Word of Mouth Volume 14, Issue 3

Quarter 3

Wrestling at OHA

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: By Ramsey Riddles Art & Design. He is on success or failure. A track to earn an MFA wrestler cannot credit in Painting in May of or blame anyone Cheerleading 3 Coach Wymer has 2021. Mr. Wymer’s except himself/herself. Gold Team 5 coached wrestling for wrestling career It is pure sport … my

Red Team 10 17 years. But, his love includes participating in best against my of wrestling is even the Olympic Trials opponent’s best.” Mr. White Team 14 longer. Coach Wymer process in 2000 and Wymer has a great wrestled for two years 2004. Last year, Mr. number of interests in an NCAA Division 1 Wymer came out of and hobbies. He enjoys program. While ‘wrestling retirement’ ice hockey, volleyball, obtaining his BFA in to compete in the yoga, camping, and Art Education at 2019 US Open kayaking. Future goals Virginia (Masters Division) in include learning to Commonwealth Las Vegas. This exciting paddleboard and play University, he also opportunity has Mr. the violin and guitar. competed with the Wymer looking Want to see some of WOM club team there and forward to competing Mr. Wymer’s paintings? Trivia Contest served as the head again this year. Mr. Be on the lookout for coach while competing. Wymer loves wrestling Sheetz trucks on the The first three current OHA Not only does Mr. because, “The sport highways as Mr. students to correctly respond Wymer coach has given me so much Wymer won a national via email (mhaas@oak- wrestling at OHA and in terms of learning to contest covering the hill.net) will receive 10 teach a full be both resilient and trailers with art. Monster Cookies (Triple Chip, complement of classes, independent. Every Iced Confetti, or he also is attending match and practice was Snickerdoodle) from Ms. Haas. Savannah College of a chance to be Question—When did the something more. The first student newspaper sport appealed to me appear on the OHA website? especially because a (Month and Year required to wrestler takes

win.) ownership of his/her (Continued on page 2) Wrestling cont.

Meet the Team Senior Isaiah King has been wrestling for a year. He is from Mayfield, Kentucky. He wanted to try something new, so he joined the eating pizza. Bridget’s favorite wrestling team. Isaiah wrestling moment was almost wrestles in the 145-weight winning a take down contest class. Isaiah’s favorite with another coach. wrestling moment during the Junior Gideon Wepner season was when he won his Manager Campbell first match by pin. from Newton, North Carolina, wrestles in the 220- Hunroe is a junior from weight class and has been Richmond, Virginia. This is wrestling for about three her second year on ‘The Hill.’ years in total. Gideon enjoys Campbell enjoys shopping eating Spanish food and and country music. Campbell listening to rap music, loves to watch Space Jam and specifically King Von. Grey’s Anatomy.

Josh Ziegler from Bethany Beach, Delaware, is a 6’1 junior who enjoys swimming, fishing, hunting, and going to parties. Josh wrestles in the 152-weight class and likes to participate in the ironman body drill during practice. Josh has been to Australia and likes it very much there. Bridget Hoffman has His favorite class in school is been wrestling for two English, and this is his second years and has attended year at Oak Hill Academy. Oak Hill for four years. Bridget was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. She enjoys listening to rock music, visiting Bentonville, Arkansas, and

Page 2 Page 3 Cheerleading on ‘The Hill’

By Ms. Haas

Coach Bowen has a long student body during standing relationship with games.” Mrs. cheerleading. She cheered for Bowen met her husband at nine years, all through high OHA. Mr. Bowen is the also her fourth year as a school and college. Mrs. Director of Technology. They cheerleader. Wendy also Bowen attended Emory and have two sons and two enjoys playing volleyball and Henry College, where the daughters-in-law. However, riding horses. Her favorite cheer team was coed. While the house is not an empty class is Sculpture with Mr. at Emory and Henry, Mrs. nest as they also have Gus, Wymer. Outside of the Bowen earned two the dog, and Sassy, the cat. classroom, Wendy also likes Bachelor’s degrees – English Mrs. Bowen enjoys gardening drawing and dancing. She is a with a concentration in and making hand crafted fan of the movie Iron Man. Education and Economics jewelry and accessories. She Something not many people with a concentration in has even turned her jewelry know about Wendy is that Business Management. Mrs. passion into a business, she is a twin. Her twin sister Bowen is celebrating 38½ Mupsey’s Baubles. is still in Hangzhou, China, years as part of the Oak Hill their hometown. family. During her tenure on Cindy Hua ‘The Hill,’ Mrs. Bowen has Meet the Team filled many roles. She is hails from currently the Director of Anisa Alvanza is a senior Qingdao, China, Financial Affairs. She coached from Fairview, New York, and has been a cheerleading from 1982 who has been at Oak Hill for student here through 1990 and then two years. She has also for two years. periodically through to the participated in volleyball and Cindy has been a cheerleader present. Coach Bowen basketball. On campus, Anisa for four years. She enjoys shared, “My job at Oak Hill enjoys the Honors World reading books, swimming, and now doesn’t always lend itself Religions class taught by Rev. math class. With its math to frequent personal Turnmire. She is a talented theme, it isn’t hard to see interaction with the students, singer often sharing her voice why Cindy took a liking to and coaching cheer gives me by singing the National the movie Hidden Figures. that opportunity. Not only Anthem at basketball games Although her favorite food is do I get to build a and custom composing music Korean BBQ, Cindy’s true relationship with the and performing music cultural love is traveling cheerleaders, I also get to compilations for Parents’ through Japan. bond with the rest of the Days. Her favorite genre of music is R & B. Senior Wendy Hu has been part of the Oak Hill family for four years. This is

(Continued on page 4) Cheerleading cont.

Sofia Xu is a senior from running, and R & B Shanghai, China, in her fourth music. year at OHA. She has been a Raina Wang ’20 comes cheerleader for three of from Taiyuan, China, and has is in her second year at OHA those years. Sofia can often been at Oak Hill for three and fourth year as a be found behind the camera years. She has been a part of cheerleader. Candace enjoys as she loves taking and editing the cheerleading program her watching the competitive photos. Her favorite foods entire time on campus. cheer team California Allstars are Hot Pot and Sushi. With Raina’s favorite class is Bullets Smoed Elite those tastes, it is no surprise Speech with Mr. Pease. She Cheerleading, division world that Sofia loves to travel to enjoys listening to both Rap champions four years in a Korea and Japan. She is also a and R & B music. When row. Her favorite class is fan of Hip-Hop music. asked about foods, Raina was Beginner Guitar with Mr. quick to share that she loves Conn. This is no surprise as ice cream. Raina would like Candace often shares her others to know that she is talent for singing by performing the National very funny. Anthem at ball games and Sophomore Haley Vestri custom composing and is a first year student from performing music Senior and captain Tobi Austin, Texas. She is compilations for Parents’ Salami is from Media, embracing this year’s theme Days. Candace also likes to Pennsylvania. Throughout her of ‘Opportunity’ to try new try her hand at fashion four year tenure at OHA, she things like cheerleading and design. has been involved in many volleyball. Haley has many activities including singing the musical talents and interests This year’s National Anthem at ball including playing both the team manager is games, custom composing ukulele and piano and singing. Lydia Haimanot, a and performing music She also enjoys senior out of compilations for Parents’ acting and Ethiopia. Lydia has Days, writing for this student playing softball. been part of the newspaper, and even lending When asked OHA family for her keen understanding of about her four years. She has argument to the Debate favorite class at also been a manager for the Team. Tobi also enjoys OHA, Haley White Team and a volleyball cooking – especially lasagna - shared, “Earth player. R & B music and Science. singing are two of her Definitely, Earth Science!” passions. Lydia likes to Haley likes watching Doctor unwind watching some of her favorite TV shows, The 100, Who and Maze Runner. Power, and The Originals. Her Coming from Philadelphia, favorite class is Chemistry. Pennsylvania, Candace Drew

Page 4 Page 5 Gold Team Basketball at OHA By AJ Burrows and connect with so many young Darrick Jones people with a passion for basketball,” stated Coach Smith. He is a 1977 graduate Coach Steve of Asbury University in Champion who majored in Smith has been at Wilmore, Kentucky with a BS sports management at Oak Hill for 37 in Physical Education and Medaille College in Buffalo, years. During Coach Smith’s Biology and earned a Master’s New York. He played first two years, he served as degree in Physical Education basketball in college and the assistant coach for the from Eastern Kentucky scored 1000 points Gold Team. For the past 35 University. He is married to throughout his college career. years, he has been the Head Lisa McBride Smith, and they He also holds records in Coach and Athletic Director. currently reside in Piney assists, steals, and 3- field Coach Smith has a career Creek, North Carolina with goal percentage. Coaching is coaching record of 1151-79. their English springer spaniel, a passion of Coach Meagher’s He has been awarded the Arnie. He is also the father of as he enjoys the chance to Naismith National High two, Stephanie Atkins and change the guys through School Coach of the Year Sean Smith, and the strength training. One of his Award three times and has grandfather of two, Miles and favorite parts of coaching is been the USA Today High Hayes. When not in the gym, simply getting to be part of School Coach of the year Coach Smith enjoys walking the guys’ lives every day. four times. He has guided Arnie and playing golf. His Coach Meagher is a passionate nine teams to the National favorite courses include person with a positive mindset Championships, 1993, 1994, Jefferson Landing in Jefferson, as evidenced during workouts 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, North Carolina, Pebble Beach passionately yelling to 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2016. in California, and Augusta students, “You got this!” In Coach Smith has achieved National in Georgia. addition to working out, eight 40+ win seasons as well Coach Meagher also loves golf as a 65 game win streak from and the course at Jefferson 2000-2002. He has also been Landing. He is married to tapped to serve as a Head Karli Miniclier Meagher, and Coach for High School All they are parents to Mya, age Stars Games 17 times. 3. “Coaching young people allows you to have an influence like no other (Continued on page 6) profession. I value and appreciate the opportunity to Assistant Coach Bryan Meagher is currently in his 17th year at Oak Hill. He is also the Assistant Athletic Director and teaches Boys’ Advanced Fitness. Coach Meagher is a 5-time National Gold Team Basketball cont.

Taylor Conn has been an daughters. When he thinks Assistant Coach for the Oak about retirement, Coach Hill Academy Gold Team for Conn enjoys the ideas of the past 12 owning a car lot or buying Bobcats. In 2009, Coach years. He is a and selling houses. Alexander joined ESPN and two-time Assistant Coach Cory the ACC network as a Color National Alexander has been coaching Commentator. Coach Champion. at Oak Hill for six years. Alexander loves coaching Coach Conn Coach Alexander was an Oak because of the relationships graduated from Hill Warrior and he builds with the players. “I Radford an OHA Honor like hanging out with the University with a Graduate in 1991, guys, building relationships, major in Physical who also was talking trash, and seeing them Education. When asked recognized as a achieve as I have achieved,” about his coaching McDonald's and stated Coach Alexander. He experience at Oak Hill Parade All- is also fond of HGTV and Academy, Coach Conn American as well DIY home improvement stated, “I enjoy being a part as the 1991 Gatorade Virginia projects which prompted his of the greatest high school Player of the Year, and Mr. recollection of an basketball program in the Basketball in Virginia. He architecture project from his senior year of high school. nation. The history of Oak went on to the University of Hill basketball, Coach Smith, Virginia earning a BS in He was given the opportunity and the relationships I have Psychology. At UVA, Coach to design his own home. One developed with the players, is Alexander played basketball of his favorite things to do is unreal.” He first saw OHA on all four years, ranking 8th in to watch his son Cory, Jr. the court when they came to UVA history with 401 assists (age 22) play baseball in his hometown in 1994. The and 24th in all-time scoring California. He is excited for Warriors easily defeated with 1,286 points. In 1995, his son’s prospects to be their college opponents that Coach Alexander was a first drafted into the MLB. evening winning a Warriors’ round draft pick by the San Dion Dacons is a familiar fan for life in Coach Conn. Antonio Spurs. He spent face on ‘The Hill.’ This year, He currently teaches Sports seven seasons in the NBA he joined the OHA staff as an Medicine, Music Lab, String playing for the Spurs, the Assistant Coach for the Gold Band, Beginning Guitar, and , the Orlando Team and the Resident History through Music at Magic, and the Charlotte Manager in Dixon Hall. OHA. He is married to Kayln Coach Dacons is a ‘Warrior Thornburg Conn, and they for Life’ having graduated are proud parents of two from beautiful daughters, Taya, age OHA in 3, and Lyla, age 2. Coach 2003. Conn enjoys reading and During spending time with his his

Page 6 Page 7 Gold Team cont. tenure with the Red and to use my experiences and the court, Gold, Coach Dacons was the what I have learned along the Darrick has 2003 Gold Team MVP as well way to help these guys,” collected as winning the field goal stated Coach Dacons. He and eight slam percentage and rebounding wife Martha Kutteh Dacons, dunk trophies while playing awards. Coach Dacons OHA Learning Specialist, live for Coach Smith. He attended Temple University on campus with their wouldn’t mind being a Los and earned the 2007 Temple daughter, Cameron, age 1, Angeles Laker sharing the University Team MVP honors and Muggsy, their beagle. court with his favorite player as well as being named Big 5 During time off, Coach Lebron James. Off the court, Academic Athlete of the Dacons enjoys spending time Darrick enjoys listening to Year. He earned a BA in with his family, especially little Hip Hop and watching Rush Sociology and Masters of Cameron. He also likes Hour 2. Education in Sports & traveling and watching all Two year veteran, Recreation Administration types of sports. Cam Thomas ’20 is a from Temple University. He much like also earned an MBA in his favorite player Kobe Business Systems, Analytics, Bryant. Although playing and Finance from La Salle the game since the age of University. Coach Dacons two, Cam has many served as the Assistant other interests including Coach at Temple University Ethics with Rev. Turnmire. and UNC-Asheville before He would like to one day returning to OHA. He loves travel to China. While coaching because it provides Meet the Team relaxing, Cam enjoys playing an opportunity to help young Senior Darrick Jones, Jr. is guys with passions similar to a small forward and has been video games. at OHA for three years. On his own. “I value the chance (Continued on page 8) Gold Team cont.

Hailing from the . It is no Little Rock, surprise that Boston is the Arkansas, KK place that he would most like Robinson is a to visit. Off the court, Evan’s senior point hobbies include playing video guard. What games and music production many may not with rap being his ‘go to’ know is that KK used to be a music preference. football player. He enjoys favorite basketball player is Emmanuel Okpomo from home and spending time with Dwight Howard. When he is Jackson, Mississippi, is a six his four brothers. He is not playing basketball or foot nine inch . He always ready for some shrimp studying, you can find Darius started playing basketball at fried rice. During down time, watching his favorite show the age of five. His favorite KK likes sleeping or watching YOU on Netflix or watching player is Joel Embiid while his the TV show, Power. movies such as Scarface. favorite team is the Golden Delaney Heard is a senior Coming State Warriors. left-handed shooting guard from Los On campus, from Canton, Georgia. This is Angeles, Emma enjoys his second year at OHA, and California, speech class with his favorite class is AP Bradley Mr. Pease. He Calculus. He enjoys Rap and Ezewiro ‘20 is a would like to R-n-B music. In his free time, power forward travel to Delaney likes for the Delaware. to watch Warriors. His Senior Jamari Sibley is a movies, favorite class is Anatomy with forward in his first year at especially Mr. Johnson. Outside of OHA. He's been playing Rush Hour 2. school, he enjoys watching basketball for six-plus years. One of his Prison Break and White Chicks. Besides basketball, he has favorite places Bradley's other hobbies also played baseball. During to visit is include playing video games his downtime, he enjoys Universal such as Madden 20. listing to rap music, watching Studios. Evan Johnson his favorite show, Super Senior Darius Maddox ’20 hails from Durham, Natural, shopping, and resides in Washington, D.C. North Carolina. He started spending time with his His favorite class at OHA is playing basketball at the age friends. African American History. He of three. His favorite team is has played basketball since he was four years old. He has also run track and played football. His favorite basketball team is the Timberwolves; although, his

Page 8 Page 9 Gold Team cont.

First-year to music, and watching TV, student, junior especially Rick and Morty. Jalen Ricks is a Three year student and

guard. He is sophomore Landon Fisher is from Sherwood, a team manager. He is from Arkansas, and Midland, Texas. Landon really has been playing loves Algebra 2. When he's basketball for not working in class or for 11 years. the team, Landon is either During his downtime, he likes enjoying his favorite show to listen to hip hop music and called a Man in the High Castle enjoys his favorite movie, Fast or the movie V for Vendetta. and Furious. Jalen loved Landon is unique in that he is traveling to Hawaii with the a dual citizen of the USA and team and hopes to get back Canada. there to vacation. From Jackson, Mississippi, Jalen Reed is a sophomore in his first year on ‘The Hill.’ He loves the game of basketball and has been playing for five years. Jalen is a guard. During his time away from the classroom and the court, he's playing video games, listening Team manager Yuejun “Evan” Deng is a sophomore from Shenzhen, China. He enjoys the game of basketball and was a huge fan of . During his free time, Evan enjoys playing video games, watching Xiao Huan Xi, a TV show, listening to Chinese music, and biking. Red Team Basketball at OHA

By Tobi Salami & Ms. Haas

Coach Hebold is the head coach of the Red Team. Coach Hebold has been at Oak Hill Academy for ten years. He holds a BS in Distributive Education from Western Michigan University and an MS in Exercise Science and PE from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Coach coaching experience at the Geography. When not in the Hebold played basketball at collegiate level here in the gym or his classroom, Coach the University of North United States. Of Oak Hill Hebold is an avid golfer. He Dakota as well as Academy, Coach Hebold enjoys golfing with the professionally in South shared, “It has been a blessing coaches and often sponsors America and Europe. Before to coach at Oak Hill and golfing trips for students. coming to Oak Hill, he work with the great coaches Coach enjoys skiing – coached professionally in we have. We are a family of downhill and cross country international circles. He was coaches, and we help each skiing in winter and the coach of the national other however we can. I love waterskiing in summer. teams for Denmark and the positive atmosphere of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Coach Burns is the growth here. I especially love assistant coach for Red Team Coach Hebold also coached seeing the players grow.” at the highest level of play in and has been at Oak Hill for Coach Hebold also has a full seven years. He holds a BS in Austria (Bundisliga). At that complement of courses to time, he was named the Head Sports Ministry from teach, teaching many sections Campbellsville University, Coach of the Austrian All- of Government and Star team. He also has obtained in 2012. Coach Burns continued his education earning a Master’s degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University in 2016. In addition to coaching, Mr. Burns is also the Assistant Dean of Boys and the Resident Manager for Fields Dorm. His family lives in Hartford, Kentucky. His mom and dad follow every Oak Hill home game by watching the

Page 10 Page 11 Red Team cont. live broadcasts. Coach Burns basketball career in college running, and playing climbed Whitetop Mountain playing for both Emory & basketball. He is a member of to surprise Marilyn Taggert Henry and Asbury University. the Fellowship of Christian with a wedding proposal. The As a 6’2” guard, Coach Athletes as well as an active two plan to wed October 10, Conley met with much member at First Baptist 2020. Coach Burns also success on the court having Church in Galax. Music is enjoys golfing, reading books, many double digit scoring also a passion of Coach and watching movies. He said, games each season. His drive Conley’s as he very much “The best part of coaching is to be his best was also enjoys singing and listening to building relationships with the evident in the classroom as music. players that last long after he was named to the 2018-19 they are done playing for you. River States Conference It is also special when you see Men’s Basketball Scholar Meet the Team a player accomplish goals or Athlete Team, requiring a Susheel Vishwa is a senior play at a high level.” No 3.25 or higher GPA. He from Herndon, Virginia. He is surprise, Coach’s favorite earned a BA in Business in his second year at Oak Hill college basketball team is the Administration from Asbury and as a member of the Red Team. He has played Kentucky Wildcats. University. Although this is his first year of coaching, basketball for ten years as a The newest Red Team shooting guard. Sushi enjoys assistant coach is Coach Coach Conley has a long working out and staying fit Conley. Coach Conley grew history with OHA working at for the season in Boys' up in Virginia, finishing his basketball camps here for Advanced Fitness. Besides high school basketball career many years. Coach Conley is playing basketball, he participates in the games of at Galax City High School excited to be at Oak Hill as his family still resides in chess and football. Sushi is where he was named to the family-oriented and visiting All-State Team twice. He was Galax, Virginia. This summer, Coach Conley will wed Miss his grandparents is what he also a seven-time state loves best. champion in track and field. Lauren Fleming. Coach Coach Conley continued his Conley enjoys an active lifestyle, working out, (Continued on page 12) Red Team cont.

Senior Amar Diouf is a for four years, two skill they exhibit on the second-year student from of which he has court. Anees likes comedies; Indianapolis. He has played spent playing for his favorite of which is The the sport for seven years in the Red Team as a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Nigerian the guard position. Off the small forward. Besides jollof rice is the food he loves court, Amar loves listening to basketball, Michael is also a the most. Getting in shape music, swimming, and member of the baseball and with Coach Meagher in his watching Mind Hunter. During soccer teams. To stay in Advanced Fitness class and the off-season, Amar lends shape, he runs three miles learning new things in College his athletic prowess to the every day. Mike can be found Credit English 12 are aspects school's soccer team. watching the Boston Celtics of school he highly values. Jack Zammit is a senior in play, and he admires the Clement Kimani is a his second year playing on talent and athleticism of junior from Worcester, the team as a guard. Besides . Massachusetts. He has played playing basketball, Jack keeps Toronto basketball for five years, and fit by also participating in native, Thomas this is his second year playing soccer and baseball. When Cunanan-Reid is a at Oak Hill as a shooting school is out, he enjoys senior in his first guard. His favorite returning to his year playing on basketball team is the home country, Malta the Red Team as a Boston Celtics, and and vacationing in guard. Other than watching Russell London, England. His basketball, Westbrook play favorite movie is Like Thomas enjoys soccer, greatly inspires him. -Mike, and YOU on volleyball, and hockey. Eating Aside from basketball, Netflix greatly Asian cuisine and traveling to Clement has a strong amuses him. the Philippines hold some of interest in soccer and Francesco Brusadin of his most cherished memories. football. Latina, Italy, is a senior in his Thomas is experienced in Second-year junior Paul first year at Oak Hill. He has chess, and his favorite TV Molay is a forward from been playing basketball for six show is Stranger Things. Toronto, Canada. He is a fan years, and he is a point guard. Senior Anees Abdul- of his hometown's team, the He spends time watching the Raheem is a point guard from Toronto Raptors, but his Los Angeles Lakers play and Newark, New Jersey, in his favorite player is LeBron admires the skill and second year at OHA. His James. Paul has a variety of personality of the late Kobe most favored basketball hobbies including dancing and Bryant. Fran, as he is fondly players are Russell volleyball. He enjoys spending called by his teammates, is Westbrook and Kyrie Irving, time with friends and heavily involved in watching whom he watching The Blacklist. and playing soccer in his free enjoys Tre Chatman is a junior time. watching from Atlanta, Georgia, in his Michael Hill of Richmond, because of first year at Oak Hill. He has Virginia, has played basketball the great played basketball for 12 years

Page 12 Page 13 Red Team cont. and is a power out with the people he loves. likes to keep his mind forward. Soccer Aston Korth of California working after school by and baseball are is a sophomore in his first reading books and just some of the semester at OHA. He has playing video games. His hobbies he is been playing favorite movie is The involved in off the court. Tre basketball for five Pursuit of Happyness, and loves his hometown because years and is a he loves to watch La of the familiarity and the shooting guard. His Casa de Papel. relationships he has. In his favorite class is Tyler Levine is a free time, he likes to hang African American second-year senior from out with friends and to watch History with Mr. P. Fisher. Herndon, Virginia, and he is a the Netflix original YOU. He loves the Marvel movie, manager for the team. He plays Markus Malleschitz is a Black Panther. He likes baseball and lacrosse. He long-time OHA student and a breakfast food; his favorite of enjoys the sciences and aspires junior from Austria. Markus which is waffles. He also to one day become an plays the position of guard enjoys vacationing in Hawaii. engineer. He passes time by and has been playing Owen Chen is collecting rocks and watching basketball for eight years. a shooting guard anime. Markus's favorite team is the from Taiwan. He A.J. Burrows is also a Trail Blazers, and his favorite is in his second manager for the Red Team. A.J. player is Damien year at OHA. has been at Oak Hill for three Lillard. Markus Owen has been years and is from the Bahamas. especially enjoys playing basketball for seven A.J.'s favorite basketball player Advanced Fitness years with two of those being is Steph Curry, and he loves with Coach Meagher. on the Red Team. His the Golden State Warriors. If Markus also likes favorite team is the Houston he could travel anywhere in the surfing and skiing. He Rockets. Owen enjoys a world, A.J. would go to Miami, loves returning to Austria to variety of food, but fried Florida. He likes many different spend time with family and chicken remains his most kinds of food with pizza being friends. loved. Owen enjoys the work his favorite. A.J. listens to all First-year junior Justin of the Biology class with Mr. types of music. Banks is a center from Illinois. Johnson. Justin Mauney is another of He has played basketball for Eren Ozcan is a Turkish the Red Team's managers. He 14 years. He loves watching freshman in his first year at is a senior from Los Angeles in Derrick Rose play. Off the Oak Hill. He has been playing his second year at Oak Hill. court, Justin dedicates his basketball for eight Justin's sport of choice is track time to playing baseball and years, and he plays which he has participated in for video games as well the position of six years. He likes to watch the as watching his point guard. He play and is favorite show enjoys traveling heavily invested in Giannis SpongeBob around Europe Antetokounmpo. In his free SquarePants. He and trying new time, he spends time with his also enjoys hanging foods, his favorite friends and watches his favorite being risotto. He anime Black Clover. White Team Basketball at OHA

By Lauren Oberman & on helping young student soccer, and Ms. Haas athletes to continue their football but dreams of earning a college enjoys basketball degree and playing basketball the most. When Andy Smith of Point as well. At OHA, he teaches choosing music his go-to is Pleasant, New Jersey, is the Health and PE, Basketball always rap. In his free time, White Team's head coach. It Training, Sports Management, he likes to hang out with his is his 13th year coaching and Girls’ Advanced Fitness. friends or watch Naruto. basketball and his second He lives on campus with his Josh Mosely is in the year coaching at Oak Hill wife Zara, who is from New eleventh grade and has been Academy. While at the Zealand, and their growing at Oak Hill for one year. He University of Hawaii at Hilo, puppy, Kona. Coach Andy is the center. Josh is originally ‘Coach Andy’ was a success enjoys vegan cooking, surfing, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, on the basketball court as and returning to Hawaii each and has been playing well as in the classroom. He year. He also likes art and basketball for about five obtained a Bachelor of Arts playing the guitar. His favorite years. Josh likes hanging out in Sociology. His coaching sport is basketball, and Kevin with childhood friends when career began at Ocean Garnett is his favorite player. not at Oak Hill. County College in New Besides basketball, Jersey where one of his he likes to spend teams was ranked number Meet the Team time in the weight three by the East Coast Watching Russell room and listening Basketball Writers Westbook has inspired Nate to rap music. Association. Afterwards, he Akade ‘20 to pursue Playing for as long as he was the assistant coach at basketball playing in the point can remember, Ben Clark ‘21 Northwest Christian guard position. Nate has been is a shooting guard. Ben is University in Eugene, Oregon. playing for eight years and has fond of basketball player Next, Coach Andy founded been at Oak Hill for one Steph Curry who plays for Hawaii Island Hoops, a non- year. He has played volleyball, the Golden State Warriors. profit organization focused Aside from basketball, he enjoys staying active and watching The Office or South Park. He fancies eating kale salads with strawberries on top.

Page 14 Page 15 White Team cont. Cole Murphy is from the position of center for Independence, Virginia, and Oak Hill. He has been at Oak plays point guard. Cole Hill for two years and is enjoys video heavily invested in his games over basketball class. He listens to When not playing basketball, he most other most genres of music, when can be found drawing and activities. His he isn't watching Criminal watching The Flash. At Oak Hill, favorite Minds. When it comes to he likes his Ancient World basketball traveling, he is quite fond of History class the most. player is Trae Young. When his family trips to Costa Rica. Gideon Wepner is a team listening to music he chooses manager from Newton, North classic rock. At home, he Carolina, and has been at Oak likes to watch the show Hill for one year. Gideon is in Friends. the 11th grade and is also part Shakeim Outten is in the of the OHA wrestling team. 11th grade playing as a small Gideon finds that he has enjoys forward. This is his first year Player Jasper Wang has Mr. Fisher's African American at Oak Hill. He is from Turks been attending Oak Hill History class the most. and Caicos and enjoys music Academy for the last two From Nigeria, Emeka in the Hip Hop and Rap years. He is currently in tenth Nnamani is also a manager. genres. Other than grade and is a shooting guard. This is his first year at Oak Hill, basketball, Shakeim is also Jasper started playing and he is in the eleventh grade. involved in soccer and track basketball in middle school, Emeka has enjoyed basketball and field. Off-court Shakeim and he looks up since he was young and is likes to watch Family Guy and to player Chris motivated by the LA Lakers. play 2k with his friends. Paul. Other than Outside of basketball, he likes Also from Turks and basketball, he likes to play FIFA and watch the Caicos, Jervonio Rigby ’21 to sleep and listen show Power. To Emeka, Afro plays both small to Hip-Hop. Beats is his favorite genre of forward and Jasper said that his music. power forward. favorite class has Alex Palmer, from He has played to be Advanced Fitness Windsor, Colorado, has been basketball for nine where he can work on at Oak Hill for two years and is years. He has also burning off his favorite food, also a manager for the team. played baseball, fried chicken. He is a self-professed ‘tech- soccer, and football. When From Washington D.C., head’ and is most interested in asked what he enjoys in his Elijah Mosby plays the his AP Computer Science class. free time, Rigby said he likes position of small forward and In his free time, he either plays to play drums, eat, and do shooting guard. Although this video games or watches Rick backflips. is Elijah’s first year at OHA, and Morty. While out to eat, he James Siegling, a tenth he has been playing basketball is most likely to order a steak grader, has been playing for seven years. He is with a side of fries. He enjoys basketball for two years. currently an eighth-grader. traveling to the mountains and From Chapel Hill, North He enjoys watching his hiking, doing it all for the Carolina, he currently plays favorite player Kyrie Irving. beautiful views. Word of Mouth Staff

Christen Reeves ...... Editor-in-Chief 2635 Oak Hill Road Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363 AJ Burrows ...... Reporter Phone: 276-579-2619 Darrick Jones...... Reporter www.oak-hill.net

Lauren Oberman ...... Reporter

OAK HILL ACADEMY Ramsey Riddles ...... Reporter Tobi Salami...... Reporter

Ms. Mikki Haas ...... Sponsor Mrs. Lisa Finklea...... Proofreader

Mr. Todd Giszack ...... Principal & Proofreader

Spirit Days