Lonoke High School
The Paw Print
November 2010
Volume 4, Issue 1
Tori Lackey
L ONOKE :
Malachi Brannen and Tyler McGee
Dallas Martin
A
Tara Seago and Bobby Ebert
SCHOOL OF PROGRESS
Content
What’s New?
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2010 - 2011 Staff: EDITOR IN CHIEF: Megan Palmer DESIGN EDITOR: Kailee Griffis DESIGN EDITOR: Raegan Pack DESIGN EDITOR ASSISTANT: Brianna Brown DESIGN EDITOR ASSISTANT: Kaitlyn Tate STORY EDITOR: Cheyenne Lee BACK PAGE EDITOR: Persephone Harris COPY EDITOR: Joelle Tackett SPORTS EDITOR: Jessalyn Tackett PHOTO EDITOR: Shelbi Raysor PHOTO EDITOR: Sydney Wheat ASSISTANT: Lydia Evans REPORTERS: Becca Barger Daniel Brown Kaleigh Huff Brent Powell
Tarrale Watson
S
L
SPEAK-OUT
LIFE STYLE
04 How do YOU feel about Freshmen and Smart Phones?
07 Sophomore Nick Gebhardt tells us about his life style
05 Lonoke Rocks Drug
08 Facebook Places...
Free during Red Ribbon week
P
Dangerous or Not
G
PLAY HARD
GET INFORMED
10 Lonoke asked to play in first game of the season
17 Lonoke High School band receives great honors during contests
11 See how Senior
18 Find out how YOU
Persephone Harris felt when she was announced Queen
can save that hard earned money Charlie Heflin
Your PAPER. PAPER. Your STORY STORY.. Your MEMORIES MEMORIES..
Photos by Kaitlyn Tate
Submit all ideas and comments to lonokepawprint@gmail.com lonokepawprint@gmail.co m
2010-2011 The Paw Print Staff: Editor Megan Palmer, Design Editor Kailee Griffis, Design Editor Raegan Pack, Design Assistant Brianna Brown, Design Assistant Kaitlyn Tate, Story Editor Cheyenne Lee, Back Page Editor Persephone Harris, Copy Editor Joelle Tackett, Sports Editor Jessalyn Tackett, Photographer Shelbi Raysor, Photographer Sydney Wheat, Assistant Lydia Evans, Reporter Rebecca Barger, Reporter Daniel Brown, Reporter Kaleigh Huff, Reporter Brent Powell
Visit us in color at www.issuu.com
02
Speak Out
“ 03
Take a stand. Be unique. Speak Out.
”
-Sophomore Dustin Reed Photo by Megan Palmer
Smarts
Photo by Staff
By: Kailee Griffis
Lonoke High School promotes technology into classrooms. The school board and Verizon Wireless have partnered to help freshmen with new changes in coming to the high school. Mobile Learning Devices [MLD] are the new technology advancements to help students keep track of homework, contact teachers, and research for projects. Students who receive the MLD’s will have to earn rights such as taking it home on the weekend. The Lonoke School District is the first one in Arkansas to use the MLD’s in and out of the classrooms. Superintendent, Dr. Tackett, knows this is a risk, but he is willing to take it, “We know it will be new and challenging, but we’ve got to change,” said Tackett. Tackett did a lot of research before the school board voted on this new idea. “I read an article in District Administration Magazine,” said Tackett. He also talked to a school district in Texas to see how well the project worked for them. Brandy DeLee, one of
the Verizon Partners with a secondary education degree, is a big fan of this project. “We are hoping it will cause more motivation for students to learn,” said DeLee. “The main purpose is to incorporate technology in the classrooms, to make students more engaged in learning, and to raise test scores.” One big question that has been going around is “How is the school affording this?” According to Dr. Tackett, “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and funds” are making this new project possible. The ARRA of 2009 is partially funding the project. The MLD’s are for educational purposes only. “We will structure the use. There will be no access to Facebook, Twitter, or any social networks,” said Dr. Tackett. Student phones will be monitored. “It’s not a phone. There’s no voice or text capability,” said DeLee. Students have been discussing why freshmen get the MLD’s Senior Jessica Gardner said “I don’t think it’s fair because we should all get them.” But administration believes there is a good reason. “It’s a pilot project…We wanted the new technology to benefit for students who are closer to graduation,” said DeLee. The Lonoke Public School District wanted to test this unique project on students they could observe to see if it has a positive impact on student learning. “We’ve narrowed down the sample size. If we
start big, we cannot track large enough groups of data,” said Dr. Tackett. All teachers will be able to track how long and what websites the students visited on their MLD’s. “This project will level out the playing field for all kids and hopefully creates excitement for the technology we’re used to,” said Tackett.
What is it for? A Planner
To Talk to Teachers
Computer Access
04
Speak Out The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is an organization committed to supporting young athletes’ faith. This year they hosted the third annual Powder Puff Football game between Senior and Junior girls. With the male cheerleaders encouraging the game, the Juniors won 35 to 26. $996.40 went to support the Wade Knox Advocacy Center.
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Photos courtesy of Mrs. Hobson
Red Ribbon Week began on October 25th when students and teachers wore red ribbons representing their commitment to being drug free. Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign for drug prevention and education, as well as a personal committment to live a drug free life. Students and teachers alike were given the oppurtunity to dress-up during Red Ribbon Week on days such as Twinkie Day and Camo Day. Pictured above are Mrs. Wesley, Mrs. Hobson, and Mrs. Mertsch during Twinkie Day dressed as the Blues Brothers.
Silly Bandz Why do YOU like Silly Bandz?
Rachel Royer
“I like them because everyone has a different kind...and they are just so darn cute.”
By: Kaitlyn Tate
From designs of peace signs to famous music singers, Silly Bandz have become more and more popular each day. Unlike most bracelets, these bracelets are for guys and girls. They come in all different designs that anyone can wear. Usually, the guys wear baseball bandz such as a baseball bat, cap, glove, ball and more. The ladies wear peace signs, princess packs, sports, shoes, etc. According to Chacha.com, the inventor of Silly Bandz is Robert Croak. Croak was a former bar owner and concert promoter who made it big with the new invention of Silly Bandz. The general price for a package of Silly Bandz ranges from $2.99 to $5.00. “Whoever thought about the little piece of plastic made millions of dollars” said Junior Olivia Evans. Evans enjoys wearing Silly Bandz with her daily attire. “They’re super cute and go with a lot of clothes,” she said. These stretchy, colorful bracelets are also not age specific. Anybody can wear them. “It’s cool for all ages to wear,” said Evans. While other people are out there buying Silly Bandz, Evans prefers to just swap with a friend. “When I trade with other people, I get better ones,” said Evans People of all ages, male and female, wear Silly Bandz as just another colorful accessory to their clothing.
Rachel Denson
“They are colorful and you can have conversations about them with little kids.”
Photos by Staff
Savannah Holman
“I like them because they are colorful.”
06
Life Style
“
Texting is more than a habit... it’s a Life Style.
”
-Sophomore Nick Gebhardt
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Photo by Staff
Katie Cordell HOMETOWN: Lonoke RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single SIBLINGS: Hunter Cordell PLACES: Lonoke High School By: Raegan Pack
In the world of social networking, Facebook is one of the most popular websites in the United States. There are over 500 million active people logging on to Facebook. According to www.facebook.com* 150 million of those users access Facebook through their mobile devices. The Places application is used by approximately 17,423 people. These people are using the application that is accessed from an iPhone, iPod touch, or an iPad, as long as the latest version of iTunes is applied. The application tells where the person is located. Senior Megan Woodworth started using the Facebook application just a couple of weeks ago. The only thing she really knows about the application is “it shows nearby places,” and can add where you are,” said Woodworth. She uses the application “to figure out if any friends are at the same place I am,” and to see if there are friends located nearby. Even though this application can be helpful, it can also be dangerous. “It
Facebook Places
Facebook allows random people to know where you are…if you’re close enough,” said Woodworth. She knows how to be safe when posting where she is, and she makes sure her privacy settings are changed. The privacy settings are settings that allow the profile to be private, which means people can see what you put online.
“It can be dangerous… someone can track you down.” -- Katie Cordell “You can type in where you are. If you say you’re home, it’ll go to your street which is creepy actually,” said Cordell. She uses the application to tell people where she is. “If you don’t have your address on Facebook, it probably is [safe],” said Cordell. “It can be dangerous…someone can come get you, kidnap you, rape you, and track you down.” Cordell’s advice for ensuring people remain safe is “don’t post your exact location and be careful what you post.” The application is used only in the United States. It can be a lot of fun or dangerous; just “be careful and never say you’re by yourself,” said Cordell. *www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics
YOU ARE HERE
08
Play Hard
Girls volleyball team shows their unity after making it to State! Photo courtesy of Coach Park
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Golf Team poses after a round round.. Photo courtesy of Louann Howell
Play Hard By: Shelbi Raysor
Photo by Megan Palmer
Hooten’s
The Jackrabbits kicked off this school year with Friday Night Lights. As fall approaches Lonoke students Pre-K – 12, parents, alumni, and other members of the community lined up to pay four dollars per seat in the bleachers. Ironically, the Jackrabbits started Lonoke’s Friday Night Lights on Monday, August 30, 2010, for the Hooten’s Classic with a win against the Star City Bull Dogs 38-29. The Hooten’s Classic was Arkansas’ first high school football game this season. The four teams chosen to play at the Hooten’s Classic were, according to Hooten’s, the “best of the best” in Arkansas football, and are Hooten’s pick for the state finals. The Hooten’s Classic was held at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s (UAPB) recently renovated football stadium. “It was a big honor to play on UAPB’s stadium,” said Senior Wes Plummer. The school signed a contract with Hooten’s stating that they needed to sell over three hundred tickets. Lonoke reached this goal by selling them in the office and at the home football games. Selling these tickets not only earned money for the Athletic department, but also created a support group for the football players. Returning Head Coach Doug Bost had the players “practicing all summer long… To win a ball game” they needed to execute all phases, defense, offense, and special teams. The Jackrabbits also have several key starters from last year’s State Championship runner up team. Plummer was nervous about the game. “There was a lot riding on it.” After losing a scrimmage to Oak Grove the following Monday, Lonoke knew what they needed. “We have all the skills.
We just needed to work as team and put our heart back into the game,” said Plummer. Senior Justin Smith had 11 tackles leading the team, Plummer had 10, Junior Tommy Scott had 10, Sophomore Blake Gooden, Senior Jeremiah Griffin, and Freshman Devarious Burton had six tackles. Senior Blake Dill, Sophomore Brent Simms, and Junior Darin Lovelace had four tackles each. Scott and Burton had an interception that they ran back for a touchdown. Sophomore Eric Williams supported the Rabbits with another touchdown. Plummer had two interceptions and one touchdown. Dill had two touchdowns. Not only did the team win the battle on the football field, Smith received the Monte Coleman Outstanding Citizen Award for sportsmanship on and off the field.
Volleyball team pictured on left: Olivia Brumley, Skyler Miller, Olivia Park, Amber James, Ashley James, Jessica Gardner, Nikki Stivers, Debby Lee, Shawnee Gutekunst, Rachel Densen, Mary Robin Clay, Katelyn James, Courtney McGowan, Tori Whitaker, Delaney Haynes, Sydney Wheat
Golf team pictured on left: Wyatt Howell, Parker Cole, Coach Dean Campbell, Will Joshlin, Sonny Chivers
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Play Hard Senior Maid Raneisha Franklin, escorted by number 71, Antwane Wilkerson
Senior Maid Kailee Griffis, escorted by number 23, Jeremiah Griffin
Sophomore Maid Eliysheba Williams, escorted by number 63, Reggie Fudge
Senior Maid Emily Howell, escorted by number 25, Scott Smith
“Inspiring�
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Homecoming
Junior Maid Olivia Evans, escorted by number 15, Blake Dill
Senior Maid Laquanda Tatum, escorted by number 69, Brandon McKinney y
“Honored�
Photo courtesy of Josh Johnson
Senior Maid Heather Pitts, escorted by number 10, Logan DeWhitt
Photo courtesy of Josh Johnson
Senior Maid Hope Moore, escorted by number 30, Travis Reaves
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Play Hard Senior Maid Megan Palmer, escorted by number 32, Hassaan Nadeem
Junior Maid Emily Rowton, escorted by number 77, Brennon Ingle
“Bitter Sweet�
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Maid of Honor Shelbi Raysor, escorted by number 85, Justin Smith
Senior Maid Briana Tate, escorted by number 80, Wesley Plummer
Homecoming
Kentrell Castleberry Kennedy Williams
“
felt like I I
had just walked into a surprise birthday party!
Beaus and Ladies
�
-Senior Persephone Harris
Emily Rowton Homecoming Photos by Kaitlyn Tate
14
Get Informed
It’s not where you get your information, but that you
“
Get Informed.
”
-Junior Jackalyn Harris
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Photo by Megan Palmer
JROTC By: Megan Palmer
Left, left, left right left! Lonoke High School is staying on step this year with a first ever program, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Core (JROTC). For a school to become certified for this program they must have “number one, the facility,” said Commission Officer, Colonel Chad Sparks. Number two is available class space, and number three is the want for the program. Sparks taught JROTC for two years at West Wood High in Memphis. It was a school the same size as Lonoke. “Community support is stronger here than in Memphis,” said Sparks. About 100 parents attended the parent meeting at the LHS Open House.
“To motivate young people in becoming better citizens.” -- COL Sparks 120 students signed up to be in JROTC at the end of the last school year, but a few dropped out along the way. However, over 20% of the school’s population is still in the class. Even though it is still early in the school year, the class looks “real positive,” said Sparks. JROTC is not here to recruit
Photo by Kaitlyn Tate
JROTC color guard members: John Gorbet, John Michael Clay, Dillon Henderson, Tripp Weaver, Heather St. John, James Dyer, and Charlie Heflin await for their turn to enter on the football field.
for the Army or military. The purpose of this class is “to motivate young people in becoming better citizens,” said Sparks. This class gives students “self confidence, leadership skills, involvement in the community and school,” said Sparks. The students will receive uniforms that they are required to wear each Wednesday and it is “no cost at all [to the students],” said Sparks. Students on the color guard have already received uniforms and will wear them at local color guard events. Students taking this class have an advantage if they want to enter the military.
“The students could enter the military on a higher rank,” said Sparks. JROTC hopes to instill discipline and knowledge that will make the students better prepared for military life. Seniors graduating in 2011 will be eligible to compete for ROTC Scholarships. Sparks has always had the passion to work with young people. “It comes to light when you see them get scholarships,” said Sparks. He also hopes to make his students evolve into better citizens and give something back to the school, community, state, and nation.
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Get Informed
The LHS band has not only been preparing to entertain the crowd at half-time, but also to do their best at contests around the state. Bands performing in these contests are hoping to receive the highest rating possible, a Division 1 rating. On Saturday, October 16th, the band performed at the Showcase of Bands at War Memorial Stadium and received a Division 1 in Colorguard and Percussion, a Division 2 in Drum Major, and an Overall Divison 1. The band marched right on to the Forrest City Marching Contest on October 23rd and there received a Divison 1 in Colorguard, Drum Major, and Majorettes, a Division 2 in Percussion, and an Overall Division 2. The final and most important contest that the band performed at took place on Tuesday, October 26th at the Region Marching Contest in North Little Rock. The band received an Overall Divison 1 and is now qualified for a Sweepstakes Award if they receive a Divison 1 rating during concert season.
Photo by Staff
Senior Kyle Kowalskie watches as one pint of blood is being taken out of his arm for the Blood Drive held on Tuesday, October 26th. The Blood Drive was for the American Red Cross and was put on by the Math and Science Club.
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Photo courtesy of Science Club
Save Money By: Cheyenne Lee
Prices have gone up, and the amount of money in the piggy bank has gone down. From spending money on books, classes, clubs, and activities, most high school students have been stripped down to their last dollar. Most of this problem stems from students’ lack of knowledge on how to save money. Money is a vital part of any high school student’s life. School clubs can cost anywhere from $3 to $15 each. Available college courses, like Composition I, cost up to $128 for tuition plus the cost of books, and the cost for taking the American College Test (ACT) is $33 or more, not to mention the money students spend on field trips and athletic events. For Junior Jayla Hobbs, saving money is important. “I like spending, but I like saving more,” said Hobbs. It may seem that spending money is easier than saving money, but that is not necessarily the case. Saving money can be as simple as not eating take-out every day or buying from the clearance section. “If you save money, you have more to spend. Save it, just in case you want to buy something you really like,” said Hobbs. Whether it is some loose change or just a couple of bucks, saving a small amount of money can make all the difference in a high school student’s life.
Try taking advantage of $1 menus. Most restaurants have them. Utilize options such as Sonic Happy Hour, where drinks are half price from two to four o’clock, or use coupons to cut costs in half.
Spending a few hours a week at a part-time job not only guarantees a paycheck, but in some cases special benefits as well. Some jobs give employees a 10% discount.
Want to get rid of that old pile of books in the back of the closet or the clothes that do not fit anymore? Sell them! Getting rid of useless things guarantees quick cash. Try a yard sale or post things on eBay.
Buying “used” is a great way to spend money without drying up the wallet. Jeans that cost $80 brand new can easily dwindle down to $40 when used. Utilize thrift stores and flea markets, where anything from clothes to books or backpacks are sold for a cheaper, more reasonable price.
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FUNFUN
What type of START NO!
Do you have good sportsmanship?
YES!
Do you go to football games?
NO!
YES!
TV Gazer
Do you like pro or high school football games? High School
PRO
Do you watch the game on TV or visit the stadium? Stadium
Do you sit or stand?
2019
Sit with a blanket
Stand and scream for a touchdown
Quiz
game food are YOU?
Pickle You’re a SOUR pickle! You have NO school spirit!
I’m honest about my opinions Of course, How often it’s just a do you watch game the games? When I’m All not busy the time
Who do you sit by? What I wore to school
What do you wear?
Next time add some jalapenos for kick!
Candy Bar You’re as sweet My crew
My fam ily
Nachos You go with the flow!
as you look!
Popcorn
y m t n i Pa ple r u p y bod
You have the MOST school spirit! You’re always poppin’!
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FUN
Back Page Can you spot the 12 differences?
MLS Last night I procrastinated as usual, finishing my English paper at 12:00 a.m. I woke up, late as usual, at 7:00. I grabbed my keys, breakfast to go, and went out the door. Halfway to school I realized I left not only my phone but my English paper that was due...My Life Sucks!
Hmm... Tricky ...
~Senior Debby Lee
Can you finish this maze in under a minute?
I was walking down the sidewalk with my friends and it was raining. I told them, “Guys, be careful. It’s slippery,” and right when I said that I fell in the water...My Life Sucks! ~Senior Jordan Anderson
I did it!
By: Cheyenne Lee
Why are you wearing that jacket?
To get more girls! This jacket is like a chick magnet!
By: Cheyenne Lee Hey! Nice jacket!
See!
What ?!
The Next Day Oh, you What know... Just are you a little wearing? something I threw on.
By: Junior Karmon Garcia
Comic Strip
Artwork