FairmontHigh SchoolIssue 29 April 30, 2010
By: Candace Locklear
We are proud to welcome Ms. Katie Floyd to FHS as our newest Math teacher. She is a native of Lumberton with family ties to Fairmont. She is a graduate of LumbertonSenior High School and will graduate from UNC-C with a Bachelors of Arts and Sciences in Mathematics and a minor in Education. Ms. Floyd decided to come to FHS to be closer to her family and work in a small school. She has always wanted to be a teacher because she enjoyed mathematics and wants her students to enjoy math as well. Ms. Floyd enjoys spending time with family and friends. In her spare time you’ll probably find her in the kitchen, with a good baseball game on television. Country is her favorite music genre.
Story #6
By Matt Stephens and Jessica Lewis
“C’mon guys it’ll be fun” said Larry Stackhouse as he led his group of friends into Johnson cemetery. It was pitch black outside, no moon nor star hung in the sky. In the distance an owl could be heard giving what seemed to be a warning to the youths. “This is a bad idea” said Jeremy Baldwin. “Hey, where’s Brian?” asked Jack Locklear. Everyone looked far and wide but Brian Walters couldn’t be found. A scream was let out from the back of the group. They looked in the direction of the yell…only to find that Helena Hunt was also gone. Suddenly, a shadowy figure dropped down from an over-hanging tree. “AAAHHHH!!!” all of the people shot off on different paths, narrowly avoiding the clutches of the creature. Jeremy ran and ran until he made it to the exit gate of the cemetery. As he panted for breath he looked at who stood around him. Only Chasity Jones, Kimberly Hill, and he had made it out. Jack Locklear, Larry Stackhouse, Cindy Sweat, and Mindy Sweat were still inside…so was Brian and Helena…if they were alive. “We’ve got to go back” proclaimed Jeremy. “Are you coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs or something!? Because I got some cereal at my house.” stated Chasity. Undaunted, Jeremy knew what he had to do; he couldn’t leave his friends behind. The three cautiously entered the crypt and came upon an open grave. The tombstone read: B-e-r-n-i-e-M-a-c. “OMG! Bernie Mac came back to make us laugh to death!” said Chasity. Just then, a person could be felt behind them. Chasity picked up a shovel and went at the figure. “Die zombie! I like Dave Chappelle better!” after beating the “zombie” half-to-death, she discovered that it was actually Brian Walters. Lights were cut on, balloons flew into the air, and a loud “SURPRISE” came from all of Chaitiy’s friends. They had decided to throw an elaborate surprise party. Joshua McLean, clad in a Bernie Mac mask, had been the one who “scared” them all. Hours went by, with the party over the group of friends began to return home. Unknown to them, a hand burst from the soil of one of the graves. The tombstone read: M-i-c-h-a-e-l-J-a-c-k-s-o-n. Jeremy looked back into the cemetery; his yellow eyes glowed in the darkness.
by Shawn Stinsonfrom The Robesonian
For a lot of people in RobesonCounty, the name Travis Monroe is not known, or is only vaguely remembered.
Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of Monroe's death, but his life and story continue to touch people daily.
His absence leaves a void for not only his family, but friends as well. A childhood friend, Oneika McCormick, dreaded the beginning of the college basketball season because of Monroe's love of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
The story isn't about Monroe and the Tar Heels, but about a person overcoming obstacles to do what he loves best, playing basketball.
In the mid-90s, Monroe scored 28 points and hit a game-winner jumper for Fairmont against county rival St. Pauls as a sophomore. As a junior, Monroe never had a chance to improve his skills or make the coaching staff at his beloved North Carolina take notice.
Instead of battling the opposition for a loose ball or a rebound, Monroe was fighting for his life. His high school coach Michael Baker remembers hearing about Monroe's problems while dealing with his own illness.
"I heard he fell out while playing," Baker recalled. "I was in and out of coaching at the time because of cancer treatments. He fell out against and I told him he would have to see a doctor. They couldn't find anything wrong with him, but fell out again. This time I said he had to go see a specialist and that's when they found out he had a heart condition."
Baker said doctors first attempted to fix Monroe's heart with surgery, but were unable remedy the situation. So Monroe was scheduled to have a heart transplant.
Generally, this was seen as the end of an athlete's career. Only former NBA stars Sean Elliott and Alonzo Mourning come to mind when undergoing a transplant and continuing their playing days. The big difference between those two players and Monroe, was Elliott and Mourning received new kidneys, not a heart.
On Feb. 27, 1996, Monroe received his new heart. One of the first things Monroe told Baker was he wanted to come back and play basketball. Baker was skeptical but told Monroe his jersey was there for him.
Monroe overcame incredible odds to not only don the Golden Tornadoes jersey again, but walk out onto the basketball court.
According to the Web site WebMD, 81 percent of people who receive heart transplants survive for at least one year, about 75 percent survive five years and only around 50 percent survive 10 years.
"It was amazing," Baker said. "I saw the struggle he went through, it was just a blessing to see him on the court."
Even though Monroe was no longer the player he was as a sophomore, he played his senior season with a joy Baker still remembers to this day.
"He was like a kid in a candy shop," he said. "When he was on the court, it was like he could eat all the candy he wanted. He gave everything he had and he didn't want me or anyone to cut him slack because of his illness."
Monroe finished the season and even though he was one of the top reserves, his leadership helped Fairmont finish as sectional runners-up.
After leaving Fairmont, Monroe graduated from North Carolina A &T and later married and two children, but he continued to play basketball and captured gold medals in the Transplant Olympic Games.
Monroe became what is believed to be the first North Carolina high school athlete to play a contact sport with a transplant. But more importantly, touched the lives of everyone who came in contact with him.
By: Brittany Hunt
On Wednesday the Beta Club members planted flowers around the school. This was their service project for the semester. Mrs. Bass believes that the overall participation and out come of the service project went very well. Desmond Parker said “It was a step in the right direction for the school and the environment.” All members were pleased with the efficiency of this project.
By: Ashley Scott
Fairmont played the Conference Tournament April 26 at home. The doubles team of Brandon McDonald and Juwan Addison defeated the team of Geremy Jones and Marquez Moore for the Conference Title. Robert Leggett was defeated by Ethan Caudell from St. Paul’s in the singles Championship. The first round of the state playoffs will be held on Tuesday, May 4 at FHS.
Coach Kemp was named Coach of the Year.
By: Samariel Arnette
Deandre Johnson qualified for the Regionals in the 300 Hurdles. Artez Edwards and Deandre Johnson came in second in their respective events. The Track and Field Conference Championship was held here yesterday. The results will be in next week’s paper.
Seniors!!!There are extra Announcements available for $1.00 from Mrs. Floyd, Room B-4.
By Teresa Kitt
J.V.. Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on May 10-14 from 3:30-5:30 for any rising 9th-10th grade female. Varsity Cheerleading Tryouts will be held on May 17-21 from 3:30-5:30.You must have a physical on the first day of tryouts in order to participate. Both J.V. and Varsity Cheerleading Packets can be picked up from Coach Baker. Looking for females that have school spirit and that like to compete. Any male that can tumble and or that would like to be a Stuntman for either Football, Basketball, or both seasons are encouraged to Tryout for a stuntman position. For tryouts females will perform a cheer, chant, dance, and jump. All of which will be taught at tryouts. For male tryouts they will either tumble, and perform various stunts with female candidates. Males only are required to have a physical on their first day of tryouts. Males will tryout on May 17-21 with the Varsity Team.
By Chris Ware
In the 3 Rivers Golf Match on April 26 FHS placed second overall. Avery Walters placed 1st with a score of 77. The other team members’ scores were Simon Granados with 96, Aaron Maynor with 93, and Brandon Jessup with 88. Avery was named the Conference Player of the Year. He and Simon Granados were named to the All-Conference team. FHS will host the Mid-easternRegionalState Golf Tournament on May 3rd. 2010 at Fairmont Golf Club at 8:00AM.
By: Austin Hunt
Last Friday our Varsity Baseball team played South Robeson and won the game 10 to 4. This past Tuesday they played West Columbus in a close game and won 3 to 2 with the three seniors starting their last game for Fairmont at home. Seniors are Colton Barnhill, Josh Jones and Ryan Gibson.
Kyle Britt was the winning pitcher allowing only 3 hits in 7 inn. Leading hitters Kyle Britt 2-3 with a double, Zack Pittman 1-1 with two walks Alex Riddle & Josh Josh 1-3. The next game is today at Red Springs at 6:00PM.
By: Desmond Parker
Our JV boys went 2 for 3 in their last three games. They defeated the South Robeson Mustangs on Friday night. With that win they swept the regular season series against them. On Tuesday they played a double header against the West Columbus Vikings. The young Tornadoes split the two games winning one and losing the other. They play at home tonight.
By: Brenna Jacobs
On Tuesday, an eight-run fifth inning was the spark for the Fairmont softball team’s 18-8 comeback win against West Columbus at home. Behind 5-3 going into the bottom of the fifth, Amanda Hunt picked up two RBI’s to tie the game, and Autumn Hinson followed with a hit to give the Golden Tornadoes the lead. Sencerae Locklear picked up the win for Fairmont, and went 2-4 at the plate. Seniors playing their last home game were Courtney Hunt, Sencerae Locklear, Asia Jones andAmanda Hunt. The Golden Tornadoes are back in action today at Red Springs.
By: Jasmine Richardson
Self Control is the ability to control your own actions and emotions. Being able to restrain yourself from doing something that is bad can be very good, but letting yourself go is not bad as long as you bring yourself back.
By: A.J. Criss
“Making 1,000 friends in one year is not a miracle, having one friend stand by you for 1,000 years is.” – Rev. Run
By: Cassandra Barfield
Today JV Baseball at home at 5pm
Varsity Baseball and Softball
at Red Springs at 6pm
5/3 – Regional Golf @ 8:00AM
5/4 – Fuel @ 7:40
Art Club @ 3:15
JV Baseball @ 5:00 @ Home
Varsity Baseball and Softball
@ 6:00 @ E. Columbus
5/5 HOSA Blood Drive
5/6 Fuel @ 7:40
JV Baseball @ 5:00 @ Home
Varsity Baseball and Softball
@ 6:00 @ St. Pauls
5/11 FFA Banquet at 6pm
Underclass picture money due today
Late Order Cap and Gown Picture money due today. $5.00 late fee
Yearbooks are scheduled to arrive the 2nd week of May. There are still some available for $55.00
Seniors who still owe fees to FHS need to get this cleared up. You cannot graduate if you owe fees. Please return the Senior portfolios if you are not going to purchase them.