The Commodore Cruiser - AprilMay2016

Senior advice to freshmen Page 8

Tooting their own horns Page 4

Twerking tales Page 6

the

April-May 2016

Volume 50, Issue 6

Commodore Cruiser

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER

@DORESCRUISER _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

New blood in town Fair takes on a new challenge as the Commodores head football coach.

by Mary Kate Newman & La’Keirra Owens

With head coach Eric Robertson leaving to be defensive coordinator at Madison Central, Michael Fair from Senatobia will be the new head coach for Lafayette High School.

Lafayette Commodores ended the 2015 football season with a bang with a 9-2 record.

The Dores made it into the 4A playoffs and won the first round against Indianola-Gentry with a score of 48-7. It then advanced them to the second round playoffs against Noxubee County where the Commodores fell

short with a loss of 16-17.

Fair coached at Pillow Academy in Greenwood, Miss., for six seasons, where his team won a state title in 2010. He also led the Pillow Academy Mustangs to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools AAA Division II state championship in 2009. He then moved on to Senatobia leading the Warriors with a 10-2 record last season and a 6-5 in the 2014 season.

LHS coach Jay Jones knew Fair before he began coaching

at Lafayette. “I worked with coach Fair for four years before I came here, so I am very glad he got hired here because I liked working with him.”

For the upcoming season, Jones looks forward to the team showing great effort and leadership. He is very confident in Fair’s coaching.

“I know how he coaches and his philosophies which are: things he demands for the team, the way he treats them and the way he goes about his busi-

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ness,” Jones said.

“Yes, I am very excited for the opportunity to coach at Lafayette,” Fair said. Football requires hard work and effort out of the whole team and Fair looks forward to that.

“I expect them to be leaders, work hard, play hard, and represent the community so everyone can be proud,” Fair added.

The football players have had the chance to meet and practice with Fair. “I’m excited to see his new coaching and

hopefully bring our team to a new winning season. Coach Fair changed Senatobia’s season around to 10-2, so I’m excited to see what he is goning to bring to the table,” sophomore B.J. Curry said.

“He’s great and he wants us to win and we do too so it’s just a good pairing waiting to happen,” junior Amani Johnson added.

STUDENT NEWS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

School rules change

3

What rule would you change if you were in charge?

by Brook Savage

Ah, school rules. That sentence has two meanings. In this case, we are not talking about how school is super fun. We already know that, right? Students have opinions, no matter what they are, students feel the need to express what they think. Lafayette High School’s student body thought of one school rule to change. That data was recorded and put into a pie chart.

The top 3 rule changes, if decided by the school, would be: dress code, headphones, and clear cups.

Dress Code covered the most part of this survey, “The dress code is too strict for girls, or why can’t we have holes above the knees?”

“I would change the dress code about holes above the knee because you never know when someone can’t afford new clothes,” said an anonymous student.

Many students here judge a kid by their appearance, maybe this kid can’t afford new clothes, but that doesn’t give one a right to make fun of someone for it.

“And really, is my shoulder that distracting?”

Nike Shorts, another simple part of dress code. So many people in Lafayette High love sports, and of course these types of shorts are super comfortable.

“I think that students should be able to wear Nike shorts. In my opinion, Nike shorts are way less revealing than some of the denim shorts most kids get away with in school,” quoted by anonymous. If Nike shorts come to dress code then why aren’t students allowed to wear

them?

Hats, the last part of dress code that will be discussed.

There was once a legend called Hat Day. The day all of the sports players waited anxiously for this day to come around.

Every other Friday in Middle School there was one day where you were allowed to wear a hat. The school profited from this event too. So, why was the privilege taken away?

Do hats really distract fellow students, or do they affect our learning capabilities?

Headphones, bringing back the headphone policy. Like stated in a previous article, “Why Kill the Tunes Dude” headphones are strictly banned from the halls, commons, and during break times because of safety.

Students have a different say to this rule, “I would change the ‘no headphones in lunch’ rule because its pointless. Some teachers argue that headphones keep you from hearing important things like fire alarms, but a fire alarm is designed to be heard no matter what’s going on. They may also say that headphones keep you from hearing teachers but the teachers in the lunchroom rarely if ever talk to the students while eating. I can understand no headphones in class and the hallways, but during lunch is too much.” Good point.

Lastly, clear cups. High School is just another place where some students feel the need to rebel. The clear cup rule was made to keep alcoholic beverages far away from in the hands of a student during school hours.

“The rule about having to have clear cups and liquid is a little bit ridiculous. I understand that there was a problem with students bringing in alco-

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hol in solid cups, but that same student could just as easily bring in vodka in a water bottle now. Getting rid of solid cups and colored drinks is a bandaid on a symptom that needs to be addressed at the source. Meanwhile, the rest of us would love to be able to drink our morning coffee peacefully instead of being told to throw it away or pour out our cup. #vivalacof-

fee.” Well said, coffee lover.

As this story above explains what students think about some of our rules at Lafayette High, maybe one can relate to some of these particular choices chosen by students. These rules may not even be touched because of this article, but maybe they will. A student body can make a difference, just make sure it’s in a good way.

Nike Shorts

Patagonia Hat

Yeti Cup

Headphones

STUDENT NEWS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

4

Tooting their own horns

by Olivia Howie

The hum of third period band rehearsal is heard but not often seen. Most believe that the LHS band program ceases to exist after football season, but this could not be farther from the truth. For LHS band, the work has just begun once the Friday Night Lights go out.

Tryouts for concert season were held in November of last year. In January, the band tackled the crucial task of deciding which three pieces they would play at state evaluation.

“You start with the warm up, which is usually a short and fast tune. The second tune is a selected piece, and then the last one is the required piece that

has to be from the list (of approved songs),” Band Director Lauren Duncan said.

“One of the pieces we have has a clarinet solo because we have Taylor Bost, who’s an allstate clarinet player. So, you want to show off students that have a particular skill,” Mrs. Duncan added.

This year’s selections included “Romp”, “But For The Love of Ireland”, and “Elements I, II, III, and IV.” The meanings behind these pieces may surprise you.

“Romp” is about the composer’s cat and how excited it gets when it plays with a toy. It’s supposed to be a joyful and upbeat song,” said Holly Webster, senior flutist in LHS band.

“But For The Love Of Ireland” is about a voyage of the sea. The beginning is the departure from home, the middle is the adventure, and the end is

the return home,” said Sophomore Sonie Brandon who plays French horn.

into two bands, according to skill level. But, because of suggestions from the band di-

“The four “Elements”: Air, Water, Earth, and Fire represent all the feelings and vibes on our planet. Air is quick, symbolizing attentiveness. Water is smooth and slow, representing sadness and purity. Earth is hearty, expressing happiness and growth. Fire is striking and fierce, developing a tone of anger, love, and defiance,” said Kyle Snow, senior trombonist.

It was a historic year for the high school band program. In past years, the band has split

rectors at ICC and others, the directors made the decision to merge the two bands into one, 64 student band.

“For our instrumentation, it just made sense to put everybody together and it gives us a better shot at doing well at state evaluation,” said Band Director Kelly Duncan.

On Tuesday, April 12, the band loaded up on two school buses and departed for Tupelo High School, where state evaluation took place.

“State evaluation has been at Pearl High School for the past 12 years,” said Mr. Duncan.

The directors and students alike were thankful that the competition was held in Tupelo, a shorter drive away.

“You wouldn’t have an audience. You basically have the three judges and a few band directors in the audience listening to you. So, they’re hoping that if they make it closer that more parents and more community can come,” said Mrs. Duncan.

The band received all superior in concert and sight reading at state evaluation. They were rated on a scale of one to four, one being “superior” and the highest score attainable. If ones are scored in all areas, the band is deemed “all superior.”

Because of the band’s all superior ratings in marching (from the fall), concert, and sight reading, they received the Sweepstakes Award. This award has not been given to Lafayette since 2008, making it an immense honor for the LHS band.

STUDENT NEWS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

Realcare baby

5

Lafayette High School students take on the responsibility of taking care of a baby

by Katie Sicks

The cry fills your ear as it awakens you at around 3 A.M. The RealCare Baby project allows students to get an idea of being a mother or father for three whole nights.

The experience makes sure that you are provided with a very accurate feeling of being a teenage parent.

“The project is done to give students a real view of parenting in a realistic way. A teenager may have unrealistic ideas about caring for an infant and this program opens their eyes to the responsibilities that comes with caring for a baby,” Helm stated. Helm wants the outcome to let students under-

stand the many ways that babies can change their lives and the responsibility it takes to care for them.

After the project students express the importance of waiting to have children until they are ready after experiencing the work and time put into taking care of an infant.

“RealCare baby is not a real baby but I think the program itself is an effective tool to give students a quick view of what parenthood is really like,” said Helm.

“It was terrible. I would never do it again,” stated Marimba Williams. Williams had a rough experience with the RealCare baby stating, “My quite hours overlapped and stopped about

fifteen minutes after the set slightly from lack of support start time of her hours.” She ex- to the head. When this happlained that the baby would cry pens the baby will then scream for no reason and she couldn’t bloody murder for at least three get it to be quiminutes et. Sometimes straight. the bracelet T h e wouldn’t chime scream in. “I ran in the is not second day and pleasbasically threw ant at the car seat on all, it is the table,” says actually Williams about pretty almost being in frustrattears the second ing conday. “It got it’s sidering point across, there I don’t want is not a any kids at all single anymore,” exthing pressed Wilyou can liams. Howevdo but er, she said the Marimba Williams, freshman at Lafayette to lisexperience washolds Realcare baby. ten to the fun and made its horrific point. cry.

“The baby’s head can fall off,” The baby does not know is the most common response when you want to take a showwhen you say you have dropped er, do homework, clean, cook, the baby’s head. No, that is not and sleep. It cries no matter the case. The baby’s head does what. If you happen to be in not “pop off” it simply just falls the shower and the baby starts

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fussing be prepared to wrap a towel around you and attend to it. That might mean you are standing outside the shower for twenty minutes rocking, burping, or feeding the baby, perhaps even longer.The baby will usually cry and then once it cries the first time it’ll scream for everything else, similar to a domino effect. It doesn’t care that you are sound asleep and just had a rough day, it will cry in the a.m., like a real baby would do.

Overall the project does make you have a great idea of what parenting is all about. The child development class is a great program to take. It gives you the experience that you should expect and maybe even a little more. The lazy day outfit technique is very handy for the few days you have it by the way and the bags under your eyes will just make the whole outfit come together.

OPINION

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

6

Food for all Opinions on vegetarian and gluten free meals in the LHS cafeteria

by Natalie Boone Students wait in line in the cafeteria, patiently awaiting their turn to get a tray and select their meal. For vegetarian students, this means getting a large portion of food that they won’t eat or will give away to keep from wasting it. For gluten intolerant students, this means being literally incapable of consuming several parts of their meal due to medical problems.

Recognizing students’ nutritional needs and preferences, school districts across the

nation are revamping their menus– and receiving kudos for their healthy efforts. The face of the vegetarian meal is starting to change for the better of children’s health—and for good reason. A recent report from Johns Hopkins University predicts that if current trends continue in school lunches, 24% of children and adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2020. Recent social media trends have resulted in controversy concerning the lunch menus at schools, such

as the hashtag #thanksmichelleobama from Twitter, which involved taking pictures of gross-looking cafeteria food.

In 2012, first lady Michelle Obama helped craft new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines that require lunches to contain more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

The changes limit salt, sugar, fat, and calories in school meals as well. It is due to this change that many students are against providing vegetarian and gluten-free meals.

“I would say no, because it is useless and we don’t have the money. The quality of the food already sucks,” said Taylor Skelton about providing vegetarian and gluten free meals in the cafeteria. “So if you add that stuff it would go down even more.”

Several opinions were offered when students were questioned regarding how they felt about the possibility of offering salads and gluten-free meals as a lunch option. However, many of these opinions were positive.

“I think that it would be a

good addition to the lunch menu,” said William Story. Students at Lafayette appear to be in favor of the school providing vegetarian and gluten-free meals in future years.

“I am not vegetarian or gluten intolerant. But, if I was, I’d want better options. Everybody wants equal treatment, and if I was vegetarian or gluten intolerant, I would be upset if I had to ‘suck it up’ or bring my own lunch. We are at a public school,” said Alyssa Camfield.

“Doesn’t matter if we are poor or rich.”

been performed for many centuries as a victory celebration over one’s enemies. It requires precise control of the muscles and is very difficult to master, and is believed to lead to spiritual en-

counters with God. Although initially a cultural dance for those on the Ivory Coast, the first major performance of a twerk came with the first black superstar, Josephine Baker, who “twerked” for audiences in France throughout the 1920s before there was even a word for twerking.

Nearly a century later, the dance was brought to the forefront by Miley Cyrus, in an MTV performance that echoed

throughout the world and urged for there to be a dictionary definition of the word.

Whether at next year’s prom with your friends or just in your bedroom alone, twerking is a gateway dance to many others. If you can twerk, you can do anything. So find that friend that knows how to shake it, and get some lessons.

Twerking tales Opinions on twerking

by Thomas Hinton An Irish jig, a bellydance, and a waltz -- three dances you’re never likely to see at prom. Now twerking, that’s a different story.

An official word, Merriam-Webster defines twerking as “sexually suggestive dancing characterized by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the buttocks especially while squatting.” That’s quite a description.

And rightly so. Twerking is

not some new phenomena -- it is a dance with a surprisingly rich history.

Twerking is derived from the traditional Mapouka dance, f o u n d alongside the Ivory Coast, where it has

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Make Miley proud.

SENIOR

THE COMMODORE CRUISER 7

Primping for Prom

by Audrey Tapp

Emily Shoffner

Dress & Shoes Friday @ 8:00 P.M.

11:30 A.M. All About U Salon Nails

Makeup

The Parlor 11:00 A.M.

Dinner Ajax Diner 6:30 P.M.

5:00 P.M. Rowan Oak Pictures

Dinner

7:00 P.M. Delta Steak Company

5:30 P.M. East Oxford

Pictures

Why you skippin’ ?

by Javieus Lyons

Senior Skip Day is one of the days that many of the senior students wait on all year long.

They don’t have to come to school. They can just sit at home all day eating junk food or they can just go to the movies or something with their friends.

This day, although not funded by the school, is participated in mainly by seniors. However, some of the other LHS students also enjoy this day.

Hair & Makeup All About U Salon 12:00 - 2:00 P.M.

“I went to the lake during my senior skip day. It rained the whole time but we still tried to make the best of it,” Megan St. Peters said.

“I think senior skip day should be important because it gives seniors a day to look forward to of just us all hang out together before we go our separate ways,” St.Peters added.

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Rachel Watkins

From finding the perfect dress, deciding on the ideal hair and makeup, and making sure nails are nothing but perfection, Rachel Watkins and Emily Shoffner rocked their senior prom on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Prom day for a girl starts days, weeks, and sometimes even months before it even takes place therefore many start in advance.

The day of prom can be rather stressful, but it is an experience of a lifetime. There is only a certain amount of time in high school to attend some special events such as prom. Although some attend after they graduate, it is still special for those who are still high Nails school students.

Watkins and Shoffner at- Paris Nail Salon tended their last prom as high Friday @ 1:00 P.M. school students and decided to share their special night with the perfect dates. Watkins attended prom with her boyfriend, Ethan Lindsay, for the second year in a row. Shoffner attended prom with her boyfriend, Drew Tapp.

10:30 A.M. To the right is a “timeline” of The Parlor Watkins’ and Shoffner’s schedule Hair for the weekend (Friday and Saturday) of Prom.

9:00 P.M. Oxford Conference Center

Prom

SENIOR

THE COMMODORE CRUISER 8

Senior advice

to freshmen

Trust no one.

- Amber Black

Take your school work seriously and stop making excuses!

- Kisonda Bell

If you could go back, what piece of advice would you give your 9th grade self?

“Do not pay attention to waht others think about you, what matters is how you think of yourself.

- Hannah Land

Don’t do what everyone else wants to see. Do what make YOU happy. If you get too caught in trying to please others, you will loose yourself.

- Mimi Kinniburgh

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Focus On Yourself and Yourself ONLY! Don’t Be Afraid To Be Yourself, Once You’re Free Nothing Will Matter!

- Jesus Escobedo

Be involved in as much as possible. Even if it will take up a lot of time, do it anyway! You will be glad that you did when you make new connections and find new interests!

- Sydney Osbarn

Don’t take anything for granted, really try your best in all of your classes because it will pay off in the long run!

- Jennifer Nail Photos Courtesy of Addy Photography

SENIOR

THE COMMODORE CRUISER 9

Straight to the top

by Brook Savage

Valedictorian- a student, typically having the highest academic achievements of the class, who delivers the valedictory at a graduation ceremony.

Salutatorian- the student who ranks second highest in a graduating class and delivers the salutatory.

These two students strived to do their best from the beginning.

These students are put in the spotlight at the end of the school year to represent Lafayette High School. Their grade point averages skyrocket through the charts, everyone knows that.

Taylor Bost, the band lover, is the LHS Salutatorian of 2016.

Sam Meals is the Valedictorian of 2016. Attending Mississippi State College, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, minoring in Aerospace, Meals is looking forward to his years in college.

Meals claimed that he might not have to study in High School, but he is well aware that he will have to pass up some of his weekends to his academics.

The beginning of 6th grade, Meals decided that he wanted to join band.

“Band is a place where you can kind of relax, somewhere that’s not like school,” said Meals. He started with trombone all the way up to 10th grade, baritone next, then he switched back to trombone.

Being in school activities never affected his grades, while all of the programs merged together in perfect harmony.

“Keep doing what you are doing. Don’t worry,” just a piece of advice Meals would give to any student striving to be the Valedictorian of their graduating class. Push yourself to be the best that you can be, it will be worth it.

Photos Courtesy of Addy Photography

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Natural smarts, she never has to study, she’s never had to pass up any events due to her frantic schedule. The only reason she does not have to study is because she listens. She listens to what the teachers have to say, and she does her work.

A bad grade to Bost is a B, that shows you how much she cares about her grades.

Bost is honored in being crowned Salutatorian, however, she feels that she could’ve pushed herself harder to be Valedictorian. Salutatorian still will look great for her college record.

Bost is also a big fan of the band program at Lafayette High, so she decided to take it a step forward and study music at the University of Mississippi. She won’t stop there. After she earns her Bachelor’s degree Bost wants to continue onto medical school to be an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Even if Bost has the smarts to make it past high school, that doesn’t mean she will not try her hardest.

“Your future starts here in Lafayette High, make good decisions that will count. Set a goal and achieve. Being Valedictorian or Salutatorian should not be your goal, your goal should be to do your best,” Bost said.

SENIOR

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

10

Life at Lafayette A look into the life of Kevin Ray

by Destiny Mooneyham Seniors seem all giddy, ready to leave Lafayette High School in their past, but they might not be all that excited.

After the four years they have been here, making friends, making memories, and making stories to tell their children are they really ready to go?

“If I could tell my freshman self anything, it would be that he shouldn’t wish high school away because it goes a lot faster than you think,” Senior Kevin Ray said. Seniors are having to think about what they want to do in life, and if they can push

themselves to succeed in it. Seniors apply for colleges, and have to get real jobs to pay off their bills. It’s a big step into the real world, and they have to tackle every obstacle quickly to get their feet on the ground.

“I plan to go to Northwest and then transfer somewhere else,” Ray said. Picking out colleges might not be all that easy.

Having to get a job right when they graduate, might not be all that easy. Most high schoolers already have jobs, but they’re just part time jobs. Just jobs to have until they graduate to get a real one.

“The first day of my freshman year was the scariest day out of all my four years here. I was so afraid to be around the upperclassmen. But all of the upperclassmen were nice to us freshman. So it went a lot better than I thought it would,” Ray said. At the beginning of the year when the Freshman first walk into school, it is said to be scary for them. They were used to being top dog in eighth grade, and then bopped to the bottom in High School. Thoughts rush through their mind about what being a senior is like.

“Being a senior isn’t all that

different, besides the fact that you get to leave early. You just have to write a lot of essays,” Ray said.

‘16 Senior Picnic

The LHS seniors venture into their last event as a high school student

by Javieus Lyons The LHS seniors have a senior field day every year.

Seniors are placedninto random teams and play various games against one another as a friendly competition between all of the students.

This is a school sponsored event that happened May 6

of this year. The field day took place on the football, baseball, softball, and practice fields.

The seniors played games like Woffel ball, Izzy Dizzy, Volleyball, Kickball, Ultimate Frisbee, and for lunch they feasted on pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs and desserts.

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SPORTS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

11

Working the pole

Rise to the top

by Destiny Mooneyham

by Brook Savage

The life of LHS pole vaulter, Anja Diercks Anja Diercks pulls the pole close to her and gets ready to run forward. A spark flickers in her eye as she takes off. While running she sets the pole in its hole, and flies o v e r the bar landing on the other side w i t h a soft thud.

Pole vaulting is an event in which an athlete jumps over an obstacle, with the aid of a long pole.

Originally it was used to jump ditches, brooks, and fences but

then it became a competitive sport. In competition, the vaulters are given three chances to reach a specified height. A bar is set on two uprights, meaning it will fall easily if touched.

Pole vaulting is the most technical of athletics.

At Lafayette High School there is an elective for pole vaulting.

And a few people stay after school most days to practice. One of these people, including Diercks.

“Pole vaulting is just fun to me. It’s scary at times, because if you fall the wrong way you can hurt yourself. But when you’re in the air, it feels like you’re flying for less than

LHS Tennis team makes it to the 4A North Half finals two seconds. Its great.” Diercks says.

Not everyone has the same reasons for wanting to do a certain activity. Anja does it because it’s fun to her.

Although, she doesn’t plan to go anywhere with pole vaulting she does suggest it to other students. It’s a healthy and fun exercise. Diercks admits that pole vaulting helps relieve stress.

Coach Mikell is always looking for new people to come out and join in on the pole vaulting group.

The Lafayette High tennis team is not the most recognized sport. This year’s tennis team had a great season all together.

All of the members put in teamwork and effort to make this tennis season rise to the top.

The Lafayette team made it to the 4A north half finals and lost against New Albany, the score being 1-6. However, they beat Pontotoc in the 2nd round of playoffs 3-2. It was the second time in Lafayette’s school history that the tennis team made it that far.

Goals have been set by the team to avenge their defeat against New Albany and give the next season their all. There is a huge chance for all of the players to make it to state.

Barrett Childress shows his determination for next school

year, “Next year is our year and we are going to play our hearts out to get to state and win.”

Imagine, being focused on such a goal and achieving. Lafayette High school is rooting for the tennis team to make it to the top.

and Robertson has it, going to Madison. “That we can have a Godly influence in the live of the young people we teach and coach. Secondly, that we can win and play for the State Championships like we did here at Lafayette,” hopes Robertson.

Emotions take over while taking opportunities like this, whether it excitement, sadness, happiness, or any other emotion you think of. “Sad and excited, it’s hard leaving the relationships, friends, and family that we love so much. But excited to start a new phase in our life,”

said Robertson.

“I am so thankful that God has allowed me and my family to be a small part of such a great place. A place we call HOME. We love this school, community, and people in it and always will,” expressed Robertson.

Lafayette will miss Robertson. However, the school is full of excitement to welcome the new head football coach to Lafayette High School.

Hanging up the red and gold whistle

LHS sends a farewell to head coach Eric Robertson

by Katie Sicks The pen hit the paper signing, making it official on April 4, 2016. Coach Eric Robertson, is heading to Madison Central High school, after making the decision on March 8, 2016.

The opportunity to coach at a 6A school

is what was ideal to Robertson.

“As a family, we felt God was leading us in this direction, ultimately we put our trust in Him.” said Robertson.

Even though it is always good to have change there is always going to be something

you miss. For Robertson, that is the football players and students who attend Lafayette.

However, he isn’t leaving empty-handed -- Robertson will take many fond memories with him. “So many great memories.

Playing for four state championships are some of the best,” said Robertson. Out of all the memories the most memorable for Robertson was, “Fort Walton Beach game. I feel like that is the game when our football program finally turned the corner.

Hope is a big key to success

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

Double Decker aftermath

Decker must be happening right now. Marissa Harrison was one of the many people from Lafayette High School that went to Double Decker.

Marissa Harrison is a freshman, from Lafayette High School who went to Double Decker. Harrison thoroughly

enjoyed her weekend at Double Decker. Her favorite part of the event was getting to shop with all of her friends. Even though Harrison had a great time she added, “I loved to majority of the weekend, but I did not enjoy walking shoulder to shoulder with all of the other people that were walking around.”

A total of eleven bands and artists played on the stage positioned on South Lamar, in front of the Lafayette County Courthouse.

Harrison said, “The bands that I got to see were awesome!”

The majority of the students that attend Lafayette High School participate in Double Decker every year.

Most people that go, love hearing the bands play and seeing the different types of vendors set up. The vendors that were there sold many different types of toys for children to buy. There were also paintings, art, and jewelry for sale.

by Brook Savage There once was a man who taught us how to insult people using irregular words. Paper-faced, eye-offending, and shag-eared all came from the one and only William Shakespeare.

Shakespeare goes way back in time, 1564-1616 to be exact.

Shakes p e a r e wrote plays, and poems. Shakespeare’s plays were so enjoyable they were made into the First Folio by his friends and colleagues. Folios were a common format of books used mostly for manuscripts, but this was changed when Shakespeare’s plays blew everyone out of the water.

The First Folio held 18 of Shakespeare’s plays that had never been printed before, until over the years more plays were added on. Without these famous plays where would we be today? Shakespeare influenced our English language, theatre, and much more.

The First Folio was printed

Milkshake Monday

Topping Thursday

Two Scoop Tuesday

Float Friday

Waffle Wednesday

12

To be or not to be: that is the question

by Barrett Childress

The event that everyone loves in Oxford happened April 22 and April 23. Everyone in Oxford knows that when they see a two tiered red bus driving around the Square during these two days, knows that Double

Come check out Saturday our daily specials! Sundae APRIL-MAY ISSUE

in 1623, 7 years after Shakespeare’s death. Only 750 copies were printed, none were the same, but modern day we only have about 223. 82 of those copies belong to the Folger Li-

brary.

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare will bring the First Folio to all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. For the state of Mississippi, out of the whole state, the University of Mississippi was chosen to hold this ancient piece of work.

The condition of the book is so important, it is kept in a glass case where even the slightest touch could set off the alarms and alert the cops. The display also includes panels, digital content, and local events. The panels vary from history of the

First Folio, to pictures of the characters in these well-known plays.

This book was a work of art, 400 years old and still in great condition. Around 2,000 people came from all over the state to see this masterpiece.

Shakespeare’s work really inspires young writers, or just young minds. Spending a small amount of time in your day to skim over his work is a must. “I’ll call for pen and ink, and write my mind,” William Shakespeare wrote.

MISCELLANOUS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

HB1523 for you and me?

Everyone matters.

by Javieus Lyons

Mississippi passed a bill not long ago, which that states that any person with strong religious views can deny service to those in the LGBT+ Community from places under their jurisdiction.

When looked over by Columbia Law School, they found that the laws created a number of potentially harmful situations to those in the LGBT+ Community in schools, workplace, and government settings.

These are some, but not all, of the scenarios: • A mental health care counselor at a school could refuse to work with a transgender student.

• A government agency manager could require female employees to wear dresses or skirts.

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A religious university could fire a single parent.

In each of the scenarios, the acting group or individual would only need to claim to be apart of any three of the religious beliefs specified in the bill: that marriage is between man and woman, that sex is reserved for heterosexual marriage, or that gender is determined at birth as male or female.

Supporters of this bill state that the purpose of the bill is simply to protect those with strong religious views.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently filed a lawsuit arguing that House Bill 1523 is unconstitutional.

LHS students chime in about HB1523 “Denying service of a company to an individual is not, in any way, ‘loving thy neighbor.’ HB 1523 is the LGBT equivalent to the Jim Crow laws, allowing discrimination towards those that are LGBT.”

“God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

I think it’s wrong.”

“If you are a follower of Christ, then you should not judge people. You are taught through the Bible to love your neighbor like yourself no matter if you agree with them or not. It’s wrong to mistreat a human being or anything in that matter just because you don’t agree with what they do.”

“I agree because it give Christians a way to finally express our religious views because God calls the LGBT+ Community abominations in many verses in Scripture.”

“I don’t really agree with gays because God intended for man and woman to be together so I think that if you have a belief that doesn’t like it then you should be able to deny service, fire someone or evict someone for it.”

“I do not agree with HB1523 because no religion tells a person to discriminate against ANYONE. How can we, as Mississippians, call ourselves the “Hospitality State” if we’re denying service to our own brothers and sisters?”

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Dear Felicia

Dear Felicia,

I was with this dude for a month. I really like him, but he is a jerk. I want to leave him but I don’t know how without hurting him. What should I do?

Thanks, Confused There is not much I can say without knowing more details about your situation. The heart wants what it can’t have, and that’s something a lot of people in our age group don’t understand. If this boy is really causing you trouble, you need to slice and dice him out of your life.

That probably isn’t what you wanted to hear, but it is best to be honest in situations like these. The last thing you want is to drag it on. You shouldn’t have to “plan” to break up with someone. If you do that, it makes you out to be the bad person. I don’t think that’s what you want.

I’ve been fortunate enough to remain friends with all my exes, which is most definitely not the case with everyone. You must be gentle, but firm. Break up with him as soon as possible.

Felicia doesn’t have time for pettiness, and neither should you. There are plenty of datable people in this school, so break up with your boo and go find another one!

Bye, Felicia

MISCELLANEOUS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

Tubman on the 20?

by La’Keirra Owens & MaryKate Newman A woman replacing Andrew right leaders will be placed on Jackson on the twenty dollar the 5 and 10 dollar bills. These bill. changes have not been set on a On April 20, 2016, U.S. date to happen but rumors are Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew that this will happen in 2020. announced that Harriet TubHarriet Tubman became a faman will be replacing Andrew mous black abolitionist on the Jackson on the twenty dollar Underground Railroad during bill while Alexander Hamilton the 1850’s. She was born and will remain on the 10 dollar bill.

Lew also announced that changes will be made to the five and ten dollar bills. The new ten dollar bill has been said that it will feature the 1913 march for wom- raised as a slave in the Maryen’s suffrage that ended at the land eastern shore. Not only did Treasury Department on the she receive field work, she also back. Also, women and civil had brutal beatings. In 1849,

Tubman ran away leaving her family to escape. During her journey, she returned to the South at least 19 times to help other slaves to freedom.

She was also a scout, a spy, and a nurse during the Civil War. For more than three years, in Florida she nursed the sick and wounded attending to white, blacks, soldiers, and contrabands.

Finally after the war ended, Tubman returned to New York. She continued to help former slaves adjust to their new lives. She became an active advocate of women’s suffrage. Harriet Tubman died, March 10, 1913, at the age of

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MISCELLANEOUS

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

Bored? Here is what you should do

Ideas of ways to impact your community if one is bored during the summer break

by Hailey Edwards

Sitting at home during the summer can sometimes be boring. One fun thing to do in one’s community is to volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to help in the community.

Most people think that volunteering is boring, but they might be surprised of what they could learn by volunteering. There are many reasons to volunteer in your community: volunteers gain professional experience, it brings people together, it can bring people in the community together, you get a chance to give back to the community.

To start finding volunteer-

ing jobs one handy site is www. volunteeroxford.org. This site helps one find a variety of volunteer jobs in the Oxford/Lafayette community. More ideas for community service for teens is www.teenlife.com.

But, volunteering does not mean they have to leave the house to do community service.

Cleaning out a closet in someone’s house can be volunteering. Here are a few jobs that might make summer better: Community Service: • Donate clothes to Goodwill or The Salvation Army.

• Donate non-perishable foods to the food bank.

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Bring new or used toys to a children’s hospital like Le Bonheur or Pediatric offices in Oxford.

If your birthday is in the summer, ask people to give donations to a charity instead of giving gifts.

Send a care package to deployed troops, veterans, or wounded soldiers. Look at Operation Gratitude or Give2TheTroops to learn who to send it to and what to donate.

A very simple one is offer to do work at an elderly neighbors home who isn’t able to do certain house

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work.

One-day Events: A run or walk for an event that raises money for an event.

Participate in cleaning up a local park.

Host a food packaging event to help hungry children with organizations like Stop Hunger Now. Donate money to ICM (Interfaith Compassion Ministry)

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THE ANCHOR

THE COMMODORE CRUISER

Senior Anchor Senior

Senior

Teacher

Senior

16

Senior

Holly Webster

Dominic Bryant Gail Caldwell

Meghan Munson Jesus Escobedo

Where are you attending college and what for?

Where are you attending college and what for?

- Northwest Community College for business What three famous people, living or dead, would you want at your fantasy dinner party?

- Jason Statham, Prince, and Jessica Biel If you found $1000, would you turn it in or keep it?

- I would keep it because they aparently aren’t capable of keeping up with a thousand dollars.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

- Pull my finger Which of the seven dwarves are you most like?

- I don’t see myself as any of them, I am my own person.

Where are you attending college and what for?

- Ole Miss and going for communication disorders What three famous people, living or dead, would you want at your fantasy dinner party?

- Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, and Anne Hathaway If you found $1000, would you turn it in or keep it?

- Turn it in

- First Northwest, then, West Alabama for athletic training

What three famous people, living or dead, would you want at your fantasy dinner party?

- Archie Manning, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West

If you found $1000, would you turn it in or keep it?

- Turn in half and keep half

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

- Always have a forgiving heart because everyone has a story and you never know what’s going on in their life.

Which of the seven dwarves are you most like?

- It’s a tie between Sleepy and Grumpy

Where did you attend college and what for?

- Northwest MS Community College - Paralegal - Ole Miss Business Education, Special Education (Masters) - National Board Certification, Exceptional Needs What three famous people, living or dead, would you want at your fantasy dinner party?

- Sally Field, Mrs. Bautistia, Jesus Christ What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

If someone is mistreating you or has done you wrong, just kill them with kindness.

Which of the seven dwarves are you most like?

- The last couple weeks I’ve been Sleepy, but normally I would say Happy How long have you been apart of the LHS staff?

- 23 years APRIL-MAY ISSUE

What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

- “A lady is, as a lady does.”

Which of the seven dwarves are you most like?

- Happy

Where are you attending college and what for?

- Ole Miss for marketing What three famous people, living or dead, would you want at your fantasy dinner party?

- Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Nicki Minaj.

If you found $1000, would you turn it in or keep it?

- Keep it What’s the best piece of advice you have received?

- “Don’t care about other people’s opinions, just focus on yourself.”

Which of the seven dwarves are you most like?

- Doc