The Cardinal: OHS' Newspaper

Need something to do After School?

Talk to Watson

by Gabrielle Dingle

 

 

An organization which was designed to create a stable and safe environment for students to center their energy at the close of the school day is the definition of Osborne High School’s After-School Program (ASP) run by Terry Watson.

Terry Watson ,a Cobb County School District Sanctioned Social Worker, is a well-known face around campus. Watson’s duty as a Social Worker is to create activities for students that will keep them off of the streets and out of trouble.

Consequently, in 2006 when he acquired an opportunity to create a curriculum for these “delinquent” students, Watson “jumped at it.” He decided to create this program based on research done by social scientists on the effects of students who take part in after school programs. According to Watson, the scientists, who have conducted this study, have come to the realization that these students are “less likely to drop out of school, get pregnant, use drugs and/or alcohol, or get into trouble with the police.” In order to get the program rolling, Watson wrote a 60 page request to the state of Georgia asking for funding for the program. The request was approved and the program has received over ½ million dollars from the Department of Human Resources for its daily functioning.

After the request was approved, Watson immediately began work on getting the program under way. Most believe that the program began with the ASP however, it started with a five-week summer program in 2006; the ASP  was kicked off shortly after. The ASP  offers nine different activities for students to choose from. The activities are African dance and drumming, hip-hop dancing, photography, banking and finances, drama, modeling, tutoring, step dance, Skills USA, cooking, anime and latin dancing.

The Modeling Club is taught by Ms. Valerie Desvignes of Model & Talent Outreach, Inc.; the students in this program learn the fundamentals of the world of fashion modeling. The final project for the students in this group is to host a Fashion Show at the school in April.

The African Dance and Drumming Class is taught by Mr. Sambo Diallo from the Ivory Coast, Africa; the students in this class are learning traditional African drumming and movement as well as the history and purpose of the movements and rhythms they use.

The Teen Driving Institute is taught by a team of instructors from the Safe America Foundation, the class is a six hour class in which the students use computerized driving simulators to prepare them to drive on the road.

The Photography Division is being taught by Ms. Phyllis, who has done photography for many different magazines including, National Geographic.

The last course that is offered, that is not instructed by an OHS teacher, is Hip Hop Dance. This course is educated by Ms. Jerri Benjamin who has danced around the world with different artists such as LL Cool J, Will Smith, Ciara and TLC; she has also performed at the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards and the MTV Music Awards, in addition she has danced in over fifty music awards.

The courses that are taught by OHS instructors are Drama which is taught by Ms. Gray, Break Dance taught by Mr. & Mrs. Nelson, Debate Team taught by Mrs. Thurston and Skills USA which is taught by Ms. Wynn, the Skills USA chapter that is offered at OHS is a part of the national organization that serves high school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service.

There are already over 160 students enrolled in the ASP and membership to the program is free. The program handles over 80 students per week, the programs are offered Mondays-Thursdays. Any prospective students that would like to join the program should go to the cafeteria after school during the week and sign up for any activities that they are interested in, however they should join soon since the program is filling up fast and the instructors may have to close out the enrollment. If there are any prospective students who would like to be a part of the ASP, all they would need to do is go to the cafeteria in the afternoon, between Monday and Thursday.

 

-Volume 1, Issue 2-

Safe driving pays off

Taking driving classes could save you cash!
by Hayley Richardson

        Osborne High School will soon be hosting the Accident Avoidance Workshops on February 19th, 21st and 22nd.  The Osborne PTSA is inviting all students and parents to come be a part of the teen driving program on this coming up Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Accident Avoidance Workshops is a class that will put students into emergency situations and teach them how to handle them the correct way. The students will be in their own vehicles with their parents’ right beside them while being trained.

         It’s much more than just a defensive driving class. Instead of learning how to avoid accidents, students will already be put into accident situations and learn how to escape them. They will cover the topics: Accident Avoidance, Fear, Distracted Driving, Braking, Steering, The Two Most Deadly Accidents, Driving by Instinct, Positioning, and Parking.

         The workshop originally cost the price of $249 per student, but Osborne is being given a special price of just $195. The only requirements to enroll in the program are: to have a permit or license, and must have a basic vehicle.

         You can benefit from this class many ways, but the most beneficial one is that most insurance companies offer discounts for students who graduate from this program, and can also qualify for a tax write-off. To register call: 770-971-0571. Hurry! The program is limited to only 40 students per weekend.

-Volume 1, Issue 2-

 

 

 

Winter Fest Word-Search

  created by Hayley Richardson

Print the above word-search and see if you can find all the words!

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -

OHS Orchestra rises in success

By Jessica Garcia, Noah Saragoza and, Miguel Verduzco

 

Due to an advance in funding, the persistence of an accomplished music teacher and the ambition of many students, the OHS Orchestra has begun to gain in both confidence and skill.

From outside the halls of the music building, you can hear the harmony that the OHS orchestra has worked on profusely being played almost flawlessly. One of the reasons that the orchestra has become more proficient is because they constantly practice special techniques that help them understand the music better and, it helps them become better players. It is because of their being able to understand and correct their mistakes that they realize what it is that they need to do to improve.

As for Dubon himself, he is a professional Cellist who has played with many famed musical groups and in many orchestral concerts for over twenty years. He has a Bachelors degree in music education, a Masters’ degree in conducting and, has taught at many schools in Cobb County, Fulton County and in Albany, Ga. He has directed Orchestra classes for over eleven years, this being his third year at Osborne.

It is said that Dubon has succeeded, not only in teaching the fundamentals, but also teaching advanced techniques to those higher level students. This is now being known to be true because of the latest concerts that have, indeed, reflected positively on those sayings.

“The holiday concert that we just played was very important for the families. As musicians, we play for people and their families so that they can enjoy music.” says Dubon.

The Orchestra’s holiday concerts have helped them to attain a better reputation within the community and the county, but it is Dubon’s future plans that are the most influential to the Orchestra’s overall gain in proficiency, status, and future.

            Their game plan for this semester is to go to festival, which is like their SAT, where they are graded on their overall musical abilities. The students strive to play their best at these concerts because of the fact that they are graded and, their performance alters their status in the county and state. This festival is held at various schools in the Cobb County School District and in some other  neighboring school districts.
            Through the end of February and on into April, they plan to perform a spring concert. The theme for this concert is not going to be one theme, but many themes. Surprisingly, the themes are from many famous movies, totaling in over thirty themes to be played.
            As the orchestra plays the themes, there will be a large projector screen in front of them, which will be displaying scenes from the movie that they are playing. While the audience is listening to the music, and watching the scenes on the screen, there will be meals available for purchase. This plan is sure to raise money for the students to be able to partake in private lessons.
            While the true talent remains unknown to many, the great mind of their director, and the perseverance of the students, their true will soon be able to shine.

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -  

photograph taken by Noah Saragoza

 

A Team on the Rise; OHS Baseball Coach speaks on new season

by Decarus Wright and Quantavis James

 

            Do you think that the OHS baseball team will have a good season? In our interview with Coach Fraker, OHS’s head varsity baseball coach, we found out about the new team and the upcoming season.

            Fraker spoke with us about what his team needed to do to overcome last year’s terrible season. “We had bad plays, bad coaching, and bad luck” said Fraker. The loss of 15 straight games still lingers in the air this new season. The Cardinals hop to turn around last year’s dismal 1-25 season. Their only win was a 7-5 victory over South Cobb High School. When asked what he thought his team needed to do this season to win more games Fraker talked about playing more competitively and working hard to execute on more plays.

            This season Fraker has new players that he feels will help the team get where they need to be. Jeremi Johnson a transfer student from Alabama and a pitcher/outfielder, along with Theo Thomas, who will probably a starting pitcher, According to Fraker, and two other players who will bring a new light and hope to the team.

            Fraker plans to go th the State Playoffs this year and that it is his the main goal as OHS's head baseball coach. He stated, "Once your in your in. There’s no telling how far you go. Before the interview I also got reactions from players about last season." An OHS sophomore pitcher named Blake added to this by stating that, “last year was a sad season. We really had bad games. We only won one game all last year. This season I hope to do better and bring a more competitive swagger to the team.”

            When Fraker was asked about having leadership from seniors he said that the unquestioned leader of the team has been David Huel. He’s step up and token over since the middle of the summer. Leadership is a big thing on the Cardinal baseball team.

            In order for the cardinals to have a good season they have to work hard in the off season. During the summer the baseball team has to condition themselves to get ready for the season. The players have to work on things they trouble with during the season. Practice has begun, games are on the way and tryouts had started February 2^nd. Fraker feels this is the best time to see who has been hiding the talent. Which makes the OHS baseball team is a team on the rise.

 

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -

Future awaits; Students at OHS prepare for GHSGT

 by Ashlee Allen

 

            The time has come for the junior class of 2010 to take the GHSGT, better acknowledged as the Georgia High School Graduation test. Teachers and students are preparing in several ways; diminutive groups are held every Tuesday, refreshers are going to be held at the end of February, and homerooms go over works sheets containing the subjects that will be held on the test, to make it definite that the juniors at Osborne High School (OHS) are more than ready for their positive results in the future.

            GHSGT, which is held in March, consists of the five basic subjects, Reading, Math, English, Science and Social Studies. The small groups that are held every Tuesday are lead by counselors. When asked how well the juniors were dealing with these small groups, Erin Thaler, OHS's AP Coordinator replied, “The juniors of class 2010 are doing well. I believe that an opportunity such as this opens up a door of predominate able future success for the students.” Each selective group of students congregates in a room and takes knowledge tests on the computer. After the answers are scored, the students identify what areas they are both strong and weak in. Contrary to the smaller groups, the administration here at OHS created refreshers for the junior class that will take place in February; these refreshers are an exact class situation where the teachers refresh the minds of students on what they need to know based on student centered criterion. Collectively, the small group and refresher are positive ideas that will facilitate the juniors in passing.

            Georgia Board of Education did not construct this test for fun. They give juniors this test to determine the level each junior in the state of Georgia is at. A 300 is the minimum score a student can make to pass the test and graduate. If an individual does not pass a section, they will be given the opportunity to retake the test as many times as it necessitates to attain a diploma. Lakeshia Clark, a senior of the class of 2009, stated her opinion about the intimidating test when she explained that, “ The graduation test, was not as hard as everyone made it seem. To me, the test was fine because I knew I prepared myself enough to pass."

            The writing test that the junior class of 2010 took was taken in early November. After they received their stimulating scores, the administration at OHS made sure that they recognized the level of success the students reached. By increasing the scores 11% from the test that were taken last year, the juniors felt as though they might have a great chance of increasing the test scores in the future. This good news was motivating as well as nerve breaking for many of the students. Hayley Richardson, an OHS junior, said in response to her nerves, “ I hope that I pass because I have a success plan for my senior year. In order for me to do well, I know that I am going to have to play close deliberation at the refreshers.”

            All together, the motivation, programs and hope will prepare the juniors minds to succeed in the test. Waiting patiently, the students of OHS's minds are currently pending and waiting for the what could determine the fate of their future.

 

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -

photograph taken by Ashlee Allen

Welcome to our "Cool School"

by Kara Bowman and Gabby Dingle

 

            On Friday, January 9, 2009 Osborne High School students gathered in the school’s gymnasium to celebrate their growing achievements and selection to be CBS46 News’ first Cool School of the year of 2009.

             One month ahead of time Steven Miletto, OHS’s principle contacted Terry Watson and suggested that he contact CBS46 in order to get OHS on the Cool Schools' list. Despite the fact that he overlooked the suggestion to nominate OHS when his wife brought it up, in the beginning of the school year, Watson jumped at the prospect of needed, good and deserved publicity for OHS. With the agreement of the major higher sources such as Miletto and Watson, the plan was put into motion.

                The task of getting OHS on the Cool Schools' list was somewhat easy. With all of OHS's clubs and activities we were a greate candidate to be CBS46 News' Cool School. To nominate a school for this program people of the school's community have to email and tell why their school is "cool." Watson got together several students from some classes to each sit down and tell what activities they are doing at OHS and tell if they think we are a "Cool School." News personality, Mike Brooks, told television veriews that he received the most emails from OHS than any other school.

            Many Teachers, such as Brian Nelson, biology teacher, and Ashley Nelson, 9^th grade lit teacher, and also the break-dance team coaches, Carlos Barrera, AP Language and American literature teacher, the officers from the ROTC division and the school counselors volunteered to help out on that early Friday morning. Most band, chorus, drama, cheerleaders and orchestra students ended up staying the night at the school the night before to be up and ready for the cameras at an early five o’clock in the morning.

            OHS students filled the gym that early Friday morning to show how amazing their school actually is. The band, chorus, cheerleaders, orchestra, modeling club, break dance team, drama club, basketball team, football team, ROTC, project 2400 and the AP classes all showed what their club does and how its important to OHS. They all were able to show their school spirit and show how they make OHS a Cool School.

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- Volume 1, Issue 2 -
photograph taken by Gabby Dingle

Barack Obama makes History

YES, WE CAN!

by Karen Rendon and Ashlee Allen

 

A day filled with ceremonies, parades, speeches and new beginnings; Obama's Inauguration was truly historic. A formal induction into office is what this day is all about. The day begins bright and early with a church ceremony, ending late at night with several inaugural balls.

The road to becoming President started in 2007 with Barack Obama announcing his candidacy for President of the United States. Obama, after defeating Hilary Clinton in the primaries, became the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. Subsequently, on November 5, 2008, President-Elect Obama won the presidential election. This brings us to the most anticipated event of 2009, the Inauguration of President Obama.

 

Perhaps one of the most recognized speeches in U.S history, the Gettysburg Address given by President Abraham Lincoln 146 years ago is the assumed basis for the theme of Obama’s Inauguration. The theme of “A New Birth of Freedom,” is also in commemoration of Lincoln’s 200th birthday.  During the Oath of Office, President Obama used the Bible that former president Lincoln used at his first inaugural ceremony. According to an interview with a CNN correspondent, the theme was selected by Sen. Dianne Feinstien, chairwoman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

The Inauguration Day began for the Obamas with a ceremony at church and then shifted to the Capitol. Once at the Capitol, the Invocation, or opening prayer, was given by Reverend Rick Warren. This was followed by the swearing in of Vice President Joe Biden.  After which, the new president recited the Presidential Oath of Office.

Upon delivering his inaugural speech he began with a short simple farewell to Ex-President George W. Bush and followed with a speech evoking his running slogan calling for change.  Quantavis James, a junior at OHS, attended the Presidential Inauguration and had this to say in regards to Obama’s calls for change, “It was cool at first, it was cold you know a lot of people but it kind of got warm because I was all next to somebody all the time. It was cool; it was a change something different. I was excited I shed a little tear, just a little tear.”

With a record breaking three million in attendance and millions watching at home, all eyes were on Obama, the 1^st black President of the United States. By bringing a feeling of unity to the people of the United States of America, many believe that Obama has shattered racial boundaries that once plagued this great nation. With promises of an economic revival, he has inspired a new found drive within the American consumer. “It made me feel really proud that America has overcome all its issues and civil rights, things of that nature. It shows that there is really quality in our nation that somebody like Barack Obama can become President. It gave me faith in a nation such as ours where so much stuff has been going wrong that finally something new has happened,” stated Falen Smith, an African-American senior at OHS, on her feelings towards Obama’s presidency.

Many people have their own takes on our new President and his inaugural promises of change and reform.” Obama is a nice new change to America, but other than that, he still has to prove that he’s a good person besides the fact that he’s black. Other than he is a different race, I don’t see much of a difference” Affirmed Tahreer Kahtib, a Muslim senior at OHS.

Yet, some remind us that change isn’t dependant merely on Obama. “I am ecstatic he won. I think he represents hope and change. He is also the child of immigrants like many of us. Remember he is one man. Real change happens when people like us push him where he needs to go,” Commented OHS Hispanic English teacher Carlos Barrera.

“A New Birth of Freedom” not only reflects the speech given by Lincoln, but it [also] reflects on Obama’s aspirations for our country. For this new time of “real change.” From Obama’s aspirations is to bring home our troops from abroad within the next 16 months to the devastated economy the first 100 days in office may be difficult for Obama to surmount.

Yet, issues like Healthcare will slowly come into focus. Ever since the unprotected death of his mother, Obama has tried to create health care reforms. Now that he is in a position to change things, such as reforming healthcare, the American public can express a sigh of relief as Obama enters office into a “New Birth of Freedom,” and as some might say, such as Berra, a time of “real change.”

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -

Winter Fashion: Are students trying to stay fashionable?

by Shay Jackson and John Mcswain

Winter began in December, and, it's cold outside! In the 2008-2009 winters season 86 students that attend Osborne High School were surveyed and questioned about how they deal with the dichotomy between warm winter wear and their personal fashion. Is winter a minor set back on fashion?  Student’s opinions show how you can be fashionable in any way. Many of their opinions were based upon how you could be both warm and fashionable at the same time in the winter.

Students were asked, is it harder to dress fashionable in the winter or summer? From the opinions based on the students at Osborne 18 out of 23 students feel that it’s harder to dress in the winter then the summer. During the summer time there are less clothing needed which makes your apparel more comfortable, when in the winter time you have to have bundles of clothing just to keep warm and try to look fashionable. Most students often say that dressing fashionable in the winter is not a need; it is a time to get warm while in the summer you can dress both fashionable and still be comfortable.

While you may be tempted to throw a big huge ugly jacket on before walking outside, remember you can look fashionable while staying warm. Also before you start slipping into large, heavy layers, create the right proportions with your winter gear. Accessories such as: Scarves, hats, snow boots, leg warmers and mittens are things students at Osborne suggest you could wear to look fashionable as well as staying warm.

Top Fashion and Aeropostle are clothing stores that sell many different types of winter fashions for both male and females. Top Fashion and Aeropostle seem to be the most fashionable clothing store in the winter time. 21 students were surveyed and asked which store has better winter clothes between Aeropostle and Top Fashion. 19 out of 21 students say that Aeropostle is the better store to shop at. It has plenty of winter fashion clothes such as: stylish thermals and hoodies that are inexpensive which is a great asset to your style in the winter. Top Fashion on the other hand only has thin unattractive jackets that are more expensive and less fashionable.

At times we put aside being warm just to look a certain way which may not be the best decision but we still proceed to do it. Therefore, you should search for many fashionable stores that will help you accomplish the many different styles you’re going for. Although it may not seem like it, but fashion is a big part to our lives no matter what season comes up. Even though we want to be warm we still want to be fashionable. That’s why more students voted that they can be both warm and fashionable at the same time.

- Volume I, Issue 2 -