By Brookie Balido 

Listen up Poteau, TSA is making history! Now what is TSA? TSA (Technology Student Association) is a national student organization created to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business education. TSA aims to develop leadership, academic, and business management skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community. Only eleven of our TSA students attended state competitions this year. These senior contestants are Blake Spearman, Cage Wilson, KJ Mathis, Allison Reed, and Lana McBride. The Junior contestants are Eddie Daggs, Bradley Jagger, Madison Skinner, and Brookie Balido. Lastly, our sophomore contestants are Auri Thompson and Peyton Grimmett. Only two of our teams are on to the next round and that is where they will be competing at Nationals. Those teams are Eddie Daggs, Auri Thompson, and Bradley Jagger for podcasting, and Blake Spearman, Auri Thompson, and Peyton Grimmett for video production. Overall, our entire team won first place for the state in on-demand video. Senior KJ Mathis had a wonderful experience at this event. “It was awesome! I got to swim, eat snacks and hang out with friends! It wasn’t much of a surprise that we won state, I had a great team, and we did our best. I will miss everyone but I will never forget the exciting and crazy moments that we shared. I and my team competing in the podcast category, sadly we didn’t make it to finals, but I loved working with them. To the people who want to join TSA, do something you enjoy, make friends with as many people as possible, and be the best one there!” Great job Pirates!

By Eli Solomon

Even though marching season is over the PHS band is still hard at work representing our school at competitions and at district. I interviewed senior and accomplished oboe player Sadie Perkin to get the inside scoop on everything band. After marching shows, our band is thrust into the world of competitions “I enjoy marching contests so much more than concert band contests because at Marching Band contests we get to meet other people and watch other bands perform. It is an all-day event that builds our band into a family and we usually get fed really good food”. During their run in the competition gauntlet they made it to districts and scored 1’s in both sight reading and on-stage performance, for non-band people such as myself, a 1 is the best you can do. This year they performed the pieces “Midnight Fair” and “Imaginarium.” In order to prepare for competition the band works just like they do during marching season. “We prepare by practicing our contest pieces for many weeks in advance and bringing in other band directors to help us get better.” As for future ventures, the band will be performing a concert on May 1st in the newly reinvented BLK.

By Logan Gray 

TSA is soaring to state in mid-April eleven people are attending the state convention, not including our lovely TSA instructor Mrs.Hackler. TSA will compete in an array of mental and some physical challenges, they will be tasked with video making, board game making, Video game design, and more. TSA has put in so many hours on their projects leading up to the state convention, and they’ll need to keep working hard even after they get to state if they want to take home the gold. 

“Mrs. Hackler, what are the plans for the state convention this spring?” “April 19- 21 st we will be competing in multiple events, one of which is called on-demand video. We will be given a topic Wednesday when we get there. We have until Thursday at 10 PM to create a video with that topic. We will also be attending top golf and walking around the campus of OU while we are there. I have high expectations for my students and myself, we’ve worked hard this year and I’m confident that our team will place good.”  “ Bradley Jager, what are your feelings and expectations for TSA spring competitions.” “TSA has been hard at work preparing for our upcoming state competitions. We expect to do well at state. Some of us have made podcasts for state judging, and others have worked on this cool video documentary about the Second Chances thrift store. TSA is doing amazing and can't wait to keep up the amazing year!” 

By Eli Solomon

The Poteau FFA is having an open house auction this Saturday the 21st in the new Ag building at noon; they will be auctioning off various items built by Ag students such as fire pits, picnic tables, plant stands, and shooting branches. 

They put the new facility to use, using the shop and new technology to make these items truly one-of-a-kind. One of these unique pieces of technology is a computer-guided laser cutter, according to Ag instructor Tanner Jarrett, it can be used to cut out any image from the internet (such as the OU or OSU logos). In addition to their projects, they will also be auctioning off homemade desserts. They also will be selling five-dollar burger baskets. The money made at the action will be used to fund student activities this semester including the state convention in the first week of May and the annual banquet on May 18th that will be open to the public.

By Eli Solomn

As football season ends, one team will come out of the shadows to shine. The winter guard is currently planning out their performances at this moment. Winter guard differs from color guard in that winter guard performs indoors without music from the band. "Modern winter guard is a competitive, performance-based activity which incorporates choreographed staging, dance, and manipulation of equipment such as flags," explained coach Ashley Moore. " It is more about having fun and performing just for each other and yourself. During color guard season, it's more on edge," comments Mackenzie Lingenfelter. Since they are not tied to the band, they can create their choreography and theme. Another way they have more freedom is in their solo "Anyone can do solos if they think they are comfortable and confident to do it." 

Another type of show they perform is an ensemble. "Solos are easier because you don't have to stay on count. You can just spin to the music if you want. "Ensembles everyone has to stay on count because it looks bad if not everybody is together," comments Peyton Stover; however, Mackenzie believes the opposite. "It's harder to perform solos. It feels like so much pressure is on and only you. When you're with an ensemble, you have your friends with you, and you feel more comfortable and confident." Both of them do agree that winter guard allows them to be themselves and allows them to get creative. "My favorite part of winter guard is the atmosphere and how everybody contributes their ideas and just tries their best." adds Payton. On December 2nd and 3rd, they will be hosting a "mini-guard" camp for grades K-8. One of the most exciting parts of this camp is that anyone who signs up can march in the Christmas parade with the band. They will end the season with the Spring Showcase, where they will perform this year's show along with solos, duets, and ensembles.

By Eli Solomon

Let’s tune into the Poteau High School Choir. The next upcoming choir event will be the annual Christmas pageant on December 3rd.  It will be held at the seventh and eighth-grade center auditorium. According to junior Colin Lynch, they are excited to begin practice.“We are currently working on Christmas music for our Christmas concert which is my favorite event that we do.”  Speaking of exciting things twelve choir students advanced to the second round of All-State Choir Auditions! Congratulations to Toby Acree, Hailey Burgess, Breckin Castillo, Zane Harrison, Sadie Perkin, Katie Scowden, Annie Shaw, Grant Thomas, Danika Tom, Warrick Quarry, Mason Mize, and CJ Milligan. The second round will be held on November 12th for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, and November 15th for 9th graders. “I love All-State; I’ve been going since I was in fourth grade,” reminisced Senior Sadie Perkin. Good luck to all the PHS choir members competing!

By Eli Solomon

It’s been a while since we saw how our FFA chapter was growing (get it? Like a plant). They recently moved into their new state-of-the-art building, which you can see a tour of in last week's Pirate News video. Recently, FFA officers were at the Southeast Area Colt Conference. Which is a conference where FFA chapter officers receive leadership training, "...where all chapter officers in the South East area come together and learn what it takes to be a good officer and how to have a successful year," according to sophomore Abby Snapp.

Congratulations are in order to FFA shooting sports teams for placing third at the Regional Sporting Clay competition. Individually, Kix Fenton and Eric Tucker both placed in the top five in the senior division, and Wyatt Reece and Brady Wahl both placed in the top ten in the junior division. Also, congratulations to the Trap Team for winning the Reserve Grand Team at the OYE Shoot by beating out over 100 other teams!

The Poteau FFA Chapter works hard to represent our school and community well, and so far they have done a fine job!

By Eli Solomon

Recently our very own Poteau FFA chapter was selected to be a National Three Star Chapter. Only 36 chapters out of the 365 in Oklahoma were chosen to receive this honor. 

This year’s Chapter Vice President Abby Snapp plans on getting more people involved in chapter events. “I want to work to get everyone in the chapter involved, many times people aren't involved in chapter activities because they don’t know what FFA actually is.” Some opportunities to be involved on the horizon are the AR -OK state fair on September 23rd to 28th, the Tulsa State Fair on October 3rd to 9th, and the regional contest on October 10th. 

As of right now, all ag classes are inside of the old hallway but the progress on the new ag building is going strong. “The construction crew has completed a majority of the project, however, they still like laying the flooring in both classrooms, installing the toilets, and painting the welding booths and wash bays. We have been informed that we should be able to start moving stuff in during the later part of September“ according to Mr. Tanner Jarret. The new ag building will have updated equipment including a meat science lab, brand new welding equipment, and a plasma cam cutting table. While their facility is changing their devotion to positively impacting the community remains the same. This devotion can be seen in the Living to Serve Blessing Box.”The officers and a few others have continued to stock the local blessing box throughout the summer to help community members who may be struggling with hunger.” Mr. Jarret reports, that late this summer they received the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health and Wellness Grant. The grant will be used to continue to stock the blessing box. I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with to help the community next.

By: Logan Gray

Started by Mrs. Jami Hackler in the 2021-2022 school year, TSA has already begun activities for this school year.  Elections for officers  are next week and these elections will include spots like President, Treasurer, and many more. TSA is planning to be pretty active this school year by having activities at least once a month ,including: community service, conferences, get togethers, and more. 

TSA is a Career Tech student-led organization that strives to enhance personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Poteau Public High Schools was introduced to TSA last year. Mrs. Hackler is located in room 315 for any students interested in joining.“I’m looking forward to seeing TSA grow on a foundational level”.

By Eli Solomon

As the school year begins, the sweet sound of the PHS choir has begun to fill the air, with endless potential. The individual auditions for the All-State and All-District Choir are coming up soon, along with the Fall Follies concert on October 6th in The seventh and eight grade center (SEC) cafeteria. Mrs. Smedley eagerly shared her goals for this year’s choir.  “Coming off of our New York City trip, sometimes it’s hard for students to remain motivated, but I’m super excited about the group we have this year.” Smedley added, “My long-term goal is to see every one of them performing on stage at state this year, but more importantly my goal is for each one of them to experience making music in a positive way that leads to a lifetime love of the art.” Striking a chord in students that stirs up the love of the art is what Mrs. Smedley has been doing at Poteau for the past 15 years, and as the choir director for the last ten. She went on to say “she feels very fortunate to live and teach in a town that is so supportive of students making music.” On behalf of PHS and the community, we cannot wait to hear what they do next!

By: Bradley Jager

Poteau drama class takes the 2022-2023 spotlight by looking forward to a year of shows, monologues and competitions. The class is filled with passionate (and dramatic) students working on giving public presentations. “I hope that we can expect quite a few kids going to competitions and succeeding, taking their pieces pretty far,” says Mrs. Mangrum, the delightful drama teacher. “I hope we have a couple of plays… I plan on having a performance if not two that the students get to see.” “It's very chaotic.. But it is very fun and controlled chaotic,” says junior Darrel Richmond. “I would recommend it, 'cause there's a bunch of fun people, a bunch of fun things to do and Mrs. Mangrum is just awesome!” says Junior Meia Graham. The drama class works on finding short pieces to entertain, tell stories, and expressing themselves. “This is a class for anyone to get involved in, you get to test your mettle and do something you wouldn't have gotten to do before,” Mrs. Mangrum adds.