The Redbird Word March 22 Issue

Volume #94 Issue #6
Anne Frank
Harriet Tubman
Kalpana Chawla
Sacagawea

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Women UncoveringHistory
Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman to go to space in 1997, she went on
2 space missions in her time with NASA.
Sacagawea, 1788-1812. Sacagawea accompanied Lewis and Clark on their journeys
as someone who knew the terrain, people relative to the area, and language to
translate. Incredibly, she did all of this while caring for the son she bore just 2 months
earlier.
Anne Frank, 1929-1945. Anne Frank was a victim of the Holocaust in 1941; she was most
famous for her diary during her family’s time of hiding in “The Annex”, a secret space
in the building where her father worked.
Harriet Tubman, ~1820-1913. Harriet Tubman was one of the main leaders in the
production and execution of the Underground Railroad, a series of tunnels made to
help slaves escape their plantations; locations to entrances for these tunnels were
hidden in houses of people that supported the abolishment of slavery.
Reporter of the
Month
Editor of the
Month
Gary Williams
Knox Summers

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 5
Features
The legacy of Miles Davis
By: Paris Thomas
Miles Davis is recognized as one of the greatest
musicians ever. However, many don’t know about his
journey of becoming a legend.
Miles Davis was born on May 26th, 1926 in Alton,
Illinois. According to Britannica, Davis moved to East
St.Louis and was raised there as his dad worked as a
Dental Surgeon.
As a teenager, Davis began playing the trumpet in
which he fell in love with the instrument. As he got
older, he began doing gigs around St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1944, he moved to New York City to attend the
Institute of Musical Art. Davis would often skip many
classes and learn through jam sessions instead.
As years went by, Miles Davis began getting more
successful. Davis began getting big during the 60s
and 70s.
He continued to produce music until his death in 1991.
He also released a posthumous album in 1992.
Statue of Miles Davis, Located on 3rd Street
"Sometimes you have to play a long time to be
able to play like yourself." - Miles Davis
Photo credit- Zylan Moss (Design editor) and
Elizabeth Bradley (Asst. Editor) + JEEP
Miles Davis left a great legacy ranging over 50 years.
He left the world with hits like Burn and So What. He
also left behind a bloodline with 4 kids.
In conclusion, Miles Davis has inspired many others in
the music scene. He has also inspired people from our
area that anything is possible.

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 6
Features
The Significance of Women’s
History Month
As of today, the strides the women of the past have made have
positively impacted women of today . However, people think
there is still more work to do. Sophomore Trista White believes so.
"Yes, even though we are getting some recognition, we are far
from where we should be,” White said. “We need to constantly
improve”.
Others also believe that the month deserves more attention from
the world. They believe that is extremely crucial for people to
learn about the adversity that women faced back then and even
now.
Sophomore Tyricq Lewis believes so too, especially for young men
in society to educate themselves on the topic of women’s history.
“Since women hold such importance in the world and they deal
with so much, this [Women’s History Month] is a big deal for us to
learn about so we can do our part,” Lewis said. “We need to step
up.
Maya Angelou, a poet author, civil
rights activist, and actress for over
50 years. She definitely impacted
people where ever she went.
Photo Courtesy of Google Images
In conclusion, as a society, we cannot deny the strides that
women all over have had in order to make the world better. From
celebrities, politicians, to women in Alton High like Dorothy
Mosby and Tami Williams, their influence is felt throughout. What
we can learn from this month is to always fight and strive for
equal rights for all people.
Elizabeth Stanton was a writer
and women's right activist in
the mid to late 19th century.
Photo Courtesy of Google
Images

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 7
Features
By Paris Thomas
The Significance of Women’s
History Month
March is Women’s History Month, and it is important to
acknowledge the women and others who contributed to the
equality movement.
Women’s history is pivotal in today’s society due to the extreme
sexism they faced back in the day. Activists from Susan B.
Anthony to musicians like Beyoncé, they all played a significant
part in their own way for women.
"MY historic female
role model is Mary
Wollstonecraft."-Sarah
Thomas
Back in the past, women, and minorities weren’t given the same
rights as white men. Women were expected to work and do stuff
in the house and tend to the kids.
This all changed when Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton
founded the National Woman Suffrage Association. They laid
down the foundation for many other women to follow suit.
Women like Jeannette Rankin's continued the movement long
after Anthony and Stanton. Their heroic actions lead to the 19th
amendment which allowed women to vote.
"I chose Rosa Parks as
my female role model
from history..
Her bravery and
courage to stand up
for what she believed
in is inspiring. " -
Women like Jeannette Rankin's continued the movement long
after Anthony and Stanton. Their heroics lead to the 19th
amendment which allowed women to vote.

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 8
New Coach Meets with Prospective Players
By Alesiana White, Sports Editor
Sports
Alton High School has concluded its search for a new head football coach. It was a long,
vigorous process. But, the decision was made, and it was announced on March 2 that
David Parker would be joining the Redbirds as the new head football coach. Coach Parker
is a graduate of McCluer High School.
After high school, Parker went on to college at Harris Stowe State and North Central
University. He would later come back in 2019 to be an assistant coach.
"When I took my boys to playoffs," Coach Parker said, "I knew that was my calling to coach
football." Parker said he is excited to start the new season and is hopeful to take the boys
to state this year. Off-season practices begin on Tuesday, March 8.
If you are in a spring sport, continue going to your spring sport. However, if you are not in a
spring sport, and are interested in playing football, practices begin March 8 every Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday.
New head football coach, David Parker, hosted an informative meeting for students interested in playing
football next season. More than 50 students turned out for the first event to meet the new coach.
Photo courtesy of Coach Parker

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 9
By Gary Williams, Reporter
Sports
Phillips Takes the Gold
Something interesting happened at Alton High School. Not only did we win a State
Championship our very own Antonia Phillips has just made history.
Antonia was in the weight class of 140 lbs it was her first time going to State and has told
her feelings about what she has accomplished “It feels great to be the first girl to win
sectionals for my weight class (140).” - Antonia states.
This was Antonia's first time going to sectionals. Unfortunately, when she was in 7th grade
she almost went but fell short. Antonia says, “It feels amazing to win state, I have been
waiting for this moment for a long time since middle school to wrestle in the state, and I
finally did it.” With her win, she has hopes that this will bring more girls into wrestling for
the following year.
Antonia's win was celebrated throughout the school but the girls, in particular, are proud of
her because she is proof that girls can do everything that boys can do. Antonia states “ I
think we have got a great opportunity to feel the same as the boys that have had this great
feeling every year at state. Now, us girls who are able to feel that way while wrestling
against other girls who have the same strength instead of wrestling against someone who
is stronger than us.”
Antonia Phillips, 140-lb State
Wrestling Champion
Photo courtesy of Alton Athletics

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 10
Entertainment
By Reporter Selena Carll
Theater's " Stamped" Performance
Step into the mystery of the "12 Angry
Jurors" with me. "12 Angry Jurors" was a play
put on by the Theater Department about a
19-year-old going to trial for the murder of
his dad. The jurors have to find if he is guilty
or not.
The play was really good, and I felt like
it talked about things that are happening
right now in the world. I thought the whole
cast did great. They brought out emotion,
showing us that this is what happens in
real-life situations.
Overall the play was really good, and I
felt like it talked about things that are
happening right now in the world - it kept
me on my toes and was very interesting to
watch.
Jaron Ammons (Juror 3) reenacts the
stabbing with Lorian Warford (Juror 8).
Photo by Sophie Doering
"12 Angry Jurors" had a mysterious,
whodunnit feeling when I watched it. I did
not see the twist at the end from the jurors'
answers. To be honest, I had a feeling that
the boy wasn’t guilty, but I also thought he
was guilty.
I would like to say good job to Mrs.
Doering for putting the play together, the
crew who made and moved the props, and
the actors & actresses who made this all
possible.
The cast of "12 Angry Jurors"
Photo by Sophie Doering

Vol. 94, Issue 6 Page 11
Entertainment
Voices of the Choir
By Reporter Selena Carll
Music will fill the auditorium on March 15 from bass to sopranos. There is a lot of work that is being
put into the choral program that people don't know about. At first, it takes a little time to choose
music. Choir teacher Alexis Leggs said choosing the right mecan be a challege. “It varies depending
on which concert it is," Leggs said. "The fall concert is the hardest because I don’t quite know each
choir when I select the music, so sometimes I don’t pick the best fitting songs.”
But, sometimes Leggs gets lucky with choosing songs. “ I got REALLY lucky with that one this
year," Leggs said. "The winter concert is slightly less difficult to plan for than the fall concert, but it is
also the most stressful concert of them all.”
Leggs tries to find songs that are challenging and interesting for each group. Leggs said, “I choose
songs based on a multitude of reasons. The first is accessibility, I try my best to find a song that is just
the right amount of challenging for each choir so they won’t get bored or burnt out when learning
the song. Next, I base it off of what may pique their interest.”
She also tries to find songs that vibe with each group. Leggs said, “Each choir has their own vibe
so what one group finds interesting isn’t the same as what another group finds interesting. Another
thing I really have to consider is how much I like the piece. I know that seems biased, but imagine
teaching about something you disliked or had no passion for… it would be miserable. So I have to
enjoy the song or at least find it interesting.”
Leggs looks for concepts that she can teach so that we, as students, can develop our voice more.
Leggs said, “I look for songs that have teachable concepts. Part of my job as the choir director is
teaching my students to read music and develop their voices. If I can find songs that teach students
music concepts while also training them vocally, it helps them learn in a way that doesn’t feel like
typical 'learning'.”
After Leggs picks out the songs, she learns the song before teaching us, the students. “I have to
teach the song to myself so I can help the choir learn it," Leggs said. "Then I begin teaching the song
in sections. I start with the easiest to learn or catchiest part of the song so the choir’s first interaction
with the song is a positive one.”
Once each of the choirs works through that process, they perform the pieces and talk about the
meaning. Leggs said, “During this stage, we also talk about the meaning of the song and how we
portray that through singing. Finally, we clean and memorize and perform at our concerts.”