Six of Mitchell’s Football Sign Intent Letters

Posted on March 12, 2012 by elleperry

By Paradise Hart

Mitchell High School

On occasion, athletes are put in to a category of people unlikely to succeed academically, but many football players of today’s generation are changing that stereotype.

Six of Mitchell High’s top football players signed four-year contracts to go to colleges of their choice, not only to pursue athletics but academics as well.

“Pick up your pens and sign your life away, now parents, sign your child’s life away”,
joked Coach Nathan Cole at the signing.

Nathan “Lil Nate” Cole Jr., Jermiah Balfour, Martavious “ToeJoe” Smith, Terrance “TJ” Ayers, Devin “DP” Preyer and Sedrick “Lil Knox” Jones all signed letters of intent. Lil Nate signed with the University of Cincinnati, Devin Preyer with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Smith, Balfour, Jones and Ayers all signed with Lane College.

Nathan and Jermiah are wide receivers; Terrance is a quarterback, Martavious is a
running back, Devin is a cornerback and Sedric is a defensive tackle.

The players expressed how exuberant and excited they were.

“I’m very excited to attend college with three of my teammates,” Sedric said.

“I feel blessed; I’m glad God gave me the opportunity to go to college with my
teammates,” TJ said.

“Life is hard then you die, so I feel excited that I get to live my life, attend college and do what I love,” Nathan said.

“I’m happy and very excited to attend that college, I feel like I’m at home there,” Devin

said.

“I feel excited and blessed,” Martavious said.

The parents and principal were even more excited to see them sign than the actual
players.

“I’m real excited, his sister is his biggest fan and she’s so proud of him, he’s not only on an athletic scholarship, but academics as well,” said Devin’s mom, Tara Preyer.

“I’m excited that he chose a college where he’s comfortable and that God gave him this opportunity,” Nathan’s mom, Tammon Cole, said.

“Very, very excited, it been a long time coming and I’m glad he made it,” Terrance’s

mom, Melisha Payne, said.

“Unbelievable, it feels good,” Jermiah’s mother, Hazel Balfour, said.

Martavious’ mom Cherri Askew added, “I’m happy he’s going to college; I’m ecstatic.”

Mitchell High Principal Kevin Meeks expressed his pride, too.

“I’m very excited and honored to be in the mist of six young men furthering their careers
in college,” Meeks said.

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Craigmont Gives to Lifeblood

Posted on March 12, 2012 by elleperry

By Nicolette Rodgers

Craigmont High School

Lifeblood's Cindy Sims preps Carvel Walker for donation.

Craigmont High students and teachers donated blood to LifeBlood during a drive sponsored by the school’s Junior ROTC program on January 27.

The goal was to donate a total of 65 pints of blood to be eligible for a $500 scholarship.

Only 42 pints of blood were raised, but students who donated said that they found the experience rewarding.

“It was alright. The needle was kinda big, but I guess it went through successfully,” Avery Carmichael said.

He also shared his thoughts about the screening questionnaire.

“Yeah the questionnaire was kinda personal, but I understand because they gotta make sure it’s clean.”

Nicholas Lancaster said he was proud to have donated his blood too.

“You get a good feeling from it, you know you’re going to help the community, because there is a blood shortage right now,” Nicholas said. Nicholas is a member of the JROTC color guard and played a big part in getting the news of the blood drive out around the school. Between a job, drill team practice, and planning the JROTC ball this year, Nicholas still found time to help the blood drive go smoothly.

Some students were turned away for having a low blood count.

Men who have had sexual relations with another man at any time since 1977 can not donate blood. LifeBlood employee Cindy Sims said this is part of the donation policies given by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to LifeBlood. The FDA prohibits blood donations from these men because they are at a higher risk for HIV, even though the blood is tested before use

“The questionnaire will ask you your medical history, your sexual history, your travel history, we do a mini physical where we get a little drop of blood from your finger to check iron, get your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, if all that’s passed then you’re good to donate.”

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Movie Review: The Woman in Black

Posted on March 12, 2012 by elleperry

By Cierra Paige

Overton High School

     Daniel Radcliffe has switched from starring as a teen heartthrob in his own series of movies (Harry Potter) to focusing on his new debonair persona by starring in the thriller The Woman in Black.

The PG-13 movie hit theaters on February 3, 2012 and was instantly a huge success, resulting in long ticket lines and crowded movie theaters.

In this chilling movie directed by James Watkins, Radcliffe plays a lawyer, Arthur Kipps, who travels to a remote village to collect paperwork so the house of recently deceased Mrs. Drablow can be sold. Viewers learn that Radcliffe is widowed and has a four-year-old son, whom he has to leave behind in order to do his job, though both his son and the nanny will be joining him later on in the week. Upon reaching the house, he discovers the ghost of a scorned woman who seeks revenge on those who caused her pain.

By delving deeper into her past, he puts his own life in danger. No one is openly willing to discuss the house of the ‘crazy woman’ who once lived alone. Once the people in the town blame him for the deaths of the children in the town, Radcliffe realizes that this may be bigger than he’d originally thought.

A rather riveting and memorable scene is watching a young boy climb out of the marsh that he was said to have drowned in years prior; then comes a knock on the door. When Radcliffe opens the door, he sees children standing in the forest close to the house, watching him. But when he goes back inside of the house, there are muddy footprints leading up the stairs and a loud thumping sound coming from
behind the door of a locked room.

Radcliffe’s only friend in the town is Simon Daily, played by Ciaran Hinds, who turns out to be the only man in town with a car. Hinds is struggling with his own problems as he has lost his son and he thinks his wife is suffering from mental illness, when really, she can communicate with the dead children in the town. She lets him know that his life is on the line and that ‘the woman in black’ is after him because he has seen her. Soon, it becomes a race to save himself and his own son before it’s too late.

With a thrill at every turn, this movie will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. If you are faint at heart, I wouldn’t recommend this movie, but I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars on top of the $37,000,000+ it earned as of February 14!

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Music Review: Take Care by Drake

Posted on March 12, 2012 by elleperry

By Areon McCraven

Hollis F. Price High School

      “I had someone tell me I fell off. Oh I needed that,” raps Toronto-born music artist, Drake, on the number-one single “Headlines.” It seems as though the star has been on top of the game every since his platinum debut “Thank Me Later,” released back in 2010. From singles to tons of features, the rapper has remained relevant in music.

“Take Care,” the long awaited sophomore album from Aubrey ‘Drake’ Graham, is proof that he never “fell off”. The album is a mixture of emotions Drake feels after getting on top of the game and reassurance that he isn’t going anywhere.

Most would argue that Drake has really changed since the beginning of his career.
However, most artists seem to go through an evolution of different sounds and emotions and don’t stick to one sound every album. While “Take Care” sounds nothing like his Grammy nominated mixtape, “So Far Gone,” nor does it sound like “Thank Me Later.” What it sounds like is undeniably good.

One thing noticeably different on “Take Care” is the amount of growth Drake has
experienced since his debut. While “Thank Me Later” was a mainly monotone soundtrack of lessons learned and past experiences, “Take Care” is more experimental: cocky yet genius. There are multiple types of production and several flows Aubrey uses to get out his thoughts.

Production wise, “Cameras” and “Crew Love” were the most experimental songs on the album. “Cameras” featured a sample from R&B singer Jon B.

The album has an extensive list of features with appearances by Andre 3000, Rihanna, The Weeknd and numerous others.

The lyrics on the album also stood out, featuring raw and honest delivery. “Lord Knows” was of the most boastful songs on the album. He raps, “I’m a descendant of either Marley or Hendrix. I haven’t figured it out ‘cause my story is far from finished.” The most honest and heartfelt track is “Look What You’ve Done,” on which he raps about several of his influences that made him who he is today.

Overall, the album is near perfection and delivers what all true Drake fans have wanted in the second album. It portrays what the rapper has grown into without losing too much sight on where he has been.

Drake ends the album on the last track “The Ride” saying, “My sophomore, they was all for it, they all saw it. My junior and senior will only get meaner…take care.” I’m sure everyone would agree that the world will patiently await Mr. October Very Own’s junior effort.

Album Rating: 4.5 out of 5

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PAUSE Works to Ensure Success in College

Posted on March 12, 2012 by elleperry

By Morgan Moore

Hollis F. Price High School

PAUSE Partnership Chairman Janeta Reeves (left) and President Antionette Boooker (right) speak to students at the February Teen Appeal staff meeting.

The mission of Professional Assertive United Sisters of Excellence at the University of Memphis is to encourage success academically, professionally and socially by providing information, training and networking opportunities for women on campus.

PAUSE President Antionette Booker, an international business major who will graduate in December, said that the group has 88 members.

“This interest group has tremendously helped me with proper business attire, being professional, and knowing how to network with people,” Booker said. “Before this program, I was not an expert on networking. Networking is so important in college.”

The group reaches out to women of all races, creeds and colors on campus, according to Booker.

“We do not discriminate, as we are a diverse group of women,” the president said.

The group began on the University of Memphis campus seven years ago with 10 women.

Marliana Love, a freshman at the University of Memphis studying information
systems management and a PAUSE member, shared her experiences as part of the group.

“When you hear about PAUSE on campus, you might think of it as just an organization where the girls on campus dress up, and spend their time being committed,” Love said. “However, the experience that I have shared with my PAUSE sisters has been priceless.”

“Our organization is a learning process that we each undergo, in the preparation of becoming a professional in our field of choice,” she said. “We bond like no other, and inspire each other to do better.”

Love said the group has not only affected her networking and professionalism, but also her focus on academics.

“Since my involvement, I was inspired to do better in school, and create a sisterly
relationship with my sisters I will never forget. We do not look at our organization as such that we must do to obtain hours for community service, but because we each enjoy giving our time to community to help better ourselves,” she said.

Love said current and future female college students should look at PAUSE.

“I encourage all interested young ladies who are ready to take a big step in learning how to become successful, and the essentials of success, to be a part of PAUSE,” Love said.

Meetings are held on Tuesdays in the University Center. Guest speakers regularly attend meetings to discuss professionalism and networking.

PAUSE committees include PAUSE for the Cause (which highlights issues that
affect women), Professional Awareness, (provides insight and training for professional success) Activities and Fundraising (in charge of fundraisers and special events), Women’s Conference (plans the annual conference), Public Relations, and Membership.

P.A.U.S.E.’s annual women’s conference, this year called “Women Visionaries Without Boundaries” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 on the third floor of the University Center.

For more information on P.A.U.S.E., follow the group on Twitter at twitter.com/
PAUSEUOFM, check out the P.A.U.S.E. Facebook group or contact them via e-mail at pauseuofm@gmail.com.

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