The Cardinal: OHS' Newspaper

New Voices Of OSB

Morning Announcements May Never be the Same
by Mikey Montana

       This year the voices you hear in the morning and afternoon have changed. The broadcast team at OHS has recently underwent changes. We now have a bigger group, consisting of Gezela Ramos, Greg Washington, Mariah Nuckles, Jakayla Brown, and myself, Michael Smith.

Currently, Tyler Martin and Trina McCrary are still on air every morning, but the new voices will be joining them. Seeing that Tyler and Trina are graduating this year, a new permanent team has been announced, myself and Mariah Nuckles. That team takes over next school year.

The new team is very excited about their new jobs. “I’m really excited,” says Jakayla Brown. “I’m pumped to represent my school and inform the students about what’s going on in our school.” Mariah Nuckles said, “My personality is very bold and strong, so I plan on bringing a new flavor to OHS, and making my voice known among others.”

       The team of Tyler and “Trina Trina” are also very excited and supportive of the new voices of OSB. “I am very happy for our new team, really because I was able to personally handpick most of the new members myself,” said Trina. Tyler Martin was unavailable for comments. Ms. Yoeman, who is over all of OSB said, “This new team should bring a new feeling of joy to the mornings and afternoons.

       People are expecting the new team to bring accurate news every morning. OHS students do not want to receive  false information, so it’s the broadcasters’ responsibility to make sure any errors are corrected before air. They do, however, ask that all teachers and staff that want announcements read to make sure that announcements are accurate, as most of the time, the person reading the announcement wont have any way of knowing.

 

       Now go listen to your morning and afternoon announcements!

 

- Volume 2, Issue 1 -

Fastest Man in the World

Usain Bolt breaks
by Yuleni Romero                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                                          

       The fastest man in the world was announced on August 16, 2009. The record was broken at 9.58 seconds in the 100 meter race. The prominent race took place in Berlin.  Usain Bolt, “The Fastest Man in the World,” born on August 21, 1986 in Trelawny, Jamaica. According to ESPN, Usain in response to his win stated, “I don’t run for world records.” Although this is what Bolt humbly claims, he still holds on to many records and victories.

       In 2002, Bolt became the youngest 200 meter Junior World Champion. He also set a new record for the 2008 Olympics, of 19.30 seconds for the 200 meter in Beijing. Bolt’s competitor Tyson Gay (USA) told ESPN “I've been telling you someone could run 9.5,” Gay said. “I'm happy he did it, it showed a human can take it to another level. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one to do it, but I still have confidence I can do it one day.”

       Bolt’s record has attracted publicity, especially since he has told ESPN that he thinks he can beat his own record if he sets his mind to it.

       According to guardian.co.uk Usain Bolt’s only competitors were Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell. During the race Bolt quickly left the competitors behind. Bolt also stated,"I can definitely say I didn't expect to win because I was a little bit tired.

       Usain’s career so far is on a great start so far. Many people such as fans, news reporters, and his family have many great expectations for his future. With all the winnings he has and the adrenaline he shows we think he can one day go over the limit.

 

- Volume 2, Issue 1 -

The Hassle on Parking Decals

By Patricia Little

 

       The head of parking decals for OHS, Kara Pringle, says according to Cobb County Policy each student that parks on a Cobb County School campus must have a parking decal. Pringle comments on this rule, stating “there really is no purpose for students to have them.” She says that she sends the money collected from the purchasing of the parking decals, to the County and they use that money to add parking lots and lanes to school campuses across the county.

       Despite this silly rule, the required materials include: a Cobb County application and valid GA driver’s licenses.

       Students that have a permit will be unable to get a parking decal. If she finds out that you are parking on school premises she “will call the campus police officer.” Consequently don’t drive to school or parents will be called to come get the vehicle ASAP. In some cases, a vehicle may be towed.

       Students that attend OHS can get information during and after school from Pringle outside her office door. You can also find the application form on the Cobb County Home Page as well as in the front office.

        Another rule that applies to the OHS parking decals is the expiration rule. This rule ends after each semester. You will have to pay $50 again for the second semester. So have your money on time or you will be riding the yellow bus.

      Parking decals do have rules that you need to follow. You can not share it at all. If you’re caught sharing you’re decal you will lose your decal. Decals must be attached to the window they can not be taped. This means that the sticker must be applied to your window. For students that have two cars, you must purchase another decal at $5. Throughout Aug. and Nov. the price will go down $5 each month. Next semester the price will go back to $50.

      There are four ways you can lose your decal. You can lose it by having too many tardies, absences from school, sharing decals and speeding on the school campus. So think before you do something that will cause you to lose your decal. Be reasonable.

Students that attend OHS can get information during and after school from Pringle outside her office door. You can also find the application form on the Cobb County Home Page as well as in the front office. Additionally, for the first week of school students are allowed to park on campus for 8 days. After the 8^th day you must purchase a parking decal.

 

- Volume 2, Issue 1 -

NEW TEACHERS OF OHS!!!

An chat with Senorita Figueroa

By Laneisha Jackson

 

       Have you ever wondered about the new teachers of OHS? As student’s we expect to receive different teaching methods that helps different students to learn. Students expect their teachers’ to give them new study techniques and teach them how to apply these techniques. This is what we look for as students. This is what we expect.

       In a recent interview with the new OHS Spanish teacher Senorita Figueroa, who joined staff Aug. 4, 2009, this issue was addressed. Many of you have probably seen her on campus. She has been substituting all over Cobb County for quite some time now. She now is a teacher of Spanish her at OHS. Her room is located on the Spanish all in Room 112.

       She came to the United States a few years ago for a new start. Senorita Figueroa was born and raised in Honduras, she taught there for 15 years.  The Honduran native says she has had a passion for teaching since High School. She said her parents inspired her to teach as a child. Now, after years of substituting her dream of teaching as a successful Spanish teacher has come true.

       To become a teacher you have to go to school for many years. It takes extensive training, patience and a Bachelor’s Degree in teaching in your field. Figueroa, not only has these, but is a nice individual. She has helped many children, like me, become better at speaking Spanish through her kind disposition.

      Many other students and I, who are taking Spanish II are looking forward to learning her new Spanish curriculum and the pleasant atmosphere she establishes.

 

- Volume 2, Issue 1 -

Hispanic Heritage Month is Here!

Another Year of Celebrating

By Erica Garcia

                                                                                                                                 

       The students of Osborne will perform on October in the Martha Bigham for the Hispanic Heritage. This year we hope to see all these different types of dances like: Cumbia, Norteña, Duranguense, Bachata, Salsa, and Merengue, etc…So that the students performing can show the rest of the other students that are not performing and that are not Latino, our culture. We hope that this will be the most talkative event that will happen in our school. Tryouts were on September 1, 2009. Every student that will perform will have to meet in Mrs. Grass, a Spanish teacher at OHS, classroom after school. Students are required to have good grades in order to perform and must attend Osborne High School.

 Last years Hispanic Heritage Celebration was great! Everyone enjoyed the program. There were a lot of different dances that people didn’t know about that were shown. This year there will be many people signing up for the program. There will only be certain dances that will be able to perform at the program. Everyone that wants to perform must have a dance that is appropriate for the school. People have decided to practice more because of some accidents that occurred in the 2008 program. Yuleni Romero, a sophmore at OHS, stated, “I would like to see more unique steps, then the ones already shown before.” Many other students have mentioned the same thing, although few students try out.

       Stage fright is usually the cause of why less and less students participate. The confidence they gain before starting their performance which helps them out a lot during the show. Some are afraid that they might mess up because the dance that their friends chose to do isn’t one that their really good at. At times when one student finds a dance that they would like to do others aren’t familiar with it, which causes them to loose track of time showing them step by step the whole routine.

       Therefore, this year’s show will have high expectations.

 

 

- Volume 2, Issue 1 -

A Man Who Can Change the World

 A Feature on Barack Obama’s Health Care Plan

By: Decarus Wright

 

 

            U.S President Barack Obama has come up with a health care plan for families to get help with low income jobs. Despite all Obama is doing to help the country only 25 percent of citizens are in favor of it, according to my information from newswithinews.com. He wants to do everything he can to help America. Obama understands that people are being denied health coverage every day.

           The growing cost of health care places a financial burden or people with little money. They will continue to increase forcing more and more American families into debt and even bankruptcy. People of the U.S should worry because his plan will work very soon.

            Obama has a solution to stop this crisis. He will improve the quality of insurance and lower the cost. In order to keep it that way, Obama will provide good treatments and smart preventative care for citizens of America. He will also have better nutrition in medicines and cancer screenings, according to my information from barackobama.com. Technology will also play a role in Obama’s plan by reducing errors and ensuring privacy and saving lives. “We want to make this work for people and businesses, not just insurances and drug companies”, Obama says, according to an interview on barackobama.com.

           Another plan he is working on is a Children’s Health Care plan. In January 2009, the U.S senate approved his plan. It helps six to eleven million kids in this country. Obama is doing everything he can to help people in every city. With his hard work the “Yes We Can” motto is in place. This is a man who can change the world.

 

- Volume 2 Issue 1

 

OHS’ Principal Steven Miletto Named Georgia Principal of the Year

By: Richardson, Hayley

    

    On April 13^th, Osborne’s own Steven Miletto was named Principal of the Year for the state of  Georgia. At a surprise ceremony held at OHS, Miletto received the honor of being recognized for: excelling in educational leadership, resolving complex problems, developing self and others and community service, which names him GASSP POTY.

    GASSP POTY stands for Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year. The actual definition of a secondary school is an educational institution where the final stage of schooling required by federal law, known as public education, takes place. Simply stated, Osborne is a high school that follows primary education, or elementary/junior high in the educational progression of an individual.

     The GASSP POTY program is sponsored my MetLife, an insurance company, the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Department of Education. Miletto will represent the state of Georgia in a competition for National Principal of the Year; the location has not yet been disclosed.

     The process in becoming the National Principal of the year entails an application which includes 3 essays and an interview. The finalists will be announced in August and in September the winner. Despite the winner, in October the principal of the year for each state will attend a meeting in Washington D.C.

     Miletto is a former history teacher beginning his teaching career at Clarkston High School in DeKalb County then moving on to South West DeKalb High also working as the theater director. After a lot of consideration and a thought changing talk with his mentor, who was also the principal of Heritage High in Rockdale County, Miletto was convinced to move on to HHS gaining another role as the soccer coach. The new school of  Salem HighSchool, also in Rockdale, was beginning to open and Miletto began to work there from the open of the school in 1991. While there Miletto served as the yearbook sponsor, the public speaking teacher, and in 1995 gained his first position in administration as the assistant principal. He the moved on to Gwinnett Countyat Parkview High Schooland was also the assistant principal. His last place of work before Osborne was at Loganville High School in Walton County were he worked for three years and also moved up to the next highest administrative position as the principal.

    At OHS, Miletto has been an influential piece in changing the culture of one of the most diverse student populations in Georgia. His accomplishments have gained recognition at both state and national levels. In an exclusive interview Miletto was asked why he was chosen as GASSP POTY and he stated, “We have come a long way [at Osborne.]” So when you see Miletto in the hallways do not be afraid to say “congratulations on becoming Principal of the Year.”

 

-Volume 2, Issue 3-

Let’s get physically talented?

Talent Show gets fit!

By: Karen Rendon

Do you have what it takes to win a talent show that is a fraud? This upcoming talent show will be a disappointment due to its message on fitness. It will take place on Field Day, Friday April 3^rd.  With Field Day having the theme of wellness and fitness, the talent show will as well. We will not be seeing real talent but a fitness show; a fat man show. Where is Richard Simmons when you need him? Talent shows are meant to demonstrate ones talents, not how to get physical. Coach Garland the supervisor of field day has told me that it is not a real talent show, it is meant to show the fun of fitness, by dancing and singing songs that relate to fitness. Get your Olivia Newton John out because we are about to “Get Physical.”

What is a talent show? Is it some mockery, a charade to have students make fools of themselves? No, it is supposed to let oneself show off their hidden aptitudes in front of others. Not how to be the next Billy Blanks. Take out your short shorts and afros, because we are going to be extras in a Richard Simmons video.

Field day may not be an utter waste of time, they have some fun events planned such as a fat man race, water balloon toss, obstacle courses, and much more! Just do not waste your time on the talent show, unless your want to be dissatisfied. I would rather see William Hung “Livin la vida loca” than some fake fitness show.

I am very upset with the talent show being a sham. Osborne is filled with so much talent; why not make it a real talent show instead of some fitness show? We all know how to exercise, some of us just choose not to.  I find field day to be pointless, it is practically a free day for students. Why bother going to school if were not going to learn? Students choose not to go to school this day because it has no purpose! Yes, it has a good message of fitness and wellness, something we all need, but lets face it do we care? I know teachers find this day pointless as well, especially with finals and end of course tests coming up. We could be gaining knowledge instead of muscle.

 

- Volume 1, Issue 3 -

A Time to Celebrate

Black History Month
by Karen Rendon

            “Black History means changing, it means acceptance, it means learning, and being proud,
Black History is a celebration away from ignorance,” stated sophomore Zenaida Peterson when asked about what Black History means to her.
            Historians such as Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and our first African American President Barack Obama, have had an impact on Black History. They have each set forth examples on how to better themselves and the name of their people. Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks made a name for herself by not obeying a bus drivers order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. African American Muslim Minister Malcolm Little was a dauntless promoter for the rights of African Americans; he was a man who questioned white America in astringent terms for its abomination against black Americans. Martin Luther king Jr., a man who created a legacy for the Civil Rights Movement, the man who “Had a Dream” of equality between blacks and whites.
            Barack Obama the first African American President of the United States. The month of February is celebrated as “Black History Month” a time to honor the legends that have ameliorated our country.
            A time to celebrate our fellow African American man, we commend Black History Month, for they have helped better our country for all man. Our land is filled with minorities, and men such as Martin Luther King Jr. have shed light to such a racial country, by making the states equal for all man. We must keep the faith alive and show gratitude to those who have made Black History. Showing appreciation is what Osborne High School has planned for the month of February, with a performance from “The Cardinal Mask” drama club on February 23 and 24.
            Angela Gordon had this to say regarding Black Histories meaning, “Black History means recognizing the great things African Americans have done that is or are not celebrated daily. It is also knowing your background if you’re an African American.”
            “To me Black History is not just a month that should be celebrated only once a year. It’s something that should be celebrated every month of the year. Although, other races endure heartaches and pain, I feel that blacks have endured more. From slavery to segregation, we’ve taken it all in. Even after all the greats like Malcolm X and King were assassinated, we still overcame the heartache and pain. It took many years, but I feel like we are finally getting over the struggle with our new president Barack Obama. We have not gotten over the struggle, but I feel like it’s a start,” confirmed senior Krystal M. Freeman on what Black History means to her.
            “Black History to me is celebrating who we are, where we came from, and what we went through as Black people. It doesn’t matter whether or not we came from Africa, Jamaica and America; we all have one common ground, whether we like it or not, we are all from one way or another. Because of what our ancestors went through in order for us to be what we want to be, do what we want to do, and have as much equality as everyone else. For them going through everything they went through, we pride these people for their mental and emotional ability and for the inspiration and strength that we do know we had,” stated senior Petagaye Francis on her thoughts of History.

- Volume 1, Issue 2 -

Service at OHS now Greater than Ever!

Will the construction of the cellular communications tower get the Board of Educations approval?
by Kara Bowman

In early October, a representative from T-Mobile contacted Steven Miletto, OHS’s proud principal, to present the opportunity of having a cell tower built on OHS’s property. After the meeting at the end of November, Miletto was ecstatic for the opportunity of the tower.
            Dennis Campbell, director of planning, said if approved, the tower would take about a month to build, and would be located in the area behind the new gym and the tennis courts. It is said to be about 150 feet tall and resemble a light post without the lights at the top.
            The building of the tower benefits OHS in many ways, Miletto says. We would receive a 15 year, $270,000 contract. The $270,000 would be separated into $90,000 increments every five years. OHS receives the majority of the money, but the county would need to deduct some of the profit. OHS could also receive more sponsors from other cell companies if they wanted to and a “tear” onto the tower.
            The money would be used for numerous things. Miletto discussed ideas of a dance studio to expand OHS’ fine arts program. The studio would have wooden floors, special lights, mirrors, and removable dance bars so it could convert into a wrestling room. Mats would be laid down whenever needed for wrestling. He spoke about buying 12 more smart boards, new accessories, and training for all the teachers that will receive them. He has plans of remodeling the school, too. Miletto wants to remodel the bathrooms by getting new lights, painting, and more. He wants to give every class new white boards in place of the “white boards” we have currently. He also decided to build a sports storage room for track and field along with football.
            Although everyone says it’s a great idea, some think otherwise. There are some gaseous admissions that are put off, but the American Cancer Society rate the admissions as harmless as that put off by a baby monitor. Still, some parents are concerned that overtime, the gasses could be dangerous. Some people also believe that the addition of the tower will confuse students. It is against school policy to use the phones in school, but the tower will give students better service in the cinder-block walls of OHS.
            Since the PTA, school council, and open forum approved to the construction of the tower, the Board of Education has yet to approve of it. A meeting is to be held at the end of February, to determine the outcome of the tower.