportunity for him since he didn’t get to attend it and be a part of STUCO his freshman year. Justin also gained the opportunity to be the NEHS vice president and he says that his hard work was shown with what he did. As far as breaking barriers go, Justin feels he has made quite some progress. He says, “I think I have broken barriers as a male cheerleader by me feeling alive with

myself ! It’s made me believe in something that I never really thought I was capable of.” He also mentioned that it’s made himself feel more confident in himself and with his peers. Even a single person can make change. It just takes that person to take initiative and find a platform to share their ideas and take charge. Justin has done exactly this, which will hopefully bring male students and students in general out of their shells to defeat the norm.

The enterprise, Fall 2021

CHARLES LAW Enrolled Agent

“Admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service” “Authorized IRS e-file Provider” – Individual – Corporate – Partnership Tax Filing – 1215 Captain Shreve Drive #13, Shreveport, LA 71105 TEL | (318) 364-9557 Email – charleslaw93@yahoo.com

The enterprise, Fall 2021

Quotes from Hobbies: “Gardening, raising chickens and ducks, chasing my three kids.” - Cody Reynolds Spirit Animal: “Unicorn. Full disclosure... it’s really a rhinoceros, but I’m in denial that it’s not a unicorn.” - Hannah Cruz Why teach? “I knew I wanted to do more to help youth. I was already ‘teaching’ at my previous job, and I still teach youth bible study so I was already familiar with teaching kids in a sense.” - L’Anthony Davis Spirit Animal: “Dragon!” - Taylor Talley

The enterprise, Fall 2021

New Teachers Why Shreve? “I LOVE the positivity that is shared throughout the students, staff, faculty, AND administration!” - Michelle Basco Why teach? “I felt called back into education to change the lives of today’s youth.” - Mary Morris Your soundtrack? “Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor. ” - Jonathan Hickman Why Shreve? “Consistency, organization, expectations of everyone, leadership, and allfor-one mentality in action and words.” - James Stephens

The enterprise, Fall 2021