Bittersweet
by Justin Jones

Sometimes things don’t happen the way they should. The G.W. Carver Tigers fought through AA football to the semifinals of the GHSA state football championships and suffered a loss to the Calhoun High School Yellow Jackets. The Tigers amassed an impressive 13-1 record. For a team that includes a number of seniors, the season’s ending is bittersweet.

“I’m sad my high school season is over,” says quarterback Kris Carson. “I feel that I have to start all over again in college and work my way up again and win a national championship in college, if I can, but the fact I’m going to college is great.”

Safety Edward Pritchett has high hopes for the future and remembers his high school career fondly. “I’ll always remember coming in 2007 as a freshman and having the opportunity to be a part of a championship team,” says Pritchett.

Gabriel Wright, one of the top defensive linemen in Georgia, has mixed feelings about his last high school season. “I have a couple of regrets. I wish I could have spoken up a little more at halftime or maybe I could have made a game-changing play towards the end of our last game to bring it home, but other than that, I gave it my absolute all. Yet, I feel good at times and I know that it’s time to grow up and take my talents somewhere else like LeBron did.”

Jarvis Bentley echoes those thoughts. “I feel this is another big step in my life,” he says. “It was the last big game and I feel weird now because that was my last high school game and now I have to be about business.”

Free Safety Antonio Carter says, “I guess I have to move on and play on the next level with bigger, stronger athletes and make a name for myself wherever I go.” Riyahd Jones, who has committed to the University of Kentucky, is ready for the next step. “The season didn’t go how we wanted but I’m ready to go to college and be a great athlete and a better student,” says Jones.

The number one running back in the nation, Isaiah Crowell, says, “I felt I was carrying everyone on my back and I let them down, but they still look for me to be the best when I go to college. My high school career is over and I’m looking at the bigger picture from now on. All I can do is move forward and get better.”

Despite the bittersweet outcome, head cheerleading coach Patsy Gray always looks at the brighter side. “I am proud of our Tigers. … We have come a long way. Everyone was hoping for another state championship, but knowing the boys did their best is all that counts. I am happy to know that we have players who are being recruited by colleges across the nation and the fact that they will play in college and receive college degrees is the best bottom line,” says Gray.

Principal Christopher Lindsey knows that everything doesn’t last. “I wish I could hold them for a little while longer but I know I can’t. I just look forward to them being successful in college, the workforce or even the military. They need to leave from these halls and experience life and know that it’s more to it than football,” says Lindsey.

Knowing that the seniors are leaving, the underclassmen realize that it’s their time to step up. Football season is over and with graduation fast approaching, the bittersweet atmosphere will soon become one of joy and excitement as G.W. Carver football continues to grow.

Just Dance!
by Justin Jones

Jamia Robinson insists that she is a regular girl at G.W. Carver High School but her dancing skills are something to behold. She displays her talent almost every Friday night as she leads the Tigerette in cadences and field shows.

“Dancing is more of a passion for me rather than an activity,” says Robinson. Being a captain can be a trying experience but Robinson has no problems leading her squad.  “I’ve only been dancing for four years and now I’m in this position. I always try to humble myself, but people give me more credit than I deserve. I have to give thanks to my former Tigerette sisters who pushed me and told me that I could do great things.  Akeevia Gunn, Kiara Peterson and Shaniqua Lewis kept me going.”

Carver is known for its band and people gather to watch them perform. During the band’s field performance is the Tigerettes’ time to shine. “I’m so excited that I become nervous sometimes,” says Robinson.  “It also depends on the crowd. The crowd is the thing that sets my mood for most games.”

Fans always cheer when the Tigerettes step on field.  Robinson knows that she has helped prepare everyone for the coming show. “I worry right before halftime but after that, I know they have it. I can’t dance for the team. I make sure I do my part so they can do theirs.”

The Tigerettes are like a family within the larger G.W. Carver family. “We have our problems and we work through them,” Robinson says. “Every year it’s a new challenge and a new experience and I can honestly say I will miss it all when it’s over. I encourage all young females to try out for the dance team at G.W. Carver. It is a great experience.”

Robinsion tried out for the team in eighth grade. Was she nervous? “Yes I was,” she says. “I doubted myself and I thought some of my other friends would make it instead of me.” Robinson proudly advocates her sport and encourages others to join the Tigerettes when she is gone.

Robinson doesn’t plan to dance at college but if the opportunity arises, she might take it. “I believe that I need to be more focused and I know dance takes a good bit of my time. I want to be focused on my work in college. I know that if I start dancing I might not stop,” she says. She plans to study biology at Spelman College then continue with graduate studies at Emory School of Medicine to become a cardiologist.

“I know I can dance in college, but I want to experience new things besides dance,” Robinson says. “I honestly want to try my hand at cheering again. I cheered in elementary and middle school. I also attended United Cheerleading to help me advance my cheering skills.”

If something isn’t right or things aren’t going the best, Robinson says, “Just dance!”

A First Time for Everything    
by Justin Jones • photography by Justin Jones

The Carver Lady Tigers didn’t know they would be making history this year by advancing to the A/AA state volleyball playoffs. This varsity team has history themselves – they have been playing together since freshman year on the junior varsity squad. Along with a few new additions, this varsity squad has fought their way through some tough matches. Tasting defeat never held them back.

Led by senior co-captains Xaviera Bowie and Darlena Jones, the Lady Tigers are a team that can hang with the best.  “It feels great knowing that we are the first volleyball team at G.W. Carver to make it to state playoffs,” says Bowie. “We worked hard to get here and our hard work has paid off.”

The team practice sessions are a world of laughs, yelling, and the occasional volleyball chants such as “Ace in your face, pick it up woot woot!” Head coach Yvette Martin-Allen says practice is “all business” but the players somehow manage to make her smile. “I am very impressed by the leadership from my two captains,” says Martin-Allen. “Xavier Bowie, who is only 4’9”, plays with a big heart, and Darlena Jones, the more soft-spoken of the two, keeps the team’s attention by her quiet antics and strong leadership skills.”

Senior Chantetavious Crowell shared the team’s goals for the season. “We wanted to get a good start and have everyone playing as a whole. Everybody coming in after having the summer off had their own attitudes and we just wanted to get on one accord,” says Crowell, a 5’6” setter and middle hitter.

With a tough schedule, the Tigers faced opponents such as Brookstone, Kendrick and Central-Phenix City. “Our toughest game of the season was against Brookstone,” says senior Jasmine Hood. “We played them to the best of our ability but they still managed to knock us down in the A/AA area tournament brackets. We ended up taking third place in the area, so it’s all good. We still have the opportunity to win state.”

The Tigers have been practicing nonstop since the area tournament with the goal of bringing home the first state volleyball championship in G.W. Carver history. Jones is very confident about the playoffs. “When we all work together we can beat anybody. Cooperation and teamwork will lead us to a state championship,” she says.

Martin-Allen has coached an exceptional group of girls and plans to lead them to a state title. “I’m very excited. It’s a great moment for the history of the school and the student athletes,” Martin-Allen says. “A lot was required of my girls on and off the court and they met my expectations and theirs. Now we have to continue to work hard and do what we have to do to make the school and the community proud.”

Most teams consist of a strong group of seniors but this team does what has to be done with three freshmen, four sophomores, two juniors and five seniors. Everyone on the team plays a part no matter their grade. They work for each other and a common goal.

“I’m so glad that I joined the volleyball team this year. I didn’t think I would be any help this year, but my thoughts quickly changed.  Also, I love leading the team camaraderie and chants,” laughs 6’2” junior hitter Ariel Butts, whose primary sport is basketball.

Junior Iesha Bonner, middle and outside hitter, amazes her teammates with her ability to kill the ball with either hand.  When asked about the team and their success, she smiled bashfully. “We’re doing well,” Bonner says.  “I just want to win it all.”

The Lady Tigers have proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Now they have to keep up the hard work. This is their time and they are looking toward the future with bright eyes.