Printed in the February 24, 2011 edition.

Photos by Angelina Bellebuono

Post-secondary planning a big deal at MCHS

It’s that magical, long looked forward to period in a teenager’s life: spring semester of their senior year of high school. Only 90 school days until they will walk across the field at Bill Corry stadium and be handed the diploma it took them years to earn.

To help them prepare for that euphoric moment and the hectic months that will follow it, Morgan County High School counselors Brian Cook and Leslie Smith will spend four years with each student help them plan for their post-MCHS life.

Over the past few years at MCHS a series of subtle, but important changes have occurred in regard to post-secondary planning and academic tracks. In addition to the established International Baccalaureate [IB] program and the Math-Science Academy, which is comprised of Advanced Placement courses, students now have the option of studying certain “career pathways” in the hopes of choosing classes that will aid them the most after graduation.

“This is going to become a lot bigger in later years, with a heavier emphasis on career technical pathways. Students are able to focus their attention in one direct area. We have the cosmetology classes, culinary arts, and we have an agriculture pathway, etc,” said Smith.
Smith said the career pathways were created in the hopes that no matter what their plans, all students graduating would be prepared for what lie ahead.

By Kathryn McBroom
Staff Writer

Two members of Morgan County Middle School’s chorus will really have something to sing about come Feb. 26.

Eight grade chorus students Callie Peace and Jessica Bailey made it through several months and two grueling auditions to become a part of the 2011 All-State Chorus. Students from around the state of Georgia audition in order to secure one of the few coveted slots available.

Both girls have been choral students for several years. Peace began in third grade, and Bailey in second grade. With help from MCMS chorus teacher Laura Foster, almost a dozen chorus students began preparing over the summer for the first, and most difficult, audition.

“She’s let us practice during class and she’s let us have after school rehearsals,” said Peace.

“She’s [Foster] been extremely helpful with everything,” said Bailey.

After a long and arduous wait, Peace and Bailey found out they had made it through the first round. Peace said she was so happy, she cried upon hearing the news.

“She [Foster] actually brought us to the front of the room and had a picture and a big banner for us after the first audition,” said Bailey.

Before Christmas break the girls received the music they would need to have prepared for their second audition, which was held after their return from the holidays.

The Wednesday before the All-State Chorus is due to perform, students will arrive and spend two days practicing the selected music.

“There’s about five or six songs that we sing. Four of the five we sing are in a different language,” said Bailey.
As for Foster, she couldn’t be prouder of her students, saying they’re both “wonderful girls.”

Printed in the February 10 edition.

Scoring the Match
{Individual scoring}

The match official awards points, issues warnings and declares the winner of each match. Score and time is kept on the sidelines. Spectators can follow the progress by looking for red/green correlation on the scoreboard, ankle bands (on the wrestler) and arm bands (on the official). Note: Duals & tournament scoring When teams compete in duals and tournaments, wrestlers are scored individually in matches, but their teams accumulate points, as well. Team points are awarded differently for duals and tournaments, but are all scored after each match is complete.

Points
{The eight basic ways to score in high school wrestling}

1. Takedown (2 pts.) When the neutral wrestler takes the opponent down to the mat and becomes the offensive wrestler.

2. Escape (1 pt.) When the defensive wrestler gets out from underneath the opponent’s control and gets into the neutral position and is facing the opponent.

3. Reversal (2 pts.) When the defensive wrestler gets out from underneath the opponent’s control and gets on top of or behind the opponent in one move and becomes the offensive wrestler.

4.  Near Fall 2 (2 pts.) When the offensive wrestler turns the opponent over onto their back and holds them at a 45-degree angle or less for between 2-4 seconds. Only one set of near fall points can be awarded for each pinning hold and they cannot be awarded until after the pinning has ended. Also awarded when the defensive wrestler screams (unethical unless they are injured) to stop the match while they are being turned over toward their back.

Written & Photographed by Kathryn McBroom

Printed in the 11-11-10 edition