A LOOK INSIDE • What’s your favorite Christmas movie? – Page 2 • Would you take the COVID-19 vaccine? – Page 3 • It’s time to be honest about mental health. – Page 4
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Center Hill High School, 13250 Kirk Road, Olive Branch MS 38654
December 2020 | Volume 4, Issue 3
DeSoto County Schools extends online learning her to online instruction in October out of an abundance of caution. “Even though Center Hill has made many extreme measures to ith a county mask mandate still in effect and COVID-19 make sure we’re safe, I feel safer cases in the area on the rise, DeSoto at home,” she said. “I wanted to come back to school at first, but County Schools will continue with cases in DeSoto County rising its virtual instruction program like they are, I’m leaning towards in January. DCS announced the staying home.” extension in an email According to to parents Dec. 3. desotocountyschools. According to the The interactions email, individual with my teachers org, where the district schools were to be and friends is what publishes coronavirus I like about being at data every Monday, sent information the school. ... with cases 54 students across 38 week of Dec. 7 for in DeSoto County DeSoto County Schools students who want rising like they are, campuses had new to switch to VIP or I’m leaning towards confirmed COVID-19 return to face-to-face staying home. student cases in the instruction. The LAKIYA ALEXANDER, school setting for the deadline for decisions 11th-grader week of Dec. 7-11. For was by the end of the the same time period, school day Dec. 11. there were 525 new The last day of the student quarantines as fall semester is Dec. the result of a close contact in the 18, and students will return from school setting and 42 staff members Winter Break on Jan. 5. When the district first announced with a positive COVID-19 test. Also for the week of Dec. 7-11, its Return to Learn plan for the Center Hill High School had two pandemic, parents were given new confirmed COVID-19 student the option of virtual or in-person cases in the school setting and learning for each 9-week term. eight new student quarantines as All students use the learning management system Schoology, and every Friday since Sept. 25 has been a 70% school day to allow teachers more time to plan. “VIP learning was a very challenging experience for me,” said sophomore Akeria Green, who was an online student during the first term and returned to campus in October when the second 9 weeks began. “I am glad I actually came to school. It’s so much easier. I do not recommend VIP learning.” Green explained that she had little motivation to do her school work when she was at home, which caused her grades to drop. For 11th-grader Lakiya Alexander, however, doing her assignments in Schoology from home has been successful. “I feel like being a VIP student comes with a lot of responsibility and discipline because I always wake up at a certain time and get my work done pretty early,” she said. “I think being a VIP student gives me more flexibility.” That’s not to say she doesn’t miss being on campus. “The interaction with my teachers and friends is what I like about being at school,” said Alexander, whose parents switched
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By Shelby Parsons Editor
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Photo illustration by Brandon Mayse Gov. Tate Reeves’ statewide mask mandate order, first issued Aug. 4, now includes 61 individual counties, among them DeSoto, and is set to expire Jan. 15. According to msdh.ms.gov, the order calls for masks to be worn outdoors on school grounds and inside school buildings at all times.
the result of a close contact in the school setting. Gov. Tate Reeves’ statewide mask mandate order, first issued Aug. 4, now includes 61 individual
chhsponyexpress.com
counties, among them DeSoto, and is set to expire Jan. 15. According to msdh.ms.gov, the order calls for masks to be worn outdoors on school grounds and inside school
buildings statewide at all times until Jan. 15. Across the state, the Mississippi Department of Health has reported 185,643 cases of the coronavirus and 4,294 deaths.
We asked some Mustangs about their favorite Christmas movies. Here’s what they had to say:
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Elf. I love Will Ferrell and it’s just a really funny movie. KAEDEN LAWS, 12th-grader
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I don’t really watch Christmas movies or movies at all in general. OSVALDO GONZALEZ, 10th-grader
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Opinion
Comedies top my list of best Christmas movies E
veryone from Rotten Tomatoes to Good Housekeeping has published lists of favorite Christmas films. These are my top five Christmas movies, according to my own opinion. These By Sam Bennett stand in no Staff Writer particular
make an interesting movie for the holidays. • “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” follows the Griswald family yet again through a holiday fiasco. Another comedy on this list, the 1988 film mixes family drama with classic comedy to create a great movie for the family to watch. • A common favorite for many, “The Polar Express” is a 2004 movie following a group of children, an almost magical train, and a quick midnight trip to the North Pole. order, as I This warm movie focuses on a enjoy each of these movies. journey of self-discovery that makes • “How the Grinch Stole viewers feel the holiday emotions Christmas” is a movie pushed through the created in 2000, screen. starring Jim Carrey • To end this list, A common favorite “The Nightmare and Taylor Momsen. for many, “The Polar This is personally my Before Christmas” Express” is a 2004 favorite Christmas is an animated movie movie following a movie as it utilizes group of children, an combining the spooky Carrey’s trademark almost magical train, ideals of Halloween exaggerated wacky and a quick midnight with the jolly season of style of acting. The trip to the North Pole. Christmas. In this film, comedy provides a Jack the Pumpkin King wonderful addition kidnaps Santa and takes to the simple yet over Christmas. The beautiful story. interesting plot and • “Home Alone” is a unique animation give movie starring Macaulay Culkin that this movie a beautiful reputation as tells the story of Kevin, a boy left a perfect watch from Halloween to home alone to defend his house and Christmas. eventually himself from burglary. This movie uses slapstick humor to
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My favorite Christmas movie is Home Alone because as a kid I really enjoyed the traps that were set up. JACOB PIERSON, 11th-grader
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This Christmas, because it’s a really funny movie and it’s an all black cast, which shows what black people can really accomplish when we’re one. NIC WRIGHT, 12th-grader
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This Christmas. It deals with family. MAKAYLA HALE, 11th-grader
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The Grinch, the newest cartoon. It has a good soundtrack. NAOMI DELGADO, 9th-grader
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Review
Some subscription services aren’t worth it S ubscription services are a only nine bucks back then and I corporation’s best friend. could have watched everything on “Why get money to buy one thing the app. Pretty much, every movie for one use while you can get or TV show money for lots?” you can think Companies are trying to attach of Netflix will the subscription model to every most likely medium out there: film, music, have it, but it video games, storage units. As an is 2020 now example, you buy one $20 digital and the app is movie on your device, it was a one nothing like it and done purchase and there is once was. Most nothing else. of the things But with a subscription service that Netflix By Jonathan Rosas that offers you a mass variety of is pumping Staff Writer movies, you must pay a monthly out on the fee to watch it and it is usually low, app are which makes them more attractive honestly all just a hit or miss when to people. But as the months it comes to stuff that will interest go by, you keep you. The membership paying the fee and is now $15.99 a month you will probably and I wouldn’t say it There are some forget all about isn’t a full waste of your where they would offer the subscription. money, it’s just OK. If great values where it’s There are some you are a movie guy, a no brainer that you where they would won’t get ripped off, then this is your “old offer great values while there are others reliable.” where it’s a no Hulu used to be that are simply just a brainer that you a website offering waste of money. won’t get ripped episodes of TV shows off, while there for free the day after are others that are they aired. Now though, simply just a waste it’s just a rip off Netflix. of money. The best way to look at The whole subscription service Hulu is simply by saying, “If it isn’t trend in the industry truly started on Netflix, it’s most likely going off with Netflix, so I guess that is to be on Hulu.” It still centers on what we have to talk about first. I the fact that it is meant more for remember jumping on the Netflix TV shows but with an exception. train when it was getting popular Instead of having your standard around 2011. I got a free trial, plan where you get everything, downloaded the Netflix app on you have multiple choices of either my Wii, and I have enjoyed so paying $5.99 for your membership much of it, especially since it was but must deal with ads, pay $11.99
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without the ads, or $54.99 so you can have Hulu and you can watch live TV. Just like Netflix though, it is honestly a real hit or miss when it comes to stuff you will find and like, and it isn’t a full waste of your money as well. Now, my personal picks that I like more than those two are the underdogs, HBOMax and Amazon Prime Video. I know that both of those are a weird pick, but they are highly underappreciated! Both have a really good variation of shows and movies that are on the streaming services, and Amazon Prime Video even has some perks with the subscription service. If you get Amazon Prime, you will not only be getting a better shipping date when it comes to stuff you order online, but you will be able to watch movies and TV shows, and even listen to music. The only downside of the two is the prices. HBOMax is $14.99 per month and Amazon Prime is $13.99. Sure, there are more that I have missed out on and didn’t really talk about, because if I was able to, I would have written a whole book. I know that some people will most likely find my opinion on the four subscription services the worst pick and complain that I didn’t go over stuff like Roku, but that is just a good ole fashion taste of “na-na-na boo-boo.” At the end of the day though, this was mostly based on my opinion and I highly encourage you to try and find the right service that is made for you.
Opinion
The Pony Express
Viruses rely on speed; we must spread the cure faster than COVID If you’ve been keeping up with current events, you’d know that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA and the authorization of Moderna’s vaccine is still pending but By Zackery Blaisdell expected. Staff Writer For weeks Pfizer’s vaccine was so close we could all collectively smell it, only barred from the public by the watchful eye of the FDA, which approved the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 11. Even now, as the first
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he United States has recorded over 17 million COVID-19 cases, and more than 300,000 people have died from the virus. The development of vaccines usually takes years, but due to the severity of the pandemic the development, testing, and approval process for a coronavirus vaccine has been expedited. Pfizer received the green light from the Food and Drug Administration to have millions of doses of a coronavirus vaccine available by the end of December, and the FDA’s authorization for Moderna’s vaccine is expected. We asked some Mustangs if they would take the vaccine, if they are scared of getting the coronavirus, and if masks and social distancing make them feel safe. Here’s what they had to say: “I won’t take the vaccine because many people don’t know what they may have put in it or may have a side effect of the vaccine. Brianna Gonzalez I don’t believe it is safe considering that it only took a year to make, while other viruses took four to five years or sometimes many years to make. Drug makers may have developed the vaccine in a rush due to the fact that many coronavirus cases have spiked during 2020 and they need the vaccine quickly. I am scared because the cases have spiked within the school. I do feel safe using the mask and social distancing in order to stay safe with the cases happening in school.” BRIANNA GONZALEZ-CARDOZA, 10th-grader
vaccines have been administered to healthcare workers and nursing home residents across the country, people have lots of questions regarding it; they all want to know if they should take it or not. The coronavirus vaccine would be extremely beneficial for as many people to take as possible. Experts including Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, have said that the vaccine will help the United States achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus. Viruses rely on the speed that they can spread throughout a population. We must spread the cure faster than the illness. Some are afraid the vaccine won’t work or may even hurt
people because it was developed so quickly. There is nothing to fear now that the FDA has approved the vaccine for public use; in order to be approved, drugs and vaccines must go through rigorous testing, lest someone has an extreme negative reaction. If the FDA approval doesn’t convince you that the vaccine is safe to take, then the reactions others have once it’s widely available will prove that it is. So far, there has been nothing to fear about the vaccine itself. Things have been going smoothly, and we can look forward to a better attempt at controlling the spread of COVID-19, even if that comes later than we’d like.
I personally would wait till I can see the side effects of the vaccine on the people. I believe that the speed at which they produce the vaccine Zachary Whitaker doesn’t matter as much but I still think it needs more time. I believe the masks and all of the precautious measures are working and we should continue to use them. ZACHARY WHITAKER, 10th-grader
When the coronavirus vaccine is ready I will not take it, mainly because I am not aware of the side effects I could have on my body. Kaleah Jones I honestly don’t think it’s safe and effective. They should take their time and really think about what they could be putting out there. I am not scared of getting COVID-19. I honestly feel like everyone will get it once in their life. I do feel very safe while wearing a mask and social distancing. KALEAH JONES, 11th-grader
I probably will end up taking it but not immediately. I may wait just to make sure it’s safe, then if it is I will take Caleb Brown it. I think it’s kind of safe because even though they are professionals you could still make mistakes. But due to the situation we and the rest of the world are in we kind of need to work a little faster. I’m not really that scared. I just try to distance myself a little bit more than normal to not get Covid. I feel kind of safe wearing a mask but you can also get it touching objects, so I feel kind of safe. CALEB BROWN, 11th-grader
No. I want to see how it affects other people first. I think it’s very rushed. I think companies are putting a lot of their Ava Trainer focus on when the vaccine is ready and not as much on how safe it really is. I’ve actually had the coronavirus. It wasn’t too bad, but definitely not fun. As far as social distancing and masks go, I don’t have a problem with it. Those rules are there to help. A doctor told me once you get the virus and recover from it, you can’t get or give it again for another 90 or so days. AVA TRAINER, 9th-grader
The Pony Express is a student-run newspaper produced by and for the students of Center Hill High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Operated as a club, The Pony Express is supplemented by members of the Foundations of Journalism class and the staffs of Mustang Tv and the CHHS Yearbook. The online news site is chhsponyexpress.com. Editor Shelby Parsons Contributing Staff for Issue 3 Sam Bennett, Zackery Blaisdell, Lacey Buckley, Lily Dawson, Jose Esquivel, Brandon Mayse, Jonathan Rosas, Kaitlyn Wilty Advisers Ginny Shikle and Michelle Jones The mission of The Pony Express is to provide quality, thought-provoking student work focused on the events and issues that affect the CHHS community. As student writers, we try to reflect the thoughts of our most important readers – the students of CHHS. 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 CHHS, its students and faculty. Editorial Policy The editorial section of The Pony Express, including editorial cartoons, serves as a forum for well-written, thoughtful, longer forms of expression. Signed editorials represent the opinions of the author. Unsigned editorials reflect the consensus of The Pony Express staff. Views printed herein are meant to be opinionated and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the CHHS student body, faculty, administration or DeSoto County Schools. Letters to the Editor Policy Readers are encouraged to voice their opinions in the Opinion section for the expression of varying viewpoints on relevant topics. The Pony Express will print as many letters as space allows. Letters must include the author’s name, signature, and class or position relative to the letter. Typed or legible, hand-written letters are acceptable, but should not exceed 200 words. The Pony Express will edit all letters for accuracy, spelling and grammar. We reserve the right to refuse to print any letter. Submit questions, comments or letters to the editor to ponyexpresschhs@ gmail.com or 13250 Kirk Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654. Advertising Policy The Pony Express will not accept any advertising that deems to be: factually inaccurate; designed to mislead, deceive or defraud; containing malicious, vindictive or unsubstantiated attacks; offering goods and/or services illegal for teenagers to possess, buy or use; libelous; obscene; creating imminent danger or disruption to school. The Pony Express reserves the right to refuse any advertising, solicited or unsolicited. Advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsements of The Pony Express staff, student body, faculty, administration or school board. To advertise, contact Ginny Shikle at ginny.shikle@dcsms.org. Member Organizations The Pony Express is a member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association and the Southern Interscholastic Press Association. Our publication was named Most Improved High School Newspaper by MSPA for 2017-2018, and in 2018-2019 The Pony Express was a finalist for Mississippi’s High School Newspaper of the Year.
- Compiled by Zackery Blaisdell, Staff Writer The Pony Express 3
Opinion
Amid pandemic, it’s time to be honest about mental health
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ental health. Let’s be honest. If you’re anything like me, it’s not the best right now. With fear, anxiety, and stress, it can be extremely difficult to deal with. So what should we do to help mental health? Here are five things that might help you.
to a dermatologist if you have skin problems, and you need to go to a therapist if you have mental health problems. Speaking of therapists, don’t go to the first therapist that comes up in Google. Do research and find a therapist that helps your needs best. People tend to go to therapy once, not like it and never go back. Don’t do that! When you’re searching for #1: Talk houses you don’t look at the first about your house you find, not like it and stop issues. I searching. You’ll probably need to know that’s visit a few different ones before you By Lily Dawson cliché, but buy the right one. Your therapist Staff Writer honestly, talk should be like a friend, someone to a close you trust, enjoy, and simply click friend, therapist, or trusted adult. with. If you go to a therapist and you You can also go to the counselor’s don’t like them, try a different one. office. They really are incredible Many people go to one therapist resources, so use they don’t like them! and never try it #2: Have a daily again. You may schedule. Try need to go to a www.mentalhealth.gov to eat, sleep, few to find the do homework, one that’s perfect 1-800-273-8255, National study, shower, for you. Suicide Prevention Lifeline etc. around the #5: Take care same time every of yourself www.samhsa.gov day. This can physically. help you get Again, this may through the day seem cliché, but more smoothly, help you be more physical health and mental health productive, and simply remove are corresponding. If you have poor stress. mental health, you usually don’t #3: Get back to nature. Take a have great physical health, so get walk on a nature path, take a hike, good sleep, eat well, take a shower, or tend to a garden. This is called relax and take breaks as needed. green therapy, also known as nature Just take care of yourself. therapy. Not only does nature calm These are tips, not guaranteed you, but getting at least 15 minutes cures, for your mental health issues. of sunshine also helps with mental Everyone is different. Different health. people have different needs. Some #4: Get the help you need. things will work better for some This is important enough to people. But remember to do your mention again. Let’s be real. research and do what works for you. You go to the dentist if you have Your mental health depends on it. problems with your teeth, you go
IF YOU NEED HELP
Illustration by Lacey Buckley
Senior Night
Double State Champions
Photo by Jose Esquivel Cheerleader Maggie Lunz was among the winter sports athletes recognized on Senior Night Dec. 10. Seniors from cheer, dance, and basketball were honored in the gym in between the basketball games against Collierville. Soccer seniors were recognized the same night in between matches against Saltillo.
Photo by Kaitlyn Wilty At the MHSAA state competition Dec. 11 in Jackson, the dance team won state championships in the Large Varsity Game Day and Small Varsity Hip Hop divisions.
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