The Hi-Times Nov/Dec 2014

TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL

VOLUME 72 ISSUE 3

THE

4125 Golden Wave Dr., Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

THE ROAD AHEAD: THS students share insight on Election Day results. PG2

HI-TIMES NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

INSIDE

STRIKING GOLD ON BLACK FRIDAY

Orphanage Outreach Senior Meri Hollis West will graduate early to work at Limuru Children’s Centre in Kenya.

AG I TO A FT LL

PG4

West

COURTESY

Varsity boys swim team takes title Boys place first and girls second at MHSAA State swim meet. PG3

Basketball Profiles Some THS Basketball senior stats. PG7

Namie auditions for ‘AGT’ Secretary Monica Namie sings for a spot on the NBC show “America’s Got Talent.” PG3 Namie

Early grads of 2015 The time for early graduates to say goodbye is fast approaching. Students share plans, advice. PG2

FOLLOW US

THS students give back Emily Wright

E

@emilykkwright Staff Writer

very year on Thanksgiving day, the local Salvation Army hosts a luncheon for anyone who doesn’t have the means or family to have a proper Thanksgiving dinner. Many students, like Sarah Lambert Hollingsworth and Amy Haadsma, participate in this yearly event with their families.

“We help serve food each year and spread the Thanksgiving cheer,” said Haadsma, a THS junior.

The volunteers arrive at 7 a.m. to prepare the food, and then they serve it to everyone.

After the luncheon, they create an assembly line to pack bags of food for families who cannot get to the Salvation Army or cannot afford the food.

“I do it because I like to help people, and I know that I’m blessed to have a family that can have a good Thanksgiving meal,” said Hollingsworth, a THS senior. “I just want to help people who do not have that opportunity.”

Students are also spreading the holiday cheer by baking cookies and distributing them

Jeremy Hinds @Hurdle_Gang Staff Writer

IN THE HALLS

How do you give back?

to the people waiting in line at the Tree of Life Clinic located in downtown Tupelo. Last Christmas, Ellen McGregor and her friends baked more than 400 cookies using six different recipes, not including a regular sugar cookie recipe, and put them in bags to hand out to the people in line.

“We just wanted to make Christmas extra special and have cookies for them because they don’t always get to enjoy that,” said McGregor, a THS junior.

McGregor and her friends plan to do it again this holiday season.

Mickey Sesin and Woody Goss choose to spend their time helping out at nursing homes in any way they can.

“Since it’s around Christmas, we are putting little baskets together, and we are going to take them over and give them to the elderly,” said Sesin, a THS senior.

They believe that there is nothing better than Christmas cheer.

THS students do not wait for the holiday season to give back.

Many students get involved in Big Brother Big Sister, a program that helps

Jeaneane Ismail Junior

”I give money to charity and toys to little kids.”

Ana Acosta Freshman

“We get two or three kids from the Angel Tree.”

Madison Burt Freshman

”My church gets a bunch of presents and we send them to an orphanage.”

See A gift to all PG3 Kasee Avery Sophomore

”We do the Angel Tree.”

@tupelohitimes VISIT OUR WEBSITE

The end of the summer brings the end of vacations, and for students and working people alike, it also brings back the monotonous days of classes and paperwork. As soon as this time ends, businesses start their countdown to the kickoff of the holiday season. Not just the holiday season, but the whole season of fall is filled with opportunities for businesses to gain enormous amounts of revenue.

But one “holiday” outsells them all – Black Friday.

Door buster deals, waking up early, racing to get the best deal: Americans have become addicted to the Black Friday rush. According to The Christian Science Monitor, shoppers were projected to have spent a whopping $602.1 billion in 2013, and that number is predicted to rise this year.

With such a lucrative opportunity, retailers have had to come up with creative ways to bring in the most revenue, some methods causing controversy. Best Buy and many other super-retailers are now opening as early as 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Walmart is even expanding its Black Friday sales over a five-day period to rake in as much money as possible.

With all the adrenaline of speed shopping and the joy of finding the best bargain, Black Friday also has a dark side to it. Stabbings and shootings occur in disputes over items, as well as tramplings by mobs of shoppers and car accidents involving weary Black Friday shoppers who have been up for way too long.

Getting to bed early can lower the chance of car accidents caused by dozing off and traveling with a group of people can deter potential thieves. Cyber Monday is also a safer, more lazy-friendly alternative.

Cross country teams place at state

thscurrent.org Scan here with a QR reader.

Emily Wright

INDEX • NEWS.................................2 • FEATURES.........................4 • OPINIONS..........................6 • SPORTS.............................7 • ART&ENTERTAINMENT...8

You don’t need a title in order to be a leader.

TWEET OF THE MONTH:

Bailie White retweeted L2L @lads2leaders

@emilykkwright Staff Writer

The Tupelo High School cross country team traveled to Clinton to compete in the MHSAA Cross Country State Meet on Nov. 8 at the Mississippi College Choctaw Trails.

With a total of 62 points, the boys came in a close second overall to Madison Central with 53 points. The girls finished third overall, trailing behind Ocean Springs, which came in first place, and Starkville, which placed second, but they are winners in the seniors’ eyes.

“These girls trained their hearts out, and I would not have wanted it any other way,” Jessi Davis, THS senior, said.

In addition to the team’s achievement, All-State Finishers are Logan Long, Max Lawson, Darnell Collier, Christina Daniels and Savannah Hudgins.

In the 5k, Collier placed himself in the top 10 fastest state meet performances of all time, with a time of 16:03.30. He also

COURTESY

The THS boys cross country team placed second at state. The girls team placed third.

won 6A boys’ individuals. Daniels placed third in 6A girls’ individuals with a time of 18:44, trailing behind the first-place winner by 32 seconds.

“The last meet was awesome,” said

Collier, a THS senior. “I feel like I really accomplished something. As a team, we did very well. Everyone did the best they could for everyone else.”

2NEWS

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014N

WHAT’S CLASS OF 2015 BIDS FAREWELL

TO EARLY GRADUATES

COMIN’UP

• Christmas Parade Dec. 9 • 40th Annual Madrigale Singe Feaste Dec. 10 • Second Quarter Assessments Dec. 15 • Start of Hanukkah Dec. 16 • Start of School Hoilday Dec. 18 • End of Hanukkah Dec. 24 • Christmas Eve Dec. 24 • Christmas Dec. 25 • Start of Kwanzaa Dec. 26 • New Year’s Eve Dec. 31 • New Year’s Day Jan. 1

• First day back after hoilday break Jan. 5 • Martin Lurther King Jr. Day Jan. 19 • State Thespian conference at THS Jan. 30-31 • Civic Ballet’s “Coppelia” Feb.28

This year at THS, 36 seniors are graduating a semester early in December, and eight juniors are scheduled to graduate a year early in May. Harris said that THS averages about 15 early December graduations per year, making this year very peculiar in comparison to the past. This rising number can be attributed to the switch three years ago to block scheduling, as compared to previous years where students attended eight classes a day.

“I feel like block schedule made it so much easier,” Cayson said. “It gave me more credits.”

Harris agrees.

“The process has actually been around for quite a while,” Harris said. “But now with block schedule, with credits being awarded in December versus at the end of the year on a traditional schedule, that has made graduating early easier to do.”

See Orphanage Outreach to read about one early graduate, Meri Hollis West, and her plans to volunteer in Africa. PG4

THE ROAD AHEAD ELECTION DAY 2014

Treyce Bannerman @treycebannerman Staff Writer

A Republican tidal wave swept through Tuesday, Nov. 4. Voters took to the polls to determine our country’s leaders for the next two years. The results were clear: the American people felt it was time for a change.

This past election day, Republican incumbents retained all seats, and GOP challengers surprised many with wins in deeply blue states such as Maryland, New York, Massachusetts and President Barack Obama’s home state of Illinois.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate will have the largest Republican majority since World War II. Election day in Mississippi, however, returned no changes. The three Republican district representatives and one Democratic representative retained their seats. Incumbent senior Sen. Thad Cochran won a seventh term to the U.S. Senate.

Tupelo High School students voiced

both aspirations and anxieties regarding Capitol Hill’s next two years.

Outspoken Republican

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• End of Kwanzaa Jan. 1

“You’ll never get the second semester of your senior year back,” Harris said. “If you leave early, you’ll never get that back. So you need to cherish that while you can. I understand that sometimes certain things come up in students’ lives where it is beneficial to graduate early and to move on to that new stage of their life, but I think for the majority of the students, your best interest is to enjoy your high school time.”

Not everyone who applies for early graduation chooses to follow through with the process.

“It’s interesting to see that a good number of students who apply for early graduation and are accepted and meet those needs actually, once school gets started, change their mind and come back for the second semester,” Harris said.

Cayson agrees that unless a student has a reason to graduate early, they should take their time with high school.

“If you’re on the right track, I would say no, enjoy your high school years,” Cayson said.

Do you feel comfortable with a Republican-run Congress for the next two years?

NO YES

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• SATP Make-Up Day Dec. 8

NATHAN JACKSON

Manessa Hadley, THS counselor, assists students through the early graduation process.

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• Algebra I SATP Dec. 5

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• Biology SATP Dec. 4

Every December, early graduates from all over the United States say goodbye to their peers and vacate their high school grounds for the last time, leaving behind memories and fellow peers who must toil through one more semester of school. December is upon the world once again, and Tupelo High School is saying goodbye to a few more students who have chosen to graduate early.

“I’m really excited to get out,” said Michaela Cayson, senior and early December graduate at THS. “I can’t Cayson wait to see what the future holds.”

Cayson, like others before her, chose to graduate early in order to get a head start into adulthood.

“I wanted to start my career early and get it all out of the way,” Cayson said. “All you really had to do was pass state tests, pass all your classes and get three teacher recommendations.”

Not many people choose to graduate early, but the process is as straightforward as Cayson makes it out to be. However, along with the requirements Cayson named, there is one other thing early graduates must do.

“The policy that is set by Tupelo High School and the Tupelo School District is that every student who graduates early has to have my approval for various reasons,” Principal Jason Harris said.

Harris does not think early graduation is for all students.

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• US History SATP Dec. 3

@MNSouthworth Assistant Editor

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• English II SATP ReTest Dec. 2

Morgan Southworth

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• English II SATP ReTest Dec. 1

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and THS senior Benton Barber believes the United States will soon witness a change for the better.

“As a Republican myself, I hope many things will get done if Obama doesn’t veto,” Barber said. “Hopefully, they’ll work across party lines.”

THS sophomore Achintya Prasad be-

lieves a political party holding a majority in both the House of Representatives and Senate will push reform forward.

“I believe with one party controlling the U.S. legislature, we can get more done as well as more laws passed,” Prasad explained.

Some THS student body members believe a Republican-run Congress is not in the best interest of the American people.

“I am not comfortable with a majority Republican Congress, because Republicans support the trickle down method, where the government gives tax cuts to the rich hoping that the wealthy population’s money will ‘trickle down,’” THS senior Donovan Nicholson said. “They also don’t believe in separation of church and state.”

Junior Caitlin Gardner also expressed her discontent regarding Republicans working with President Obama until 2016.

“I don’t feel comfortable with conservatives,” Gardner said. “I would rather have someone more open to change.”

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NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

THE WAVE MAKES A SPLASH

COURTESY

Freshman Hayden Henderson competes during the state swim meet.

Emily Wright

the morning from 9 to 12, and finals were in the evening.

In addition to the team achievements, there were also many individual achievements at state On Nov. 1, the Tupelo High School swim team meet.

Donovan Crossen won the boys’ state 500 competed in the MHSAA State Swim Meet held at freestyle title with a time of 4:55.02. Roberts won the new Tupelo Aquatic Center. the girls’ 100 backstroke state title Holding their place as 22 in the na“What we acand set the state record in girls’ buttion, the boys won their eighth straight terfly with a time of 56.26 seconds. complished that championship with a 21-point lead over She also defended her 2013 100 Oak Grove. day by breaking backstroke state title with a time of Trailing by 20 points against Madison records, swim59.60 seconds.

Central, the girls came in a close second. ming best times Liam Manning, Crossen, Chris “Everyone gave their 100 percent, and Burpo and Patrick Hastings won the and coming that is all anyone could ask for,” said 400 freestyle relay with a time of Cris Roberts, a THS senior who signed together as any 3:22.34.

Manning, Burpo and Luke with Western Kentucky on Nov. 18. family should Deaton also triumphed the Yellow Although the girls did not finish first, was way more Jackets with a nail-biting .06 second the senior swimmers are not in the least lead in the 200 freestyle relay with important than a bit discouraged. a time of 1:31.34.

Roberts, Walker “My last THS swim meet honestly state championFortenberry, Evans Sanders and Matcould not have gone better,” said Meri ship title.” tie Hughes won the 400 freestyle in Hollis West, THS senior. “Yeah, sure, 3:49.30.

Meri Hollis West the girls got second, but what we acSenior “Coach Smith always says, ‘State complished that day by breaking remeet is won in prelims,’” said Burpo, cords, swimming best times and coming a THS senior. “We did that and many together as any family should was way of our guys and girls stepped up and made finals more important than a state championship title.” when they were not seeded to, which was really Together, the boys and girls have won 13 state awesome to see.

Everyone was fired up the entire championships since 2005. They are coached by Lumeet, and the boys ended up sealing the win on cas Smith. the last relay that I was on.”

Preliminaries for this year’s state meet were in @emilykkwright Staff Writer

COURTESY

Team captains, from left, Cris Roberts and Chris Burpo, hold their State Championship trophies.

A gift to all Continued from PG1

THS secretary performs

‘America’s Got Talent’ audition

Monica Namie sings at the Black History program in February 2013.

Karlee Avery @karleeavery Staff Writer

Monica Namie, who’s worked in the office at Tupelo High School for four years, could have fame and fortune in her future. She auditioned for the NBC show “America’s Got Talent,” which has a top prize of $1 million, on Nov. 5.

Q: How were you selected to audition for ‘America’s Got Talent?’ What song/ video did you audition with?

A: I sent in a video that I did where I sang with the THS Voices choir, and I had to fill out an application telling why I should be selected for an audition. I heard back from them in September.

Q: When was the audition scheduled?

A: Nov. 5.

A: Where was the audition location?

A: It’s located at the Music City Convention Center at 12 p.m.

Q: What does this opportunity mean to you?

A: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so if I make it, it’d be a big deal.

FILE PHOTO

Q: Have you ever tried out for a show like this before?

A: No, I haven’t, but I did when I was a junior in high school when they had the fair at the Verona Agri Center. I won the talent show there and I went and performed in Memphis. I think it was broadcast on TV.

children in need. High school students spend time with their assigned child after school for the entire year.

Students help with homework, play with them and serve as mentors.

Teens at THS are also passion- “I’m really ate about working with the special passionate needs commu- about working nity.

Students with special help out with the needs and Challenger league giving them in the fall, a seven-week program the same opin which the spe- portunity to cial needs partici- do the same pants play soccer things that I every Monday for get to do” an hour and a half -Sarah Lambert at Ballard Park.

Hollingsworth Many students Senior also help out with

the Special Olympics in the spring.

The volunteers spend time each week helping the special needs participants swim and encouraging them along the way. Students like Hollingsworth help out with both.

“I’m really passionate about working with special needs and giving them the same opportunity to do the same things that I get to do,” Hollingsworth said.

Many girls at THS have given back through donating hair. They cut off a significant amount of hair to an organization that supplies hairpieces to children and adults suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Katie Taylor cut off eight inches of her hair in August and donated it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths. A similar program is Locks of Love.

“My hair can easily grow back in a few months, but theirs cannot.” said Taylor, a THS senior. “I just wanted to give someone who is not as fortunate a chance to feel beautiful in their own skin.”

Q: How long have you been a singer?

A: I’ve been singing ever since I was four years old.

Q: What song will you perform in your audition?

A: Actually, I have to have at least two to three songs available. I have to do one acapella, which is going to be “For You I Will” by Monica. The ones I’ve got to music are “Eye on the Sparrow”

by Lauren Hill from the movie “Sister Act,” and “Hero” by Mariah Carey.

Q: What is your favorite type of music?

A: I like temporary gospel, and I like some country. I like some R&B. Q: What will you do if you win?

A: Well, I’ll have a million dollars, and I will get an hour’s show in Las Vegas.

I will still be at Tupelo High School.

COURTESY

Sarah Lambert Hollingsworth helps her special needs sister, Suzette Hollingsworth, score the winning goal at Challenger League soccer.

4FEATURES

Culture, music intertwined Nathan Jackson @_treehome Online Editor

Every generation creates a new genre of much. This generation has dubstep and hip-hop while the last generation had R&B and rock and roll.

Hip-Hop is very popular because in every generation the kids find a music that talks about what is going on in the real world and connects to them. That is what rapper can do. They tell their whole life story with a song and have it reflect the concerns and fears and hopes of the young people living in today’s time, which is why artist like Drake, Childish Gambino and J. Cole are very popular.

Hip-Hop is perceived as this genre that reThat is what rapper can do. duces women to objects for men’s They tell their A whole life story ownership. study by conwith a song and ducted by Elon have it reflect University said the concerns “Young adults and fears and between the hopes of the ages of 16 and young people living in today’s 30 are the most time, which is likely age group why artist like to consume rap/ Drake, Childish hip-hop music, and in turn, may Gambino and J. Cole are very become desensitized to the depopular. rogatory lyrics condoning relationship violence and sexual aggression.”

When listening to rap music by musicians like Drake, who will make a person call their girlfriend or cry while they think about their exes, it’ll bring you some deeper emotions up.

Same with rock and roll. At the time of its becoming a craze after WWII, it contributed to the civil rights movement because both African-American and white American teens enjoyed the music. The coming together of white youth audiences and black music in rock and roll inevitably provoked strong white racist reactions within the U.S., with many whites condemning its breaking down of barriers based on color. Many observers saw rock and roll as heralding the way for desegregation by creating a new form of music that encouraged racial cooperation and shared experience. Rock and roll is often identified with the emergence of teen culture among the first baby boomer generation, who had both greater relative affluence, leisure and who adopted rock and roll as part of a distinct subculture.

The introduction of dubstep didn’t really have a deeper meaning behind it like rock and roll and hip-hop. It is just a type of electronic music that sounds great to party to. Dubstep is commercially more popular in the United Kingdom because it was discovered there, but sometimes a dubstep remix will top the United States charts, like with Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Saddness Remix,” charting number eight on the billboard.

In conclusion, people should broaden out and listen to different types of music before they judge it by what other’s have said said. Listen to it yourself and get your own opinion.

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014N

Depression in teens Treyce Bannerman @treycebannerman Staff Writer

Depression is an age-old mental illness plagued with age-old misunderstandings. Unlike Ebola, depression isn’t contagious, and it won’t cause internal bleeding. The scariest part?

There are no visible symptoms of this disease. But it is deadly in its own right.

“Depression affects a person’s feelings, thoughts, mood, behaviors and physical health,” explained Tina Dye, a support therapist at Tupelo High School. “Some symptoms of depression include changes in sleep, changes in appetite, severely negative feelings, a loss of interest in once enjoyable activities, lack of energy and, for some people, suicidal thoughts.”

Depression, however, may not work alone.

“Depression can occur in conjunction with anxiety, substance abuse and life-altering events,” Dye said, “but there is help available.”

As the American school system’s knowledge of depression and its prevalence among student populations grows, so do efforts to provide more necessary mental health accommodations.

“School counselors are always available to help students with their needs and concerns,” said Katie Schaefer, a guidance counselor at THS. “However, depression is a mental illness, and due to the nature of the illness, school counselors advise parents and students to seek mental

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TREYCE BANNERMAN AND MORGAN SOUTHWORTH

Recent surveys indicate that as many as one in five teens suffers from clinical depression.

health treatment outside of the educational setting.”

Meaghan Killian, a junior at THS, spoke from experience about the seriousness of depression.

“I was never a happy child,” Killian said. “I always felt a sadness in me that I never understood. As I got older, it intensified to the point where I had to be hospitalized and receive treatment.”

Killian elaborated on common misconceptions some have on depression.

“Depression cannot be healed with a Band-Aid,” Killian said. “It takes time...years. Even then, some aren’t fully healed. It follows them for the rest of their lives. Suicide is a result of depression, and it can be deadly

unless you get it treated.”

Killian said depression can stigmatize a student’s social life and grades.

“My grades and social life suffered before I got treatment and began taking medication,” she said. “A lot of times I would isolate myself from everything and everyone, even my family.”

Though she hopes her own experiences will provide hope for others, Killian strongly urges sufferers of depression to seek help and keep fighting.

“Don’t give up on yourself,” she said. “Fight through it because in the end you’ll feel better and happier.

Seek the help you need; it all starts with you talking to someone.”

Orphanage Outreach Morgan Southworth @ MNSouthworth Assistant Editor

Early graduate to volunteer for Children’s Centre in Kenya

People travel to the continent of Africa all the time. Pastors go on mission trips, middle-aged adults go on spiritual journeys and families go to see exotic animals. It is not often, however, that a teenager will graduate high school early to work at an orphanage there. Meri Hollis West, a senior at Tupelo High School, is one such rarity.

“At first it was because I hated high school,” West said when asked her reasoning behind this movement, “but then I did Big Brothers, Big Sisters and it made me want to help others, and then I found an orphanage in Africa that I wanted to help with.”

Initially, when West first started looking for places she could help, her options didn’t look good.

“I applied to other places in Africa and I didn’t get in because of my age,” West said. “Then I talked to Hannah Kimbrough. She gave me the connection of where she went and I contacted the lady who is the head of global connections there. It’s called

Limuru Children’s Centre in Kenya.” care of,” she said.

For some people, early graduation The LLC is an orphanage in Kenya, which is one hour north of Nairobi. may be a daunting process fraught The organization rescues children with difficulties. For West, it was as who have been neglected, abused or though everything had arranged itabandoned. In addition, the LLC has self ahead of time.

“Before I knew I was gonna gradutwo locations that provide daycare for children who have been identified as needing extra care by social workers. These children “I did Big attend a preschool Brothers, Big program and are fed Sisters and twice a day. The LLC it made me also provides finan- want to help cial support for some others...I’m students to attend so excited. secondary school. I’d leave toThere are two LLC morrow if I locations that em- could.” ploy 14 teachers and six volunteers at - Meri Hollis West each site.

Senior West encourages anyone who has the chance to graduate early to do so. ate early, I doubled up on math last “Go for it,” West said. “To me, my year.” West said. “I took economics spending my time in Africa is a lot last year too so that worked out permore beneficial than spending time fectly. Block schedule made it really here. For some people it’s not like easy.” that, but there’s a lot you can do with West is very thrilled at her upcoman extra semester off from school.” ing trip. Every day is one step closer West is also not particularly con- for West to be where she is needed. cerned about health risks that she “I leave Jan. 10,” West said. “I’ll may face on her journey. be gone three months. I’m so excited.

“Everyone’s freaking out about this I’d leave tomorrow if I could.”

Ebola stuff, but if this is something I have to do then I figure I’ll be taken

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

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al ormal F roposals Compiled by Pierce Lehman @piercetayleh and Emily Wright @emilykkwright

Formal is a popular event many THS students attend on New Year’s Eve. For this dance, the girls get creative in how they ask the guys.

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FEATURES

IN THE HALLS What are your holiday traditions?

How do you celebrate?

“I put up Christmas decorations and have my family over.”

Olivia Reese Junior

“I throw my dad’s prosthetic leg in a river every year. I’ve done this about 12 times now.”

Evan Hildenbrand Freshman

“I go to St. Louis to visit family.”

Kalyse McGaha Junior

“During the Chinese New Year, we have to eat an egg and a bowl of noodles.

There are fireworks too.”

Jason Ni Senior

Leah Sevilla asked Joshua Miles to formal using sushi.

“We eat at my grandma’s house.”

Josh Grandin Senior

Mariesa Sesin asked Keaton Halbert by using a Beatles reference.

“We go to Christmas Eve church service.”

Joni Nolan Counselor

“I go out of town and I spend time with my mom because she’s usually in West Point.”

Tekoyah Agnew Sophomore

“I open one present before Christmas and we always make sure we eat at the table because normally we don’t.”

Darnell Collier Senior

Molly Homan asked Alex Drumm to formal.

Madeline Harrison asked Hunter Johnson after filling his car with shredded paper.

More than just Christmas: A look into December holidays

Pierce Lehman @piercetayleh Staff Writer

Every Year when Thanksgiving is approaching you can almost taste the holiday spirit (along with the turkey and dressing.) Christmas decorations are displayed, holiday music starts playing on the radio and Santa starts preparing for his visit. All of this seems to take over the December month and Christmas seems to be on everyones brains but Christmas is not the only Holiday celebrated in december. Here are two important holidays celebrated this month.

Hanukkah Hanukkah is a Jewish eight-day celebration.

Hanukkah means dedication in Hebrew and is often called the celebration of lights. Jewish people celebrate by lighting the menorah, eating traditional foods, and giving gifts. Surprisingly enough the story of Hanukkah does not

appear in the Torah though it does appear in the new testament of the Bible. The story says that in a Jewish Temple a candle that could only burn for one day ended up only burning for eight in time for the people to find a new supply. Hanukkah will be December 16th to December 24th.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a holiday that was created in 1966 as a way to unite African American communities. Kwanzaa essentially means “First Fruits” and is based off of multiple African harvest festivals . Everyone celebrates this holiday in a different way but it is most commonly celebrated with song and dance, storytelling and a large meal. The celebrating lasts a whopping seven days. Much like during Hanukkah a candle is lit every night on the Kinara. The Kinara is lit by a child every night. They then talk about the Nguzo Saba or the seven principles in Swahili.

Opinions

6OPINIONS

THE

HI-TIMES A STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Editor-in-Chief: Delaney Norton Assistant Editor: Morgan Southworth Online Editor: Nathan Jackson Business Manager: Pierce Lehman Staff Writers: Karlee Avery Treyce Bannerman Kaitlin Flowers Tiara Henson Jeremy Hinds Shawanda Jones Achintya Prasad Sam Ratliff Emily Wright Megan Ybarra 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 HiTimes staff unless otherwise bylined. Guest editorials may be submitted to The HiTimes and will be published according to available space and relevance. Anonymous submissions will not be considered.

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014N

Happy Holidays vs.

Merry Christmas Emily Wright @emilykkwright Staff Writer

The recurring controversy between using Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas is right around the corner.

Christmas is a Christian holiday on Dec. 25 to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas comes from the root word Christ; hence, the greeting “Merry Christmas” used during the holidays. The United States used to be a very Christcentered nation, going as far as putting “One nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. As time passed, however, Americans became more diverse in religious views, making “Happy Holidays” a more common greeting during the winter holidays.

A common misconception among many Americans occurs when they get offended at the sight of the word “Xmas,” due to the misunderstanding that the X is purposefully placed to prove a point that there is no Christ in Christmas. The term “Xmas” actually originates from Europe in the 16th century. Europeans began to refer to Jesus as “Christos,” which translates to Christ in Greek. The Greek letter

X symbolizes chi; therefore, Xmas is used as a Greek abbreviation for Christmas rather than an offensive term directed towards Christians.

According to a Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind poll in 2013, “67 percent of U.S. residents prefer to say ‘Merry Christmas,’ while 18 percent pick ‘Happy Holidays.’ Fifteen percent say they’re indifferent or would rather people not say anything.” Many at Tupelo High School, such as Molly Homan, believe that it is only right to say Merry Christmas on Dec. 25.

“I think it should be called Christmas if it’s close to Christmas day,” said Homan, a THS senior. “I understand that there are other religious holidays, and it’s important to include all of them, Homan but on Dec. 25, it’s Merry Christmas because it’s Christmas day, and you’re taking Christ out of Christmas when you say Happy Holidays.”

Get schooled

Teachers show value of high school classes beyond THS Kaitlin Flowers @_Smudged_Ink_ Staff Writer

“When are we actually going to use this?”

It’s the age old question.

We’ve all heard it, and most of us have probably asked it a few times throughout our high school careers.

The answer almost always starts, “Well, when you’re a...” or, “If you become a...”

Okay, yes. If I become an engineer, I’m going to need math, but what about the real application? Why are we learning this stuff? I asked some teachers, hoping they could shed some light on the subject.

“Maybe I’m a little biased, but my subject is constantly used,” said Kayla Fisackerly, an Algebra III and Trigonometry teacher.

According to Fisackerly, trigonometry is very prevalent in the day-to-day. From sports to driving to home improvement, we use trig all the time. But what about the subjects that don’t come with built-in application problems?

“Knowing U.S. History will allow students to be more informed voters and citizens,” remarked Leslie Pleasants, U.S. History teacher.

History isn’t a subject we tend to think about as far as application goes. The past is in the past, and we’re all about the future. Right?

“History repeats itself and we must try to not repeat the mistakes,” added Pleasants.

As an example, she explained how the United States became the “World’s Police Power” during the Imperialism era, which still affects us in situations like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Afghanistan. The past still proves relevant.

Not every course option is so cut-and-dry, however.

Some classes seem a little obscure or are incredibly specific. How are those classes useful? Maybe their purpose is less about the subject matter

and more about the methods of learning it.

“What students will use and what they are strengthening are their research and problem-solving skills,” explained Guy McCoy, biomedical research and marine and aquatic science teacher.

McCoy teaches his classes how to think for themselves and how to conduct their own research, typically via discussion and hands-on activities.

It’s about the principle, not necessarily fish or medicine.

While each teacher emphasized the importance of his or

Our teachers want us to walk away with the ability to learn on our own in any subject. Even our electives are teaching us important life skills. her own subject, they at least seemed to agree on the idea of preparing us, not just teaching us.

“I believe the most important concepts learned in this class are learning to think logically and to apply previouslygained knowledge for new applications,” said Fisackerly.

Our teachers want us to walk away with the ability to learn on our own in any subject. Even our electives are teaching us important life skills.

“I’m always really big to stress public speaking skills,” said Allana Austin, who teaches theatre, “It’s just common sense stuff. You’re going to work on a team. You’re going to have to speak in front of people. You’re going to have to express yourself.”

So, why are we learning this stuff? Is it so we can make the perfect play on the football field? Are we aiming to lead the country in the right direction? Do we want to become the next big name in medicine or make the world our stage?

We’re being taught the skills. It’s up to us to apply them.

F S T I

Although statistics show that many Americans prefer others to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays, several students at THS think otherwise.

“It’s different for different people and just based on what you believe,” said Lauren Losordo, a THS senior. “If you are a Christian, I believe it’s Merry Christmas. You are celebrating Jesus’s birth, but if Losordo you’re not a Christian, it’s OK to call it whatever you want. It’s all based on your personal preference.”

In fact, some believe that it is all right to be a Christian and say Happy Holidays. It’s a simple way to include all religions during the holiday season.

“It doesn’t really bother me whether you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays,” said Woody Goss, a THS senior.

“There are more holidays in December than just Christmas, so you could say Happy Holidays and still believe in Christmas.”

Unrest continues in response to POLICE TRIAL RULINGS Delaney Norton @delaneycnorton Editor-In-Chief

Freedom of speech, press and to petition the government are rights clearly outlined in the constitution.

But is it a right that can actually be freely expressed to all Americans? In general, there is no question about it. But when the content of newscasts sounds not of this country, it becomes easy to doubt ourselves.

Ferguson, Mo, has given rise to this question. First amendment rights were under question as protests against Michael Brown’s death began on Aug. 9.

Brown was 18 and shot mul-

that impartial information was rare on either side of the matter. News even circulated that peaceful protesters were met with arms unknown of in the hands of city police.

With the amount of doubt surrounding the faulty reporting of the issue, it’s hard to establish what is true in the Ferguson case, which is the reasoning behind the Darren Wilson’s lack of indicment from his trial, which was again met with protests around the U.S. In response, President Obama is in the process of implementing body cameras monitoring police officers.

However, in a recent case police officer Daniel Pantal-

92.7% of arrests involve African Americans in Ferguson. 65% of Ferguson residents are black.

3 out of 53 police officers in Ferguson are black. tiple times by officer Darren Wilson. News coverage of the protests was of a typical nature at this point.

However, confusion over the facts of Brown’s death inflamed groups of protesters further. Nights became dangerous in Ferguson, with citizens looting and vandalizing businesses. Arrests of protesters began, and more controversy formed over the issue.

It quickly became evident

eo killed Eric Garner, a black man, in an illegal chokehold while it was taped by a witness. The coroner ruled it homicide, and Pantaleo was not indicted. New York erupted into protests in response. Pantaleo’s case provided all the evidence that was needed in Wilson’s, yet it was ‘resolved’ the same way. This, if nothing else, makes clear some underlying problems of judicial review in the United States.

7

SPORTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • THE HI-TIMES

FAST PITCH SOFTBALL TRYOUTS IMMINENT

BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS Senior profiles

Compiled by Shawanda Jones @shawandad15

Braxton Thomas

senior, SF

“Always give effort no matter what.”

Samantha Ratliff @samgrl543 Staff Writer

The slow pitch softball season is over and most of the slow pitch team members are heading to the big leagues, that is, the fast pitch softball team. The coaches for the two teams are the same, head coach Josh Hegwood and assistant coach Brittney Terry.

Fast pitch season begins in February.

Fast and slow pitch are less alike than one might think. A person can assume that the pitching is faster, but according to Terry that’s not the only difference.

“Slow pitch is more of a hitters game and fast pitch is more strategic and there’s also an extra outfielder for slow pitch,” Terry explained.

“Fast pitch is more like baseball,” Hegwood said.

“You can steal bases, but during slow pitch you stay on the base until the ball is hit. Fast pitch is a fasterpaced game of course and is more intense, and the catchers are more involved.”

The fast pitch softball team is not necessarily for people who just want to play something that would pass the time, but rather those who are more serious about the sport. Consider Katie Reives, a sophomore and former slow pitch team member who is now a part of the fast pitch team.

“My dad made me play because he wants me to get ready for a career in softball,” Reives said.

Kendall Brooks, likewise a sophomore and former slow pitch team member, said, “I wanted to be on the team because all my friends are on the team, but I don’t want a career in softball.”

Brooks had a different opinion from Katie on the subject of the fast pitch vs slow pitch debate. While Katie viewed fast pitch as harder, Brooks said, “I think fast pitch is easier because there’s more momentum coming at you, and you don’t have time to think about it you just hit.”

In conclusion everyone from those who want a serious career in softball, to those who just want to have a little fun with their friends can come and try out for fast pitch. Which starts once again in February.

Although, if you were planning to try out for fast pitch because you heard it was easy then you are mistaken.

According to coaches Hegwood and Terry, fast pitch is a little more intense.

However, once you begin to play you may end up feeling the same way as Kendall, and viewing fast pitch easier than slow pitch because in fast pitch you don’t think, “you just hit” as Kendall explains. So start getting ready for tryouts and remember to watch out for the ball.

TO: 14 STL: 12 44 POINTS THIS SEASON

Jaleigha Polk Joseph Jones ends the Aberdeen game with a posterizing slam dunk.

JEREMY HINDS

senior, PG, SG

“Start strong.

Finish strong.”

TO: 19 STL: 21 77 POINTS THIS SEASON

Tre’ Long

JEREMY HINDS

Point guard Tre’ Long adds two more points to the board during the Golden Wave’s win against Aberdeen.

senior, PG, G

“You don’t play against your opponents, you play against the game of basketball.”

TO: 7 STL: 11 47 POINTS THIS SEASON

Antonio Green senior, PG, SG

“Never be afraid of failure.”

JEREMY HINDS

Asia Partlow pulls up for a quick two-point shot during the girls’ game against Aberdeen.

WAVE CRASHES

Tupelo loses in playoffs against Starkville Morgan Southworth @ MNSouthworth Assistant Editor

On Nov. 14, Tupelo High School’s varsity football team played against Starkville in the playoffs and lost.

This was a very disapointing outcome for THS students when compared to last year’s season, where the team managed to fight its get to the state level before losing. The team, of course, is very saddened by their loss.

Nathan Cox, THS senior and center player on the football team, expressed his feelings on the loss.

“It wasn’t fun,” Cox said. “But the other team deserved it more that night. Good luck to the team next year.”

“It was a sad moment,” said Jarvis Smithey, THS junior and right guard. “It was the last time we got to play with the seniors.”

Despite this year’s loss, not Smithey everyone feels this season was a complete failure.

“I thought we had a good year,” said coach Lamar Aldridge, defense coordinator for the football team.

“We won 8-4. We had a lot of injuries midway through the season.

Others stepped up for them. Olive Branch was one of the best games we played. Our kids gave a good effort throughout the year. Our se-

niors did a great job leading us to the playoffs.”

South Panola won state this year.

Aldridge is simply glad THS made it to the playoffs in the first place.

“Our region is one of the toughest.,” Aldridge said. “It was jst South Panola’s year.”

This loss does not mean THS has given up hope for future success.

THS is already making plans for the future.

“We have a weight room right now and we’re working hard,” said Aldridge. “We’re working hard to get better.”

Other football players feel the same.

“We’ll be better prepared for next year’s season,” Smithey said.

Cox agreed.

“I hope they do really well,” Cox said. “They have the potential to be a good team next year.”

Aldridge said that he believed the team would be fine in the upcoming season. Sadly, THS will be losing a lot of key senior players.

“We lost a lot of guys this year, like Jarvis Wilson and Justin Clifton,” Aldridge said. “We will be a lot younger next year.”

Smithey thinks that his teammates will be able to do the job.

“We have a lot of younger guys that have to step up and fill the positions of this year’s seniors,” he said.

When taking in to consideration the fact THS managed to reach the state game last year and the potential the team currently has, this season’s loss is not that bad. The team’s determination and the confidence of its members will surely lead the team to victory next year.

TO: 7 STL: 11 111 POINTS THIS SEASON WTHS

THS STUDENTS SELECTED TO LIONS BAND From staff reports @tupelohitimes

Five members of the Tupelo High School band will travel to Hawaii next June with the Mississippi Lions All State Band for the International Parade Competition.

Freshman Alyssia Brieck is eighth-chair flute; senior Patrick Knight is third-chair alto saxophone; junior Ian Steward is 25th-chair trumpet; junior Treyce Bannerman is fourthchair tuba; and junior Jeremy Hendrix is second-chair tenor drums.

Five THS students were also named as alternates. Haithem Mahmoud, senior, is first alternate trumpet (26th overall). Kyle Woodward, sophomore, is first alternate contra alto clarinet (second overall). Danielle Crayton, junior, is fourth alternate trumpet (29th overall). JD Dunklee, freshman, is second alternate snare drum (13th overall). David Neely, senior, is fifth alternate snare drum (16th overall).

The students were among 27 THS band members who auditioned for the Mississippi Lions All State Band in Pearl on Nov. 15. Fifteen students returned the following Saturday for call backs. In addition to the All State Band members and alternates, Quaveion Haddley (baritone), Tyler Bates (baritone), Eli McCaleb (French horn), Sam Patrick (trumpet) and Mason Keopradit (drum major) advanced to second round.

In other band news, Bannerman, Knight and Woodward, along with Tupelo Middle School oboist Analiese Kent were selected to attend the Mississippi Bandmasters Association State Clinic in Natchez. Knight, Woodward and Bannerman will participate in the All State Concert Band, while Kent will participate in one of the three clinic bands. The clinic will be Dec. 10-14.

8ART&ENTERTAINMENT

THE HI-TIMES • TUPELO HIGH SCHOOL • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

MOVIE REVIEW

INTERSTELLAR Delaney Norton @delaneycnorton Editor-in-Chief

“Interstellar” is set in Earth’s near future where the human race is struggling to find crops that continue to grow in the deteriorating air quality. Civilization has regressed to the point of schools’ solely bringing up farmers and teaching that space exploration was a government conspiracy.

Matthew McConaughey plays Cooper, a former NASA pilot that now runs a farm with his teenage son, daughter and father-in-law. By discovering what appears to be gravitational waves leaving binary code in the daughter’s room, they find the coordinates to a secret base for NASA’s last -ditch effort, where Cooper is recruited to pilot a mission to find a habitable planet to save the human race.

The mission involves traveling to a black hole that has appeared next to Saturn, which leads to a solar system with a whole group of planets with the potential to live on. The previous mission’s members were considered martyrs, as they went directly to these planets to issue the initial goahead to come there.

“Interstellar” is both dystopian and science fiction, and while you have to make several leaps of faith when scientific theories are such a major part of the plot, these theories are seamlessly interwoven. The movie actually feels complete and leaves viewers interested in human potential rather than wondering about unanswered questions.

‘TIS THE SEASON OF HOLIDAY GIVING IN THE HALLS

What is the worst gift you’ve ever received?

“I got a pack of hotdogs for Christmas once. Nothing else.”

Gus Depew Senior

Classic Christmas Movies Pierce Lehman @piercetayleh Business Manager

“My dad gave me a Justin Bieber CD.”

Janay Hudson Senior

“Cinnamon roll that had pepper instead of cinnamon.”

“My sister gave me Moon Sand.”

Christian Bean

Eli McCaleb Senior

Senior

“When I was nine, we thought that we were going to have nothing when we went to bed. We woke up the next morning and my granddad had made a full meal. It was the worst Christmas and the best Christmas we ever had.”

Chris Jones Math teacher

ALBUM REVIEW

“I got a Bratz doll and I burned it.”

Jazlynn Franklin Junior

“An Old Navy sweater.”

Donte Freeman Sophomore

Broke with Expensive Taste Nathan Jackson @_treehome Online Editor

Azealia Banks is an American rapper/singer who was born in Harlem, New York.

She was discovered at the age of 17 from Myspace when it was popular.

It has been three whole years since Banks released her profound single “212,” which made people fall in love with her. The New York underground rapper signed a deal with Interscope Records, but they kept holding back her first album release because they didn’t know what to do with it, which put Banks in a tight spot. Interscope Records thought there isnt a market for Banks and they no one will buy her album because of her different it is, but they were so wrong. Early this year, however, Banks was released from Interscope Records with the rights to all the songs she recorded there.

Three songs in, it’s clear why Interscope didn’t know what to with this album. Just the opening song as an element of dubstep, house and Caribbean music. My favorite song from the album is “Miss Amor.” It features beautiful blending of the chorus with a beat that I haven’t heard before. Another good song is “Chasing Time,” which shows that not only is Banks an amazing rapper, but also a great singer. Her “Nude Beach a Go-Go” is one of those songs that will make you say what the heck is this, but after listening a couple of times it’ll get catchy.

By the end of “Broke with Expensive Taste,” you’ll see that waiting three years for this album was well worth it.

You can feel the revel in the freedom of New York City, where divisions between these sounds and scenes have ever so slowly ceased to exist.

Every year when December rolls around, Christmas movies are playing on repeat. Here is a list of my four favorite Christmas movies to watch during the holiday season.

o

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ “Rudolph” is one of the most popular Christmas movies ever made. Every year families gather around the television to watch the legendary tale of the outcast reindeer becoming Santa’s most valued sleigh team member. The story is something that all kids can get excited to see. The myth of Santa Claus and his workshop up north comes to life in this animated tale. Rudolph also teaches a valuable lesson of being kind to everyone no matter how different they are from you.

m

‘Home Alone’ “Home Alone” is one of the best movies to watch during the holiday season. It tells the story of a young boy, Kevin, who seems to be lost in the chaos of his large family and is left behind when everyone leaves for their Christmas vacation. While Kevin is home alone, two men try to rob his house. He uses his imagination to invent clever ways to defeat the bad guys and is eventually reunited with his family, though the reunion is not as big of a celebration as you would imagine. “Home Alone” is full of funny antics, and good old-fashioned filmmaking makes this movie fun for the whole family to watch.

a IN THE HALLS What do you want for Christmas?

“I want some Timbs!”

“Makeup.”

“I want a pair of J’s.”

Quintera Berry

Michea Hayden

Demaris Wise

“I want a car.”

“I just want money.”

“Ugg Boots.”

Jody Taylor Junior

Nick Duke

Shania Jones Sophomore

Senior

Junior

Junior

Senior

‘Frosty the Snowman’ “Frosty the Snowman” is a movie that takes me back to my childhood. The movie is filled to the brim with imagination and brings joy to the audience with its catchy theme song and story of friendship and imagination. Frosty is what children dream of during the winter season. The idea of a snowman coming to life and becoming your best friend is a winter fairytale. The lovable snowman befriends a group of kids when snowy weather hits their town. When the snow starts to melt the kids do anything to keep Frosty alive and with them. In the end, Frosty goes to live with Santa at the North Pole. Even though this movie takes place in the snow, it will make you feel warm inside.

z

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ This black-and white movie is a Christmas classic and has been for generations. Though it failed in the box office when it first came out, it is now a movie that generations can gather around and watch with the same enthusiasm year after year. The story brings you into the life of a man, George Bailey, struggling to make a living but who has gone into debt. He wishes his life away only to realize that people were better off with him around. In the end, the community comes together to help their friend pay off his debt and his family is together once more. This movie really demonstrates what the holidays are all about and will bring a smile to any face.