Monthly Archives: November 2010

November 12, 2010 · 2:53 pm

Powder puff teams go head-to-head once again

By: Taylor Rigney

From the Ohio homecoming queen turned pink cleat-wearing field goal kicker to the many other high school girls across the nation who have traded in their heels for helmets, it’s within reason that football may not be a “guys-only” sport for much longer. All over the United States girls are stepping off the sidelines and taking over the sport yard-by-yard as more opportunities become available for women and girls to give football a try.
On Monday, November 1, junior and senior girls strapped on their cleats and pulled back their hair for the fifth annual Powder Puff football game. This tradition is always held during Homecoming week, and students from all four grades usually turn out to see which class will win the friendly rivalry. However, this year, the game was laced with controversy as soon as the girls started practicing.
Initially, the seniors began to feel robbed when they learned that the junior team was able to have one more practice than the seniors were allowed. However, this slight problem didn’t affect the seniors’ confidence for long. “We knew it didn’t matter how many practices they had; we were still going to win,” senior quarterback Ali Norman said.
And Norman was right about that: the juniors have won the Powder Puff game only once since Oak Grove started holding the yearly game in 2006, and the results of that game proved to be a huge disappointment for that entire senior class.
Once the game started, however, the tables quickly turned, and the juniors began to feel that they were being treated unfairly. The juniors still feel that some of the refs may have been partial to the seniors. “Some of the calls may have been in favor of the seniors, but the junior girls played their hearts out anyway. And that’s something to be proud of,” Trest Underwood, junior Powder Puff coach, said.
And the juniors certainly had much to be proud of concerning the way they played. When asked what the most challenging part of the game was, Ali Norman answered, “Kay Kay Hypolite.”
In the end, the seniors won the game when Brianna Blackwell ran in the last touchdown, making the final score 12-6.
Despite winning or losing, both the juniors and the seniors benefitted from the Powder Puff game in ways that will last much longer than Homecoming week. “We had girls from a variety of different social groups, so being put together on one team really gave us a chance to get to know one another,” Norman said.
Even so, the juniors are eager for next year so they can get a chance to redeem themselves against this year’s sophomores.

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· 2:51 pm

Theatre stars shine at state festival

By: Miranda Rester

Tennessee Williams, who lived from 1911 until 1983, was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. Williams wrote 25 full length plays, numerous short plays and screen plays, two novels, a novella, 60 short stories, over 100 poems, and an autobiography.

The Tennessee Williams Festival is an annual theatre festival held in Clarksdale, Mississippi, to honor him since most of his plays were based in Mississippi.  The festival is held once a year, usually in October.  Any high school in Mississippi is eligible to attend and is encouraged to compete.  There are usually seven to twelve schools that attend.

Oak Grove’s theatre students Trey Hardin, Victoria Stein, Sara Sanner, Andrew Adams, Brian Bullard, Ashley Thompson, Will Thaggard, Taylor Nace, Stephanie Miles, and Lauren English performed this year.  Schools are allowed to perform only five monologues and one scene.  They performed a scene from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and monologues from A Street Car Named Desire, Something Unspoken, Summer and Smoke, The Last of My Gold Watches, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Taylor Nace placed second in Monologues, Brian Bullard won third in Monologues; Trey Hardin won Best Costumes; Victoria Stein, Ashley Thompson, Brian Bullard, Trey Hardin, Will Thaggard, Andrew Adams, and Sara Sanner placed second in Scenes.  Oak Grove High School competitors made their school extremely proud by winning more awards than any other school competing this year.

Oak Grove has attended the festival on and off since 1998.  While they’ve won scenes and monologues before, this was the first time in those 12 years that they have won both.

Students were chaperoned by Mrs. Suzanne Allmon, Oak Grove High School’s theatre director.  Although Allmon has performed in countless productions and competitions over the years, she has never personally performed at the Tennessee Williams Festival.

The drama department will also be performing Inuk. Performances will be in the OGHS Black Box on November 12th, 13th, and 18th. Tickets can be purchased in Mrs. Allmon’s room.

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· 2:50 pm

Topher’s rocks out encore performance

By: Sydney Sander, Copy Editor

Topher’s Rock N’ Roll Grill celebrated a grand re-opening with a new co-owner and revised menu on Saturday, November 6th. Topher’s is proud to welcome John McCarter as co-owner, who brings with him a new and fresh approach to preparing favorite Topher’s menu items.
Enjoy hand-dipped milkshakes, hand-rolled cheese sticks, and hand-cut french fries as “opening acts.” New items include throwback favorites such as fried dill pickles, banana splits and strawberry shortcake desserts. The new menu focuses on everything being homemade, hand-breaded and hand-cut.
“I am thrilled to be working alongside Chris McDonald [owner] as co-owner of  Topher’s,” McCarter said, “I am passionate about what I do – from ensuring the satisfaction of customers to developing the professional skills of our employees. Many times Topher’s may be someone’s first employment opportunity, and it’s exciting to watch people learn and grow as we teach them valuable skills such as customer service, business ethics and getting a job done right.”
An exciting lineup of activity was scheduled for Saturday’s grand re-opening event and included activities for children, live music by What Willis Was Talkin’ About and Natalie Kirk & Company, a community pep rally, free food and refreshments and more. Saturday’s event was free to the public and open for anyone to attend. Complementing the commitment to serving the community through the Topher’s for Teacher’s program, Topher’s will be giving 10% of sales from Saturday’s event to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society.

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· 2:46 pm

OGHS drum majors snag perfect scores

By: Chirstina Vilar

On October 2, drum majors Kaelyn Sydboten, Emily Torres, and Donell Wilson wowed the audience and judges with their performance worth a perfect score at the annual OG Marching Festival.  Not only was their performance stellar, but it exceeded expectations.  “I was so happy,” senior Emily Torres, two year drum major said, “I felt very proud and accomplished.  It made all the hard work and long hours worth it.”
The drum majors’ job is to keep the band together. They not only have to set a steady tempo for the band, but also have to keep each other in line.  The drum majors have to be strong leaders in order to set the standard of performing for the rest of the band.  They’re usually positioned at the front or head of the band.  Drum majors wear more ornate clothing than the rest of the band, not only to be spotted easily by the band, but to add some difference in appearance.
On top of having their first coed set of drum majors, this is the first time in OG band history that the drum majors have ever gotten a perfect score.  Wilson, first time drum major and senior said, “I know that the highest score last year’s drum majors had was a 95, so I knew it had been a while since others had achieved a perfect score, if any.”
On October 9, at the Battle on the Beach festival in Biloxi, the drum majors received a score of 99, just one point shy of a perfect score.  “I did mess up a few times, but I felt like the three of us stayed together pretty well,” Sydboten, sophomore and first year drum major, said.  “So I feel like we performed well but not our best.”  They were disappointed, but the reminder of their perfect score the week before made them set the bar higher for their performance that night.
Though the band, color guard, nor percussion didn’t match the drum majors’ perfect score, Wilson said, “Everyone did well, especially for their first time.  It was my first competition performing as drum major, so I felt that a number of things could’ve been better.  I’m generally pretty critical of my performances, and Emily lectures me about that.”
The drum majors, along with the band, have endured long hours of practice in the heat since late July.  With an hour and a half practices during first block and two days a week of after school practice, it’s no wonder the drum majors received a perfect score so early in marching season.  “I’m generally thinking about what went wrong after a performance,” Wilson said. “The rest of the time is spent trying to relax my nerves.”
Even with last minute changes to the drill, the drum majors led the band to the state championship on October 23 in Clinton.  Placing seventh out of eleven bands, Torres said, “There’s always room for improvement in my mind.”
With Torres and Wilson leaving next year for bigger and better things in college, Sydboten will be the only experienced drum major left.  It’s no doubt that Torres and Wilson’s expectations for next year’s drum majors and band are higher than before.  “I hope next year’s drum majors will be just as focused and dedicated as Emily and Donell and I are this year.  I know I will put my all into next year’s show, and I hope the new drum majors will do the same,” Sydboten said.
Only time can tell whether their expectations will be conquered, but for now the only thing left to do is,  as Torres says, “practice, practice, practice!”

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· 2:44 pm

Homecoming festivities foster Warrior pride

By: Brittain Allgood

Homecoming week is the week that everyone waits for each year–the week where each student and faculty member shows their Warrior pride at its best–the week that students are set free of uniform regulations and show their spirit by wearing crazy outfits. Homecoming week proved that Warriors “Rock it Out” on and off the field. The week included various activities that many students and faculty members participated in. Monday, the Powder Puff game was held at Warrior Stadium where the senior girls’ hard work paid off, winning by six points. Monday and Tuesday, the United Blood Services came to Oak Grove High School, and students and faculty participated in record-breaking numbers–160 units were given, saving 480 lives.
Each day of the week was a different rock song in which students and faculty members dressed up to match the song: Monday was sports day, “We are the Champions”. Tuesday was decade day, “1985.” Wednesday, students proved that “You’re Never too Old to Rock and Roll” as they dressed and even acted like senior citizens. Thursday was character day, “Who are You”. Friday was black and gold day, “Mighty Warriors”. Thursday was also the annual Battle of the Bands held in the gym. Although there were only two bands, it was a great competition full of energy. Claymation and the Juliets ended up with 86 points, and Van Haley took the first place title with 110 points. Friday, the day everyone awaited, started off  bright and early with a pep rally featuring football and basketball cheerleaders, Golden Spirits, the OGHS All Superior Marching Band, football sweethearts, and the homecoming court. At the pep rally, the hallway winners were announced, and the juniors swept this award, with a jazz themed decor. Getting the players and fans pumped for the big game, the Warrior chant played on the drum throughout the entire school day. The night started with the crowning of Sydney Massengale, 2010 OGHS Homecoming Queen, followed by an outrageous football game. The mighty Warriors surely didn’t disappoint as they rocked the Jim Hill Tigers all the way back home. By the first quarter, the Warriors were already ahead by three touchdowns. Even in the cold weather, the student section was as loud as ever, keeping the players pumped and energized. Winning the game sent the Warriors to the play-offs.
The night ended with the homecoming dance, held in the gym. There was a great turn out and Trazy, the DJ, only made the dance better. The Key Club Carnival is usually held during homecoming week, but with all of the excitement and activities during the week, there was not enough time to have the carnival; so in addition to homecoming week, the carnival was held the following Tuesday. The anticipated week was definitely worth the wait. Homecoming week was a “head-banging” good time and holds high expectations for next year.

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· 2:43 pm

OG Basketball warms up for season

By: Sara Sanner

Both the Warrior and Lady Warrior basketball teams are in full swing in preparation for their upcoming seasons. Edmund Bradley, head coach of the boy’s team, and Mark Swindle, Lady Warrior head coach, have high expectations for the new teams including winning the district championships and proceeding to compete for the state championship title.

With four players in each class, the Lady Warriors are considered a relatively young team for the varsity division. Despite the age difference, talent is not lacking. “We have very good players in every position,” Swindle said. “However, we have to develop chemistry amongst the players.”

Conversely, the varsity boy’s team is an “old” team due to the fact that it consists of seven seniors and eight juniors, although for some of the players, it will be their first time to step out on the court. “We have several new players  to join  the team and our chemistry is getting better with each practice,” senior Jodie Dixon said. Also, with the additions to the team came a need for new game and practice uniforms, which the varsity now dons for all practices and will in future games. The obtaining of the new uniforms was made possible through the support of several local businesses as well as the help of the school administration.

With eagerness to have a winning season, Coach Bradley has developed a new game plan that he hopes to have success with. “We will use a variety of set plays to get key players the ball,” Bradley said. “We will also use a five out motion. This offense will create back cut opportunities and driving lanes, as well as allow us to have longer possessions of the ball to control the tempo of the game.” And as for defense, they plan to play a full court man-to-man defense, use a match up zone, and be very aggressive in the half court.

If the Warriors can follow through with their goal of being the best defensive and rebounding team in the state, they will without a doubt be a hard team to beat. Bradley agrees saying, “We have 15 guys that we feel could play in a game and do something that would give us a chance to win the game. This type of depth will make it difficult for other teams to play a 32 minute game against us. As a team, I think this year we will be able to shoot the ball better, as well as play faster.”

The Warriors opened their season in the Pass Christian High School Tournament held Wednesday, November 10.

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· 2:41 pm

Warrior runners finish in record time

By: Taylor Herring

The Cross Country team kicked off their season quite successfully, with four returning Varsity competitors at the top of the roster: Chad Moore, Anthony Stricker, Jackson Shahady and Nick Stevenson. After recruiting Nolan Johnson, Will Murphy, and Garrett Head, however, the team was predicted to be even more successful than years before. The team met and exceeded expert predictions at District; the boys became the first boys’ division to win District in Oak Grove’s history. The girls’ division finished with a “perfect score,” meaning that the top five runners were all from Oak Grove. Senior Chad Moore won first place in the boys’ division; freshman Christie Stricker won in the girls’ division. With a larger number of All-District competitors than ever before, the team’s next goal was the State competition on November 6th.

In preparation for State, the team practiced staunch “two-a-days”: running four to five miles in the morning, and repeating the route in the afternoon. “The team became very dedicated during the month preceding state; they knew what they had to do to win,” Coach Robin Ryder said.

Chad Moore swept the course at State, earning the Class 6A Boys’ State Championship and making the 3.1 mile trek seem like a walk in the park. “I knew this would be my last time to run for Oak Grove,” Moore said, “I had to go all-out.” All-out proved to be a modest understatement; Moore toured the route in 16 minutes flat, finishing with the top male time of the day and nearly exceeding his personal best time of 15:58. Moore’s win was no close race either; the second place spot was captured by a runner 25 seconds behind him. Although Moore has already received offers from Milsaps, TCU, and Lipscomb University, he expects to see subsequent recruitment as a result of his success at State.
After hard work and excessive preparation, the team’s devotion materialized at State. The boys’ division finished fourth of 27 teams; the girls’ division finished second overall. With miles of practice behind them, the team can rest easy, knowing their dedication was worthwhile.

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· 2:38 pm

As football season ends, seniors reflect, prepare for future

By: Ashley Ricks

The Warrior football season kicked off early this year with a big win against Bassfield. The season has been one of the most exciting, and the team has had to work harder than ever before. For the senior players, to say it has been a bittersweet experience is an understatement.

Layton Holcomb and Chris Lee, senior defensive ends, agree that the Bassfield game has been the highlight of their last high school football season so far. “It was the first game of the season, so we were all excited to get back out on the field,” Holcomb said. The team walked away from their first game with confidence and playoffs in their futures. For senior players Colton Farris, nose guard, and Telvin Keys, cornerback, the Hattiesburg game stood out because of the impressive defensive plays of the game. “Nothing is better than making a big play like a sack,” Farris said.

Throughout the season the team and coaches have had to work hard to keep up the winning tradition that Oak Grove is so well known for. Players have to be ready and willing to work as hard as they can all year round. “Playing football requires a lot of hard work, and one of the most important things I’ve learned is how to work hard as a team,” Lee said.
For many of these players, this is the end to a road that could journey back as far as third grade, but for some, it is still the beginning. Most hope to go on and play at a junior college, or simply any college who will give them a shot at the bigger world of college football. Moving on from the memories and traditions of high school football is still going to be a big challenge for the players who have grown so used to the Oak Grove football atmosphere. “I will miss running out of the Warrior banner and hearing the students go crazy with their cowbells,” Farris said.

With the regular season coming to an end, the team has to prepare for the beginning of playoffs. The team is excited about the first round of playoffs tonight against a huge rival, Petal. The season has been a successful one so far, and will continue to be as the Warriors push their way towards a triumphant ending to the 2010 football season.

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· 2:34 pm

The first Thanksgiving…what really happened?

Pilgrims

By: Anna Kate Baygents

From the time children are born, they’re told the story of the first Thanksgiving. Parents preach of how pilgrims and Indians were the best of friends, that they traded cultural ideas and enjoyed meals together. The wise, however, know that this was not at all the case.

Settlers first landed at Plymouth Rock in 1607 with the purest of intentions. Whether coming for freedom from religious persecution or just for the thrill of adventure, it seemed as though everyone was racing to the Americas. Once here, Pilgrims encountered Native Americans, most of whom weren’t your friendly Sacagawea. Settlers, however, saw this as a perfect opportunity to spread Christianity through missionary work despite the threatening circumstances. Many became martyrs at the hands of these “peaceful” Native Americans.

European settlers also brought numerous innovative ideas to the New Land. In an effort to simplify the lives of the Indians, pilgrims tried to teach them trades and skills that Europeans saw as every day necessities, such as hygiene. Native Americans, with the exception of a small few, rejected these ideas and were appalled at the thought of changing anything in their lives. This reaction to something that was meant as helpful is mind-boggling to many.

When people hear the word “Thanksgiving,” most think of turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s told that this tradition originated at the first Thanksgiving dinner, where pilgrims and Indians partook in a delicious feast, merrily laughing and having a grand ole time. This, like other Thanksgiving allegories, has been misinterpreted. Sure, there could’ve been Native Americans and pilgrims eating together, but the likelihood is extremely low. First, the language barrier played a huge factor. You can’t carry on a dinner table conversation if you don’t know what the others are saying. Also, like I mentioned earlier, they weren’t friends.

So as you can see, the first Thanksgiving wasn’t all it is cracked up to be. Despite countless attempts of friendship from the pilgrims, Native Americans were not welcoming with open arms and a “hao.” These pilgrims displayed true American patriotism even when faced with obstacles and persevered to make America what it is today.

Indians

By: Amelia Passer

Before there was an African American president, there was the Civil War.  Before the Civil War, there was Benjamin Franklin. Before Benjamin Franklin, there was the Mayflower. And before the Mayflower even touched Plymouth Rock, there were the Native Americans.  Native Americans were in this beautiful country for hundreds of years living together in peace and harmony. It wasn’t until a monstrous ship entered the American territory that things would change forever.

The ship brought with it frail, sickly–looking beings known as Europeans. These immigrants imported guns, screaming children, and harmful diseases. Some might think this was too much to bear, but then the tourists expected the Indians to just hand over all the land the natives had inhabited for generations.

Thanksgiving is always depicted as a happy time but, personally, I can’t think of anything that could be much worse. Stories for hundreds of years have been told about the pilgrims and Indians peacefully enjoying a divine home-cooked meal together.  If the real story were told, however, it would mention the pilgrims conning their way into civilization and destroying all of what the Indians had worked for for generations.

Pilgrims demanded the natives to wait on them hand and foot: cooking them food, giving them places to live, and making them fine clothing. The pilgrims disguised the situation to make it look like the two allies lived in harmony and ate delicious meals together like on The Cosby Show. The Europeans even tried to make it look like they tried to civilize the natives out of their own act of kindness. The Indians, didn’t need to be “civilized.” A few sacrifices here and there never hurt anyone. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but their way of life had its perks. Before the Europeans messed everything up, the Native Americans had a relatively equal society: women could own property and everyone worked together to keep the tribe running. Because the pilgrims insisted on forcing their superiority on the Indians, America had to endure centuries of war and turmoil.

Despite the repercussions of the pilgrims taking over native land, without them doing so, we wouldn’t have the first class country of America we have today.We wouldn’t be able to enjoy the scarce family time we have.

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· 2:24 pm

Upgrade Downgrade

By: Taylor Herring

Until last week, students were forced to survive the long school day with no caffeine to aid them. Now, however, caffeinated beverages such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite Zero, Fanta Zero and even Vault Zero are sold in the newly placed Coke machines. In addition to these drink machines, we have seen a significant upgrade of snack foods: cereal bars, Rice Krispie Treats, and NutriGrain bars. So students, if anyone is forced to work tirelessly into all hours of the night on, perhaps, pre-cal/trig homework, have no fear of the next day at school; it’s out with the water and in with the soft drinks to keep you alert.
Replacing water and Fuze with Coke Zero and cereal bars? Upgrade

Since its humble beginnings, Hattiesburg has been considered to be a sort of “Smalltown, USA”. As of recently, however, Hattiesburg has received much publicity. Not just one, but both congressional candidates for Mississippi-District 4 representatives visited Oak Grove to educate students on their individual platforms. In addition, Madeline Albright, former Secretary of State under Bill Clinton’s administration, visited the Saenger. She spoke about NATO and foreign aid before an absolutely packed theatre. Considering the recent publicity Hattiesburg has received, the former small town should only expect more attention to come.
Downgrade: Hattiesburg’s evolution from small town to publicized city?

Until this year, seniors have been allowed to be exempt from both mid-terms and semester exams. During the week of the most recent mid-terms, however, many seniors were displeased (to say the least) to find out that this policy had been repealed; seniors may only be exempt at the end of the semester. To add to the dejection, our district has also re-adopted the former absence policy. Instead of four total absences allowed for exemptions, students may have only two absences per nine weeks. Beware, juniors, it’s only a matter of time before the “85 or above” senior exemption is taken away as well!
Administrators tightening up absence/exemption policies? Upgrade

Walking through the newly decorated hallways, one question resonated, “Wait, so what’s the theme this year?” The homecoming hallways, senior hall in particular, seemed hardly up to par with previous years. On top of this, many students have complained about the dress-up day themes… Geriatrics day, and we aren’t even allowed to wear sweat pants? Not to mention, if students decided not to dress up, they had to wear jeans and a tucked-in, school uniform approved polo. So much for homecoming week fostering school spirit!
Downgrade: Homecoming hype fails to live up to expectations?

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