Lee County sophomore Russell “Chase” Horne brought home the gold in the Welding Sculpture competition in statewide SkillsUSA competition. “[I] won fi rst for a wine rack,” Horne said.“[I was] excited [it was my] fi rst year welding.” With the guidance of Ray Dell of Lee County High School and Brenda Butler of South Georgia Technical School in Cordele,

Chase moves on to the National competition in Kansas City, Missouri in June. “His work experience in my class got him interested in welding,” w e l d i n g instructor Ray Dell said. “This led him to South Georgia Tech where he

The PanopticApril 2011

The eye that sees all at Lee County High School, Leesburg, GaS

Volume X, Issue 4

Campus Clout

Daddy on the diamond Varsity baseball player Mark Fowler has one foot on the baseball fi eld and the other in his role as father

National Honor Society fi lled the bed of a truck with over 1000 pounds of canned foods. The drive lasted one school week long in March and the challenge was to come up with a service project that could successfully be carried out here on campus. The drive was led by junior Kayleigh Sullivan with the assistance of juniors Koby Schwarzkopf, Becky Jo Baltenberger and Allison Heiskell.

NHS sponsors canned goods drive

Literature (11) May 2, 8:15 in gym

Literature (9) May 2, 12:30 in room 714

Economics May 3, 8:15 in gym U.S. History May 3, 12:30

in gym Biology May 4, 8:15 in gym

Physical Science May 4, 12:30 in gym

Math I May 5, 8:15 in room 714

Math II May 5, 2:30 in gym

Make ups May 6, 8:15 in cafeteria

EOCT schedule posted

Psychology May 2, noon in gym

Calculus May 4, 8 a.m. in activity building

English Language May 5, U.S. History May 6, 8 a.m.

in gym European History May 6, noon

in activity building English Lit and Composition

May 11, 8 a.m. in gymStatistics May 11, noon

in activity buildingMacroeconomics May 12, 8 a.m. in activity building

World History May 12, 8 a.m. in gym

AP tests coming soon

The Panoptic staff traveled to Columbia, South Carolina on March 4 to compete in national competition and brought home many awards. Sophomores Hannah Rivers and Elizabeth Ponson both earned third place awards for their photography entries. Sophomore Ashley Archer’s environemtal portrait earned a seond place photography award. Kelsey Rogers and Anna Roberts, also sophomores, cornered third place in ad design competition, Rogers for black and white ads and Roberts for color. Roberts also placed thrd in editorial page design. The Panoptic staff won best of show for their new online website. The highest award they received was an All Southern rating for the print version of the Panoptic. Junior Lizzie Dovle was named SIPA vice president for the upcoming school year.

Panoptic brings home national honors

In the last issue of The Panoptc, state wrestling winner Zach Thompson’s name was errone-ously listed as Zack Thompkins. The Panoptic staff apologizes for the error.

Retraction

Horne dominates state

It’s not every day that a student athlete answers to the name of Daddy. But for junior baseball player, Mark Fowler,

his day is not over once he leaves the practice fi eld. After a day at school, followed by a practice or a game, Fowler goes home to to fi ll another role -- father to his nine-month-old son, Keaton. Fowler admits it: having to care for a child is not easy. But he thankfully has a tremendous level of the support from his parents and friends. Although he knows his life is completely different, it doesn’t stop him from playing baseball AND loving his son. “Well, it’s defi nitely much harder […],” Fowler said, “but the support from my parents is amazing. They’re always willing to watch the baby while I’m practicing or playing.” Truly, without the efforts of Fowler’s parents, Christine and John Fowler, his days on the baseball diamond would probably have ended when the responsibilities of fatherhood entered the picture. The teenage couple actually live

with the elder Fowlers, and grandparents also step into the picture when extra hands are needed. Fowler is not alone. According to “Time Magazine”, 17.4 of every 1000 teenage males became fathers in 2002. Statistics from March 2011 show that rate has increased to 7.3 out of every 100. Ironically, the number of actual births to teenage mothers has drastically decreased. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, just under one third of teenage girls world wide will become pregnant this year. While that sounds drastically high, statistics show that this is actually a decrease of 33 percent since 1990. Media . focuses on teen moms, while teen fathers are often considered the afterthought. Despite the stereotype, research shows that more and more teenage fathers are taking an active role in raising their children. But few of those are also able to continue at the same level

Shay Glover and her son Keaton cheer on Keaton’s dad, varsity baseball player Mark Fowler, at a home game. One parent balances baseball, school and father-hood while the other juggles classes here on campus and Albany Technical College, all while changing diapers. Parents Fowler and Glover welcomed baby boy Keaton on June 27, 2010, when Fowler was a sophomore and Glover was a junior.

phot

os b

y C.

Gre

bel

McDonald named Georgia Master Advisor for FCCLA

Two state competitors bring home gold

Extemporaneous isn’t a word included in most students’ vocabulary. But for junior Kyle Constable, it’s a term to live by. After securing a fi rst place in the GHSA State Literary Meet for extemporaneous speaking two years in a row, a legacy continues in Lee County, a school that’s always held high standards for debate and literary competitions. Constable is a champion at the podium. Make that a state champion. Twice.

His motives are what some might c o n s i d e r strange. Fear, he says, drives him to perfection. “I love p u b l i c s p e a k i n g because I hate to speak in public,” C o n s t a b l e said. “It’s one

of my greatest fears, but it’s one of my greatest passions.”

Public speaking itself evokes a certain amount of nervous

energy. Harnessing is what proves to be the biggest challenge for most. Lee County’s debate and forensics team has done so beautifully, winning numerous accolades and awards spanning from the program’s origin. Advisor William Swafford has racked up a Diamond Coaching award and 1,500 NFL (National Forensic League) points, showing the absolute dedication and wholehearted devotion to success exuded by the program. A well developed program spawns well researched and well prepared competitors. Kyle Constable is a prime example of the hard work pumped into the club. Constable, who has been involved with debate and forensics since freshman year, competed in the GHSA Literary Meet on Saturday, March 19 in boy’s extemporaneous speaking. Competitors randomly select three topics out of an envelope and choose one to prepare a seven minute speech on. Students are allotted 30 minutes in which they research their topic with only information that they’ve prepared prior to the competition, pen a speech and practice speaking. After, two judges examine the speeches

and determine a winner. The number one votes for Constable were unanimous. But he’s not stopping at two state titles. “I would love to win state championship three years in a row,” Constable said. Swafford is equally confi dent in his abilities. “I expect him to repeat state tournament,” Swafford said. “He’s just a really stand-out young man […] Whatever he does in life, I’m certain he’ll be successful.” Senior Danielle Ackler also received second place for girl’s extemporaneous speaking.

Anna Roberts

Kyle Constable plans on dominating state next year for the third time. Consta-ble placed fi rst in extem-peraneous speaking.

photo by H.Vann

submitted photo

submitted photo

Horne will be moving on to nationals in Kansas City, Missouri. He won fi rst in weld-ing at state competition.

(Continued on page 11)

Teachers are a dedicated species. Many show their continuous efforts for education through hard work and long nights touring the hallways of LCHS. But one of the most unique and commendable forms of dedication

lingering within the school lies in the expanded room of Mrs. Leslie Sharpe McDonald, who is so devoted to the FCCLA program that she can be found making pigs-in-a-blanket during her planning period. This commitment has not gone unnoticed. McDonald has been tapped as Georgia’s Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Master Adviser for 2010-2011. The accolade is given to the adviser who exhibits

exceptional leadership within their chapter of FCCLA. Executive Director of the Georgia Association of FCCLA Vicki Rundbaken commended McDonald for her “demonstrated ability to organize and carry out meaningful FCCLA chapter activities.” FCCLA, founded in 1945, was formerly known as the Future Homemakers of America. The main focus of the organization was expanding students’

leadership skills and potential for success in both their own homes and community. McDonald upholds this vision with an exceptional chapter in Lee County. “We do a lot of community service…,” McDonald said. “[We work on] strengthening the community and the family.” The award, McDonald says, is one that she holds close to her

Anna Roberts

(Continued on page 3)

photo by C. GrebelMcDonald devotes most of her time to FCCLA. Due to her dedication,McDonald was named Master Advisor for the state of Georgia.

Elizabeth Ponson

Rachel McDaniel

Constable named state literary champ

What’s inside... Literary magazine

... see page 2 Earthquake in Japan

... see pages 6-7 Panama City

... see page 8 (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 4)