Currently Browsing: Sports
Spartans Move to 3-2, Beat Peabody
Photo Credit: Maleejah Irwin
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Written by Maleejah Irwin
The Schenley Spartans are defending city champs. Of course, the team is not only comprised of Schenley seniors, but also players from Obama, U-Prep and Sci Tech. Two Obama juniors continue to play a big role for the team
Their uniforms may say Schenley, but John Jackson and Renny Holloman are two shining star players that attend Obama Academy. John plays the position of left tackle and Renny plays outside linebacker, tight end, wide receiver, kicker and punter.
I had the pleasure of interviewing these two players and getting the inside scoop about their season so far.
I asked what it is that the two like about football. Both players agreed that they have a love of the sport and that they like the contact and aggressiveness of the game. Jackson also likes the feeling of unity and teamwork that the team has.
I then asked about what keeps them motivated and how they prepare for the game. The two revealed that their motivation comes from their teammates and coaches, as well as from within themselves. When it comes to preparing for the game the team always prays together and both players enjoy listening to music.
Jackson likes to listen to Waka Flocka and Gucci before the game, while Holloman prefers Hitman. Jackson also says that he often just sits down and focuses.
When asked how they think the season is going so far and about predictions for the future, Jackson was focused. “I think that we had a rocky start but soon the team will get on the same page and start to be more successful” says Jackson. “The season is going okay and we will just barely make it to the playoffs” says Holloman.
I asked whether the two plan on playing football in college and if so, at what school. Both players stated that they would like to pursue football in college. Holloman would like to go to Texas or any school in which he can attain a scholarship. Jackson would like to attend any division one school.
“How important is football with your education and how does it balance with your school studies,” I asked. “School is way more important because it gets you into college and football keeps me out of trouble,” said Holloman. “School is very important because without being a student athlete I wouldn’t be able to start so I always aim to be a student athlete,” Jackson agreed.
When I asked whether there were any particular players on the team that the two looked up to or wanted to be like, Jackson was quick with an answer. Shaquille Thomas is a player that he looks up to because he is a fellow lineman and a good leader. He also looks up to Renny because he is also a good leader.
Holloman looks up to Deandre Black because he provides a lot of inspiration and they have been playing football together for a long time. He also looks up to Calvin Beck because he is always there for the team and he keeps everything in place.
Holloman caught a touchdown pass as the Spartans beat Peabody 16-12 on Saturday afternoon. Homecoming is next up, this Thursday night and with it, a big date with Allderdice.
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Currently Browsing: HS Game Reports
Spartans Ace Serra Catholic 16 Times, Win 3-1
Photo Credit: Dynae Shaw
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Written by Dynae Shaw
The Schenley Girls’ volleyball team beat Sierra Catholic High School on Wednesday, September 29th. Coach Vitti said the reason for their victory was that “they came on strong, handled the ball well, and did the best passing all season.” It was a tough game. Although the Spartans lost game three (25-8), they still hit hard! They made Serra Catholic work for their points. The Spartans scored 6 times in games one and three before Serra Catholic scored once. Schenley won games one (25-11), two (25-23), and game four. Overall, they aced their opponents 16 times and won 3-1. Captains Anna Wimer, Hannah Guy, and Sonja Meyers, were relieved and said “thank goodness we didn’t go into a fifth game and it feels so good to win!”
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Currently Browsing: HS Game Reports
Boys Soccer Team Beats Perry 7-1
Photo Credit: Demetri Lardas
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Written by Chelsey Sirmons
On Monday night, the boys’ soccer team blew out Perry 7-1 with the help of DJ Kayute’s 2 goals.Also scoring were Luke Miller, Martin Eddy, Yoka Rooney, Tyler Shranker and Lewis Pell. The Schenley boys’ soccer team hope to repeat winning the city championship this season and hopefully doing well in the state playoffs, to boot.
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Currently Browsing: Middle School News/Sports
Middle School Volleyball Team Split Vs. Sterrett
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Written by Cori Brooks
On Monday, September 27, the middle school boys and girls volleyball teams took on Sterrett Middle School. The girls took home a loss and the match was a bit of a mixed blessing for Coach Reid. “The highlight of the game was seeing that some new freshmen showed interest in wanting to win.” As is the case with every game, there were some negatives. “The girls were lethargic, standing with nails in their feet, as well as being scared of going for the ball,” he said. “We are a much better team than what we showed today.” While all players tried their best, player of the game honors went to Rosa Vitti, who often got to the ball swiftly.
As for the boys, player of the game Wesley Townsend brought the team back from the brink to lead the team to victory. Coach Walker noted that the worst part of the games are when “players lose confidence in themselves and in the team.” She was impressed with the play of Reggie Alexander and Donnell King, adding that “their games were great. and we need to work on functioning together, as well as keeping our heads in the game.” Coach Walker added, “We could work on minor mistakes as a team to get better with each practice.” With only about three hours of practice each week and good intentions of winning, the boys have managed to play well in almost every match so far. “If you look good, you feel good and you play good,” Coach Walker said.
Both coaches Reid and Walker showed amazing confidence in their teams. It was clear that players understand that they depend upon each other and their coaches to go far into the playoff season.
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Currently Browsing: Middle School News/Sports
Lady Eagles Win Thrilling 10-9 Game Over Carmalt
Photo Credit: Alex Bowen
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Written by Jordan McDonald
The Obama Academy Middle School Team won a thrilling, come from behind victory over Carmalt on Friday, 10-9. The girls scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to pull ahead and win. Obama trailed for most of the game before coming back.
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Currently Browsing: Middle School News/Sports
Baseball Team is Young and Improving
Photo Credit: Don Crawford
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Written by Don Crawford
With a record of 1-1 the Obama Eagles boys middle school baseball team took on Allegheny Middle school on September 23rd. The first inning started out well for Obama with Amir Newring throwing 17 consecutive pitches before Allegheny brought their first run in to kick off the game. As the first and second inning to a close Allegheny had the lead, 7-0. Later on in the third inning Gerald Watkins showed his talent being the first to score a run for the Obama team to make the score 7-1. The game came to an end with the final score 8-2, with Allegheny winning the game.
After the game, Coach McGuire said, “I think the boys need to refine skills and know where to go with the ball, while executing the game properly. They also should have as much confidence at the games as they have at practice maybe they’re a little nervous, but we really need confidence.”
This game may have been a failure but in the long run it will be a success.
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Currently Browsing: Arts/Entertainment
Band on the Run
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Written by Tiffany Ralston
For Band Director Ms. Aisha Sharif, life comes at a fast pace. Whether it is teaching her students, organizing fundraisers or arranging the itinerary of their next event, it seems she and the Schenley Band are always “on the run.”
“One Band, One Sound” is what the band proclaims when they are called to attention.
“My experience in the Schenley Band when I was in high school was a very positive one. And I want to be sure that I expose the students to a better experience then I had.” This is the philosophy of band director Ms.Sharif.
This year your Schenley High School Marching Band consists of 51 students, including the four new members: Tiffany Catlin, Mariah Benjamin, Katie Palowski and Keyanna Taylor-Thomas. The band is under the direction of Ms. Aisha Sharif (a woman who many in the band feel is the best director in the nation), and she is assisted by Mr. James Harris who teaches music at University Prep. The student leaders of the band are as follows: Senior Drum Majors Tyler Little and Delmar Kirkland; Junior Drum Majors Tiffany Ralston and Taylah Pipkin; Sergeant at Arms Milayai Sims; Dance Captain E’Rica Swan; Dance Co-Captains Loreal Randal and Shankia Davis; Color Guard Captain Rayonda Lay, Color Guard Co-Captain Mo’Ney Thomas.
This year, the band went back in time and added songs from the Jackson 5. Their selections are I Want You Back, Never Can Say Goodbye, ABC, I’ll Be There, and PYT.
This band wouldn’t be alive and kickin’ if it wasn’t for the outstanding direction of Ms. Sharif.
“I enjoy the relationships I have with my students. Also, I feel like this is the best we’ve been since I’ve became the marching band director at Schenley.” Ms. Sharif
Ms. Sharif, who is a class of ‘99 graduate from Schenley, started teaching music because of the great experience she had as a student. She has been playing an instrument for 22 years and teaching for eight.
Many of the students I spoke with who have been in band have said they enjoy going to see the other marching bands from around the city and showing them what the city schools are all about.
“Band isn’t just a hobby anymore; it’s a way of life!” Say’s Junior Drum Major Tiffany Ralston has been in band since freshmen year. One student said, “It keeps me out of trouble and gives me a reason to come to school.” “Band is fun, I would pick band over any other sport,” said band member Andrea Pugh, who has been in band since her sophomore year
The band performs at band festivals, parades and football games. They hope to see you there.
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Currently Browsing: Sports / Uncategorized
Spartan Football Team Growing Up
Photo Credit: Tobias Raether
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Written by Erik Rauterkus
At 0-2 the Schenley Spartans needed a win to keep their hopes of a promising season alive and that came last Saturday afternoon as they began defense of their city title beating Oliver 24-0 at Cupples Stadium.
Schenley used its run game and scored quickly on their first drive with a four yard burst by DeAndre Black. Meanwhile, Schenley’s defense stood strong, allowing no points for Oliver as the Bears totaled just 61 yards of offense throughout the game. Schenley’s second touchdown came with about 1 minute left in the half when Black caught a short pass that turned into a 71 yard touchdown.
Schenley started off the 2nd half where they left off with multiple runs and a touchdown out of Sean Davis. This was Davis’s first game back from an injury saying, “It’s not good to miss a month but I feel great to be back and had a great game and touchdown today.”
Schenley secured the win by forcing and recovering an Oliver fumble deep in the Bears’ own territory. The short drive finished with a quick burst run out of sophomore Miles Catlin. Coach Bell said after the game, “He (Catlin) is definitely up and coming. He still has a lot to learn but had a strong game today.”
The Spartans closed the game 24-0, securing their first win. Coach Bell stated, “It’s a win and a win’s a win. At 0-2 after last week’s tough loss , we are going to take this and move ahead.”
Fans and the team were excited to see Schenley’s ability to stop the opposition’s offense allowing only 2 first downs and 61 yards. The Spartans dominated on offencse as well, with successful touchdown passes and runs.
Concerns were raised about the Spartans’ inability to convert extra points after going 0 for 4 in that area. When asked Coach Bell said, “We are a young team and are really looking forward to converting with field goals.” He also stressed the amount of practice being put into the kicking area and is excited to move into the season with a strong conversion aspect of Schenley’s game.
Being the last year of Schenley Spartans football the players were excited to pick up that first victory over the technically inferior Oliver Bears. They know this is an important step in the right direction but are realistic about what they will have to do to defend their city league title.
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Currently Browsing: Academics
Mr.Naveh–September’s Teacher Feature
Photo Credit: Annie Widom
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Written by Caley Donovan
Teachers. They assign us homework. They instruct us on various matters. They test our knowledge. But who, really, are teachers? You, dear readers of The Eagle, are about to find out. The Teacher Feature profiles one of Obama Academy’s outstanding teachers. This month, we have for you an exclusive feature on Mr. Barak Naveh, 9th grade Civics CAS and 10th grade US History AP teacher.
The first question we had for Mr. Naveh was, “When did you first want to be a teacher?” “I’ve wanted to be a teacher for probably my whole life,” he told us, “but I remember thinking about it as a real goal in high school. I would sit in history and wonder what it would be like if I was at the front of the room, what I would do differently.” History was, of course, one of his favorite subjects, along with English and Music.
But how did he get from these aspirations to the esteemed teacher he is now? Well, he attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, majoring in Social Studies Education. “That means I had to have a major in US History and two minors in Political Science and World History, along with education classes.”
In his career, he has taught at Allderdice, CAPA, Langley, Schenley, and Obama. What made him decide to be a history teacher in the first place? “I became a history teacher because I wanted to be a teacher, and I loved history. So I put those two together.”
“History is the best way to teach kids to be interesting and interested people. It teaches you life lessons and makes you a better person,” Mr. Naveh elaborated, “You have to believe what you’re selling, and I believe in the power of history.”
So what, we wanted to know, is his favorite period in history? The answer was 20th century, which he’s always been interested in. However, “Anytime I pick up a book, that becomes important to me.”
His advice for kids who want to be teachers? “If you feel passionately about a subject, and passionately about helping young people, go for it. But you have to feel passionately about both.”
He cautioned us, “If you teach a subject without teaching kids, you’ll be a miserable failure. But if you believe in it, it’s the greatest job in the world.”
Our last request to him, were for some wise words for students. He thought about that for a little while.
“My wise words, I don’t know how wise they are, are this: The greatest gift you can give yourself are options. The harder you work, the more options you’ll have in life.”
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Currently Browsing: Sports
Carlynton Beats Girls Volleyball Team 3-1
Photo Credit: Dan Goldstein
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Written by Dan Goldstein
The defending city championship Schenley girls’ volleyball team played the Carlynton Cougars on Wednesday, September 15th. They went into this 5-game set with high expectations and spirits. The first two games were taken by Carlynton. With the whole match on the line, the Spartans, with the help of the crowd and the bench, took the third game. Unfortunately, Schenley could not keep up their streak and the fourth and final game went to the Cougars. On the other hand, this game will only affect Schenley’s WPIAL record and keeps them in first place in the city league.
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