Keenan practices school safety drills

By Imani Osborne, News writer

Keenan practiced a series of school safety drills on various days. Administration held these drills for emergency reasons, so students know what to do in case something occurs.

The first drill was on March 26, the school shooter drill. On March 27 was the bus evacuation drill. The last drill was the fire drill, which was held on March 28.

Some people believe the drills are important; others take the drills to play with and think they

Nikolas Cruz goes on shooting rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

By Kayla Wright, News Writer

Nikolas Jacob Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, murdered 17 people in a shooting rampage, and injured 14 others on February 14, marking this the 18^th shooting of the year, according to the New York Times.

Cruz, who had been expelled from the school, began his shooting rampage, armed with a semiautomatic AR-15, outside of MSD High School in a suburban neighborhood around 2:40

Cafeteria food made in Satellite Kitchen

The Keenan kitchen staff works hard to prepare food for students.

Story and Photo by A’Laysia Hill, News Writer

Mrs. Doris Capers, cafeteria worker, works at the school Satellite Kitchen.

Satellite kitchens, located at individual schools, are where food is transported to for service to customers.

“I enjoy serving the children,” Capers said.

It takes approximately an hour and 45 minutes to prepare the food. Depending on the menu, it

Keenan helps the LLS

Mrs. Elizabeth Yagatilee

Sir’Narria Scott

Imani McQueen

By Salena Webb, News Writer

Keenan students, faculty and staff came together this past February to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

The LLS is the largest voluntary health organization to dedicate their time to finding cures, research and getting access to treatments for blood cancer patients.

During February, homeroom classes donated, while competing with each other, for the cause.

School or work: Which one matters?

By Rodney Chavis, Features Writer

Will working have a low or high impact on a student’s performance in school? Maybe having a job will benefit them greatly.

Some may think having a part-time job is fun and exciting.

With students having part time jobs are their test scores being affected? Teachers answered that question in more ways than some people could think.

Keenan Blood Drive saves lives

Mrs. Sahara White, NHS advisor, helps with the blood drive. Photo by Bobbianna Branch, Staff Photographer.

Junior Kianna Joseph is proud to donate. Photo by Bobbianna Branch, Staff Photographer.

Junior Sumeiko Howard waits while giving blood. Photo by Bobbianna Branch, Staff Photographer.

By A’Laysia Hill, News Writer

Mrs. Sahara White, National Honors Society advisor, is in charge of the blood drive that happened on November 22, 2016. Forty-five people at Keenan donated blood this year, one pint each being given.

“It takes approximately 10-12 minutes to give blood,” White said.

There is a shortage of O positive in the world, so once someone has it, it’s important to give it.

Preserving the Planet with the “Planeteers”

By Nahla Muldrow, News Writer

Did you know that we have a recycling club? Well, if you didn’t know, now you do. As a part of a district-wide recycling project, Keenan has created an environmentalist club
called The Planeteers.

Planeteers are (back row, from left) Seniors Nahla Muldrow, Lyric Swinton, William Cornish, Le’on Hill, Diamonita Tyler, Sydney Howard (middle row, from left), Quentin Savage, Amber Stone, Jalona Webb and (bottom) Taj Thompson. Photo by Louis Anderson, Cub Photographer.

The project is to see which school in the district can collect the most recycling. Led by Mrs. Sahara White, Science teacher, the AP Environmental science students have made it their

Bullington wins Solve for Tomorrow (Samsung)

Engineering students and Robotics Team members come together to make a new app to help people better their health. Photo by Jada Bouknight, Special to the Sword and Shield.

By Breayanna Gibson, News Writer

Mrs. Kirstin Bullington, Science and Engineering teacher, has won the Solve for Tomorrow (Samsung) contest. She was announced the winner December 9, 2015.

How does Bullington feel that she has won the Solve for Tomorrow?

“It’s a great honor,” Bullington said. “Engineering and science students are working hard. It’s great that a company recognized us.”

Junk food ban hurting schools, students

Story and Photos by Justina Simons, News Writer

Mrs. Michelle Obama, First Lady, called for a junk food ban on all schools around the nation. None of the schools in the nation can sell junk food items in their canteens or vending machines. All schools that do will be fined.

“I do believe a lot of people are upset by this change, but mostly just students,” Coach Dameon Franklin, Athletic Director, who is in charge of the canteen, said. “Students nor teachers won’t