Monthly Archives: September 2009

OG Drama Travels to Scotland

All four performances of “The Jungle Book” sell out

By: Taylor Herring

The OGHS Drama Department performed their show, “The Jungle Book”, at the Churchill Theatre for an audience of both adults and children. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house while they performed; in fact, Oak Grove was the only high school to sell out all four of their shows. It wasn’t all smoke and mirrors, though; the students worked for over a year to raise money for the trip.

Last May, the Oak Grove Theatre Department was nominated by the MS Theatre Association to travel to Scotland and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest film festival in the world. Once nominated, the team was chosen as one of the top 35 in the United States. Mrs. Allmon, their director, then held an audition to determine the select group she’d be taking overseas. The 27 lucky students would later face another obstacle: they each had to raise around 6,000 dollars to pay for the trip. When asked how they raised this money, students responded, “We sold a lot of cookie dough,” or, “We spent our Halloween entertaining kids with a fundraising haunted house.” With 27 students and 6 adults planning to attend, funding the trip was no easy task; however, the aspiring thespians persevered. Fifteen months and $200,000 later, the Oak Grove Drama Department was on an 11 hour flight to Scotland.

Upon arrival, the group hit the ground running. They had the opportunity to march in a parade quite similar to Mardi Gras in America. Some of the group climbed Arthur’s Seat, the highest of a group of hills in Edinburgh. It is believed that Arthur’s Seat is distantly associated with a base for military action under the rule of King Arthur. They also got to witness the Military Tattoo, a royal procession that honors one member of the royal family each night.

All tourism aside, our drama department didn’t just travel to Scotland for sightseeing. After selling out their shows, the actors all went outside of the theatre to play with children who were in the audience, sign autographs, and answer endless questions about their “funny accents.”

Obviously, we have a very talented group of actors at Oak Grove. If they can sell out all four shows in another country, imagine how well they would do if the school had an auditorium here. The show they performed appealed to a very large audience because it had singing, dancing, and even crowd participation. Logan Little, who played the lead role of Baloo, said, “It was a true honor to have the opportunity to travel to Scotland and show the world Mississippi’s talent in the art of theatre.”

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Find your niche as clubs kickoff new school year

Oak Grove High School offers a huge variety of clubs that can appeal to all its students.  So as clubs get started this school year, there’s no excuse not to get involved in one.

If you’re into board games and you enjoy a challenge, you may want to try out the Chess Club.  It meets on Wednesday mornings at 7:45 in Mrs. Fortenberry’s classroom (F114).  The best part is, you don’t even have to know how to play chess to join!  Mrs. Fortenberry or another member would be happy to teach you.

For students who are politically aware, OGHS offers the Young Republicans Club.  Don’t be fooled by the name, though.  This club is for anyone who wants to discuss political issues with fellow students, not just Republicans.  The Republican Club’s next meeting is scheduled for September 11 in Mrs. Siders room (A121).  “We had a really good turn out for the first meeting, but we’re hoping to get a lot more students involved,” says member Steven Wild.

If neither of these clubs are quite what you’re looking for, try one of the many others our school has to offer:

  • Art Club
  • Asian Cultural Society
  • Beta Club*
  • Chess Club
  • DDR
  • DECA
  • DELTA
  • Diversity Club
  • Environmental Club
  • FCCLA
  • FEA
  • First Priority
  • FCA
  • French Club
  • International Thespian Society (ITS)
  • Key Club
  • Military History Society
  • MS Technology Team
  • Mu Alpha Theta*
  • National Honors Society*
  • National French Honors Society*
  • National Spanish Honors Society*
  • Red Cross
  • Robotics
  • Spanish Club
  • Student Council*
  • Young Republicans

*Denotes prerequisites/applications.

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Oak Grove vs. Meridian to be televised

By: Amelia Landers, Editor

Two weeks into football season the Warriors are undefeated.  After weather caused the Bassfield game to be delayed, the Warriors hosted them on August 22.  Petal arrived in Warrior territory on August 28 for a game that was steeped in rivalry.  Over 6,500 fans were in attendance for the Oak Grove – Petal game, a reflection of the pride each of these communities have in their teams.  The Warriors showed in both of these games that they came to play to win and play until the finish.

While both of these first games proved to be very exciting, there is a game to come that is already getting lots of attention.  On October 9 the Meridian Wildcats will travel to Oak Grove to continue their rivalry. This highly anticipated game will be televised by Cellular South as part of their “Ya’ll vs. Us” program. Cellular South partnered with the Mississippi High School Activities Association to choose the rivalries to cover in this series.  Only five games featuring ten high school teams will be included.  Oak Grove’s inclusion in this group recognizes the strength of our football program and the support of the community and fans.

Last year the book “Ya’ll vs. Us” was written by Jackson attorney X.M. Frascogna, Jr., and his sons, Mike III and Marty.  This book chronicles the 15 biggest high school football rivalries in Mississippi.  The Oak Grove – Meridian rivalry was included in this book. This has resulted in an increased interest in this upcoming game.

The Warriors have been plagued with injuries this season.  While several players are on the mend, the rest of the team has stepped up to fill the void.  By the Meridian game in October several of the injured players should have returned to the roster.

The Warriors only loss during the 2008 regular season came at the hands of Meridian.  The game was played in Meridian in a packed stadium.  The Wildcats also ended the Warriors’ play-off chances with their second loss of the season during the playoffs.  This game was also played in Meridian. This gives the Warriors an added incentive to defeat the Wildcats when they enter Warrior territory in October.  The game promises to be full of energy and excitement, whether you watch it on T.V. or attend the game.

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Warrior athletes excel as seasons get under way

By: Taylor Herring and Julie Robinson

Although their seasons are just now kicking off, both the football and volleyball teams are expected to have a successful year because of the talented athletes who participate in these sports possess. When it comes to Warrior sports we know that all of our athletes work their hardest in every game, meet, and competition, but two individuals deserve to be recognized.

ChrisPic

Junior, Chris Lee, had a great first game against Bassfield. Lee starts at defensive end. Not only did he make four tackles and a sack, but he also deflected a field goal. As if these accomplishments didn’t make Lee proud enough, the radio station covering the game named him “Defensive Player of the Game.” This means that Chris was obviously one of the players with the most impact defensively.

When Lee was asked about the season, he said that he feels our game against Hattiesburg High School will be the toughest. “With the team’s recent injuries,” Lee said, “the next few games will be challenging; but I think we’ll pull it together in the end and have a very successful season.”

If Lee continues to block the way he did against Bassfield, though, the Warriors shouldn’t have too much of a problem. Practicing and preparing nearly 12 hours a week, Chris Lee’s love for football is most evident under Friday night lights.

BrookePic

Brooke Braley, an outstanding athlete on Oak Grove’s volleyball team, also stands out among players on the team. Braley, a senior, starts at middle-back and began playing for the Oak Grove team her sophomore year. She practices four days a week, for two hours each day.

When Braley was asked about her predictions for the season, she also said that Hattiesburg would most likely be the team’s biggest challenge. With the help of their new head coach, Renee McInarnay, this game between long-time rivals will hopefully end in a victory for Oak Grove. Although it will take practice to adjust to the new strategies their coach enforces, Braley feels confident. “Once we win our first home game, I think our confidence has been boosted and we’ll hit a winning streak,” she said. Braley’s outstanding performance on her team is a combination of the work she puts in at practice and her love for the sport.

Whether these players are throwing a football or spiking a volleyball, they stand out among the athletes of Oak Grove. We take pride in the students who perform well in academics and sports such as these two outstanding athletes. Their leadership and effort are exemplified on and off the field (or court). When our coaches look for new team members, they look for students who exemplify the qualities Chris Lee and Brooke Braley possess.

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Warrior Sports Notes

Football

The Warriors kicked off the 2009 football season against Bassfield on Saturday, August 22. After a rough first half where they were down 20-10, the team pulled out a victory, beating the Yellow Jackets 30-20. Jay Hughes, a senior, was the leading scorer.

The following Friday, the Warriors battled one of their biggest rivals, the Petal Panthers. After a close game with Bassfield, the team spent many hours practicing and preparing for the game. With two quarterbacks out with injuries, Oak Grove was down 10-0 at half time. A quick pep talk in the locker room gave the Warriors confidence to come back. With an extraordinary touch down made by Steve McNair Jr., the final score was 21-18, giving the Warriors an undefeated start to the season.

Swimming

The Oak Grove High School swim team began another season under Coach Nora Rapetti on August 20 with their first practice at USM’s Natatorium.  The team meets for practice every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, as well as on the Fridays that a football game is not scheduled.

The team hopes the practice and preparation will pay off and they will be able to perform as well at South State in October as they did during last season, where the boys’ team won and the girls’ team placed among the top 10.  The competitors are working towards making the state qualifying time at or before South State to make it to the state competition October 24.

The team will begin its competition season on September 8 at Picayune, where they’ll compete  in a head-to-head.

Volleyball

Volleyball season started off with a rough beginning. With only eight returning players from previous years, the team is very young. The Lady Warrior volleyball team has played four games so far this season. All of the games were really close; however, the varsity only came out with one victory and the junior varsity with two. The team practices Monday through Thursday from four to six in hopes that they can work better as a team and have success throughout the season. This past weekend, the varsity members participated in the annual Gulf Coast Kick-Off held by Our Lady Academy’s volleyball team. They played very well and had all close games; however, they only pulled out one victory.  The team has a lot of passion for volleyball and they expect more wins to come.

Cross Country

On August 22, the Oak Grove Cross Country team participated in their first meet of the season. The outcomes of both the boys’ and girls’ divisions were very good. Kristie Stricker, an eighth grader, placed first overall in the girls’ division. Chad Moore, an eleventh grader, placed first overall in the boys’ division. Poplarville, Clinton, PCS, Petal, and Picayune also competed in the meet.

The second meet, held at Choctaw Trails, ended well for both divisions. The girls placed first and the boys placed second. The team was very excited about the outcome of this meet. The team has worked very hard these first few weeks and it has clearly paid off. Our diligent Cross Country team will continue to practice for the next meet on Friday, September 4 at Tatum Park.

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Don’t blink and miss making high school memories

By: Amelia Landers, Editor

Though I have only been a senior for a couple of weeks now, I have realized some things that I would like to share with my younger classmates.  ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL.  The four years you will spend at Oak Grove High School will fly by and you really will be glad in the end if you take the time to actually enjoy it.

When you first get to high school you might be nervous about fitting in so you try to act cool and that is completely understandable. However, don’t waste your valuable energy on that.  Go ahead and join in and get the most out of the experience. I am already beginning to dread graduation and not being able to see friends and teachers I have become close with over the years. So, do not waste a minute by not enjoying the time you spend here.

One example is how to participate at football games.  If you are in the student section you are sure to have a better time if you JOIN IN.   For instance, if Logan Little happens to ask, “Do you bleed black and gold?” the right thing to do is to scream at the top of your lungs. Do not sit there and stare off into space.   It’s okay to act a little crazy and get all fired up about our team….I can assure you they hear us on the field and like for you to make some noise.  And when there’s a reason to be quiet or to focus, join in on that also.  There is nothing like the feeling of singing the Alma Mater with the choir on Friday night.

We really take a lot for granted at our high school. I have friends at other schools and I can’t help but to be proud of what we have. Our school is one of the best in our country.  OGHS has received the Blue Ribbon award three times.  Our school has a long history of recognition for outstanding students and teachers.  Our teams have earned state championships in a lot of areas.  There is a place for each of us to join in and find a place to fit in.  You can be who you want to be and find a group with just a little effort.

You have the ability to make these four years the best time of your life.  Don’t waste a moment of the experience.  Though there are some things we don’t want to agree with, just learn to let it go. Whether we realize it or not, we really are blessed to be a part of the Warrior tradition and for the rest of our lives we will remember the opportunities OGHS gave us.  We’re only in high school once. So relax, join in, and enjoy the journey because it will be gone before you know it.

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Editorial Cartoon: Cash for clunkers

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Proposed healthcare plan may be hard to swallow

taylor r

There have always been three priorities with healthcare: access, cost, and quality, and Congress is currently debating a bill that some hope will prevent the three from conflicting with each other. You’re probably wondering what is so wrong with our current healthcare system that the whole country is in an uproar to fix it.  Though our system offers high quality care, it comes at a very high cost. When people are young, healthy, and employed, a private sector will provide their healthcare coverage, but as a person becomes chronically ill, elderly, or poor, Medicaid or Medicare will step in and pay the costs. About 54% of the nation’s healthcare spending is paid for by private insurance agencies and the individuals, while the other 46% is paid for by government programs. It is estimated that by the end of 2009, the United States will have spent 17% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product on healthcare. It’s projected that by 2025 this percentage will have increased to 25%.  Even if you know nothing else about the shape that our country is in, you are aware that our government cannot possibly afford to continue spending increasingly more on healthcare. Another problem with our current plan is the many Americans that have no healthcare at all. According to research by the Wall Street Journal, about 46 million individuals are without healthcare coverage. The healthcare reform bill, H.R. 3200, would require all individuals to participate in a health insurance program. Any household with an income of up to 133% of the poverty level would be eligible for Medicaid, and households with incomes between 133% and 400% would be eligible for partial government assistance in paying their premiums. H.R. 3200 would allow anyone who currently has employer-provided healthcare plans to keep them, and anyone else would have the public-option plan. Like many ideas, this proposal looks good on paper, but would only work in a perfect world. Realistically, the US government can’t afford to adopt an expensive new healthcare plan with our rapidly growing debt of $11 trillion. This would force the government to back out on its existing commitments, like social security, simply because it couldn’t afford the high costs. A more practical solution to our health care crisis would be to make gradual changes in our system. For starters, congress should repeal the anti-trust exclusions that allow healthcare providers to set their own premiums, with no regulation from the government. Tort reform laws should also be passed to set limits on the amounts of money that can be awarded in lawsuits against healthcare providers for malpractice. Congress is scheduled to vote on H.R. 3200 on September 8, and according to Congressman Gene Taylor, the bill won’t pass unless some major changes are made.

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Price: from counselor to principal

By: Kent McCarty

Former counselor and new assistant principal Helen Price graduated from Oak Grove after many years as a star basketball player and cheerleader. As an adult she has held a variety of jobs in many fields. From her start as a certified dental assistant, Price eventually held jobs as a youth minister, baseball umpire, and Director of Region 11 Mental Health before going back to school to get her degree in education. “I was drawn into education by my time as Director of Region 11 Mental Health. That job put me in schools a lot, and I found I loved to work with children. So I went back to school and was then offered a great job at McComb,” Price said. After several years at McComb, she moved to Oak Grove, where for 6 years she’s counseled about 300 students with last names between letters A and C. Her vast array of occupations has made Price accustomed to change. So when former assistant principal John Taylor transferred to East Marion High School, Price jumped at the opportunity to fill the vacant spot.

Though the new job has been full of changes, it’s nothing Price can’t handle. “It’s very exciting in an overwhelming kind of way,” Price said. Perhaps the latest chapter in her adult life is made easier by the fact that she hasn’t totally left counseling behind. “In my new position, I’m over academics and counseling. So I not only get to work with a much larger group of students, but I also get to work with the teachers. It’s the best of both worlds.” One thing Price is looking forward to most, in fact, is the work she’ll get to do with teachers. “This is the first time I’ve been able to really work one-on-one with the teachers of our school. I’ll be getting involved with the makeup of their cirriculum over the

next year.”

As a hardworker, Price has set many goals she wants to accomplish during her first year as an administrator. One of

her primary goals involves the newly reorganized collaborative team meetings. “I want to play a big role in collaborative team meetings and help them be the best they can be. They do a lot to enhance student learning, and that’s something I’m determined to do this year,” Price said.

With the first month in her new job behind her, Price remains excited about the next year, and years to come. “I’m truly honored to serve Oak Grove. We have such a great reputation in academics and athletics, and we’re on top in so many ways. I’m blessed to be a part and be able to put my 2 cents in to try and make a difference in any possible way.

Her only complaint: “Parking lot duty isn’t my favorite, but it’s just something I’ll have to get used to!”

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New teachers join Oak Grove family

By: Lauren Pace

This year, Oak Grove High School has acquired thirteen new teachers. The new faculty members’ subject areas range in a variety of fields from English to Spanish and fashion to coaching.

Three of the new faculty members are not only teaching, but also coaching. The athletic department adds Edman Bradley, as a basketball coach and history teacher, Crisla Herchenhahn, as a girl’s basketball coach and math teacher, and Chris McCardle, as a new head baseball coach and government teacher.  “I really enjoy being at Oak Grove. I still learn a lot every day,” said Herchenhahn, the new girl’s basketball coach. “Having a great mentor, being a coach, and bonding with the players helped a lot with the easy transition.”

Oak Grove also adds four new English teachers: Katie Kopcho, Vanessa Piel, Gaye Purvis, and Amelia Decker. Katie Kopcho was a student teacher for Mrs. Jackson’s English III class last year and decided to join the Oak Grove family after a good experience.

We also have two new special services teachers, Stacey Todd and Karen Whitman, whose dedication will be invaluable to a number of students here at Oak Grove.

In addition to the coaches who also teach history, we welcome two more history teachers: Megan Hogue and Chris Rusco.

Finally, we have two new elective teachers: Spanish teacher, Rebecca Brooking, and fashion teacher, Paige Jones.
We welcome all of these new teachers as they make this transition and know that all of them will contribute to a great year of learning at Oak Grove High School.

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