Student life

By: Carson Bradley and Abigail Smith

Picture Provided by: Makenna Bass

Newly passed law banning phones for Staff and students making some things a lot easier in school but more difficult for other things. Grades are getting better for some students while others are failing, probably due to the lack of apps that help with work. Not having phones is also making it more difficult for parental figures to check on their kids at school or on field trips.

Some students have stated dislike for the law. “I think it should not be a thing,” said Tucker Lacey, freshman. When asked “What is something that you would change about the phone ban to make it better?” Lacey stated “Allow it during recreational times of the day.”

However, other students are actually in favor of the ban. “It's interesting. It helps with people actually getting their work done, me included. I'm not gonna lie,” said Ethan Dale, sophomore.

Most teachers are in favor of the ban. “I think it's a good thing. I think it encourages people to be more present,” said Christine Dorsey, algebra teacher. Although other teachers have mixed opinions. “Truly I think it's actually been a positive because I've actually seen kids having conversations but the downside is as a concerned parent I would prefer if my kid had a form of communication,” said Kimberly McMahon, health teacher.

Robbie Shepherd, principal, also has a positive opinion, and had a lot to say. “Overall I like it. I think we're seeing more kids engaged in classrooms, but more importantly we see more kids talking to each other and they aren't on their phones during break and are actually outside playing games.” We asked Shepherd if he believed that the ban was causing an improvement in grades. “No, to be honest. We have over 200 Fs right now in the building which is high. I've seen them more engaged in the lessons but they still aren't turning their work in.”

Shepherd also provided us with a bonus statement regarding issues with student drama. “We've seen a big decrease in drama because kids don't have their phones and can't send snapchats.”

We also asked Kaitlyn Fugitt , vice principal, for her stance on the law. “I agree with parts of it, students not having access during class, but not lunch and passing periods, think they could have a break and be on their phones.” She also stated “It was a lot easier to check emails and have teacher communication” when asked about her primary usage of her phone in the previous years.

Students being students have found other ways to communicate and to take pictures without their phones. Many students create slide shows with friends to communicate. Makenna Bass, sophomore, uses her computer to take pictures with friends.

By Sydney Johns

The A+ Program is one of the most beneficial at Odessa High School, but many students and parents still have questions. 

Q: What is the A+ Program?

Ashley Ray, OHS counselor: The A+ Program is a state-funded school scholarship that funds high school students with a two-year tuition. 

Q: Who can qualify for an A+ at Odessa High School?

 Ray: Any Odessa high school student can qualify as long as they meet these requirements:

Stay at least a 2.5 GPA

Have a 95% attendance

Maintain good citizenship and avoid drugs/alcohol

Q: Is the A+ Program only for students planning to attend community college?

Ray: Yes, most students take the program to help them attend college, others like to because of the experience and chance to be in a classroom from the other side.

Q: What are the real benefits of doing the A+ Program?

Ray: The main benefit of the A+ program is the scholarship, because it can help students get their education without paying thousands. There is also the benefit of responsibility and time management. 

Q: What happens if I don’t meet all the requirements?

Aubrey Rider, senior: If you cannot meet the requirements or stay there, you unfortunately get dropped from the program, so it's important to stay on top of everything and start strong in freshman year.

Q: How many Odessa students actually use A+ after high school?

Ray: Around 45% of students actually use the A+ program, and more often meet the requirements, too. 

Q: Where can students get more information or sign up?

Ray: Odessa Students can talk to the guidance counselor, for information on joining or to sign up.

By: Alyssa Marten and Andy Schram

Picture Provided by: Alyssa Marten and Andy Schram

New people, New experiences, New Cultures. Odessa is proud to have 6 new foreign exchange students, and is happy to give the kids new experiences. Magdalena Muller, Vada Zimmerman, Emilea Broselge, Ginerva Valentino, Kalle Budde, and Miguel Santos are all juniors and all have a story to tell. 

Zimmerman, Muller, and Broselge are all from Germany. School was a very different experience for them when they moved here, since they were not used to changing classes in Germany. They had one consecutive class, and the teacher would change instead of the students. Broselge mainly said she missed some of the food. 

Zimmerman explained she really misses the breaks that they would get between classes. The difference between our school breaks and hers was that they had 20-minute breaks between each class, instead of the one consecutive hour we have here. All three expressed that they were happy with everyone being very open and nice. They expressed that the school lunches are very bland and unhealthy.

School sports are peculiar to them because sports in Germany are not actually part of their school; you have to do sports outside of school. They would have to balance school and sports fully. 

Valentino is from Italy. She believes that Italian schools are really similar to German schools. In Valentino's school, the teachers change, and you are with the same group of people. The teachers switch out, but the students stay in the same classroom. A huge surprise to her has been the relationship you have with certain teachers. It took her a few weeks to adjust to moving to the US. She experimented with school sports and is now in the musical. Valentino believes that the school lunches are unhealthy. In Italy, they don’t celebrate holidays, so it was different for her. In Italy, they do sports outside of school. She always wanted to come experience American life. 

Santos is from Brazil. In his school, everyone has the same classes. It took him roughly one month to get comfortable here. He is on the soccer team. Santos thinks the school food is greasy but pretty good. He was shocked by the playing fields and the wooden gym. Santos always wanted to attend college in the United States.

Budde is from Denmark. In Denmark, they are more separated by grade. He misses speaking his native language. Budde is surprised by how mixed up the classes are. It took him a while to adjust. The food in Denmark is different than the way it is in the United States. He likes playing football and is having fun with the people in the community. Budde believes that the pizza tastes good, but they aren't of the best quality. He was shocked by how big a deal sports are. In Denmark, you do sports outside of school. He saw a lot about the US on the internet and wanted to see what was real and what wasn't.