September 30, 2011 Volume 19, Issue #1

M

PRODUCED BY THE DESKTOP PUBLISHING CLASS AT MHS

"The Best and Getting Better""The Best and Getting Better"

Principal News With 1/6 of the 2011-12 school year behind us, we are on our way to another great school year. We do still have a busy year in front of us with a lot of exiting things happening. We have a new line testing, STAAR, for the freshman this year. It will be tied into your gradua-tion requirements as well as counting 15% of your final grade, so it is more important than ever that you do well. We are well into football season, I would like to encourage everyone to come out and support the Jackets this year. They have worked very hard this summer and I am looking forward to district play. We again this year will be hosting the Junior High UIL contest on December 1 and 8. Get in-volved!! It will look good on your scholarship and college applications. The high school contest will be in the spring and it will again be hosted by Goldth-waite. Now, more than ever it is important for you to plan ahead. The cost of a college education is on the rise so take advantage of every opportunity that you can. In the spirit of Friday night football in Texas I will make this comparison that I stole from a former college professor: “Life is like a football game and field position means everything.” In short, be active and get involved now while you are in high school. This is especially important to the un-der classmen. You have the opportunity now to put yourself in a position to be eligible for more schol-arships and awards when you are seniors by simply being involved now.

2011 Homecoming Queen Sydney Wright

See p. 2 for more homecoming photos~!

September 30, 2011Page 2

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT Johnathan Barber was born on June 21st, 1994 in Fort Stuart, Georgia. His parents are Nancy and Steven Chat-field. He has attended Meridian ISD since the 4th grade, and he has participated in Varsity Baseball. He plans to work at Bowman Tire and Wheel while he goes to college for Motorcycle Mechanics. His favorite food is Chinese food. In his free time he likes to play his x-box, and go skateboarding.

Spaghetti Supper :)

Monday, October 24th the Basketball Meridian Lady Jackets will be hosting a

Spaghetti Supper as a fundraiser.

Time: 6:00P.MWhere: High School Commons

Price: $5 (all you can eat)

YUUUUUMMMMMY!!!!

SPIRIT WEEK!

Twin Day

Sports Day

Camo Day

Pajama Day

Super Hero Day

HOMECOMING

Homecoming King: Billy Miller

Homecoming Nominees: Tiffany Allen, Sadie Davis, Kasie Olivarri, Felix Reynoso,

and Sydney Wright

Homecoming Queen Sydney Wright

By: Tifferz♥

September 30, 2011Page 3

JH Cheerleading News• Lauren Tweedle

• Krista Warren

• Alex Taylor

• Ashlee Hooks

• Jacky Portillo

• Morgan Marshall

• Sydney Purcell

• Randa Norton

• Darcy Wyatt

• Kaitlyn Lively

• Hope Sharp

• Carson Gebhardt

• Christy Halbert (Sponsor)

They all learned a multitude of new dances, cheers, and sidelines during the UCA Home Camp in early August. Additionally, they earned several “Superior” ribbons as well as a “Superior” trophy. With their newly acquired mate-rial, the girls have been collabo-rating to plan and execute fun and lively pep rallies that will help to build excitement and support the JH Football teams. The cheer team has been practicing daily to improve their form as well as to learn to respect and support each others’ ideas. They have been doing an exceptional job both at pep rallies and games to raise the spirits and generate excitement from our fans and football teams.

Varsity Cheer News • Brook Simmons

• Katelyn Wallace

• Tristen Carnley

• Tara Warren

• Makensie Hall

• Cassidy Menger

• Sonya Mendoza

• Brandi Vailes

• Heidi Shelby

• Kacie Jones (Music)

• Sadie Davis (Mascot)

• Gay Allen (Sponsor)

By: Sadie Davis

The Cheerleaders have been working hard throughout the summer and at practices to get ready for this year, learning new dances, cheers, and chants for pep rallies and games, to show spirit for Meridian YellowJacket

football.

Counselor News

Seniors please stop by and check the scholarship board in the cafeteria on the way to Mrs. Mynarcik's office. Also, students make good use of the planners you received recently. It is a great way to stay organized with scholarship and college applications.

September 30, 2011Page 4

Chris Barnett-October 1st Billy Miller-October 1st Crystal Monrreal-October 2nd Alex Taylor-October 2nd Kalyn Atchison-October 3rd Kelsey Bracknell-October 4th Wrangler Jones-October 7th Jake Hart-October 8th Mona Ortiz-October 10th Josh Eoff-October 13th Julio Orozco-October 13th Makensie Hall-October 14th Michael Hampton-October 14th Makayla Meador-October 14th Albert Guerrero-October 16th Austin Crawford-October 26th Courtney McCamey-October 26th Bowin Terrell-October 28th Mariana Sarinana-October 30th Arturo Rodriguez-October 31st

October Birthdays

10. Bacon and Egg costume

9. Scary Clown costume

8. Witch costume

7. Cockroach costume

6. Joker costume

5. Pac-man costume

4. Hulk costume

3. South Park Devil

2. Avatar costume

1. ET costume

Top 10 Halloween

Costumes

Page By: Amree Dunn :)

September 30, 2011Page 5

Varsity FootballThe Meridian Varsity football team has seen it all. To add to the list was a thrilling 9-0 homecoming victory over the Rice Bulldogs. With the score tied at 0-0 for much of the first part of the game, the jacket defense was on point. Colton Bowers tackles the Rice Punter for a safety and Chad Crawford makes a game sealing pick 6 late in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jacket team will be rolling into De Leon on September 30 with all of the momentum in their corner. A stout defense and good play from the big guys up front as well as solid play from the quarterback and other skill positions will be key for the Jackets. Kickoff is at 7:30.

Page By:Billy MillerAKA- LIL BILL

JV FootballThe JV Football team played hard against a tough Rice football team. To the JV's credit, they only gave up one score at the beginning of the game shutting down the bulldog offense from then on. The JV Jackets have been working hard during practice and faced of against 3A Glen Rose's JV team last night.Despite their strong effort the Jackets lost 22-14. Their next game will be against Baird.

September 30, 2011Page 6

PICTURE DAYOct. 4 Tues

Picture Day is Tuesday, October 4th. Senior Portraits need to be taken as soon as possible. Please call Don White to make your appointment now.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

Colton Bowers was born on May 15, 1994, to Micheal & Kristi Bowers in Waco. He has attended Meridian ISD since Kin-dergarten. While at Meridian ISD, he has participated in Football, Basketball, Track (High Jump, Discus), FFA, Yearbook, and PHP. He plans to attend TSTC-Tarleton and major in Criminal justice. He loves hunting, fish-ing, hanging with friends, sports, and his favorite food is Mexican.

Senior Spotlight

Nic Bracknell was born June 4, 1993, in Houston, Texas to his parents Rick and Stacie Bracknell. He has been going to Meridian ISD for 9 years. His extracurricular activities include baseball, track, FFA, and academic UIL. Nics hobbies are hanging out with friends, hunting; fly fishing, being outdoors, and watching pro/college sports. His favorite things are:

• Good Will Hunt-ing and A River Runs Through It(movies)

• Texas country music

• Sea food

After high school, he plans on going to Angelo State to become a physical therapist.

by: Sadie Davis

JH Football

The JH Yellow jackets have worked hard in the weight room and on the field, and it’s starting to show. They are currently undefeated with the De Leon Bearcats next on their list. New QB, Jarett Carpenter, say it feels “pretty good” to be undefeated and he’s “surprised by how much the team has improved since last season.” Having never played QB before Carpenter feels comfortable with the change, “I like it a lot better because I get to run the ball but I need to work on being a better passer.” With a new season comes new players and Wade Dalby is one of them. Being a new kid on the team Wade says, “I feel like I have to go 100% all the time to make the team.” Well this going hard 100% of the time attitude seems to have paid of so far for the jackets and they look to finish the season undefeated with that mentality. By Billy Miller

Teacher in-service/Student Holiday

October 10th

September 30, 2011Page 7

May 5th is not only an important day in Mexico, but it is also the day that we were blessed with the birth of Chris Brown. Tif-fany Allen was also born on this day. Her parents are the beautiful Kim Allen and the realest of the real Gary Allen. Tifferz was born in “Da Co” aka Waco, Texas. Gary and Kim believed that Da Co was not a place to raise their beautiful daugh-ter Tifferz, so they decided to relocate to “M-town” aka Meridian. She has been get-ting her education in Me-ridian since she was just a young buck. She is a post for the Meridian varsity basketball team. “When I’m on the court I feel like nothing else matters” says Tiffany. “This has been my passion for a long time.” She spends most of her time in the gym shooting and striving to be the next Brit-ney Griner. She feels she already has an advantage

because she already looks like her. Baby Britney is also a part of the Varsity Softball, Cross Country and Track team. She enjoys hunting and fishing with her “boo”. She loves her family, and hanging with friends. She is currently unemployed and is searching for a job so she can have some green in her pocket. Her favorite thing in the world is Felix Reynoso. “I love her with all my heart” says Tifferz “I strive to be as smart as she is and to overall follow in her successful footsteps.” Tiffany’s future plans are to get married to her “boo”, and attend col-lege so she can make a lot of Money, so she can support her

family.

NJHS OFFICERS:

Lauren Halbert: President

Brock Kelley: Vice-President

Ashlee Hooks:

Secretary/Treasurer

OTHER MEMBERS:

Eden CarsonWade DalbyBlaine Glass Kyler GrayManuel NeriJosh SmithEmily SpeerAlex TaylorLauren TweedleKrista Warren

Page By: Felix Reynoso

September 30, 2011Page 8

NHS OFFICERS2011-2012

President- Billy MillerVice-President- Christina

TicerSecretarey- Felix Reynoso

Treasurer- Zane PayneReporter- Sydney Wright

Chairpersons:American Red Cross Blood

Drive- Albert GuerreroAdopt-A-Highway Coordina-

tor- Brandi Maher

Other members:Chase BowmanBlake GebhardtHannah Kelley

Mykala MadsonJennifer PartonJessica Parton

Will SpeerThere was a blood drive at the Meridian high School on Monday, Sep-tember 26. Thirty people signed up to give blood. They got 20 good units of blood. Each NHS mem-ber made some kind of dessert (brownies, cake, cookies and more) for whoever gave blood to eat after they finished.Thank you for all those people who gave blood !!! The next meeting is on Oct. 5 and ALL NHS MEMBERS are re-minded to wear their t-shirts to the meet-ing.

JUNIOR HIGH ACADEMIC UIL

District Meet- December 1st & 8th at Meridian

Coaches For JH UIL Event Include: Calculator Apps, Math, Number Sense- Mrs. Parsons Social Studies, MG&C- Coach Fields Oral Reading-Mr. Davis Modern Oratory, Impromptu- Señora Carpenter Spelling- Coach Hastings

Ready Writing- Mrs. Halbert Science- Coach Hastings Editorial- Mrs. Massingill Dictionary, Listening- Mrs. Ticer Art- Coach Finstad Chess Puzzle- Mr. Starnes

Page by: Rafael Rodriguez

September 30, 2011Page 9

Lake Whitney CC Meet

JH Girls- 180 competitors in this divisionSydney Purcell – 2nd place med-alist with an impressive time of 14:17.Other JH girls placing well were Sierra Childers, 15th, with a time of15:43 and Abby Stauffer, 18th, with a time of 15:53.

JH Boys- Wade Dalby placed 14th overall with a time of 13:54.

JV Girls – finished as 2nd place team overallTiffany Lyle – 5th place medalist with a time of 16:17.Other team members were Candace McCamey (11), Kalyn Atchison (12), Wendy Orozco (13), Christian Radde (17), Tristen Carnley (19), Holly Chenault (20), and Heidi Shelby (21)

Varsity Girls - running well, but finishing just out of medal range. Competition extremely tough.Kasie Olivarri – 22 – 15:06Courtney McCamey - 23 – 15:10Felix Reynoso – 27 - 15:16

Other varsity runners were Mykala Madson, Sonya Mendoza, Sydney Wright, and Noemi Monrreal.

The next JH/HS meet is the Hamil-ton Invitational meet scheduled for October 5th at the Perry Country Club at 3 p.m.

Theater The MHS staff has added a new member to its faculty. Mrs. Halbert is our new theater teacher. She has taught numer-ous grades, she admits that teaching JH and HS has been her favorite. Before she became a teacher she had been working in the public sector, but she felt that that was not fulfilling her purpose. She made her decision to become a teacher and has not looked back since. “I love teaching for many reasons, but my greatest joy is working with students. Every day is an op-portunity to make a difference for someone.” Said Halbert. She would also like her stu-dents to know that she feels blessed to be teaching such bright, talented, and dedicated kids.

The theater class is preparing for their winter play “Fighting Demons.” It is a very poignant play addressing some very important issues faced by teens today. The class will present the play for the viewing pleasure of the High School in December.

By: JC PEEPLES

FFA NewsOn September 17, many of the lamb

showers attended a jackpot show in Hico. Almost all who showed placed in the top four of their class.

• Jeremy Seay – 1st and 3rd

• Christina Ticer – 4th

• Jessica Ramsey – 1st and 2nd

• Katelyn Wallace – 2nd

• Hannah Kelley – 5th

• Josh Ramsey – 8th

Meridian was well-represented at both the West District Meeting and the Area VIII Banquet. Those who went to the District Meeting are Jessica Ramsey, Jessica Parton, Jennifer Parton, Hannah Kelley, Kelsey Bracknell, Tristen Carnley, Christina Ticer, Katelyn Wallace, Katelyn Bench, Christian Radde, Cheyenne McNaught, Tiffany Lyle, Sara Mize, Dax Gann, and Austin Crawford. At the Area VIII Banquet, Meridian was represented by Jessica Ramsey, Morgan Poston, Jessica Parton, Caroline Brady, Kasidi Gorneau, Hannah Kelley, Tallie Salidiner, Jennifer Parton, Kelsey Bracknell, Tristen Carnley, Christina Ticer, Bowin Terrell, Joe Madson, Tiffany Lyle, Cheyenne McNaught, Austin Crawford, Dax Gann, and Jess Godwin. Many of these were first time attendees, and we are glad to have so many new people.

Our first chapter meeting on September 20 was also well attended. The next meeting will be on October 18 and FFA dues are also due on that day. Senior FFA dues are $20.00 and junior dues are $10.00.

Major lamb and hog tags are $12.50 and the money for this is needed as soon as possible.

September 30, 2011Page 10

Senior Spot-light

Senior: Lindsey Bailey

Lindsey Bailey was born on Jan-uary 31, 1993 in Cleburne, Tex-as, to Virginia Spear and Jimmy Johns. She has attended Merid-ian High School since the mid-dle of her junior year. Lindsey is excited about graduating and is planning on be-coming a proba-tion officer, and having a family.

UIL News UIL EVENTS

Speech coach: Mrs. Carpenter

SPOTLIGHT ON: Extempt speaking-Coached by Mrs. Carpenter.

Students spend 30 minutes preparing either an informative or persuasive speech. They then deliver the speech for judges and may not go over 7 minutes. "Teach-ing a speech class led me to participate in competitive speak-ing. I enjoy watching a student improve and set a goal to be a state speaker." said Mrs. Carpenter. The two teams are made up of Persuasive- Taylor Poyner, Kenzie Hall, Samantha Williams, and Katie Cowles. In-formative speaking- JC Peeples, Kelsey Bracknell, Katelyn Wallace, and Bowin Terrell.

Page created by: JC PEEPLES

Congratulations to all the 2011-2012 UIL academic teams. “As we get ready for our new academic season, I am excited about our potential.” said UIL academic coordinator Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis has already begun working on order-ing prep material, scheduling prac-tice meets, etc. He advises you to meet with your coaches as soon as possible. Some member of the academic teams will be attending a conference at UT on October 1st. Practice meets are a great way to pre-pare for competi-

tions.

Below is a list of dates for upcom-ing practice meets.

Ranger Practice meet 11/12/20011 (speech and De-bate only)

Salado Practice meet 12-10-2011 (Speech and debate only) Good luck UIL

participants!!!

Spanish 2 and 3 classes will be attend-ing a JUSTO concert onNovember 11th