The Hi-Times January/February 2016

VOLUME 74 ISSUE 4

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL

4125 Golden Wave Dr., Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

THE

HI-TIMES JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

INDEX

• NEWS..........................2

• FEATURES.............4

Coed Cheer places ninth at nationals.

PG8

• OPINIONS..................6 • SPORTS..........................7

• ART&ENTERTAINMENT...........10

JUST A BALL AND A DREAM

JEREMY HINDS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

From left, Joseph Jones and Alayjah Sherer are leading their respective teams in scoring.

Joseph Jones on track to being a star See Alayjah Sherer’s story, PG8

Jeremy Hinds @_JHinds Chief Photographer

It’s Dec. 9, 2014. The home game against Aberdeen is in the fourth quarter with a couple of seconds left on the clock. The bleachers are filled with Golden Wave fans and the air is filled with excitement. The Wave had caught momentum from the last few plays, and the score gap was widening.

This game is one that guard Joseph Jones will always remember, and a game that one unlucky Aberdeen defender will never forget.

On a fast break the ball is passed to Joseph Jones, who then accelerated toward the paint. The crowd jumped in anticipation, screaming “Dunk it!” Jones proceeded to elevate from almost free throw range and viciously slammed the ball down on the goal– and the Aberdeen defender who decided to try and take the charge. Enter the world of Joseph “Dunk On You” Jones.

Jones hasn’t always dominated the hardwood. At one point, basketball was the last thing on his mind.

“I wasn’t always interested in basketball,” he said. “I didn’t start until the eighth grade. I used to play football and they were like, ‘Joseph you need to play basketball.’”

Jones was added to Tupelo’s basketball roster during the beginning of his junior year at the guard position and immediately started having a major impact in key games at crucial times. He averaged an impactful 14 points and three rebounds a game during his first three recorded games.

Although a high-profile, explosive starter on Tupelo’s roster, Jones’ major notoriety did not occur until a video of his powerful dunk went viral with more than 2,500 views on YouTube. Within a month of its release, the video was featured on MaxPreps’ “Play of the Week” and “Top 10 High School Dunks of 2014-15” segments. Most notably, the video was featured on USA Today’s High School Sports page.

“No words could explain how I felt after,” Jones

said. “So much happened so fast. My adrenaline was running and I just didn’t know how to react.”

With Division I colleges like Ole Miss and multiple community colleges courting him, the 6-foot-1, 165-pound phenom has quite the hype to live up to, and Jones said he feels he rises to every expectation of his nickname.

“The nickname stands pretty strong, I got it for a reason,” Jones said with a big grin. “Just know when I’m on the court, beware.”

While very confident in his abilities, Jones still maintains the level of humility necessary to be an exemplary leader, but also productive teammate. He is in the gym every day working hard and striving to get better alongside fellow standout players like Tre Jenkins, Tygil Hereford and E.J. Fuller. After a hard-fought, one-point loss to Hernando on Jan. 19, Jones and the rest of the team are still optimistic.

“I feel like we’ve been a pretty good team this season,” Jones said. “Coming off of this bounceback loss, we’re just trying to come together as a team and show people what the Golden Wave is made of.”

THS students perform random acts of kindness Karlee Avery @karleeavery Business Manager

KARLEE AVERY

Brice Pickens picks up litter in the courtyard near the cafeteria.

Students at Tupelo High School go out of their way to complete random acts of kindness all the time.

Teenagers can get caught up in stereotypes such as being extremely lazy and up to no good. Senior Brice Pickens is one unsung hero at THS. Pickens picks up trash around the courtyard during second lunch every day.

“Honestly I don’t have anything better to do,” Pickens said. “I noticed it was dirty and just thought I’d pick something up. It just kinda turned into a regular thing.”

Pickens has picked up some interesting items in the courtyard. Usually it’s halfempty Cheeto bags and empty salad boxes, but sometimes it’s gross like “a used corn cob or used gum,” he said.

Pickens may keep the courtyard clean, but doesn’t wear gloves.

“Would it make you comfortable if I said yes?” he asked jokingly.

Even though he doesn’t do it for attention, people around campus do take notice.

“Some of the security guards thank me,” he said. “Most of the students look at me like I’m weird.”

Assistant Principal Tyrone Catledge said that he didn’t realize Pickens was cleaning up the courtyard until a teacher told him about it.

“That makes me happy honestly, because you don’t see that,” Catledge said. “Instead of most students picking up after themselves, they’re leaving it for somebody else to do it. That actually makes me feel good that we have somebody that sees that and that’s trying to be responsible and pick up even after people that wasn’t responsible themselves. That makes me feel good that we have some people like that out there.”

Along with Pickens, there are several other THS students who perform random acts of kindness.

See Kindness on PG4

{

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016J

{

Pre-reading assignments help students maintain fluency

WHAT’S COMIN’ UP

• Groundhog Day Feb. 2

• Dulcimer Day @ Tupelo Visitor’s Center Feb. 6 • Dragsters @ Tupelo Automobile Museum Feb. 6-7 • Super Bowl 50: The Golden Superbowl Feb. 7 • Tupelo Children’s Mansion Fellowship Banquet Feb. 9

• Third Quarter Progress Reports Feb. 11 • Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 • NBA All Star Game Feb. 14 • Presidents’ Day Feb. 15 • THS Black History Program Feb. 16

• SAT Feb. 20 • Brantley Gilbert Concert @ BancorpSouth Arena Feb. 27 • Leap Day Feb. 29 • Third Quarter Assessments March 2-4

Q

: How long has THS had required pre-reading assignments for English?

A

: Prior to my arrival in 2003, the English Department had required summer/winter reading. Oftentimes, reading lists are associated only with English classes; however, other disciplines, particularly the History Department, too did require incoming reading assignments.

Because reading and writing are inseparable, pre-reading assignments may serve as a vehicle to improve student writing.

Summer/Winter assignments also help students to sustain and to advance their vocabulary. Unfortunately, not all students experience other destinations during summer and winter breaks.

Reading in itself is an exploration and allows students to journey along with characters.

: There is no one specific reason for pre-reading assignments.

Summer/Winter assignments help students to maintain reading fluency, which is based on the principle “use it or lose it.” Research consistently highlights the loss of learning of students who are not engaged during school breaks. A study conducted by John Hopkins suggests that students from low-income families “lost more than two months of reading achievement” during summer break.

Subsequently, teachers spend too much time at the beginning of each school year or semester re-teaching. Because reading and writing are inseparable, pre-reading assignments may serve as a vehicle to improve student writing. Summer/Winter assignments also help students to sustain and to advance their vocabulary. Unfortunately, not all students experience other destinations during summer and winter breaks. Reading in itself is an exploration and allows students to journey along with characters. Of course, one goal of pre-reading assignments is to cultivate a commitment to reading.

FAHRENHEIT 451 OR NIGHT? Fahrenheit 451 Night

62%

ANIMAL FARM OR TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE? Animal Farm

Tuesday with Morrie

Q A

: How are books chosen?

: The books are selected thoughtfully–with regards to accessibility, cost and content–by the English Department faculty.

Q A

: How often do they change?

: There have been changes in recent years. For the most part, the changes are minute, consisting of a rotation of texts.

Q A

: Do you have a personal favorite from the list? : My preference changes, but I do enjoy and respect each of the selections.

ROMEO AND JULIET OR JULIUS CAESAR? Romeo amd Juliet Julius Caesar

44%

- April Friar English teacher

7%% 502

• End Third Quarter March 7

Required reading has been part of English classes at Tupelo High School for more than a decade. The Hi-Times asked April Friar, chairman of the English Department, about the need for pre-reading assignments and their benefits.

7% % 562

• Monster Jam @ BancorpSouth Arena Feb. 19 - 20

Q A

: Why do we have prereading assignments?

@karleeavery Business Manager

7%% 802

• Mardi Gras Feb. 9

Karlee Avery

7% % 382

• Charity Ball Feb. 5

WHAT IS THE BEST REQUIRED READING BOOK?

20%

2NEWS

• Spring Break March 14-18

HOUSE ON MANGO STREET OR COLOR OF WATER?

• Tupelo Don’t Be Cruel BBQ Duel March 18-20

The House on Mango Street The Color of Water

• Easter Holidays March 25-28

50%

• Winter Jam @BancorpSouth Arena March 31 • April Fools Day April 1

7%% 302

• Black Rodeo April 2

BEOWULF OR SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT?

• THS Prom, Let the Good Times Roll April 2

Beowulf

• I Love The 90’s concert @ BancorpSouth Arena April 16

Sir Gawain

70% KARLEE AVERY

Selections for required reading are available in the THS Media Center.

3

NEWS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

carlet’s S

JEREMY HINDS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Doughnut holes and other flavors and styles sit hot and ready for waiting customers at Scarlet’s Do-Nuts.

Scarlet’s Do-Nuts makes transition from Shipley’s Hayden Johnson @haydenjahnsahn Staff Writer

There is a new player in the doughnut game, and her name is Scarlet.

Scarlet and David Wilson were the owners of the Tupelo Shipley’s locations until late last year.

“Shipley’s wanted to go corporate, but we wanted to stay local, so that’s what we did,” Scarlet Wilson said. “There would have been too many changes that we did not want to comply with. Things that customers of the Tupelo locations are used to, like tamales and dough rolls, would have disappeared from the menu.”

“It doesn’t taste that different to me,” Tupelo High School teacher Jessica Bragg said. “I’m excited about the new one that’s about to open up.”

Brooklyn Johnson, however, a senior at THS and a frequent Shipley’s customer, does not approve of the change.

“I don’t like it,” she said. “The Shipley’s name was a part of Tupelo culture. It was almost like a staple of the city. It was a historic landmark in Tupelo, so

it’s strange to see it go.”

Although some regular Shipley’s customers are worried about the change, they shouldn’t have too much to worry about.

“We didn’t want to change the menu,” Wilson said. “We are keeping the dough rolls, the tamales, and the same icing recipes. The only thing that has changed is the mix, the name, and the logo. The original owners are still here.”

A new Scarlet’s location will open on North Gloster “very soon,” Wilson said. “My daughter and her husband will run the North Gloster location when it opens. We’ve been waiting for the right time to open the store, and that time is almost here. It’s very important to me that everyone knows that it’s still the same, original owners. I can’t stress that enough.”

In addition to the new name, the local staple is changing its doughnut mix.

“Most people don’t know that we’ve started using the new mix,” Wilson said. “People will come in, order their doughnuts, eat them, and then ask us when we are making the changes. We started using the new recipes right after we ran out sometime in

late December. We were worried about the transition at first but all seems to be going well.”

Wilson, or “the doughnut Queen” as employee Doug Stewart calls her, seems to have done something correctly. Although this was a big change, it doesn’t seem that way. Scarlet’s is still being visited by many THS students who pass on their way to school every day.

“Without the high school and all the students in Tupelo, we wouldn’t be anything,” Stewart said.

“Thank you.”

THS senior Taylor Justice is also a regular at the doughnut shop.

“It’s kind of sad that they changed everything,” she said. “They changed the box, the sign, the name, and I’m sure they’ll have new bags too. It’s strange to see ‘Scarlet’s’ instead of ‘Shipley’s.’”

Although it may be strange seeing a new name paired with your favorite local doughnut, frequent customers shouldn’t have much to worry about.

“Although I’m still a little shell-shocked, I’m hopeful,” Wilson said when asked about the future of Scarlet’s. “We still have the same great employees and the same great product.”

Technology gets a new beginning with Chromebooks

VS MARY CATHERINE MILLER AND AUSTIN NGUYEN

From left, a standard school-issued Chrombook used by lower grades until next year, and a MacBook with an exploded battery.

Austin Nguyen @squishynguyen Staff Writer

This year’s seniors have had their MacBooks since sixth grade. When students first received them, everyone was ecstatic that they got to use MacBooks for schoolwork, but after a few years the wear and tear has begun to show.

Some students have reported that by the time someone tries to open Haiku, download notes or even open them, the teacher is already halfway through the lesson.

The MacBooks have so many issues now that the Help Desk is constantly filled with broken computers, some of which have broken trackpads and dead or “exploded” batteries.

“In Macro we have to download our notes before we start, and by the time I finish downloading what we need he is almost done teaching,” senior Emma

Rice said. “The MacBooks are way too slow and it takes too much time to prepare for class with them.”

If all goes according to plan, future students at THS will be receiving a new type of laptop: the Chromebook.

“They asked us for an amount of Chromebooks we need, but we are not sure when they will arrive,” assistant principal Tyrone Catledge said.

Students at Tupelo Middle School and Milam have already moved to Chromebooks.

According to laptopmag.com, instead of Windows or Mac OS, Chromebooks run Google’s Chrome OS. Chromebooks are designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet, with most applications and documents living in the cloud.

“With the Chromebooks we won’t be able to run Balfour and InDesign so I’m going to ask Principal Harris if we can keep a classroom set of the MacBooks completely stripped down of everything ex-

cept the things we need, like Photoshop and the entire Adobe Suite,” yearbook teacher Shari Chumley said.

Although these Chromebooks are small and more convenient and are hopefully faster than the current MacBooks, the yearbook staff needs to keep the almost ancient MacBooks to help design future yearbooks. This is also true of The Hi-Times staff, which uses Photoshop and InDesign every day.

“At first the MacBooks were very useful, and doing work was easy and the teachers don’t have to print out as much paper as they did, saving the school a lot of money,” senior and yearbook staffer Will Herrington said. “The concept of MacBooks had good intentions, but I bring my own.”

4FEATURES

Random Acts of Kindness

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016J

THS Theatre celebrates 30 years

Continued from PG1

Callie Philips Sophomore Callie Philips has been handing out sticky notes with positive messages between first and second block in downstairs A Building.

“I was in first block, and I had sticky notes in my backpack,” Philips said. “My friend and I were talking about how we’ve seen people pass out sticky notes at some schools, so I went into Mr. Hinds’ class in second block. I told him that it would be cool if we had done that, so he have me a pack of sticky notes. He told me to write down smiley faces, ‘have a great day,’ and just random stuff and hand them out.”

Although not everyone reacts positively, Philips said that she would do it again.

“Besides getting weird looks,

Chael Williams @chael_williams Staff Writer

CHRIS PATTY

Callie Philips gives sticky notes with a positive message to Jasper Gardner and other students as they head to second block.

people will smile and say ‘thank you,’ and say ‘have a great day’ back,” she said “It makes you feel great.”

Perry Hershfelt Junior Perry Hershfelt has given back to her community through her church, All Saints’ Episcopal. In December, her youth group split into smaller groups to do things around the Tupelo area, such as visiting nursing homes, putting money into vending machines, and giving leftover food to a charitable organization.

“My group went to put change in vending machines and gave our leftover pizza to Salvation Army,” Hershfelt said. “We took poinsettias and a card to a nursing home. With the money left over, we went to Fred’s and got blankets and hand warmers to hand out to homeless people around our church.”

Lexi Roberts Junior Lexi Roberts picked up a little boy on the side of the road and drove him home.

“I picked up this little boy that was walking on the side of the street with bags of groceries in his hand,” Roberts said.

“I turned around and asked him where he was going, so I dropped him off and talked to his mom to let her know that I wasn’t a stranger.”

In addition to wanting to help a child, Roberts was concerned about the weather.

“I just wanted to help him, and it was cold outside,” she said.

CHAEL WILLIAMS

Past show posters are displayed in D Building.

To celebrate three decades of theatre, the current members of Thespian Troupe 1949 will host Tupelo High School Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. The celebration will take place on Feb. 5 in the Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and the public is invited.

The event will include performances of songs and acting scenes from current and past cast members. Scenes from “The Music Man,” “Crimes of the Heart,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Rumors,” “Seven Deadly Sins,” “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and also various individual competition events from current cast members. A brief history of the THS Theatre Department and key people will be given.

Allana Austin, chairman of the THS Theatre Department, is in charge of the event and will also be directing the scenes and songs.

“I am most excited that all of the the-

atre kids are coming back to see what we have accomplished since they have been gone,” Austin said. “We have casts going all the way back to 1998 to do scenes that were popular, so the current thespians can see what they did as well.”

Past casts will be the ones performing the scenes from “Crimes of the Heart” and “Steel Magnolias,” while the current casts will perform scenes from two shows they have put on this year, “Rumors” and “Seven Deadly Sins.” Current students will also perform individual pieces. Current and past casts will come together to perform the songs “Trouble” from “The Music Man” and “Happiness is…” from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

The THS Theatre Department has been important to many students like junior Emma Gousset.

“The Theatre Department is a safe place where I can be myself and feel confident on stage, and it is where I have made some of my closest friends,” Gousset said.

Gousset said she is excited for all of

the former thespians to return and perform, and she is also anticipating their reaction to current thespians’ performances.

Gousset will reprise her role of Chris Gorman from the show “Rumors,” and she will also sing “Climbing Uphill” from the show “The Last 5 Years.”

Also at the 30th Anniversary celebration, the directors will discuss the upcoming show “Absolutely Murder,” which will be in late April in the THS small auditorium. This show is significant because it was the first show to ever be staged by the THS Theatre Department when it was established in 1986.

Current theatre students see this as a unique way to connect to past theatre students.

“To be a part of THS Theatre in general is a huge honor and blessing for me,” current theatre student Chera Jones said. “Being able to recreate the first show ever put on by this family is an even bigger honor.”

IN THE HALLS What is a random act of kindness you have

done?

“I held open a door for someone.

I like everybody in this school.”

“I’ve held open a door for people.”

“I gave someone my pistachios in class once because they didn’t have any food.”

Zack Guidry

Philip Johnson

Maggie Cayson

Sophomore

Junior

“This guy came into Chick-fil-A and didn’t have any money, so I bought him a meal.”

“I hold the door open for people.”

Shelby White Junior

Sophomore

“You don’t count random acts of kindness.

They aren’t random then.”

Connor Harper Junior

Sophomore

“I gave Sarah my lunch.”

Meredith Friloux Senior Sally Norman

“I help pick up the paper plates in the trash and put trays on the tables.”

Heaven Walker Junior

“I help clean up the cafeteria.”

Julia Partlow Junior

“One time I donated extra money from band to someone else’s band fees.”

Lylla Clardy Sophomore

“I’ve helped people.”

Gevalia Brown Junior

“I made Valentine’s Day cards for old people.”

Emma Grace Joyner Sophomore

“One time I was in New York, and my friend and I helped a little girl find her mom.”

“I bought a friend Starbucks on a whim.”

“I open a door for everybody.”

Hayden Cockrell

Susannah Eidt

Kaylee Hernandez Junior

Sophomore

Junior

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

5

FEATURES

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAND HINDS

Rand Hinds holds up an “English Is Fun” sign at the Grand Canyon in July 2015.

Rand Hinds: A modern-day Walter Mitty Chael WIlliams @chael_williams Staff Writer

Rand Hinds enjoys being able to connect with his students through his experiences and first-hand knowledge of the world. With all the places Hinds has been and experienced, he would give Walter Mitty, the focal point of short story and film, a run for his money.

Hinds, who like the fictional character acts upon his dreams of adventure, is known among his Tupelo High School students for his travels and experiences and how nearly every school break he goes somewhere new.

“I like to see different places,” Hinds said “There’s much more out there to go and learn about.”

Hinds has been to 39 states excluding Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, New Mexico, Hawaii, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Wyoming. He’s also been to nine different countries.

His favorite cities include New York City, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Denver, San Diego, Chicago, and his all-time favorite: New Orleans.

“I also really like going out West,” he said “I enjoy the openness and the mountains, and through going out West I’ve learned to love snow skiing.”

Because he also enjoys attending sporting events, “I will often try and see local professional sports teams play,” Hinds said.

Hinds, however, doesn’t just go to different plac-

es for the entertainment purposes, he often will go to the places where historical events have taken place and also try and find any local museums in the area to see what he can learn. A large emphasis on learning from travel is put on by Hinds. He feels that you get a better understanding of the world as a whole through travel and that is a large motivation for him to do it.

“You can’t really learn about these places just by hearing about them, you have to really go to get the full knowledge of them,” Hinds said.

Every traveler needs a traveling buddy and Hinds is no exception. Hinds enjoys taking his faithful friend Herbert the Hedgehog along with him on his travels. ”Herbert has been just about as many places as I have,” Hinds said with a grin. “He needs the travel just as much as I do.”

Hinds began to laugh thinking about some of the stories that he has experienced by being on the road.

“One time, Herbert and I were driving through the Holland Tunnel and my car began to stall. We ended up starting a huge traffic jam inside one of the busiest tunnels in America,” Hinds said. “Another time when I was in Washington, D.C. we were stopped by the secret service because we had accidentally driven onto White House property! While visiting Scotland I went on a tour to one of the nearby castles. When the tour was over I somehow did not make it to the bus on time and it had left me. I tried to call the police to see if they could help me find my hotel but I couldn’t figure out what the name was. So I ended up asking the

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAND HINDS

Hinds relaxes with a book at Dauphin Island, Alabama, in January 2015.

police to come pick me up and we drove around until I finally remembered the name of my hotel.”

Hinds uses the knowledge he has gained from travel in his classroom on a day to day basis.

“Because of all of the experiences Mr. Hinds has from all of his traveling, he was able to help me think about college choices as someone who wants to go out of state,” junior Cooper Moore said.

Rand Hinds enjoys being able to connect with his students through his experiences and first-hand knowledge of the world.

With all the places Hinds has been and experienced, he would give Walter Mitty, the focal point of short story and film, a run for his money.

JEREMY HINDS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Hinds and Herbert the Hedgehog point to the Grand Canyon on a globe.

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016J

Opinions

6OPINIONS

The misconception of political correctness

Chael Williams @Chael_Williams Staff Writer

THE

HI-TIMES A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Editor-in-Chief: Nathan Jackson Assiassnt Editor: Treyce Bannerman Chief Photographer: Jeremy Hinds Sports Editor: Meredith Beasley Business Manager: Karlee Avery Staff Writers: Tamara Crump Hayden Johnson Aaron Kwag Bryan Kwag Mary Catherine Miller Austin Nguyen Chris Patty Keywanna Rogers Anhthu Truong Chael Williams Tayolor Witherspoon Adviser: Ginny Miller See more news at thscurrent.org Follow us on Twitter @tupelohitimes

It’s kind of ironic that I am writing an article on political correctness while trying not to offend anyone but still voice how I feel, huh? I believe that sentence can be described as how many Americans these days feel.

It is also my belief that we as a nation have misconstrued what political correctness is in its true form. Political correctness is not the idea that we shouldn’t voice our opinions because we are too afraid of how people will view us or if it will offend someone. Political correctness is the art of having an opinion and sharing it in a way that is respectful and understanding.

Too many times in our society people have not taken a stand in their own beliefs because of the fear of others’ beliefs. This country we live in was bred on the ideals of freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, etc. This freedom we are promised gives us the right to an opinion and have beliefs, which is what makes America great. We should be thankful

IN THE HALLS Is it more important to be politically correct and not offend someone, or to tell it like it is?

“Tell it like it is.”

- Jessica Wright Junior

“Being politically correct is good, and it does matter because you’re respecting that specific person or group.”

“It is important to tell is like it is.”

Kyree Bradford Senior

- Ana Acosta Sophomore

“I think people should tell it like it is.”

“I think you should be politically correct and not offend someone because you’re more likely to get your way if you don’t offend people.”

- Karmen Weeks Freshman

- Tylon Parker Junior

VALENTINE’S DAY 101 @TayolorJay Staff Writer

Editorial Policy It is the intent of the editorial staff to provide Tupelo High School students with an opportunity to create a productive forum to further enhance a positive academic environment at the school.

The opinions expressed on the editorial page reflect the feelings of the entire Hi-Times staff unless otherwise bylined.

Guest editorials may be submitted to The Hi-Times and will be published according to available space and relevance.

Anonymous submissions will not be considered.

to better understand why people believe what they believe and can help unite us as a whole society.

But this is also two-way street. I am not talking to just one side of the population right now. ALL people should be able to speak their opinions and not fear others no matter the race, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc.

Through this mutual understanding and respect that can be formed, we will be able to grow and be able to unite better as a human race. As Martin Luther King once said, “Hate cannot drive out hate.

Only love can do that.” King wants us to realize hate and slander will get us nowhere, but love, understanding and respect will.

So next time you are in a group of people who may not have the same beliefs as you, voice your opinion. Explain to them why you believe the way you do in a respectful and kind way, and do not be afraid of how they will think of you.

As long as you are using respectful and non-offensive words, only they can be in the wrong.

DEAR TAYOLOR:

Tayolor Witherspoon

Corrections The Hi-Times newspaper staff is committed to writing the most accurate and compelling news. We strive for integrity. If there is a misprint in an article, photo cutline or infographic, please tell us, and we will correct the mistake in our next issue.

for that blessing and take full advantage of it, not let what other people believe or feel affect our opinions, beliefs or morals.

We must be sure, however, to do this in a respectful way. How can we expect anyone to listen to us if we do not treat them with the basic respect that all people deserve? No one will want to listen to you if you are treating them like they are below you, more of a “sinner” than you, or more “close-minded” than you.

People respond and are able to communicate well and in a civilized manner if you talk to them as your equal,because in reality, you are no better than them and they are no better than you.

It is also important to remember that if you should be able to voice your opinion, others should be able to do the same to you and receive the same respect that you were given. So often we can dish out our opinions, but whenever someone claims to disagree, even in a considerate and polite way, we become angry and feel attacked. Listening to other people’s views, although you may not agree, can be a learning experience

Guess what’s near? A holiday some both love and hate: Valentine’s Day! Some of you may have a few questions.

For example, “How do I ask someone to be my Valentine?” “What is there to do?” Or even, “What are some good gift ideas to give my Valentine?” There are many different ways to ask someone, plenty of fun things to do and a variety of gifts to give!

There are various ways to ask someone to be your Valentine. You could ask by writing a letter, with a card, in person, even over the phone or through a text. A letter is probably most original, because it’s made up of nothing but your feelings! Sweet, heart to heart words that you actually mean will always work, such as telling that person why you’d like them to be your valentine or even why you think they’d make a good valentine. This is a definite, easy way to put a smile on someone’s face!

Don’t feel confident enough in your letter-writing skills? Try a card! During the holiday season, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger and your other local retailers have a section reserved for Valentine cards only. Some are sweet and heartfelt and others are more on the corny

side, whatever you think your Valentine would like best!

I personally think that the best way to ask someone is in person. Not only is it more direct and intimate, I find it to be more polite as well. I know that to some, it may be nerve-racking and you may be a little shy, but going out your way to make another feel special will reward you with appreciation!

While some may prefer face to face interactions, there is nothing wrong with asking electronically. A simple text like, “Hey, I was wondering, would you be my Valentine?” is a quick and less challenging way.

Next, what some tend to worry most about. What is there to do on Valentine’s Day? There are many reasons why figuring out what to do may be stressful. As teens and young adults, we don’t always have the funds. Focus less on over the top and more on from the heart! You don’t have to take your date to a restaurant where just a 10-ounce steak alone is $40. You don’t have to struggle to put a down payment on a $10,000 diamond tennis bracelet. You and your date could simply go to a burger joint, catch a movie at the local theater, have a nice picnic in the park or just stay home and enjoy each other’s time.

No Valentine this year? Spend it with friends!

“On Valentine’s Day, I’ll actually be celebrating Galentine’s Day,” senior Anna Claire Lothorp said. “It’s like celebrating Valentine’s Day, but instead of with a guy, you get with your friend girls and celebrate the fact that you’re all single.”

Guys, you and your homeboys could go hang out and play video games or even go to the bowling alley. Here in Tupelo, Rebel Lanes has its very own pool table open to the public!

Lastly, my absolute favorite: Gifts!

There are so many different gift ideas to choose from. Guys, want to really impress? Go with jewelry! Remember, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Girls, don’t know what your beau would like?

Food. Guys love food. Plot twist: take him to dinner! These don’t work for you? You can always go with the classic teddy bear, balloons and don’t forget...

Chocolate! I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate? If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a gift card.

My best advice about Valentine’s Day overall is to enjoy yourself. Face your fears and just ask already. Don’t overthink plans and gifts. Keep it simple and sweet. Spend Valentine’s with a group of people, and have some fun together.

Even if you’re by your lonesome this year, just spoil yourself.

Happy V-Day, peeps!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES 1

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6. Taylor Russell is going to the Univeristy of Alabama at Birmingham to bowl.

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SPORTS

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7. Chase Cannon is going to Northeast Mississippi Community College to play football.

8. Bre Thompson is going to the University of North Alabama to run cross country.

9. Kyree Bradford is going to Jackson State University to play football.

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10. R’Darious Edwards is going to Northeast Mississippi Community College to play football.

STUDENT SIGNINGS AT THS

1. Cade Fremont is going to Delta State University to play soccer.

2. Jarvis Smithey going to Itawamba Community College to play football.

3. Logan Little is going to Itwamba Community College to play soccer.

4. From left, Liza Wise is going to Mississippi College for soccer, Chase Huddleston is going to Itawamba Community College for soccer, and Lauren Kate Carter is going to Mississippi College for soccer.

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5. Jason Garrett is going to the University of Memphis for baseball.

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KARLEE AVERY

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8SPORTS

CHEERS TO COED

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016J

Alayjah Sherer has passion for basketball Continued from PG1 Keywannna Rogers

Meredith Beasley

IG: @keyy.lashayy Staff Writer

@mbeez33 Sports Editor

Cheerleading is probably one of the most underrated sports at Tupelo High School, even though it’s one of the most competitive teams on campus. Known most for their sideline entertainment, these cheerleaders – both girls and guys – also train to compete against other schools. In the past 10 years, they’ve been to nationals 10 times, placing as high as seventh back in 2014. What other sport can say that? This season has been another successful season for the Wave.

“We started off with a strong season,” said head coach Kama Alford, who has coached nine of the past 10 seasons.

The team was named Grand Champions at the State Fair competition in Jackson back in October. Since then, the team has been to regionals in Southaven, where they secured a place in the nationals competition.

At each competition, each team performs a routine that is two and a half minutes long. The competition team, or the ones “on the mat,” consists of the entire team’s best cheerleaders, with extras on deck as alternates. The alternates are ready to compete in case of injury or sickness.

The team also competed in the state competition, but weren’t as successful as expected. A few mistakes, such as dropped stunts, kept Tupelo from securing that familiar first-place spot.

“We had a perfect warm up and then we took the floor and didn’t do as well as we had planned,” Alford said. “Sometimes in sports things just don’t go the way they’re planned, and it just didn’t that day. That day didn’t show our talent. We are more talented than that two minutes and 30 seconds.”

Alford said with state now in the past, the team is looking forward to nationals.

“We don’t plan for what happened at state to happen again,” she said. “We have an opportunity to redeem ourselves, so we are working hard to do that.”

Coed Cheer placed ninth at Nationals, which were held in Orlando, Florida, on Feb 6 and 7. The competition was at Disney World, and the team got a few days in the park to ride the rides, meet the characters and just have fun. The team always looks forward to this trip and the opportunity to compete against teams from around the country.

Tupelo’s cheer team is coed, but in the past there haven’t been many guys on the team. This year that changed.

Eighteen boys tried out this year and 12 made it, and seven of those 12 are on the mat.

“Our guys, though not young in age, are young in the sport,” Alford said.

“They’re all new to it and they’ve grown so much this year. I think that’s good for our school.”

This is senior Tripp Matthews’ first year on the team, and he has really enjoyed it. Matthews said that being a guy on the team has a lot less pressure.

“As a girl, there’s a lot of competition to see who gets on the mat,” Matthews said. “With guys it’s just laid back.”

THS cheer is a very important part of our student body and athletic program.

The ones who are usually doing the cheering definitely deserve their own cheerleaders.

Coed Cheer members are Emily Anderson, Jaylin Baker, Zabian Blanchard, Satsha Burden, Kennedy Chapman, Farrah Cox, Elijah Daniel, Ashton Davis, Elizabeth Emmons, Donte Freeman, Christian Green, Madelyn Hammond, Karli Hill, Mary Grace Hudson, Mary King, Emma Leathers, Tripp Matthews, Brooke McAuley, Rachael McGhie, Lilla McGraw, Jasman Mitchell, Courtney Pugh, Mark Ray, Mckenzie Richardson, Samuel Russell, Reed Sanders, Leah Sevilla, Hannah Sheffield, Mary Caroline Underwood and Anna Kate Word.

JEREMY HINDS/ CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

It all started with just a ball and a basket. Now Alayjah Sherer, a 5-foot-11 junior, is using her athletic talents to take her to the next level as a member of the Tupelo High School Lady Wave basketball team.

“I love basketball, because I have a passion for it,” Sherer said.

Every player has strengths and weaknesses, and Sherer said she has problems staying focused and handling herself in difficult situations during games.

“That’s the most difficult thing for me to do, so I’m working on it,” Sherer said. “Sometimes, I can handle it well, but other times I can’t. Staying focused can be hard with so many distractions.”

She was able to focus against West Point on Nov. 10, scoring a record 37 points.

Some of Sherer’s accomplishments in basketball are being named one of the Top 10 Freshman to watch in 2013, being selected in 2015 to play later this spring in the North/South All-Star Basketball Game, and being the No. 3 forward in Mississippi.

Basketball wasn’t always Sherer’s first choice. She once played soccer in middle school.

“I stopped playing soccer because Mississippi is one of the few states to play soccer in the winter, which is crazy,” Sherer said. “I had to choose, so I chose basketball.”

Sherer can play all positions in basketball, but she usually plays forward. She started playing basketball

at an after-school program in the sixth grade, and then began playing for Tupelo Parks & Recreation.

Sherer’s skills have changed since when she played as a freshman to now as a junior.

“My shot has developed as well as my leadership skills,” Sherer said.

Sherer said she is impressed with the outcome of this season (18-8,41) because they practically have a new team. This team has no seniors, mostly sophomores, a few juniors and an eighth grader.

“We have been very progressive this year even though our team is practically brand new,” Sherer said.

“We have shocked a lot of people this season.”

Team captain Reagan Cook said she admires Sherer.

“She’s a very great player and she will go far in playing basketball,” Cook said. “She has always been there for us on and off the court. We are like a family. I think with her being the oldest on the team she steps up on the court when she has to, making the right plays at times that benefits us in the end.”

Sherer said her goals for the next five years are to graduate from college and possibly be drafted. She currently holds offers from Southeast Missouri State, Southern Mississippi, and East Carolina. Sherer is undecided on whether she wants to be a professional basketball player or not.

In the meantime, “I do it for God first,” Sherer said. “Because he blessed me with the talent that I have and then I do it for myself and my uncle who passed away.”

SPORTS COVERAGE

Joseph Jones lays up the ball on Shannon defenders.

Chemaya Carouthers drives the ball toward the goal during the Aberdeen game.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

Let’s Play Ball!

Reed brings 11 years of head coaching experience to Golden Wave Baseball Keywannna Rogers IG: @keyy.lashayy Staff Writer

Tupelo High School has a new head baseball coach who will be leading this year’s baseball team.

Justin Reed is THS’ third baseball coach since 1986. He replaced Gary Enis, who took an administrative/ teaching position. Reed has 11 years of experience of head coaching baseball. He played baseball at East Central Community College and graduated from Mississippi State University, where he earned a master’s degree in education.

Most recently, Reed coached the Golden Wave’s Division 2-6A rival, South Panola, for three years before he took the head coaching job for THS. “It was really hard to tell my old team that I was going to be coach-

ing the enemy,” Reed said. “But in the end they understood why I had to leave.”

Tupelo won Division 2-6A with a 16-9 record and Justin Reed defeated South Panola twice in three games.

“Tupelo was our biggest and hardest team to beat,” Reed said. “The coaches had a lot of trick plays up their sleeves and the players played like professionals. My team knew they had to play hard or Tupelo was going to win, and in the end Tupelo always won.”

He has also coached at Nanih Waiya High School and Louisville High School, where he graduated in 1999.

“Louisville is my hometown,” Reed

said. “That is where I first started coaching after I was fresh out of college. Everywhere I coached I was the head coach of baseball.”

Since this is Reed’s first year coaching the Golden Wave, he had to meet all of this year’s new and old players and practice with them daily to get to know their strengths and weaknesses.

“I wouldn’t call my new players experienced because the team is mostly filled with sophomores and juniors, and they still have a lot to improve on,” Reed said. “They are prepared for any competition that we may have. We lost a lot of our best players to graduation, but we have a pretty good team this year.”

Assistant coaches for baseball this year are Levi Bishop and Shane Nichols.

Nichols graduated from Mississippi State University in 2009. He was the head baseball coach at Tremont At-

tendance Center for four years. This is his first year as an assistant coach for the Golden Wave.

This is Bishop’s sixth season as an assistant coach in the region. A graduate of Saltillo High School, he attended Itawamba Community College and graduated from Delta State University, where he also played baseball.

Bishop was an assistant coach at Mantachie High School in 2010. His first season as an assistant coach for the Golden Wave was in 2011.

“I want to see my boys make it to the championship,” Reed said. “But I also want to see them just have fun, work hard as a team and play ball.”

The Golden Wave baseball team officially started practice Jan. 14.

Their first game is a home conference against Itawamba Agricultural on Feb. 26.

Track spikes and a baton are some of the major components of track.

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Will Golden Wave track

improve this season?

Jeremy Hinds @_JHinds Chief Photographer

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he clicking of a stop watch can be heard in the air followed by the sharp tapping sound of runners’ spikes as they power down the straightaway.

Heavy breathing, sweating and day dreaming about gold medals; these can only mean one thing, track season is finally here.

Starting in early February, runners practice after school five days a week. Braving weather in the low 30s at times in nothing but maybe a hoodie and sweatpants, they put in work every day with nothing but making it to state championships on their mind.

Although their track meet performances were very good last year, even having a state championship winner in the 300 meter hurdles, the Golden Wave track team faces many challenges this season. They have lost more than 10 seniors who were keys to the team’s success.

On top of the losses, the retirement of long-time sprints and hurdles coach Fred Hadley and the replacement with new coach Brandon Jackson has added more to the list of the struggles of the 2016 season. Tylon Parker, a standout junior whose first season brought him within a second of Hadley’s 400 meter dash record from 1984, is worried about the challenges that the team faces but is still optimistic about its performance.

“The loss of Coach Hadley is going to greatly affect the team, because he knew so much about the sport,” said Parker. “He was a great coach. I think the team will step up to the plate though. We have a lot of great, young talent to mold.”

Although there is a lot of young, raw talent available for this season, there are many vets returning. Tested competitors like Calvin Braddock, Jeremy Hinds, Shawn Wilson, RDarious Edwards, Reagan Cook and Reid Chapman are looking to create an impact and also make state championship appearances this season; most for the second time in a row.

The Wave’s 4x400 meter relay team placed fourth, 300 meter hurdler Jeremy Hinds placed first, and high and long jumpers Shawn Wilson and RDarious Edwards both placed sixth respectively. This performance with so many first-year track team members shows that despite the many challenges the team faces, the Wave will come back with a vengeance this season. With the anticipation of a new season, new uniforms and new possibilities the runners are ready to tear up the track on the road to state again.

“I’m predicting a great season for the team and myself because we have more experience from last season and how to overcome our nerves,” Parker said.

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Junior Tylon Parker prepares to sprint.

10ART&ENTERTAINMENT

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

ALBUM REVIEW

RESTAURANT REVIEW

MUGSHOTS

TELL ME I’M PRETTY

Tayolor Witherspoon @TayolorJay Staff Writer

JEREMY HINDS/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

The “Tell Me I’m Pretty” Deluxe Bundle includes a CTE T-shirt, bandana, coloring book and crayons, a CD version of “Tell Me I’m Pretty,” and the album on clear, 180g vinyl packaged in a gatefold with printed lyrics.

Hayden Johnson @haydenjahnsahn Staff Writer

When Cage the Elephant first came on the scene they were a super loud, nasty sounding and rambunctious group. CTE was not afraid to go for an easy A. Their first albums were good but mostly consisted of typical and uninteresting chord progressions and overused rap/sing/ speak type of lyrical expression, but something has changed in the past few years that really made CTE stick out and obtain the potential to become one of the best rock groups today.

I wasn’t a huge fan of CTE until they released their 2013 album, “Melophobia.” The first single was “Come a Little Closer.” I wasn’t particularly impressed, and I couldn’t really say that I loved the song but I was excited that the band’s

sound had transformed into something new. I waited for the album to release in October. I fell in love with CTE after this album, and they made their way to the list of my top five favorite current rock groups with just 10 tracks expertly placed into this album.

“Melophobia” was that rare album that you can listen to anytime, anyplace and anyway. This album seemed to take the band into a new direction musically.

The last song on the album, “Cigarette Daydreams,” leaves the listener wanting more. I couldn’t wait for the next album.

I wanted more “Melophobia” when the next album arrived, but that’s not what I got at all.

All throughout 2016 CTE fans were hopeful of what truth came with rumors of the new album. It wasn’t until the end of October that fans got a taste of the

new album. CTE released a music video for the first single, “Mess Around,” and it was unexpected and wonderful.

Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys not only produced the record, but ripped a gritty solo toward the backend of the new single. Two more singles, “Trouble” and “Too Late to Say Goodbye,” were released and both tracks excited me.

“Too Late to Say Goodbye” was something I had never heard from CTE. Matthew Shultz, leadman of CTE, explained that the song is about Bonnie and Clyde.

It was written in “Bonnie’s perspective” as being a “pyromaniac falling in love with fire.”

“Tell Me I’m Pretty” is, without a doubt, in my top three albums of 2016 and has the potential to remain on the list through 2016.

BOOK REVIEW

EAT, PRAY, LOVE Karlee Avery @karleeavery Business Manager

In “Eat, Pray, Love,” author Elizabeth Gilbert writes about traveling the world on a year-long journey of self-inquiry. She travels to Italy, India and Indonesia to pursue happiness, devotion and the balance of the two.

The book begins by revealing Gilbert’s collapsing marriage, which ultimately ends in divorce.

During her diElizabeth Gilbert vorce, she spends writes about travmost of her nights eling the world crying on her bathon a year-long room floor. Since journey of selfshe is depressed, she doesn’t eat a inquiry. lot, therefore, she loses a significant amount of weight.

After the divorce is finalized, Gilbert moves to Italy a few weeks later. Once in Italy, she eats a lot of food to help her pursue pleasure. She gains 23 pounds, 15 of which are necessary to get her back to a healthy weight.

She lives in Italy for four months before traveling to India to pursue devotion.

While there she stays in an Ashram, a place of worship for Hindus and Buddhists. Gilbert plans to stay in the Ashram for only six weeks, but ends up staying there four

“Eat, Pray, Love” is a novel by Elizabeth Gilbert.

months.

In India, Gilbert learns the main focus of worship is meditation, through which people can converse with a higher power.

After freeing her heart of all its heaviness that’s built up over the years of her divorce and other failed relationships, she leaves India for Indonesia to find the balance of pleasure and devotion.

Once in Indonesia she finds the medicine man she had met two years prior to this current trip. During her previous visit, the medicine man predicted everything that

Mugshots Grill & Bar is definitely the place to be when in need of a delicious meal. They ‘have a variety of amazing appetizers, superb sandwiches, brilliant burgers, extraordinary entrees, stupendous sides, awesome add ons, sensational soups and salads, phenomenal pastas and delightful desserts!

Not only is the food great, but the atmosphere is so inviting and the service is good too.

With the help of close family, friends and an “Irish blessing,” owners Chris McDonald and Ron Savell opened the very first Mugshots in Hattiesburg on Jan. 10, 2004. A dream soon became reality. All together, there are a total of 14 Mugshots Grill & Bars, all located in Alabama and Mississippi. The Mugshots here in Tupelo opened in the spring of 2016.

My first time eating at a Mugshots was with my parents in Starkville.

Although my food was better at the Starkville location, my food at the one in Tupelo was satisfying as well. I usually order the patty melt with a side of beer-battered fries and a Coke. The patty melt is a specialty burger. On the menu, it is described as “... An oldie but goody ... This twist of a patty melt is smothered with sauteed onions, pepper jack and American cheese, with our signature come-back sauce on our pressed sourdough bun ...” and is priced at $9.59. I get mine with no come-back sauce, no sauteed onions and add bacon.

My total usually comes out to be a little more than $12.

I’ve also tried a number of their appetizers, a few of their sides and other entrees. My favorite appetizer is by far the southwest eggrolls.

These are a must have for me! They are the definition of yummy! I’m not a huge fan of the beer-battered fries, so if you’re anything like me, luckily they have other options such as grilled vegetables or chili.

Mugshots has also recently added a spicy gumbo to its sides menu as well.

Overall, my experiences at all Mugshots have been wonderful.

Not only is it a good place to eat, but it also a nice place to spend time with family and friends to share memorable convos and laughs. It is most definitely now on my list of favorite restaurants.

Give it a try. It may become one of yours too!

KARLEE AVERY

happened to Gilbert in the past two years.

When she visits the medicine man a second time, it takes a few minutes for him to remember her, but when he does, he can’t believe she’s the same person. She’s gone from being depressed and thin to content with her life and fuller in the face.

I would recommend “Eat, Pray, Love” to anyone, especially teenagers, since it invites the reader on the exciting journey of one woman’s pursuit of pleasure, devotion and the balance of the two.

TAYOLOR WITHERSPOON

A plate with patty melt with beer battered fries from Mugshots Grill & Bar.