Articles
These are stories I have wrote through out this year in Mav Media. They are featured in the our 2022 yearbook and our website, Southworld Online.
Football Story
Eliminating the mask mandate for outdoor sports and modifying quarantine regulations aided coaches in athlete restrictions and increased stadium numbers across the conference.
On Sept. 3, the Mavs were one touchdown away from beating last year's 5A champs, Greenwood. The team put up 48- 54 against the Bulldogs. Junior David Sorg netted 456 passing yards for six touchdowns.
Kicker Jackson Delassus went six of six in field goals. Senior Kent Carisle grabbed two touchdowns with 156 receiving yards. The game started out slow with the Mavs down at halftime, but the team scored 35 points in the second half. Senior Zach Medlin who ended the season with over 100 tackles, averaged 13 tackles per game.
The first road win against Rogers Heritage on Oct. 15 ended 50-28. Senior receiver Luke Wyatt had eight catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
“The season didn’t go how we hoped but I feel like we tried to set a good foundation for the underclassmen to not give up and give it your all even when things aren’t going like you hoped,” Luke Wyatt said.
A second win against Springdale on Nov. 5 with a 52-51 score was due to the Bulldogs’ failed attempt on a two point conversion after scoring. This conference win
earned them a seat in the state tournament.
“What an exciting win at springdale to clinch a playoff game. Outcome in the first round of playoffs was not what we wanted, but the experience the underclassmen gained from the atmosphere will pay off in the future,” Coach Jones said.
Facing off with number one ranked North Little Rock on Nov 12 ended the season with a 51-7 loss. Post-season honors went to Desmond Lopez-Fulbright All-Conference honorable mention. Zach Medlin and Luke Wyatt All-Conference and All-State Dmitri Lloyd and Jackson Delassus.
Memorabilia
Southside is my home. Since early elementary, the campus has played an active role in my life. In 3rd grade I attended the majorette clinic. Before the performances, my family and I walked through the school. The hallways were full of decor, trophy cases and a huge statue. The spirit of the school resonated to all who walked in. It gave me chills knowing this was my school.
Mom attended this school. Her journalism awards hang in the same room I work in everyday. This memorabilia means something to me and others in this school and community. Never will I think these artifacts make the halls look crowded or messy. To me the memorabilia should always be there.
Dad got the job on campus when I was in 6th grade. Three years later as a freshman, I joined varsity tennis. After practice I stayed after school with him. Checking his mailbox in the office, I walked past the homecoming queens’ pictures in the trophy case outside the principal’s office and admired the framed prom tickets on the walls. I loved seeing the different reactions and smiles from the queens and all the other maids. Every image was different yet captured the joy in each moment. My friend just won homecoming queen. Her picture deserves to sit with those other queens. She has done so much for this school and has made my senior year spectacular.
Being Mav Media photo editor has been one of the most exciting things of my high school career. Taking pictures of the different aspects of campus life is rewarding. I love seeing my classmates in their atmosphere and being involved with other students.
Yearbooks chronicle the differences and the similarities, the spirit and cheer, the pride and love for the school. Records of traditions and how they started add to the school's legacy as does the memorabilia that used to hang in the halls and fill the trophy cases.
Being an athlete teaches me how influential it is to be on a team at this school. The coaches and athletes have left an impact on my life. Their hard work deserves to be honored and admired by all. State titles, conference championships, tournament wins, no matter the mascot and new traditions represent the same school.
The administration should keep the memorabilia on display to honor the alumni and current students whose achievements make Southside the best school in the state. The titles, recognitions, and awards mean nothing if we can’t use it to challenge ourselves to strive to be better than the school has ever been.These reminders allow the opportunity to look back and understand that looking forward the Class of ‘22 will represent alongside past alumni. This history isn’t just about honoring sports and homecoming queens, it displays memorials of people that had an impact on this school. Framed people of those no longer with us add to the legacy. Renewing the main hall to recapture school spirit keeps the legacy intact for future generations.
Halloween Game
Oct.26, the 1st annual battle of the bats commenced. The Maverick softball and baseball teams split up and combined so the teams would be random. Every player was required to wear a costume. Laura Keener, Amy Adams, and Kristi Waller were the official umpires. Assistant Principal Jeff Mosby narrated the game with jokes.
“Coach Reichert put together an incredible night of fun with the help of coaches Harpaneu, Burgess and Stovall. Needham, a SHS graduate and teacher at Belle Point came out to pitch. The athletes from the softball and baseball teams seemed to have a blast. There was so much laughter by the players, those that were involved and the large crowd of spectators. AP Mosby did a great job with the jokes on the mic while calling the game. I loved all of it and hope it will be a yearly event,” Waller said.
The slow pitch softball game played 7 innings with games and fun in between. Athletes sold tickets to students and families and encouraged them to dress up at the game. Dinner was provided for fans and players donated by sponsors so all the ticket money went to both teams.
“I had so much fun being an umpire for the Halloween softball game. It was fun interacting with the students in a non-academic setting. Building relationships with students is so important, and I think this opportunity gave me time to do just that. It was also nice to interact with students who I don't have an opportunity to teach so they can see just how crazy I really am,” Adams said.
“I want to thank the softball and baseball coaches for inviting me to MC the benefit games. It was a wonderful night filled with lots of fun, good food, and great athletes that could take a little bit of teasing or should I say a lot of teasing,” Mosby said.
Contact
I'm always looking for new projects and opportunities in Media!
479-561-9840