In My View--

What is the meaning of pride? The meaning of pride "is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, or conduct." In more plain and understandable words, pride is the state of feeling confident. School pride is an important characteristic to have. Being proud of the school you represent, shows on and off campus. If you display your school pride, classmates, community members, even rivals will notice and try to do better to represent their own schools just as you. Displaying school pride can be in actions such as cheering at athletic events, applauding at concerts and plays, and getting involved in events around the school. Showing school pride doesn't have to be limited to the campus but can also stretch out to the community. This feeling can be accomplished by volunterring at hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters. The lasting effect on the people that you help leaves a good impressiong for yourself and your school, causing you to be proud in both areas. School pride is an emotion that should be displayed loudly so that the world can hear. Having school pride strengthens the spirits of every classmate, teacher, and faculty member who is involved with the bettering of the school.

Joshua Burtston, Editor

As I See It . . .

Even though everybody who drives wants a parking permit to drive to school, some of those students may end up riding the buses instead. Right now a little more than 16,000 out of the 21,350 students in Coweta County are riding buses. Out of the 211 bus routes, only 93 buses are covering them. Seventy-five of these buses are having to drop off middle and elementary school students then pick up the high school students. Those students who don't get parking permits and start riding the school buses will create problems in the system of transportation. The limited number of bus drivers aren't enough to transport the massive number of students in Coweta County. According to another newspaper, these numbers will create problems. Since there will be so many students riding the buses and so few buses, the buses may have to pick some studenst up and leave some at the bus stop, drop them off and then come back for the other students.

Sam McCloud, Associate Editor

Newnan Notes . . .

Great Beginning

On September 16, 2006, the Newnan High School GA-934 AFJROTC attended the Valdosta State University AFROTC Detachment 172 Blazer Invitational Drill Meet. They competed against fifteen teams from Georgia and Florida. The unarmed regulation drill team, under the command of c/Lt. Col. Jared Coleman, placed fifth out of fifteen, and the unarmed exhibition drill team, under the command of c/Cpt. Sheala Kelley, placed third and received a trophy for their performance. This competition was the first drill meet of the school year. The next drill meet is October 7, 2006, at Houston County High School. Good job, team.

Once again, the NHS JROTC Unit and Booster Club would like to thank all who contributed to their yard sale on September 9. They raised over $1300 and plan to have another sale in late October. If you would like to donate items, please contact Lt. Col. Broadnax or Msgt. Armstrong in the NHS AFJROTC department at 770-254-2888.

c/1st Lt. Quo'Vadis Thomas, NHS AFJROTC Public Affairs Officer

Counselor News

Straight from the counselors' mouth; it's all the information you need to know about what you need to do this year.

For the sophomore class, get ready! The PSATs will be here before you know it. On October 18th, all tenth grade students will take the free test. The test is to show how you could do on the real SATs. If you didn't get your Practice PSAT booklet in advisement (September 19th), there are plenty in the guidance office.

Juniors, get your pencils ready. The writing test is coming up September 27. Make sure you know your room assignments, which are posted in every building in the school. Remember, the test is required for graduation, so do you best.

CEC will be holding a Probe College Fair on October 3rd for all students from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Brittney Weaver, Freelance

SGA News

The SGA would like to thank all the students and teachers who participated in writing letters to soldiers. Eight hundred letters were sent to all of the armed forces overseas. The soldiers will appreciate your thoughtful words of encouragement. Thank you again, Newnan High.

Homecoming is only a few weeks away, and it's time to prepare. The sponsors for this year are Mrs. Kee 9th; Mrs. Wold, 10th; Mrs. Sourbrower, 11th; and Mrs. Dunn, 12th. We would like to thank the sponsors for this year. We need more teacher help, and if there are any teachers who would like to participate, please speak with one of the sponsors. Students who would like to help with floats should speak with their SGA representatives in first block and get permission forms from them (if not go see Mrs. Quesinberry). There will be prizes awarded to the first, second, and third place winners for the floats and the door decorations. The winners will be announced at homecoming half time.

Homecoming is a fun time for Newnan High and the community. It's the time when people who have graduated to come back and see how great Newnan has become over the years. Show how much spirit you have and help build your class floats, and your first block doors.

Students need to have their class trailers by the Monday of homecoming week. The week of homecoming, students can work on the floats from Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., please have a ride waiting for you if you don't drive. The homecoming parade will start at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, and the homecoming game will start at 7:30.

It's never too early to begin collecting cans. We've been on a winning streak, so let's not stop now. The Can-A-Thon is right around the corner; students and teachers should be bringing in cans to prepare for "Can Blitz," which is during the week of East Coweta versus Newnan game.

Kiki Cato and Marranda Hose, SGA Editors

Local

Taste of Home Cooking School

The Taste of Home Cooking School of Greendale, Wisconsin, is holding a workshop and demonstration at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on November, 2 at 7:00 p.m. Newnan Utilities is the main sponsor of the event. Tickets are ten dollars and can be purchased after October 5 at the Centre for Performing Arts, Bank of Coweta at Thomas Crossroads, Newnan Pawn Shop on Jackson Street, and the Times-Herald offices. If you would like to learn new recipes or cooking techniques, be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

Joseph Bentley, Local News Editor

Puppy Prance Fundraiser

The Puppy Prance Fundraiser is designed to raise money for the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc., or the SEGDI. This group is an organization whose objective is to provide well-trained guide dogs for the visually imparied. The funraiser is scheduled for October 7th from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Coweta County Fairgrounds. It will include a 3 kilometer walk (which is optional), guide dog demonstrations, vendor booths, games for children, and more. Those who raise $25 or more will receive lunch and a t-shirt.

SEGDI has a 23 acre campus in Palmetto, Florida. This campus is a place for the visually impaired to go and train with the dogs at no charge to them. Attending next year will be twenty-five year old Josh Evans, who has been legally blind since his three week coma in December, 2004.

Evans currently lives at home ans helps as a mentor at Moreland Elementary School. He hopes to soon be living and working on his own.

Mandy Morris, Local News Editor

Restaurant Highlights of the Week

(The poll is a reflection of the opinion of the Chronicles staff and does not necessarily encompass opinions held by faculty or administration of NHS.)

(Ratings: 1-5, with 5 being the best)

In a hurry? Run by . . .

Quizno's * * * * *

Larry's Giant Subs * * * *

Dominoes * * * *

Have a minute? Take a seat at . . .

O'Charley's *

TGIFriday's * * * *

Moe's Southwestern Grill * * *

Sprayberry's * * * *

Need something sweet? Go to . . .

Steak N Shake * * * * *

Brusters * * * *

Joseph Bentley and Mandy Morris, Local News Editors

Clubs

Psychology Club

Psychology Club is participating in a walk for breast cancer patients. The walk is called Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event will take place at Atlantic Station. The walk itself is three miles long. It is not a competitive walk. The key goal of the walk is to raise funds for breast cancer research. The funds raised will also be used for breast cancer services as well as patient education and support. The club's goal is to raise at least three hundred dollars.

If you are interested in participating in the walk, you can contact Rene McClure at mcclure@numail.org to get more information. Please help these cancer patients by donating and walking. They need all the help you can give.

Haleigh Copeland, Clubs Editor

Key Club

A Key Club meeting was held on September 14th. The meeting began with a discussion of new activities. Some new activities include helping at the Georgia Power cookout and a few other upcoming events. To sign up for these events, see Mrs. Prout for more details. If you are in Key Club, remember to pay dues as soon as possible. If dues haven't been paid, late fees will be added.

Also Hospice cake baking will take place on Wednesday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.. To sign up for this activity, see Mrs. Prout.

Don't forget that Key Club is still accepting children's clothes for Key Club hours.

If you missed the meeting, see Mrs. Prout or your team leader.

Chastity Garrison, Clubs Editor

French Club

French club members who signed up for window painting need to meet at Scott's Bookstore on Sunday, October 1. We will be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to show our homecoming spirit.

Casey Lesene, Freelance Contributor

World

Hungry

In Africa, the depletion of food, water, and livestock is on the rise. Due to drought, crop failure, and livestock dying, six million people are starving. The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has said two million people need urgent humanitarian help in Somalia.

The situation is also very serious in south-eastern Ethiopia, where one and a half million are on the brink of starving. Kenya residents are also facing similiar challenges as they have appealed for one hundred and fifty million dollars to feed the hungry. That equals out to almost ten percent of their population.

Water is also needed in these countries, to properly restock nutrition to animals, as well as the effected population. It is said that according to the world food program about 64,000 tons of food aid were needed there until June 2006, and only 16,700 were available.

With the Americanized "War on Terror" publicized everywhere, distracting ourselves long enough to pay concern to another cause sometimes becomes difficult.

Ross Shelley, World News Editor

Tainted Spinach

Friday, a natural foods company was linked to the E. coli outbreak that has killed one person and sickened over one hundred others.

Supermarkets in nineteen states have pulled spinich from the shelves. "We're telling everyone to get rid of any fresh bagged spinach right now. Don't assume anything is over," said Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

E. coli cannot be washed off. This bacteria lives in the intestine of cattle and other animals; therefore, the use of manure as a fertilizer for typically raw eaten foods, such as spinach, isn't a good idea.

From California to South Carolina, everyone is disposing of spinach to avoid a potential epidemic problem.

Veronica Turner, Public Relations and Freelance

Cancer Story

Seventeen year old Nicole Hasting of Willowick, Ohio, has terminal cancer and has dreamed of the perfect wedding. Fortunately for her, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is going to pay for the wedding of her dreams in the small town of Mentor near Cleveland. The foundation is paying for the party of sixteen, the reception with a lavish dinner, a disc jockey, and a beautiful cake. Her doctors say she is to exchange vows with her long time boyfriend, Christian Michael John Roberts, in United Methodist Church before several hundred witnesses this September twenty-second. Unlike any other wedding, Nicole's is going to be slightly different. It will be merely a commitment wedding. Christian said, "We talk about it (getting married) a lot, even though it's hard," he said. "But when you love someone, you stay with her."

Caitlin Williams, World News Editor

Sports

Cougar Talk

The Newnan Varsity Softball team had a tournament September 15-16. The game was in Carrollton at the recreation center for the Central Invitational. The Lady Cougars battled it out on Saturday against the Panthers in the sixth inning, struggling for a win. Kayla Valery was the starting pitcher, and she did an awesome job. A.J. Hill, Kimberly Larkey, and Chrissy Rainwater started the game out well with hitting. Shea Martin and Alietha Sinkfield helped out by scoring and hitting RBI's. This game gave them a 2-3 record.

Head coach Carrie Gilmore stated for The Newnan Times-Herald, "The tournament did help us for the East Coweta game."

The Newnan Courgars play the East Coweta Indians September 19th at 5:00 p.m. for the Junior Varsity and at 6:00 p.m. for the Varsity. Good luck ladies!

Kayla Brisbay, Sports Editor

Softball Game Summary

NHS versus East Coweta/Varsity @ 6:00 @ Home

This was a highly competitive game that remained close until the end. NHS held EC for the first several innings and also recorded 4 runs in the second inning. The runs in the second inning were led by Cherae Gamble's hard-hit homerun. Yet, during the fourth inning, the Lady Indians' bats grew hot, and they scored two runs followed by three more runs in the fifth inning. The final score was 5 to 4 with the Lady Indians declared the victors. This encounter was the second loss to EC by NHS this year, but the Lady Cougars look forward to playing them once more in sectionals.

Rachael Whitley, Freelance Contributor

Sports Talk

Victory! Newnan High School Cougars came away with a 28-20 win Friday night against the South Gwinnett Comets. The win was the Cougar's first this season after two regular season losses.

Newnan's quarterback Thomas Darrah completed 13 of 21 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Quamorris Dixion scored an 88 yard pass that put Newnan ahead 28-20 with seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

Newnan High was tied at halftime after 59 yards, a touchdown, and a two point conversion from Kendreas Wynn. The two point conversion was needed to tie after an earlier missed extra point attempt in the first quarter. Wynn finished the night with 216 years and two touchdowns.

The Cougar's defense over the last four weeks has improved very much. South Gwinnett drove to the Newnan 21 yard line, but the defense held them to only 9 yards for a fourth and one, which ended in a tournover on downs at the Newnan's 17 yard line.

The next game will be held at Lithonia Saturday, September 23, 7:30 p.m.

Stats
Total Yards: 439
Passing: 249
Rushing: 190
Touchdowns: 4

Ben Blackburn, Sports Editor

Roses/Thorns

Roses and Thorns is the section where students speak out about what they like and do not like, in essence a public opinion. Roses are given to the good things, and thorns are tendered to the not-so-good things.

Roses to . . .

The price of gas is constantly rolling back!

The fair is officially in town; so come and support our great Kiwana's Fair.

The Newnan Cougars won a big game. Thumbs up to the Cougars.

Thorns to . . .

Fresh spinach can now kill you. Sorry, Popeye the Sailor man; no more spinanch for you!

Spotlight

"Spotlight" features teachers and students who stand out in various areas, from sports and academics to talents and activities outside of school. Our section incorporates students' ideas along with ideas of staff members on the Cougar Chronicles. Therefore, our section will vary from week to week as more students and faculty contribute.

Stand Out Student

Chris Watts

Who could be better as our outstanding student than Chris Watts? She is our very own SGA Treasurer, Vice President of Beta Club, and a member of the National Honor Society. This year Watts is taking AP Calculus, Virtual High School, AP English IV, and Photography. With Beta Club, she is doing outreach work with Hospice. She also does activities with Angel House. Watts helped SGA to come up with new themes for Homecoming. She also helped develop the Academic Booster Club. "It's in place to reward those who have worked hard in high school."

Watts anticipates graduating this year with high honors. After graduation, she wants to attend the University of Georgia or College of Charleston. Watts plans to major in psychology with a minor in French.

An interesting fact about Chris is that she is taking a peacemaking class. Her virtual high school class is helping her expand her knowledge of peace. "I want to be a more effective peacemaker," she said.

Her role model is Mr. Quesinberry. "Chris is always smiling. Despite her mom's craziness, she has turned out great," Mr. Quesinberry said of his student.

Chris's all time favorite quote is from Dr. Seuss. "Be who you are and say what you think because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Nikki Rice, Spotlight Editor

Marranda Hose

Imagine having the responsibility of SGA Vice President, a full set of rigourous classes, and numerous clubs all on your plate senor year. Marranda Hose has all of this plus more!

Her career in SGA began at Smokey Road Middle School. SGA was part of Marranda's schedule in her ninth and tenth grade year, too. A friend then encouraged her to run for SGA Secretary, and Marranda won. This position gave Marranda the experience and confidence to run for Vice President her junior year.

Hose has had many great experiences in SGA, her favorite being last year's "Can-A-Thon." "Last year was the first year in FIVE years that we beat East Coweta High When you finish a project like that and you see how great results are, that's a great feeling!"

Not only is Marranda involved with SGA, she is also involved with many other clubs and activites. She is on the varsity volleyball team and helps train the boy's basketball team. She's involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, SADD, and the Key Club, too!

Marranda is also a part of the Cougar Chronicles! She is SGA Editor for the paper. It is truly a great experience to work along side her and see her use her leadership skills! Look for Marranda's article in the SGA section of the paper.

Teacher Feature

"Teacher Feature" highlights new teachers and outstanding teachers at NHS. It gives a chance for those new to school to introduce themselves and tell a little about their lives. It also recognizes teachers wo do a lot for their students.

Sherry Young

After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a MED and from Furman University in Greenville with a BS degree, Mrs. Sherry Young has been teaching students at South Florence for seventeen years. She joins Newnan High School this year and is teaching Concepts of Problem Solving and Algebra II. This spring she will be teaching Algebra I and Concepts of Algebra and Trig.

Like most folks, her first impression of Newnan High was very positive. She said that she could tell that the students were proud of their school and had lots of school spirit and great traditions. She said, "There is a spirit of excellence here that I am very glad to be a part of . The administration is probably the best that I have ever worked for. I hope that I will be able to stay here for many years."

Even though she graduated from the University of South Carolina, Mrs. Young is a huge Clemson fan. She has two daughters who are eight and ten and is in need of good babysitters. So if you can be of assistance, please see her.

Nikki Rice, Spotlight Editor