The Hi-Times May 2014 by The Hi-Times

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 71 ISSUE 6

4125 Golden Wave Dr., Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

THE

HI-TIMES MAY 2014 A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

SENIOR EDITION

Senior staff members reflect on high school PG3 | Class of 2014 PG4

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTY PETTIT PHOTOGRAPHY

INSIDE

KELIA BLANCHARD

Driver’s Ed car gets makeover A senior project group ‘wrapped’ a Ford Taurus in the name of safety.PG2

STUDENT SURVIVES IN OUTBACK BATHROOM

EF3 twister rips through Tupelo

Karlee Avery @karleeavery Guest Writer

Senior Memoirs Seniors of The Hi-Times staff reflect on high school. PG3

KATHERINE GRACE

THS sophomore Taylor Justice gets emotional about the tornado damage to her Antler Drive home.

Tupelo remains strong through cleanup effort Bailie White @bailiew2016 Staff Writer

COURTESY

Archery places third at state “Overall, I’m just very proud of my team. Over half of our team had never shot before. Their first time to ever pick up a bow was at tryouts.” - Christy Jordan, Archery coach PG2

he Tupelo Spirit remains strong after an EF3 tornado tore through the city of Tupelo around 2:45 Monday afternoon. “Keep picking up, Tupelo,” @themblankets tweeted Tuesday. “Keep asking, Tupelo. Keep searching for those hurt, Tupelo. #TupeloSpirit is getting stronger and stronger. Officials estimated that approximately 2,000 residences and 100 commercial structures were damaged or destroyed in the city. Homes in the Joyner and Lakeshire neighborhoods were damaged or destroyed. Vanelli’s, Steak Escape, Hammer’s and other businesses on North Gloster Street also suffered major damage. On Tuesday morning, students from Tupelo High School gathered at The Orchard to pray for the community. Others looked for ways to serve by taking food to The Salvation Army, and many churches set up tables to serve food all around the area to those who needed it. Social media buzzed with reaction to the storm. “I can’t even recognize McCullough riding down it, still loving Tupelo even through unrecognizable times,” sophomore Caiti Ellis tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

TORNADO FACTS Every tornado has its own color, sound and shape. A tornado can occur at any time, but most often between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. In Oklahoma, a small herd of cattle were sucked up by a tornado and carried across the countryside, before being set down unharmed. Tornado chasers in the U.S. park southeast of the tornado. It’s usually the safest spot to film or record. The reason is because tornadoes normally travel from southwest to the northeast. Tornado chasers may drive hundreds of miles during a single chase.

See Tornado PG3

SOURCE - Tornado-Facts.com

INDEX • NEWS.................................2 • SENIORS...........................3 • ART&ENTERTAINMENT.....8

TO THE CLASS OF 2014:

IN THE HALLS

“I was driving down Thomas Street with my girlfriend. While driving, I looked to my right and saw the dark clouds coming. We were supposed to make it to the bathroom in her home.”

“I was in the living room with my mom. I wasn’t scared because the storm wasn’t really near me. People were texting me all day, so that’s how I knew about it.”

Sophomore

John Nabors

Sophomore

“I was in my closet watching ‘The Lion King’ when the tornado hit. I was the one who got the last look out the window before we shut ourselves in. I saw the clouds spinning super fast.”

“I was at home in the bathroom with my family. I wasn’t scared, but my kids were. My son never experienced anything like that. I’d been in that situation before.”

Christopher Hocevar Freshman

Coach

“I was under my stairs with my family. I found out about the storm when my doors flew open and water flooded into my house.”

Alex Scruggs

“If you’ve built your castles in the sky... that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” - Henry David Thoreau

A powerful EF3 tornado ripped through Tupelo on April 28. We asked THS students where they were when the storm hit, and how they were affected by the tornado’s devastation.

Senior

Fred Hadley

Wyatt Herring

“I was at my house and my closet was my safe place. We actually had to cut power lines and trees just to get out of my neighborhood.” Christian Henderson Sophomore

When an EF3 tornado bore down on the city the afternoon of April 28, Tupelo High School junior Ashley Chimahusky was working at Outback and keeping an eye on the sky. “I was outside up front with one of the managers and we were watching the tornado come at us,” she said. “All the trees were blowing and dust was flying everywhere. We looked over and we saw black coming at us so we were like, ‘all right! Done!” Chimahusky Chimahusky said when her manager told everyone to get inside, “We all ran into the bathroom.” About a dozen people rode out the storm in the restaurant’s restrooms, Chimahusky said. “There was a girl beside me who I’m close to, so I was trying to keep her calm, because there were two little kids in there with their dad,” she recalled. “I was trying to keep her calm so they didn’t freak out.” Chimahusky was “kinda” scared too, she said. After the tornado passed, “We thought we were in the eye of the storm for a while because it had been loud, then got quiet,” Chimahusky said. “Fifteen minutes later we were still in there. We were like, ‘all right I guess it’s done,’ so we got out and Outback was a wreck.” The group emerged from their safe place to a much different restaurant. “Glass was everywhere and tables were flipped over,” Chimahusky said. “We looked outside and saw tons of police lights.” The restaurant lost windows and sustained roof damage, but was not destroyed in the storm. In fact, the popular chain establishment reopened May 7, and Chimahusky will still have her job as a hostess. “Yeah, it’ll be fixed up,” she said.

2NEWS

ACT SCORE BRINGS IN THAT GREEN Elizabeth Hocevar @elocevar Staff Writer

With graduation at hand, college is a main topic being discussed amongst many students. Some students have already chosen the college they wish to attend, but others are still taking their options into consideration. A lot of students’ choices have been largely influenced on how much scholarship money they are being offered from certain colleges. Now one can argue that, yes, grades are important to focus on during any student’s high school career. But I find that a high ACT score brings in a lot more green than GPA. Not only have many intelligent students gotten large scholarships from their ACT scores, but students who have failed classes with high ACT scores have also received these same scholarships. It is obvious that GPA has nothing to do with scholarships in this situation. Another instance is within scholarship requirements. Ole Miss’s Lucky Day scholarship requires a score of 20 on the ACT. Mississippi State’s Presidential Scholarship requires a score of 30 on the ACT. Both of these scholarships provide a great sum of money to help pay for a student’s college education (possibly all four years), but they must have the ACT score first in order to obtain either of them. Starting at a 24, Ole Miss’s academic excellence scholarship offers scholarship money to students with higher ACT scores. A 24 gets you and estimated $1,000, while a 33 and up can offer almost $7,000. It is clear that no matter where you look, the higher the score, the more money you are offered. While it is difficult to compare grades between different students using their GPA, it is very easy for admissions officers to compare students using their composite ACT scores. Even in efficiency, the ACT score wins over GPA. Higher ACT scores also look much more impressive than high GPAs. It is easy to keep a high GPA, as you can take the easiest classes and, as long as you keep up your grades, have a good GPA. There is no easy route for the ACT. Why else would there be classes offered to students to specifically help raise their ACT scores? Certainly it must be of some importance to have classes designed to boost scores on the test. The ACT is a majorly important test to take. I stress that all students begin taking the ACT at least by their junior year. It is too important to procrastinate on taking, as it obviously provides aid to those going to college. To those who may not have that perfect 4.0 GPA, no worries: a high ACT score can easily make up for it.

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • MAY 2014MAY 20

Driver’s Ed car gets makeover Kelia Blanchard @keliablanchard Staff Writer

Making fun of Driver’s Ed cars is a thing of the past. “People said it looked old and raggedy, and they even laughed on occasion,” said Sam Russell, a THS sophomore who used to drive a 2001 white Ford Taurus in Lamar Aldridge’s Driver’s Ed class. Now Russell practices his driving in style. “Before, it looked like an old beat up Ford Taurus that might belong to a 2A school,” Russell said. “Now we shine on the streets and heads turn to see us come. That’s how a 6A Driver’s Ed car should be, and I’m really glad this was done by these seniors.” The vehicle was recently “wrapped” by a senior project group. Darien Graham, Zach Martin, DJ Miller, Rod Osborn and Ashley Pulse, all members of Jason West’s English IV class, designed the wrap for the Driver’s Ed car. The design, which they installed with help from Celebrity Fast Wrap, includes Tupelo’s famous wave and a big T, along with the number 14 along both sides of the car. There is also a large 14 on the top of the car and a T in the middle of the hood. The seniors, who worked for 11 hours applying the wrap to the car on April 26, also have their names on the 14 of the car for posterity. The newly designed car also consists of decals from local car dealerships. The decals

KELIA BLANCHARD

One of Tupelo High’s Driver’s Ed vehicles was recently “wrapped” by a senior project group. From left, DJ Miller, Zach Martin, Ashley Pulse and Darien Graham, all members of Jason West’s English IV class, designed the wrap for the car. Rod Osborn also worked on the project.

are the size of a sheet of paper and cost $250 each. The decals were placed on the car’s rear side panels. Pulse said that the original price to place the design on the car was $1,000, but Celebrity Fast Wrap did it for free. Not only did they create a fresh, new look for the Driver’s Ed car, but the senior project group is also raising awareness for safety on the road.

Archery team places third in state Shawanda Jones Although THS Archery placed third in the Archery in Mississippi Schools State Shoot, the young team did well. “Overall, I’m just very proud of my team,” coach Christy Jordan said. “Over half of our team had never shot before. Their first time to ever pick up a bow was at tryouts.” COURTESY THS has had an archery The THS Archery team placed third in the State Shoot on April 16. team for five years. This year’s team had 29 shooters, with key team members includ- you have to be able to prac- such as Saltillo. They actually ing Trevor Bates Webb, Luke tice as often as practices are won the overall state competiTucker, Richie Taylor and held,” senior shooter Sarah tion this year, but they are a Gabriel Tasma, with top girls Barron said. 5A school. South Pontotoc is a being Jessie McGee, Penelope “Practice makes perfect of good competitor. They placed Dao, Morgan King and Abigail course, but hand-eye-coordi- at state and are typically one Grant. nation is really a key compo- of the top teams at state com“You can have nent to archery and petitions.” over 24 shooters “Overall, I’m just your ability to be This year’s state contest was at each match and very proud of my constant with your April 16 in Jackson. your team score is team. Over half stance, your pull, “We were only five points compiled of your of our team had and aiming points,” away from first place,” Jordan top 12 shooters,” never shot beJordan explained. said, noting that with a young Jordan said. “Of fore. Their first “Archery is such a team made up primarily of those 12, four time to ever pick unique sport that freshmen and sophomores, “I have to be of the up a bow was at we have a variety am expecting them to return opposite gender. tryouts.” of athletes. We’re next year. We can only im- Christy Jordan Typically, we have not like most teams prove from year.” Coach more guys than we where you have to A perfect archery score is do female shoothave a certain ath- 3,600 points, Barron said. ers, so we tried this year to letic components to advance “Our goal this year was to encourage more girls to come in archery through different get over 3,000 points,” she out to tryouts and to stick ways.” said. “After we got over 3,000, with archery throughout the The team’s main competi- we just shot our best throughseason.” tors included schools smaller out the season.” Practices were held in the than THS. Jordan added that her rubber floor gym after school “During the season, we team’s second goal was 3,200. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and don’t compete anybody that’s “We did not accomplish Fridays, and most matches a 6A school,” Jordan said. that, but we’re looking forwere held on Mondays. “There are some surround- ward to accomplishing that “You have to be able to be ing schools that we compete next year,” she said. “We’re committed to the team and against that are very good gonna shoot for that 3,200.”

[NEWS BRIEFS] from Staff Reports @tupelohitimes Staff Writers

Second-year students in the Tupelo CareerTechnical Center’s Construction program recently applied the skills they have acquired in Timothy Wigginton’s class to build a kiln room onto the back of the THS Art Building. The kiln room will be used for Patty Parker’s new ceramic classes. Wigginton said the project took four weeks to complete. In addition to a grade, “They also acquire self-confidence from completing the project,” he said.

Wood, Topp recognized

Dr. Harry J. Rayburn, D.M.D.

Tornado Continued from PG1

@Shawandad15 Staff Writer

Construction students build kiln

627 West Main Street Tupelo, MS 38804 (662) 340-0066

“It’s about promoting safety to teen drivers about drinking and texting while driving,” Graham said, noting he expects the car to be more effective than safe driving posters, billboards and TV ads. “It’s like a moving poster,” Miller added. The message is effective, Russell said. “I think when people see the warning signs, they will listen and obey the law,” he said. “It’s not worth losing their life.”

Amanda Wood was named Teacher of the Year for the Tupelo Career-Technical Center at the annual Awards Banquet. Evet Topp was awarded an Inspirational Leadership Award for the Tupelo Career-Technical Center at the annual Awards Banquet.

“My heart is sick for my sweet neighborhood and town but one thing is for sure, the Tupelo spirit is alive and well,” English teacher Hannah Kimbrough tweeted on Tuesday. “I love my city,” THS quarterback Daniel Bristow tweeted. “The southern hospitality is one of a kind.” History teacher Jeramy Turner used Facebook to express his grief over the death of a former student who died Monday night during a tornado in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “My heart just dropped out of my chest after hearing the news of a fine young man, John Servati, losing his life being who he has always been, which is a model for all those to strive to be,” Turner posted Tuesday morning. Servati, a 2011 THS graduate, was a champion swimmer for the Golden Wave and the University of Alabama. He was killed while he and his girlfriend were seeking shelter from the storm in a basement. Servati, 21, died a hero while protecting his girlfriend when a retaining wall collapsed on him. “He was a young man passionate about his Christian faith,” THS swim coach Lucas Smith told the Daily Journal. “You could tell from the way he lived. He died serving… He pushed his girlfriend out of the way, saving her life.” Servati’s final tweet, from earlier in the day, was further evidence that he put others first: “Keep Tupelo in your prayers #Goldenwavestrong.”

#thoseblankets T-shirts for sale

The English Department is selling #thoseblankets for $15 each. The charcoal gray Tshirts are available in youth medium and large and adult small to 4X. Proceeds will provide scholarship opportunities for seniors. Contact any THS English teacher for more details.

THS alumni group seeks members

Alumni of Tupelo High School have an outlet to stay connected with their alma mater through the THS Alumni Association. The purpose of the THS Alumni Association is to promote communication and school spirit, as well as facilitate relationships and friendships formed during the members’ involvement with and/or attendance at THS. Other roles of the organization include sponsoring alumni events and scholarships and assisting with information for class reunions. More information about the THS Alumni Association is available at www.thsalumns.org or by emailing thsalumns@gmail.com.

KATHERINE GRACE

Tornado damage on Clayton Street. For more photos, visit our website

thscurrent.com

SENIORS

Y 2014MAY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

We all will be fine How to survive

YEA R

igh school is like spending four years in a forced, unexpectedly helpful limbo with people you sort of know and others you have no desire to know. That said, I believe it is up to the individual to get the most out of this critical period of education. I suppose I should divulge some form of advice and criticism for the current and future high school students out there, so here that goes. I start with a cliché: be yourself. For whatever-higher-power-you-believe-in’s sake, have the courage in high school to be who you truly are. If you don’t have that courage, then strive to find it before it’s too late. Be an example for those who struggle to be PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY MEGHAN MABUS themselves. Ryan Murphy Writer John Ronson said in the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Radio Hour on National Public Radio that the rules and want in your future to guarantee complete guidelines for “being normal” are becoming happiness. Fourth: Stay open-minded and focus on so restrictive that “more than 50 percent of what makes people similar rather than difthe population” are now categorized as beferent. Or as I’d really like to see, celebrate ing abnormal. This change in perception others for their differences. makes the abnormal the “new normal.” Stop petty gossip about people you don’t This is proof that being your own unique, know anything about. Try to give everyone a weird self is the new norm and makes you chance at friendship. Be a kind person. This actually fit into the world’s status quo advice is the simplest of all. Go into rather than not. Don’t be afraid situations and encounters with to display your honest personno expectations and see the ality even if people call you positive results. “strange.” I guarantee that The time soon approachoutside of high school, that es where I’ll be able to “strange” will make you step out of this seemingly stand out in the workforce perpetual limbo and and help you make friends enter the semi-real for the right reasons. world that is college. Second: Find inspiration in (Some of you really are everything you endeavor. entering the real world, When it comes to school work, M and for that I commend discover what it is you want out of ESH you.) Sure I’m nervous, but R F education or where you want edI also have never been so excitucation to take you, and let that ed about anything in my entire I invite everyconstantly inspire you to study, to life than the upcoming months. pay attention, and to work as hard one to be bold It’s with this excitement that and couraas you can. I share my fifth and final piece With extracurriculars, do activi- geous throughof advice. Every single person ties that give you joy and serenity. out their high was, is, and will be OK. EvTry not to overload your sched- school years, eryone will find peace in life. ule for the sole purpose of look- and if anyone I truly believe this. If nothing ing good for college. Forget about ever needs works out how you planned, that. Find what you love and truly advice or aid, I then start a different plan. care about and dive in. Colleges also invite you I recently started watchwill like the fact that you have true to seek me out. ing “Cosmos” on Fox, and I’ve passion for several activities rather I’d love to help. come to realize that all of our than inauthentic enthusiasm for existences are somewhat insigthousands of clubs. nificant when compared to something like Third: Try living in the moment. But if the multiverse or even our small planet. I high school isn’t your moment, then by all don’t write this to say that our lives aren’t means, live and breathe the future. extremely important, because they are. I have tried all of the typical high school I write this to say that all of our problems experiences out there, but ever since the middle of my sophomore year, my mind and in life seem minute when put to scale with soul have not been with me. By that I mean all of space. We will all be OK and happy in life. It may that while my body is going through the monot seem like it in high school or even come tions, my mind and soul have been traveling to mind until the end of life, but I think we my imagination and exploring my future asall will be fine. pirations and dreams. I invite everyone to be bold and couraExperience as much as you can in high geous throughout their high school years, school, but if you grow sick of it, it is perand if anyone ever needs advice or aid, I also fectly acceptable to focus solely on what you invite you to seek me out. I’d love to help.

high school Jordan Jones @jordanjjones1 Managing Editor

Well, that’s it. Four years of just getting by, I mean hard work, done. Instead of writing about how great my high school years were, I’m going to help out the underclassmen by sharing a few of my secrets to surviving high school.

Have a stress free attitude

Life is short and high school is way shorter, so don’t waste your time stressing. If you ever start to stress, make a list of the things you’re stressing about. Then fix the things you can fix and forget about the rest. There have been many school assisgnments where I had to make the decision to do it or not do it because I was so busy. Thinking about it wastes time. Time that can be spent going to Taco Bell or scrolling through Vine. So don’t stress, and enjoy life.

Participate in school stuff

If you don’t have any school spirit, get some. Pep rallies, football games, Homecoming, and the rest are all part of the high school experience and make high school fun. Don’t just go through the motions of waking up, going to class, taking a test, and going home. Make high school memorable.

YEA R

@ryanmurph12 Editor-in-Chief

Ryan Murphy

HM FRES Find something you’re good at and roll with it

When I was a freshman, I was put into Desktop Publishing, and there I found that I’m pretty good at graphic designing. When I was a sophomore, I signed up to be a part of The Hi-Times, not to write, which is what comes to mind when people think about a newspaper, but to design and layout the newspaper. Now I’m the Managing Editor and I was part of The Hi-Times

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALBUM

Jordan Jones

becoming the best student newspaper in the state. I’m also an aspiring professional graphic designer. The moral of the story is to find your niche in high school. If there is isn’t a club or team that you like or you are good at, create one. Make your school better and make something out of high school.

Be nice to your teachers

Being disrespectful to your teachers gets you nowhere. You want them to like you. If they like you, they might cut you some slack if you’re a day (or days) late on an assignment or if you need one more point to bump you up to the next letter grade. They aren’t there to make your life hard, and in most cases they will try to make your lives easier. I’ve had many teachers that helped me get through high school and some I have become pretty close with. Be nice to your teachers. They are in charge of your grades, after all.

Everything will be OK

When you feel like life is too hard or when your senior project becomes very stressful, remember that everything will turn out OK. It’s not gonna kill you. Go through life with a positive attitude. Now for the emotional part of my memoir: My last day of high school was bittersweet. The whole day I felt as if I was going up a roller coaster and now I am plummeting down the hill. I am going to miss Tupelo High School and the rest of my class. Peace out, THS. Thanks for all the memories.

High school is what you make it

Elizabeth Hocevar

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALBUM

THS has been such a crazy and life-changing experience. In high school, things change a lot, and after four years, you become the person walking across the stage at graduation. Honestly, I discovered more about myself than I thought was possible. If it wasn’t for THS, I never would have found my true love for art and writing, nor would I have come to know some of the most influential people I have ever met. (I would now like to take this time to thank Mrs. Garner for pushing me to pursue my love for art, Mrs. Buckley for helping me discover who I really was, Mrs. Frerer for teaching me how to make each day count, and Mr. Ward for showing me how a true master of sarcasm does it.) In ninth grade, you think high school is going to be this amazing roller coaster ride of fun and new adventures. But it is a lot more than that. You meet your best friends, make your best memories, and gain an unfathomable amount of experiences that will change you in both good and bad ways. But soon you start going through the motions and

YEA R

@elocevar Staff Writer

try to get each day over with so you can get to the next holiday without sparing the slightest thought to how much each day is going to count. And in the end, you’re like me: sitting in your desk and realizing today is your last day. And that after this, you won’t see these people anymore. It is both an unnerving and exhilarating feeling. You wish you had tried out for the swim team, taken that AP English test that no one ever takes, tried just a little harder to live in the moment. You want to go to your past self and tell them everything that is going to happen and how to do it right. But you can’t, and you’re here. There’s no going back, only forward. So take my advice and take these words seriously: high school is what you make it. M H The Class of 2014 has gone FRES through a lot together. Sure, there are different cliques, and we’ve all had our differences. But soon we will realize that we all have been through this together, these last four years. And when we are all dressed in our graduation robes and throw our hats in the air, we will all be one Class of 2014. And we will always be a part of the 100-year legacy of #themblankets.

Elizabeth Hocevar

4SENIORS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • MAY 2014M

CLASS O

What’s something you wish you had known as a freshman? “Don’t wish away your high school years because they will fly by.” Caroline Brown “That girl drama does not matter in the scheme of things.” Mary Dawson Buskirk “I wish I would have made A’s and B’s instead of being lazy.” Devon Snow “I wish that I had known that plaid pants were tacky.” Elijah Gafford “Upperclassmen (especially seniors) don’t care about you. Lauren Bean “Grades are as important as your senior year than freshman year.” Diamond Foster “Where stuff is.” Caleb Wallar “That senior project would not be as hard as I thought.” Bryce Krumcke “How to respect teachers, to be friendly with them. I was really scared in ninth grade.” Shivani Pacharne

4MAY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

SENIORS

OF 2014

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTY PETTIT PHOTOGRAPHY

What advice do you have for next year’s seniors? “Take English IV first semester to get senior project over with.” Elizabeth Hocevar “How to Nae Nae.” Rachel Walden “Give it all you got.” Silas Betts “Stay on task, stay focused and just be yourself.” Austin Knox “My advice to the seniors of 2015 is to not wish away your senior year. It is over before you know it and there are many memories to be made.” Mollie Houin “Enjoy your last year! It goes by quickly.” Maggie Davis “Take advantage of the time you have with family.” Karli Wood “Get in my girl April Friar’s class.” Maggie Thomas “TURN UP!!!” James Gilleylen “Don’t let senioritis get the best of you.” Sarah Barron

6SENIORS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • MAY 2014MAY 20

Kelia Blanchard @keliablanchard Staff Writer

A time for change had come. You’re thinking, “What’s she talking about?” Don’t worry, I’m getting to the explaining. Just hold your horses, and if you don’t have a horse then hold a cow. If you don’t have a cow hold your hat. If you don’t have a hat hold your shirt. Please tell me you have a shirt, because if not then I feel obligated to tell you that YOU ARE CREEPY and NOT in a good way. Being in Tupelo since birth is no picnic in the park in the sunshine under a truffula tree. It has its ups and downs. Even though the downs feel like rolling down a muddy rock-laden hill into batches of thorn-white roses that smell like feet. So being in Tupelo is fun, ironically. Coming to school every day is great, sarcastically. Hanging and talking with friends is amazing, honestly. Changes in life are good, truthfully. Over my four years at Tupelo High School I’ve changed. Change isn’t a bad thing, it’s just how and why you change. I didn’t like who I was my freshman and sophomore years. I can look back, smile, laugh and say, “I was so not myself.” You don’t know yourself until you try to understand yourself. I know and understand myself now and I will continue to change into the person I know I’m meant to be. I started changing my junior year. I stuck to my words, and even this year I’m sticking to them. I’m a senior with A’s and B’s, an application to Itawamba Community College, a band scholarship, and four books written but unpublished (that’s only in my dreams). I have some work to do to reach Colorado Mesa University. It wasn’t a normal life but it changed. Normal is overrated (a statement everybody uses). There are so many different kinds of people that we’re all considered normal and weird. Well, the weirdos are weird while the ones who judge others are normal. Yeah, right. I’m normal; I like to make people laugh. That’s normal, right? I’m weird, in a good way; I do and say weird things to make others laugh. (Unlike those who are shirtless while reading this. You are STILL creepy.) I’m opened-minded as well; I don’t think a certain way. I listen to different genres of music. I hang out with different types of people (all of them are weird). We can’t honestly pick the weird people from the “wannabe” popular people. By this, I mean the normal people who judge others. The normal people who judge others call the weirdos, or the people who aren’t like them, weird and

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALBUM

Kelia Blanchard

turn their backs on them. To us weirdos, we see everybody as different. I don’t mind being friends with anyone, but they just have to understand me. Everybody is supposed to be equal, right? So do we really need the different school classification? In band, almost, everybody is equal. They are band geeks (not band nerds, that’s inappropriate), and as long as they’re in band they will be. We’re like a family, to a certain point. Some of us may want to hurt each other a little bit but we have each other’s back. Don’t judge a book by its cover. That expression is used frequently. My friends don’t judge me. I didn’t judge my boyfriend, Ricardo “Ricky” Ivan Torres. A stranger walking by himself with his head held high ignoring people didn’t judge me. I was the first to get his attention by asking for one of his spiked bracelets. After I asked for one, he M asked for my number. Since H FRES then, August something 2013, we’ve talked and gotten to know each other. Now six months later, from Nov. 13, 2013, we’re together and I am happy to say I love him. I’ve been in Tupelo, Mississippi, since I was born. I think my wings are wide enough for me to fly off on my own. I want people to think back on their high school life when they become a senior. Think, “Have I changed? Am I ready to fly?” These are my words before I fly.

YEA R

High school… There is not much more that I can say. Many teenage comedies portray high school as different things: a place filled with female dogs and liars; a jungle in the midst of a suburban city (Mean Girls anyone?); or perhaps an oasis for a newly transferred exchange student. While most of the movies get the majority about high school wrong, in my opinion, I do believe that Hollywood is correct about one thing: that high school will impact you for the rest of your life. Now, I like to think of high school as a tattoo, a large–to–medium sized tattoo that reminds us where we have been, and where we can go. When we first get the tattoo, we love it, we always talk about it, show it off to all of our friends, etc. This stage of the tattoo would be freshman year, at least for me. All that freshmen usually talk about for the first semester is the fact that they are now in high school and they feel old. Move on one year, and the tattoo is a daily occurrence that we don’t pay much attention to. As the second year with the tattoo continues on, we start to notice things about it that we do not like: different lines that were messed up, how the color is fading, the placement of the tattoo is not to our liking, etc. Although these things are tiny details,

we still notice them, and they start to bother us. Three years with the tattoo. By now we have a love-hate relationship with it. We want to get it removed, but we also want to keep it. Throughout the year we begin to dislike the tattoo even more and just wish that it could be removed painlessly and quickly. And even though we hate it, we talk ourselves into giving it another year, just to make sure. Fourth year with the tattoo. Okay, it’s done, we have made the decision to remove that large, annoying tattoo. However, as the year goes on we cannot find any-time to actually get it removed. M O Then the idea H SOP of how much it will hurt to get it removed, and how much it will cost. Finally, at the last moment right before the laser is placed near the skin to remove the tattoo, we decide to keep it. We do not keep the tattoo because of what it looks like, but because of the memories, the emotions and the struggles behind it. High school is a large invisible tattoo that each one of us has. Even though we experience pain while getting it, and lose our friends because of it, we come out of the experience stronger and better people than when we went in. My time in high school has changed me, not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.

RE YEAR

@katiegrace_14 Business Manager

Katherine Grace

Words before I fly

Time in high school changes inside out

CLASS OF 2014

Who or what will you miss the most

“Tim Wigginton and the construction crew.” - Sam Smallwood

“Friends, teachers, sports, and definitely the “My boyfriends.” - Maggie Thomas wild student section.” - Jarrett Estes

IN THE HALLS at Tupelo High School?

“I will miss Ms. Friar! I love you!” Katherine Grace

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARY MEGHAN MABUS

- Diamond Foster

“My Culinary Arts Class/ conversations with people in that class.” - Karli Wood

“Coach Jones and football.”

- Maalik Coleman

@akealthewriter Staff Writer

Being a senior has been very difficult because there are so many decisions to make in high school. Should I go to a college far away from home or stay close? High school is a tough time to make decisions, and in many ways, it plays a big role in making decisions for the future. It may be a difficult road along the way, but it has to be done sometimes or another. This year, I have had to finalize my college choices. I filled out different admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information, and I met deadlines. I continued to build my resume

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALBUM

Akeal Montgomery

by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities like the THS Voices choir and the band Structure. Colleges, after all, are very interested in well-

rounded students. Looking back on my last year of high school, the memories that stand out are related to music. As a member of Structure, I got to perform with the Synergy showchoir in Chicago and Branson, Missouri. Now that I’ve done all these things, I am about to embark on a new adventure that will bring me many more new experiences. From playing music to preaching the word, I wanted as much practice as possible. I cannot believe that graduation has come this fast. From being an inexperienced freshman to a somewhat mature senior, things have really changed for me.

Akeal Montgomery

YEA R

High school finally coming to an end

HM FRES

Some say that high school was the best years of their lives. Others say that high school was their worst time. When I was in the ninthgrade, I was just dying to experience all the new and exciting things that awaited me. I’ve had plenty of good times,

as well as bad, in high school. The most important thing isn’t what I learned through books, but what I learned about life and the road ahead of me. I started high school as a good Christian person dying to conquer the world with the Gospel. The only thing I can say is that I learned a lot over time. Being in high school and being a senior has been a great experience every since it started. Now the journey has got to end. I know now that I have many more things are out there for me and my future ahead. Realistically, I do not know what the world out there holds for me. All I can do is enter it with a guarded optimism and hope for the best.

Ben Davis @bsdavis4296 Assistant Editor

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALBUM

Ben Davis

YEA R

is that the way that events that take place here and the way in which students group themselves together, would be considered too unbelievable to be included in such movies. The divisiveness and non-cooperation between students at THS is unparalleled; any cooperation outside of social circles here is so uncommon it could be considered non-existent. There are exceptions though – people who embody what many believe is Southern hospitality – people that are kind, open and lacking in the criticism that is so common here.

most

spirit is in all of us

HM S E R F

It is important that in a world in which so much is going wrong that those who are willing fight for the change which is needed. One person can’t do it alone, and that is why we must exchange divisiveness, exclusivity and hypocrisy for cooperation, inclusion, and kindness, for the purpose of making a difference not only in Tupelo, but in the world as whole. Don’t be afraid of criticism and always fight for what is right. These people embody the THS spirit – a spirit, though it may not always show, that is in all of us. While I may not shine a positive light on the cultural experiences I have had at

THS, I have still had a pleasant adventure here. Though I have abstained from becoming a cog’s tooth, I do feel as if I am part of the machine’s driving force – the THS spirit. The problems that I have noted here are ones that are acknowledged by many. Most of these people wish as I do – that things could, would change. But they won’t, at least not while these issues aren’t acknowledged aloud. I believe that humans are naturally good, but it is easy to abandon this attribute when one can indefinitely stay in his or her comfort zone. This is why this topic is one that must be spoken about. Rather than citing our Judeo-Christian values for which the South is renowned for as the reason for hypocrisy, discrimination and exclusivity, we should center our views on the fundamentals of the Bible- inclusivity, openness, accepting others, truthfulness and love. I don’t mean to be so negative. I acknowledge that I appear to be a pessimistic person, but I consider myself to be a realist, for the purpose of seeing reality as it is, rather than sugar-coating life. I also don’t mean to be so judging or hypocritical either, and acknowledge that simply addressing the topic would make me part of the problem, if I wasn’t already. In fact, as THS students, we are all part of the problem. It may seem though as I am condemning the class of 2014, but I am actually trying to inspire it. I also acknowledge that while my “words of wisdom” may not have the largest audience or be widely accepted, I feel that it is important that one stand up for his or her beliefs, as this is how the world is changed. While it is unrealistic that one person can change the world, it is very realistic scenario that if everyone adopted the belief of standing up for his or her be-

liefs, that the world could change. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is an ideology that I have practiced throughout the past several years. Because I stand up for what I believe in rather than conform to what is “socially acceptable,” I have chosen to address topics that are considered somewhat controversial and unappealing to most high school students. I have also been very vocal (in the literal sense) about my beliefs, which often conflict directly with established Mississippian beliefs such as conservatism and evangelical Christianity. As a result, some students that have read many of the articles I have written have developed a negative opinion of me. At the same time, there have been some that have experienced the reverse effect. Still, most at THS haven’t read anything I’ve written this year – a fact that I accepted before joining The Hi-Times. But because of my beliefs, I have still chosen to address the topics that I feel are important, regardless of the size of my audience or its intensity. Because I strive to be the change that I wish to see in the world, it has not, and will continue to not matter to me what anyone thinks about me or the views which I express. I am not trying to get anyone to conform to any set of ideals or change their beliefs on any topic, but rather state that it is worth fighting for what you believe in. As Bob Marley famously sang, “Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don’t give up the fight.” And I hope that each member of the class of 2014 will fight for what he or she believes in – no matter the cause, what people think, or who is offended, it is worth fighting, and even dying for a just cause. Quoting General George Patton, “It is better to die for something than to live for nothing.” It is important that in a world in which so much is going wrong that those who are willing fight for the change which is needed. One person can’t do it alone, and that is why we must exchange divisiveness, exclusivity and hypocrisy for cooperation, inclusion, and kindness, for the purpose of making a difference not only in Tupelo, but in the world as whole. Don’t be afraid of criticism and always fight for what is right. “Follow the path of the unsafe, independent thinker. Expose your ideas to the dangers of controversy. Speak your mind and fear less the label of ‘crackpot’ than the stigma of conformity. And on issues that seem important to you, stand up and be counted at any cost.” - Chauncy Depew

Opinions

ly GOLDEN WAVE ew schools are so distinctive, yet so diverse as Tupelo High. At the same time though, I have not seen a group of people that are so predictable and uninspiring. The most distinctive feature of THS is arguably its borders. From the layout of the school itself, THS is divided between people and groups of people in a way that would be considered shocking by outsiders. While I am not an outsider to THS, I have done my best over the past four years to come as close to this status as possible – not for a lack of interest in camaraderie, but for a lack of interest in exclusivity. It is ironic, at least in Tupelo’s case, that Mississippi is no longer the “Hospitality State.” While people here prize themselves for Southern hospitality, this is a feature that is horribly lacking at THS. The divisiveness and division present in not only the class of 2014, but in the entire student body, makes it seem like segregation never truly ended for Tupelo High. If one doesn’t believe me, he or she may simply walk through the doors of the lunch room – a place where I have not sat since Freshman year. This feature is not one that is old or new, but is as embedded in and vital to THS as the heart is to the human body. It is one that may be observed in not only the student body, but also in teachers. Every morning before the bell the same groups of teachers group together to discuss their lives, curriculum, and students. And at lunch, the same teachers group together again. Students do the same thing – divide into the same groups of people based on age, race, gender, interests or what sports they play. Don’t get me wrong – it is great to have close friends that one can relate to and share their beliefs, opinions, thoughts and experiences with – this is human nature. At the same time, it is important to be inclusive and open to both new people, ideas and beliefs, especially in the formative years of high school. I have been in no other setting in which the groups of people around me have been so judgmental, hypocritical and exclusive. The sad fact is that most of the social circles at Tupelo High aren’t formed on the basis of shared characteristics, but rather on the primordial human instinct to surround oneself with those who they identify with. There is no sense of camaraderie here – only the interest in oneself. One of my favorite sayings is that life is often more surreal than fiction. The THS community is so surreal that one would expect it to be an adaption from a movie such as “Mean Girls” or “High School Musical.” The problem with that, though,

SENIORS

Y 2014MAY 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

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 Elizabeth Hocevar 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.

8ART&ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT’S HAPPENED

THE PAST 18YEARS?

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • MAY 2014

TV SHOWS

OF THE 00'S

1995 - Oklahoma City bombing 1996 - Dolly the sheep first mammal successfully cloned

WHICH LYRIC IS PART OF THE THEME SONG TO WHICH SHOW?

1996 - Atlanta Summer Olympics

TR ON

NT ANA

1 ZOEY

AR ENT S

U JIMMY NE

O HANNAH M

“If nautical nonsense be something you wish | Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish”

P FAIR LY ODD

1998 - Google founded 1999 - World population reaches 6 billion

“Even when you start acting like a fool | You know I’m loving every single thing you do”

J & DRAKE

IB LE

FA MIL Y

OS H

2001 - 9/11 terrorist attack

THE PROUD

SS KIM PO

“It doesn’t matter where or | When there’s trouble | If ya just call my name” “So wake up the members of my nation | It’s your time to be | There’s no chance unless you take one”

&C ODY

2008 - Barack Obama elected first black U.S. president

AV EN

2005 - Hurricane Katrina

C ZA SUI F TE LIFE O

THAT’S SO

1. You have no inner drive. 2. You count down the days until May 16. 3. You stop caring. Period. 4. Sleeping is more important than anything. 5. The website of the college you are going to attend is the second most visited site on your computer. It’s right after Netflix. 6. Your teachers have given up trying to teach you. 7. Just making it to class is an accomplishment.

2013 - Boston Marathon bombings

8. You’re annoyed by that one person who is still motivated. 9. You don’t know what day it is. 10. You laugh at underclassmen’s enthusiasm. 2013 - Prince George is born

11. You start every test with the acceptance that you will fail.

2013 - Miley Cyrus at VMAs

12. You laugh when your parents ground you.

2014 - Malaysia Airlines flight #370 goes missing

13. Minor grades are the reason you’re still graduating.

2014 - EF3 Tupelo Tornado

14. You’re too lazy to finish this list.

MEMORIES FROM HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN YEAR

SOPHOMORE YEAR

JUNIOR YEAR

SENIOR YEAR

• MacBooks issued

• Played in basketball state championship

• First year with block schedule

• Played in football state championship

• Team Ellis

• Buffalo Park incident

• Pile-up under Natchez Trace bridge

• Crickets in A Building

• Blue turf approved

• Elephant shot at BancorpSouth Arena

• Tornado

• We Back Strat • Randy Shaver • Advisory • Only year to have everything unblocked on Macs

• Bomb threat day at Harrisburg • “Intercom test, disregard.”

• Snowpocalypse

music through

high school 2010

14 ways to know you’re a senior

2011 - End of Harry Potter

2011

killed

EB G N SPO

“With a superpowered mind | A mechanical canine | He rescues the day from sure destruction”

2012

2011 - Osama Bin Laden

CG LIZZIE M

LY iCAR

“You might think life would be a breeze | Seeing trouble from a distance | But it’s not that easy”

2013

2010 - BP Gulf oil spill

“Yea, when you’re famous it can be kind of fun | It’s really you but no one ever discovers”

“We got the whole place to ourselves | You and me we got it all for free | So come on down”

UI RE

2010 - Haiti earthquake

“Doom and gloom up in his room is broken instantly | By his magic little fish that grant his every wish”

2014

2009 - Michael Jackson dies

2013 - Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation/Pope Francis elected to Papacy

2003 - DVDs pass VHS tapes in rentals

2011 - World population reaches 7 billion

PEACE OUT, 2014! Compiled by Alexis Zosel @Freely_Zosel

Jordan Jones @jordanjjones1

Elizabeth Hocevar @elocevar