The Pony Express The student newspaper of Center Hill High School
September 2018
Center Hill High School
Volume 2, Issue 1
Making History
The Hill has 5 National Merit Semifinalists Askew, Greganti, Heath, Kinggard, Lindsey earn top PSAT scores By Emily Merz Editor-in-Chief History was made at Center Hill High School in September, when five seniors were recognized as National Merit Semifinalists. Sebastian Askew, Jonathan Greganti, Adam Heath, Zoe Kinggard and Mary Lindsey are part of a successful group of students who took the PSAT, or Preliminary SAT. “The PSAT group from the Class of 2019 was a record-breaking group for Center Hill,” said Michelle Jones, who teaches PSAT along with Meredith Smith and Judy Terry. “We had a good feeling about the entire class from the very beginning. Their entrance cut score was higher than any previous group of sophomores, and it was one of the largest groups in Center Hill history to qualify for the PSAT class.” The students did not disappoint, Jones said. “The class produced five National Merit Semifinalists, a record for Center Hill, and one National Hispanic Recognition Scholar,” she said. “In addition, nearly all students in the class earned a place in the 30+ ACT club, with several earning composites over 30 and one scoring Center Hill’s first ever perfect 36.” According to The College Board, the National Merit academic
Photo by Emily Merz Mary Lindsey, from left, Zoe Kinggard, Sebastian Askew, Jonathan Greganti and Adam Heath made history at Center Hill High School in September. The seniors make up the school’s largest group of National Merit Semifinalists.
competition began in 1955. Students can qualify for the competition by taking the PSAT their sophomore and junior years. “To me, being a National Merit semifinalist is gratification,” Lindsey said. “It’s proof that even through all the self-doubt I have of my abilities, hard work can pay off.” Winners are selected based on test scores. The qualifying scores vary by state and are different every
year. Many colleges and universities offer huge scholarships for National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists. “There are two different types of scholarships,” Lindsey said. “You can get one from the NMSC for $2,500 or individual ones from colleges that vary from school to school.” The financial reward is unmistakable, Greganti said. “Being National Merit at the
schools I’m looking at, it means just about a full ride – tuition, room and board, meal plan and books,” he said. “When combined with some other scholarships, it can mean a college or university will pay you to go there instead of you paying them.” Greganti said being named a National Merit Semifinalist was unexpected. “I went into the PSAT class in the
middle of the pack,” he said. “After the class I expected to be maybe top 10, not 4. When Mrs. Terry called out my score I just about cried out of shock and joy.” The five semifinalists must now go through an application process in order to possibly become finalists. “The next step for me is just a matter of paperwork and writing an essay about why I deserve National Merit Finalist,” Greganti said.
Classroom pets promote education, fun By Candice Buford Staff Writer Center Hill High School has many teachers with animals in the classroom for educational purposes and fun. “They teach kids compassion, responsibility and companionship, but for science they are also related to a lot of our lessons,” said Jennifer Denham, a biology teacher. Denham sometimes brings a small corn snake named Richard to her classroom. Last year another of Denham’s snakes, Corny, escaped and wandered the school before being found. She said corn snakes are harmless and non-venomous.
“Snakes are different than most other classroom pets,” Denham said. “(Corny) could climb up walls or into corners and be invisible, but snakes require a specific heat and humidity. I had two students last semester that decided to leave a small opening in his cage and he was able to get out and starve before I got to him.” Denham said she takes precautions now with Richard. “I bring him in a couple times a week for his safety and protection,” she said. Snakes make good classroom pets, Denham said, because they need very little maintenance. “Clean water, clean habitat,
correct temperature, humidity, proper diet and feed at the proper time,” she said. “If you don’t keep the habitat clean or wash your hands after touching them, you can make the animals sick or you could get sick.” Denham acknowledged that her students can be scared of snakes. “For the most part yes,” she said. “They tend to be a little afraid of the snake at first so they poke it and I have to correct them on that.” Ashlee Young, one of the Spanish teachers at CHHS, has a white bunny named Blanca in her classroom.
Continued on Page 2
Photo by Candice Buford Omaria Crutchfield, junior, reaches to pick up Blanca, a white bunny in Ashlee Young’s Spanish III class. Crutchfield said having an animal in the classroom is a conversation starter.
Animals in the Classroom
Mustangs News Briefs
Continued from Page 1 “I remember having (pets) in elementary school,” Young said. “We had a goldfish and the teachers liked to get our reactions. There is a correlation between animals and mental health.” Young said she, not her students, is responsible for taking care of Blanca. This involves making sure the bunny has plenty of food and water and that her cage is cleaned. “It’s lit,” 10th-grader Chris Burks said about Blanca, adding that holding her “is a great way to take a break.” Another of Young’s students, 11th-grader Omaria Crutchfield, said having a pet in the classroom is a conversation starter. Caden Tackett, a freshman in Kerry Matthews’ biology class, said classroom pets are comforting. “It makes me feel at home, because I have a pet at home and I have one at school,” Tackett said. In her classroom, Matthews has a bunny named Oreo, two cockatiels named Chainsaw and Pickles, and a betta, or Siamese fighting fish, named Mr. Coffee. The fish is appropriately named because he lives in an old coffee pot. Other animals at CHHS live on the school farm, which is operated by nutrition and wellness and resource management teacher Angel Pilcher. She said there are many reasons to have animals, including pigs and chickens, at school. “It teaches respect and appreciation for life,” she said. “It brings students together, introduces possible career options previously unexplored, is a positive
14 students elected to Homecoming Court After voting took place on Sept. 20, Center Hill High School’s Homecoming maids were announced Sept. 25. Freshman maids are Abby Le and Annissa Veyo. Sophomore maids are Maggie Lunz, MaKenzie Sandridge and Kaitlyn Wilty. Junior maids are Emma Freeze, Josie House, Mia TenEyck and Lydia Walker. Senior maids are Tanika Kounhavong, Caley Paulino, Abigail Penfield, Nuriel Perkins and Holland Watson. The Homecoming Queen will be crowned at the football game Oct. 12.
Photo by Candice Buford Freshman Caden Tackett holds Oreo, one of the pets in Kerry Matthews’ biology classroom. Matthews also has two cockatiels named Chainsaw and Pickles and a betta fish named Mr. Coffee because it lives in an old coffee pot.
outlet for mental wellness, and encourages school attendance. I believe all families should have a family pet, and we are a Center Hill family.” Foundations of Journalism student Tessa Bolton contributed to this story.
Here’s what to know for Homecoming Week After the Columbus Day holiday on Oct. 8, Center Hill High School is gearing up for Spirit Week starting Oct. 9. Tuesday is Tourist Day. Students are encouraged to wear your best tourist attire. Wednesday is Out of This World Day, so dig out your best outer space gear. Thursday is Decades Day. Dress up as your favorite throwback, but take note of which decade is assigned to your class. Freshmen will be the ’50s, sophomores will be the ’70s, juniors will be the ’90s and seniors will be the ’80s. Friday is Spirit Day. Show pride in your school with your Mustang apparel, and be prepared for the Homecoming parade at 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against Lewisburg will be at 7 p.m. $65 yearbook pre-orders available through Oct. 14 Students who pre-order a yearbook before Oct. 14 have
Photo by Candice Buford Nutrition and wellness and resource management teacher Angel Pilcher laughs while Jose Esquivel, sophomore, pets Pumpkin the pig. Pilcher, who operates the CHHS farm, said having classroom pets teaches respect and appreciation for life.
The Pony Express Emily Merz Editor-in-Chief
William Wright Sports Editor
Ginny Shikle and Michelle Jones Advisers Doug Payne Principal 2
Photo by Emily Merz Joseph Griffin, from left, Christina White and McKayla Beckmann rehearse lines from the play “Suite Surrender.”
a chance to be featured on the cover of the 2018-2019 yearbook, The Mustang. You can order a yearbook via the school website, or pay check or cash at school. The cost is $65, and you can drop off your payment in a sealed envelope outside of B1 in the orange payment box. The cost will increase to $70 on Oct. 15. See Roben Nobles if you have any questions or need to set up a payment plan. Sophomores, juniors to take PSAT Oct. 10 The registration deadline for the upcoming PSAT, or Preliminary SAT, was Sept. 28. If registered, don’t hinder your chances of becoming a National Merit Finalist and start hitting the books today. Ask PSAT teachers Judy Terry, Michelle Jones or Meredith Smith if you have any questions. A pre-ID session for the PSAT will be Oct. 5. Sophomores and juniors who are registered will
take the test Oct. 10. Field trip planned for Gifted/AP English Be sure to turn in your forms to Cynthia Stanley by Oct. 5 to attend a showing of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” on Oct. 30. The cost is $11, but make sure to bring money for lunch afterward. Fittings scheduled for senior caps, gowns Fittings for senior caps and gowns will be Oct. 17. Times are 12 p.m. in the PAC and 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. CHHS drama students to stage ‘Suite Surrender’ The Center Hill Drama Department is putting on a production of “Suite Surrender” Dec. 7-9. Mark your calendar and be sure to attend this farce set in the 1940s.
Photo by Emily Merz Sydney Biffle, standing at right, and Chelsey Burrows work on building the set for “Suite Surrender.” The CHHS Drama Department will perform the 1940s farce in December. Drama teacher Jensen Jacquet is in the background.
Make-up yearbook pictures set for Oct. 4 If you missed picture day on Sept. 25, make-up school pictures will be Oct. 4 at 8:30 a.m., located in the PAC. Are you ready for the next ACT? If you have already registered for the ACT to be given Oct. 27, be sure to give it all you got and
swing by the Center Hill Library to pick up an ACT practice book for your next study session. Other upcoming testing dates are Dec. 8 and Feb. 9. Compiled by Ana Le Staff Writer
Photo by Candice Buford Freshman Nathan Brown holds a corn snake named Richard in Jennifer Denham’s biology class. Snakes make good classroom pets because they require little maintenance, Denham said, adding that classroom pets benefit students by teaching compassion, responsibility and companionship.
The purpose of The Pony Express is to inform the students and faculty of Center Hill High School of events and issues that affect them. The Pony Express is an after-school club that is supplemented by students in the Foundations of Journalism class. As student writers, we try to reflect the thoughts of our most important readers – the students of Center Hill. Because of this, we attempt to approach many issues, some more controversial than others. The newspaper staff hopes to inform, to educate, to entertain and to question for the betterment of Center Hill, its students and faculty.
All opinion pieces are the views of the individual writer, with the exception of staff editorials, which are unsigned and reflect the consensus of The Pony Express staff. The Pony Express is a member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, which named our publication Most Improved High School Newspaper for 2017-2018, and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. To advertise, contact Ginny Shikle at ginny. shikle@dcsms.org. Submit questions, comments and letters to the editor to ponyexpresschhs@gmail.com.
Photo by Emily Merz
Photo by Abigail Penfield
After the Columbus Day holiday on Oct. 8, Center Hill High School is gearing up for Spirit Week starting Oct. 9. Themes include Tourist Day, Out of This World Day, Decades Day and Spirit Day.
Helanna Dear, yearbook business manager, and Dallas Kiner delivered copies of The Mustang yearbook to students Sept. 13. The 2018-19 yearbooks are on sale for $65 before Oct. 15, when prices go up to $70. Students who pre-order a yearbook before Oct. 14 have a chance to be featured on the cover.
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The controversy of Colin Kaepernick, Nike and kneeling
It’s OK to take a knee, but leave Nike out of it By Kymoria Mottley Staff Writer
On Sept. 6, Nike launched an ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick. The former NFL player has been under fire for starting the trend of peacefully protesting police brutality and other social injustices by kneeling for the national anthem. Kaepernick began the movement in 2016. As a person of color, I completely understand Kaepernick’s reasons for kneeling. It seems to be happening more and more these days that black people are gunned down in the street for doing absolutely nothing. Innocent people are being murdered, wrongfully imprisoned and violated by the police. The very people who are supposed to be our protectors are getting away with it. Social activists and concerned citizens alike have been trying to stop the injustice for years, but their efforts have fallen on deaf ears. That’s why Kaepernick kneeled. And maybe that has absolutely nothing to do with police brutality, but it did turn heads. Kneeling during the national anthem caught everyone’s attention, and it gave Kaepernick a voice and a platform. This time, people listened. According to a story on www. nfl.com, Kaepernick told Steve Wyche that, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” Kaepernick didn’t come up with the idea to kneel
As a person of color, I completely understand Kaepernick’s reasons for kneeling. It seems to be happening more and more these days that black people are gunned down in the street for doing absolutely nothing. sporadically. According to an interview with ESPN, he originally planned to sit. However, former Green Beret and Seattle Seahawks player Nate Boyer wanted him to stand. The players talked and eventually found common ground. To respectfully protest the injustice, Kaepernick would kneel. “Once again, I’m not antiAmerican,” Kaepernick has said. “I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better.” While flag codes speak against things we do every day, such as wearing the flag on our clothing, they say nothing about being required to stand.
Of course, people everywhere were infuriated anyway. Some believe that Kaepernick’s refusal to stand is disrespectful to our country’s soldiers and veterans. However, many veterans fought for and support Kaepernick’s right to protest and his cause. A letter written in support of Kaepernick by U.S. Army veteran Richard Allen Smith, with signatures from other veterans, was published on theundefeated.com. In part, the letter states, “While we would not all personally choose to protest in a manner identical to Kaepernick, we respect and honor his choice, and whole heartedly join him in stating unequivocally that BLACK LIVES MATTER. The current state of affairs for people of color in America is unsustainable and unacceptable. ... Far too often, people of color are dying at the hands of law enforcement personnel in the streets, our jails, and their homes.” Now, two years after the kneeling controversy started, consumers who don’t support Kaepernick are destroying their Nike products in retaliation of the ad. I believe that there is no need to protest Nike, but if it is truly necessary, there is a better way to do it. Millions of people are less fortunate than we are. Some people don’t have nice shoes and clothes. Instead of destroying things, donate them. Help your fellow American people. That’s what Kaepernick is trying to do. He’s protesting police brutality and racism, not America. Nike is smart enough to know the difference.
Ask the Mustangs
“I disagree with kneeling for the anthem. The anthem is to recognize the people sacrificing their lives for your freedom. To me you are showing disrespect to the military, and the ones who are losing their lives for you. I come from a family that my dad spent 21 years of his life in the Air Force. My mom worked on a base when she was younger. My family doesn’t like to see people kneel for the anthem because of 4
National anthem not a platform for protest
what the military does for this country. The people kneeling could have done something else to show the emotion about the problem. I would encourage people to stand for the national anthem because it is thanking the military. It makes no sense for them to burn their shoes because Nike has got the money for the shoes. They don’t care what you have done with them. It makes more sense if you didn’t want them, give them away to someone who is in need. I don’t like Nike gear.”
Christo Peeks sophomore
By Brooke Neal Staff Writer
Illustration by Ana Le
Thanks to Nike, a 2-year-old controversy about kneeling for the national anthem is back in the news. An ad for the shoe and sportswear company features former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who started the controversial kneeling campaign in 2016. Kneeling for the national anthem is wrong. I understand that the First Amendment gives us freedom of speech, but not standing at attention during “The Star-Spangled Banner” is still wrong. If you are a famous athlete, you are supposed to be a role model. Many children watch you on television, so if they see you kneel, they might think it’s OK for them to kneel. Kaepernick first took a knee on Sept. 1, 2016. Although he had previously sat during the anthem at two preseason games, Kaepernick first gained attention for refusing to stand during the national anthem on Aug. 26, 2016, in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers. The next day, theundefeated. com quoted Kaepernick as saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.” The American flag does not oppress black people. People do
Kneeling for the national anthem is wrong. I understand that the First Amendment gives us freedom of speech, but not standing at attention during “The Star-Spangled Banner” is still wrong. If you are a famous athlete, you are supposed to be a role model. Many children watch you on television, so if they see you kneel, they might think it’s OK for them to kneel.
that. It’s not the flag’s fault. You can’t blame the flag, because it’s not a living thing. People are responsible for their actions, and you can blame them all you want. In light of what Kaepernick did, it wasn’t OK for Nike to advertise a football player who shows disrespect to our country.
In the ad, Kaepernick says, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.” This is an insult to the men and women who have died to give us our freedom. It’s OK for Kaepernick to protest, but using the national anthem and kneeling for the flag is not the right platform to do it. Kneeling is wrong because it shows that you don’t care about our country. We should honor those who fight for our country by standing for the national anthem. We are taught from day one to always stand for our national anthem, just as we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Each year since 2001, we honor those who died when our country was attacked on 9/11. We honor the ones who died in the Twin Towers. We honor the husband who called to tell his wife “I love you” one last time before his plane went down. We honor the wife who stopped in the stairwell of one of the towers to call her husband to say, “I will always love you forever.” We honor the mother and father who kissed their kids goodbye the morning they died. We honor the police officers who rushed in with the firefighters to help others, only to die themselves. We honor all of our soldiers who serve here and overseas. The way we honor them is by standing for the national anthem and for the flag. So if standing for our country isn’t good enough, then I don’t know what is.
We asked, and Mustangs answered: What do you think about kneeling for the national anthem and the Nike ad with Colin Kaepernick? “I agree with Colin Kaepernick’s protest with taking a knee for the national anthem. He isn’t doing anything wrong and people are saying he is disrespecting veterans. He isn’t, because an Army veteran suggested it to Colin. Also, Nike is doing the right thing in my opinion by standing up for a person who is getting beat up by the media and stupid people.” Qwali Brown sophomore
“I disagree with taking a knee during the national anthem, because we need to respect our country and who served in the war. People shouldn’t destroy their belongings. They could get rid of it in other ways. Burning your Nike things because someone you don’t like is on an ad is not right. Nike things are expensive and shouldn’t be destroyed.” Kaitlyn Wilty sophomore
“I agree with Colin Kaepernick because of why he kneeled. If you are kneeling for the other reasons I don’t agree with you and why you’re kneeling. I don’t think it is right for people to protest Nike. You shouldn’t burn your Nike clothes and shoes because there may have been someone in need of shoes and clothes.” Preston Newsom sophomore
“I disagree with it because the national anthem is really important to me and my family. I would not burn my nike because Nike doesn’t care if you burn them because you gave them the money. I’m also against protesting over it, yes, what he did was wrong but get over it.” Kayla Culver sophomore
“I do agree with professional athletes who are kneeling all across the nation. Football players are kneeling to highlight police brutality and racial injustice going on in America. This is their way of saying what’s going on isn’t OK. 1,147 people were killed by police back in 2017. Twenty-five percent of those people were black. I do not agree with people burning their Nike merchandise due to the fact that
Colin Kaepernick was featured in an ad. Colin Kaepernick has every right to kneel for what he believes in. The fact that people are even burning things because of that is something I will never understand.” Amiya Blanchard freshman
“I disagree with kneeling for the national anthem. There are soldiers that fight for your freedom and you are going to kneel and disrespect them. I don’t get why people are burning their Nike merchandise because Nike already got the money and you are just wasting your money and time.”
“Actually I feel so sad about this, because he is an example for people. He should show everyone around the world how important his country is for him. The national anthem represents the country you belong to. I think that people have the right to do what they want with their Nike merchandise.”
Josh Castleman sophomore
Asaad Alnajjar senior 5
Hurt at The Hill
Sports injuries sideline Center Hill athletes
The wait is over
Temple verbally commits to play basketball at D1 school
By Jacob Brewer Staff Writer
Athletes aren’t the only ones who are affected by injuries. “If one key player gets hurt, it’s just something you have to adapt to and the next guy just has to step up,” said Newton Mealer, head boys basketball coach at Center Hill High School. “Obviously, injuries can hurt the team. Last season, our starting center went down with a knee injury and he missed 12 games because of that. It’s all about adapting to a situation like that.” Mealer said he worries about players getting injured, but perhaps he worries more than coaches of other sports. “I think basketball is a little different because there are so few players on a team,” he said. Certain injuries occur more often than others in basketball. “Most of the time it’s knees and ankles that are most common in basketball,” he said. “With those kinds of injuries, it takes 2-3 weeks minimum to heal.” Head football coach Alan Peacock said he is constantly concerned about injuries. “It’s always on your mind but you can’t dwell on it,” he said. With a sport as rough as football, injuries are common. “I broke my thumb in the Grenada game,” running back Justin Buckingham said. Anthony Day is recovering from a more severe injury that occurred in Horn Lake on Sept. 11 during a junior varsity football game. “I got a concussion playing football,” he said. “Someone’s helmet struck me right on my head.” Day, a right defensive end for the Mustangs, was initially treated in the emergency room at Methodist Hospital in Olive Branch and, after additional testing, has decided to quit football. “I’m a little sad,” he said. “I miss being part of the team.” Phil Weivoda of Campbell Clinic is the school’s athletic trainer. Football injuries he has seen so far this season include two torn ACLs, a torn shoulder labrum, jersey finger – a torn finger tendon – ankle fractures and dislocations. “We primarily do prevention, evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries,” he said. “We are trained in emergency management. It’s required in DeSoto County to have an ATC at every single football game and every home event.” On a typical afternoon in the training room, Weivoda might help a soccer player with a hamstring or a baseball player recov6
Photo by Nancy Toche Calvin Temple was the center of media attention Sept. 10 when he verbally committed to play basketball for Indiana UniversityPurdue University at Indianapolis.
By William Wright Sports Editor
Photo by Nancy Toche Trinity Baynham, goalkeeper for the girls soccer team, winces as Phil Weivoda, CHHS athletic trainer, touches the injured ankle that has required her to wear a boot for four weeks. Baynham said she should be back in game shape by the season opener on Oct. 27.
ering from surgery. One athlete he is currently working with is Trinity Baynham, the goalkeeper for the girls soccer team. “I’ve had injuries all four years of high school,” Baynham said. “My most recent one is a bone bruise on my ankle that required me to wear a boot for four weeks.” Not being able to practice before the season opens “is the absolute worst,” Baynham said. “Never knowing if you’re coming back 100 percent and your spot is never fully secure, it can be real tedious.” With Weivoda’s help, Baynham said she should be back in game shape by the season opener on Oct. 27, when the Lady Mustangs visit Oxford. Injury prevention is part of Weivoda’s specialty and it’s also important to coaches. “We’re always going to do things to prevent injuries,” Peacock said. “Weights are something we do to prevent injuries. We focus on the knees, neck, muscles, and shoulders.” Mealer also has specific conditioning and training to help prevent injuries in his basketball players. “We try to keep our guys in the best shape possible during the preseason, such as what they eat and drink,” he said. “We just try to keep our players in the best shape before the season starts. The three key components are eating, sleeping and conditioning.” When athletes are injured, their
Photo by Nancy Toche Athletic trainer Phil Weivoda helps baseball player Zach Wright stretch his shoulder.
focus is on recovery and getting back in the game. “I got injured a long time ago but pulled a tendon recently,” said Kennedi Evans, a member of the Center Hill Dance Team. “I hurt myself by doing an aerial and my weight went all on my left foot and pulled a tendon in my foot.” While she’s on the sidelines for four weeks with physical therapy, “It feels bad to be sitting out,” Evans said. “We are working on pom right now, so sitting out is not fun.” There may be an upside to being hurt. “It feels bad in a way,” Buckingham said. “But it also feels good because you still want your
While she recovers from a pulled tendon, Kennedi Evans, left, watches her teammates on the Center Hill Dance team practice.
dations of Journalism student Annie Shelly contributed to this story.
– Calvin Temple, who was deemed ineligible last season when he moved from Olive Branch High School “It takes a little of the pressure off,” Payne said. Temple, a point guard for the Mustangs, said he was deemed ineligible for his junior year last season when he moved from Olive Branch High School. “It was tough watching my teammates play every night, and knowing that I could help them compete at a higher level,” Temple said. Temple’s mother said the wait was
Photo by Nancy Toche Coach Newton Mealer described his time coaching Calvin Temple as “a special privilege.”
good for her son. “He has grown a lot throughout this process,” she said. Coach Newton Mealer said part of his job is preparing his athletes to play at the college level. “My job is to develop young men, not only on the court but off the court,” he said, referring to his time coaching Temple as “a special privilege. For a kid to transfer and not be able to play basketball, sit out his entire junior season, because he knew he was in the right spot. This school has just rallied behind him.” Still, Mealer said the focus needs to be on this season. “We’re just ready to get this behind us, and hopefully win a state championship,” Mealer said.
Photo by Nancy Toche With his trainer and family looking on, Calvin Temple announces his commitment to play basketball for Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.
Dan Ellington comes home for Georgia State-Memphis game By Jacob Brewer Staff Writer
Photo by Nancy Toche
team to succeed without you.” Sports Editor William Wright and Foun-
After a long recruitment process, Calvin Temple verbally committed today to play basketball for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Other schools the Center Hill player considered were the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Tulsa University, Campbell University and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. “I want to thank God for the ability he gave me,” Temple said at the announcement in the Center Hill High School PAC. The senior also thanked his parents, Aundra and Lisa Miller, as well as his trainer, James Harvey. Although Temple’s verbal commitment is not legally binding, Principal Doug Payne said the decision to declare early was a good one.
‘It was tough watching my teammates play every night, and knowing that I could help them compete at a higher level.’
Dan Ellington, a star for the Mustangs when he played at Center Hill High School, was back in the 901 Sept. 14 when Georgia State takes on Memphis. The game, at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, aired on ESPN. Ellington, who graduated from CHHS in 2016, is the starting quarterback for the Panthers. He was also a JUCO All-American Quarterback when he played for Itawamba Community College. Ellington’s work ethic has always set him apart, Mustangs head football coach Alan Peacock said. “He would do things that other players wouldn’t do,” Peacock said. “He looked special in the eighth grade and you just knew he would be something special one day. With me being a quarterbacks coach at
the time, it’s really special to see a guy like him go on to play Division I college football.” At 6 feet 3 inches and 205 pounds, “he is the best football player that I’ve ever coached,” Peacock said. “He has eyes in the back of the head in getting away from defenders.” The alumnus left his mark on Center Hill in other ways, counselor Danielle Brown said. “He has a very charismatic personality and is just a funny person,” she said. “When you meet him, it already seems like you’ve known him for a long time.” Brown was interviewed Sept. 13 by ESPN outside the Mustangs stadium for a segment about Ellington that was to air during the game. “Much love for Mama Brown,” Ellington tweeted in response to social media posts about the interview.
Photo by Candice Buford Head football coach Alan Peacock holds a framed photo of Dan Ellington, a 2016 CHHS graduate who played quarterback for the Mustangs. Ellington went on to quarterback for Itawamba Community College and is now the quarterback for Georgia State University.
The nickname dates to Ellington’s 10th-grade year of high school. “We really got close his sophomore year when Coach Peacock told me that we needed to start practicing for the ACT,”
said Brown, whose goal is to see Ellington obtain a college degree. “It’s cool to see our kids live their dreams, even after so many people told him that he would never make it.”
According to georgiastatesports. com, the game was Georgia State’s first ever appearance on ESPN, although the Panthers have played numerous times on other ESPN networks.
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Review: CNET’s Netlix rankings don’t add up By Sadie Crasper Foundations of Journalism According to a national company that tracks technology, the top 19 shows on Netflix for September include “American Vandal,” “The Standups” and “Mindhunter.” Even though I have no reason to doubt the list from cnet.com, it does not seem to reflect the viewing tastes of Center Hill High School students. For me personally, I have only heard of two of these shows. A lot of people I spoke to about Netflix hadn’t heard of or watched most of the shows on the top 19 either. I believe that the top 19 just doesn’t match our age group (14- to 18-year-olds). I have watched a couple of episodes of “Orange is the New Black,” which is No. 5 on the list, and “Stranger Things,” which is ranked No. 19. But my top three favorite shows on Netflix – “Pretty Little Liars,” “Young and Hungry” and “The Client’s List” – didn’t even make the list. The reasons why people like Netflix shows are as varied as the viewers themselves. I like to mix it up with different genres because
Outside hitter Reagan Green (18) and middle hitter Zakhia Taylor block a shot against Lewisburg during a home match Sept. 25. Playing four sets, the Mustangs lost 3-1 to the Patriots.
it keeps me interested in watching different shows, and sometimes I am in a mood to watch a certain kind of genre. I enjoy watching shows that have a cliff hanger and keep me coming back. How many of CNET’s top 19 have you seen? CNET’s list of the most watched Netflix shows in September:
1. American Vandal 2. BoJack Horseman 3. Samantha 4. Nailed It 5. Orange is the New Black 6. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee 7. Queer Eye 8. GLOW 9. Dear White People 10. The Standups 11. On My Block 12. Marvel’s Jessica James 13. Love 14. Dark 15. Black Mirror 16. Big Mouth 17. Mindhunter 18. Easy 19. Stranger Things
Ask the Mustangs
We asked, and Mustangs answered: What do you watch on Netflix? “My favorite show on Netflix is ‘Insatiable,’ because it’s very funny and it has just an amazing storyline. I literally watched it in three days, eight 30-minute episodes. It’s just about a fat girl who was getting bullied and became skinny and wanted revenge.” Trinise Collins junior
“My favorite show to watch on Netflix was ‘Family Guy,’ but they took it off. Now my favorite show is ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ because it is funny and I can kind of relate to some of their situations.” Hayden Price sophomore
“My favorite show on Netflix is ‘Trailer Park Boys.’ My favorite character is Randy. He is fat and is allergic to fabrics on his upper body and is assistant park supervisor.” Brent Parra junior
“‘Better Call Saul.’ It’s entertaining and I like the characters. It’s not my favorite show, it’s just what I watch on Netflix. I don’t really watch shows on Netflix, I watch movies. My husband doesn’t binge watch shows so I don’t watch a lot.” Brenda Case assistant principal
“On Netflix I binge watch ‘Vampire Diaries,’ ‘Switched at Birth,’ ‘On My Block,’ ‘American Horror Story,’ ‘The Fosters,’ ‘iZombie’ and ‘Shameless.’ I love ‘Vampire Diaries’ because it’s entertaining and interesting. ‘Switched at Birth’ is amazing to see how their lives changed.” Makenly Medlock sophomore
Volleyball
Photo by Jackson Smith
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Summer may be coming to a close, but cooler days and nights don’t mean you have to give up enjoying your backyard. 8365 Center Hill Road Olive Branch, MS 38654 (901) 755-3207