CHS continues to impress students, teachers

CHS (photo courtesy John V. Wood)

By Bryanna Braithwaite, Katie Griffith, and Corrie Byrd, Chronicle staff

CLAYTON- Cleveland High School opened its doors to over 580 students on August 25, 2010. Many of the students came from different high schools, middle schools, states, and even countries. Some have mixed emotions about the school, but all agree it is full of great opportunities which include sports, student government, new technologies, and education.

Although at first they hadn’t been looking forward to it, lots of their opinions about being at Cleveland have changed. "I like Cleveland, and the sports are better,” said Sam Alan, a Rams football player. "I like the people, and it’s not crowded," Oscar Miranda commented. With a smaller school such as Cleveland, students have greater opportunities to participate in sports. As well as new positions, there are also new records to set, and old ones to be broken. Just ask Andrew Daughtry and Tre Joyner from the football team.

Another advantage Cleveland has over West other than sports, and more opportunities, "Cleveland has smart boards!" as student Sage Lowery stated. Every classroom is equipped with a state of the art Smart Board, and they make it easier for teachers and students to understand and finish important information that is crucial to the curriculum. Many students have talked and decided they don’t know what they would do without these boards to help them.

Then there’s Power Lunch. Power Lunch provides students with an hour lunch that is split in half. During the lunch you can choose to go to a tutorial and eat, or enjoy your lunch in the cafeteria or courtyard. After students take four tutorials for each class per nine weeks, they can do whatever they want for lunch – including intramurals. Either way the lunch schedule has been proven to help get extra work done, or have club meetings. Students agree they enjoy the hour lunch and the opportunity to complete their work. CHS and Corinth Holders High are the only two schools in the county trying out this lunch schedule.

There are other opportunities that are provided by the school, such as student government and starting up clubs. When there is a smaller population in a school, there is less competition, and more available spots to start up clubs or run for president. Many students such as newly-elected SGA executive president Sam Lombardo agree it is good to get involved when she said, “I feel it is a good opportunity to become involved in a new school.” Clubs are a good way to enjoy what you like to do, and give back to the community. Many students have been inspired to start up clubs and recruit members. CHS administrators and SGA are both working very hard to accommodate more club opportunities for students.

Although there are still a few students who aren‘t exactly ecstatic to not being going to West with all their friends, and where they spent their freshman year, they’re starting to come around. "I’m getting used to Cleveland, and still miss the people at West, but there are new opportunities at Cleveland," McKayla Linton said. "Cleveland has a lot more room, but I do miss West sometimes” said Alicia Stock.

Most of the students here at Cleveland High School are content and pleased with their transitions from West to Cleveland. Overall students’ responses to the high school are positive, and agree they are ready to start new traditions. They plan on making a name for Cleveland High. Spanish teacher Yenisel Solis said, “The school doesn’t need any changes. It’s good just the way it is.”