The Hi-Times January/February 2014

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 71 ISSUE 4

4125 Golden Wave Dr., Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

THE

HI-TIMES

Blood is thick in THS athletics PG10

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

INSIDE

EYES ON THE ROAD

The 56th Grammy Awards Music’s biggest night has several memorable performances PG10

Laine Alden Mansour won the crown at the annual event. PG5

Religion in schools?

Students weigh the benefits of having religion in the classroom.

PG7

Unneccesary rules hinder classroom Editor-in-Chief Ryan Murphy questions the school’s rules on water bottles, headphones and other needless policies.

PG6

KATHERINE GRACE

Wave seniors go out with win Upperclassmen shine on senior night. PG8

FOLLOW US @tupelohitimes VISIT OUR WEBSITE

people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2011.

seconds.

That’s driving the length of a football field at 55 mph.

2 5

Bailie White

out of

@bailiew2016 Staff Writer

I

n the “Duck Dynasty” episode that aired on Oct. 2, Willie Robertson is behind the wheel and talking to his brother, Jep, on the phone. When Robertson tries to back up, he hits his Uncle Si’s truck. This is one example of distracted driving.

Distracted driving has been and continues to be one of the most common causes of wrecks in the U.S. Students should always be careful while driving and be sure that they are focused on the road and not on anything else.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are three types of distracted driving: manual, visual and cognitive. Manual distractions are caused by the driver’s hands not being on the wheel; visual distractions are caused by the driver’s eyes not being on the road; and cognitive distractions are caused by the driver’s mind not being on the task of getting from one place to another.

teens say they have been in a car where the driver was texting.

Mississippi law states that school bus drivers are not to use their cell phone at all while driving, and learner’s permit holders and intermediate license holders are not to text while driving.

23%

See Driving PG4

of all car accidents involve cell phones.

’

Bailie White @bailiew2016 Staff Writer

All Wave T-shirts are a new trend at Tupelo High School.

With a new athletic director comes new great ideas. This was one of Andy Schoggin’s ideas that he brought with him from Senatobia Junior/ Senior High School, where he awarded “It’s a great day to be a Warrior T-shirts” to students with good character.

“The All Wave T-shirt recognizes those who go above and beyond in making Tupelo High a great place,” Schoggin said.

“In an attempt to hold our Schoggin students to a higher standard, and also recognize them for their leadership, Adidas All Wave T-shirts will be given to those who truly stand out.”

These T-shirts cannot be bought anywhere; they must be earned.

To receive this award, students must be nominated by one of their teachers for their outstanding leadership skills.

Teachers must e-mail Schoggin the student’s name and what makes them worthy to receive an All Wave T-shirt.

Students can also nominate their teachers for their eagerness to teach and make a difference in students’ lives.

“The behaviors and character traits we want to see in our students must be recognized and reinforced,” Schoggin said.

See All Wave PG9

SOURCES: textinganddriving.com, www.nhtsa.gov • INFOGRAPHIC BY JORDAN JONES

From Tupelo hater to spirit motivator

Scan here with a QR reader.

INDEX • NEWS.................................2 • FEATURES.........................4 • OPINIONS..........................6 • SPORTS.............................8 • ART&ENTERTAINMENT.....10

Bailie White @bailiew2016 Staff Writer

DID YOU KNOW?

#THEMBLANKETS

4.6

Texting takes the driver’s eyes off the road for

Students should be cautious about distracted driving

thscurrent.com

THS athletic director Andy Schoggin reports the overall average GPA for 21 fall sports was 3.44 for the first semester of 2013-2014. This reflects the work of 582 student-athletes from 9th-12th grades.The highest GPA belonged to Girls Cross Country, which had a 4.0. Tennis was next with 3.94, followed by Girls Golf at 3.9.

Rounding out the Top 7 were Slow-Pitch Softball, 3.84; Girls Soccer, 3.8; Boys Swimming, 3.8; and Girls Swimming, 3.8.

‘

3,331

Tupelo Parade of Beauties

Mansour

WE’RE ALL WAVE IN THIS TOGETHER

COURTESY

Braden Bishop was a Pontotoc Warrior in high school, but is now a committed fan of Tupelo High School.

Broadcast journalism, Mississippi Studies, world geography, AP macroeconomics and AP microeconomics teacher. Writer, director and producer for WTHS. Sports information director and Twitter accounts manager.

Braden Bishop juggles all of these duties at Tupelo High School with his wife and colleague, Laurie Bishop.

“We don’t have a social life, this is kind of our social lives that we do from eight to 12 hours during the day,” he said.

Bishop graduated from Pontotoc High School in 2001. For four years he was on the basketball and football teams, and he ran track for two years. Although he didn’t make the ninth-grade basketball team the first time, he was called back later that summer.

“Ninth grade was really hard for me, and I think my head coach at that time kind of said, ‘If this is for you, then you need to stick around. If it’s not for you, you might just want to find something else,’” Bishop said. “I don’t think I had ever had a coach

“I hated Tupelo growing up because they cared. They were better than us.”

who really told me that. I think I had always had coaches who were like, ‘OK, we need you to play, we need you to be in there,’ and that was really big for me.”

Now, Bishop looks up to his wife, Laurie, more than anyone else.

“She is the smartest person I know,” Bishop said. “She encourages everything that I do. She is patient and helps me out when I need her to. I’ve said it for years, ‘behind just about every great person is a great woman.’”

See Bishop PG5

2NEWS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014JANUA

Unique teaching style {COMIN’UP{ earns Buckley top honors WHAT’S

• Florida Georgia Line

@ BancorpSouth Arena Feb. 13

• 60% Day for Students Feb. 17

• Third Quarter

Progress Reports Feb. 18

• Academic Team Competition @ Vanderbilt Feb. 22

• DECA competes @ Jackson Feb. 24-25

• The Harlem

Globe Trotters @ Bancorpsouth Arena Feb. 26

• Winter Jam @

BancorpSouth Arena Feb. 27

• Debate Tournament @ Madison Central Feb. 28-March 1

• Mardi Gras Party @

Tupelo Ballroom Dance Club March 1

• Third Quarter Exams March 4-7

• Spring Break March 10-14

• Gala of the

Royal Horses @ BancorpSouth Arena March 14

• Don’t Be Cruel BBQ Duel March 14-15

• Elton John @

BancorpSouth Arena March 19

• Third Quarter Report Cards March 20

• Symphonic Band Competition @ Grenada March 21

• Ensemble Band

Competition @ Pearl High School March 26

• Ringling Brothers and

Barnum & Bailey Circus @ BancorpSouth Arena April 3-6

• Color Vibe 5K @ Fairpark April 5

• “Midsummer/Jersey” Production @ THS April 10-12

• Foreign Language Picnic April 11

• Ensemble Band Competition @ Orlando April 11

• ACT Test April 12

Bethany Fitts @bethyfitts Staff Writer

AP English III teacher Amber Nichols-Buckley’s selection last semester as Tupelo High School’s Teacher of the Year is no surprise. Her unique style of teaching, nicknamed the Buckley Method, has endeared her to students and teachers alike.

“I liked Mrs. Buckley’s class because she made all her students comfortable and feel at home,” said junior Tucker Sheffield, whom Buckley taught during the 2013 fall semester.

“Also, she doesn’t just ‘teach the test’ or give worksheets,” he said. “Her class has a bunch of discussions in it. It’s nice because you get to see other people’s view on things, which is something you don’t really get to see in your run of the mill English class.”

Buckley, who believes in the transformative power of knowledge, said she didn’t plan to be a teacher.

“I knew I loved reading and writing, and I knew I’d like to pursue a career that involved those subjects,” she said, “but I decided to teach on a whim.”

Buckley started teaching at Holly Springs High School immediately after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi. She later went on to teach college composition at Miami University of Ohio before joining the THS staff in the fall of 2009. Since then, she has improved her practice by attending conferences and workshops and by observing other teachers.

In previous years, Buckley had several experiences that developed her unique method.

“I have had truly effective teachers in the past, and the majority of them stood

Celebrating

100 YEARS OF Excellence

COREY KALISH

Amber Buckley, whose unique teaching style was nicknamed by students as the Buckley Method, was nominated by her fellow teachers as THS’ Teacher of the Year.

out because they were almost ‘performers’ in the classroom,” she said. “They cracked jokes, built personal relationships, and made their classroom environments inviting.”

Buckley’s early influences were Dr. Adam Gussow, a professor of African American literature, and Dr. Benjamin Fisher, a professor of early American literature.

“That’s why I love teaching junior English,” she said. “I love American Lit.” One thing that truly makes Buckley stand out is the immense care she has for her students.

“I view my students as my kids,” she said. “When you walk into my classroom, you are mine. And my loyalty is unshakeable.”

Perhaps her students will

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT:

Terry Morris

attended the Rotary Leadership Conference. Not only did Morris excel in the classroom Katherine Grace and in the community, he @katiegrace_14 also participated in athletics.

Business Manager Morris was a member of boys cross-country as well as boys lone and unwant- track and field his senior year. ed. Abused and When Morris graduated, unloved. he attended Mississippi State This is what a University and earned his young Terry Mor- bachelor’s degree in electrical ris faced daily during his engineering. Morris had no childhood. Abused as a child shortage of scholarships when by his mother, Morris would he was trying to pay for coloften be beaten severely for lege. He received the Missisno apparent reason. It sippi State Petroleum wasn’t until his mother Engineering Scholardrove him down to Misship, NASA Scholarsissippi at the age of 14 ship, and the Tupelo and left him on the side Ladies Civitan Scholof the road that Morarship, just to name a ris’ life began to slowly few. It was during this change for the better. time that Morris came Terry Morris, After scrounging 1983 in contact with NASA, for food and living in and what would end abandoned cars and buildings up being his future career. for months, he was finally After graduating from MSU, discovered and sent to the Al- Morris continued his educapha House for Boys in Tupelo. tion at Old Dominion UniverOnce Morris enrolled at Tu- sity, in Norfolk, Va., earning pelo High School, not only did a master’s degree in electrical things start to change, they engineering. changed for the better.

Soon after the completion of As Morris began to have his masters, Morris attended a stable environment in his the Massachusetts Institute of life, he started progressing in Technology under the George school and became involved M. Low Fellowship Program in a number of leadership from September 1995 to May groups and clubs. He was in- 1996. Following his time at volved in French Club, Mu Al- MIT, Morris completed his pha Theta and Key Club, and doctorate in systems engineer-

A

remember what kind of writer Walt Whitman was, Buckley said, “But at the end of the day, I really hope they remember that I never turned them away when they were in need and I always accepted them for who they were.”

What students may not realize, however, is that they help Buckley just as much as she helps them.

“My favorite part of teaching is that I laugh, and laugh hard, every single day as a teacher,” she said. “It may be from Benton Barber's hysterical pop culture references, or Charlie Davis' famous line from my class: ‘Oh, I have emotions. They're just buried under layers of humor and awkward.’ My students are hilarious, and even if they don't know it, they are often my

refuge when my own life gets stormy.”

Students are not the only ones who noticed Buckley’s effective teaching techniques.

Teachers also took note of her special style and of the students’ smiles as they exited her classroom daily. This is how Buckley was voted THS Teacher of the Year.

When Principal Jason Harris told Buckley that she had been nominated, “I thought he was joking,” she recalled.

“I was surprised.”

Buckley said she feels honored to be elected by her peers.

“I work with the most dynamic teachers in the state of Mississippi, and to know that they voted me into the position is more rewarding than anything I've felt before professionally,” she said.

“To be honest, I don't feel as if I deserve it more than other teachers who work just as hard. Here at Tupelo, all teachers owe a lot to the teachers of subject area tests.

They are the true heroes of the school.”

Buckley said the role of an English teacher also includes teaching life skills.

“When we expect a paper in on time, it's not because we're being cruel,” she said.

“We have to teach time management alongside teaching the importance of figurative language. We have to teach tolerance and compassion for others alongside the importance of active voice.”

Students have definitely noticed Buckley’s ability to teach lessons that transcend the classroom.

“She embodies what it means to be a teacher,” Sheffield said. “Teachers make sure their students truly learn something once they leave that class, whether that something be about the curriculum or about life in general.

With Mrs. Buckley, I felt like I learned a lot about both.”

ing at the University of Virginia.

Morris is one of those rare individuals who was taken from one of the lowest and darkest places that a person could be and changed his circumstances with the help of education and the federal government, through the Combined Federal Campaign.

The Combined Federal Campaign is a “workplace COURTESY charity campaign” that Homeless as a teen, Terry Morris graduated from Tupelo High School and is now a NASA engineer. raises money through places that he has been able pledges made by federal, cito tell his story is the White vilian, postal, and military House, the Pentagon, the Dedonors. This money is then partment of Justice, the FBI distributed to charities across and the CIA headquarters. the nation, one of which used Last year, Morris visited to the the Alpha House in TuNorth Mississippi, and spoke pelo. at the 100 Black Men of CoToday, Morris works as an lumbus’ 15th annual banquet, electrical systems engineer and shared some advice to the at NASA’s Langley Research young men gathered there.

Center in Hampton, Virgin“I overcame that, and I can ia, where he specializes in look back now, because that high-speed aerodynamics, was not the end of the story,” solar-pumped lasers, flight Morris said. “Regardless of simulators, and wind tunnel where you are, the story ain’t design. He also goes across over.” the country sharing his rags to riches story. Some of the

3

FEATURES

Y 2014JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

‘ALL I WANT IS TO HURRY AND

GRADUATE’

#HI5 FRIDAY

Students can choose different paths to graduation

cluster classes include engineering, welding and early childhood education.

Early graduation involves the completion of all high school academic requirements in less than a traditional four-year program. A student applying for early graduation will meet the same standards required of all graduates of Nathan Jackson THS. @_treehome According to the student handbook, the stuStaff Writer dent is applying for early graduation he or she should give an application to the principal by Most students want to get out of school as the end of their sophomore year. They will fast as they can. As of last year, that was poshave to schedule a conference with the counsible because of the new scheduling system. selor and parent/guardian to arrange a course Students are now allowed to graduate early, of study. The principal appoints a standing which means instead of being at school for two committee each year to examine all requests semesters as a senior, students can be there for for early graduation and makes a final decision just one semester. as to the validity of the student’s reThere are three graduation paths that stuquest. Members of the comdents can choose in order to gradate. With the mittee area the principal, traditional pathway, students have to have a guidance counselor, a total of 26 credits. This pathway is for stuand three classroom dents who stay the whole four years in high teachers. school and then look for a four-year college.

Factors to be considered “The traditional pathway is the best option, in evaluating the request because it is all inclusive with the college curinclude: stated reasons for riculum for students who are wanting to go requesting early graduation, to college,” Tupelo High School counselor recommendations secured by Joni Nolan said. the student from five current or “I want to go to college when I get out former high school teachers, the intelof high school, so I am just making sure lectual and academic qualifications of I am on the right path,” freshman Scott the student, the completion of three seChumley said. mesters at THS immediately preceding The second one is the district pathgraduation, and a B or 87 average in all REQUIRED way for which students have to have courses attempted at THS. CREDITS a total of 21 credits. This pathway is The committee will make a decision what students take if they want to 4 English prior to the end of the first term of the 4 Math meet requirements for acceptance student’s junior year. If the decision 4 Science into a community college.

4 Social Studies is denied, the committee will justify The final pathway that students the decision in writing to the parcan choose is the career pathway. ent/guardian of the student. The Students have to have the same committee’s decision final. amount of credits as the disThese are the pathways stutrict pathway, and it will also dents have to go through to guarantee acceptance into a graduate on time and the reMississippi community colquirements that they will t lege. It does, however, Ar ss/ y 1 B 1 Ar have to meet in order to 1 e g require a career Te usi t sin olo h be in consideration ch ne u t n no ss cluster selec1 B ch eal al log / for early gradue c H T i s tion. Some y 2 1/ Phy tion ation. a career /2 uc

N

N

O TI

I

ST

RI

CT

PA TH

CREDITS

W AY

2

AL S

DI

CA (T RE HE ER CA CL RE US ER RE TE PA Q R TH UI IN W RE A AY M DD R EN IT EQ TS ION U I .)

TO RE TH S A ES E

CO -Y M E CO MU AR LL NIT EG Y E

e for

T EQ , PANOT RATIONE.

JU

Ed

ed ng 1 re m ua ye ig co ath ge ar o n an f ur o se r s d a .) cie an nc e

h alt al He ysic n 2 1/ Ph atio 2 c 1/ Edu

(I

es a tiv rs of ) lec 2 yeauage.* 7nEcludiniggn lang

AR Y YE SIT 4- IVER

UN

26

AYED W H UIR ST

C DU N E G RA PTA UA L G CE NG OO AC LA H E N SC EG IG H LL RE IG O O H C F R * O F

D RA

T

1

2A dv E an lan (2 y le g ea c f ad orei uag rs o tiv ce d va gn e O f a e nc la R fo s

TIO A U D A GR

21 CREDITS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • [ NEWS BRIEFS]• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Rachel Bobo @rachel_bobo Staff Writer

King wins poetry award

On Dec. 9, junior Warner King won the Poetry Out Loud competition sponsored by the THS English Department. King read “Ways of Talking” by Ha Jin, which she described as a motivational poem about expressing oneself.

“I feel that expressing yourself is really important, and we really need to focus on that more,” King said.

COURTESY

from ineer.

Basketball MVPs named

At the BancorpSouth CrossTown Challenge on Dec. 14, Jaleigha een able Polk, a junior, and Isaiah Traylor, a he White senior, were named Most Valuable the De- Players. During the games against the FBI Belmont, Polk and Traylor proved their value and team spirit to their ters. visited teammates, coaches and fans. nd spoke “If you don’t have confidence you n of Co- will always find a way not to win,” banquet, Polk said.

ce to the DECA returns with medals here. nd I can During the weekend of Jan. 10use that 11, THS DECA brought home 21 e story,” medals from district competitions. dless of At the competition, students pracory ain’t ticed career-building skills and participated in presentation events.

“I was very proud of all of the

students that went,” said Brookes Prince, DECA adviser. “Our numbers have doubled since last year, and we had the most competitors from any school at district conference.”

Twenty-seven DECA members will compete at the state conference on Feb. 24-25.

Dillard releases solo album

Teacher Greg Dillard recently released his first solo album, “Trapped in Paradise Again.” The album is classified as tropical rock, which is Dillard’s favorite genre.

At THS, Dillard shares his love of music with his students.

“Working with them helps me stay in practice and explore different ways to teach,” Dillard said.

Spring play auditions set

The THS theater department is preparing for its production of “Midsummer/Jersey,” a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Auditions will be held Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the Small Auditorium.

Five male and 22 female roles are available and anyone who has taken a fine arts class can try out.

The play will be presented April 10-12 and will be directed by Allana Austin.

Matlock earns top honor

The School Band and Orchestra publication has recognized THS band director Tim Matlock as one of the nation’s Top 50 Music Educators.

“I want to make a difference by affecting their lives every day, not with just music but with things they can carry with them throughout their lives,” Matlock said. “It’s not work, because I love it.”

Celebrating Black History

THS is preparing for its annual Black History Month celebration, which will be held on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in the gym.

Dr. David Beckley, president of Rust College, will be the guest speaker and the THS Voices choir will be performing.

Students to join Lions Band

Seven THS band students and two alternates were selected for the Mississippi All State Lions Band.

Isaac Palmer, Patrick Knight, Zach Campbell, Treyce Bannerman, Kai Brieck, Deja Vaughn and David Neely, as well as alternates Brandon Gregory and Diego Fleitas, were selected after an audition process.

These students will travel to Canada this summer to compete in the International Lions Band Parade Competition.

No handshakes, just high fives Nathan Jackson @_treehome Staff Writer

High-fives have taken over Tupelo on Fridays.

“I think it is a positive way for people to greet each other in our community, and it promotes good feelings not bad feelings,” Tupelo High School math teacher Amanda Inman said.

According to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, the idea of High-Five Friday came from Tennessee-based musician Memphis Jones, who “hijacked” the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Twitter in July. He suggested people high-five in Tupelo. Ever since then, employees at Tupelo’s CVB have been pro- Shelton moting High-Five Friday, which encouraged Mayor Jason Shelton to promote it as well.

“I think that High-Five Friday brings about the community and gets people to recognize their Tupelo spirit,” Principal Jason Harris said.

On Twitter, students and Tupelo residents alike can post a picture of themselves highfiving another person or just tweet #hi5friday.

“I like the idea of High-Five Friday because I like high fives,” sophomore Leah Davis said.

“It gets me engaged with my friends, and I can also tell that it brightens some people’s day.”

Students aren’t the only ones at THS that are appreciating this day. Some teachers say that day students makes students interact with one another and brings a smile to a lot of kids’ “I like the idea of Highfaces.

“When Mayor Five Friday Shelton came in because I like my room the kids high fives. asked him about High-Five Friday,” It gets me English teacher engaged with Kama Alford said. my friends, “I think High-Five and I can Friday is somealso tell that thing fun and exit brightens citing too.”

High-Five Friday some people’s has its positives, day.” but it could also - Leah Davis Sophomore have its negatives.

An example is that at school someone could high-five someone else in the face, and they would say “hi5friday,” which would get them in a lot of trouble and get another student hurt.

Also, high-fiving people instead of shaking their hand isn’t very formal, so some people may take offense.

“I feel anything can be taken out of hand, and those who want to do that are going to do it no matter what you do,” Inman said.

High-Five Friday has also inspired T-shirts with the saying on the front of it.

“I feel that High-Five Friday is now like any other fad, and has had things happen because of it,” Harris said.

The community’s involvement in this day shows that residents of Tupelo like to be a part of something to make their city better.

4FEATURES

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014JANUA

Homecoming queen

BEATS BULLIES

According to stopbullying.gov, there are five steps to prevent bullying in school. First, bullying has to be assessed. Second, the school must engage parents and youth. Third, policies and rules must be created.

Bullying is a problem. Whether it is an adult or a Fourth, a safe environment must be built in the classchild, someone somewhere is being bullied. rooms, hallways and cafeteria. Lastly, students and Homecoming queen Caitlin Bailey recalled that teachers must be educated about bullying. she was bullied in the fifth and sixth grade.

“Bullying is wrong because it puts an emotional “A girl hit me in the head with a bathroom stall toll on the person being bullied,” sophomore Leah door one time,” Bailey said. “It hurt so bad.”

Davis said. “It also shows how emotionally unstable This was just one of the many instancthe bully is. Bullying lowers self-esteem, es when Bailey said she was bullied in confidence and worth.” elementary school, but she is proof that “I realized that there “I think that bullying is wrong beare just some mean it is possible to overcome challenges. cause hurting other people for what“I realized that there are just some people sometimes, ever reason is never OK,” senior Rachel mean people sometimes, and you just and you just have Walden said. “We all go through situhave to know that not everyone is like to know that not ations, but taking your frustration out that,” Bailey said. “You just have to sur- everyone is like that. on someone else in a hurtful way won’t You just have to round yourself with good people.” solve anything.”

If students are being bullied they surround yourself At THS, there is a program used to need to “not take it to heart, keep their with good people.” stop bullying called Talk About It. It is - Caitlin Bailey heads up, push through, and everything an anonymous online messaging service 2013 Homecoming Queen is going to be OK,” she said. that helps students have better commuThere will always be those times in nication with administration. Problems people’s lives when they go through can be stopped without knowing who turned the hard times, but “there are still good times coming, problem in. and it’s OK,” Bailey said.

This program is not the only way bullying can be Because of Bailey’s experience, she has been able prevented. Students can also have an impact on the to give advice to people who are going through some environment in the classroom. of the same things she went through.

“Each student has to examine themselves to see “If one of your friends is talking bad about some- if he or she has bullying tendencies,” Davis said. body else, you need to stand up and say something “Teachers also have to establish a mutual respect nice,” she said. “The thing is, a lot of bullies bully be- and trust with pupils in order for them to report bulcause they have been bullied before. You don’t have lying.” to be mean. There are other ways to help yourself “I think that if we just try to be a friend to everyrather than helping other people feel bad.” one and be genuinely nice to others, we could really Bailie White @bailiew2016 Staff Writer

KATHERINE GRACE

Caitlin Bailey waves to the crowd during the THS Homecoming Parade. She was crowned Homecoming Queen Oct. 11.

make a difference,” Walden said.

From being bullied in elementary school to being crowned homecoming queen “goes to prove that everything does turn out OK in the end, and even though things are bad as of right then, they can always change,” Bailey said. “You don’t know what the future holds, which is exciting, because things could get super awesome.”

Driving Continued from PG1 Changing the radio station is a manual distraction. Your hands leave the steering wheel to change it because your least favorite song comes on.

While your hands come off the wheel, you lose control of your car and you have a wreck. This is only one of the many consequences of drivers not having both hands on the steering wheel.

Examples of visual distractions are looking at other people as you pass them, looking at billboards or simply closing your eyes. If drivers take their eyes off the road, they will not see the car in front of them slowing down, and it is very likely they will rear-end the driver in front of them. A wreck such as this one could be fatal.

Cognitive distractions are the most difficult distractions to control. Drivers should not be thinking about what they are having for supper or about a difficult exam coming up, but their minds should be completely focused on getting from one destination to the other and obeying all rules of the road.

Talking excessively to passengers in the car causes drivers’ minds to drift.

If a driver’s mind is drifting, he or she may run a stop sign because they were in deep conversation with a passenger.

Not only will running a stop sign get drivers a ticket, but it will also cause them to be more at risk of being hit by another car in the intersection.

One of the most common distractions while driving is cell phone usage.

At least 23 percent of auto collisions involve cell phones, according to textinganddriving.com.

A specific type of distracted driving is texting and driving. According to the NHTSA, texting takes drivers’ eyes off

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JORDAN JONES

Manual distractions, such as changing the radio station and eating behind the wheel, can cause a driver to lose control and wreck.

the road for about 4.6 seconds; therefore, if a driver is driving 55 miles per hour, he or she will have driven the length of an entire football field without looking at the road.

Texting and driving is a manual, visual and cognitive distraction. Drivers physically take their hands off the wheel to type, their eyes are on the screen, and their mind on what is said and what they are going to say back.

This is why texting is a very dangerous thing for drivers to do.

According to textinganddriving.com, sending a text message while behind the wheel makes drivers 23 times

more likely to have a wreck. Dialing on a cell phone makes them 2.8 times more likely to crash, talking or listening makes them 1.3 times more likely to have a wreck, and reaching for a device makes drivers 1.4 times more likely to be involved in an accident.

In Mississippi, laws ban drivers from texting and driving. Texting while behind the wheel causes 1.6 million accidents per year in the U.S. Students should always refrain from being distracted while driving, including eating, texting and reading.

“It’s a lot easier to get distracted than you think,” senior Shelby Price

said. “You don’t realize that looking down to change your radio station or see who texted you is that big of a deal, but it doesn’t take long to get distracted.”

In 2010, Dexter McCluster, former Ole Miss standout, was in a commercial telling drivers not to text and drive. He tells drivers in the commercial, “Don’t text and drive, if you want to stay alive, don’t text and drive.”

Distracted driving is a serious thing and all drivers should be cautious while driving. Your small distraction could not only affect your life forever, but someone else’s life.

5

FEATURES

Y 2014JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

1 1

2 2

3 3

RINE GRACE

omecomOct. 11.

ol to berove that and even y can alow what se things

Parade of Beauties

1

Laine Alden Mansour, a junior, was named Most Beautiful at the THS Parade of Beauties.

2

The Parade of Beauties, sponsored by the Cheer Boosters, was held Jan. 11 in the Performing Arts Center. The Top 10 included, from left, McKenzie Smith, senior; Farrah Cox, freshman; Madison Horton, senior; Mace Hudson, sophomore; Laine Alden Mansour, junior; Brooke McAuley, sophomore; Ferrell McAuley, junior; Emily Anderson, sophomore; Camille Bauer, junior; and Brittane´ Robinson, sophomore.

3

Laine Alden Mansour was crowned Most Beautiful by THS Principal Jason Harris. There were 30 contestants in the pageant.

TUPELO

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTY PETTIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Bishop Continued from PG1 Along with being on the basketball, football and track teams in high school, Bishop was also the Student Council president and member of Mu Alpha Theta, Beta Club, Warriors Against Drunk Driving, Warriors for Christ and Future Educators of America. Outside of school he was involved with his church, choir and youth group.

“I tried to be involved in as much as I could in high school,” he said. “I wanted to see my name in the annual my senior year with a paragraph underneath it.”

Bishop attended Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University after he graduated from PHS. He received his associate of arts degree from ICC and a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in social studies from MSU. He taught at Columbus High School for three and a half years after graduating from MSU and eventually made his way back to Northeast Mississippi. This is his fourth year at THS. Bishop’s favorite part about teaching at THS is being able to see students that really ap-

Braden Bishop juggles his sports information director duties with teaching three classes at THS.

preciate the things that go on.

“I hated Tupelo growing up because they cared. They were better than us,” Bishop said. “When I first got here, I was like, ‘This is gonna be a really cool place,’ and I have to give a lot of props to the people I work with.”

As a teacher, Bishop hopes his students learn from him to “just enjoy whatever you do. There are gonna be some tough times. There are gonna be some really fun times, but take advantage of it.”

Between teaching, producing and sports information

directing, Bishop donates so much of his time to THS because “things are so accepted around here for moving forward.”

“I’m very heavily biased towards sports, but we have the best at everything here,” he said. “The best students, the best administration, the best band, the best show choir, the best arts. I see things daily that go on here that are just mind-blowing.”

The biggest trend Bishop has started over his eight years at THS is the social media phenomenon.

RYAN MURPHY

Bishop proposed the idea of incorporating social media into THS to Mac Curlee, who was the principal at the time.

Curlee liked the idea and got it confirmed by the district.

Bishop said that THS was one of the first in North Mississippi to be active on Twitter. Since that initial conversation with Curlee four years ago, the social media aspect has evolved into an essential part of promoting what happens in high school sports.

Most clubs and teams are encouraged to have twitter accounts.

The slogan “themblankets” was one of Bishop’s many great ideas to help THS’s social media presence become what it is. It came from a conversation he once had with his wife and brother-in-law.

“Who even has a piece of water as their logo?” Bishop said.

“Well, that piece of water beat y’all,” Bishop’s wife and brother-in-law told him.

“It doesn’t even look like water. It looks like a blanket with a head on,” Bishop said.

He told this story to a few of his students his first year here, and they thought it was funny, so he started adding that when he tweeted scores.

“It caught on because people were like, ‘What is that?

What does that mean?’” Bishop said.

He manages three Twitter accounts, his personal account, the Tupelo High School account, and on occasion the Miss 98 scoreboard show.

Although Bishop doesn’t admit to it, rumor has it that he manages the themblankets account, too.

“I’ve never been forthcoming with that one, but it’s kind of that account that will talk noise to people,” Bishop said.

“It’ll retweet pride, but it’ll also say, ‘Just be aware we’re probably gonna beat y’all.’”

Want to be on The HiTimes staff next year?

Pick up an application in Ms. Miller’s room in A131.

Looking for students with: • A good attitude.

• Unique personality • Good writing, photography and/or design skills.

6OPINIONS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014JANUA

Dystopian alternatives to ‘Catching Fire’

ALBUM REVIEW

HAIM: ‘DAYS ARE GONE’ Ryan Murphy @ryanmurph12 Editor-in-Chief

Delaney Norton @delaneycnorton Staff Writer

JORDAN JONES

It’s been one of those days where I am having recurring dreams of grandeur. I don’t mean the fancy-house-nice-car kind of grandeur, but the sitting-on-the-beach-in-California-and-driving-around-withthe-windows-down-afterward kind. As this daydream continues, I begin to search my mind for the perfect music to accompany the feelings. It finally hits me – Haim.

After teasing fans with E.P. after E.P., Haim finally released their debut album, “Days Are Gone,” at the end of September. This California native sister trio started their career in a family band before splitting from their parents to pursue music for themselves. The group’s name, pronounced Hi-em, comes from their family’s surname and is a constant reminder of their beginnings.

“Days Are Gone” slams listeners with a sound that is reminiscent of ‘80s pop mixed with a hint of edgy rock. The album is gentle and laid back but still hard enough to draw in the heaviest headbangers.

Recently I’ve been drawn toward ‘80s-influenced musicians like Betty Who and modern rockers like The Pretty Reckless. “Days Are Gone” reminds me of them both, and it truly is the best mix of two of my favorite music genres.

“My Song 5” represents more of the group’s rocker side, with tough lyrics and a strong electric guitar backing. “Falling” resembles the ‘80s pop side of the album, with dominating vocals and a dream-like music accompaniment.

After listening to the album some five times through, I realized that I genuinely enjoy each song; there just isn’t one that I dislike. I believe this to be the mark of a truly great album. I also came to the conclusion that the song “The Wire” and “Days Are Gone,” from which the album got its name, are my top favorites.

They represent what Haim is all about – good vibes and chill sounds.

These sisters gain popularity daily, and I expect them to make a huge name for themselves. They are original, genuine and creative. With immense talent adding to that list, Haim will no doubt soon become a common name among the younger generation.

IN THE HALLS Did you make a New Year’s resolution and are you having trouble keeping it?

“To start off the year with better grades and that’s working OK for me.”

Bond Mansour Freshman

Freshman Samantha Ratliff, from left, senior Stella Martin and senior Tay Walton demonstrate what students are not supposed to be doing in the classroom, including drinking water, texting and sleeping.

Unnecessary rules hinder educational environment lutions.”

I see no problem with an acceptable volume of music being streamed through headphones during a writing assignment or even It has come to my attention that a shift a test. If the people around that student are in the atmosphere of our classrooms has not bothered, then how does this harm the occurred. This occurrence hinders teach- education process in any way? I believe it ing and puts students in jeopardy of failure. helps students do better, and there are nuWith unnecessarily specific rules and over- merous sources that agree. zealous enforcement of them, teachers are When it comes to dress code, I find the unable to create a positive environment and strong enforcement of such rules that supstrong bonds with students that are essential press self-expression to be vile. Sure, to a to success. certain extent guidelines should be set to I have come to realize that in order to ed- avoid absolutely unacceptable attire, but I ucate, teachers must approach topics with cannot accept that it’s wrong to have hair their own style. This creative freedom al- that’s “extreme in color,” piercings that lows for more success. There are many ways “cause a distraction” or articles of clothing of teaching that result in positive and effec- that exceed “three inches above the knee.” tive learning, but some at Appearance is an extenour school believe there of a person’s personStudents do not un- sion to be only one way. This ality, and this stifling of tunnel vision, combined derstand the need expression discourages with an overload of spe- of these useless friendships based on comcific rules that seem to monalities. I believe it is have no correlation with rules that teachers time for an overhaul of learning, force positive must enforce. This the dress code. Our school and effective education to should overlook trifles puts a strain bebecome nonexistent. such as dress length and I take issue first with the tween the teachers hair color and actually inability to eat or drink in and their students see the benefits that freethe classroom. Concerning dom of appearance can drinks, the THS handbook because educabring to peer bonding. states that “a student will tors are unable to I am not questioning the not have an open drink in authority of Tupelo High his/her possession dur- give a clear reason School administration. I ing the school day except for such strong enam simply proposing an during the lunch period.” alternative to rules that forcement. I doubt I fail to understand the are creating a negative significance of this rule. I anyone but a handeffect between teachers, understand if there is a re- ful of administrators students and education. luctance with soft drinks These unnecessary rules or a risk of computer dam- even know why we will never help students age from spilling, but if a have such rules. learn. They only present closed water bottle sits on a false image of what the a desk, then who does it students at this school are harm? Also, how does this truly like. make the teacher any less of a great educaI strongly oppose such strong enforcetor for allowing drinks? ment of these rules. I’ve noticed a shift in In regards to food, the handbook states the attitude of teachers going from wanting that “any food items will not be allowed to teach to being afraid that they are teachoutside the cafeteria.” Once more, I fail to ing incorrectly. In actuality, if a teacher gets understand why this rule is necessary. Food his or her students to learn their subject has proven to increase concentration and re- and pass, then there is no way of incorrect sult in better test results. This school even teaching. provides students food before and during Students do not understand the need of standardized tests. I find it ridiculous that these useless rules that teachers must enstudents cannot have food outside of the force. This puts a strain between the teachcafeteria because I, along with many others, ers and their students because educators are can think of no good reason for this rule. unable to give a clear reason for such strong One simply does not exist. enforcement. I doubt anyone but a handful My next issue is about the no music with of administrators even know why we have headphones rule. I am in no way saying that such rules. music should be allowed all of the time, but A healthy, communicative bond is essenthere are critical moments where music can tial to learning, and I have noticed a lack be an exceptional help with assignments thereof because of these rules. Something and overall education. According to www. must change. If not, I only see less learning aep-arts.org, music “cultivates better think- and stronger conflict between teachers, stuing skills” that are “integral to students’ dents and administrators. ability to apply knowledge and visualize so-

Ryan Murphy @ryanmurph12 Editor-in-Chief

“My New Year’s resolution is to graduate, because it is an accomplishment I have always wanted to achieve.”

“Mine was to come to school on time, but I’ve already checked in one time this week. It is very, very hard to keep.”

J.J. Ashby Senior

Anna Evan Bristow Sophomore

“I didn’t really make one. I’m just trying to be the best I can be. I’m still working on some that I made last year.”

“Mine is to read two books a month and to save money. It’s always been hard for me to keep my resolutions.”

“I made one New Year’s resolution. It was to quit worrying about women. I failed most miserably because women are very easy to worry about. They are always trying to steal your heart and your money.

I tried not to worry about them and that lasted for about three days before I started worrying about them again. But because I’m a man of great resolve, I will attempt to continue my endeavor to not worry about women.”

Chris Jones

Anna Beth Moore Teacher

Sumner Fortenberry Senior

Geometry Teacher

With the next cinematic release of the popular ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy far in the distance, it can be hard to fill the dystopia gap District 12 left behind – literally. While they have a tough act to follow, there are countless novels from a common thread able to curb any dystopian hunger. Below is a compilation of trending series and less widely known works alike.

Battle Royale Drawing several parallels to “The Hunger Games,” “Battle Royale” is a novel with an action thriller film adaptation. A Japanese junior high class is told they are taking a field trip, but is gassed and sent to a deserted island. As part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided weapons and prompted to kill one another until there is one left standing or they will all be executed in three days. “Battle Royale” is a modern-day “Lord of the Flies,” taking care to give insight on each character individually along the way.

Ender’s Game With a major motion picture released in November, “Ender’s Game” serves as the kickoff to a five-part series. Set in a militaristic future, the science fiction novel presents mankind striving to create a secure defense against outside attacks with the use of child geniuses trained as soldiers.

Protagonist Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is drafted to the orbiting Battle School, and while Ender excels with his innovative nature, his true battles prove to be psychological.

Oryx and Crake Set after the collapse of civilization, “Oryx and Crake” follows a hermit protagonist that may be the lone human survivor searching for answers through the remains of the city rendered by genetic engineering. Author Margaret Atwood creates a disturbingly plausible world wrought with violence, social disparity, genetic hybrids and man-made viruses.

Divergent “Divergent” is the first book in a trilogy set in a dystopian version of Chicago where society is divided into five factions based on virtues such as honesty, selflessness and intelligence. Once 16, teenagers take an aptitude test to determine the faction they will devote their lives to, yet protagonist Beatrice shows equal aptitude for three. Even after choosing a faction, the pool of teenagers must pass a competitive initiation process consisting of extreme physical tests of endurance and psychological simulations or they will be dismissed and become factionless.

Y 2014JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

matic re‘Hunger the disd to fill strict 12 y. While ct to folss novels ead able an hunlation of ss widely

Royale wing sevparallels e Hunger ,” “Batyale” is a with an thriller Japanese old they p, but is deserted ruthless m, they ons and another standing executed Royale” rd of the give inter indiy.

s Game a mation picreleased Novem“Ender’s serves kickoff Set in a e science ts manate a seoutside of child soldiers.

“Ender” he orbitnd while innovae battles gical.

nd

after the e of civin, “Oryx ake” fola hermit gonist e human for anmains of genetic Margaret urbingly ght with arity, gean-made

ent ergent” first book ilogy set ystopian n of Chiwhere sos divided d on virselflesse. Once aptitude e faction lives to, ce shows ee. Even tion, the st pass a n process physical and psys or they become

}

}

RELIGION } IN SCHOOLS?}

One nation under God, after all Bailie White @bailiew2016 Staff Writer

H

Religion in schools is fascism Ben Davis

@bsdavis4296 Assistant Editor

H

ow would you like living in Hitler’s Geraving religion in schools is a major topic many or Stalin’s Russia? Obviously, unless that is debated back and forth, and everyyou’re a political extremist, your answer one seems to have a contrasting opinion. is most likely “not very much.” Having I believe that there should be religion in a group, especially a governmental one, schools, because if some students don’t that controls every aspect of your life isn’t a great idea, hear about God at school, they won’t hear about Him but this is exactly what many, especially in the South, anywhere else. would like to see happen.

Christianity should be the only religion taught in For years, there have been many who have pressured schools because that is the religion that our country was both the federal and state governments to mandate the founded on. incorporation religion into the publicly funded educaAfter all, we are one nation, under God. If our nation tional curriculum. This, for many reasons, is is really under God, why are the schools not an extremely bad idea. teaching religion? As a part of the Pledge Firstly, the incorporation of religion of Allegiance, this should be one of the and state is explicitly forbidden in the most important things that American Constitution. Theoretically assumcitizens learn about. ing it to be constitutional, the next Many of our nation’s great leaders problem in incorporating religion in even supported religion in school. public education is the decision of “The act that established our public what religion would be practiced in school system called for public educapublic schools. By default, Christiantion to see that our children learned ity would be adopted, as the majorabout religion and morality,” Ronald ity of Americans claim to be Christian.

Reagan said in a radio address on Feb. 25, However, this brings forth a more chalMariah O’Neal 1984. “References to God can be found in lenging question: whose Sophomore “I think we should be able the Mayflower Comversion of Christianity to pray if we want.” pact of 1620, the would we teach?

Declaration of In the Bible Belt, Independence, Baptists make up the Pledge of the largest deAllegiance, and nomination, but in the U.S. as a the National whole, Roman Anthem. Also, Catholicism is the our legal tender most prominent states, ‘In God denomination. AsWe Trust.’’’

Jamiya Smith Tucker Sheffield Alexis Knowles suming CatholiI believe that Junior Junior Junior cism were to be our founding “Not everybody is religious, “I think prayer in school “I feel they shouldn’t be so I don’t think we should should be allowed because able to say you can or chosen as the belief fathers wanthave it.” some people need Jesus.” cannot pray in school.” set to be taught in ed God to be school, 81 percent of in our schools. students in public schools Otherwise, they would be subjected to the bewouldn’t have made liefs, history and practices of a religion they the First Amendment don’t affiliate with. support the freedom of religion: If the religious curriculum taught were to “Congress shall make no law respecting be determined by state governments, rathan establishment of religion, or prohibiter than the federal, Mississippi would most ing the free exercise thereof; or abridging likely teach the beliefs of the Southern the freedom of speech, or of the press; or Baptist Convention, the largest religious Hunter Jones the right of the people peaceably to asgroup in the state. However, this would Senior semble, and to petition the Government still leave more than 70 percent of Mis“Some people need it to for a redress of grievances.” be honest with you. I think sissippi students practicing a religion they it would help out a lot of One is not required to participate in don’t affiliate with. students and deepen their these acts of religion in schools, but for thoughts.”

Another point made by those who wish those who are open to the idea, the opto inflict religion into public schools is portunity would be there. that our nation was founded on Chris“You could be the only Bible sometianity – an absurd notion. While most one ever reads” is a quote that has refounding fathers claimed to be Chrisally encouraged me lately. This is not tian, many questioned their religion, or only true to individuals, but to schools lacked it altogether. as a whole. If a Bible verse is read Furthermore, there isn’t proof to support many of the historical events in over the announcements every mornreligious texts. Science tells us that the ing, something that is said could really universe can be accounted for without help someone throughout the day and Morgan Pannell Senior intelligent design. Additionally, all mathroughout their life.

“I don’t believe that jor religions originated thousands of God is always listening to our prayers. religion should be taught, only because we have years in the past, making any religion If a teacher says a prayer before a big such diversity among speculation. It has been known for thoutest, students might feel better about our school that it would sands of years that no religion’s beliefs be controversial.

I mean, taking the test. Students wouldn’t be it’s OK to express your can be proven; this is why many refer to forced to pray, but they would have the religion, but you shouldn’t a given religion as “the faith.” force someone to believe opportunity. in something they aren’t An argument that those who support Although private schools are a good sure of.” religion in schools commonly cite is that option for some families, for others religious practice instills morals. Howprivate schools, which usually are very ever, this implies that morals are derived costly, are not the best option. A student from religion, and that those who lack reshould not have to pay to get an education ligion also lack morals. This isn’t true. In in a spiritual atmosphere. This should come fact, many religious scriptures lack morals alfree to public school students. together. Religious texts from the two largest religions, If a more religious class concerning the New TestaChristianity and Islam, often encourage the unjust exment, rather than just biblical history, was taught here, ecution and hatred of others. I’m not implying that it I personally would benefit more from that class than isn’t possible for either of these, or any, religious text any other taught. Learning about religion and the Bible to be derived from a divine being, but rather that reliwould help me more in life than anything else I will ever gious books are influenced and written by men, heavily learn. In the end, being one of God’s children is what edited, translated from language to language, and then matters. Having a 4.0 GPA at the end of high school have opinion inflicted upon them by religious teachers. won’t matter as much as becoming a Christian and livWhether it be through religion-based curriculum, ing life for God will in the end. school-led prayer or another form, it should be obvious Some people have never heard of God or the story that the incorporation of religion into public education of Jesus, but school can be a source for them to learn is a bad idea. these things. I’m not saying there should be big religious I myself am religious, but I detest the thought of tythings (chapel, etc.), but I do believe that little things at ing religious practice to school in any way. The thought of this alone makes my stomach churn, as the notion school would make a huge difference in some people’s isn’t rooted in fact but in the wish of some to indoctrilives. nate another in one’s personal beliefs, which often lack Whether it is by simple prayer before a test or reading supporting evidence. This strips the majority of humans a Bible passage over the announcements in the morning, to think and act on their own accord – a right that all I believe that there should be religion in school. religious scholars agree was given to mankind by God.

Opinions

an ves hing

7

OPINIONS

THE

HI-TIMES A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Murphy Assistant Editor: Ben Davis Managing Editor: Jordan Jones Business Manager: Katherine Grace Staff Writers: Kyle Alford Kelia Blanchard Rachel Bobo Brett Ashleigh Brooks LeShay Dixon Bethany Fitts Kaitlin Flowers Lakoya Gordon Michea Hayden Nathan Jackson Shawanda Jones Corey Kalish Meaghan Killian Pierce Lehman Akeal Montgomery Delaney Norton Allyssa Smith Bailie White Alexis Zosel Adviser: Ginny Miller See more news at thscurrent.com Follow us on Twitter @tupelohitimes 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.

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.

8SPORTS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014JANUA

WAVE SOCCER TEAMS ADVANCE IN PLAYOFFS Kyle Alford

BLOOD IS THICK

THS athletics a family affair for students Corey Kalish

@AlfordKyle Staff Writer

@cdk1624 Staff Writer

The Tupelo Lady Wave continued their winning ways Jan. 27 on the soccer pitch with a 4-0 victory over Southaven in the first round of the 2014 MHSAA soccer playoffs.

Tupelo senior Abbie Banko scored the first goal for the Lady Wave, and senior Chardé Hannah added the next three.

The two seniors are playing in their last games as high school players, something that can add as a motivational factor as the Lady Wave advance in the playoffs.

“I’m excited to be playing, we played a good game,” Hannah said. “We’re just staying positive and taking it one game at a time. I know I have three games left in my high school career, and I want to win. I want to go all the way.”

In the second round, the Lady Wave are lined up to play the winner of the Jan. 29 matchup between Northwest Rankin and Clinton.

Coach Hannah Kimbrough knows the challenge her team is up against.

“We know that both of those teams are really good and that we’re going to have to bring it,” she said.

“We’re prepared to do that.”

The Lady Wave has not played Northwest Rankin, but lost at Clinton earlier this season 1-0.

(B) Tupelo 2, Southaven 1 The Golden Wave also punched their ticket into the second round Jan. 27.

Junior Hunter Johnson put the Wave on the board eight minutes into the first half when he knocked in his penalty kick after being fouled from behind in the box.

Senior KJ Armstrong added to the lead when he received a cross from fellow senior Chase Cernigliaro at the 30:19 mark in the first half.

Armstrong also knows what’s at stake in his last playoffs, and puts it simply.

“I want to win the state championship,” he said. “It just motivates me even more.”

Coach Harris Faucette can relate.

“Anytime you win in the playoffs, of course it’s good because if you lose, your season is over with,” he said. “We didn’t play our best game today, it was cold, but we finished it out.”

Finish it out. That’s what both the Lady and Golden Wave will aim to do as they attempt to survive and advance.

Both the Lady and Golden Wave will play their second round playoff games Feb. 1 against the winners of the Northwest Rankin vs. Clinton matchup.

Finish it out. That’s what both the Lady and Golden Wave will aim to do as they attempt to survive and advance.

Over the past century of Tupelo athletics, the Golden Wave have obtained 117 state championships among a wide range of sports. It’s also a family affair.

Tristan Upchurch, sophomore, and Easton Upchurch, freshman, are brothers who are on the Golden Wave basketball team. Born in Texas, both picked up a basketball for the first time at a very young age.

“It’s so much fun being on the court with my brother,” Tristan said. “Since we were really young we have had chemistry only brothers could have while playing with each other.”

They are currently top recruits in the state for their age groups.

Another dominant force for the Golden Wave are the Clifton brothers. Justin, a junior, and Antonio, a senior, are both a big component on the defense of the Golden Wave football team. Antonio, the older of the two, is a cornerback and had two touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He is extremely fast and efficient for pass coverage.

Justin, the younger brother, is one of the strongest and most fearsome defenders on the team. The Clifton brothers make an incredible sibling dynamic duo.

When discussing Tupelo soccer, one might think of previous sibling power pairs such as Lexie and Liza Wise or Georgia and Maddie Russell. This year, a new family has come into play. The 2013 soccer season has seen the rise of the Darnell girls. McKenzie, a senior, and Katie, a freshman, are both a force to be reckoned with. McKenzie is a forward and Katie is a midfielder.

Together, they hope to lead the Lady Wave to a state championship.

COREY KALISH

Sophomore Tristan Upchurch and freshman Easton Upchurch are top recruits in the state for their age groups in basketball.

“It’s so great working together on the field with Katie,” McKenzie said.

“She’s such a good soccer player and so skilled even as a freshman.”

McKenzie has some words of wisdom for her younger sibling.

“If I could give her any advice, I would tell her to enjoy everything about high school and soccer because it flies by,” McKenzie said. “I would also tell her push through the hard times and hard practices because it will make her better off in the games. Most importantly I want her to never forget the weird things I taught her about life and to always be a leader.”

Other sibling athletes at THS in-

clude Connor and Emily Anderson; Caitlin and Michael Bailey; Bess and Mary Dawson Buskirk; Emily and Lauren Kate Carter; Carter and Walker Clayton; Chandler and Landon Craig; Hannah and Zach Ellis; Hayes and Perry Hershfelt; Katherine, Kyle and Sarah Holliman; Brooke and Ferrell McAuley; Rodney and Vincent McIntosh; Amelia and Olivia Pongetti; Demarcus Rogers and Tyrell Finley; Hudson and Miles Roy; Katie and Parks Taylor; Graham and Reed Taylor; Drew and Josh Turberville; Luke and Ross Weeden; and Jarvis and Otis Wilson.

Upperclassmen shine on senior night Kyle Alford @AlfordKyle Staff Writer

The Tupelo Golden Wave got back to their winning ways as they topped off their senior night on Jan. 21 with a substantial 5-1 win over Pontotoc.

The Wave scored early when junior Zach Ellis served sophomore teammate Logan Little, who put the ball in the net at the 16:40 mark of the first half. Senior K.J. Wright, Ellis, and junior Marquis Rivera added their own goals in the first half.

“This win is big for us, especially coming off our last two games,” Golden Wave coach Harrison Faucette said. “We played really well tonight.”

Tupelo was coming off consecutive losses – 2-1 to Madison Central and 5-4 to Hernando. Prior to that, the Golden Wave were ranked as high as No. 5 in the country by MaxPreps, the national high school sports ranking website.

“Tonight’s win is starting momentum for us and I think as momentum builds up it will carry us through the playoffs,” junior defender Bryce Hunt said. “I think we will succeed in our goals in the playoffs to make and win the state championship.”

On Jan. 23, the Golden Wave won

Senior Chardé Hannah prepares to score against DeSoto Central.

Division 2-6A after Grenada forfeited the match. The Wave will host the first round playoff game on Jan. 28.

Meanwhile, the Lady Wave and Lady Warriors were tied at nil for most of their Jan. 21 match, until junior midfielder Lauren Losordo knocked in the Lady Wave’s lone goal on a cross from freshman Lexi Pund with 11:53 left to propel her

KATHERINE GRACE

team to the 1-0 win.

“Lexi did a good job of getting me the ball late in the game when we needed a goal, so I just took the shot and it went in,” Losordo said of her third goal of the year.

The Lady Wave, unbeaten in their division and second in the state, have clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. They will host Southaven on Jan. 28.

IN THE HALLS What was your reaction to the Super Bowl XLVIII? Achintya Prasad Freshman

KATHERINE GRACE

Katie Darnell passes the ball during the Lady Wave’s 4-0 victory over Southaven on Jan. 27.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

DENVER BRONCOS

43FINAL -8

“I went for the Seahawks. They were great. They won.”

Caiti Ellis Sophomore “I wanted the Broncos to win, but then the Seahawks were winning so I went to Starbucks.”

Noah Hunt Sophomore “I was going for the Seahawks. I didn’t rally care about who won, but I went for the Seahawks. I was indifferent.”

Dylan Hobson Freshman

Ashleigh Bailey Junior

“I went for the Broncos. I turned it off at halftime.”

“I thought the game was really sucky. I was going for the Denver Broncos but they let me down.”

9

SPORTS

Y 2014JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

nderson; ey; Bess rk; Emr; Carter dler and nd Zach Hershfelt; h HolliMcAuley; McIntosh; ; Demarey; Hudnd Parks Taylor; le; Luke rvis and

Vegas

All Wave

Rollin’ it up in

Continued from PG1

The girls bowling team won state in 2013 and plans another title this year.

Taylor Russell

COURTESY

Michea Hayden @CheaSeoul Staff Writer Taylor Russell attempted to roll her way on to an elite bowling team.

The Tupelo High School sophomore participated in the Team USA Trials in Las Vegas in January for a chance to be on Team USA. “I didn’t come close to making it really,” Russell said, “but I was also bowling against pros and college bowlers. I was pretty much the youngest girl bowling. I went out there and gave it my best shot though.”

“Each day I’ve bowled, I’ve had six games,” said Russell, who bowled one tournament game with a high of 278. A video of her high scoring game can be viewed on YouTube by searching “team USA trials 2014” and clicking on “women’s round 3.”

“Bowling in this tournament against all these pro bowlers and college bowlers has really opened my eyes,” Russell said. “It has shown me how much harder I need to work to make my dream of bowling on Junior Team USA true.”

Russell is no stranger to bowling.

“I have been bowling since I was five, so, it has been 11 years,” said Russell, a member of the THS bowling team since seventh grade.

Since Russell has been bowling for awhile, she has participated in many competitions.

“There are always competitions out there for me to bowl,” Russell said. “I just really plan on working harder and more diligently to be the best that I can be.”

COURTESY

Bowling teams aim for another state win bowlers on the team, they display leadership skills that push the team forward.

“Cody and Ashleigh stepped up as The Golden Wave bowling team has leaders for our team this season to been dominant since its establishment help reach our goals,” Dudley said.

10 years ago. Head coach Susan DudAnother impact player for the girls ley has high hopes for her team this is Russell, a sophomore. She recently year. competed in a national adult women’s The boys team is 10-1 and the girls bowling competition and placed 92nd team is 8-1. out of 105 bowlers. For “We have started “We have started the boys, Turberville is out very strong,” Dud- out very strong. a major component for ley said, “Both teams their victories. In the have a good chance of Both teams first match of the season, a state championship if have a good he bowled a high game they continue to work chance of a state of 277. He was later hard and make improve- championship nominated as THS Blanments.” ket of the Week.

In their first match of if they continue The Golden Wave the season on Nov. 15, to work hard bowling team’s record Tupelo won 8-0. had proven that they and make The high games for improvements. had become so good the girls were bowled by that they had to search - Susan Dudley Taylor Russell with 201 for more opponents.

Bowling Coach points, Addison Gable Therefore, they scouted with 157 points, and outside of Mississippi Ellye Gafford with 150 points. The for worthy competitors and certainhigh games for the boys were bowled ly found one in Hardin County High

by Drew Turberville with 236 points, School. Tupelo traveled to Tennessee Jake Houston with 213 points, and in hopes of another win but instead Clayton Horton with 200 points. lost. The Golden Wave seemed to be The team captains this year are ju- unaffected by the loss and went on to nior Cody Chambers and senior Ash- win more games. leigh Burns. Although not the top

Corey Kalish @cdk1624 Staff Writer

ght

tting me when we the shot id of her

n in their he state, ed in the outhaven

Senior coed cheerleaders pose with coach Kama Alford and their sixth state championship trophy on Dec. 13.

COURTESY

Cheerleaders win state, head to nationals again Lakoya Gordon @_SweetKoya Staff Writer

The Tupelo High School Coed Cheer squad brought home its sixth state championship on Dec. 13, qualifying them for nationals in February.

“They are awesome,” cheer coach Kama Alford said. “They don’t know anything right now but winning and being successful. They still work hard in everything they do.”

The win is Alford’s third since she started coaching the varsity squad in 2009. Before that she had coached junior varsity since 2005.

Otis Wilson has been a cheerleader for three years.

“I have earned three state championship rings and I have a team that is

amazing,” Wilson said.

Wilson, a senior, said his favorite part about being a cheerleader is “being able to show my strength and doing something I never thought about doing before.”

He has high hopes for nationals this year, as does Alford.

“All we have left is nationals, and last year we ranked seventh,” said Alford, who is headed to her fifth nationals.

“This year we hope to be in the Top 5.”

The squad leaves Feb. 6, but actually will compete Feb. 8.

Twenty-seven cheerleaders will make the trip to Orlando, Fla., including senior Ally Matthews.

A cheerleader for four years, “I just really like flying,” she said.

Matthews, who usually holds a sign

while on top of the pyramid , has fallen a couple of times from mid-air.

“I like holding the sign and my foot,” she said.

Matthews has some advice for future cheerleaders.

“I want them to become better and just keep up the hard work,” she said, to which Wilson added, “It’s hard.”

The squad practices every day two to three hours in the rubber floor gym.

Sometimes, if necessary, they will practice on the weekend to help them become better.

“When you practice you reach perfection, and those who don’t work don’t win,” said Yasmin Young, a senior who has cheered since her freshman year.

“It feels like I’m a winner and a part of something big.”

The Tupelo Boys were given these awards for when they decided to be the band at the Hernando football game that the THS varsity band could not attend.

Junior Bethany Fitts won her shirt because of her outstanding effort on the volleyball court along with her fantastic classroom achievements.

“This season my coaches saw me as a leader on the team and someone who, in face of trials others might not handle so well, I kept a positive attitude and continued to encourage people,” said Fitts, who was coached by Braden and Laurie Bishop.

J building office workers Monica Namie and Karen Ramsey received their All Wave T-shirts for their extraordinary efforts to make everything go more smoothly, organize all of the events, answer continuous phone calls and assist anyone who might need help.

Photographer Marty Pettit was also recognized with this tremendous honor for handling all of the 2014 senior portraits.

Others who have received All Wave T-shirts include THS Principal Jason Harris, Lawndale Elementary Principal Brock English, and many others because of their outstanding efforts at school and in the community.

“Whether you’re the nose guard for the football team or the lead editor on the broadcast journalism team, it’s everybody, all 2,200plus students that are at this high school. We’re all wave.”

- Braden Bishop Sports Information Director

The All Wave T-shirts are making a huge impact on THS and the community.

“They are motivating people to want to do better in their classes and have a positive effect on people’s lives,” Fitts said.

“I believe they kind of give people a motive to succeed,” Tupelo Boy Kyle Holliman said.

“It gets people to try to good things for the school to earn them,” Tupelo Boy Daniel Purnell added.

“They are great and motivational because we all want one,” English teacher Shari Chumley said.

“Recognizing them in their class, in front of their peers, as the leaders they are serves to reaffirm the high expectations we have for them,” Schoggin said.

“No matter what we’re doing, we’re all on the same team,” sports information director Braden Bishop said, adding that Schoggin has done “a really good job with the short amount of time he has been here.”

“Whether you’re the nose guard for the football team or the lead editor on the broadcast journalism team, it’s everybody, all 2,200-plus students that are at this high school,” Bishop said. “We’re all wave.”

COURTESY

Principal Jason Harris with his All Wave T-shirt.

10ART&ENTERTAINMENT

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

THE 56TH

GRAMMY

AWARDS

JORDAN JONES

Pirating music and movies is against the law.

By Jordan Jones, jordanjjones1

PIRATING? You could go to jail Nathan Jackson @_treehome Staff writer

If you can give people free music, they are going to take it, and if you are that guy who sells copies of movies, people are going to buy them. This happens on a daily basis, and it has become such a norm that people aren’t realizing that they are breaking the law.

The government calls this form of law breaking pirating. Pirating is when someone reproduces the work of another for profit without permission. Many people pirate movies, music or games.

Copyright Infringement is the law that involves the illegal copying and sales of electronic or audio visual/media. In the United States, you can get up to five years in jail and $250,000 in fines. For example, in 2009, Jammie Thomas-Rasset was found guilty of illegally downloading music from the Internet and fined $80,000 per song, a total of $1.9 million for 24 songs. Her case was the first copyright infringement law case to go to trial in the U.S. If you can’t Another big case was when the afford to have something then Recording Industry Association of you shouldn’t American, rapper have it. DownDr. Dre and the loading illegally rock band Metaloff the Internet lica sued Napster for allowing usis not the way ers to share the to go. contents off their hard drives and giving millions of people access to an entire library of copyright songs free of charge.

One of the most common reasons why people pirate is because it is hard to enforce the law due to the large size of the Internet. In order to enforce the copyright law, you would need to know what country the owner of the website distributing the material was from, as well as the location of the person illegally downloading the content. Doing all of that is, however, too expensive and time consuming. Also, some countries have different laws about copyrights.

Pirating music has become the most popular infraction because of how music is sold. More people buy digital copies of music than physical copies because they want to be able to put the music on their phone, laptop or other electronic devices. But as digital copies of music started to become popular, so did uploading the music on the Internet to share with the world. The RIAA reports that CD sales are decreasing eight to nine percent every year. The RIAA also estimates that about 2.1 billion CDs are downloaded a year.

Movies are also illegally downloaded, but it doesn’t have as huge of an impact and isn’t as common as illegally downloading music. Most movies get their money back the first weekend of release if they are any good. For the people to get a copy of the movie, they will have to go watch the movie in the theater, record it and then sell the recording.

Games are the third most common media that is pirated. At school, some people are giving each other games on their MacBooks, but most students realize that sharing games is illegal. Most people wouldn’t pirate games for their gaming console because they wouldn’t be able to play the game as well as they would if they bought it, and the graphics of the game wouldn’t look that good either.

If you can’t afford to have something then you shouldn’t have it. Downloading illegally off the Internet is not the way to go.

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM “UNORTHODOX JUKEBOX” BRUNO MARS

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM “SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK” KACY MUSGRAVES

Katy Perry, nominated for “Roar” but winless, had the darkest and most theatrical performance of the night when she sang her song “Dark Horse” ft. Juicy J. With the theme of witchcraft, Perry started in a crystal ball and ended being burned at the stake. Neil Patrick Harris tweeted about the spectacle saying, “On tonight’s episode of American Horror Story: Coven -- @KatyPerry #loveher.”

It was a big night for the New Zealand teen Lorde, who took home two Grammys, both for her song “Royals.” 2013 was her year. She seemed to come out of nowhere and now she has two Grammys at just 16 years old. We have not heard the last of Lorde.

BEST ROCK ALBUM

“CELEBRATION DAY” - LED ZEPPELIN

BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM “UNAPOLOGETIC” RIHANNA

Beyonce and husband Jay Z opened the show with “Drunk in Love.” The performance has received criticism from some parents, who said it was too racy for primetime. But to most of the public, Beyonce can do no wrong. Jay Z took home two Grammys that night, raising his Grammy total to 18. His wife is one short with 17, but that is likely to change next year when her new self-titled album will be eligible for Grammy consideration.

Daft Punk, the French Electronica duo, took home four Grammys including Record of the Year for “Get Lucky” ft. Pharrell Williams, and Album of the Year, “Random Access Memories.”

The group is known for their helmets and not speaking in public, so they asked their friend Williams to give all four acceptence speeches.

They also performed “Get Lucky” with Williams and Stevie Wonder.

Imagine Dragons and Kenderick Lamar’s performance was one word - electric. Imagine Dragons took home Best Rock Performance for their song “Radioactive,” but Kenderick Lamar lost to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in the Best Rap Album category. Macklemore said Lamar “got robbed” and that he wanted him to win.

Lamar responded that Macklemore’s Grammy was “well deserved.”

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, with Mary Lambert and Madonna, performed their LGBT anthem “Same Love.” In the middle of the song 33 gay and straight couples were married in a ceremony officiated by Queen Latifah. This had much of the audience teary eyed, inlcuding country singer Keith Urban. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took home three Grammys including Best Rap Album, “The Heist,” and Best New Artist.

Goodbye Sound Wave, Wave Connection; hello, Synergy Rachel Bobo @rachel_bobo Staff Writer

This year THS welcomed a new and improved conglomeration of Sound Wave and Wave Connection named Synergy.

After Wave Connection lost all of its male performers, it was combined with Soundwave to create a 40-girl show choir run by Danielle Frerer.

The band Structure travels with Synergy and provides the upbeat and modern music in the troupe’s performances.

“This year is so different from last year in the nature of our show and all the things we’re doing,” said Mamie Clark, a sophomore and veteran Sound Wave performer. “I think that we have big things in store this year.”

Frerer describes the new program, “Welcome to Mystery,” as a different type of girl’s show, with a bit of a darker tone. Synergy involves

more complex choreography and social skills along with thespian talstunts than most shows, making it ents. more mature and advanced.

“Synergy is extremely helpful for To help choreograph and coach girls or for anyone,” Frerer said. “It the performance, Frerer recruited helps get them out of their shell. It alumni of the previous ensemble teaches life lessons and spreads cashows. For months, the maraderie.” performers have been “Synergy is On Jan. 30-Feb. 1, the practicing stunts and extremely troupe unveiled its glamtricks to set their show helpful for orous show to the Tupelo apart. community. Synergy had girls or for Last semester, Synits first competition in anyone. It ergy was a class period Jackson on Feb. 8. The and the performers helps get them showchoir next travels spent their third block out of their to Nashville on Feb. 21practicing singing and shell. It teach22 and to Branson, Mo., dancing. This semester, es life lessons from March 27-30. the troupe rehearses and spreads For most of the girls, three days a week after however, participating camaraderie.” in Synergy is not a comschool. To get the per- Danielle Frerer formers in shape, Frerpetitive activity but an Synergy Director er encouraged daily opportunity to pursue exercises and practices. their interests. Winning “We even tried singing while run- is only another plus. ning, which is much harder than it “It allows everyone to do what looks,” said Morgan King, a sopho- they love,” King said. “We are able more and new member to Synergy. to connect with other people and Members also learn teamwork and make lasting friendships.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTY PETTIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Synergy, which means the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, is the name of the new THS show choir. Synergy was formed when Sound Wave and Wave Connection merged.