Happy Valentine’s Day (cartoon)

Posted on February 7, 2012 by elleperry

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Society Women Take Hold at Westwood

Posted on February 7, 2012 by elleperry

By Kenya Jackson

Westwood High School

The definition of an ingenue is an innocent young girl or young woman who lacks experience, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary . A group composed of such girls has existed at Westwood High School since 1982. The group was founded by Dr. Cynthia Jentry.

The society nearly disbanded, until Phyllis Cleaves and Frestine Frazer, both teachers of Westwood High, took it over in 1992. Today, Cleaves is the sole sponsor of the Ingénue Society.

Acceptance criteria includes a grade point average of no lower than a 3.0, and each young lady must be respectful, delightful, and courteous at all times. High academic achievement is a must in this society.

“It’s like a big family,” said Ingenue  Society member Makeisha McGhee

“It’s like a sisterhood,” said Ingénue Society member Andrea Evans.

Though the group is large, all of these young ladies know how to control themselves and respect one another. Not only do they have to respect each other, but they also their teachers and peers. Ingénue girls are not boisterous, and do not conduct themselves in an un-orderly manner.

“I get the satisfaction of seeing young ladies develop a sense of pride for themselves and their community,” said Cleaves.

Since Westwood High school is a predominantly African-American school, the society teaches young ladies how to be strong black women and how to choose a successful life path.

Ingenues do all types of community service projects, including giving baskets to the homeless for Thanksgiving, donating coats for the winter months and reading to elementary kids during Christmas.

Other activities that the group is involved in are The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Pennies for a Cure, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) food drives, the annual Westwood Thanksgiving program and basket give away and work with Mt .Vernon Baptist Church in Westwood.

“To me, it’s like a chance to help people that need help,” said Terrika Johnson, an Ingénue Society  member. “We lend a hand.”

Most of the young ladies in the group are involved in some of the same sports and organizations, so they all know each other well and know how to give a team effort.

“The ingénue Society is taking a chance and helping our community get better,” said Ingénue member Adrian Fuller. “The Ingénue Society has taught me more than just how to be a sophisticated young lady, it has taught me the benefits of being a better citizen to my peers in my surroundings,” an Ingénue Society member, Tammy Davis, said.

Others at Westwood shared their opinions of the group.

“They’re a unique group of girls,” said Westwood student Jairus McClinton.

“I truly believe the Ingénue Society is a blessing for Westwood High School, because it asks students to maintain high GPAs, high moral standards, and the girls inside make our best Longhorn representatives,” said Jason Carr, Westwood librarian.

“I’m not in the society, but the girls in it seem really conservative,” said a Westwood High student, Victoria Kimbrow

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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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