The Pony Express, Vol. III, Issue 02 (Oct. 2019)

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The Pony Express October 2019 Volume 3, Issue 2

Center Hill High School, 13250 Kirk Road, Olive Branch MS 38654

Gasping for Air: An American Epidemic

33 deaths, 1 in Mississippi, attributed to vaping O

By Shelby Parsons Staff Writer

n Aug. 23, the first death linked to vaping was reported in Illinois. As of Oct. 15, there have been a disquieting 33 deaths across the country, including one in Mississippi. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,479 people with confirmed lung injuries tied to the use of e-cigarette products, a number that has risen exponentially in only weeks. Most of the victims are men, at a median age of 24. Patients can experience symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting and fever. While some cases may be related to vaping THC, the central cause of the illnesses continues to elude officials. However, finding exactly what patients could have been exposed to is no simple feat. According to cdc.gov, “E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.” Along with nicotine, users can consume an abundance of harmful substances while vaping, such as lead and cancer-causing chemicals. Toxic chemicals and metals have also been found in many e-cigarettes. With the upsurge of health concerns, many now fear for the plethora of teens and young adults that vaping has attracted in the past few years. Yale Medicine states that more than 3.6 million middle and high school students currently vape.

One teen’s experience

Ethan Max, a former Center Hill High School student, has had his own experience of addiction to vaping. “I’d have a bad cough,” Max said. “I’d have trouble breathing. It might relieve a bit of stress, but it hurts your body.” Max was up front about another consequence of vaping, which earned him multiple Ethan Max in-school suspensions last spring when, as a junior, he was caught vaping at school. “I got ALC twice,” he said. The student handbook, which includes the DeSoto County Schools Code of Discipline, identifies vaping as a Level II offense. Disciplinary actions range from ALC to school suspension.

Illustration by Lacey Buckley

“Vaping is one of several items that fall under the Code of Discipline 2-4,” Assistant Principal Brenda Case said. “We are always concerned for our students’ well being and this is one of those issues that is detrimental to students. It is

also illegal for most of our student population and is clearly against DCS Board Policy. Due to all of these reasons, we have to be aware of this issue and address it when it occurs.” Case said vaping is a relatively

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new problem at CHHS. “I don’t have the exact date, but it has certainly been within the last two to three years,” she said. In that time, several devices have been confiscated, Case said, also noting that the appearance of

vaping devices has changed over the years. “Vaping devices have certainly changed from a bulkier style to ones that are more sleek and less See Vaping, page 2


BE IN THE KNOW AT THE HILL Saturday, Nov. 2 - Soccer vs. New Albany

Friday, Nov. 15 - Basketball vs. Horn Lake

Saturday, Nov. 2 - State Marching Championships, Pearl

Friday, Nov. 15 - Soccer vs. DeSoto Central

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Swim State, Tupelo

Monday, Nov. 4 - XC MHSAA State Championship (Varsity)

Tuesday, Nov. 19 - Progress Reports

Saturday, Oct. 26 - University of Memphis Marching Contest

Tuesday, Nov. 5 - Professional Development Day (student holiday)

Saturday, Oct. 26 - XC Region 1-5A Meet

Tuesday, Nov. 5 - Basketball Olive Branch Classic @ OBHS

Tuesday, Oct. 29 - BETA Club Induction

Wednesday, Nov. 6 - Dual Credit Registration Day

Friday, Oct. 25 - Football @ Saltillo Saturday, Oct. 26 - ACT Saturday, Oct. 26 - Boys Basketball Jamboree @ ICC

Thursday, Oct. 31 - Soccer Olive Branch Classic @ CHHS Friday, Nov. 1 - Football @ Grenada

Thursday, Nov. 7 - Basketball vs. Itawamba

Friday, Nov. 1 - Blood Drive in PAC

Friday, Nov. 8 - Football vs. West Point (Senior Night)

Saturday, Nov. 2 - Basketball Hound Dog Classic, Tupelo

Saturday, Nov. 9 - Soccer @ Charger Invitational

Tuesday, Nov. 19 - Basketball @ Holly Springs Tuesday, Nov. 19 - Soccer @ Hernando Friday, Nov. 22 - Basketball vs. Tupelo Photo by Matthew Collins Sophomores Tanner Burcham, left, and Elijah Marcisz work on a passing drill using a tossback on Oct. 15, the second official day of basketball practice for MHSAA schools. The first home games of the season for boys and girls basketball will be Nov. 7.

Monday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Parade, Hernando

Tuesday, Nov. 12 - Basketball @ Pontotoc

Tuesday, Nov. 12 - Tennis Tryouts

Tuesday, Nov. 12 - Soccer vs. Strayhorn

Saturday, Nov. 23 - Soccer vs. Amory/ Horn Lake Monday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Nov. 29 Thanksgiving Holidays Monday, Nov. 25 - Basketball vs. Bartlett Friday, Nov. 29 - Basketball Lighthouse Classic, Corinth

Mustang Profile: Megan Weigel D

By Nadia Sumlar Co-editor

yslexia is a specific learning disability that makes it difficult for people to read. Well known people such as Bella Thorne and Walt Disney suffered through this learning difference. Senior Megan Weigel has dyslexia, but has proven that just because you have dyslexia, does not mean you can’t succeed. “I like the challenge of working hard when it comes to dyslexia,” Weigel said. “When I achieve my goal, it makes me feel better, because I pushed myself.” According to the Bodine School, an independent school in Germantown that serves children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, 15-20 percent of the population displays characteristics of dyslexia. One of those characteristics is confusion in sequence of letters and symbols. “It depends on certain people,” Weigel said. “For me, when I read or write the word ‘brain,’ I would see “brian” and vice versa.” To correct that, Weigel said she must double and sometimes triple check her work to see if it’s right. Continued from Vaping, page 1

noticeable,” she said. “I remember when they began making them to look like thumb drives a while back.”

Is the marketing wrong?

There has been a meteoric rise of vaping among teens, despite vaping being presented as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. Outrage has sparked over the idea that e-cigarette companies could have purposefully marketed to younger audiences by introducing flavors inspired by candy or fruit. In September, Kevin Burns stepped down as CEO of Juul amid the vaping controversy. Juul 2 The Pony Express

It’s a strategy she’s been using since she was 8 years old. “I was in the third grade when I found out I have dyslexia,” she said. “I did not get any special treatments like extra time on tests. However, I am glad that today dyslexia is more known about, and children now can have extra time on tests or other things like that.” Weigel is not alone with her dyslexia. Her mother also deals with it. “My mother is my biggest influencer,” she said. “She has helped me cope with my dyslexia. I really look up to her.” Weigel has never let being dyslexic stop her from achieving academically.Today, she is an honor student with a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and is also a cheerleader. One of the famous people who had dyslexia is Walt Disney, and Weigel happens to be obsessed with Disney. “I don’t think my infatuation with Disney has anything to do with Walt Disney being dyslexic, but it was definitely comforting to know he had it,” she said.

Megan Weigel was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was in the third grade. “I like the challenge of working hard when it comes to dyslexia,” she said. “When I achieve my goal, it makes me feel better, because I pushed myself.”

commands more than 70 percent of the vaping market. When asked by CNBC what he would say to a parent of a child addicted to his product, Burns said, “It’s not intended for them. I hope there was nothing that we did that made it appealing for them. As a parent of a 16-year-old, I’m sorry for them.” On Oct. 17, Juul announced it would suspend online sales of its non-tobacco, non-menthol flavored e-cigarettes in the U.S. Juul’s mango, creme, fruit and cucumber flavors had already been removed from retail stores. The CDC has blatantly stated that vaping is unsafe for children, teens, and even young adults.

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and harms adolescent brain development. In all attempts to stop the popularity of vaping among teens, a clear solution has still evaded the public. School administrators have attempted strict policies to discourage vaping, like immediate suspension. Others promote the education of the dangers of e-cigarettes to urge students to quit. Cory Uselton, Superintendent of DeSoto County Schools, echoed the concerns. “I agree that vaping is an alarming trend among youth and adults as well,” Uselton said. “Because vaping is becoming

Photo by Nadia Sumlar

more prevalent in society, it is very possible that school districts around the country could alter policies in upcoming years. The Level II designation in board policy on a local level Cory Uselton is set by our school board members, and they evaluate their policies on a yearly basis. Regarding the possible intended marketing to young people and the inherent dangers of vaping, it is very possible that state

legislators and national leaders will put more regulations on this industry.” The Trump administration already wants to remove all flavored e-cigarettes from the market. The CDC continues to warn about the dangers of vaping, and many hope that simply bringing awareness to how many have been hospitalized due to vaping complications could bring someone to quit. Max, who said he has given up vaping, advises against starting in the first place. “People need to realize it’s only bad for you,” he said. “Plenty have already died from it.”


Up for Downs

The Pony Express

Jayme’ and Trey are typical teens J

Co-editors Paige Brick and Nadia Sumlar

By Nadia Sumlar Co-editor

ayme’ Guyer and William “Trey” Jones III were each born with an extra chromosome, but that doesn’t mean they are any less. “People with Down syndrome are like everyone else,” special education assistant Lenette Henderson said. “They may look different, but other than that, they operate just like us.” Henderson works with Felicia Dodson, also a special education assistant, and special education teacher Teresa Bonney in the community-based class. Located in D3, the class uses alternative standards to teach students with significant cognitive disabilities. Jayme’, a sophomore, and Trey, a senior, are the only students in the class with Down syndrome, which Bonney said is one of the most common developmental disabilities. “This makes their physical appearance a little different with smaller eyes, ears, nose, and they learn things at a slower pace,” Bonney said. Despite their physical and cognitive differences, Jayme’ and Trey are just like their peers. “They have likes, they have interests,” Bonney said. “They have things that their normal, ageappropriate peers do.” Jayme’, for instance, likes to run and exercise and loves to laugh and drink Coke. “I call her my little sour patch kid,” Henderson said. “One minute she hugs on me and the next she’s poking at me.” Trey, meanwhile, makes everyone laugh. “He is the class clown,” Henderson said. “He enjoys wrestling, and his favorite wrestler is John Cena.” Trey also likes ribs and playing basketball with coach Newton Mealer. When Henderson asked Trey about his favorite basketball player,

Features Editor Kaitlin Moore Business Manager Nada Herzallah Contributing Staff for Issue 2 Le’Undria Austin, Cassidy Bishop, Paige Brick, Lacey Buckley, Candice Buford, Matthew Collins, Kaitlin Moore, Shelby Parsons, Nadia Sumlar. Online contributors include Laine Crabb and Maya Taylor. Advisers Ginny Shikle and Michelle Jones Photo by Kaitlin Moore Duncan Van, left, a member of Interact’s Best Buddies program, works with William “Trey” Jones III on a craft in the communitybased class. Trey was born with an extra chromosome, but that doesn’t mean he is any less.

Photo by Paige Brick Students with Down syndrome should not be treated differently, said Ashley Halford, left, a Best Buddy to Jayme’ Guyer. “Their disability is what makes them, them,” Halford said. “They are just like the rest of us.”

his answer was swift. “Me,” he said, laughing. During Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which is observed in October, staff and students from the community-based class decorated the school with blue and yellow signs with the slogan “Up for Downs.” Two members of Interact’s Best Buddies program, seniors Ashley Halford and Duncan

Van, also partnered this month with Jayme’ and Trey for a craft about the parts of an apple. “Their disability is what makes them, them,” Halford said. “They are just like the rest of us.” Van said it doesn’t matter that Jayme’ and Trey have a genetic chromosomal disorder. “They’re still human too,” he said.

Ask the Mustangs H

The Pony Express student newspaper is a club that is supplemented by members of the Foundations of Journalism class at Center Hill High School.

By Le’Undria Austin Staff Writer

alloween is right around the corner. From horror and comedy to supernatural and blood and guts, there’s a Halloween movie for everyone. Here’s what a few Mustangs had to say about why they like their favorite Halloween flicks: “Friday the 13th because the characters do dumb stuff and they fall for no reason.”

“My favorite Halloween movie is Monster House because the house is really cool because it’s like really scary and stuff.”

“Scary Movie 2 because it is funny.”

Alexandra Sa Junior

Samantha Szekely Freshman

“I don’t have a favorite Halloween movie because they are hard to choose from.”

“Beetlejuice because I like the little town he lives in.”

Caulen Dunn Sophomore

The mission of The Pony Express is to provide quality, thought-provoking student produced publications focused on the events and issues that affect the Center Hill High School community. 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. 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 student body, faculty, administration or school district. 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.

Laila Armstrong Senior

Arissa Elion Junior

The Pony Express 3


Gipson, boys cross country ready to make some noise at state R

By Candice Buford Staff Writer

anked third in 5A, the boys cross country team has taken off this year. Gabe Gipson is leading the pack. “I think I have done very well this season, putting up some very impressive placements and times,” Gibson said. “I work very hard at practice every day, and the coaches push me to be better.” The Mustangs started their season at the Hickory Flat Invitational Sept. 7. Gipson

finished fourth with a time of 18:51. At the Warrior Classic Sept. 14, he won a T-shirt as a Top 5 finisher and helped lead the boys to their first team Gabe Gipson trophy in school history, taking first place in the 4-6A division. Then on Sept. 21, he PR’d with a 17:27 at the Saltillo Invitational, leading the team to

finish 12th overall. On Sept. 28, Gipson helped win another 4-6A trophy, this time at the North Mississippi Challenge. After the Oct. 12 Pontotoc XC Invitational, MileSplitMS ranked Gipson 25th in the state among high school boys with a 5K time of 17:01.03. “The team has made strides from last year, mostly due to coaches and a dedicated group of kids,” said Gipson, who most recently placed third in the DeSoto County Championships Oct. 19 and was

named to the All-County Team. In sixth place, sophomore Jalyn Figueroa was also named to the AllCounty team. “We have been putting in so much work to become who we are today,” senior Travarus Milam said about the team’s success. “Gabe has been doing really good because he has been putting in more work.” Gipson’s work ethic is definitely a factor, head coach Luke Chapman said. “He trains five to six days a week,” Chapman said. “He works

hard. He is very coachable and responds to constructive criticism really well.” Overall, there’s a good culture around the team this year, Chapman said. “Athletes are really buying into Coach Mac’s and my vision of the team, and it’s paying off,” Chapman said, referring to assistant coach Andy McElyea. “Currently we are ranked third in 5A and looking to make some noise at the state championship Nov. 4 in Jackson.”

Band marches through competition season with cowboy-themed show T

By Matthew Collins Staff Writer

he marching band is closing in on the state competition with a show about a wandering horse. “It is called Thunderhoof and it is about a horse who is caught by cowboys and soon escapes, only to realize that being captured was better because he was cared for by the cowboys and then returns to the cowboys,” sophomore Ava Rich said. Rich, who plays the bass and gong, is one of more than 100 members of the marching band. They’ve been rehearsing the halftime show and competition number all semester, winning numerous awards as they prepare for state. “The band has done really well this season and they are always doing better as practice progresses,” Director Jared Ross said. “So far we have won in every division that is available for our band.” The Mustangs competed in the Arlington High School marching band contest Sept. 21. In Class AAA, the band won first place Overall, Field Commander, Color Guard and Percussion. In the Gold Division, the band won first place Overall and Field Commander. On Sept. 28 at the Conquistador

Classic Marching Band Contest at Olive Branch High School, the Mustangs won first place Band, second place Color Guard and second place Percussion in Class AA. In the Blue Division, they were first place Overall Band. The band earned second in Color Guard, Percussion and Outstanding Music Performance.

“The band has done really well this season and they are always doing better as practice progresses. So far we have won in every division that is available for our band.” - Jared Ross Director In Class AA at the Southern Stars Invitational at Lewisburg High School on Oct. 5, the Mustangs won first place Band, Color Guard and Percussion. In the Red Division, they were first in Band, Color Guard, Percussion, Outstanding in Music, Visual Performance and General Effect, and named the sixth Overall Band. On Oct. 12 at the State Marching Band Evaluations at Grenada High

Photo by Paige Brick From left, tuba players Austin Joyner, Ethan Ratcliff and Logan Ross practice with the band Oct. 8. The Mustangs earned all superiors Oct. 12 at the State Marching Band Evaluations in Grenada.

School, the band earned all superior ratings. The state competition will be Nov. 2 in Pearl, where Ross said their biggest rivals in 5A will be South Jones and South Panola high schools. “We have done decent this season and we have a lot of trophies that we have won,” Rich said. “The band’s goal is to either win state or make top five.” Jordan Holland, a sophomore who plays the snare drum, said he hopes the band is ready for state. “The percussion section does not have a goal,” Holland said. “We just want to achieve at the highest of our ability.”

Photo by Paige Brick Drum Major Ava Hogan leads marching band practice Oct. 8. The fences on the field are part of the band’s cowboy-themed show, “Thunderhoof.” The band will perform the show at the state competition Nov. 2 in Pearl.

Volleyball advances in 5A playoffs after sweeping Saltillo in round one V

By Cassidy Bishop Staff Writer

olleyball has advanced in the 5A playoffs after sweeping Saltillo in the first round. Set scores were 25-14, 25-7, 25-7. “We got to second round so we travel to Cleveland Central, and if we win that, that’s when we go to Starkville for the semi-finals,” coach Robbie Veazey said after the Mustangs won the Oct. 17 playoff match against the Tigers by a score of 3-0. Veazey said the Wolves have a 4 The Pony Express

different playing style and will have the home court advantage Oct. 22, so her team will have to be ready. “We know that they are a solid team,” Veazey said. “They play a little bit different than us so we’ve got to be very focused. They play a lot slower pace game and we play a lot quicker tempo, and that’s why it’s very important that we stay in our game and not get pulled into the slow style.” Now 14-16 overall, the Mustangs are 4-1 in district play and district champs. Anna Jernigan, libero, described

her senior season as “way more intense” than previous years. To prepare for Cleveland Central and what else may lie ahead, the team has focused on conditioning and speed, outside hitter Lydia Walker said. “We’ve been doing a lot of conditioning lately to get us in shape for long sets that we might have to play, and then we are doing really high intense game speed drills,” the senior said. “We have a goal to get somewhere and we are super close so we’re super excited.”

Photo by Cassidy Bishop Coach Robbie Veazey, center of back row, poses with her team following their 3-0 sweep of Saltillo (25-14, 25-7, 25-7) in round one of volleyball playoffs on Oct. 17. The Mustangs travel to Cleveland Central for their next playoff game Oct. 22.


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