The Buzz - 18 Mar 2016

Volume 5, Issue 17
Pelham High School, Pelham, GA
March 21, 2016
Pelham High School Appreciates Our Board Members
2015 BUZZ Staff
Taylor Davis, Courtlyn Foster,
Shawntanique Leshore, Gabriel
Lewis, Angelica McClain, Jala
Miller, Diamond Owens, Kristen
Phillips, Sarah Weaver, Monquie
Williams
Teacher—Mrs. Meg M. Whigham
The Pelham City School System does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color or
national origin, sex, or disability.
Inside this issue:
SWAT/Kick Butts
Kick Butts/ Stars
2
3
PHS Band
Festival Pics
Track & Field
4
5
6
Tennis
Staff Contributions
Sr. Struggles
6
7
8
On Tuesday night, the Pelham City Schools Board of Education met for its monthly board meeting and
was honored by Superintendent Fort and the PCS School System with a tribute of thanks through a
video produced by Mrs. Prince and members of her audio video class. The video tribute represented
the efforts of the entire school system in thanking the Board Members for all they do throughout the
year for Pelham City Schools. Pelham is fortunate to have the following members of the Board of Education: Elmer Conley, Lorenda Smith, Patricia Adams, Nikoiya Epps, Neal Hilliard, Cindy Drury, and
Patricia Wilkins..—Photo by Sue Pollock
As a part of education, we realize how quickly the school year passes and how much quicker summer
fades, and we begin again. At the high school level, four years has always been a measuring unit for me
because it seems almost in the blink of an eye, Freshmen become Seniors. In that short period of time,
high school students make decisions that will affect them for the rest of their lives, and they hope and
pray the choices they make are the right ones. As educators, we want the best for them, and often, we
know they are capable of doing even more than they, themselves realize. My own family just experienced
the death of a loved one who lived to be 87 and was beloved by all who knew her. My mother-in-law was special to all of us, and
when I think about her legacy, I realize she started strong and finished stronger. She lived an exceptional life and stayed true to
herself and her loved ones. That is my hope for the PHS Class of 2016—No matter how you start, Finish Stronger!
It takes all of us to make Pelham City Schools “The School System of Choice,” where
we are committed to educational excellence every day in every way. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all the latest news.
S.W.A.T.
The Pelham Hornets S.W.A.T (Students Working against Tobacco) team consists of a group of students who work under the direction and guidance of Ms. Ebonee Kirkwood to enforce positive behaviors among not only the students of Pelham High School
but the staff as well. They work strongly against tobacco usage by participating in various interactive projects including Kick
Butts Day which occurred last Thursday. To start the Kick Butts program Mrs. Prince shared a SWAT Video with the school.
The SWAT video cast consists of the following: Darren Knight , Laura Watts , Savannah Chastain , Lizzie Kelly , Neha Patel , Angelica Cason, Destiny Thomas, Taylor McMullen, Demarcus Jones, Ravina Patel , John Drake, Taylor Davis, Avery Adams, Lila
Maloy, Ivey Russ, Jake Delegawl, Ja-Khira
Cooper, Haven Wood , Faith McDuffie, Christian
Daniels, Courtney Conine , Jada Barfield , Jamia Stewart, Hoyt Buckner, Alysia Aviles, Micheal Martin, Nayjha Harris, Anayah Bryant, Dr.
Clark Harden, Coach Ashley Cochran. Two
guest speakers graciously shared their stories
of laryngeal cancer with the PHS students and
faculty in an effort to encourage those who are
smoking to quit and those who are not smoking
to never start.
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S.W.A.T.—Kick Butts Day Pics
Star Student—Whit Delk/ Star Teacher—Mr. White Attend Luncheon
Prom
Hornet Idol
Are you a fan of “In Old California”? If so,
stop and take in the Hollywood glamour at
prom! This year’s prom theme is Old Hollywood. It will be held at the Hand Building on May 7 from 7:30 - 11:00 with the
Sr. Walk at 8:00
Friday, March 25
at 7:00
at the Auditorium
$5.00 Admission
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PHS Marching Hornets Get a New Look
The Friday night lights will be showcasing the new look of the PHS Band
during the next school year. Recently the band members stayed after school
and got their measurements recorded for the upcoming football season. The
new band uniforms are much like the previous ones, but they have a more
modern look. To compliment the new uniforms, they are sported with
plumes, a long, soft feather or arrangement of feathers worn by a person for
ornament.
PHS Concert Band Performs at Festival
The culmination of concert season and tremendous hard work takes place each year during March when the Pelham High School
Band travels to Cairo to perform at Festival. The band played three songs including “Miss Liberty” by Karl. L. King, “Horkstow
Grange” by Percy Aldridge Grainger, and “The Great American West” (a Suite for Band) by Pierre LaPlante. The band scored
straight “Goods” and an “Excellent” at this years showcase Festival. Congratulation to Mr. White and the PHS concert band.
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Band Pics from Festival
5
Track and Field
On March 3, 2016 the Track and Field team went to Fitzgerald, Georgia to compete in the Fitzgerald Quad Meet. Amelia Almond
placed 1st in girls Shot Put and 2nd in girls Discus Throw. Malik Mango placed 2nd
in boys Discus Throw. Tamarick Young placed 2nd in boys Triple Jump and 3rd in
boys High Jump. Laura Watts placed 1st in girls Pole Vault. John Drake placed 1st in
boys Pole Vault. Monica Webb placed 2nd in girls 3200 Meter Run and 3rd in girls
1600 Meter Run. Clifford Russell placed 1st in Boys 100 Meter Dash, and the boys
4x100 Meter team placed 2nd in the Boys 4x100 Meter Relay.
On March 19, the track team was back in action in the Smith/Benson Relays at
Hugh Mills in Albany. Congrats to all the athletes who PR'd today and those who
placed. Congrats to Cynthia Stokes - 3rd place in girls Pole Vault, Monica Webb - 1st
in the 3200 Meter Run and 2nd in the 1600 Meter Run, Clifford Russell - 1st in
Long Jump and 1st in 200 Meter Dash, and Amelia Almond - 1st in Shot Put.
Tennis
The PHS tennis team traveled to Americus for an 8 game pro-set double header. Girls first singles player, Jasmine Wood, won
her first match 8-5. First doubles players, Neha
and Ravina Patel, won their second match 9-7.
Second doubles players, Taylor Davis and Kaitlyn McKenzie won their second match 8-1. First
doubles team, Greyson Shiver and Paul Woods,
won their second match 8-6. Second doubles
team, Angel Lopez and Davon Williams, won
their second match 8-5. This past week, the
PHS Tennis Team had a home match against
Early County. Girl’s second singles player, Taylor Davis, won her match 6-2, 6-1. Boy’s second singles player, Greyson Shiver, won his
match 7-6, 6-1. Although the team did not come out with a win, they know what skills they
need to compete with them at region. The match against Seminole County was cancelled.
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Dear Reader,
ReJeCtS aNd MiSfItS 2
This is another rejects and misfits article and we hope that you’ll look at this with open eyes, rather than judging ones. Next time
you start to make fun of that person for being outside of society’s lines, look at yourself. Who's the joke really on?
ANONYMOUS- Umm… I sort of don’t like people much. Okay, I do but they don’t like me. This isn’t even
hard to say because it’s true and everyone knows it. I WAS a misfit but now I’m only a reject. I tried so much
to let people see me as I am. They always say be yourself. I do and feel stupid for it. That’s the part that
sucks—wanting to fit in and never being close enough to normal that I can. I’m different. My clothes aren’t
the same as most girls, my beliefs are far too judged, and I’m not all into girly stuff or gossiping. If I go to
the mall, I visit the pet store. If I’m bored I pull out my Papa’s old comics. It’s just me. If you met me and
talked to me for more than five minutes, you’d find I’m pretty cool to be around. I need a chance though. If you’re reading this,
please talk to the quiet and even the troublesome kids. Beneath the mask may be someone you have missed out on all your life and
that you’ll want to keep for the rest.
ANONYMOUS — Reject here. My name is pretty well known and I wish it wasn’t because nothing said with it is nice. Apparently,
I have herpes, have demons inside me, was pregnant, I’m ugly, and so on… I’m none of those things and I’ve
never been. I have acne; not herpes. I’m atheist; I don’t even believe in any religion out there. I haven’t ever
been pregnant; never did anything for that possibility. If you ask me, I’m cute, not beautiful but that’s alright.
I’m happy with who I am. I wish I had more friends though. High school is a new start but not everyone gets a
fresh one. It hurts to be a reject. We all live in the same world but no one likes sharing it with us.
Anonymous—’m a misfit, not because I’m not popular. I’m always hanging around the popular kids, but it’s
on the edge. They like me enough, but there are all kinds of things they don’t like
about me. I get loud when I’m mad and I know it’s not cool to do that, but hey, everyone has flaws. Another is I’m a black girl dating a white guy and you know here in the South, some people aren’t going to
like that, but I learned this past year that sooner or later you have to stop letting other people live your
life for you. This isn’t about them; it’s about you. One day, I won’t be a misfit, but I will be proud that I
was.—Buzz Staff Writer
Controlling Your Attitude
Most of today’s children and adults have no earthly idea how to control their attitude. You can’t be a positive person with that mean,
nasty demeanor. To change your attitude you can start by being aware of your surroundings. If everything around you is negative, you will more than likely have a bad attitude and that’s just going to make
your day worse. Also, hang out with people that send a happy vibe to others, not negative people who
bully you or people they don’t like. You should watch how people talk to you and don’t let them talk
down to you, or treat you like you’re less than they are. You may hear people say attitude is everything,
and as you think about it, it really is. Your attitude will determine if you get a job and if you can keep that
job. Letting your mouth get the best of you will get you nowhere; no one will want to speak with you, nor
be around you if you display a poor attitude.—Buzz Staff Writer
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Senior Struggles Spotlight
This
s c h oo l
ye a r
has
been
e s pe c ia l l y
s t re s s f u l
f or
the
S e n i or
Class
of
2 01 6 .
Senior Courtlyn Foster says, “ Senior year is the most stressful time so far in my life. Having to make sure you have enough credits to graduate, buying your cap and gown, and the
list goes on and on. Then Homecoming comes, then Prom and you’re buying the most outstanding dress. Senior trips are planned, and all of it adds up to an expensive year. Not only
do we have all normal classes to keep up with (that’s not counting AP classes), but we have
also had to begin the search for the college that we would like to attend. Picking a college is
not as easy as it may sound. Not only do you have to apply just to get into said college, but
you must also pass certain exams to get into some colleges, have a high GPA for others, and
all while making sure they have a good program for your major.”
Senior
Marisol
Aboytes shed some light on her exact plans for
college. She states, “I am planning to go to VSU for
two years then UGA to study to become a teacher.
As intimidating as college might sound to some,
there are others who are really looking forward to
the experience. Whether it be meeting a whole
new group of people from around the country,
learning skills you will use for the rest of your life,
or eve n j u s t h a n g in g ou t w it h
s om e
f r ie n ds
on
c a m pu s ,
u n ive r s it ie s
of f e r
it.”
Senior Tailor Price says, “ I am looking forward to the new beginning of my life, all of the new experiences college holds. And I am
looking forward to making new friends and the new coursework, as difficult, as it may be.”
Senior Alexis Jones said “ What I will miss about high school
are the fun times I had in class as well as getting my work
done and not being focused on anything else.” Despite how
much some of us are looking forward to leaving high school,
we should still remember just how big of an impact high
school has had on our lives. Not only has it helped majorly in
our education, but it has also introduced us to people and
groups that will have an impact on us for the rest of our lives.
Leaving high school and starting college is a major step in life.
We are moving into a whole new world of local community
college, technical school, a big university, the work force, or
the military we, the PHS Senior Class of 2016, are making one giant leap, and
. . . We Are Ready!
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