Tag Archives: Brittain Allgood

November 12, 2010 · 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.

Leave a Comment

Filed under News

Tagged as , ,

October 1, 2010 · 1:37 pm

Movie Review: You Again

By: Brittain Allgood, Staff Reporter

Make sure you get your popcorn early because you won’t want to miss a minute of this end of the summer treat. There comes a time when you must put away childish things. This is true everywhere except Hollywood as the film You Again proves that you are never too old to act childish. Even with a PG rating, it has laughs for all ages thanks to the great acting of its cast. This movie teaches that what happens in high school should stay in high school, and disregarding your grudges instead of confronting them only leads to more conflict. Sit back, as this movie reflects on what we see day to day in high school: acne, braces, and let’s not forget the bullies.  The opposing characters make this movie very appealing to its audience as they rediscover their high school years. The result is, as you can imagine, “two scoops of crazy with a side of coo coo kachoo.” Recently receiving a promotion at her public relations office, greasy-haired, accident-prone, forever-in-braces dweeb, Marni (Kristin Bell), comes home to find that her older brother, Will (James Wolk), is marrying the girl who ruined her life in high school. Although Marni has grown out of the acne, ditched the glasses and braces, and got a hair cut that costs more than eight dollars, the thought of her sweet brother marrying her nemesis makes her cringe. Joanna (Odette Yustman), seemed to have changed since high school, and conveniently “forgets” about Marni and their past, but Marni sees through Joanna’s “good girl act.” Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis) reunites with Joanna’s Aunt Romona (Sigourney Weaver) when she comes down for the wedding. (Romona pushed Gail into a pool in high school and said she never wanted to see Gail again.)  Romona has become very successful since high school. She owns a chain of hotels in different continents and wears fancy designer clothing, but of course she doesn’t bother flaunting it in front of her. Sadly, Gail is unaware that Romona has always been jealous of her and has never felt that she was good enough. Just like Joanna, Romona acts as though nothing had ever happened. Marni’s mother always says, “Everyone deserves a second chance,” but Romona just wants to get even with Gail. The wedding weekend throws the four opposing women together to either make nice, or tear each other to bits. The claws are about to come out. When Joanna comes back into Marni’s life, Marni starts to see herself transforming back into the loser in high school that she used to be. Marni is determined to show her brother and the rest of her family Joanna’s true colors before her brother makes the biggest mistake of his life.  The other supporting actors make for a great movie. Betty White steals every scene she is in as she plays the role of Marni’s grandmother, Grandma Bunny, and the love sick and a little mentally sick character, Tim, will keep you laughing throughout his scenes as he struggles with his love for Joanna during her engagement. Other supporting actors include Kristin Chenoweth, as she plays the role of Georgia King (the crazy wedding planner), and Dwane Johnson, playing the role of a plane security guard. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a good laugh. Sure, the plot of the movie is a little “corny,” but it’s a comedy. Enjoy what you are given. Some people say You Again is “an epic failure on every level” or “mediocre material,” but these people must not have any sense of humor. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t comedies supposed to be entertaining?  It is a PG rating, so what is funny for some may not be funny for others. I, for one, laughed throughout the entire movie. I felt that I could relate to the movie on a personal level. We have all had “high school enemies” that we have had problems with, and this movie shows that you should put the bad times behind you and start fresh. It will make you feel better, and it will keep you from ruining your brother’s wedding! Although the ending was a little cheesy, it has an unexpected twist that will leave you with a smile. Grab a date, your best friend, or even your mom and go watch it for yourself. I guarantee you will enjoy yourself.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Entertainment

Tagged as , ,

September 14, 2010 · 1:20 pm

Bostick represents Mississippi in national pageant

By: Brittain Allgood
Staff Reporter

After receiving the title of Miss Leaf River Valley, Christina Bostick, a junior at Oak Grove High School, was crowned Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen on June 5, and represented her state in the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant in Orlando, Florida, on August 26 through August 28. “Oh my goodness! I NEVER thought I would get this far,” Bostick said. “Because this was my first pageant, I went to the state competition for the fun and experience, and I had zero expectations!”

For the contestants, The Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen pageant is a week full of intense rehearsals, interviews, and plenty of hairspray. “The week of Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen was one of my favorite experiences. The other girls there were so much fun, and we spent so much time practicing our dances for the group production numbers, which was a blast for me!” Each contestant competes in talent, active wear, evening gown, interview, and on-stage question. Christina received a preliminary award the second night of competition for her talent. The last night of competition, Christina wore her crown with grace as she took her first walk as Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen. “I was in complete shock when they called my name out for the top ten, so by the time they called out the top five and alternates, I was speechless!”

The Miss Mississippi Organization, the “big sister” to Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen, requires each contestant to have a platform. Christina created her own platform, “Eyes of Love.” She was inspired after her father went on a mission trip to Eku, Nigeria. He along with the other volunteers, found that there was a desperate need for eye care in this part of West Africa. Because Nigeria is so close to the Equator, men, women and children as young as nine years old are going blind. The harsh rays of the sun are causing the eye disease glaucoma, and the constant sand and dust in the air cause itching and scratching which lead to eye ulcers. All of these conditions, if left untreated, cause blindness. “After hearing these stories and seeing the pictures of the many people who are affected by this, my heart was broken, and I felt the need to do something.” Bostick said. “It is my desire to collect as many gently used sunglasses, reading glasses, and prescription glasses to be delivered to the people there when our church goes again in January.” If you would like to donate to Christina’s charity, go to
http://www.eyesoflove.net to find out how you can help!

From Miss Leaf River Valley to Miss Mississippi, Christina Bostick truly is a role model for all girls. Bostick might have already won the crown, but her journey is just beginning. “I would have to say that I have grown as a person by realizing more than ever, that life is not always about pleasing yourself. It is more about discovering who you are inside and being determined to use the gifts that God gives you to serve him and to help others. Sometimes it means being in a position that you are not completely comfortable with, but if God puts you there, you can do anything with His help,” Bostick said.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Entertainment

Tagged as , ,

· 1:19 pm

Oak Grove welcomes new faculty members to family

By: Brittain Allgood
Staff Reporter

The start of a new school year usually brings new faces, not only when new students enroll, but also when new faculty is added to the Warrior roll. With the start of the 2010 school year, 13 new teachers have started at Oak Grove and two teachers are returning to Oak Grove. From academic courses to coaching, each teacher is skilled in their field of expertise and will surely add to Oak Grove’s academic excellence.

Two of the new faculty members are not only teaching, but also coaching. Zane Thomas, a football coach as well as a P.E. instructor, and Mark Swindle, a math teacher as well as the Lady Warriors basketball coach, have joined the staff. Oak Grove graduate Reagan Rigney also joined the Oak Grove family as a math teacher.

Kim Gammill, the new biology teacher, is new to Oak Grove High School, but not new to Oak Grove. She taught eighth grade science at the middle school for three years. “I do enjoy teaching at the high school,” Gammill said. “The students at the high school seem more independent, and more disciplined than the students at the middle school.”
Four new English teachers have also joined the Oak Grove High School staff; including new teachers Karen Leffler, Nakia Sibley, and former teachers Christe McGuire, and Lynn Davis who are returning to Oak Grove. “I am very excited to be back at Oak Grove,” Davis said. “I really missed teaching students and getting to know them on a personal level.”
OGHS also have five new special services teachers: Jane Thomas, Gareth Murphree, Melanie Walters, Elyse Reider, and Amanda Dickten. The band benefits from having Allen Graham, the new percussions director for the high school and the middle school. Additionally, Bailey Anglin, former administrative assistant to Assistant Principal Helen Price, joins the teaching staff for the first time to teach employability skills.

Oak Grove High School is fortunate to have so many new, willing teachers on staff, and trusts that each teacher will contribute to a terrific year.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Features

Tagged as , ,