Warrior golfers tee up for State Tournament

By: Tyler Lee

Staff Reporter

The Oak Grove golf team kicked off the season in style, winning their first four tournaments. The 2013 team consists of five

JOIN THE CLUB
Sophomore Jake Roberts practices his short game on the green at Shadow Ridge Golf Club in Hattiesburg. Roberts shot 75 (+3), his season best, at
Pine Creek Golf Club at the Lamar County Tournament on March 5.

seniors and three underclassmen. The seniors include Tyler Lee, Conner Crabbe, Evan Motter, Nick Stevenson, Kyle Caver who work alongside junior Grant Motter,  sophomore Jake Roberts, and eighth grader Michael Baxter.

The Warriors started off the year by winning two tournaments in February. On February 26, the Warriors won a tournament at Shadow Ridge Golf Club, and on February 28, they won a tournament at Pinebelt Golf Club. After winning their first two tournaments, the team stayed hot, winning two more. The team won at Pine Creek Golf Club on March 5 where they shot their season low score of 295. They continued winning on March 18 at Laurel Country Club. The Warriors lost their first tournament of the year at the hands of West Jones on March 21. After hitting this small bump in the road, the Warriors turned around on March 25 and defeated West Jones in a nine-hole tournament at Timberton Golf Club. The Warriors then won back-to-back tournaments at Shadow Ridge Golf Club on March 26 and on April 2. Brothers Grant and Evan Motter have combined to win every tournament the team has participated in, including tying with each other on March 21 at Dixie when Grant came out on top after a one hole playoff in which Grant parred and Evan bogied.

The Warriors will continue the season on April 17 at  the district tournament, being held at Hattiesburg Country Club when they try to qualify for the State Tournament. After the district tournament, the Warriors hope to make the trip up to Tupelo Country Club for the Mississippi 6A State Championship on May 1 and 2. “Our goal is to go up to Tupelo and beat them at their place just like they did to us last year,” junior Grant Motter said. Motter, a Mississippi State commit, has already captured two individual state titles during his eighth grade and sophomore years and looks to win his third this year. “I would like to win a third title, but I am just going to go out there and try to take care of business. I am more concerned about winning it as a team than I am as an individual” Motter said.

Warrior Writers start a new chapter

By: Elizabeth Lee

 Staff Reporter

Oak Grove’s newest club, called Warrior Writers, is centered around creative writing, free thinking, and self-expression and was started this year by senior Ileana Jiménez and Mrs. Tracey Robertson, English IV, Mississippi writers, and creative writing teacher.

Warrior Writers is a club that provides an outlet for students to express themselves creatively through poems, lyrics, stories, photography, cartoons, and art. These works are written by members and published in the club’s free quarterly literary magazine, Ink, which is due to be available in print for the first time by the end of the third nine-week term this year. “I wanted to start a creative writing club because I like writing, but not news writing, and I felt that a lot of other students feel the same way,” Jiménez said. “Anyone can join the club, but you don’t have to be a member to submit writing. Even elementary school kids can submit to Ink.”

Last month, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day and to raise money for field trips, the club sold $.50 “kisses”–love notes that were posted for all to see in the rotunda of the main hall–and made over $100. On their recent field trip to Oxford, MS, the club met the mayor of Oxford and had a private book signing with Tom Franklin, author of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter. Be on the lookout for upcoming fundraisers like the concert in the courtyard and a dodgeball tournament to raise money for more field trips and Ink’s publication.

Anyone interested in joining Warrior Writers can come to meetings on Tuesdays in Mrs. Robertson’s room, A126, or find more information on the school’s website on her page: http://lamar.schoolwires.net/Page/10826.

Centerstage! shines this competition season

By: Olivia Diaz

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove High School’s show choir competed in the South Central Classic competition in Homewood, Alabama on February 16, the Invitational competition at Petal High School on February 23. They will compete at the Fairfield Crystal Classic in Fairfield, Ohio on
March 2.

The show choir has gained many new members this year, and the addition of talent has helped achieve the success of this year’s show choir. Experienced members are helping new members reach their full potential to make the show choir better than it’s ever been. The group is constantly rehearsing to end this season in the best way possible. “It’s very tiring, but it’s definitely worth it,” senior performer Hayley Higgason said.

With Fairfield Crystal Classic being the final competition, the entire group is putting their best foot forward in order to end the season with no regrets. Underclassmen are looking forward to another year of competition and have a bright view of the future. “It’s sad that this will be our last competition with the seniors,” Taylor Parsons, sophomore, said. “They’re all so talented, and I just hope that next year we’ll be able to recreate this sense of family and continue to try to our best to deliver a stellar performance.”

Although this is the last competition, the show choir will be performing a spring show in the months to come. “We’ve worked hard on our numbers and are hoping to put on a great show,” Parsons said.

 

More OGHS students take online courses

By: Nan Buti

Staff Reporter

The 2012-2013 school year has been staggered with new classes, such as physics and culinary arts, but online courses aren’t out of the conversation. An increased number of students this year are choosing to complete classes online. Why is the internet being used to take high school courses? “More students are taking online courses because they are involved in sports, music, or fine art activities that take a lot of time from their schedules; therefore, in order to be able to graduate on time and continue participating in  the activities they love, they have to enroll in online courses,” Miriam Perez, counselor, said.

Students planning on graduating early may need to consider taking online classes to gain the 28 required high school credits to graduate. Some students may want to boost their GPA’s while some students need a certain class to meet graduation requirements. While most people may think that taking an online class is a shortcut through in-school courses, the level of difficulty as well as the amount of work required by an online class contradicts those opinions. “Most of the online courses are really hard and time consuming, and they usually take a lot of time from students’ free time,” Perez said.

Oak Grove High School offers courses such as health, math, science, foreign languages, history courses, P.E., and computer technology. Most students taking online courses enroll through the federally funded virtual school, MVPS, offered through OGHS. Some students, however, take classes through other online high schools.  Oak Grove typically uses the University of Mississippi – High School Independent Study Program and the Mississippi State University – High School Independent Study Program. There are many more programs offered through different universities. Oak Grove High School’s counselors are the administrators when it comes to online class enrolling and proctoring. “I am the coordinator for the OG online courses through MVPS. I enroll the students into the classes.  I keep track of the students and inform the respective counselors when the students are not doing well so they can address it with those students,” Perez said.

Online courses work very similarly to any course in a regular classroom. There is a teacher, other students, detailed lessons, quizzes, projects, essays, and tests. Most of what a student completes in an online class is graded; therefore, students who are currently pursuing a high grade in an online course should be dedicated to the lessons, activities, and tests.  Online courses have the potential to grow in the future with a great number of students may be possibly taking them, but that will never exceed the traditional classroom course that defines school itself.

Future Olympian? Oak Grove’s Henry kicks it up a notch

By: Andrew Adams

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove junior Kayleigh Henry is one of the Warriors’ most well known soccer players for the girls’ team.

As a junior, she has achieved a high level in soccer: the possibility of making the National team. Henry started playing soccer when she was five years old. “When I was little, I just wanted to play every sport, like most kids do when they are young. I did dance and soccer and just about all the sports,” she said.

When she is not playing with Oak Grove, she is with her travel team. “I recently went to  Boca Raton for the national event, and

HAVING A BALL
Junior Kayleigh Henry, who hopes to soon be named to the USA National team, dribbles down the field.

I went to Germany last summer. Just about every weekend I go somewhere different for soccer games. I’ve been to Alabama, and soon I’ll be in New Jersey. A while back I went to Arizona and California. Since it’s with an East Coast National League Team, we travel a lot,” Henry said. With her ODP (Olympic Developement Team), which is part of U.S. Youth Soccer, team, she meets many different people. “I’m on so many different teams. I’ve never been on a team, besides Oak Grove, that has not changed within a year because new girls come in or girls fall off the team. I just get to play soccer with such a sundry array of girls.”

Henry’s final goal is to earn a spot on the highly-competitive U.S. National team. To get that spot, she worked her way through many workouts including an event where she was selected for the regional team. Just making the regional time has taken a lot of hard work. There are only two other girls from Mississippi who are on the regional team, so this is a huge step for Henry. “I’ve worked really hard, and it has been paying off,” Henry said.

Many girls came out to try out for the state team. If players make the state team, then they are sent to a state camp where hundreds of girls are trying to make the regional pool. This year 32 girls were chosen for the regional pool, and from that 32, a final 18 players are selected for the final regional team roster. This group then traveled to Boca Raton, FL, with hopes of making the National pool.

Henry’s dream is to make the National pool, and eventually be named an official member of the U.S. National team. The team will be announced over the Christmas holidays, and even if she isn’t chosen this time around, officials will continue to track her progress and pursue her as a potential player in the future.

Henry plans to play soccer in college regardless of the outcome of this adventure. She is being recruited by many schools, but isn’t  sure where she’ll end up. She just hopes that one day it will be on an Olympic soccer field.

New classes hit Oak Grove curriculum

By: Mary Ryan Karnes

Editor

This year students are being offered new educational options with recently added English, science, and vocational courses. The wide range of new classes covers a broad spectrum of academic interest and is available to all students.

Mrs. Tracy Robertson, who teaches two of Oak Grove’s recently added classes is eager to engage in completely new areas of study with her students. Robertson, who teaches the creative writing and Mississippi writers courses, hopes that new curricula will help students who are seeking a college degree. “Universities have recommended the classes because they see the need,” Robertson said. “My lesson plans consist of reading great samples of writing and incorporating technology for writers, so I would recommend the creative writing class to anyone who enjoys writing and  wants to improve their writing for any situation,” Robertson said. The Mississippi writers course is also gaining popularity. “I recommend the Mississippi writers course to anyone who takes pride in Mississippi and loves reading great authors,” Robertson said. “Mississippi is known as ‘the cradle of creativity’.” Robertson is more than happy to be teaching more individually-based English courses. “When I first dreamed of becoming a teacher, my ideal class to teach was creative writing, so I’m very eager to share that passion with my students,” Robertson said.

In addition to new English classes, Engineering I and Renewable Energy and Technology are being taught by Ms. Theresa Sappington at the Lamar County Technical Center, and Culinary Arts by Ms. Debbie Miller. Culinary Arts is considered a vocational course and takes up two blocks.

2012 OGHS Homecoming Court

By: Andrew Adams

Staff Reporter

This year, homecoming week will start September 17th. The Olympics inspired the theme of homecoming week, “Warriors Going for the Gold.” The dress up days will include America Day, Character Day, Old People Day, Decade Day, and Black and Gold Day. The week will also include the Battle of the Bands on Tuesday the 18th. The pep rally will be held Friday the 21st where the club sign competition will take place, and the winning club sign will be announced at the homecoming game. The homecoming dance will not be held this year; instead students will compete in a tailgating competition by class. Each class is to decorate its tent, and tents must reflect the homecoming theme. Each class can host booth games such as dunking booths, jumpers, etc. Classes can sell tickets to charge for their booths. The class that raises the most money will also win a cash prize for its class account.

The homecoming court will include the freshmen maids, who are Taylor Buras and LaDaija Jackson. The freshmen escorts are Drew Herring and Daniel Moore. The sophomore maids are Gracyn Head and Laken Pineda. The sophomore escorts are Drew Burnham and Will Ford. The junior maids are Erica Lewis and Reagan Woods. The junior escorts are Luke Little and John Clayton Nelson. The senior maids are Caitlynn Broome, Aliscia Burkett, Hunter Fredericks, Amber Pineda, and Chloe Sanders. The senior escorts are Jansen Bounds, Graham Broome, John Addison Ford, Andrew Adams, and Johnathan McNair.

The football sweethearts are Sarah Rubelowsky and Rickyah Hawkins along with the football escorts Floyd Terry and Clayton Keeler. The prince is Eli Wheat and the princess is Olivia Cassell.

New Oak Grove principals aim for successful year

By: Olivia Diaz

Staff Reporter

The OGHS administrative team is now settling in to the school year under the leadership of new Head Principal Helen Price.

The Lamar County School District (LCSD) decided that OGHS should have four assistant principals and one head principal this year due to the increase in student population. “There is an assistant principal for each grade,” Price said. “The LCSD decided to create ‘four schools within a school’ because of our number of students, so we need four assistant principals to carry that out. We also have Ms. Venson, who is a part of our administrative team as a lead teacher.” These administrators include Sheila Kribbs, Bob Byrd, Jeff Vanderheiden, Keith Bounds, and Cynthia Venson as the Lead Teacher/Intervention Specialist.

After serving as head counselor for five years and assistant principal for three years, Helen Price is leading the administrative team. Price, a Lamar County native, earned her undergraduate degree from USM and her Master’s degree from Mississippi College. “I’m very excited about our school year,” Price said. “I’m looking forward to getting involved with the students, activities, and education here. I’m proud of what our school offers and plan to support it.”

Cynthia Venson, OGHS’s new Lead Teacher, has been involved in education for 12 years. She began as a day teacher in an elementary school before moving to Georgia. After that, she moved back to Hattiesburg and taught at Grace Christian Elementary. “I want to see students never feel like they’ve reached the top,” Venson said. “There’s always room to grow, always room for more.”

Bob Byrd is also a new OGHS assistant principal this year. Byrd served as Dean of Students prior to this new appointment and gained some administrative experience from that role.  He attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned a Master’s degree from William Carey University. Byrd is excited to take on a bigger leadership role this year and is looking forward to having a successful year. “I want to help create a positive environment not only for teachers to work in, but also for students to learn in,” Byrd said.

Keith Bounds, former LCSD Transportation Director, will be leading the senior class this year. Bounds, a Hattiesburg native, graduated from Oak Grove in 1976, earned his Bachelor of Science degree from William Carey University in 1980, and earned his Master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986. Bounds is enthusiastic about working with the senior class as they transition from school to career/college and is eager to motivate students along their journey. “It’s not how far we end up in life,” Bounds said. “I like to tell students it’s sometimes how far we’ve come.”

Dance, cheer teams prepare for State

By: Nan Buti
Staff Reporter

Golden Spirits perform their routines during a recent pep rally. / Photos by Raven Jones

The Golden Spirits competed in the Southern Miss Dance Classic on November 19th at USM. The team, coached by Lexey Robinett, received first place rankings in jazz and pom categories and was also named overall Champions. Senior Brittain Allgood won first place in the solo category. The Golden Spirits will compete next at the MHSAA (Mississippi High School Activities Association) competition in Jackson on December 16th. The cheer team’s MHSAA State Competition is December 17th in Jackson. Both teams have been practicing every day during school as well as at several after school and weekend practices. After putting on performances during football season, the teams have changed their motives from entertainment to competition. The MHSAA competition has the teams motivated to dominate. “I think we will do really well,” senior Catherine Deleon said. The team has been practicing its kick and jazz routines, which it will perform at the State Competition. The Golden Spirits made big adjustments to the team this year. “We have a bigger team of 23 girls and a new sponsor. Before, it came naturally for us since we were a small team. Now we have more work, more practices, more routines, and more team work,” Deleon said.

The cheer team has been working on routines and advanced stunts.  “I expect us to win. We are the only team in the state who can hit certain stunts,” sophomore Nicole Herbert said. Laura Lightsey has been the OGHS cheer sponsor for six years. Not only does she responsibly handle 24 girls, but she also coordinates pep rallies and coaches the competition routine. “I’ve got a talented group of girls that are working hard to put on a good routine to hopefully win state,” Lightsey said. Both  teams are expecting all of the hard work to pay off at State.

 

Upgrade or Downgrade?

By: Jenny Tran

Opening of new businesses in Hattiesburg? UPGRADE
In the past years, many businesses, big and small, have flocked their ways to this wonderland to stake their claims to be part of the southern culture Hattiesburg, Mississippi provides. For example, Dick’s Sporting Goods has finally opened in the old Circuit City location. Dick’s Sporting Goods expects strong prospects of becoming a Hattiesburg staple. However, Academy Sports, Dick’s biggest rival, plans to open later in the fall. Other businesses that plan to open soon in Hattiesburg are Cheddar’s Cafe, Baker’s Burger (Near Turtle Creek Crossing), and Five Guys’ Burgers and Fries.

New Law and Order: Special Victims Unit cast? DOWNGRADE
After 12 seasons of crime investigation, Christopher Meloni has left the cast of Law and Order: SVU. Meloni’s departure welcomes new and returning faces to the fold such as Detective Amanda Rollins, portrayed by Kelli Giddish. However, her debut was poorly choreographed. Throughout the entire first episode, Giddish was always two steps (literally) behind Detective Olivia Benson and acted more as an extra than a recurring cast member. Also joining the cast is Detective Nick Amaro, played by Danny Pino. Pino seemed to warm up to the cast much quicker than Giddish did, but the dynamic of both these new detectives leaves the audience wanting the tag team of Eliot Stabler and Olivia Benson back.

New iPhone 4S? UPGRADE
Familiar and yet new, the iPhone 4S may not look different from the outside, but inside, it’s a very different beast. With its fifth generation smart phone, Apple has out done itself. The new iPhone 4S is wickedly fast, fiendishly well-equipped, and ruthlessly threatening to its mobile rivals. From the outside, the iPhone 4S looks identical to the iPhone 4, but from the inside, it is anything but. With the release of the new iPhone, Apple unveiled its newest version of iOS with new features for not only the iPhone 4S but also for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch, and iPads 1 and 2. These updates include iCloud, a wireless way to sync your Apple products, a new 8 mega pixel sensor camera, and a stronger battery life. Overall, the new iPhone 4S is a definite upgrade because of its innovation and technology.

Footloose remake? DOWNGRADE
No one can stop the youth of America from dancing, and no one can stop the American film industry from making movies about people who try to. Footloose is a remake of the 1984 musical about a city boy, portrayed by Kevin Bacon, who comes to a small southern town and literally shakes things up. This same premise holds for the remake, and it seems more pandering than ever. Once again, Ren MacCormack is the new kid in town who just wants kids to be able to have fun. Compared to the original Footloose movie, the remake’s dialogue is even more lame, and the action is extremely poor. This movie left a bad taste in my mouth and my dance moves.