A Prose Poem on 9/11

by Matt Simmons

I feel that they were scared, but something more than that was happening as the towers were collapsing on them, thoughts of family and everyone they’d love was rushing through their heads as the first tower collapsed, the feeling of torture as the flames increasingly grew from the point the plane crashed and the bottom of the blocked off exits where gas line/gas pipes exploded, the fumes that suffocated their lungs as they took their last breath surrounded by multiple ear piercing screams, your eyes are blinded as you try to navigate through the smoke only to think you found an exit but it’s covered in fire, you knew this because the first touch of the door frame was easy to pull, tug, push, but the roof is collapsed, you can hear people screaming in the other hall, but you already know it’s no use, you finally relax as you’ve accepted your fate of death, because you knew deep down that even if you were to get out the room, you would never get out in time, you’re on the 56th floor as you ponder in you’re head whilst moving forward to the shattered glass, you think of your family once again before you decide to end your suffering with glass shards you see on the floor but that would be much to painful, for once in your life you look beyond the glass and finally feel that breath of fresh air you’ve been longing for, that breeze that blew the smoke out of your eyes, it was a final exit, the view wasn’t the prettiest but it would mean freedom from that hell on earth, and as right as you put one foot out you hear that help is on the way, without another breath of that fresh air you were longing for you sprint back towards the exit cutting yourself on the way but you don’t care, you scream at the top of your lungs…Nothing but silence for a few seconds before you hear something that sounds like a bomb crashing into the second tower above you, the pleads for help amplified 10x and your helpless cries for help were outmatched, you give up once again, as your face fades into smoke, no air, no line of sight, but you follow the path of the breeze and without a second thought you start falling through air that isn’t so fresh anymore, but you have already put your plan in motion and eyes open one more time. “Please god”. “Forgive me”, you muttered as your mind suddenly went blank, you relive everything in your life once again, and transcend to another body maybe? Maybe you went to heaven, or hell? 

Genesis 18:32  “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

Cougars defeat Germantown!

Our Cougar football team started the season off with a win against Germantown. Though down by four points at halftime, we came back to defeat them with a score of 24 to 17! Newspaper joined the crowd to take pictures of your classmates supporting each other! 

Friday morning  (August 29th) will begin with our first pep rally of the school year! Seniors will sit on the home side of the gym, while juniors and sophomores will be on the away side. Wear your class colors to show school spirit. Freshmen, you will not be in the gym during the pep rally, but SGA didn't forget about you! They want to encourage you to wear grey and show your Cougar Pride as well! 

Tomorrow night, our football team will be taking on Germantown at The Cougar Field. Kickoff will start at 7 PM. Remember the new clear bag policy that RCSD is enforcing for all athletic events! 

Students! The theme for the football game student section is "Crazy Cougar Fan!" So wear your black, gold, white, and grey! Headbands, tutus, foam fingers, face paint, the crazier the better! 

To keep up with dress-up themes for the home games, we recommend you follow the instagram page: nwr12th_man

My trip to Maine

By Ian Valdepena

If you want to visit Maine, you should know that Maine is known for a lot of things, like for their rugged coastline, really delicious sea food, and coastal towns. Popular destinations include: the Acadia National Park, Portland, and Bar Harbor. The best time to visit Maine is from June to October for the good weather.

What do you need to know before going to Maine?

There are 12 things you need to know before going to Maine

• Plan for 2-3 days in Portland or take a week to explore up the coast to Acadia National Park

• Maine weather can vary greatly, starting cool but then heating up by the midday then cooling off in the evening

• One of Maine’s biggest attractions is the Acadia National Park. Inn 2022 nearly 4 million people visited Acadia National Park.

• Public transportation is limited outside the cities.

• Portland is also known for its number of independent restaurants, including the abundant local seafood.

• People from Maine are proud of living in the "Pine Tree State," and many coastal communities have a complicated relationship with tourists.

• Maine is not known for its nightlife. Many bars and restaurants close relatively early. 

• Maine has the most moose of any state outside of Alaska. Should you see a moose, as with any wild animal, just don’t approach it.

Is a trip to Maine worth it?

Yes, Maine is absolutely worth visiting. Its diverse offerings, from stunning coastal scenery and outdoor adventures to charming towns and delicious seafood, make it a great destination for travelers from anywhere in the world.

3

Number three: Now let's talk about the downfall of music, communities, and agenda…

In 2001 music was at its peak incline, and was so popular you heard your favorite artist singing their song everywhere, whether on the radio, on the tv, anywhere. Literally any electronic device had music blasting through its speaker. But now music as a whole has been accused of "poisoning our youth with it’s rotten lyrics" or "making children from ages 2 to 18 think they are already fully grown adults and that they can get away with anything." 

According to Jakob Moberly: “Brain rot” behaviors refer to the mindless scrolling, short attention spans, and compulsive checking of social media platforms that many of us are guilty of. The term conjures images of brains turning to mush under the influence of endless streams of content." The idea that music today is making kids grow up too fast or is contributing to brain rot is common, and it's often linked to the themes and styles of music popular with young people. 

This is supposedly a very common issue among kids ranging from 5 to 16 and on up. A certain accusation/agenda that is sledged onto our youth today: that anything goes, no regulation, no mishaps, just pure content, because if it makes money why stop? To me, situations like this aren't to be handled unless you are the parent of that child of course, but the progress still needs to be made. This situation is meant to resolve itself on its own naturally like all things do. After all this is a child's world and we are living in it. There's no reasoning with someone that thinks the complete opposite, but we can only hope that one day they grow out of their foolish antics and live for themselves. This is something generational, same as the last. First it was disco, then r&b, rap, and punk, and so on. Life is all natural so let it be figured out through time.

The first two weeks of the 2025-2026 school have been nothing short of amazing! From our leaders to our teachers and staff, and our AMAZING students, everyone has brought energy, heart, and teamwork to kick off the year. 

 
Newspaper staff wanted to share a few moments from these beginning of this school year. These are just a glimpse of the pride and spirit that make our school so special.  Go Cougars! 🐾💛 We hope everyone has an amazing school year. This will be the best one yet. 

A Day to Shine: Celebrating Our Exceptional Students

On Friday, May 2nd, our special education department celebrated the achievements of their students during an Awards Day ceremony. The room was filled with smiles and applause as each student was recognized for their hard work and talents! Teachers and staff shared kind words about  each of their academic progress, personal growth, or showing kindness to others. The event served as a beautiful reminder that success looks different for everyone, and each success is worth celebrating!

Senior Awards Class of 2025!

Today, we honored the Class of 2025 in a special Senior Awards Day ceremony, recognizing students for their hard work, dedication, and future plans! The ceremony began with a tribute to graduating seniors entering branches of the U.S. military. Students were then recognized for academic achievements including Honor Roll, perfect and excellent attendance, citizenship, the Seal of Biliteracy, and National Merit recognition.

The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the Cougar Hall of Fame, a prestigious title awarded to a select group of seniors who exemplify what it means to be a Cougar—leaders not only in the classroom, but in every walk of life. 

Congratulations to all our seniors. Today's ceremony was a powerful reminder of the legacy this class leaves behind. Class of 2025, you are loved and will be missed! 

Booked for Spring!

Partnering with local business Impression Books, the school library has put on a spring book fair for students! From Wednesday, April 23rd until Friday, April 25th, you can browse a selection of new and used books! Various genres are included such as graphic novels, classics, thrillers, young adult, and so much more. There's truly a book for everyone. 

As American author Garrison Keillor once said, "A book is a gift you can open again and again." So check out the book fair, and treat yourself! 

If you are unable to make it to the fair, you can always support Impression Books at their store as well. The address is 5417 Lakeland Dr, Suite N, Flowood MS. They are in the same strip mall as Cerami's and Sugar Magnolia. 

Underclassman Awards 24-25

Northwest's freshman, sophomores, and juniors were celebrated in the gymnasium today! Congratulations to each and every student for your hard work and persistence this year. Your efforts truly matter and your futures are wide open! Our cougar pride was on full display today, and your teachers and peers could not be more proud of all these hard-working students. 

Moments of Change Throughout Black History

By Aniyah Calmes

February is not only the month we celebrate black history, it is also a month of revolutionary moments that changed the trajectory of black lives in America. From courageous defiance to moments in the civil rights movement, February is full of pivotal moments. Here are some impactful events that occurred in this month and their lasting influence on equality. 

Malcolm X's Assassination

On February 21st, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated. He was shot by three armed men 21 times. Prior to this, he was delivering a speech to the Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in New York. Malcolm X was a force and driving figure in the civil rights movement. He was known for fierce advocacy of black empowerment and self defense. He also critiqued fellow activists, such as Martin Luther King Jr's, nonviolent approaches to civil rights activism. He believed that black people should not be defenseless when violence is inflicted upon them. He helped popularize values of autonomy in African Americans throughout the 1960s and 70s.  

The Greensboro Four

Four students staged the first Sit-in at Greensboro. Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain and Joseph McNeil all attended the HBCU, NCAT (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University). On February 1st, 1960, the students sat at a counter in downtown Greensboro, there was a policy in place that refused to serve anyone who was not white. They were denied service yet they refused to get up and leave. They were influenced by nonviolent protests of Gandhi and the freedom rides, but also brought to action by the murder of Emmett Till. During their sit-in the police were called but could not take action due to lack of a crime. The event was televised and broadcasted on news and media outlets. The four students stayed until the store's closing time, then returned the next day with even more students. After continuous effort, by summer of 1960 many dining places in the south were integrated.

First Black Student at Ole Miss

James Meredith born in Kosciusko, Mississippi in 1933, attended Jackson State College from 1960-1961. He applied for admission to The University of Mississippi, Ole Miss, in January of 1962. A month later, February 1962, Ole Miss sent Meridith a telegram denying his admission. After a prolonged legal battle, he was accepted into the university. His win was not taken lightly by many, upon his arrival he was met with violent protests and a standoff with the National Guard. Through his persistence, he paved the way for many other black students seeking higher education and equal opportunities in the south. His courageous act of desegregation at Ole Miss was a pivotal step in the larger fight for civil rights. 

Claudette Colvin

On February 23, 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus, 15 year old Claudette Colvin did similarly in Montgomery, Alabama. She was arrested after refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, an act of defiance that was not widely recognized. Despite her bravery, Colvins story was overshadowed because she was a teenager and pregnant. Her act of resistance became an important forerunner for the Montgomery bus boycott, which began later that year with Rosa Parks. Claudette Colvin demonstrated the strength of young people in the fight for civil rights.

New Year Traditions Around the World BY SOPHIE GOODLETT

New Year’s is a call for celebration everywhere. It’s a night of fun and tradition, meant to be spent with family and friends. Although online and in movies or tv shows, New Year’s is often shown with parties and fireworks, many cultures have different traditions. Whether they’re for love or good luck, these traditions exist everywhere.

Traditions with food are among the most common. Food is also easy to share, and a great way to celebrate. Many places will eat 12 of a food once the clock hits midnight. In many Latin American countries people will eat 12 grapes– one for each month of the year– to have good luck. People in Estonia will feast up to 12 times to gain the strength of that many men.

Another common tradition on New Year’s deals with clothing. It is believed that certain colors and patterns will bring in good to the new year. Filipinos will wear polka dots for prosperity. In some countries, such as Spain and Italy, people will wear red underwear for luck and love in the new year.

There are also more perplexing traditions that people practice. For example, in Cuba at midnight people will throw a bucket of water out of the front door. This tradition is throwing out any bad energy from the past year. In Russia, they have 12 seconds of silence after the clocks turns to midnight to make wishes.

These are only a handful of the many different ways New Year’s is celebrated. People look for love and luck everywhere, and what better place to bring it in than the New Year? Keep these traditions in mind for next year, and maybe you’ll have a bring year ahead of you!