March 4, 2010

2009-2010 Hall of Fame

By: Kent McCarty

One of the highest honors given to students at Oak Grove High School is being selected as a member of the Hall of Fame.  This year, lucky recipients of the award are Scott Weathersby, Shelby Sims, Kayla Purvis, Amy O’Steen, Jordan Papas, Blair Jackson, Gwen May, and Anne Caroline Lovitt.  To receive this award, students have to exhibit excellence in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.  They must also have at least a 90 average throughout high school and must have attended Oak Grove for at least three years.

With Oak Grove’s especially talented student body, narrowing down the senior class of nearly 400 students to just eight is no simple task for teachers and administrators.  To start, each teacher at the school compiles a list of up to ten nominees.  Nominees who receive at least five nominations earn a spot on the final Hall of Fame ballot.  From this ballot, teachers choose up to 12 students.  The top 12 receiving votes move on to the next phase, which brings the nominees into the decision-making process for the first time.

The top 12 are then required to complete an activity, honors, and service questionnaire.  The completed questionnaire, the student’s transcript, and copies of the students’ grades are then given to the Hall of Fame Committee.  The committee members review each student’s questionnaire and grades before completing a ranking of each of the 12 remaining nominees. Nominees receive 12 points for each first place ranking, 11 points for each second place ranking, 10 points for each third place ranking, and so on.  The principals then tally the votes and the top eight highest scoring students are named to of the Hall of Fame.

The eight recipients of Hall of Fame honors earned the recognition by exhibiting excellence in scholarship, leadership, and citizenship.  From playing sports, to participating in band, to leading club meetings, the students chosen for Hall of Fame represent Oak Grove’s most well-rounded  students.  “During the 26 years I’ve been at Oak Grove, Hall of Fame recipients have always been well characterized by the three areas Hall of Fame represents:  scholarship, leadership, and citizenship,” Principal Wayne Folkes said.  “It’s the highest honor an Oak Grove student can acheive, and it represents a student that excels in not only school, but also in their character.”
To Hall of Fame recipient Gwen May, the honor was something she wasn’t expecting.  “I was so suprised when I was told I’d been chosen.  It’s such a great honor, especially among all of the great students to choose from at Oak Grove.”

Principal Folkes is very impressed with this year’s Hall of Fame representatives and feels that they represent what makes up a true Warrior.  “We appreciate what the Hall of Fame students have accomplished at our school and for our school.  We’re extremely proud of them all and appreciate the opportunities that our school has been able to offer,” Folkes said.

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March 4, 2010

LCSD plans to make up schoool cancellations

By: Taylor Rigney

On Friday, January 8, Lamar County Schools were closed as a precaution to anticipated wintry weather resulting in icy roads.  A little over a month later, schools were cancelled again due to the snow storm that occurred on February 12.  These two back-to-back school cancellations brought about the issue for district administration of determining when to make these days up.

The Monday after Easter is usually written in on the schedule as “Bad Weather Day” to allow in advance for any school cancellations that may need to be made up, but since there wasn’t room for a second make-up day to be built into the schedule, this day will have to be made up at the end of the school year in May.

The school board is still in the process of determining if and how this end-of-the-year make-up day will affect the last day for seniors, which is scheduled to fall on May 20.

“As a senior, I seriously hope we’re able to get by without making up that last day. Since I was on a drama trip both days and had to wake up early, I didn’t even get to enjoy being out of school or playing in the snow.  So, yeah, I’d be upset if I had to make up that day,” Luke Bush said, of the possibility of spending one extra day in high school.

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March 4, 2010

Students show heart and donate blood

By: Will Bedwell

Twice every school year United Blood Services holds a blood drive on campus.  One is held in the fall and one in the spring. This year, during baseball season, Oak Grove is competing with Petal High School to see who will donate the most blood.  The winner will be announced at a game between the two (date of announcement has not yet been disclosed.)

According to Student Council Sponsor Mrs. Haik, the hardest planning procedure of the event is securing a date.  On Monday, February 22nd, the spring drive was conducted.  An estimated 100 students donated blood.

Approximately 60% of the U.S. population will need donated blood at least once during their lifetime.

“Giving blood is one of the easiest, surest ways of saving lives and helping others,” stated Haik.
To prepare for donating blood, a good healthy meal is recommended, as well as drinking a 16 oz. bottle of water ten to thirty minutes before donating.  Then relaxation is all that’s left.  Mrs. Haik recommends listening to the Fleet Foxes “White Water Hymnal”in order to achieve a “chill mindset” before giving blood.

After that, the donor is put on a bed, out comes the equipment: multiple tubes, bags, and one decently sized needle.  He or she then feels a slight pinch and fifteen minutes later the process is over.

Every year around three to four students faint while donating: some out of nervousness during the process and others due to lack of blood following the procedure.

In order to gain the correct perspective when writing this article, I decided to give blood for my first time.  I was called to donate just before advisors began.  My blood was collected and then I sat down with a tasty juice box in hand to rest.  The next thing I knew, I was being awoken by two nurses after passing out sideways on the bus’s couch.

Even if one does faint during the process, donating blood is a form of community service all should be proud to participate in.  Hopefully next year even more students will seize the opportunity to help others.  That is assuming they don’t pass out.

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March 4, 2010

School recycling program promotes environmental responsibility

By: Sara Sanner

This semester Oak Grove schools will have a recycling system that will be executed at all five schools. Sumrall Recycling will administer the recycling program, which consists of a detailed and efficient process.

The company will provide enough recycling bins for each classroom to have their own, as well as additional bins that will be placed in other areas around the school. Students and faculty are asked to place all of their trash in these bins with the exception of any food or drink, although drink bottles and food wrappers are perfectly acceptable. Sumrall Recycling will then collect the disposal in the bins and sort the trash into four categories: paper, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard. This is called “single stream” recycling. Each item will proceed to go through an intricate specialized cycle to create more of that item for us to buy.

This new system will drastically reduce the school’s waste which fills a four-yard and eight-yard garbage bin every day as well an 18’x7’ bin for cardboard. This change won’t only be beneficial to the environment, but also to the school. The high school itself will be saving more than $9,750 next year. The school currently pays Waste Management to acquire the school’s waste three times a week, whereas when the recycling system takes effect, the collection of garbage will be cut back extensively. Sumrall Recycling is providing this beneficial program  for no cost at all. “We provide the bins and pick up for free. We just ask the school to take part in the responsibility of recycling,” Sumrall Recycling associate Cathy Dore said. The company will pick up the school’s waste every Friday.

With the reduction of trash, the custodial staff will get to focus more intently on the cleaning aspect of their job. Nancy Gholar, OGHS custodian, said “It will give us a chance to spend more time on the classrooms [cleaning].”

The impact of recycling is greater than the general public may think. The school’s most used resource is paper and recycling paper instead of making it from new material generates 74% less air pollution and uses 50% less water.

Administrators believe that the  helpful global program is of necessity. “It is the responsible thing to do both in our school and our community as citizens. We want to promote the whole person educationally and environmentally,” Vice Principal for Academics, Helen Price, said.
Students are also awaiting the  arrival of the recycling system with great enthusiasm. Freshman Nathan Maxwell said, “I think the program is such a good idea. Helping the environment by recycling is a great and easy way to make a difference as a school.”

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March 4, 2010

Suzie Welch: A mathematical phenomenon

By: Arik Shams

There is probably only one name in the Oak Grove School District that is synonymous with the words “math,” “calculus,” and “trig.” WELCH… Suzie Welch is the head of the Math Department at Oak Grove High School, and teaches Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry and AP Calculus. She has been teaching at Oak Grove for 25 years, ever since she first started with General Math and Pre-Algebra. While most of her students are only familiar with her rigorous homework routine and confounding test questions, an exclusive interview with the fabled Queen of Math revealed some interesting insights.

Suzie Welch grew up in Mendenhall, Mississippi and attended Simpson Academy, a very small local private school. As far back as she can remember she always loved school, ever since the first grade. She developed an interest in teaching in eighth grade, and her choices were narrowed to either math or English. “I was so glad I chose math… because I enjoy it and learned to love it.” As for college, Welch studied at the University of Southern Mississippi and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from there. “I had fun in college,” she said. And contrary to common perception, she was not at all studious before her graduate years. “College doesn’t teach you anything about teaching,” Welch said.

Welch’s teaching career began in Oak Grove High School and has remained here as of today. She even finished her student teaching at Oak Grove. Her first years of teaching were very hard. “Trying to acclimate yourself to the pressures of teaching was very difficult at first.” About her most significant lesson as a teacher, Welch said “I learned about the ‘art’ of teaching… there’s always a lot to learn, and it can never be perfected, but I am working towards that goal.” Besides that, Welch speaks about the differences in teaching methods during her early years. Back then she used chalkboards, and had no graphing calculators. Now, she has mastered four different types of graphing calculators and any and all of her students already know about her expertise with a Promethean smart-board. “Apart from the technology, I also learned a lot about how to work with teenagers,” she said. But Welch’s classes often involve more than math, although just the math by itself is no doubt quite enough for her students. “Math is the hardest subject in the world… but it also teaches students to work for something, as well as good work ethic, responsibility, working with other students and being able to think… If the subject matter isn’t hard, then there’s not an opportunity to learn these life skills,” Welch said. And the opportunity to teach these life skills is Welch’s greatest reward.

Welch loves math, a fact only too obvious to her bleary-eyed early morning students, who fight to keep up with her seemingly unlimited energy and vitality. But there have been times when even Suzie Welch felt a few bumps along the road. “Sometimes I am extremely frustrated with some students’ apathy towards education,” she said. “But I don’t let that bother me or those students who are actually here to learn.” As for her brightest moments, she cherishes the feeling of appreciation when her former students e-mail her to tell her how she helped them go through college, or when a parent expresses his or her gratitude. Welch’s best advice to her students is “Do your homework, and always, always be nice and do the right thing. And if you don’t know what the right thing is, come ask me!” *ding*

In Welch’s “free time,” if such a thing exists, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working in her yard, going to the movies, playing golf, reading, and restocking her supply of Animal Crackers (available to students for $0.25 per packet).

Suzie Welch has much recognition and several awards to brag about, although she will never be found doing so. This year she was selected as one of three state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) – the nation’s highest award for K-12 math and science teachers. The awards program is hosted by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House. Welch was nominated for the award last year by former colleague Ann Sullivan. Ann Sullivan was a recipient of the PAEMST in 2005. Welch had to complete an extensive application process to evaluate her performance as a teacher. The teachers selected for the national award receive $10,000, a presidential citation, and a trip to Washington, D.C. State finalists were recognized on February 19, 2010, by the Mississippi State Board of Education at an awards ceremony in Jackson. As for Welch’s feelings, she said she felt very honored and proud, and like “a queen for a day.” Welch is hopeful for the national award and without a doubt, deserves it.

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March 4, 2010

Heir McNair: Making his own way

By: Sydney Sanders

Oak Grove High School has long enjoyed the benefits of a winning baseball team.  We’ve celebrated numerous State titles and graduated players like Donnie Bridges, Kyle Logan and Grant Hogue who went on to play professionally.  But only in our recent history have we witnessed a winning football team, and now some of those players are graduating and looking toward bright futures in the game.  One such player to watch…Steve McNair, Jr.

The road that has brought McNair to the end of his senior year has been a bumpy one. The oldest of Steve McNair and Cotina Feazell’s sons, Steve, Jr., began playing football when he was nine years old and has always dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps on the field.

Steve McNair, Sr., was a much decorated player in the NFL before his untimely death in July of 2009. Drafted from Alcorn State University by the Houston Oilers, McNair, Sr., also enjoyed a career as quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens before retiring in 2008 after 13 NFL seasons.

That tradition resonates in the life of Steve, Jr., “Football is not just a game to me,” he said. “It’s my life.”

Recognizing his talent on the field, Steve’s parents made the decision to bring him to Oak Grove High School in the 2008-09 school year. “His mother and father gave presence to every game,” teacher and family friend, Cynthia Venson said.

As a constant presence on the sidelines at Warrior stadium, McNair, Sr., enjoyed watching his son play in his junior year. McNair, Jr., said his father’s inspiration led him to do his part in the victory of the South State title this year.

“Although my dad wasn’t able to cheer me on on the sidelines this season, his memory kept me going.”  That memory is what many who are close to Steve, Jr., are hoping will sustain him throughout his life. “I spoke with his mom often and his dad several times,” Venson said. “His dad often expressed that he wanted to see him do well and compete at the next level, but his class work was most important.  He would say those words every time we had a conversation.”
His father may have been a great support and influence in Steve, Jr.’s early career, but two of his greatest cheerleaders have been Feazell and his grandmother, Lucille McNair. “She was a great fixture in the stands,” Venson said of Lucille McNair.

Steve, Jr.’s overwhelming support in the stands this season came from members of his extended family, as well.  His stepfather Johnny attended games along with Feazell, rooting him on.
Steve also has two brothers who live with him.  Terriyaki, 15, and eight-year-old Channing are both students at Oak Grove schools.  Both can be identified on any Friday night – they’re the fans with shirts that read McNair # 1.  Two other brothers live in Nashville: Trenton and Tyler; and one brother lives in McGee, Steven. Many other members of the extended family were visible at Warrior games, including his Aunt Anita and Uncle Vel.

“The support that Steve, Jr., has with football is phenomenal,” Venson said. “The one game that we played on a Saturday this year allowed his uncles, two who are coaches, to witness him in action.  It was quite ironic how they assumed the position on the sidelines with the same presence that his dad brought. His uncle Fred is a legend in his own right.  He is said to be the real ‘air McNair.’ He has also filled the McNair spot on the team in Mt. Olive, coaching the offensive line. His other uncle, Tim, is a coach at Laurel High School.”

Steve, Jr.’s other uncles, Jason and Michael, complete the five McNair Boys.

But of all this great support, it is Venson who stands out as one of Steve’s biggest fans on and off the field.

“He is really like my third son,” she said. “I want for him the way I want for my children. I pray for him when I pray for my children.  He is a great young man with a large heart.”

In the passing of Steve, Jr.’s father, Venson said God really began to reveal her purpose.
“I realized that I was here to be a support to him and his family,” she said. “Through his father’s death, I began to see how strong and brave he was. I always try to encourage him both in school related activities or in his personal life. Sometimes I think that I am overstepping my boundaries, but I am willing to do whatever is necessary for his success.  My expectation for him first and foremost is that he learns to put God first in all that he does.  I then always encourage him to be a man of character, integrity and determination.”

Warrior fans have watched Steve, Jr.’s natural talent on the football field as he has worked to become the best.  “He leads on the field, but he first provides an example.  His knowledge and work ethic on the field are great.  He has done several things to amaze me,” Venson said.
Venson reflected on the infamous Hattiesburg vs. Oak Grove game, where the Warriors were indeed the underdogs.

By the beginning of the third quarter, Oak Grove was trailing and the team displayed much difficulty on the field as the quarter began.  “As I was tucked so tightly trying to keep warm, this voice of leadership rang in the stands,” Venson said.  “‘Let’s go, this game is not over yet.’ Steve said to the offensive lineman. If memory serves me correctly, we scored on that drive, and the Warriors began to fight.”

As a mentor to Steve academically, Venson is by his side, supporting his efforts in the classroom. “I often say to him, ‘I am your biggest fan,’” she said.  “‘I want to be your cheerleader on the field and academically. Take care of the things inside the building and they will increase your chances on the field.  Potential takes you no place without dedication and determination.’”

But Venson is just one of a multitude of McNair, Jr.’s supporters who strongly believe that his opportunities are endless, and that he has infinite potential to compete with the best at the highest level.

“Steve is the most humble person I know,” teammate and senior Robert Johnson said. “He’s the best player I’ve ever played with, he’s a great teammate, and his future at Southern Miss will be something to watch.

Even those players who have now graduated and gone on to play post-high school remember their time on the field with McNair, Jr., with fondness.

“I can truly say this guy will always be my best friend, no matter what happens,” Oak Grove graduate Kewon Hunter-Williams said.   “I’ve never needed to tell him to play well in football because he’s always going to do that.  Now, he’s in a position to have it all, and I know he will work hard. That’s just him. He’s a great young man and always will be.”

With 22 total touch downs just in the regular 2009 season, McNair, Jr. shined on the field.  He averaged 11.62 yards per reception and 4.71 yards per rush on offense.  On special teams, McNair, Jr.’s punt return average was 12.75 yards and his kickoff return average was 34 yards.  He also returned two interceptions for touchdowns while playing in the defensive backfield.
Expectations for McNair, Jr.’s future are high. Earlier last month, he signed to play for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles with high hopes of receiving for Coach Larry Fedora’s team.
“Because of my son (Dillon) going to school at Oak Grove, I was able to see three or four games there,” Fedora said. “What amazed me about Steve was that he started at wide receiver and then moved to running back and then to quarterback. He moved to free safety. He moved to corner. He was the punt returner. He was the kickoff returner. He did it all. There were games when the Warriors were behind and had lost their quarterback, and he had to do things that I know he didn’t expect to do this season. He brought them from behind and won a lot of games. He just showed a lot of heart and a lot of desire. We’re going to start him off as a slot receiver and see where it goes from there, but I just think he makes our football team that much better just being on our team because of his will to succeed.”

Fans know Steve, Jr. for his talent on the field, but those who know him best know that he is quiet.  His words are few, but his character is strong.  Perhaps Venson explains that side of him best.  “There is a lot to learn in silence.”

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March 4, 2010

Warrior baseball begins season swinging

By: Taylor Herring

At the beginning of a new season of baseball, both the players and the coaching staff are excited to begin. After weeks of rigorous practice, the team’s hard work is about to finally pay off. The team is still adjusting to a new coach, but they feel confident about this year’s season.  Senior Scott Weathersby, starting pitcher, feels that the upcoming season will be very successful. “With our new coach, the team has different strategies and focuses, and we’ve developed a fresh outlook on the season,” Weathersby said. The coaches feel the team has quite an opportunity this year to be proactive offensively. With a strong starting lineup and confident staff, the team should improve each day.

Saturday, February 20th, the team competed in a scrimmage game against Purvis, winning 7-1. If that game was any indication to the way the rest of the season will play out, the team has little to worry about. The Warriors also played Presbyterian Christian School and East Marion, and both games were concluded by the ten run rule, 13-1 and 20-3, respectively. If the team is able to maintain a high level of confidence and continue with focused practicing, they should have no problem having a successful season.

Q&A

Q:  Where all did you coach before coming to Oak Grove?
A:   Through the years, I’ve coached football and baseball at Laurel High School, Raleigh High School, Taylorsville High School, and Wayne County High School.

Q:  Did you play baseball, or any other sports, throughout school?
A:  Yes, I played baseball and football for Laurel High School. At Laurel I played shortstop and pitcher in baseball, and wide receiver, defensive back, and kicker in football. I went on to play both baseball and football at Jones County Junior College. After that, I was the 2nd and 3rd basemen and punter at The University of Mississippi.

Q:  How do you feel about your new team at Oak Grove?
A: I feel confident in the boys, the program, and the support for Oak Grove baseball. The boys have been working very hard and continue to improve each and every day. I am excited about my coaching staff, and I hope the boys continue to work hard and focus on our main goal.

Q:  What are some strong points of the team?
A:  We have a very deep pitching staff, which will keep us in all of our games.

Q: Does the team have any weaknesses they still need to overcome?
A:  We have a chance to be really good offensively; however, we need to do a better job on our pitch selection. We have a tendency to swing at bad pitches.

Q:  Have you ever competed in a state championship?
A:  As a player at Laurel High School, we were Class 4A State Champions three years in a row.  As a coach at Wayne County, we were the 4A State Champs in 2006.

Q:  Who do you think will be Oak Grove’s stiffest competition this season?
A:  At district, it will probably be Meridian and Brandon. Non-district will be Petal, Madison Central, Sumrall, Clinton, and Jackson Prep.

Q:  As a head coach, what is the most important lesson you wish to teach your team?
A:  I wish to instill character, hard work, and priorities in these boys. These priorities in order are God, family, school, and finally: baseball. I want them to love and respect the game, but to never take their abilities for granted. Most importantly, I want them to give thanks to the one responsible for it all: God.

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March 4, 2010

Should schools consider moving to a four-day week?

YES

By: Taylor Rigney

Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy a relaxing three-day weekend every week?  Due to the high cost of fuel and energy, that idea may not just be wishful thinking anymore.  Over 100 school districts in 17 states across the country have adopted a four-day school week in order to conserve money and energy.

A four-day school week would mean eighteen less days each semester that schools wouldn’t have to run buses, resulting in thousands of dollars worth of diesel (which has now skyrocketed to well over $4 a gallon) that schools wouldn’t have to fork over.  This is thousands of dollars that could be put to use for other things like (of course, I have to put a plug in for our drama department) an auditorium for the high school, or maybe the extra money could mean the school could actually afford to supply classrooms with paper.

Axing a day from the school week would also drastically cut down on energy costs.  Just one less day a week for the school to be shut down means 36 extra days a year that lights, air-conditioners, and heaters can be given a rest and turned off.  Let’s face it, Lamar County School District: we’re leaving a pretty big carbon footprint.  What would Al Gore have to say about that?  Once again, the conservation of energy would also save our schools a big chunk of money and make LCSD’s wallet a little bit thicker.

Obviously, cutting a day from the school week means students would have to go to school longer the other four days.  Honestly, though, who wouldn’t be willing to endure school for a couple more hours every day in exchange for a whole other day each week of not having to set foot in the building?  Folks, we’re talking another entire day of sleeping late, vegetating on the couch watching TV for hours, hanging out with friends, oh and, you know, studying and doing volunteer work and productive things like that.  Not to mention, parents of younger students would save a fortune in after-school child-care, since they would essentially be arriving home at the same time as their children.  Another radical idea would be to do away with advisors (and I know it’s mandated by the State, but that doesn’t make it any less pointless).  Getting rid of advisors would give us thirty more minutes of instruction time, and therefore, we wouldn’t have to stay at school as late as we would otherwise.

Schools across the nation that have adopted the four-day  school week have reported higher test scores due to more uninterrupted class time and students who return from their extended weekends refreshed and more eager and willing to learn.

NO

By: Kate Zachary

The conflict of having a four- day school week has become a vast topic for the government and for school boards around the nation. This is such a huge controversy because there are so many pros and cons towards the concept of shortening the school week. I agree with all of the cons of this idea because I do not think a four-day school week is a good decision.

One reason a four-day school week would cause problems is because it would provide a three- day weekend for the students, thus allowing time for the students to forget information they learned the previous week. Also, the much needed summer vacation that we all cherish would be significantly shortened because more days would have to be added to the school year. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to be in school for longer hours and more days. Our four classes are already 90 minutes long each and school doesn’t dismiss until 3:40 p.m. each day, let’s not make that longer just so that we can have a longer weekend. Having the longer school day start at 7:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. would push everything back much later in the day, such as sports team practice and club meetings, not to mention that is a very long school day, especially for elementary students. Also, these longer school days would cut some very important sleep hours that students need to succeed in school. Studies say that students should have at least eight hours of sleep to truly perform well in school, and a four day school week would incapacitate this because most high school students don’t go to sleep until 10:30 p.m. due to homework and extracurricular activities.

Another reason that a four-day school week is bad is that it will force parents to have to pay for a babysitter or a daycare for the day their children are out of school. This will hinder many young families because in most families both parents work five days or more during the week. Studies also show that seven out of ten children don’t eat dinner with their families because they have homework, sports practice, or other extracurricular activities. If the school and practice times get pushed back later because of a four-day school week, family time at home would become nonexistent.

The last, but most important reason a four-day school week is a bad idea is that all school employees such as, teachers, principals, janitors, school police, crossing guards, and bus drivers will lose a whole day of pay for each week. During these hard times in our economy, no one can afford to lose a day of pay each week. Education is very important and our educators don’t get paid enough already, I don’t think we should take more of their salaries away from them.

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March 4, 2010

Don’t be afraid to jump on the bandwagon

By: Sara Sanner

Anytime someone or some group does well at a sport or competition, an interesting phenomenon is presented for everyday people.  This phenomenon is known simply as the “Bandwagon.”
The bandwagon effect, also known as “cromo effect” and closely related to opportunism, is a phenomenon that people often do and believe things merely because many other people do and believe the same things. The phrase “jump on the bandwagon” first appeared in American politics in 1848 when Dan Rice, a famous and popular circus clown of the time, used his bandwagon and its music to gain attention for campaign appearances. As campaigns became more successful, more politicians strove for a seat on the bandwagon, hoping to be associated with the success. Later, during the time of William Jennings Bryan’s 1900 presidential campaign, bandwagons had become standard in campaigns, and “jump on the bandwagon” was used as a derogatory term, implying that people were associating themselves with the success without considering what they associated themselves with.

Today, the bandwagon effect is most noticeably present in sports.  When a team does well, more and more fans join the cause.  The largest and latest example is with the New Orleans Saints football team.  Often called the “Aints,” they have never been to a Superbowl. That is they have never been until this past season.  As the Saints went on a long winning streak with a record of 13-3, things looked promising for a Superbowl run.  Many people came to this assumption and then the bandwagon grew. When a bandwagon grows too large, the hating begins.  Those who were fans of a team before they began winning usually despise bandwagon fans.  This causes three interesting effects.

First, many original fans try to single out bandwagon fans.  This often leads them to accosting anyone they did not already know was a fan, which causes trillions of pointless arguments.
Secondly, bandwagon fans try to hide their identity out of fear of being found unauthentic. In order for their fan status to remain hidden, they learn statistics and unique stories of their new favorite team to commit to memory.  So when an original fan tries to sniff out bandwagon fans, a bandwagon has the chance to prove they’re an original fan.

The third effect of a large bandwagon is the honesty it can create.  Once there are enough bandwagon fans, many decide to admit they are one.  They simply claim they like this team because they win, and that people should be okay with this.

These effects can be noticed on social networking sites like Facebook.  After any large game or election, people change their statuses appropriately. Writing about the Saints for example, people put famous slogans such as “who dat” and post-game scores.  Others write comments such as “I’m so tired of bandwagon fans,” and the like.

After the New Orleans Saints concluded their season with a Superbowl win, the following day Saints “fans” donned their only team t-shirt to show their pride for the team’s success.  Authentic fans didn’t even bother to criticize the bandwagons then due to the overwhelming number of bandwagon fans gained by the Superbowl victory and also by the commotion and feelings of excitement from the win. Now that the thrill of the Saints’ victory is old news, the followers known as “bandwagon fans” have silenced their once fervent voices and I’m curious to see how their participation will continue next season if the team is not as successful.

I, personally, do not think anyone should look down on bandwagon fans–that is, as long as those fans are honest about their affiliations.  Everyone should encourage more people to be fans of their team, not encourage more liars.

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March 4, 2010

Upgrade/Downgrade

By: Kent McCarty

Upgrade

After eight seasons of American Idol, everyone’s getting tired of it, myself included.  For eight years the American public has watched the same kind of singers take the stage and belt out the same kind of songs over and over again.  With the exception of Carrie Underwood and a few others, the contestants are generally so uninteresting that they fade back into obscurity as soon as the finale airs.  This season, however, the show has given us a full set of interesting voices and personalities that might keep America’s attention for the first time in years.  One of the contestants is a glassblowing apprentice.  I mean, how many of those exist in the world?  Very few.
Glassblower’s apprentice, welcome to American Idol: Upgrade

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I’m not trying to knock the Olympics as a whole.  I enjoy a good round of curling just as much as the next guy.  But why does every other show on television go on hold just because the Winter Olympics roll into town?  I’m one of those people that require at least one good TV show per night each week, and when each of my favorite shows goes on hold, the balance of my life no longer exists.  For example, my favorite show, Fringe, was just getting good when the Winter Olympics ice skated its way onto my TV, putting Fringe on the back burner until mid-March.  Even worse, Fringe was not the only prime-time casualty the Olympics brought on; my other favorites including House, V, FlashForward, The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Human Target were also benched until the Olympics decided to wrap things up.
The Winter Olympics take over my TV screen: Downgrade

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Throughout all 88 of her years on earth, everyone’s favorite grandmother, Betty White, has never hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.  Why the show’s producers have invited the likes of Icelandic singer Bjork and American annoyance Taylor Swift before the queen of comedy is beyond me.  It may have taken a Facebook group (Betty White to host SNL- Please?) with 500,000 members and millions of tear-stained letters to the NBC headquarters, but fans will finally get their wish when White teams up with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon for a special edition of Saturday Night Live next year.  Suggestion:  For her 90th birthday in 2012, why not give her her very own episode of SNL?
Betty White finally joining the cast of SNL: Upgrade

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I’m not lying when I say that the cafeteria’s cheesy chicken is too good for words.  I’m also not exaggerating when I say that I would choose a good bowl of cheesy chicken over a full course meal from 97% of the restaurants in Hattiesburg.  However, I, along with hundreds of other cheesy chicken enthusiasts, have been extremely disturbed by the use of what appears to be ham in place of chicken in the last few batches of the cafeteria’s signature dish.  Let us not forget the wise words of our elders:  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  So with that said, GIVE US CHICKEN.
Cheesy Ham DOES NOT equal Cheesy Chicken: Downgrade

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