Warriors finish successful season

By: Amelia Landers, Editor

After a very successful football season (9-2) the Warriors were recognized as the 2009 6A South State Champions on November 28 when they defeated the Ocean Springs Greyhounds at Warrior field by a score of 27-6.

The Warriors’ first playoff game was against the Harrison Central Rebels. This game was played on November 14 at Harrison Central. The Warriors took control of this game early on with a touchdown run by Robert Johnson, leading up to a final score of 56-36.

Game two of the playoff series was a rematch with Meridian. The Wildcats traveled to Warrior stadium hoping to even the score after losing to Oak Grove earlier in the season. After another stellar performance, the Warriors sent the Wildcats home with an additional loss. The final score for this much anticipated game was 42-28.

The Warriors were able to play game three of the playoffs at home as well. Although the Greyhounds came in ready and confident, they were no match for the Warriors. As the buzzer sounded, fans began to celebrate that the Warriors would be going to Jackson on December 4 to play for the 6A championship. The Warriors were crowned South State Champions. This was the first year for the Warriors to make it to state in football since 2003 where they lost the 5A championship to South Panola. “We worked all winter, spring, and summer to get to that point. We have not won South State since 2003, so it was a big accomplishment.” Robert Johnson said.

Alas, the trip to state found the Warriors trailing from early in the game. As the snow fell, Oak Grove fans watched as their team struggled to stop South Panola’s run. The Tigers dominated the Warriors by stopping the pass and scoring on three interceptions. By the end of the third quarter, the field lines were hidden by accumulating snow. Warrior players struggled to keep their footing and hold on to the ball in these conditions. The final score was 56-14.
This was the final game for several seniors who have been strong leaders for the Warriors in recent seasons. Many of the players are excited for next year’s season while some are ready to take their football career to college.

Oak Grove High School receives several top honors

By: Kent McCarty

Oak Grove students and teachers have a lot to be proud of after being awarded two PREPS (Program of Research and Evaluation for Public Schools) Value Added Awards and a “high performing” ranking by the state board, just to name a few.  The multiple awards the school has received correlate with high state test scores for the 2008-2009 school year, in addition to other key factors like graduation rates and attendance.

The Value Added awards given by the PREPS Organization are awarded to schools that exhibit exceptionally high state test scores in one or more subjects.  At the 2009 PREPS Conference in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Oak Grove will be presented two of these honors; one for high English II scores and another for high U.S. History scores.  School wide scores ranked at the top among all state schools, with 91% scoring Proficient or Advanced on the U.S. History exam and 75% scoring Proficient or Advanced on the English II exam, compared with 63% and 49% state-wide, respectively.  Biology and Algebra scores were also high, with 78% scoring Proficient or Advanced on the Biology exam and 88% scoring Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I exam, compared with 63% state-wide on both exams.  Oak Grove’s test scores were also the highest in the Lamar County School District.

As a part of the state’s new school ranking system, OGHS earned a ranking of “high performing” for the 2008-2009 school year.  This ranking is one step below the highest ranking of “star school,” but school administrators feel confident that the highest level is within reach.  “We missed the highest ranking because of one area, and it’s something we’re actively trying to improve on,” Principal Wayne Folkes said. The school earned a QDI (Percent of students scoring Proficient or above) score of 224, placing it in the top eight high schools in the state.  “We’re very proud of these scores, and it’s a big credit to the teachers and students who’ve worked hard over the past year,” Folkes said.  The school also earned the Lantern Award for having a QDI above 180.

With Oak Grove comfortably situated at the top academically state-wide, teachers and staff are focusing on how to retain the schools well-known reputation for academic excellence. “When you apply yourself and work hard, it really pays off and people do notice,” Mrs. Helen Price, Assistant Principal, said.

PSAT opens doors for juniors

By: Ashley Ricks

Oak Grove High School juniors took the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) on October 14. This is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, sponsored by the National Merit Corporation. The top three percent of the junior students who take this test will be named high scorers in April, and most will be named semifinalists for the scholarship the following September. But the work doesn’t stop there. The semifinalist will have to submit applications including an essay, transcripts and recommendations. They will also have to take the SAT to confirm their PSAT score. If the student is lacking in any of these areas, the student will not advance to the finalist level. Being a semifinalist or finalist on this test can bring great benefits for any college-bound student. Some colleges, such as Southern Miss, will give full scholarships along with other benefits. Other colleges, mostly out of state, will offer competition packages for National Merit finalists.

Most students don’t simply show up the day of the test their junior year and hope for the best, most start preparation as a freshman. Oak Grove recently discovered that students are allowed to take the test both freshman and sophomore years to get familiar with the format of the test. Another way students have prepared is by enrolling in the Humanities class taught by Andrea Clark. The class has been known to raise scores by 20-50 points. In the class, students take practice tests to identify their problem areas and figure out the best way to work through them. Clark helps students improve test taking skills and overcome any anxieties or obstacles distracting students from doing their best. “As part of my philosophy of teaching, I encourage the students to understand their improvement is a result of their effort, not some lucky accident that just happened to them,” Mrs. Clark said.

A main goal of the PSAT and humanities class is to help students get money for college and broaden their opportunities.

Forensics team prepares for showcase, state competition

By: Kent McCarty

The Warrior Forensics team will hold a showcase on Tuesday, December 15, in the library and in Mr. Cole’s room (A-116) to wrap up the first half of their competition season.  Each member of the team will perform a piece that they have performed in competition so far this year, and will be judged by successful team members from past years, including Kent Ford, Austin Seeley, Blakely Owens, Abby Olivier, Laken Taylor-Sells, and others.  Attendees of the showcase can expect a variety of performances, ranging from light-hearted and funny to deep and dramatic.
The showcase will feature over 25 performances by members of the team.  In preparation of their first public performance of the season, team members have been rehearsing their pieces daily. One duo, made up of sophomores Allison Slusher and Lindsey Hardin, have been working especially hard to impress at the showcase.  “We’ve practiced a lot in class to really clean up our performance  so we’ll do well for our showcase performance,” Slusher said.  “We’ve been getting feedback from other team members as well, and that seems to be really helping.”

Aside from preparing for the showcase, the debate team has been busy competing in eight tournaments from the beginning of the season in August to December to strengthen their performance skills for the state competition in April.  The preparation continues into the Spring segment of the season, where the team will continue to compete and prepare for the state competition, where they will face off with schools from around the state, including rival Hattiesburg High.  If Oak Grove can hold off Hattiesburg and other schools at state, this will be the team’s fifth consecutive win at the state competition in Ridgeland. “We’re making the best of class time we have left before the end of the semester then we will work as much as we can after school.  We’re all looking forward to competing for our fifth straight state championship,” Forensics Team President, Daniel Rigel, said.

The showcase is open for anyone who wishes to attend, free of charge.  The performances are graded and are counted as each student’s semester exam, so those in attendance are asked to be attentive and give each team member the proper respect during his or her performance.

Teams to vie for back-to-back titles

By: Sydney Sanders

As December 18th and 19th approach, the Golden Spirits dance team and the varsity football cheerleaders are hard at work to take home another state championship. In addition to first block dance routines with sponsor, Tracey Oglesby, and South Mississippi Elite gym/fourth block cheer practices with sponsor, Laura Lightsey, the teams are sharpening their work with outside practices to prepare for the 6A MHSAA Competitions at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
This year the Golden Spirits captains are seniors Kayla Purvis and Kirsten Raimey. Both are ecstatic about another chance to take state and are diligently preparing the ten other members for the kick and jazz routines at competition. “Last year when Oak Grove was called out for overall state champions, we were in awe!” Purvis said. “I honestly couldn’t believe we had actually beat some of the most talented dance teams in the state. This year we have been working extremely hard because we know our competition, and we want to be able to claim the MHSAA 6A state title again this year, represent our school to the best of our ability, and put one more picture up on the wall.”

The Golden Spirits plan to perform their “Poker Face” (Lady GaGa) Jazz Remix and 5678 Country Western kick routine. Among their greatest competition are teams from Ocean Springs, Olive Branch, and Northwest Rankin.

Since teams are not required to qualify for state competition, coaches Jennifer Odom-Townsend and Glen Jenkins entered the girls in a separate competition at Pearl for experience earlier in the year.

Of the 28 squad members, seniors, Anne Caroline Lovitt and Leah Winstead are cheer captains. After taking first at south state regionals in Waynesboro, the squad is cleaning up their routine to be ready for their toughest competitors, Northwest Rankin and Ocean Springs, Lovitt said.

“Hopefully, we can go out and take the title again,” Lovitt said. “I’m eager to see how this year’s squad compares to last year’s. We’ve been practicing hard to sharpen our routine and are determined to compete and represent our school at its best. In my last year at OGHS and last chance to compete, I really hope our hard work pays off in the end.”

Newcomer and sophomore, Andie Arthur is excited to be a part of the Warrior tradition. “Coming from a school where competition is not a priority, making it to state is an enormous accomplishment. It seems to me that our squad is very motivated,” Arthur said. “We want this title, and I know for a fact that last year’s squad wants to keep the title they earned last year. Being 6A state champs would be a great way to represent our school.”

Warrior Sports Notes

Football

The Warriors ended this year with a winning regular season advancing to the play-offs. With a record of 8-2 in regular season, the players were proud of their achievements, especially both big wins against the Meridian Wildcats.
A number of star Warriors have been nominated for the All-Area Team.  Steve McNair, Jr. finished the season leading the team in a number of categories on both offense and defense.  Other offensive players such as quarterback James McMahon, Jonathan Duncan, Jay Hughes, Dillon Fedora, and Robert Johnson all posted impressive numbers on the offensive side of the ball.

Defensive lineman Vince Taylor led the team in tackles and other key defensive areas.  In addition, LeBrandon Moseley, Charles Bolton, Cort Brinson, and Trey Barnes were key contributors to the Warrior’s defensive success.
Despite the many ups and downs as well as injuries, the Warriors managed to end the season successfully.

Soccer

The boys’ soccer team started the season off strong with a 1-0 victory over rival Petal.  The lone goal was scored by center midfielder Garrett Head.  The following weekend the team continued its success with a huge upset win over the preseason number six team and defending state champion, Clinton.  The Warriors toppled the Clinton Arrows 4-1.  The third game of the season turned out to have a drastically different result with the Warriors falling to the Pascagoula Panthers 3-0.  This weekend the Warriors look to bounce back with games in a Gulfport tournament against two very tough opponents: Long Beach and St. Patrick High School.  Although their focus will be on these two games this weekend, the team plans to use the games to prepare for the most important game of the season.  Next Tuesday, the team will play a crucial district game at home against the team’s arch-rival, Brandon.  The girls soccer team also promises a successful season with a current record of 4-0.

Basketball

The varsity boys’, junior varsity boys’, and girls’ basketball teams are off to great starts with records of 5-0, 3-0, and 4-5, respectively.  With great season starts so far, the boys and girls look foward to continuing their successes.
In their last two games, the Lady Warriors defeated both Bassfield High School and Laurel High School with scores of 59-29 and 60-35.  In the most recent games against Gulfport High School, the varsity boys’ came up short 29-50, varsity girls’ fought hard but in the end lost 46-49, and junior varsity boys’ were defeated 24-30.
The next game is the first district game of the season against Hattiesburg High School in the Oak Grove High School gym on December 15 with games beginning at 5:00 p.m.  The teams will also face off against George County, and will compete in the Hattiesburg Tournament over the Christmas holidays.

Warrior basketball shooting towards future

By: Sydney Sanders

With junior varsity boys 3-0, varsity boys 5-1, junior varsity girls 0-1, and varsity girls 4-6 records, the future of Warrior basketball is already looking bright.

In addition to great season starts, the changes in this year’s basketball program have been hard to miss. Faculty and club nights were two additions incorporated into this year’s schedule to bring crowds to the home games. Coaches Jones, Bradley, and Hershenhahn are to thank for these boosts in the program.

“It all started at the end of the summer leading up to my ninth grade year when Oak Grove had just hired the new head coach, Vandarel Jones,” senior Antonnio Benton said. “We had a talented class coming in, not only in basketball, but in all sports. Coach Jones quickly came in and told us what potential he saw in us and the future of Oak Grove basketball, and it was bright. Even though it didn’t turn around as quickly as we would have liked our first year, things began to change my sophomore year. We won 17 games and posted one of the best records in Oak Grove basketball history. The girls’ new head coach, Crisla Hershenhahn, and boys’ and girls’ assistant coach, Edmond Bradley, bring new dimensions to our team from their experience with basketball on the coast and on the college level. The efforts they have put into making us better have transformed us into one of the best teams in the area, if not the best,” Benton said.

Each month, Coach Jones and his team participate in a different community service project. “It’s really exciting to see the boys participate in their community,” Jones said. “We’ve recently completed a Habitat for Humanity project and rang the bell for the Salvation Army at Sunflower on Hardy Street. Our next act of service is a Christmas project at Turtle Creek Mall.” Jones and the 23 junior varsity and varsity teammates also attend a different church service each month. So far this year, they have attended West Pointe, Temple Baptist, and Mt. Olive and plan to visit First Baptist this month.

Not much can top these boys’ acts of service, but the girls teams are also doing their part to make a difference on and off the court. Every Wednesday, coaches Hershenhahn and Bradley travel with the girls teams to the elementary schools for their Hot Shot clinics, where they focus on the youth – the future of Oak Grove basketball. In addition to this, Hershenhahn and Bradley put together the Pine Belt Hoops League, where 8-13 year old girls and boys have the opportunity to practice and scrimmage on the high school courts with the coaches and varsity players.

“If you look at our 8th grade team and 9th grade junior varsity team, we have had more participation in recent history,” Bradley said. “By paying attention to these younger kids, we’re gradually building up this basketball league for the future of Oak Grove sports.”

In addition to Hershenhahn’s Lady Warriors Web site and newsletter, she and her 21 girls recently submitted ten shoeboxes at Macedonia Church in Petal to the Samaritan’s Purse for Operation Christmas Child.
“The reason I’m here is to build a program – plain and simple,” Hershenhahn said. “By giving the kids a good foundation to live and play by, our program is progressing. I believe in what we’re doing. Sometimes, I want it to happen overnight, but I know we’re taking the right steps in the right direction.”

The coaches and teammates are hoping their efforts will inspire more fans to come out and support them this season. They take on the Hattiesburg High School Tigers Tuesday, December 15th, with the junior varsity game beginning at
5:00 p.m.

Recruiting 101: Prepping for the future

By: Amelia Landers, Editor

With football season at an end, the curious have begun to wonder where the star Oak Grove seniors will attend college.  For some players, that decision has already been made.  James McMahon signed to play baseball at Mississippi State during the early period where all sports except football are allowed to make scholarship offers to future students. However, for those players who wish to continue in football, National Signing days begin on February 3, 2010.  Until this day, they are participating in the recruiting game.

Recruiting began for many players during their junior seasons.  Scouts from various colleges have attended games and watched videos of players’ performances on the field.  The NCAA guidelines are very specific on how these players may be contacted by colleges.  During the contact period, college coaches will write and telephone players as well as having in-person contact with players and their parents.  For example, Robert Johnson, an outstanding Warrior receiver, has been contacted and visited by over a dozen different schools.  He has talked to coaches who have visited him at home and he has made campus visits.  Johnson continues to listen and consider his options prior to signing day.

A student is allowed to make a verbal commitment to a college prior to signing a National Letter of Intent.  While this has become very popular, this “commitment” is not binding to the player or school until the letter is signed.  Steve McNair, Jr. is one athlete who has chosen this path by verbally committing to the University of Southern Mississippi.
An important part of this process is for high school athletes to register for eligibility with the NCAA.  This is done at the beginning of a student’s junior year.  Students who sign letters must also meet eligibility requirements before they can enroll and receive scholarships. As next semester nears, more players will be making their final decisions.

Cross Country: A family affair for local runners

By: Julie Robinson

Chad Moore and Anthony, Kayla, and Christie Stricker are four very exceptional athletes at Oak Grove. Chad is in the eleventh grade, Anthony and Kayla are in the tenth grade, and Christie is in the eighth grade. Chad is on the cross country and the track teams, Anthony is on the soccer, cross country, track, powerlifting, and football teams, Kayla is also on the soccer, cross country and track teams, and Christie is on the middle school soccer team and the high school  cross country and track teams. Though they play other sports, this family’s specialties are cross country and track. They all always place in at least the top ten at every cross country meet. They also place in the top four in their track events. Chad, Kayla, and Christie have not placed below fifth place at a single cross country meet this season. To achieve such athletic superiority this family must train extensively.

These athletes wake up at six every morning before school to run. The girls run up to four miles while the boys often run up to five miles. They run after school with the cross country team during the fall semester and with the track team during the spring semester. To crosstrain, Kayla is training with Hub Fins swim team at the YMCA. This family not only runs at the cross country and track meets with the school, but they also run recreational meets in between cross country and track seasons to stay fit. During the summer, the family often runs on the Long Leaf Trace, works with AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), and runs 5k road races.

The Oak Grove Cross Country Team has benefited greatly because of Chad, Anthony, Kayla, and Christie. They came to Oak Grove from Poplarville in October of last year and joined the cross country team immediately. Suddenly, all of the best Oak Grove runners had new rivals. Poplarville High School’s cross country team lost its best runners, and their team suffered greatly. Dallas, the Stricker’s younger brother, who is three years old, is already running one mile in 12 and a half minutes. He plans to follow in his brothers’ and sisters’ footsteps.

On November 21st of this year, these four outstanding athletes were invited by Nike to participate in a race in Houston, Texas. This invitation proves their athletic excellence. The boys’ and girls’ races were attended by over 200 runners from around the nation. On the day of the race, the family ran in the rain, which made their course very muddy and therefore many of the runners were sloppy in their efforts. Chad, Anthony, Kayla, and Christie did not run as well as they had hoped they would due to the weather.

These siblings will continue to perfect their athletic abilities and help bring the Warrior Cross Country Team the state title in years to come.

Senior soccer player shines on and off the field

By: Lauren Pace

Senior, Danny Hanson, is the captain of the 2009-2010 boys soccer team.  Hanson not only shines on the field, but he also excels in the classroom.

Hanson is the starting defender for the varsity boys team. With a record of 3-2, the team is sure to have an exciting season. “It started off good, but it got a little rocky” Hanson said, though he remains positive.  “It will be an excellent season.”

Hanson has been playing soccer since he was four years old. With the influence of his two older brothers, Hanson has always had a passion for soccer. Both of his older brothers were also varsity players on the Oak Grove boys’ soccer team. “Soccer wasn’t always a big deal for our family, but as we played it more and got older, it turned into one,” Hanson said.

Hanson is also a dedicated student who successfully balances academics with athletics. He is ranked in the top 30 students of the senior class and scored 32 on the ACT.  With graduation approaching, Hanson is preparing for life after high school.  “I am still undecided as to what I will do after graduating. I will either go to Mississippi State University or to an out of state college. I plan to major in some sort of engineering,” Hanson said.

Aside from school and sports, Hanson enjoys sleeping and cooking. “I like to sleep a lot,” Hanson said.