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.

Music Review: Aerosmith Live in New Orleans

By: Andrew Adams | Staff Reporter

As a second grader, my dad introduced me to Aerosmith, and I was hooked. I have grown up listening to their music, and I can even remember getting really excited when riding Rockn’ Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollwood Studios.  Always wanting to see them in concert, I discovered they were going to be performing over the summer with Cheap Trick on “The Global Warming Tour.” Devastated, I saw there was not a concert anywhere within a six hour drive. With a group that is from the late 70s and aging band members, I didn’t know if I would ever have another opportunity to see them perform. To my surprise, however, my dad informed me that Aerosmith added a tour extension into the winter, and New Orleans was on the list. Happy birthday to me! Tickets in hand, I attended the December 6 show for one of the great rock n’ roll bands ever.

Just arriving at the New Orleans Arena was enough to give me chill bumps. Cheap Trick started the show with a small crowd in the arena.  After their okay performance, the arena began to explode with crowds of people. The stage set changed, and an enormous Aerosmith logo rolled across the stage while a backstage video highlighted the members of the band talking about the tour. With the lights out, a fast video of clips and pictures of the band from past years to now was shown. Then, in the midst of an enormous smoke fog, out of the ground came Steven Tyler, holding his signature mic stand and Joe Perry with his guitar to begin the show. They kicked off the night with an awesome performance of “Mama Kin.” The band played most of their iconic songs such as “Elevator,” “Last Child,” and “Rag Doll,” which sounded as great as they always have. Tyler, 64, can still hit every single note and dance like no other. During the concert, Tyler spoke about the band’s life and the songs’ origins, which was really interesting. They also promoted their new album Music From Another Dimension with great songs like “Lover A Lot.” Drummer Joe Kramer even took the spotlight with an amazing drum solo.  Kramer went wild, and if the crowd didn’t get loud enough for him, he got up and shouted to the cheering crowd. For Kramer’s finale, he threw his drum sticks and used only his hands and head to finish the solo, which was insanely fun to watch. As the concert continued, Joe Perry played some of his own hits.

With a traditional encore in mind and the lights in the arena off, all I could see were lighters and phones shining and swaying back and forth, cheering and yelling “Aerosmith” and “encore” for five straight minutes. The crowd was finally satisfied with the signature Steven Tyler scream. Tyler arose out of the ground playing “Dream On” on a white grand piano. It was a moment that the fans will never forget, and just when it couldn’t get any better, Joe Perry got his guitar talking with “Sweet Emotion.” This show was certainly one filled with excitement, and one that should be on your bucket list. Legendary artists like Aerosmith certainly know how to make timeless music that appeals to all ages, and they can still put on a show fans will always remember.

Mickey vs. The World

Artwork drawn by Andrew Adams

By: Andrew Adams

Staff Reporter

We are all children at heart. Disney World is the place where a kid can be a kid, and, subsequently, it’s where I am most free to act like a child. My family has always vacationed in Walt Disney World because it’s our favorite vacation destination. Disney World is always changing, which, for me, keeps it interesting. Many people think that Disney World is just a place for parents to take their little kids, but that’s not true at all. I greatly enjoy Disney World because it has many attractions that can catch the eye of  teenagers. I have been to Disney World 22 times, and every time I go, it gets better and better. There is always something different, whether it be rides or just shows. I’m now eighteen, and I still love Disney World. It sounds crazy for how many times I go, but all my life I have grown with Disney! There is so much to do at Disney World, and if you don’t enjoy something, there is always somewhere else you can go that’s more enjoyable.

For instance, when I was young, Epcot was probably the last park I would want to go to, but now that I am older, I love going around the world to all of the different international exhibitions. Also, every park has rides for youth to enjoy, such as Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, which is the best thrill in the park. You encounter the Yeti mounted atop Everest, and the Yeti chases you on G force turns, which is very fun. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rock ‘n’  Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith is my all time favorite ride there. It has my favorite two things: Aerosmith and a rollercoaster.

The Tower of Terror is also a riveting attraction. Getting dropped over and over again in a haunted hotel is always interesting because it’s always different. I have said enough about things for the older folks to do, though. Disney World is simply the happiest place you can go. Every employee has a smile and is always open to help you with anything. I’m sure that here and there, Universal has some happy people, but that park surely wasn’t started by an optimistic, iconic mouse.

Every character at Disney is strikingly similar to its movie counterpart. You can ask them any question, and they will give you a crazy answer and go in depth. For example, if you asked Snow White where the dwarves are, she would go above and beyond to tell you where they are and what they have been up to. Universal has nothing on Disney.

By: Morgan Guess

Staff Reporter

After you reach the double digits in age, you begin to see through the “Happiest Place on Earth.” As I got older, the popular Small World became a broken record with multicultural dolls with automated voices dancing in circles. I realized that the women dressed up in costumes weren’t really the fairytale princesses but mere imposters Disney World hired for the summer. I didn’t want to fly with Dumbo or eat with Mickey Mouse anymore. I wanted to experience the speedy rollercoasters and dine with the iconic Harry Potter characters in Universal Studios. I’ve recently come to the conclusion that I favor Universal Studios theme parks over Disney theme parks based on my experiences in each over the past several years. When I walked into Universal, I could hear the roaring of the Hulk roller coaster and the most anticipated Harry Potter theme song ringing through Hogsmeade. Instead of riding in a boat to experience different cultures, I experienced an entire fictional world brought to life by modern technology and construction. Every time I rounded a corner in the Universal theme parks, I was met by yet another super hero jumping out in tights and fighting crime. There’s so much more for a mature audience, without excluding the kiddos. The Universal experience is family friendly, and the hotels onsite are very convenient. It’s a place to revisit every year. Even when the parks close, the fun doesn’t stop. City Walk is right outside, the gates light up with a massive movie theater, a 36-hole goofy golf course, an assortment of restaurants, multiple gift shops, and a range of night clubs lining the streets outside of Universal. Personally, I enjoyed being able to relax just across the street instead of having to trek across a parking lot to the hotel after the parks closed. In September and October, Universal offers Halloween Horror nights that feature famous horror productions like “The Walking Dead.” This special, along with concerts at the Hard Rock, attracts teenagers and adults alike by providing an extra scare and excitement. Although some might think that Disney World is magical, it can’t compare to the wizards and witches of Hogwarts at Universal Studios.

Volunteers pitch in to build courtyard sensory garden

By: Andrew Adams

Staff Reporter

There is a new addition to Oak Grove, and it’s not the new cafeteria or the new modular buildings. It’s the sensory garden. The garden is being made for the community-based classes to enjoy the outside more often and grow to love nature. Teacher Carmen Swilley had an idea for a sensory garden last year. Mrs. Swilley works with community-based classes, and last year, the students in the class would go around town once a week to help out at different stores. The students would stock shelves, go to the 360 Thrift Store to help organize clothes, and help out at the Sunrise Garden Center.

Every week, the students would switch tasks. “My favorite thing to do with the students was to go to the Sunrise Garden and watch the kids help out with plants and just watch them grow and widen their senses,” Swilley said. She wanted them to be able to further their growth with nature, and that’s where the idea originated. Swilley had to undergo an extensive process before the garden was approved.“Because the Sunrise Garden Center is soon closing, I’m happy we have this garden. The owner of Sunrise is helping us with the garden, which is wonderful for us because I don’t have a green thumb, and this is mostly new for me,” Swilley said.

The sensory garden will have a huge impact on the students’ lives. By helping them, the students get closer to nature. Most of them stay inside and play games or simply do not have the will to go outside. Many don’t like to get dirty, and this will help them grow and widen their comfort levels. Some of the plants that the students take care of can be cooked, and when they cook, they can use what they planted themselves and feel accomplished.

There is a fairy garden for the girls who enjoy playing with dolls and using their imaginations. There is also a butterfly garden, in which the students can watch the butterflies and have them land on their fingers, as well as a waterfall and fish, so the students can watch the fish swim and not be nervous outside. There is going to be a large deck, so the students can have class outside.There will also be a wheelchair ramp, so they can access the deck.  Swilley is very proud of this garden. “I want these kids to have a connection with the environment and to be able to go outside and be safe, and through that, the kids can learn to love the environment and feel comfortable,” she said.

The garden is planned to be completely finished by the beginning of the next school year.

Being Dyslexic

By: Andrew Adams

Staff Reporter

Many students at OGHS have dyslexia. Symptoms of dyslexia include  difficulty determining the meaning of a simple sentence, difficulty learning to recognize written words, trouble rhyming, and, of course, simply not being able to read at all – a problem I know all too well.

Dyslexia, often called DRD (Developmental Reading Disorder) is a disease that changes the way one sees words, which becomes an obstacle for reading and math. This problem occurs when the brain cannot adequately interpret language. Commonly perceived as a vision problem, dyslexia is actually a cognitive disorder. There are two main types of dyslexia: developmental and acquired. Developmental dyslexia is caused by biological anomalies, usually genetic, in the brain at various levels from prenatal through childhood development. The other type, acquired dyslexia, is caused by brain trauma that may occur prenatally or after birth, which leads to similar behavioral characteristics of developmental SLDs (Specific Learning Disabilities).

I was diagnosed dyslexic in primary school, and it continues to be a challenge. For me, spelling and reading are the toughest obstacles in school. When I’m reading, letters and words zone out, or everything runs together. Freshman Lucy Pruitt, a student without dyslexia, offered her perception of the disorder: “I think it means when letters get turned around and mixed up in peoples minds, and it makes it a lot harder to read,” Those without dyslexia often think that p’s and q’s along with d’s and b’s look similar to those who have the disorder. People with dyslexia see in different ways.

Field Bennett, junior, has dyslexia, and it affects his everyday life. “The worst part of having dyslexia is when I get called on to read in front of the class. It’s probably the worst thing that can happen to me,” Bennett said. He always tells fellow students that if he makes an error while reading to blame it on his dyslexia. Bennett has spent his educational life in special classes to overcome the disorder. “I went to dyslexia-specific classes from kindergarten until fifth grade. I still struggle with it a lot, but those classes really helped,” Bennett said.

For dyslexic students, both math and reading are major struggles. Depending on the person, though, math can be easier than reading. “There are more letters in reading, and with math, things do get mixed up, but it’s a lot easier because with a calculator, it kind of lowers the struggle,” Bennett said. Occasionally, people who are not diagnosed dyslexics will claim to have dyslexic tendencies because they scramble words and numbers in school or at work. Most of the time, their “dyslexia” can be attributed to careless error, but some actually do suffer from the disorder.

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.