A year of school flies by fast

Eight months of schooling can cause change inside its buildings and outside its four walls. While the 2010-2011 school year is coming to a close, looking back on it the changes are more obvious now then they were at the time.

“It’s weird how much can change in only one school year,” said freshman Brianna Jackson.

The first day of school was Aug. 9th, as new freshmen bustled in, the new seniors took their place. Schedules were handed out and throughout the day friendships were forged between people who had only just met each other.

Students came back into school, sporting the newest fashion trends such as off-the-shoulder shirts for girls and the v-necks for guys.

But while school was coming back into focus, Operation Iraqi Freedom was reaching it’s end. President Obama declared it over on Aug. 19. Soldiers would finally be coming home after seven years of war.

Picture day fast approached students and teachers; the picture taken on that day would live on for generations in a yearbook. While the girls primped and prepped, the boys smoothed and tucked for just one good picture to be taken on Aug. 26.

More important than a school picture; sports such as football, golf, and volleyball roared to life in the first month of school. The first pep rally was held on Aug. 27, where the seniors beat everyone out with their “battle cry” and the freshmen got their first taunting.

Girls broke out their pea coats and UGG boots, which were plentiful around campus, and the guys brought out their leather jackets and tennis shoes as the cooler weather settled over the city.

The first week-long break emerged on the scene with much anticipation on the week of Oct. 18-22. Students took the time to relax their brains from the new knowledge being poured into it and teachers got to relax their nerves with no students to watch over.

On Oct. 29, the school participated in the blood drive, hoping to beat out Bolton for more blood giving. That day was full of fainting, mass blood loss, and sleepy students from the pints of blood given from those who participated.

The day that many avid baseball fans wait all year for finally came. On Nov. 1 the World Series game was played and the New York Giants took the title for the first time since 1954.

“I was so nervous for that PLAN test when I heard it was like the ACT,” said sophomore Cassidy Cook.

The PLAN Test may have freaked the sophomores out but on Nov. 2 they overcame the test. Though it was not nearly as hard or long as the ACT, it helped sophomores know what they needed to work on to be prepared for the next year.

On Nov. 13 the annual dance Snowflake commenced, and while relationships began there, friends were also found. This was the last all-school dance for seniors and it hit a melancholy key.

Nov. 22 the annual Miss BHS pageant came into play, where Grace Burgess passed on her crown that she had won only as a sophomore to senior Reykisha Stewart. The night was full of girls decked out in their best dresses and the baseball team dressed as sharp as a tack.

The three days of Nov. 24-26 came as a welcome of family and bonding when Thanksgiving Break set in.

After gaining 10 lbs., students and teachers returned to tackle mid-year exams. While the freshmen got their first taste of high school exams, most seniors hoped it would be their last. The exams were held on the 16 and 17 of Dec., in which the 17 was shortened after completing all the exams.

Then came Winter Break. The temperature was colder, the days seemed to fly by, and sleeping in became a constant. As the passing of a New Year came and went, school reared its ugly head. Only this time it didn’t anticipate the weather would rear its head too.

Another fashion trend popped up after the holidays, a trend that helped more than the buyer. TOMS spiked in popularity as a shoe that not only helped those less fortunate get shoes, but also held comfort and thick, warm material for the cold months. They popped up over campus in every color from bright blue to sparkly black.

School resumed Tuesday Jan. 4 with no delay, but that very next Monday snow hit the world and left Shelby County all out of school. While many were thankful, some were trying to re-plan lessons. It really didn’t help when school was canceled the next day either, a rare treat in the Memphis-area.

The day of return, on Jan. 12, report cards were sent out for parents to see how their kids first semester went. While some kids had to be pulled from classes, others jumped with glee at making it by.

Students and teachers got another day off that next Monday on Martin Luther  King Jr. Day. To make this week shorter the weather had a trick up its sleeve, on Friday Jan. 21 another blanket of white covered our town bringing shouts of joy from small children and worry for school administrators in Shelby County. All hope was not lost because they announced a few months later that the snow days did not have to be made up.

On the week of Jan. 31 to Feb. 4, Winterfest commanded the school. Nerd day was a popular hit, as well as red-and-blue day. People’s school spirit began to shine through and as the pep rally came it was a sad one. The seniors realized this would be their last one, and their time at high school was closing off.

February was a quiet month compared to the months ahead for school, even though basketball was riled up and taking the court.

A day a football fan lived and breathed for came about on the calendar. Football fans gathered from all around on Feb. 7 to see the New Orleans Saints take the Super Bowl XLIV championship.

Then a crash back to reality sent many reeling in disbelief. On March 10, Japan was struck with an 9.0 magnitude earthquake which caused a tsunami to hit the island country. The tsunami at it’s highest point was 124 ft tall and traveled nearly 6 miles into the country. The National Police confirmed 14,238 deaths, 5,314 injured, and 12,228 people missing as well as 125,000 destroyed or damaged buildings.

Spring Break lifted everyone’s spirits in the month of March. Students took on the break with excitement, taking family trips, visiting colleges, and sleeping the day away. Teachers took their time and relaxed, as they had finished their grades the week before.

The blood drive came back to Bartlett on March 30 and more fainting, blood loss, and sleepy students ensued. Those that did not get the chance to be involved last time took glee in finally being 16 and able.

The dance everyone had anticipated came to school at last, Prom. Where the seniors felt the anxiety of their final farewell and the two people were selected for the coveted title of Prom King and Queen. Domenic Martini and Janyl Iganda were selected to have these honored titles.

“It just went by too fast!” said senior Xavier Lawrence.

Even with a year of ups and downs, it is easy to look back and see the unshakable memories and the new friendships forged.

Sports brief: Volleyball team finishes second in district

Though the girls’ volleyball team had an early exit out of the Region 7-AAA Tournament at Arlington High on October 19, the team is taking their season in stride, considering the deck of cards they were playing with this season. Many of the players had to change positions, some of which they never played full-time.

“This year’s team has had to go through a lot of growing pains,” said Coach Sherrie Walker, “but we’ve tried to overcome that by just working hard and trying to play smarter than the other team.”

Led by a mostly senior class, the team managed to finish in the top two in District 14-AAA, but was beaten by Arlington in the championship.

Sports brief: Girls’ soccer team reaches district competition

The goal of a new coach’s first season is to make a big impression on the future of the team. In the case of English teacher Catherine Jones, in her first year as the girls’ soccer coach, she has accomplished that goal very well.

“The first season was quite exiting. The girls did their best, and they were really challenged by some great teams.”

In the District 14-AAA Tournament, Bartlett beat Craigmont 11-0 in their first match, but the next day was beaten by Bolton 2-0.

Volleyball girls finish season

The volleyball season recently came to a close when the team progressed through districts and participated in the regional tournament. With a final record of 27-14, the team attended regionals as district runner-up, where they played Brighton and lost, ending their season.

Despite the disappointment of their loss, the team played their season not only to win, but also for the enjoyment of the game.

“Its pressure, but it’s one of those things you enjoy, and it’s a one-in-a-lifetime kind of thing,” senior Melanie Horne said. “You have to act a certain way and maintain a leadership role, not only for the team, but also for the coach.”

The seniors took the lead in the season, as the underclassmen look up to the seniors as an example not only in school, but also on the sports teams.

“When the seniors do their jobs, the underclassmen do their jobs,” head coach Sherrie Walker said.

Because of their team work, in the district matches the Bartlett volleyball team played Raleigh Egypt High School and Bolton High School and won both with a score of 3-0. Their streak ended when they lost to Arlington 3-2. Then, they went to regional and lost to Brighton High School 3-0.

“Overall they were disappointed [regionals] because they did so well last week,” Walker said, “but, realistically they knew they didn’t play their best and have been better at times.”

Through the wins and losses, the team had a lot of parental support this season.  However, student supporters showed up more at the beginning of the season, and slowly began fade from the bleachers as the weeks passed.  In spite of decreasing student support, the team still had some very dedicated fans that came to support them, even at away games.

“They’ve had a pretty good season,” sophomore Joseph Slezak said. “My girlfriend’s on the team, so as a show of support I bought food and went to their away games.”

As the season came to a close, the team had mixed feelings about the way in which it ended. However, their loss does not prevent them from feeling as if their season was a success.

“I don’t agree with people that say they have no regrets,” Horne said. “Of course there are things I’d change, but was it still a great season? Yes.”

Sports Briefs

Player of the week
Bartlett has produced yet another Player of the Week, sponsored by First Citizens National Bank. Senior Jeremy Merriweather won the award for his performance as the defensive linebacker against the Arlington Tigers on Sept. 18.

Merriweather’s accomplishments in this game include two knock-down passes, one quarterback hurry—in which he rushed a quarterback and made him drop the ball quickly—and six tackles.

Former Players of the Week include seniors Vernon Cavitt and Willie Matthews. The varsity team plays the Central High Warriors on Sept. 25 at 7:00. Their record still stands at 0-4.

Everyone loves C.C.
Senior Carrie Conner, known as “C.C.” among her friends, has been touted by cross-country coach Edward Sullivan as the “number one girl on the team.” In the Tennessee Classic 31st Annual Cross Country Meet on Sept. 20, C.C. made the five-kilometer run in 24:28.87 minutes.

The only reason this time is worse than her usual time is that the track on Sept. 20 was muddy and slick from the constant rain Tennessee had last week. Her time was the 169th best in the area when competing against hundreds upon hundreds of students from all four corners of Tennessee and some areas of Kentucky.

C.C.’s talent has been noticed not only by her own coach, but also by college coaches. The University of Tennessee at Martin is currently scouting her to sign with them after she graduates from high school.

Varsity volleyball hits the net
With an 8-5 record, the Lady Panthers’ volleyball team competed against the Ridgeway Roadrunners on Sept. 24 at 7:00 p.m. On the weekend of Sept. 25 they will play in the Franklin Tournament in Franklin, Tennessee. Their next game is Sept. 29 against the Bolton Wildcats at Bolton High School.

Volleyball sets off to good season

The volleyball team has had practices all summer, which started in May. According to the team, they are not backing down this year. They team recently spent a weekend together at Brentwood for a jamboree, where they worked on every part of the team.

“The team learned a lot about working together,” Coach Sherrie Walker said. This is Walker’s nineteenth year coaching the volleyball team for Bartlett.

Last year the team won District and placed second at the regional competition but lost in
Sectionals. The team has seven returning players: one setter–senior Morgan Henry, and three hitters–senior Dionne Vann, senior Krystal Kirby and sophomore Ashleigh Anderson.

Walker says that all of her players are important to the team while some of them are better at offense and some at defense. She says it is still too early in the season to determine how successful the team will be as they are still addressing the loss of graduated seniors and injuries from last year.

In their first match of the season against Brighton, the girls won with a score of 25-20. They also came out on top in the second game with a score of 25- 23. And as for the third game– you guessed it– Bartlett won with a score of 28-26.

In the JV match against White Station on Aug. 27, both teams stayed neck-and-neck until Bartlett came back to get the win. The story was just about the same in all of the Varsity games, with both teams fighting to the finish, but Bartlett won all three.

The team and Walker are convinced that this year could be one of the best they have had.

“The team is not backing down,” said Walker.

The team will keep fighting, and they don’t plan on giving up any time soon. They feel they are ready for whatever comes their way and ready to “spike” back at the challenges this season may bring.