Titan Talk Issue 6 Volume 9 Ridgeland High School April 2011 In Loving Memory of Mr. Street Our beloved Mr. Street passed away Friday, February 25 at St. Dominic Hospital. Mr. Street was born on June 29, 1935 in Memphis, TN. He was the son of the late Luther Martin Street and Thelma Street. He grew up in the Mississippi Delta, graduated from Jonestown High School and later obtained a degree in education at Mississippi College. Before his tenure at RHS, Mr. Street taught for 34 years at Hardy Junior High School and Siwell Junior high School and then Jackson Academy. In this issue... He was a loving hus- band, father and grand- Editorials: Caroline, Audrey, and Maudia father who cherished time share their opinions Pg 2-3 spent with family. Mr. Street assisted Mrs. Street Advice: Stella shares her wisdom Pg 3 with making Christmas ornaments. Fun Stuff: A double dose of lists with two RHS will miss Mr. Street and the love he showed us versions of 15+1. So it’s 30+2? Pg 4 each day. We will always cherish the smiles and stories he shared. So Long: Jessica gives Coach Cook a fond Photo by Elwin Williams farewell. Pg 4 Mr. and Mrs. Street were given the Ridgeland Prom Skit 2011: CityMaker Award in February 2011 by Mayor What does your future hold? Check your Gene McGee. horoscope. Pg 5 A Night at the Oscars in New Orleans “Weekly Weave”, and Sam Griffith as Jimbo Access Hollywood: Jamie reveals some of by Kristine Bishop the secrets of American Idol. Pg 5 Roberts. The juniors did a great job, and their Prom skit this year was based on an impersonations were spot on. At the end, the Sports: Katie gives an update on award show to recognize the best and the bright- secret theme was revealed... “A Night in New powerlifting and baseball. Pg 6 est seniors of this fine establishment. And it is Orleans”. fact that the juniors definitely pulled together a The venue of prom has changed to Entertainment: Jessica and Isaac preview funny production. Plantation Commons in Gluckstadt. So if half the Spring Musical. Pg 7 There were plenty of good laughs and of the people go missing, it is probably be- some jokes taken too personally but that is what cause they got lost. Be Amazed: New strange but true random it is supposed to be meant for. Some of the Prom should be quite an eventful night facts. Pg 7 highlights were Austin McQuirk as Tyler Watson, (hopefully no fire alarms will go off); just the “smartest senior” and “cutest couple” and remember not to do anything too out of line... Spirit of the Titan: Kristine reveals what it “celebrity look-alike” awards, Candace’s there are teachers present. means to really be a Titan. Pg 7 Opinion Page 2

China will supposedly own America in 10 years because our debt is TTeacherseachers areare DestroyingDestroying America?America? so out of control to scare Americans into going along with all their by Caroline Lanford cuts. However, if these conservatives were really worried about the Since early February government employees, including national debt they wouldn’t have just passed legislation extending many public school teachers, have gathered in Wisconsin’s capitol Bush tax cuts and effectively repealing the estate tax. Half of to protest a budget bill that limits their union rights. Whether or not balancing a budget is bringing in more revenue than you spend, and you agree with their tactics or even their cause, I think everyone at these tax cuts, over ten years, will take hundreds of billions of dollars RHS can agree that teachers play a vital role in society and are away from paying off the enormous debt conservatives are largely underappreciated. However, some super-conservative supposedly so concerned about. pundits on Fox News have declared teachers to be greedy bums, out Interestingly, these tax cuts apply to the most wealthy people to get as much money from the government as they can. When I in the country. Thanks to tax breaks like these, the top one percent of hear this I can’t help but wonder if these critics even know what a Americans earn more than the bottom 50 percent. The repeal of the teacher’s salary is. If someone wanted to get rich, he would not estate tax, which has been in effect since 1916, alone will give one become a teacher, but he might become a lawyer, a doctor, or a trillion dollars to the top 0.3%. I have heard many people in my banker. The most disturbing thing about these Fox News community complain that they don’t want their taxes raised, but no commentators is that many of them defended Wall Street bankers one at RHS is included in this top 0.3% of Americans receiving these who almost single-handedly sunk the American economy in their huge tax breaks. This concentration of wealth has resulted in a greedy attempt to grab as much money as they could. Bash teachers disappearance of the middle class. In late December, Independent but defending bankers sounds like the epitome of hypocrisy to me. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont gave a compelling speech on the While I’m on the subject of budget cuts and hypocrisy, I vanishing middle class and how politicians so supposedly concerned would like to look at our government’s debt. It’s commonly known about the national debt continue to give billions of dollars in tax cuts that our country and many states, such as Wisconsin, are in serious to the most wealthy of Americans. So instead of worrying so much debt. This debt problem is why education programs and teachers, as about what the national debt will be in a decade, maybe we should be well as many other public improvement programs, are facing cuts. more concerned about where the American middle class will be. It Fox News and other conservatives have spread alarmist theories that just might be nonexistent. How to Be an Oscar by Audrey Hall People are predictable. We them back. We root for the to properly lead his country are and struggles to face. What we like seeing, knowing, and reading underdog. The Oscars are an both perfect examples of people can take from these stories of about people who have risen in excellent example. rising above their own demons. ascension past discouragement the world. We like to hear about The two films battling These stories won their is that we all have our own how people have overcome for the highest honor were audience’s admiration and personal weapons against our obstacles, such as an illness or Social Network and The King’s affection. They called for our problems whether it’s something external, like bullies or Speech. Both of them represent sympathy to all who are perseverance, faith, or force of a tough sport. These success personal battles against what fighting for what they believe in will. Everyone will face a crisis stories attract us, which is was holding the two and the directors did a very in their lifetime and the people understandable — we want to protagonists down. Mark good job. who move on are the ones who overcome too. We want people to Zuckerberg’s legal fight with But what we don’t took what they had and used it talk about how brave we were, those who claimed to own the realize is that we’re just like to benefit. They are just like the how determined, how strong. We idea of Facebook and King Mark Zuckerberg and King characters in these Oscar- naturally root for people who George’s struggle to overcome George VI. We all have our winning films, and you could fight against that which holds his horrible stammer in order inner or outer decisions to make be too. Opinion Page 3 MostMost RecentRecent RHSRHS BreakupsBreakups Advice by Stella by Maudia Stahan Dear Stella, We have so many cute couples here at Ridgeland High I am a senior here, and I keep hearing rumors about School. Unfortunately, not all relationships last forever. It is so sad myself. People are constantly lying about me saying mean things. to see such close relationships crash and burn. The ones that last so I don’t like it at all. I don’t want to confront people about what is long are usually the first to break off. Another unfortunate fact is being said. How can I keep them from talking smack about me? that this article has nothing to do with relationships. Did you see what I did there? I just gave this article a juicy and somewhat Dear Daily News, fascinating headline to make you read it. If I had titled it something You can’t just make people stop talking about you. Just be like, “The Lassitude of Today’s Youth,” you wouldn’t have even yourself and don’t worry about what the jealous people say. Like read the first sentence. This proves that this generation’s priorities my grandmother always said, “You ain’t talked about if you ain’t are not intact. Our generation has begun to lack the motivation to do thought about.” This means that people are thinking about you, so better in life. they can’t help but to talk about you. If I were you, I’d take it as a Why is this so? Growing up, my parents instilled in me the compliment. importance of education. At a very young age, I had the propensity to be as good as I could be when it came to school work. Other Hey Stel, parents, on the other hand, have not done so. They may not have Since prom is around the corner, I want to take my cared about how well their kindergartener colored inside the line. girlfriend to a nice restaurant. She wants to go to a really For me, this was a big deal. I was devastated if any shades appeared expensive restaurant. I can’t afford it but she doesn’t understand outside of the thick, black lines. To this day, I have that same drive. this. Will I be able to satisfy her spoiled ways without breaking For example, when I get bored in any class, I whip out a text book the bank? and begin the next chapter’s vocabulary or review. It is merely a quirky characteristic of mine, and I think it has made me a better Dear Hotshot, student. You can still make your girl happy by just telling her that When it comes to school, teenagers tend to do just enough to you don’t have enough money to take her to the restaurant. If she get by. For example, when Mrs. Tackitt assigns math homework, we really likes you, she will understand. If she doesn’t, she’s just out may count the number of problems; divide that number by 100; of luck. multiply the number of points each problem is worth and only do a minimum amount of arithmetic to earn a 90 and a piece of candy. “updated via text message”. When you are at school, it lets all the By this time, we have spent the same amount of time it would take teachers and administrators know that not only do you have your to complete at least two problems as it did to calculate how much cell phone out at school; but it also proves the insecurity of those we can slack. Why not do all of the homework? I’ll tell you why: who threaten others via Facebook. we are just too lazy to do so. Even though this marvelous math Today’s youth does not have the ambition and drive as teens teacher gives her students plenty of time in class to start on the in the past. We are, believe it or not, lazy and apathetic. What we work, some people would rather whip out their iPhones and do here at school (and on Facebook) is the definition of who we Androids and log onto Facebook. are. If we act like Neanderthals, outsiders will perceive us as such. The capability of technology is fine and dandy; but it can Our priorities are not where they should be; we put aside the most also cause major problems. Facebook on cell phones is great when important things in life. This generation needs to pause and take one is away from a computer, but all lines are crossed when time to really mature. Many people are still mentally in middle Facebook is brought into our schools. Updating statuses about school. If you are starting college in August, you don’t have much people threatening them is plain ignorance. What makes it more time to do so. The same sophomoric students who “talk smack” on ignorant is updating from school even though when a status is Facebook might be the very same ones in Titan Time classes. Is it updated from a cell phone’s text message the website describes it as irony? I think not. I dare you to Tweet that. Miscellaneous Page 4 15+1 Farewell, Coach Cook 15+1 Songs that are by Jessica King Things we terrible to get While I realize that When I queried Coach Cook on many of the underclassmen this specific subject, moving completely stuck in your head reading this will not understand down from a 5A school to a 4A the bittersweet sentiments school and football team, he behind assistant football coach said the only coaching differ- forgot 1. “Baby” -Justin Bieber and Government and Econom- ence will be found in the 1. That Ellen DeGeneres was a ics teacher Coach Cook, I do practices, varying slightly judge on American Idol 2. Anything by the Jonas Brothers know that they will not have a because of the smaller number clue what they’re missing in a of players. He will also teach a 2. That Ricky Martin was a 3. That Antoine Dodson song truly inspiring teacher and great few classes at Richland, within ladies’ man football coach. the realm of social studies, 4. “Friday” -Rebecca Black Coach Cook, who has however his classroom load 3. That Hit Clips were cool taught at Ridgeland High will be much lighter than it is 5. “We R Who We R” -Ke$ha 6. How to count School for six years, will be here at Ridgeland. This doesn’t moving on with the senior class make a difference to our Coach 6. “Hey Soul Sister” -Train 7. That Sharpay was advice of 2011 at the end of this year, Cook. He feels that coaching columnist but he will be moving to and teaching are one and the 7. “OMG” -Usher Richland High School, where same, trying to inspire kids to 5. Xanga he accepted the offer of head work hard and achieve their 8. “Best of Both Worlds” - football coach at the 4A school. goals. Most of the deciding 8. All the American Idol winners Hannah Montana Cook Continued on page 6 except Kelly Clarkson and that blonde girl 10. “Alejandro” -Lady Gaga 9. Silent Sustained Reading 11. “Tik Tok” -Ke$ha (SSR)

12. “Hollaback Girl” -Gwen 10. That stoplight in the cafeteria Stefani (It’s bananas, B-A-N- A-N-A-S!) 11. That lunch used to be $1.50

13. Pretty much anything by 12.That Zac Efron exists Soulja Boy Tell ‘em (Can you say, “Marco Polo”?) 13.That Charlie Sheen was normal once 14. “Jingle Bells” 14. AOL and dial-up internet 15. “Umbrella” -Rihanna “That Antoine Dodson Song” by Isaac De La Cruz 15. Everything we learned in Algebra I +1 “Never Gonna Give You Up” -Rick Astley +1 Mr. Boozer’s hair Entertainment Page 5 You’re going to Hollywood HORO- by Jamie Logan SCOPES “This is American Idol!” Host Ryan Seacrest announces as a Aries: Brevity is the soul of wit. (Translation: your stories about new season of Idol begins. Through 10 seasons of the show, we learn your cats are not funny.) a lot about the judges, the contestants, and the host himself, but as Taurus: Your constantly-updating tweets will result in either your viewers, we only see part of the picture. What really goes on behind own reality show or a lot less Twitter followers. the scenes? Gemini: You meet Miley Cyrus on chat roulette… Cool story, bro. American Idol Season Ten contestant, Stevie Cain, knows a Cancer: It will be discovered how nerdy you really are when lot more than the average person. She shared a little of her everyone sees you “dance” at prom. experiences with me through Leo: You will be really worried about ______. (Fill in the blank Facebook. Born and raised in Stevie with something no one wants to hear you whine about.) Mississippi, Stevie Cain spent Cain’s Virgo: You will get Rick Roll’d 10 times in one day when your her ninth grade year at none audition on friend gets “Never Gonna Give You Up” stuck in your head. other than Ridgeland High Idol Libra: Your life will become eerily similar to a bad horror movie. before she transferred to Whatever you do, don’t get in the shower. another school. She’s come a Scorpio: You will feel a burst of intellectualism and start actually long way since then; from reading some of the words in the newspaper instead of just looking attending the local high school at the pictures. to gracing the stage of one of Sagittarius: You will be feeling very generous this month. So, can I America’s most famous TV shows. have a piece of gum? It all started with an Capricorn: Your new haircut will get you a lot of attention. audition. And while the Unfortunately, it’s because it makes you look like Pat Sajack. process of auditioning may Aquarius: You will reunite with an old crush who is really into you seem short, sweet, and highly now. Bad news: He/she hasn’t changed since you had a crush on entertaining on television, it’s him/her… in sixth grade. not quite as simple as it seems. Pisces: You will say a “your mom” joke at a really inappropriate Contestants had to make it time. Feel the room, man. through three rounds of judging before they even got to meet the famous trio of judges that would send them to Hollywood. “When I group week, teaming up with Bret Loewenstern and Jaycee Badeaux. got the golden ticket, I knew it was going to be tough and that it was But after a few more difficult days of singing her heart out, Stevie was only the beginning,” said Stevie. “Everybody there in Hollywood eliminated. wanted it so bad they could taste it; I’d never seen so much talent in When asked if she was going to give Idol a second shot, Stevie one place before.” replied, “Maybe. Maybe not. I doubt it though after experiencing the Stevie admitted that auditioning for Idol was definitely reality of it behind the scenes. It’s not pretty. But to anyone who is intimidating. “The first round was in New Orleans… in a massive planning on auditioning next year for American Idol... if you want to coliseum with about 7,500 people. I was devastated at first, not get far, cry a lot, and scream, and every time you see the camera, stick expecting so many people to be auditioning.” Little did she know, out your face in it. They will eat it up. Don’t take anything too serious of the 127,000 people who auditioned, she would make it into the top there in Hollywood land and you’ll do all right.” 100. As for her plans for her future, she and her boyfriend Ryan, a Though her time on the Idol stage was surreal, Stevie admitted drummer, aim to record albums and go on tour. “It’s always been my that the experience was a tough one, filled with stress and drama from dream to go on the road playing music for people in all kinds of rude crew members to ratings-crazed producers to nerve-wracking different places,” Stevie says. She will use her voice, guitar, and violin performances. She made it through the first round and moved on to to keep chasing her dream of music. Sports Page 6 Cook Continued from page 4 X the Txt factors of his move to Richland stemmed by Caroline Lanford from the offer itself, of the position of Deuce McAllister and Allstate Insurance brought their “X head coach. Coach Cook said, “While it’s the TXT” program to Ridgeland March 24. McAllister, former hard to leave such a wonderful school running back for the New Orleans Saints, spoke to the school on behind, when opportunity knocks, you the dangers of texting and have to answer.” driving, and students pledged When asked who he would miss to quit the habit by “signing” working at Ridgeland High School, their thumb prints in blue. Coach Cook replied that he would really Car accidents are the number miss the bond he has with all the other one killer of teens, and the “X coaches, and the opportunity presented to the TXT” initiative is hoping him by Mr. Boozer and Coach Burton to to keep teen drivers fo- work with such an amazing team. The cused on the road and to amazing team and the players on it that Coach Cook has spent time building cut down on deaths. Students pledge to stop relationships with are the hardest part of Cody Dryden poses with Deuce McAllister texting while driving leaving Ridgeland, to him. When I asked Coach Cook if he had BASEBALL anything else he wanted me to include in this story, he thought for a few seconds then said, “This school and community have been so by Katie Hammond good to myself and my family on a personal level that we’ll always Another great year of played on March 4 and managed be grateful.” And I believe that no matter where Coach Cook Titan Baseball was started on to win with a score of 5-3 and coaches next, on the field or in the classroom, he’ll always be a Friday February 25 when RHS the next day destroyed Pearl Titan at heart. played North West Rankin. Even River Central with a score of though they 10-0. And when tried hard to we already Powerlifting beat them, the thought our guys by Caroline Lanford Cougars came were awesome out on top. It they came out The Lady Titan powerlifting team is competing at the Class was much of with a big win III State Champi- the same story again. On March 8 onship April 16. when the Titans they beat Yazoo Patrece Lloyd, lost to Oxford City with a score Lauren Pranklin, on Feb. 26 and of 12-0. The Courtnie Mack, to Madison Titans came out Quinequa Hughes, Central on with another win AJ Sanders, Haley March 1. But over Yazoo City Jackson, Cierra when the Senior pitcher and short stop on March 11. At Bernard, Rebekah Titans got to Nick Johnson was selected as the Oxford tourna- Plowden, and Gulfport they one of the Clarion-Ledger’s ment on March Darria Harrington Robbie Harr competes at Ridgeland couldn't be Dandy Dozen. 15-16 they man- qualified for State. beat. They aged to go 1-3. FYI Page 7 Spirit of the Titan Little Shop of Horrors by Kristine Bishop by Jessica King and Isaac De La Cruz The Spirit of the Titan as far as it went in this year’s Award represents true Titan spirit season. The 2011 spring musical “Little Shop of Horrors” is about and pride. It was given to the one The award was an orphan boy named Seymour, played by Tre Smith, who is in love student who shows the most presented to Vincent on the with Audrey. Played by Erin Simmons, Audrey is everything a guy Titan spirit, support, and honor first night of Beauty and Beau would want in a girl: good-looking, blonde, and brainless. Audrey’s for the school. The student who during the Who’s Who boyfriend is a dentist, played by Triston Sanders. He makes Audrey received this year’s Titan Spirit presentation where his smile call him “Doctor” and is somewhat abusive towards her. He likes to Award was none other than said it all and proved why he dress like a wanna-be biker. Vincent Sanders. deserved this award: the Titan Audrey and Seymour work for Mr. Vincent is one of the spirit has absolutely blossomed Mushnik, played by Anthony Neron. He favored students here at RHS in him and has and will spread has an Italian- Boston accent and because of his always friendly to everyone he passes by. owns a flower shop. Seymour is attitude and constant spirit. RHS is lucky to have tending to a plant he found from an Vincent makes a big impression several students with great asteroid and names it Audrey II, on RHS which includes his attitudes and honorable played by Montez Thomas. position on the nearly undefeated character. Vincent is a true Seymour plans to cultivate it and Titan football team. His support symbol of this fact. He proves impress Audrey, but the plant is really and love for the game definitely daily, “It’s a great day to be a ugly. Furthermore, it will contributed to bringing the team Titan.” not grow, no matter what Seymour gives it. One day, after Seymour Strange but True: pricked his finger on a thorn from Audrey II, the plant began to talk. The plant claims that it will grow in exchange for blood, but it has to be human blood. The horror ensues when Seymour tries to figure out how he is going to keep feeding Audrey II human blood. Random Facts The show will be April 7-9 at 6:30 p.m. in the RHS auditorium. Cast-member Lauren Johnson said, “The show may be by Jessica King a bit frightening for younger audiences, but overall it will be 1. Gasoline was once sold in small bottles as a cure for lice. hilarious and fun. So, bring yo kids, bring yo wives, and bring yo 2. Braces go all the way back to ancient Egypt; archeologists have husbands ‘cause it’s gonna be a great show!” found several mummies with crude metal bands wrapped around their teeth. 7. Andrew Jackson was the only US President to have the national 3. The bubbles in a glass of champagne are actually caused by the debt paid in full. dust or dirt in the glass. 8. Washington state’s Mt. Rainier is the tallest volcano in the 4. Divorce is illegal in the Philippines. contiguous United States, measuring nearly 14,500 feet in height. It 5. It takes 17 “hits” to sink an opponent’s entire fleet in a game of last erupted in 1854. Battleship. 9. Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas used to work for Kentucky Fried 6. While working on Pac Man, video game designer Tohru Chicken. Iwantani was allegedly inspired by the shape of a pizza with one 10. Only about one-fifth of the world’s largest desert, the Sahara, is slice removed. covered with sand; the remainder is made up of rock formations.