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Coach Stefan Smith and Coach Omar Reid may not share the same last name, but they are brothers. Before they came to teach at Clarke Central High School, both men remember playing basketball under Coach Billy Wade.

PHOTOS AND STORIES BY ZOE PETERSON AND EMMA RAMSAY. For Clarke Central High School…

Viewpoints editor Valeria Garcia-Pozo and Business Manager Gabe Mantione-Holmes argue on the subject of Valentine’s Day.

Journalism I student Cate Goldman reflects on her expectations about high school and how they compare to the reality.

Former Clarke Central High School student Kinsey Clark sits with her pet dog in…

The issue of water conservation, a key component to the ongoing environmentalist movement, was brought to the attention of residents in Athens, Ga. on March 22 by way of the EcoFocus Film Festival.

Photos from lunch on March 20, 2013.

By JAMES LUMPKIN – Variety Writer Clarke Central High School freshman Ella Sams’ skill…

On Friday, March 8, students and teachers gathered in E.B. Mell auditorium to celebrate Black History Month at CCHS.

Washington D.C. lawyer and fervent supporter of gun rights Gayle Trotter has become the hero of women rights in the past weeks.

On January 11, Clarke Central High School senior Grace Byrne was hit by a car on Milledge Ave. while running with two other friends, and was taken immediately to the Intensive Care Unit at Athens Regional Medical Center suffering from various serious head injuries.

The Athens-Clarke County Library is in the final stages of renovation.

On Jan. 31 A Good Day to Die Hard came to Athens, Ga. John McClane (Bruce Willis) aligns with his long-lost son Jack McClane (Jai Courtney) to go on yet another action-packed adventure. Until this movie, Jack has been a vague character in the Die Hard series, and has only appeared as a child in past movies, but in this movie he is a grown man following in his father’s footsteps.

On Feb. 11, the seven-season-long era of head football coach Leroy Ryals ended. It was announced officially on Tuesday that he would be leaving Clarke Central High School for Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Ga.

The Most Popular Girls in School gained internet notoriety via Tumblr in January, gaining almost 800,000 views in a matter of days.

The 2012 film season was one widely-regarded as a revolutionary year for movies. Curveball independent films like Amour and Beasts of the Southern Wild surprised us with their emotional depth, and big-time, epic blockbusters such as Zero Dark Thirty and Argo held us on the edge of our seats. On Feb. 24, the much-anticipated Academy Awards will select the best of the best. But for now, we’re picking the winners.

Clarke Central High School Principal Dr. Robbie P. Hooker has been selected by the Georgia Association of Secondary Principals as a potential recipient of the 2013 Georgia Principal of the Year Award.

Clarke Central High School freshman Sara Tonks is an ametuer film maker and founded the Cinematography Club earlier this year.

In all its chaotic mess, Valentine’s Day can be both incredibly stressful yet very romantic. Many people continue to wonder aimlessly in and out of stores wondering what to get their special someone, so here are some affordable tips, all under $25, to follow to get past the stressful times and get to the romantic times.

Never has a room of at least 50 football players gone silent so fast.

The Sept. 2006 ODYSSEY Newsmagazine featured a cover story on then newly hired head football coach Leroy Ryals. Seven years later, Ryals has resigned from CCHS to assume the head coaching position at Thomasville High School in Thomasville, Ga.

The seven-year long Ryals football era at Clarke Central High School ended on Feb. 11. Head football coach Leroy Ryals accepted the position as Thomasville High School head football coach and athletic director on Monday and made the announcement to CCHS players Tuesday during a fourth block meeting in the team meeting room, formerly the Auxilarly Weight Room.

Motherhood: the planet’s most intense job.

The End-of-Course remediation system, implemented at Clarke Central High School in the spring of the 2011-12 school year, allows students who failed an EOCT the chance to retake it for a higher final class average.

Temple Run 2 is the hottest new game.

A dozen Clarke Central High School students, guided by faculty sponsor Laverne Fortson seek approval of a school dance line for 2013-14 football season.

Clarke Central High School senior Carver Goodhue has been announced as the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition student by scoring the highest score on the SAT in a single seating for the class of 2013.

Ruzzle, an app for Apple and Android devices has become the new craze in the app world. Ruzzle is a free word game released on March 9, 2012 by MAG Interactive. The game is similar to Boggle with hints of Scrabble mixed in.

As Clarke Central High School counselor Toawondia Underwood took on her fourth year at Clarke Central High School, and her twelfth year in counseling, the Clarke County School District chose to honor her as the first ever high school faculty recipient of the Counselor of the Year award.

On Saturday Jan. 12, Clarke Central High School sophomore cellist Tomislav Zabcic-Matic and CCHS senior violist Melody Wauke represented CCHS at the All State Orchestra auditions held in Westminster schools in Atlanta.

On Thursday afternoons, Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher David Cleveland’s room is quiet with numerous students playing chess. All of the students are taking their time thinking about their next move.

With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. day this coming Monday, students are making plans to commemorate the day by volunteering and celebrating the life of King.

The hype is almost unbearable. There’s the release of the nominations months ahead of time, the careful planning of movie marathons to make sure you see all of the bests and finally, there’s the iconic red carpet before the event.

Directed by Bill Condon and based on the bestselling novel by Stephanie Meyer, the recent premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part Two on Nov. 16 has prompted varying responses. Overjoyed critics are calling it “the best in the series,” and “breathtaking,” while other reviews have been more antagonistic, claiming it is “only appealing to the voracious fans.”

Until this year, the wrestling team has held practice in what is commonly referred to as the “small gym.” Each day, the transfer of mats onto and off of the floor of the gym marked the beginning and end of practice.

Former foreign language department teacher Dr. Meri Blackburn now resides in Room 131, where she meets with teachers and seeks to provide improvements for the school.

Who needs a beach umbrella cover if they don’t have a beach umbrella?

When a tragedy occurs, the people harmed seem to automatically blame a certain person or group. In general, people should not jump to such conclusions, but this is often done in regard to Muslims around the world.

As I walked into the first floor restroom, the faint odor of paint hit me. The graffiti on the walls that had made me both chuckle and cringe had been shrouded by a shiny coat of beige.

Two Clarke Central High School students argue whether student teachers provide a helpful service or are detrimental to the learning environment.

Art is important; that is undeniable. But whether or not art is being fully appreciated by Clarke Central High School students is debatable.

At the end of a distribution day, I wince every time an ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, a product that a 26-person staff slaved over, lies on the floor or in the recycling bins. So why do we do it in the first place?

Photos of the 2013 area 8-AAAAA wrestling duals

Out cold: The real danger of concussions

Every year, the Clarke Central High School Drama Club puts on three to five productions. They spend countless hours rehearsing and the cast members expend boundless effort in order to produce each show.

Sit back, relax and enjoy meeting students starring in the upcoming musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

You walk towards the room. A few kids stand in the hallway right outside the door. Inside, some students have their heads down, some have their headphones on and some work furiously to finish their homework. Few speak to each other. The teacher tries to call the attention of the class to no avail.

“So this is the end of the story,” sings indie-pop artist Gotye, providing a rather pop-styled opening to Gucci Mane’s new album Trap God, released Oct. 19.

Playing off of the old stereotypes of cops who are never without their coffee and donuts comes a new initiative from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department: “Coffee with a Cop.”

Lana Del Rey’s third extended play, Paradise, released on Nov. 13, reprises her signature sound introduced on her debut album, Born to Die, released in January.

According to CCHS International Baccalaureate/Gifted Collaborator and Scheduler Dr. Meri Blackburn, who was on the initial advisement committee, Advisement was conceived as an element of a smaller-learning community focus initiative, along with the freshman academy and the Athens Career Academy.

At the corner of East Broad Street and Wilkerson Street stands Weaver D’s, a small brick building that has seen generations of Athenians pass through its doors.

The program Jobs for Georgia Graduates promotes the development of employment and other necessary skills for post-secondary education for seniors at Clarke Central High School.

Two fresh, new presidential candidates were preparing for war, arming their fearsome troops of campaign interns and rallying civilians to support their side as they marched through en route to the battle fields of swing states.

Clarke Central High School junior Grant Anderson has a special talent.

Photos from the 2012 Classic City Championship played at Cedar Shoals High School

Clarke Central High School lost 24-13 to the Flowery Branch High School Falcons at home on Oct. 26.

House Bill 797, also known as the proposed “Charter Schools Amendment,” seems harmless at first glance.

It is a weekday morning at the Athens Community Career Academy and the campus is buzzing. Students unload from school buses and file into the newly-renovated H.T. Edwards building.

Volume ten of the ODYSSEY Newsmagazine

The second of three 2012 presidential debates is reviewed.

During the week of Oct. 8-12, Clarke Central High School celebrated Banned Book Week, which has encouraged students and teachers to read books banned by schools and libraries for the past 30 years.

Standing on the sidelines of Clarke Central High School’s football games and cheering his teammates on is one of their most vital players, CCHS senior Rodney Willingham, who cannot play due to a broken ankle.

On Friday, Oct. 5, Clarke Central High School held its first Club Day, giving students an opportunity to attend a new club.

The Athens-Clarke County Democratic committee is preparing for the upcoming election on Nov. 6 with the help of Obama for America, a program that preparation will include phone banking, door to door campaigning and sign distribution.

Clarke Central High School won 37-0 against the Salem High School Seminoles in the 2012 homecoming football game.

Photos of spirit week leading up to Friday night’s game against Salem High School.

The photography staff’s pick for this week’s photo of the week.

CCHS students choose the next U.S. president in this video.

n Beasts of the Southern Wild, released on June 27, directed by Benh Zeitlin, you will find a place affectionately called the “Bathtub,” which is a tiny strip of land on the Louisiana Gulf Coast on the wrong side of the levee.

Photos from the CCHS vs. Loganville High School football game.

At age 40, former professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong faced testicular cancer. Following this obstacle in his life, he was able to consecutively win the Tour de France, which is an annual multiple-stage bicycling race seven times. He also founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to support those who also battle cancer.

Photos of the Marist at CCHS football game.

Located at 165 Alps Rd., Chipotle Mexican Grill is a modern looking building with sleek, large glass windows. At a glance, one might assume Chipotle is an upscale, sit down restaurant. Its appearance, however, is quite misleading.

Photos from the Madison County High School vs. CCHS volleyball game

See if you were SCENE! by one of our photographers today.

Wednesday, the editorial staff of the University of Georgia’s indepently run newspaper walked out in protest of a non-student being named Editorial Director of the publication.

The 2011-12 CCHS Teacher of The Year and Paraprofessional of The Year has been announced.

The Clarke Central High School Relay for Life team has exceeded their goal for donations – raising over $5000 – for the 2011-12 school year.

Growing up in Columbia, S.C. for the first eight years of my life, I attended St. Martin De Porres Catholic School, a predominately African-American private elementary school. I studied and was taught in dept about African-American history everyday;it was our standards.

The numbers are clear: African-Americans are underrepresented in baseball.

While some students recite the Pledge of Allegiance and stand for the National Anthem, others choose not to do either.

The Clarke County School District will be implementing budget cuts for the 2012-13 fiscal that are needed in order to run the district.

In today’s educational system, when teachers, faculty and staff hear the phrase “budget cuts”, it sends a shiver down their spines.

In the 1960 election, Sen. John Kennedy, D-Mass., won a close victory over Vice President Richard Nixon.

A compilation of sports news at Clarke Central High School.

I sat in advisement watching the same low-budget, 1990s film I had seen in freshmen health class.

Each spring, the Clarke Central High School community eagerly prepares for the end of the school year.

At 5:30 p.m. on March 29, game one of the CCHS-Alcovy doubleheader began. Eighth-grader Noah Fairbairn started for CCHS and allowed six hits and five earned runs over five innings of pitching.

Finally, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution has been proved! Sorry, non-believers: you’re wrong; man most certainly shares a common ancestor with apes.

Fans across the world got the chance to live up to their promise that they would “never let go” when the 3D recreation of Titanic, directed by James Cameron and originally released in 1997, was at cinemas again this past week, airing in most U.S. movie theaters on April 6. Cameron also produced the 2

Photo gallery of International Day 2012 at CCHS on April 12

This is what we have been told: Ron Paul is a crazy old man, Newt Gingrich

The rise of the Occupy Wall Street move­ment has presented our nation with an identity crisis. For centuries, the United States has been a nation led by the rich, for the rich.

While walking down a hall in Clarke Central High school, I was once told by a group of students that I was “swagged out.”

You are a freshman at Clarke Central High School and have found yourself in a sea of 1,500 other students. Besides the familiar faces of your relatively quaint middle school graduating class, nearly every person is a complete stranger.

On March 9, the 55 members of Clarke Central High School’s band, Symphonic Winds, participated in the Georgia Educated Music Association’s Large Group Performance Evaluation held at Jefferson High School.

The Classic City Championship is arguably the most important game of the season for both Cedar Shoals High School and Clarke Central High School.

The halls of Clarke Central High School have experienced another form of decoration this year. Teachers have photos of themselves scotch-taped to the walls outside of their respective classrooms with an adjective that describes them.

Read coverage of the alumni game and look at pictures of all the soccer games

Were you SCENE!? Click to see.

With complete transparency, I am between 20 and 30 years old. I spent four, wonderfully confusing years

“We salute your courage and your sacrifice and we wish you Happy Hunger Games,” announced President Snow to the tributes and entire crowd, marking the beginning of their annual “games.”

On Friday, March 9, the Clarke Central High School Black Student Union, in conjunction with the CCHS step team and several other guest singers, dancers and speakers, perfomed “I know I’ve been Changed!” The performance, much like a variety show, compiled several acts together that were all tied to a central message.

Coming from an urban neighborhood in Syracuse, N.Y., my first introduction to neighborhood violence was a frightening experience.

The first call to a 911 operator in the Trayvon Martin murder came in on Feb. 26 from George Zimmerman, a self-appointed neighborhood watchman from Sanford, FL.

At the Central Gwinnett Tri-Meet on March 7, Clarke Central High School competed against host Central Gwinnett High School and nearby Archer High School. Nearly half of CCHS’ 18 points came from field events.

Members of Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Newsmagazine and Iliad Literary-Art Magazine participated in the University of South Carolina’s Southern Interscholastic Press Association’s Courage to Connect Convention in Columbia, S.C. from March 2-4, along with 400 other students from across the country.

The month of March is a very special to me. In addition to my birthday on the fourth, the month brings alive a special time in the sports world, March Madness.

Coming into the 2011-12 school year, I joined the ODYSSEY staff as nothing but an eager student wishing to grow my passion for journalism.

The top eateries for every couple as chosen by CCHS students and the ODYSSEY staff

The photography staff’s pick for this week’s photo of the week.

On March 22, 2011, Athens resident Jamie Hood allegedly committed the terrible crime of shooting two Athens-Clarke County police officers, killing one and

After a weekend of camping with her family, your peer opens her backpack to find the knife she forgot to remove before returning to school. She is making no effort to conceal it, unaware that she is in violation of the Clarke Central High School Code of Conduct.

I have always been afraid of The Scantron. Yes, to me it has always been a living creature–not human, though, always too monstrous and precise for such sheer mortality. And, of course, The Scantron is never wrong, thus denying the basic foundation of humanity: error.

On Friday, Jan. 27, Vassar College Early Decision II notifications were revealed to 254 applicants across the country and the world at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time. Early Decision Plan candidates bind themselves to attendance, if admitted.

“…And on the second page of the syllabus, you need to make a change. Final exams are now worth 20 percent.”

Throughout the years, American culture has made a tradition of idolizing pop stars. We devour every shred of information we can forcefully suck from these star’s personal lives via television shows and tabloid magazines. In the past 50 years, though, a specific brand of celebrities has become progressively more and more popular: child stars.

Athens High School, originally built in 1951 was constructed in an “E” arrangement. Years after AHS became Clarke Central High School, the “E” has was changed and added upon.

The photography staff’s pick for our photo of the week.

Photos of CCHS’ swim meet on Saturday, Jan. 14

I have always been an artist. As a child, I would tote my sketchbook around, doodling and creating characters at any free moment. The beauty of art lies in its ability to transcend all levels of education and age, all colors and all nationalities. An image rings through language barriers and connects the minds of the masses.

Wait? What!? Oh, I get it! These are a few reactions heard within the halls, cafeteria and classrooms at Clarke Central High School in response to Curriculum Assistance Program department teachers Dr. Michele Burch and Tiffani Knight’s twist on lunch duty.

Hungry after second block, I rushed to our school’s lunchroom but was stopped before I could even enter the Miller Jordan Jr. cafeteria.

On Jan. 11, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed a concert at the University of Georgia Hodgeson Hall. Every seat of the performing hall was filled, mostly with people much older than me…

Alright, so here’s the deal. Right now, I’m sitting at a computer with my feet up on the desk because I produce my best writing when I’m comfortable.

During the 2010-11 school year, Clarke Central High School students left the building later in the day than in years past, with clay on their hands from the Pottery Club, sweat on their brows from the Tae Kwon Do Club or the taste of homemade treats on their lips from the Top Chef Club.

Clarke Central High School head varsity basketball Coach Andre McIntyre was hired in 2009. Upon his hiring, he began attending Clarke Middle School basketball games to search for prospective players.

In September of 2011, the Athens Banner-Herald ran an article titled “Wal-Mart: No store planned for Downtown,” essentially dispelling the rumors that “the mammoth chain (was) considering building a small store on the edge of Downtown Athens.”

For me, the Jittery Joe’s Coffee Roaster is a place full of fond memories. I remember the year that the floor of the warehouse in the back was painted to look like a giant chess board and some artist had made a giant

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? “42 cords of wood, to be exact. Everyone knows that,” My iPhone 4S responded.

Having a place to call “home” is not guaranteed for all children — homelessness is a growing problem for students in the Clarke County School District. Katie Wheeler, Homeless Education Program liaison and school social worker for the CCSD, has seen this increase during her time working for the district.

It’s close to midnight and pitch-black outside except for the headlights of passing cars on Highway 78. Clarke Central High School custodian George Blaylock continues down the highway to his home in Lexington, Ga., over 20 miles away, on his bike.

To expand the limits of learning, the Clarke County School District has chosen to implement the International Baccalaureate Middle Years program, curriculum for grades sixth through tenth, at schools including Clarke Central High School.

Sandy Creek Nature Center is adding more exhibits to the well-known park in an effort to attract more Athenians.

Clarke Central High School senior Emanual Hunter has been interested in music since middle school.

Though the ID policy has been put into affect for over two months, students started to ignore it the day after it began.

After amassing an overall record of 17-13 and 9-5 in region 8-AAAA, the Clarke Central High School varsity volleyball team placed second in the region during the regular season.

It all began in elementary school. The idea of trying to keep a certain image around my classmates was a big deal to me.

Coldplay’s latest album is filled with throbbing harmonies and emotional lyrics which speak to the listener’s ear in a unique way.

Athens-based band R.E.M. officially went seperate ways on Sept. 21, 2011

On Nov. 13, the Georgia Theater hosted a tribute to Athens-based band R.E.M., who officially announced their break up on Sept. 21.

Clarke Central High School beat Lambert high school, moving through to the second round of the state playoffs

These are the top ten things the Gladiators need to know to ensure a win against the Lambert High School Longhorns in the first round of the AAAA state playoffs

Former Clarke Central High School students Martay Mattox and Alan Posey are now members of South Eastern Conference football powerhouses

Clarke Central High School stomps the Flowery Branch High School Falcons in the region 8-AAAA championship game

Clarke Central High School will enter the state football playoffs as the number two seed in region 8-AAAA

The First Amendment seems to change each day as the Internet is used more each day.

The last, most sincere goodbye always hurts the most.

Much can be learned from a culture so different than our’s

Picture it @ Your Library

Prepare yourself for homecoming 2011

Don’t be apart of the crowd; change it up, meet some new people.

Stop by room 114 to grab a copy of the latest issue today.

For the Clarke Central High School’s girls fast pitch softball team, it’s not all about the winning.

You have 32 minutes stuck in the middle of the day. What will you do with it?

The Georgia Theater made a strong recovery after burning to the ground over two years ago.

A former staffer gives the DUI process

September 11, 2001: another day that will live in infamy.

Lady Gladiators beat Salem High School 25-7 and 25-11

By CARLO NASISSE – Photography Editor

Interesting is an understatement for this indie pop band with funk glam

By CALEB HAYES – Editor-in-Chief I never thought I would see it again. A…