Seniors Chiefs Reminisce on Careers

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elleperry

By Devoria Branch 

Craigmont High School

For senior athletes, the last game of the season can make them emotional. Craigmont football players get emotional too.

“I’m so proud of my team, I’ll rip my heart out and give a piece to each of my players,” Craigmont senior running back and strong safety Cordarius Brown said after a 49-48 victory over East High on senior night.

“Playing football is my life,” Cordarius said. “It’s the first and the last thing I think about. At the end of the day, it’s my passion. It’s a beautiful art that takes focus and concentration.  It also takes dedication to be the best at it.”

Other seniors reflected on their love for the game and their team as the 2011 season reached its end.

“Playing football for Craigmont was a great experience. It showed me how a group of kids from different neighborhoods can come together as one and fight for the same goal.  I love it, and if I could, I would do it all over again,” Chiefs senior corner back Eric Stevens said.

“It felt like a brotherhood, something I would never forget.  My blood, sweat, and tears were shed with my team and I will never forget it,” senior defensive end Andrew Carrier added.
“Playing football for Craigmont is a blessing, it means a lot to me.  It was like a big happy dysfunctional family.”

Even though the players said they loved the game, they admitted things weren’t always easy. 

“We argued and even fought, but we never turned our back on each other or gave up when times got hard.  That’s what made us family. Some might call (football) dangerous but if you don’t take a risk you won’t have a reward,” Andrew said.

Senior center Nico Smith said he had an interesting relationship with the game he loves while at Craigmont.

“Football is like having an extra girlfriend. You are going to have ups and downs, but if you stick around it will all be worth it in the end. I also like to call it a gift from God either you got it or you don’t. If I could continue to play this sport in college, it would be a goal well accomplished,” Nico said.

The senior day game was expected to be the best of this season. It more than lived up to the hype.
Senior cheerleaders were amped up too.

“We’re going to demolish those Mustangs,” Craigmont senior cheerleader Kia Price said before the game.

Junior running back Walter Crutchfield flew past everyone as he scored the first touchdown of the night.
Not long after that, touchdown, Mustangs! It was a tie.
East followed with another touchdown to take a 14-7 lead.
A Ladarrius Chatman touchdown tied the game again for Craigmont.
Touchdown after touchdown, the crowd was hyped. They hadn’t seen a game like this in a while.

“Best game ever,” Shaniqua Tatum, a senior from Craigmont said.
The drama reached its peak in the fourth quarter with 8:30 remaining and the scored tied at 35-35. East scored two touchdowns, but missed an extra point to make the score 48-35 Mustangs.
With the Chiefs down two touchdowns, Craigmont’s Aaron Wright scored to make the score 48-42.
Craigmont scored the winning touchdown.
Craigmont players were excited to get the win and thinking about their careers and futures after the game.

“Football is a sport for anybody who feels that they need a challenge and dedication in their life. I love my team and I’ve grown a very strong bond with them. Football means the world to me and I wish to make it to the NFL someday,” Craigmont senior Cody Skirvin said.

“I’m amped and happy that I got this win with my team. Without football, I probably would be nowhere. To me, football means a family of guys going out played their hardest, giving their blood, sweat, and tears to get to the play-offs,” Chiefs senior defensive tackle Wade Scott said.

Craigmont fans were excited about senior night too.

“I say this because it literally had everyone one the ends of their seats trying to see who was going to make the next touchdown and by both teams getting touchdown after touchdown made it worse,” said Craigmont senior Jameka Wallace. “This is the best game ever.”

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Poetry Club Helps Students Cope

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elleperry

By Amber Williams

White Station High School

From left to right. Tachele Anderson, Amber Williams, Kamyl Harvey, Cierra Burnett, Najwa Watson, Marica Wright (after the poetry slam)

“What’s Poppin’?”
Party of Poets Performing Incredible Nuances or P.O.P.P.I.N. is a club that was started at White Station High School in late 2009 by 2011 graduate, Rashad Coleman. The club mainly focuses on expression via spoken word. Members have competed in the city and state as well as performed at open mics across Memphis.

“P.O.P.P.I.N. is a product of this generation’s youth,” said Coleman, “Through fostering genuine expression via the contemporary art of spoken word, P.O.P.P.I.N. becomes an incubator for effective people by enforcing the highest cognitive processes, lifelong skills, and generating a sense of self.”

Rashad, now attending Weslyean University, a liberal arts college located in Middletown Connecticut, left seniors Cierra S. Burnett, 18, and Najwa E. Watson, 17, to fill his shoes as co-presidents.

A normal P.O.P.P.I.N. meeting is held in Paulette Regan, the Theatre teacher’s room. Regan is also the sponsor of the club. At meetings the club members poor out there hearts in written verses or simply unload their problems to the fellow group members. To further challenge the individuals as writers, they are given topics on which they must creatively express in their own unique perspectives.

After a person presents their poetry, and in some cases groups/partners, the floor is open for criticism. The members constructively criticize the writer to help them improve, or they simply praise the piece.

“I can honestly say that P.O.P.P.I.N has changed my life,” said Cierra, “A lot of people come to P.O.P.P.I.N. because they can release all their feelings without anyone judging them.”
“I joined (P.O.P.P.I.N.) because poetry has always been a form of expression to me, my personal channel of emotion,” said Najwa,who lost her mother last September and her father in June 2004.

“I can honestly say that P.O.P.P.I.N has changed my life,” states Cierra, “A lot of people come to P.O.P.P.I.N. because they can release all their feelings without anyone judging them.”
Cierra also speaks of P.P.P. or Poets Promise of Privacy. “This is an oath taken by the members so that nothing stated in this room leaves this room.”

“I joined [P.O.P.P.I.N.] because poetry has always been a form of expression to me. My personal channel of emotion.” said Najwa, who lost her mother last September and her father in June 2004.

She spoke of the support she receives from her club members. “As a person, when people show you generosity and love, that grows on you.”

At the news of her mother’s passing, the club organized a meeting that was completely dedicated to Najwa. The members wrote poems about Najwa, sang songs, spoke from their hearts, and free-styled at this dedicational meeting (all planned secretly).

At a recent school poetry slam, 17 year old, senior Tachele Anderson won first place and will compete at a Grizzlies game against other schools. She spoke of how P.O.P.P.I.N. has changed her for the better. “I could barely speak last year,” said Tachele, “Just watching my fellow club members was inspiration to me, especially Najwa.”

Last year, Briyanna Evans, currently a junior, competed at the Grizzlies poetry slam, and won first prize.

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Courses Seniors Should Take

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elleperry

By Jeremy Romero Williams

Central High School

Sean Chesira, a senior at Central High School, said he thought taking challenging courses during his last year of school was a waste of time.

“ I think taking challenging courses my senior year is a waste of time and effort. Why should I put extra effort in algebra, when my career will have nothing to do with algebra?,” Sean said.

He isn’t the only senior who feels that way. In an informal survey, seven students at Central High School said they thought that taking challenging courses was a waste of time.

According to the American College Test college planning website, high school students should take four years of English and at least three years of mathematics, including algebra I, geometry and algebra II to ensure a successful future in college.

“Take the roughest, most rigorous classes you can take,” said Andy Prewitt, a guidance counselor at Central High School. “Examples: If you have the opportunity and the qualifications to take an upper level math, take AP calculus or statistics. Colleges look at the strength of a student’s curriculum.”

High school students are also recommended to take three years of science including biology, chemistry and physics and three years of social studies. Some colleges and universities require other classes as prerequisites for admission, such as two or more years of the same foreign language or courses like visual arts or computer science.

Tenth through 12th grade counselor at Central High School Lance Allred agreed that students should not take easy classes their senior year.

Allred said, “College prep(atory) courses should always fit the future plans of the student;, this includes electives. All college- bound students should be enrolled in core courses. Every year, even when it’s beyond graduation requirements, such as a fourth year of science and social studies. Electives should be treated with the same importance. For example, if a student is planning a career in law, writing and speech courses are very important.”

Not all students think that taking college preparatory classes is a total waste of time. Students like Gadafi Ali, a senior at Central High School, realize the importance of taking college preparatory classes.

“I think of the level of difficulty and ensure that I am being challenged,” Gadafi said.

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From White Station to the World

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elleperry

By Sudeshna Barman

White Station High School

 

College. The very word makes some seniors shudder. It strikes fear in the hearts of juniors. In fact, even freshmen and sophomores can be heard talking about it,: discussing what clubs to join and what classes to take for a stellar application or resume, whether to go public or private, where to find the money, or even which university to aim for.

According to Mrs. Pam Gossett, a senior counselor at White Station, most White Station students choose to apply to University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the University of Memphis, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Vanderbilt University, or some combination of the four.

“Generally, students choose state schools, but it depends on the curriculum and scholarship money,” said Gossett.

Though schools like UT- Knox and the U of M are always popular choices, many students apply to out-of state public universities, most prominently the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Many who have the talent and ability to go to private school usually factor in money when deciding on a state school.

“I’m applying to the University of Alabama, which is my first choice, and then my reach school is Washington University,” said senior Allyson Godinez. “But even if I’m accepted there, I’ll probably end up going to Alabama anyway, just because they’re offering me a lot of scholarships and it’ll be cheaper.”

In terms of geography, most students choose to stay in the south, but “many go northeast, and a decent number go west,” according to Gossett.

Out of this year’s senior class of 472, about 89 percent plan to go to a four–year college or university for a bachelor’s degree, and 3 percent will go to a two-year college for an associate’s degree.
Several seniors this year have applied to Ivy League universities.

“It’s not that surprising,” said junior Vera Gardner. “Last year a girl in my Spanish class got into Princeton.

Though many are undecided about majors, the most frequently reported possible majors are biology and pre-med, followed by psychology and business.

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Compressing the Middle Class Education

Posted on December 13, 2011 by elleperry

By Marica Bryson

Central High School

Junior, Taryn Graham knows in order to qualify for many scholarships, she must surpass her most challenging subject -- chemistry

While some students are not concerned about college prices, there is not a doubt that many are faced with the decision of eliminating colleges from their decision due to lack of available funds.

is becoming a true concern, even for many middle class families.  This may not be a shock to many families, because they already knew that they could not afford the college life.  However, college costs are now eliminating more families from furthering their education.

Taryn Graham, a junior at Central High school, said, “I will only go to the college that offers the most scholarships.”

Other juniors agree.

“[The price] is forcing me to apply for many scholarships,”  said Khloe Jones, a junior at Central High School.

“I would consider all colleges, but I feel the higher the college’s tuition is, most likely, the lower their scholarships are … if I know I can get higher scholarships or a full ride to another college then I will pass on the other college,” said Kelsey Logan, a junior of Central High School.

Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of financial aid sites FinAid.org and FastWeb.com, told CNN, “As the out-of-pocket costs of a college education go up faster than incomes, it’s pricing low and medium income families out of a college education.”

According to a chart posted on CNN’s website, the average income of middle class families has been at or below $33,000 since 1988.  In addition, when adjusted for inflation, the average American income would be $400 less than what it was in 1988.  Yet, according to CNN, to keep up with the increasingly price of college tuition, many families’ incomes would have to be at least $77,000.

Although, middle class families’ incomes are not increasing, the price of college tuition is steadily inflating.  According to the chart on CNN website, tuition, since 1988, rose over $78,000 in 2008.  In addition, fees have also increased.

With all these increases of college tuition and fees, it would seem that the amount of available financial aid or loans would also increase.  However, according to CNN’s website, the maximum amount available for a four-year degree through government subsidized student loans has remained at $23,000.

Many may opt to continue with their college dreams by using student loans and other methods of financial aid with hopes of being able to pay it off through the variety of job opportunities their degree can open up to them.

Although all these increases in college tuition costs and fees are circulating around high school students, the question that remains is how these increases are affecting the college decisions of those who are just starting to plan their college choices.

“I didn’t look at the price, so it didn’t really affect my decision.  My mama told me that if I really wanted to go to a college, then she will work to make it happen no matter what, but once I picked out the colleges I was interested in and looked at the tuition they really weren’t that high,” said London Linson, a junior at Central High School.

Agreeing with London, Thomas Williams, a junior at Central High, said, “Price really isn’t affecting my decision, it’s just a matter of finding which college offers the most financial aid or scholarships to get in.”

However, Kaila Garret, who is also a junior at Central High School said, “It is affecting my decision because I know I have to stay on top of my game with my GPA and ACT, because I have to earn as much financial aid and scholarships as possible in order to go to these big colleges.  My goal is to have as much of a full ride as possible, because I don’t want my parents to pay for anything.”

While some students are not concerned about college prices, there is not a doubt that many are faced with the decision of eliminating colleges from their decision due to lack of available funds.is becoming a true concern, even for many middle class families.  This may not be a shock to many families, because they already knew that they could not afford the college life.  However, college costs are now eliminating more families from furthering their education.Taryn Graham, a junior at Central High school, said, “I will only go to the college that offers the most scholarships.”Other juniors agree.“[The price] is forcing me to apply for many scholarships,”  said Khloe Jones, a junior at Central High School.“I would consider all colleges, but I feel the higher the college’s tuition is, most likely, the lower their scholarships are … if I know I can get higher scholarships or a full ride to another college then I will pass on the other college,” said Kelsey Logan, a junior of Central High School.  Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of financial aid sites FinAid.org and FastWeb.com, told CNN, “As the out-of-pocket costs of a college education go up faster than incomes, it’s pricing low and medium income families out of a college education.”    According to a chart posted on CNN’s website, the average income of middle class families has been at or below $33,000 since 1988.  In addition, when adjusted for inflation, the average American income would be $400 less than what it was in 1988.  Yet, according to CNN, to keep up with the increasingly price of college tuition, many families’ incomes would have to be at least $77,000.  Although, middle class families’ incomes are not increasing, the price of college tuition is steadily inflating.  According to the chart on CNN website, tuition, since 1988, rose over $78,000 in 2008.  In addition, fees have also increased.  With all these increases of college tuition and fees, it would seem that the amount of available financial aid or loans would also increase.  However, according to CNN’s website, the maximum amount available for a four-year degree through government subsidized student loans has remained at $23,000.  Many may opt to continue with their college dreams by using student loans and other methods of financial aid with hopes of being able to pay it off through the variety of job opportunities their degree can open up to them.  Although all these increases in college tuition costs and fees are circulating around high school students, the question that remains is how these increases are affecting the college decisions of those who are just starting to plan their college choices.    “I didn’t look at the price, so it didn’t really affect my decision.  My mama told me that if I really wanted to go to a college, then she will work to make it happen no matter what, but once I picked out the colleges I was interested in and looked at the tuition they really weren’t that high,” said London Linson, a junior at Central High School.Agreeing with London, Thomas Williams, a junior at Central High, said, “Price really isn’t affecting my decision, it’s just a matter of finding which college offers the most financial aid or scholarships to get in.”However, Kaila Garret, who is also a junior at Central High School said, “It is affecting my decision because I know I have to stay on top of my game with my GPA and ACT, because I have to earn as much financial aid and scholarships as possible in order to go to these big colleges.  My goal is to have as much of a full ride as possible, because I don’t want my parents to pay for anything.”

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