Freshman Interview
Bradley Mccoy
Bradley McCoy is a freshman this year at Southern High School. He is really enjoying himself this yea. Bradley says that being at the high school is way better than being in junior high. He thinks that this year has been going by very fast. It's hard to believe that he is already in his second semester. Bradley says that there is, indeed, a difference between the junior high academics and high school academics. High school seems to throw up more of a challenge. However, Bradley is not having a problem adjusting to the difference.
Bradley loves sports. In his own words, “Without sports, the world wouldn't be worth it.” Bradley is a boy who strongly believes this. Bradley plays all of the sports that he can, while he keeps his grades up, of course. Currently, he plays on the freshman and junior varsity basketball team. Bradley says that high school basketball is different from junior high basketball in many ways. The most significant is that the fans are much more aggressive. They are wonderful fans, however they put a lot of pressure on the boys when they are playing their game. Bradley thinks that pressure is good for the boys, it's what helps them win the game. Earlier this year, Bradley ran cross country. He says that the meets were a lot bigger than they were when he was in junior high. The competition level was higher as well. Bradley enjoys the higher level of competition, though. He believes that it is a great way to become better at anything you do.
Bradley loves to play sports at his family alumni, Southern High School. Without sports, school would be a long, deep, continuous routine. Sports give him a way to calm down and have some fun. School work stresses people out. Playing some sort of sport after school is a way to get everything off your mind. Although Bradley plays so many sports, he is able to pay attention in class. This gives him the ability to focus on sports out of school.
With three years left in high school, Bradley hopes to stay on the honor roll, be accepted into the National Honor Society, and excel in all of the sports that he participates in. Although he is so young, he has little plans of what he wants to do. Bradley hopes to be able to play sports in college. However, if he can't, he has been thinking of a military career. But, alas, he is keeping his mind open to anything new.
Junior Interview
Angie Eynon
Angie Eynon is a junior at Southern High School. She will be participating in track this spring, and played volleyball this past fall. She said that is is pretty easy dealing with school and sports. She usually doesn't have many complications in her schedule. Angie is also capable of holding a social life along with her busy schedule. Angie said that she wouldn't want to play for any other school. She loves playing for Southern, no matter if they are winning or loosing. Angie has always gone to Southern, and she loves it. She wouldn't want to go to any other school. With sports and school, Angie doesn't have time for drama. Luckily, she is able to keep it out of her life. Angie can't wait for her senior year next year. She will still participate in sports, and keep her grades up.
– Kristen Holbrook
FFA
The Racine-Southern FFA is currently getting ready for their 82nd Annual FFA Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for April 14, 2012. As every other year, all of the members are excited to attend their, one of a kind, chapter banquet. A FFA banquet is a way for a chapter to show off how much talent and skill they have. This year, the members plan for it to be the best banquet they have held in many years. They are currently debating on different themes and guest speakers for the banquet. They are purchasing decorations, planning meals, and getting all of the speeches typed and ready to go. Senior officer, Emily Manuel says that she hopes the time will be better managed this year than they have been in the past. Everyone is working to show that they are the best that they can be.
As of right now, the banquet will consist of opening ceremonies, followed by a guest speaker. Food will then be served. After the food is served, and guests are comfortably eating, they will be treated to one more guest speaker. Award will then be given out, and pictures will be taken to remember what a banquet it was. At the very end of the banquet, an installment of new officers will take place. This year, most of the officers are seniors. The senior officers include, Clayton Moore, Olivia Searls, Emily Manuel, Miranda Holter, Jesse Lamar, Josh Goodnite, and Chase Graham. All of these offices will be replaced by new officers. As of tight now, there are fifteen members running for offices. Unfortunately, only ten of those members will receive an office.
It will be a very emotional time for all of the seniors. They have mentioned that they love being seniors, and they can't wait to graduate. However, they say that they will be extremely sad to not participate in the various FFA activities at Southern High School. The senior officers say that they will miss their advisor, Rashel Yates; she has been there for them for four years, and they can not imagine her not being in heir life.
– Olivia Searls
History of Southern
When looking through our school's old newspapers, I find a lot of interesting historic information about our school district. It may seem boring to some but looking through these articles is interesting. It's like going back in time to when my parents and grandparents were in high school. And I'm sure everyone can see and at least imagine how much times have changed. Even christmas traditions and how the community celebrated with each other. But when I looked through 7 different December issues of The Echo, I saw very little difference.
As I looked through the 1936, 1947, 1953, 1959, 1965, 1967, and 1979 Christmas issue they all were summing up their past six week grading periods. Like we have out nine weeks the had six. So every class would talk about how they sold candy or held some other form of fundraiser to earn money for their class. The clubs would talk about up coming events they were to hold or past events not yet reported. They would also talk about dances that would be held soon and so forth. Which was a typical formula to use for their issues.
In fact, we are still pretty much the same. We do student interviews like they did, make puzzles, and keep the student body informed about what's happening around them. And this time of year, of course, is screaming basketball. The teams are starting to form together and begin practice. Basketball has been a very big sport at Southern for many years. It's a strong suit of ours that the students, faculty and community have been proud of for years.
But they of course couldn't have a December issue without mentioning Christmas, and neither can we now. For their Christmas articles, the old The Echo's would mostly have song lyrics, poems, puzzles and Christmas jokes. For our issue we will have a 'Tis The Season on Christmas, puzzles, and poems. Christmas spirit was high then and is now, but it's also important to make sure we do our job to keep everyone informed like we do every other issue.
I just find it amazing that even though we've had The Echo ran by different teachers and have had different members involved, the articles have hardly changed. Granted, we are a small community and it's easy to look back and stay connected, but a 75 year period when we've had The Echo, our goals and our priorities have essentially been unchanged.
--Abbie Williams