Archery

By: Jared Epperson

This Friday March 5, 2010 the SWHS Archery Team will be going to regional's. From the looks of things the team will be expecting a good score. Judging from last week the team will need to score at least a 3100 to get a good enough position to go on to state. The team’s captain, Preston Brainard, and co-captain, Vivian Pleasant are keeping the team pumped but they can’t do it alone we can use all the support we can get.

The team shot a competition at Shopville Elementary just three weeks ago and came second to PCHS but we plan to destroy them at regional's. This has been a hard year for the team. They have had much less practice that coach Noel Epperson and assistant coach Chris McDonald would have liked due to snow. Nevertheless the team is confident.

Archery teams across the state are watching out for Trigg County High School but they may be mistaken. This year the SWHS Warriors plan to go beyond state and on to world in Orlando, Florida. The team has practiced hard and has had little free time especially this week of the competition. But the team does not complain. The entire team shoots because they agree that archery is the best of the school sports and they enjoy putting their time into it.

On My Own

Anonymus

I am 18 years old and I am on my own. I am on my own in a different way than most 18 year olds. I am not leaving for college like some will. I am leaving to join the armed forces after graduation. The situation that put me in this place happened when I was 15.

I I have experienced things that most people couldn't imagine and I have seen things that people should never see. I grew up fast. I hated every minute of my life and I hated waking up in the morning. I hated people who seemed to have everything handed to them. I hated my family, my friends. I didn't want anything or anyone in my life. I did not care.

My definition for hungry is different from others.

I hit a point in my life where I was kicked out of school and I had to move to a different state to live with my grandmother. I really believed that I would never have a chance to change myself. I had no hope. I had been let down time and time and time again. I have never felt more alone.

The details for the change in me are too personal for anyone to read but one night I thought I was going to take my last breath. I stopped, looked around me, and I cried and I couldn't stop. I fell on the ground with my face in the dirt.

The smell of the dirt smelled so good to me. I felt the grass on my skin and I looked at all the beautiful things. I really saw life for the first time and for some reason my life changed in that moment.

I knew in that moment that my life would change. I knew that I would make my life change and that I had a chance for a great life.

I am not proud of my past and I have worked hard to rebuild my life. I realized that I am the only one responsible for my life. My work, my effort, my enthusiasm, my right choices all will help me make a better future than what others thought I would be.

I am proud of who I am. I love my family and friends and I don't take a single day for granted. This may not make sense to many but you really wouldn't understand until you walk in my shoes.

I am glad that I learned the truth about life because life is good. So when you're having a bad day, just smile and move through the day, it is that simple.

What I See

Jacob Mayfield

Addiction can come in many forms. Some people are addicted to drugs, games, and food etc...Addiction is not a fun process as it usually takes many months’ sometimes even years to break. As a close personal friend to someone who has an addiction, I see how this process works. It usually starts as just a phase and then basically turns into a habit over time.

My close personal friend has an addiction to cigarettes and food. I see how this addiction has somewhat controlled his life. It’s almost as if his life has somewhat spiraled out of control. I see how dependent he has become on these products and I must say it’s sort of sad.

I am personally happy that I have not encountered any addictions in my life. Hopefully, I will never have to encounter any severe addictions. To me personally, I see an addiction as nothing you need but something you want. It’s all in the persons mind as they could truly stop anytime they wanted to. It just depends on how bad they want to stop.

Breaking an addiction is usually a long painstaking process. This usually takes months and sometimes even years to overcome. Certain addictions require resources for help. These come in the form of rehab, many people have overcome their addictions because to this treatment.

Addiction is no laughing matter as problems do get out of hand. It is best to never start anything that could possibly turn into a habit.

Personally...

Anonymous

Drugs can rip people's lives and their families apart. I have done a lot of things that I shouldn't have but I have never developed a problem. Some, like my brother, gave into the addiction a lot easier.

His problems have caused so much grief for myself and my parents. I just can't believe a little pill or powder can hurt a family so much. I can't tell you how many times my family have almost lost everything because of his choices.

I have always looked up to my brother and it hurts that I can't trust him. It hurts to love someone that is addicted to drugs. I can't tell you how many times he has been to rehab. Every time we think he is going to get better and then he doesn't. He still kept using and taking advantage of my family and all his friends.

I have watched my parents give up their lives to try and save him. I have given up a lot of my life to try to help. Because of his behavior, I don't have any patience with people who make excuses. Because of his actions, I have lost personal items like cars and money.

He did not care. He did not care about his parents. He did not care about me. All he wanted to do was get high one more time. He has lost so many opportunities. He has lost our trust.

He is trying again. We are helping and hoping again. I hope he gets better.

It is going to take awhile to regain my trust. Because I love my brother, I will try.

Warrior Archers

By: Jared Epperson

“I Love Archery!” a simple sentence that describes the feelings and dedication that each member of the Southwestern Warriors archery team has. As an archer of the Southwestern Warriors I can tell you that each member of the team truly loves archery. I truly believe that archers are the most dedicated athletes of modern day high schools. A former shooter, Adrian Tapp, showed the dedication by shouting, “I Love Archery!” before anyone fired their bow. This tradition has been passed down to her younger sister, Morgan Tapp, and now everyone joins in.

Sure each archer joins the team and falls in love with the sport but they also have a personal reason for their dedication that keeps them in their long hours of practice. My reason is my cousin, Ethan Epperson. Last year we lost four of our best archers who have made themselves legends among the team. My cousin was one of these four great archers and I strive to live up to him in this great sport. But each member has their own reason and whatever that reason is it truly is all that keeps them going at times.

A Walk in the Park?

To many people archery is a simple and laid back sport. Clearly these people have never been on a dedicated archery team such as ours. Archery is most likely the most challenging sport in high schools. True is does not seem more physically punishing than football or basketball but you would be surprised. Archery is both physically and mentally challenging.

Every Tuesday our team arrives at Oak Hill Gym at 5:00pm and does not leave until 7:00pm and Fridays at 5:30pm to 7:30pm. True this does not seem too bad but for a dedicated archer they are always at practice.

A Day of Practice

We often get to practice about ten minutes early and loosen up. When I say loosen up I do not mean physically loosen up our muscles, remember I said archery was both physically and mentally challenging. We have fun and just play around and get everyone in the mood. I mean we all just came from school; we’re tired and probably not in the best mood and most of us probably have not eaten anything yet.

So our just hang around until our coach, Noel Epperson, arrives and unlocks the trailer with our equipment in it and the door to the gym. Then is when our physical practice starts.

Set Up!

As soon as the trailer is unlocked every team member has a job. Our captain, Preston Brainard, jumps up in the trailer and hands our gear. The rest of us takes the equipment into the gym and for the time being just lays everything on the floor. Archery takes a lot of equipment such as:

2 Bow Cases

o 20 Bows

20 Targets

2 Nets

Arrows

Repair Kit

2 Bow Stands

10 Arrow Stands

Then when all the equipment is in the gym the real work begins. All equipment must be exactly as it is suppose to be or everything will be a total mess. You must have the nets, which weigh about 50lbs. each, hung up correctly or arrows that miss the target will glance off the wall both damaging the wall and putting the shooters in danger. The targets must be positioned perfectly; it would be very difficult shooting a target two feet to the right of where it should be without shooting the person sharing your target and arrow stand. The arrow stands must be positioned correctly or the same problem as the targets will occur. Lastly the arrow stands must have five arrows of one fletching color and five of another or it will be difficult to tell who shot which arrow.

True Dedication

For a truly dedicated archer practice does not stop when we leave the gym. When at home we must keep our skills sharp practicing our shooting and our technique. We also must keep ourselves physically fit.

Will You?

I am dedicated to archery. If you join the team and then decide you do not love archery then this is not the team for you. We enjoy new archers and will gladly teach. Even if you have never shot a bow in your life you can become a good archer.

Why Cell phones bring more heat than Knives!

By: Christian Childers

Don’t you hate it. You just lost your phone. However, the kid sitting by you has a pocket knife out showing it around and bragging. You’re steaming mad about your cell phone. It really doesn't seem fair.

The reason cell phones cause more trouble is first off they always interrupt class, make loud noises, draw attention and it’s too easy to get caught when using it. When Johnny says "hey guys, I got a new phone. It’s so cool!" All eyes are one Johnny.

When everyone started getting cell phones you weren’t allowed to have one in your pocket during school hours. I remember one time in seventh grade I had my phone in my pocket and the teacher asked, "Is that a phone?" When I said yes, she took it away. I wasn’t even causing trouble or goofing off with it. Now you can have cell phones you just can’t have them out in school or you’re busted. At one time you could get by with it out in class. However, teachers have caught on and they know every cell phone technique in the world. Just admit it, your cell phone gets you in trouble.

On the other hand, pocket knives are considered a weapon because you can seriously hurt someone. Students bring pocket knives all the time to school for collection, wielding, cutting, and maybe as a weapon. We live in an area where certain items in a young mans pockets includes a pocket knife. Our culture is rural and still considered a farming community. The pocket knife is a tool in that community. But, my cousin was in school one time and they were sewing. To be funny, one kid stabbed him on purpose.

In my opinion, knives are more of a problem compared to a cell phone. The reason most teachers don’t notice a pocket knife is because not every kid brings a knife to school and not everyone shows it off like a cell phone. I’ve brought a pocket knife to school and I took it out looked at it and polished it. The reason nobody cared was because it’s just a pocket knife and no one every thinks it could be a weapon. It doesn’t draw attention like a cell phone does. Most students with pocket knives are smart enough to know not to get it out and show it around, nothing is fascinating about a pocket knife. A pocket knife is a thing of the past like my dad told me when he was a kid all they did was collect baseball cards, cracker jacks, and pocket knives. Teachers don’t get interrupted by a pocket knife unless somebody tries to hurt someone with it then they assume it’s a weapon. That’s about the only time it’s a weapon and like I said no one cares about a pocket knife, we live in a technology world where that’s all that matters.

I have to go with cell phones causing more trouble than a pocket knife they bring distractions unlike a knife because most students have cell phones out more than a pocket knife. The deal is teachers are looking to teach without any distractions and they look for cell phones. That’s the deal why cell phones bring more heat.

What the H(ollister)?!

When you think of Hollister, you think of what? Toothpick girls and big buff guys, or stupid blondes who think they’re all cool because they wear a “popular” brand of clothing? I’ll leave that to your interpretation. But, if you ask me, I choose all the above. I will admit though, some of their clothes are not that bad. But listen, I’m no size -3 or 0. I’m a pretty big girl, and when I go into Hollister I’ll look at the clothes and I’ll be having fun shopping, but then I’ll notice they don’t carry a size bigger than a large. Now, you’re probably thinking that a large is just fine. But, their larges are about the size of their mediums, and their mediums are the size of most smalls. It’s ridiculous.

In the U.S. today girls and guys of all ages are resorting to Bulimia, Anorexia, and other eating disorders to help them lose weight so they can “fit in” and buy their clothing so they can feel popular or feel like they are accepted. It’s disgusting how true that really is. But society today is just a messed up system that pretty much only thinks about looks, and how they want to be a certain image. It’s amazing to see how low or what a person would do just to fit in and be “popular”. These days there are sixteen year olds having plastic surgery because they want to look like a Hollister model. SIXTEEN year olds. It’s stupid.

Now, I have another question; why do you want to buy a shirt that’s like $50 when you can to say, Wal*Mart or Kmart, or just a local thrift store and get a shirt for $10-20? All you’re doing is buying the label. All their clothes look exactly the same too. They use all the same colors in all of their clothes. When you walk in the Hollister stores, what do you see? Browns, Pinks, Blues, and maybe even some yellow. All the images on every shirt is the exact same. Why would you want to buy 7 of the same design? Oh yeah, because it’s Hollister! You’re wasting your guy’s money!

So, next time you go into Hollister please re-think what you’re doing. SAVE YOUR MONEY! Buy something you can actually use for a longer period of time, and that’s necessary for your life. The world would be a much better place if image wasn’t just everything. So, in my opinion Hollister is just a disgrace towards teens and well, the world. All they do is make people who can’t fit into their clothes feel even worse about themselves. Maybe if they expanded their sizes it would be so much better? But, then again you have to think they’ll just make them cost more than the teeny tiny clothing pieces.

So as my conclusion, save your money and stop trying to be “popular”. Be yourself, try a new store. Dress the way YOU want to dress and stop trying to be like everybody else.

HOLLISTER NATION

Alexis Wilson

The old phrase remains true; money doesn’t always mean you have taste. The curse of “prephood” comes with it a proverbial Code of Hammurabi. You think a certain way, act a certain way, and DRESS a certain way to be included into the cult of popularity. You obey the law or you are excommunicated. Carbon Copies are belched up from the Earth daily; their scarlet letter is the word HOLLISTER burned across their chests. I despise Hollister, and its co-conspirators Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostle, American Eagle, and The North Face. Hey, Preps! We get it. You have money… now get a real life!!!

I am well off financially so it’s not that I’m bitter that I can’t afford it, because I can assure you that I can… and then some. I just have a bit more dignity than others of the same social class. I wear things that no one else has; I am the exception to all the rules, the missing link, someone with an ACTUAL sense of style. I’m not some mindless drone that can simply color coordinate an outfit; I can create a fashion master piece. In my opinion dressing alike is a sign of weakness and insecurity. Hollister is like armor for those that cannot protect themselves from the harsh judgment of others. I pity the Hollister donning slaves I witness every day. They are so feeble and pathetic, doing anything to be in with the in crowd.

Perhaps the saddest part of all is that Hollister is U-G-L-Y!!! Everything proclaims that it hails from Hollister, CA and has a bird flying around like an idiot. Let me ask the question everyone with a soul is wondering… What in the Heck is the aesthetic appeal? Overpriced, ugly, unimaginative manure! It’s like people are trying to buy popularity; how depressing is that? Poor brainwashed youth! Going into Hollister is like walking into a Skull and Bones Society ritual. The lights are dimmed down low (covering up how absolutely heinous the merchandize is), music is blaring, and perfume fills the air. Oh, and on that note, one thing people use as an excuse as to why they wear it, it’s because the store “smells good”. It’s like the wafting sweet smell of the gingerbread house in Hansel & Gretel; it’s going to screw you over in the end.

Hollister is like a religion, I wouldn’t drink any Kool-Aid there if I was offered. I don’t trust them, I don’t trust them at all. I don’t want to get sucked into the Third Reich of clothing: all hail the fuehrer, all hail Hollister! Hollister is like bondage and I personally would never volunteer myself into slavery, but then again I have a mind of my own. This isn’t North Korea; there is no reason to duplicate everyone else’s quote unquote “sense of style.” There isn’t a gun to your head people! There isn’t a tiny, annoying, psychopathic, Asian dictator forcing you to dress that way. This is America, not Hollister Nation!!!

Mr. Flynn

The New Assistant Principal !

By: R.D. Begley

Q: Where did you go to high school at? What college did you go to?

A: I went to East Rowan High and I went to Catawba for college in Salisbury, N.C.

Q: Did you ever play any sports?

A: I played basketball for 10 years.

Q: Do you think times have changed with students in school?

A: I think it’s about the same.

Q: Tell us a little about you.

A: I’m from Kentucky. I have been married for 8 years now. My wife teaches at PC, and I have two kids Jackson and Jessalyn, they are twins. I have taught health at PC, and I coached the basketball team there. Also, I had Mr. Wilson (the assistant principal here at Southwestern) as a teacher. He is the one who inspired me to be in school administration.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I like to do yard work, and play golf.

Q: so what do you think of Southwestern so far?

A: it’s a privilege to be at Southwestern. I started Monday, and I enjoy getting to know all the students and teachers so far. Everyone here takes a lot of pride in Southwestern, and it is great academically.

Q: What do you think every kid here at Southwestern should have?
A: Everyone should have a goal in life. Mine was to work in school administration, and I’m here today.

Q: Do you plan on ever being principal or moving to a higher position in school administration?

A: I plan on just being a warrior as long as I can be!

College Fair: What’s Their REAL Mission…?

By: Shelby Wilson

Misty Whitaker

“Everyone knows what college fair is about. You walk into a room filled with booths from every college you can think of. You race around like a chicken with your head cut off, trying to visit every one that interests you in less than an hour. They give you packets and applications, and then you go on your merry way to eat. But what would you say if I told you this was just a cover up?”

“How is this a freaking cover up?!”

“Well think about it. Everyone is supposed to teach you about the college they represent. Am I right?”

“Uhhhh… yeah, but one chick talked about vampires most the time hehe.”

“Exactly! And the chick I talked to was talking about how much fun she had on a trip she took. And what about that one girl with the crazy, awesome hair that was talking to you?”

“The one that looked like an old version of Paramore? Vampires…”

“And the musician?”

“Amanda Lucas… She was cool and I liked the college she talked about and how the dorms you don’t have to have roommates. But also she gave me a card of her myspace music.”

“But you don’t see how it’s a cover up? All of these people are supposed to be telling you about their colleges. You only have fifty-five minutes to get through everyone. Between waiting in lines, and waiting your turn once you get to the booth you want, that time is cut in half. But instead of helping you learn, they talk about vampires and music.”

“But I asked about vampires and music. Because its things I like. Music is what I wanna go into and then the one was talking about vampires because people that went to their school worked on the Twilight movie.”

“Okay, but did she stop at that, or did she continue to talk about assorted vampire-ish-ness?”

“She continued with the vampires.”

“And did those vampires have anything whatsoever to do with her college?”

“Nope, only twilight did.”

“Then everything else was just a bunch of brouhaha. If that’s how the day went, it’s obvious that they had other goals besides helping you plan your future. Your success was the last thing on their minds.”

“Probably seeing as they had to sit there on their butts that whole time talking about the place they work at over and over again. If I were them I would be giving out things that would make them not wanna go to the school, less work for me. I’m pretty sure adults wanna spend less time with teenagers like us if they could possible. ITS ALL A SCHEME!!”

“Precisely! Now that we’re in agreement, we can tell the world what college fairs are REALLY about! Plotting our DEMISE!”

Mr. Richardson

Interview by : R.D. Begley

I had the grand privilege of talking to the new chief of the Tribe at Southwestern High. Many of the students and the faculty members have not yet got a chance to speak with him. From what I have heard I believe he will be a very fine addition to the Southwestern family. Here are some questions that I got to ask our new leader and here is how he responded. I’m sure you will be just as pleased with our new principal as I believe we will be.

Q: What is your background experience?

A: Substitute teaching at Pulaski County while going to college to get a degree. I coached football at Southern and Northern Middle School; I also coached at both High Schools. The first year Southwestern opened.) I taught science to 5^th graders at Shopville for 6 years, and then taught World Civilization to middle schooler's for 1 year. I was 1 year assistant principal at Bell School located in Wayne County. Then I transferred to Eubank principal for 8 years.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Deer and turkey hunting, outdoor activities when I get the chance.

Q: How old are you? How long have you taught, and been a principal?

A: 40, and for 16 years including this year.

Q: What was your senior prank?

A: We didn’t really have one. However, we did pick up a small car from the parking lot and moved it in front of the gate, that way no one could leave until the owner found his car and moved it.

Q: How do you plan on meeting the students?

A: I will be out in the halls and will talk to them there. Also, I plan on trying to have an assembly to introduce myself. I will also try to have a student advisor counsel. That way I can see how the students feel about matters in the school.

Q: what are your views on senior prank, assemblies, and other student activities?

A: there is a line between fun and safety and a small prank and vandalism. Don’t cross the line and we will be okay.

Q: What about a place for seniors to eat?

A: Mr. Wilson and I have been talking and what we will try to do is to pick a spot in the back of the lunchroom and make a senior corner. We could put some round tables in there and let seniors decorate it.

Q: When did you actually become our principal? Was your first day our first day or did you have prior experience here?

A: I started working here along side Mr. Randolf until June 20, then I officially became principal. We hired 7 new faculty members. Then one week before school we met the new faculty members.

Q: How will parking be next year?

A: There will be more parking in the new lot.

Q: Are you a family man?

A: Yes. I love my family, my church, and my work. I have 3 children. My daughter Taylor, she is a junior here. My two boys, John Blake and Kaden. John Blake goes to Shopville Elementary. Kaden hasn’t started school yet. My wife’s name is Kelley. She is excited about being a warrior here. She works in the business office at the hospital here.

Q: What do you think about the freshman center?

A: We are looking at various types of freshman centers. They all work differently. We may not even make it a freshman center. We just want what is best for Southwestern. We also want to get some students together as an advisor counsel and get their views on it.

Q: Is there anything you would like to say to the students now?

A: Seniors, you don’t have much time left. Make the best of it and enjoy it. Freshman, you have clean slates now, you have a huge effect on your later years, so try hard but also enjoy your time here. The same for 10^th and 11^th graders.