LaShawn Merritt addresses the crowd in the Little Theater

October 2016

“People remember

your charac-ter.”

--LaShawn

PRESIDENTIAL INK

Students from the track team, Portsmouth’s Mayor

Kenneth Wright, Portsmouth Public Schools’ digni-

taries, coaches, selected classes, and the media

filled the Little Theater at Woodrow Wilson High

School, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ports-

mouth’s hometown hero LaShawn Merritt--4 time

U.S. Olympic medalist. When Mr. Timothy John-

son, WWHS Principal, introduced Mr. Merritt, the

audience exploded with applause and jumped to

their feet in a standing ovation.

After the presentation of colors by the AJROTC

Color Guard, several of Merritt’s former coaches

recalled memories of a young LaShawn. Mr. Ros-

coe R. Cole, Sr., former high school football and

track coach, recalled a multi-talented young man.

He noted that LaShawn could choose from foot-

ball, track, and/or band. Mr. Cole reminisced

about convincing LaShawn’s mom to allow him to

play football. She finally agreed, but with the stipu-

lation 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 vol-

unteering at bingo to raise money for track, com-

menting that he never missed a session. He also

shared that LaShawn set an example for younger

LaShawn Merritt Day By: Mia Wright and Micala Horne

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 en-

couraging words

with the audience.

He spoke about the importance of family and

education. He praised former teachers and ad-

ministrators, reminding stu-

dents 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 en-

couraged 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 var-

sity football team played against I. C. Nor-

com. During half-time, Mayor Kenneth

Wright presented the Key to the City of

Portsmouth to Lashawn Merritt and de-

Te

am

Me

rritt

Team Merritt

Next Olympic hopeful?

Amari Jackson,

next Olympic

hopeful?

ADVICE FOR FRESHMEN HOW TO START OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

Amiya Brady

Treasure Bowman

Charlyi Hines

ShaMiya Faulks

LaSadie Lashley

Rowland Brown

Brian Boone, Jr.

Makala Smith

Destiny Dail Jada Riddick Daija Perry

Stevie Gary

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 trou-ble 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 be-hind 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, be-cause 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 responsi-bility to take action. Whether it’s extra credit or scholarship applications, always be on top of these important things. 12.Participate in extracurricular activi-ties. This can build up your confidence and also help you find friends with the same inter-ests 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 impor-tant 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 bene-fits 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 be-

ing made about you which actor/actress would play your part?” She got some interesting responses.

Kevin Hart be-

cause he is an

hysterical guy,

and so am I.

MSgt. Hill, JROTC

Micala Horne, 10th grader

Dove C

ameron be-

cause she is

tal-

ented and very

in-

spiring.

Mr. Ruff, math teacher

Johnny Depp be-cause he was the

first name that came to mind.

Jennifer Lopez

because she is

pretty and

Spanish.

Teresa Perez-Ortega, 10th grader

Larry Johnson, 11th grader

Will

Smith

be-

cause he is

the

top acto

r in th

e

world.

Cassidi Benson, 9th grader

Kate McKinnon because she’s a

weirdo.

Casting

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.

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?)

Political cartoon by Damir Ervin

Cartoon by Damir Ervin