Feature

UT Southwestern’s HPREP Program

                                                                           By Twantanisha Derrough

Health professions recruitment and exposure program(HPREP) is an academic enrichment program that  offers minority and underrepresented high school students a glimpse of education and career opportunities in health care professions.  The program helps high school students understand the dedication needed to pursue a career in science and medicine. The sessions last five weeks from January to February on Saturday. During those five weeks students will be exposed to training in such as, blood typing, cardiopulmonary resuscitations, cow eye dissection, DNA extraction, emergency medical services, and occupations in medicine, prosthetics and orthotics. Sessions also include teen sexuality and teen violence, sexually transmitted infections, suturing and using the medical library. The program is only available to grade levels ten through twelve and those students interested must complete an application, a personal statement and an essay on an assigned topic. The deadline for the application is November 20, 2015. Throughout the sessions students attend interactive workshops and have sessions with medical mentors. The program is taught by medical, graduate, and allied health students, faculty, and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds.  After successfully completing the program all participants receive certificates and a HPREP T-shirt. The final day of HPREP will include a special recognition luncheon to which parents/guardians will be invited. (UT
Southwestern Medical Center.

Tiffany Jackson Returns Home

By Twantanisha Derrough

Tiffany Jackson is an all-around athlete that originated from Lincoln. Jackson attended Lincoln ninth through tenth grade and transferred to Duncanville High School her senior year. While in school, she ran track, played volleyball and basketball. Basketball was something that meant a lot to her and she ended up playing for college. She was named an All American and National Player of the Year candidate in 2007, while averaging 17 points and 8.9 rebounds per game at the University of Texas. She was also honored as Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention, Kodak All-American Honorable Mention, ESPN.com credited her as Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12 in 2006.          

 In 2004, Tiffany was a finalist for all three “National Player of the Year” honors (State Farm Wade Trophy, Naismith Award, Wooden Award) along with the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-America Team, Associated Press All-America Third Team, and Kodak All-American Honorable Mention. She is also as recognized for All-Big 12 First Team and consensus media All-Big 12 First Team pick that season… named National Freshman of the Year by ESPN.com and US Basketball Women’s Association, All-Big 12 Second Team and Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2003. She has played for New York Liberty, Tulsa Shock, and now for the Dallas Wings. She says that it means the world to her to be back in Dallas for the remaining two seasons of her career. Not only does she play basketball, but she also owns two businesses; one in dealing in hair design and the other in clothing sales such as athletic tights, sport bras, etc.  Life after basketball for Tiffany will focus on her being a wife to her husband, Derrick Jones and a mother to her two year old son, Marley. She says she doesn’t regret anything she has done nor would she change anything she has done if she were given the chance. When asked who her biggest inspiration has been, she responded, “my dad.” “He has pushed me to do my best and has always kept me motivated,” she added.

Spotlight Shines on “Mr. Lincoln”

By D'Andria Robinson

Ajion Lair,  Mr. Lincoln for the 2015-2016 school year,was inspired to run for Mr. Lincoln to represent Lincoln High School and to show that the best and brightest students do indeed come out of Lincoln,and that we are more than our extracurricular activities.” We are the doctors, lawyers, and educators of tomorrow,” he added.   He would like major in civil engineering and/or athletic training with a minor in education.  Lair wants to ensure that Lincoln is a place of higher education and to represent the school with pride. His challenges include public speaking and has stage fright. He ran for Mr. Lincoln because he wanted to showcase his school pride and represent his school in a positive manner “ During  the pageant, the most challenging thing for me was being able to speak and articulate my words in front of the audience”. While performing his song, Ajion wanted to touch the crowd with emotion by breathing and not “messing up.”

                 Ajion came to Lincoln to participate in the engineering program because he wants to be an engineer. He would like to attend UTA, because it’s close to home and has a good engineering program. He loves and admires his mom, because she cares about people and motivates them to become successful.

During his free time Ajion likes to sing, watch television and dine out with his family, “Holding the title of “Mr. Lincoln” has placed me in a leadership position,“ he remarked. Ajion wants a successful career and to be able to provide for his family. He would like to come back to Dallas someday and be an asset to the community. Ajion is multi-talented, willing to work hard and has maintained a 3.0 grade point average.  He is a part of the Boys and Girl’s Club. He encourages everyone to behave in school and make good grades, because it is going to pay off in the future.

Ms. Lincoln Makes History

By  D'Andria Robinson

Manatu Vakameilalo, Miss Lincoln for 2015-2016 school year.  She was inspired to run for Miss Lincoln as a means of getting out of her comfort zone and to show who she really is.  As Miss Lincoln Manatu feels and believes that she should set an example “As Miss Lincoln I believe my responsibilities is to continue to be positive and to be able to set a good example and represent Lincoln High School.

                Before Manatu won the title of Miss Lincoln, she was new to the city and Lincoln High School and she was a quiet person. She developed confidence and ran for Miss Lincoln and won. “When I won Miss Lincoln it was unexpected; the feeling I had was a chill of accomplishment and I cried tears of joy!” She is very proud of herself, because she didn’t give up. Participating in the pageant is something she really wanted to do. She worked really hard to succeed in it. She encourages anyone who thinks about competing for a crown to “work hard, be yourself, and come to win.”

The best thing that happened to her in the pageant was seeing her mom in the crowd. Her mom came from all the way from Hawaii to see Manatu in the pageant. She admires her sister Kristinia, because “with every struggle I faced, she was always a helping hand and I appreciate her for pushing me to see things I didn’t see in myself.” Manatu had to take time out babysitting her nieces, because of the rehearsals were after school, but she assures everyone it was well worth it.

                Manatu would definitely do it over again; she claims it was such an amazing experience. She loves being able to represent Lincoln High School “It’s an honor and a great feeling.” She loved working with the other girls and being able to build a friendship.

                Manatu Vakameilalo is proud to be Miss Lincoln for 2015-2016. She encourages everyone to step out of his or her comfort zone because you never know what will happen. She hopes to attend Savanah College of Arts and Design and major in photography. She aspires to become a professional photographer.

Alumni Pep Rally Proves Big Hit

By Felicia George

The Alumni Pep Rally was a great success this year. This was the 4^th year for the Alumni Lincoln High School pep rally, and each year it gets bigger. The attendance averages 800 participants and over. Classes from the 50’s – 90’s were present. The Classes from the 80’s and 90’s really showed their faces this year to support their favorite school. Rodrick Lewis, son of the Lincoln’s former principal, the late Napoleon B. Lewis Sr. was present at the pep rally to receive an award on behalf of his father.

    

The Alumni Pep Rally first began during the 2012-2013 school year. It came into existence and it came into existence because there was a lack of Alumni support for the school.  “The Alumni Pep rally shows kids how old Lincoln pride used to look,” said organizer, Coach Carlesa Dixon.

                After the pep rally, alumni tailgate until the next morning enjoying music, free food, and more. This event was weeklong and there was plenty pride and participation this year for “the South Dallas Super Bowl.” The Alumni Pep Rally will never get old no matter what. Lincoln Spirit will never die out when the Alumni Pep Rally is around. The old classes come around and show new timers what a real pep rally is, and how it should look. This event brings Lincoln Tigers together like a family reunion and we all celebrate together to show people how much Lincoln means to us” Dixon added.