October 2016
PRESIDENTIAL INK
“People
remember
your character.”
--LaShawn
LaShawn Merritt Day
By: Mia Wright and
Micala Horne
Students from the track team, Portsmouth’s Mayor
Kenneth Wright, Portsmouth Public Schools’ dignitaries, coaches, selected classes, and the media
filled the Little Theater at Woodrow Wilson High
School, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Portsmouth’s hometown hero LaShawn Merritt--4 time
U.S. Olympic medalist. When Mr. Timothy Johnson, WWHS Principal, introduced Mr. Merritt, the
audience exploded with applause and jumped to
their feet in a standing ovation.
LaShawn Merritt addresses the crowd in the Little Theater
After the presentation of colors by the AJROTC
Color Guard, several of Merritt’s former coaches
recalled memories of a young LaShawn. Mr. Roscoe R. Cole, Sr., former high school football and
track coach, recalled a multi-talented young man.
He noted that LaShawn could choose from football, track, and/or band. Mr. Cole reminisced
about convincing LaShawn’s mom to allow him to
play football. She finally agreed, but with the stipulation that Coach Cole return LaShawn to her in
the same shape he found him! Mr. Brian Bynum,
former high school track coach, shared stories of
LaShawn’s character and his influence on young
students. Coach Bynum spoke of LaShawn’s volunteering at bingo to raise money for track, commenting that he never missed a session. He also
shared that LaShawn set an example for younger
Illustration by Damir Ervin
students. If
LaShawn tucked
in his shirt, the
students quickly
followed suit.
After they spoke,
Mr. Merritt shared
some kind and encouraging words
with the audience.
He spoke about the importance of family and
education. He praised former teachers and administrators, reminding students that the staff at the
school is looking out for all of
them. He warned students that
“Its’ easy to get into trouble, but
it’s hard to get out of it.” He encouraged them to always give
their best: “Might as well show
up and show out!”
Mr. Merritt then led the
way to the unveiling of
the LaShawn Merritt
shadow box, filled with
his sport’s memorabilia:
jerseys, track shoes, trophies, medals, and
photos.
After a day spent at WWHS, Mr. Merritt
and his family headed over to Godwin
Street and High Street. Lashawn Merritt
lead the parade followed by his family and
friends, the VA Trailblazers, WWHS
JROTC, WWHS Marching Presidents, and
WWHS cheerleaders. The procession
ended at I.C Norcom where Wilson’s varsity football team played against I. C. Norcom. During half-time, Mayor Kenneth
Wright presented the Key to the City of
Portsmouth to Lashawn Merritt and de-
Team Merritt
Team Merritt
Amari Jackson,
next Olympic
hopeful?
Next Olympic hopeful?
ADVICE FOR FRESHMEN
HOW TO START OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
ShaMiya Faulks
Treasure Bowman
Amiya Brady
LaSadie Lashley
Charlyi Hines
Stevie Gary
Makala Smith
Brian Boone, Jr.
Rowland Brown
Destiny Dail
Jada Riddick
Daija Perry
Most people would agree that navigating the first year of high school can be difficult. Tenth graders--the most
recent survivors of the first year of high school--had this advice to offer:
1. When the cafe-
teria has chicken,
get to the line
early. If you get to
the line late, it will
take a long time to
get your food, and
you might get the
leftovers. There will
not be enough time to eat your chicken that
you just got, and you will be hungry.
2.Ignore ignorant people. Some people
are more focused on petty drama than on
learning, so instead of trying to help you learn
and get good grades, they will get you in trouble and continue to get you in trouble you
don’t need.
3.Pay attention in class at all times.
Don’t be talking to your friends in class. You
need to stay focused on the content your
teacher is teaching. It’s too easy to get left behind when you socialize in class.
4.Respect your teacher at all times.
Teachers are teaching all day, so don’t be dis-
respectful to your teachers. Treat them with
the same respect you want them to give you.
5.Always come to school and don’t be
late. Tardies and absences add up and can
affect your grade. Plus, you don’t want a lot of
work to do when you come back to school.
6.Keep one good friend by your side.
Friends can help with your daily problems.
They come in handy when you need extra help
with certain classes.
7.Take care of your personal
hygiene. Make sure you take showers, because some people in your class will not
take too kindly to your smelling bad, and they
will start to harass you.
8.Don’t skip class. Skipping class results in
an absence, and you can miss a lot of work
that way. That can affect your grade, and it is
possible that you can fail because of it.
9.Don’t plagiarize your work. Teachers
know when people are plagiarizing, and it can
result in a failing grade. To avoid this, you
should cite your work.
10.Don’t believe everything you hear
(rumors). People hear things then all of a
sudden rumors start. Everyone doesn’t live by
the honesty policy, so don’t go by what people
say.
11.Take advantage of opportunities
given to you. Many opportunities will be
placed in front of you, but it is your responsibility to take action. Whether it’s extra credit
or scholarship applications, always be on top
of these important things.
12.Participate in extracurricular activities. This can build up your confidence and
also help you find friends with the same interests as you. Becoming more involved with
school activities can help build your social
skills.
13.Popularity should never be your #1
priority. Popularity is not something that you
should spend all your time trying to acquire.
Popularity only lasts so long. Your #1 priority
when coming into high school should always
be your grades.
14.Time management is important. Time
management is vital to your freshman
year. If you do not accomplish the task of
managing your time wisely, then school will be
extremely difficult to handle. Procrastination
MUST go out the window immediately.
15.Choose your friends wisely. Friends
have a big influence on you, so choosing the
wrong ones can influence you to do bad
things. You want friends who encourage you
to do your best and help you succeed, not
bring you down and push you to go in the
wrong direction. Negative friends? LET THEM
GO!
16.Don’t mess up your freshman year.
Your freshman year is really the most important year in high school. You should try to
pass all of your classes because if you don’t,
you’re going to have to repeat them, and that
can interfere with your graduating on time.
Furthermore,
colleges start looking at your grades as a
freshman, so once you mess up your freshman
year, it’ll be even harder to get it back up to
speed.
17.Come in high school with a positive
mindset. Having a positive mindset makes
learning easier for you. It’ll also be easier for
your teacher to instruct you. Having a positive
mindset will benefit you in the long run.
18.While in class don’t be afraid to ask
questions. Asking questions can help you in
the long run. You are basically practicing for
the test, so by the time the test comes
around, you will be prepared.
19.Doing your homework really benefits you. Many students think homework is
unnecessary and a waste of time. Let’s just
say, all that incomplete homework adds up
and slowly brings your grade down and that “I
left my homework at home” excuse does not
work anymore. Sorry…
Illustrations by Damir Ervin
National Day of Writing 2016
On October 22, students in several English classes participated in the National Day of
Writing. Students wrote poems inspired by George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From,”
wrote journal entries, and took to Twitter to share why they write. Here is a sample of
their creative genius!
Where I’m From by Charlyi Hines
I am from Portsmouth,
Where everyone knows each other, so secrets don’t exist.
I am from home daycare.
Where coming home to babies crying is normal, and milk never runs out.
I am from a big family.
Where there is always someone new at family reunions.
I am from Thanksgiving dinner.
Every aunt has to tell what she made this year,
and no one goes home hungry.
I am from my thoughts
I can never explain what’s really going on inside my head.
I am from church on Sundays
Getting up just before 10, so we won’t be late
and lose our seats.
I am from the Little Mermaid
Sing alongs and being told to sit down because I wasn’t in the movie.
I am from grandma’s bus
Everyday after school I had to make a choice, “Should I go home today or
not?”
I am from “You’re letting flies in!”
Quickly closing the screen door, so I don’t get yelled at.
I am from my friends
Who sometimes wonder if there really is something wrong with me.
There isn’t.
Where I‟m From by Nailah Martin
I am from palm trees,
Warm beaches and sunny days
Authentic Mexican food and 75* Christmases.
I am from my mother
Mickey Mouse pancakes and constant laughter
Music blasting while the house took a bath.
I am from my father
Hispanic roots where “spicy” doesn‟t exist
Broken English and loud music.
I am from my brothers and sisters
Hide-and-seek in the dark and “Can I have some too?”
Piggy back rides and BB guns.
I am from survival
Giving up your portion, brothers stealing food so we can eat.
I am from throwbacks
Lauryn Hill and Tupac
The Fugees and Biggie.
I am from a mixed family,
“You don‟t look black.” and “What you know „bout that?”
“That‟s your brother? Why does he have curly hair?”
I am from music
The snap of a drum and carefully plucked piano keys.
I am from God
Seventh Day Adventism, gospel, and questions, questions, questions.
I am from home
Wherever my friends and family are.
I am from there,
But now I am here.
Where I’m From by Tariq Johnson
I am from Portsmouth,
Where cornbread, and collard greens grow on trees
The place where you can’t step outside past seven or something might go wrong
I am from a birthday—
May 27, 2001—brought into the world wailing and crying,
Just to give my parents sleepless nights.
I am from humble beginnings,
Where if you don’t work hard for something, you don’t deserve it.
I am from loving parents.
The most caring and supportive people you could ever meet.
(I got lucky when I got them.)
They are the reason for my “Do-It-Yourself” mentality,
and where “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again,” comes from.
I am from younger brothers and older sisters
Where being told “Bring me the remote” while it’s two inches away,
and where “Get me my phone” is second nature.
I am from an Army family,
Where waking up at the crack of dawn is normal,
and running on weekends became known as “family bonding.”
I am from cheap Christmas trees and no chimney,
Where you got soap in your stocking, and you better be grateful.
I am from cooking,
Where if you don’t know how to cook you starve—except for Sundays—
Cereal became a serious part of my diet.
I am from Arabian and African ancestry
My name “Tariq” stands for much more than a messed up version of Tyreke,
and where Inkosi is a common male’s name.
I am from my mother
A single, independent, black woman who don’t need a man, because she has a loving
son,
Along with her daughters,
—but I love her more.
Casting Call!
Presidential Ink’s star reporter Mia Wright asked some students and teachers, “If a movie were being made about you which actor/actress would play your part?” She got some interesting responses.
Kevin Hart because he is an
hysterical guy,
and so am I.
MSgt. Hill, JROTC
be
n
ro
me tal- a
s
e C he i ry in
v
Do se s d ve
n
u
ca ed a
t
en ing.
ir
sp
Micala Horne, 10th grader
John
ny D
epp
caus
bee he
was
first
the
nam
e tha
cam
t
e to
mind
.
Mr. Ruff, math teacher
Ca
sti
pez
Jennifer Lo
e is
because sh
pretty and
Spanish.
s
Tere
a Pe
0th
ga, 1
e
t
r
O
rez-
er
grad
be e
h
t
h
mi is t e
S
l
e
th
il
W se h r in
u
o
ca a ct
top rld.
wo
Larr
y Jo
Kate
McK
inno
beca
n
use
she’
weir
sa
do.
Cassidi Benson, 9th grader
hns
on,
11th
grad
e
r
ng
Entertainment
Jokes, Jokes, and Jokes
Daffynition- Cold War: A snowball
fight.
What do you call a cheerleading dog?
A pom-pomeranian!
Buy the book, “How to be a Ninja” by
Sam R. Eye.
Political cartoon by Damir Ervin
Which wild west outlaw shoots ink? Billy the Squid
Why did the chicken cross the road? To not get run over…(what else
would you really expect?)
Cartoon by Damir Ervin