April 13, 2012

Newspaper, annual staffs attend conference

by: JoAnna Gunnufsen

Staff Reporter

On March 30, The Warrior Beat newspaper staff and the annual staff headed to the University of Mississippi for the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association spring convention. The conference is held each year and aims to support, promote, and nurture journalism in a high school setting. The students participated in workshops designed to improve their skills in journalism, photography, and editing. Senior and staff reporter Allison Slusher, who attended the conference, said, “I enjoyed learning new ways to help our newspaper become the best it can possibly be.” Each school submits samples from their newspapers and yearbooks to compete for various awards, including awards for best design and photography. The Warrior Beat newspaper staff received 26 awards, and the yearbook staff received 13 awards.

NEWSPAPER AWARDS:
2nd Place On-Line Technical Add-Ins, Jordan Farrar
2nd Place On-Line Opening Page, Jordan Farrar
2nd Place On-line Coverage, Jordan Farrar
1st Place Photography Portrait, Raven Jones
1st Place Newspaper Ad Design, Jordan Farrar
2nd Place Newspaper Ad Design, Jordan Farrar
2nd Place Newspaper Front Page Design, Jordan Farrar
1st Place Sports Photos, Raven Jones
1st Place Ad Design, Sydney Sanders
2nd Place Ad Design, Jordan Farrar
3rd Place Depth Reporting, Miranda Rester
3rd Place News/Feature Photos, Laura Prehn
3rd Place News Writing, Amelia Passer
Honorable Mention News Writing, Taylor Herring
2nd Place Reviews, Taylor Rigney
2nd Place Feature Writing, Amelia Passer
Honorable Mention Cartoons, Anna Beth Waldron
1st Place Cartoons, Aubrey Sanders
1st Place Page Design, Sydney Sanders
1st Place Centerspread, Sydney Sanders
3rd Place Newspaper Nameplate Design, Sydney Sanders
1st Place TEAM Opinion Writing
2nd Place TEAM Layout and Design
1st Place TEAM Advertising
3rd Place TEAM Sports Writing
3rd Place TEAM General Excellence
YEARBOOK AWARDS:
1st Place Division Page, Haley Line
1st Place Photography Illustration, Parker Brewer
2nd Place Division Page, Elizabeth Lucas
2nd Place Photography Candid, Dana Marx
3rd Place Photography News/Feature, Elizabeth Lucas
1st Place Table Of Contents, Parker Brewer & Elizabeth Lucas
3rd Place Double-Page Spread, Dana Marx & Elizabeth Lucas
1st Place Cover, Parker Brewer & Elizabeth Lucas
1st Place Double-Page Spread, Parker Brewer & Elizabeth Lucas

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April 13, 2012

OG powerlifting pulling for win at State

by: Nan Buti

Staff Reporter

The girls’ and boys’ powerlifting teams have successfully placed in Regionals and South State this season. The Lady Warriors powerlifting team has been at Oak Grove for two years and has excelled to State both years. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams’ State competitions will be Saturday in Jackson. Both teams have been practicing multiple times a week and are determined to place at State. The girls’ team has seven out of nine lifters traveling to Jackson while the boys’ team has nine out of twelve attending.

Girls powerlifting celebrates a successful showing at South State. / Submitted Photo

Powerlifting is a sport which consists of three lifts in consecutive order: squat, bench press, and dead lift. Each lifter is placed in a weight class and must maintain that weight range throughout the season. The boys’ team coaches are Lonny Schraeder, Chris Tran, and Knute Douglas. “Major things that have happened are our winning back-to-back region titles and this year’s South State championship,” Douglas said. The boys’ powerlifting team has had a successful streak in such a short time. Body builder, personal trainer, and co-owner of No Holds Barred, Amanda Micka is the girls’ coach, along with the assistance of Jeff Douglas. “I’d love to continue coaching the team in the future. It’s such a great sport and something you can continue to do even after high school. It’s great for your health, too,” Micka said. Being a new team at Oak Grove, the girls’ powerlifting team began in 2011 when Kayla and Christie Stricker asked Micka to coach the team. Oak Grove is known for its competitive spirit in sports. Even in powerlifting, other schools rival to beat the Warriors. “Dedication is the main thing to have as a powerlifter, but it also takes a lot of heart,” Coach Jeff Douglas said. “You have to train because you are competing against yourself, too.” Powerlifting is often said to be unlike most sports. “It’s nerve-wracking. There is no cardio involved, and everyone must show individual skill,” powerlifter Rachel Payton said. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams are prepared to squat, bench, and pull major loads at State.

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March 2, 2012

Mauldin selected as SEATA Athletic Trainer of the Year

by: Anna Kate Baygents

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove’s athletic trainer Kevin “Doc” Mauldin, was recently awarded High School Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association. This title is given to one trainer from a seven state area. Mauldin was nominated by Ray Burr from the Mississippi Sports Medicine Association.
“It was an honor to be nominated,” Mauldin said, “but it’s an even greater honor to win.”
Mauldin will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to be presented the plaque at an awards banquet on March 17th.
Mauldin graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000 with a degree in Athletic Training. He has been at Oak Grove High School for 11 years. Initially he taught Science Skills and Reasoning, and in 2004, he began teaching the Sports Medicine class. Oak Grove was the first school in the district to offer this class. It teaches first aid and emergency situations, nutrition, proper training, and the anatomy of the ankles, legs, knees, and shoulders along with basic sports injuries.
“I learned so much in Doc’s class,” senior Madison Bourne said. “It helped me realize that I may one day want to pursue a career in the medical field. Plus, I can tape an ankle in under three minutes.”
Mauldin’s duties extend outside of the classroom. Mauldin is required to attend all football games, play-off games for any sport, and athletic functions on school grounds. This schedule keeps him working 3-4 nights a week.
Mauldin also helps rehabilitate injured players, much like a physical therapist, to help them return to play as soon as possible. Senior Shelby Stiglets tore one of her Anterior Cruciate Ligaments (ACL) in the spring of 2009 and tore the other in the spring of 2011. Mauldin helped her rehabilitate both, which allowed her to return to playing soccer.
“It was so nice having Doc here to help me,” Stiglets said. “Without it, I don’t think I would have ever been able to finish playing soccer in high school.”
However, not all schools have the luxury of having their own athletic trainer on campus every day. The coaches also appreciate his work and availability.
“Doc is a huge asset
to our athletic department,”
Coach Terry Smith said.
Mauldin’s dedication definitely does not go unnoticed.

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March 2, 2012

Todd named LCSD Teacher of the Year

by: Morgan Guess

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove High School nominee, Mrs. Stacey Todd, received the honor of 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year for the entire Lamar County School District. Todd was nominated by fellow teachers to represent Oak Grove High School as Teacher of the Year. Next she submitted applications and several essays to be reviewed by the school board and administrators. Just like Oak Grove faculty, they believed she was the best candidate for Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Todd has taught the community- based class at Oak Grove for two years. “My favorite part of being a teacher is, of course, my students. My job is the greatest job in the world! I am so blessed to work with these exceptional kids and their families. They challenge me to be better every day. I learn more from them than they do from me,” Todd said. Before, she taught a special education class at Poplarville High School for five years.
Todd goes above and beyond when it comes to her job as teacher. Not only does she help students excel during school hours, but she also dedicates a lot of her personal time to students outside of school. She is dedicated to making sure her students are included in all school and community activities. For example, Todd takes some of her pupils to cheer on Tuesdays and to the movies and tailgating on weekends. It’s not hard to see the inspirational and distinguishing attributes of Todd as a teacher. “I think it’s wonderful that Mrs. Todd was selected Teacher of the Year, especially with all of the work she has put in. She’s making an amazing difference in our community. I can’t think of anyone else who is more deserving of the title,” sophomore Jr. Civitan member, Sam Knowles, said of Todd’s nomination.
Mrs. Todd has already been successful in helping her students become involved in extracurricular activities such as the Homecoming Court, a talent show, and the production of the Wizard of Oz. “My favorite thing to do is plays. I love the plays,” Kaitlyn Fuller, a student in Mrs. Todd’s community-based class, stated. Todd is also the sponsor of the chartering class of the Jr. Civitan Club.
As for now, Mrs. Todd is working to represent the Lamar County School District for the state title.

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March 2, 2012

OGHS senior awarded MS DAR Good Citizen

by: Nathan Maxwell

Staff Reporter

Sydney Sanders recently received the DAR Good Citizen Award at the MSSDAR State Convention. The award, specifically for high school seniors, is presented each year at the MSSDAR State Convention. Along with this honor, Sanders also received a $275 scholarship.
At the beginning of the year, Mr. Folkes and Mrs. Stein select one student with the traits of service, leadership, dependability, and patriotism.  Once a student is selected, the student fills out an application and then writes an essay on that year’s topic and submits the essay to be judged along with multiple other essays in their district.
“I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a committed, proactive organization,” Sanders said. Due to her success at the state convention, her essay has been sent to Washington, D.C., for further review. If Sanders’s essay is chosen in D.C., she has the chance to receive a $5,000 scholarship as well as a trip to Washington, D.C.
“It was humbling to have been chosen among such a great group of worthy applicants,” Sanders said. Now Sanders is eagerly awaiting news from Washington, D.C., about the standings of her essay.

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March 2, 2012

Arbor Day Project rooted in conservation efforts

by: Mary Ryan Karnes

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove science teachers Kathy Smart and Randy Germany, along with their students, recently planted 125 pine trees across the street from the school. The project was a part of former Governor Haley Barbour’s Arbor Day declaration. Before he left office, Barbour facilitated the donation of seedlings to private, public, and religious schools in Mississippi in celebration of Toyota Arbor Day and the opening of a new Toyota plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi. Smart, Germany, and their students planted the trees on February 10, Mississippi’s Arbor Day.
One hundred twenty-five pine tree seedlings were donated to the high school, and Principal Wayne Folkes delegated the responsibility of planting them to zoology and marine biology  teacher Kathy Smart and environmental science teacher Randy Germany. The Arbor Day project, which was created to instill a knowledge of the Mississippi environment and a love for conservation in students, helped Oak Grove students realize the importance of the area’s ecosystem. “The students could see how small the trees are now, and in seven or eight years, how tall they’ll be.” Germany said. He also noted how students could take part in replenishing the Oak Grove area with oxygen and learn about the tree growth process.
The trees that Smart and Germany received have benefited the teachers and their students. Soon, however, these trees will benefit the entire Oak Grove community. By growing a love of environment and conservation, the Arbor Day project has given Oak Grove and Mississippi students an opportunity to use nature as their classroom and to help preserve it.

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March 2, 2012

Welch wins Mississippi Power award

by: Mary Ryan Karnes

Staff Reporter

Oak Grove math teacher Suzie Welch helps students achieve inside the classroom, and her efforts have gained recognition statewide. Recently, Welch was nominated for and won the Alan R. Barton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Presented by Mississippi Power, the award is given annually to six outstanding teachers in grades K-12 across the state of Mississippi. Nominations are made by school principals and are limited to one per school. “Mr. Folkes nominated me, and I had to fill out an application. It asked me about some of my teaching methods, and I had to get letters of recommendation from students, parents, and administrators,” Welch said. She began the application process in the fall and found out that she had won at the end of January. The award is highly prestigious, and winning teachers receive $3,000 for their own use and $3,000 for supplies, equipment, and personal development. It is given annually to teachers who live within the Mississippi Power service area.
The Alan R. Barton award is not the first of Welch’s accomplishments. Last year, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math Teaching. This award, which is highly prestigious for teachers, gave Welch an opportunity to connect with other successful educators. “I got to go to Washington, D.C., for a week, and I met the President,” Welch said. “I met a lot of math and science teachers from all over the country as well.” In addition to these honors, Welch received $10,000 with the Presidential award. “Don’t tell me teaching doesn’t pay,” Welch said.
Welch, who incorporates technology such as iPod Touches, instructional videos, and online notes into her Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, and AP Calculus classes, has gained the respect of not only statewide organizations like Mississippi Power but also her own students. “I think Ms. Welch is more than deserving for the Mississippi Power Award,” Chloe Sanders, a pre-calculus and trigonometry student, said. “She is an amazing woman and teacher.” Although Welch is thankful for state and nationwide recognition, she enjoys being in the classroom and interacting with her students most. On any given day, she can be found helping students with their math homework during advisor period. She says she enjoys what she does because she is allowed to impact many lives through her work. “Receiving honors is very nice, but my biggest reward as a teacher is witnessing the growth of my students over the course of time that I have them in my classroom,” Welch said.

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