0:00:10 > 0:00:14If I had to describe OW in one word, a real diamond.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Mind-blowing.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- Surprising.- Drama.- Swag.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- Over the top.- It's crazy. - Oh, my God!
0:00:25 > 0:00:29- Problems.- Discombobulated. - This ain't no fairy-tale high school.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33This ain't no fairy-tale story. Everything is real here.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Class of 2016!
0:00:44 > 0:00:48At OW, you see black people 98% of the time.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54You share pain, you share kin, we are lifelong friends forever.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Teachers, please close all doorways. We are in an active hall sweep.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Almost here and it's make or break time for me.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14I am about to get ready to leave high school!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Y'all going to jail, because y'all in a stolen car.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Come on! Hey!
0:01:27 > 0:01:30I am so proud of you because I know that you have overcome
0:01:30 > 0:01:33obstacles to make it through this day.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35THEY CHEER
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- MAN ON RADIO: - 'Good morning, Orangeburg.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06'It's a beautiful day in the Garden City.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11'I'm Paul Harris right here at the People's Station, WOCS 93.7 FM.
0:02:11 > 0:02:12'Another day, another dollar.'
0:02:20 > 0:02:22I love OW.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24OW is unknown.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26People don't know how great OW could be.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31I like my school.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35We're not exactly popular but we're still hanging in there.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I'm glad I'm at OW, I'm glad this is my high school.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54It's just crazy! Like, I just can't describe it.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59I think the big word you can say is OW is a family.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03- PAUL HARRIS:- 'You know, there's so much excitement
0:03:03 > 0:03:04'that's going on around town.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08'We now have a new principal, Dr Stephen Peters,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11'and he has been asked to come to Orangeburg-Wilkinson
0:03:11 > 0:03:12'at a very critical time,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16'when we need to turn things around, when we need to move it forward.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19'Dr Peters, being the principal at OW,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21'what do you want to build at the high school?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24'Well, I think there's a lot of work to be done.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26'It's not an easy school to be run.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28'So many of our public schools have failed,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32'they're starting to call public schools "failure factories".
0:03:32 > 0:03:35'I think our children deserve more than they're getting,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39'particularly our children of colour who come from poverty.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- 'This is a high poverty index school.- That's correct.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46'OW is a school that also experienced lots of fighting,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48'so two or three fights a day, sometimes.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51'Some of our children go home after school and not knowing
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'where they're going to stay the night,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56'and it might be a different house three times this week.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59'And the challenge is can the work be done?'
0:04:01 > 0:04:03What's up? What's up?
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I should take a picture and send it to your mom.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Tell her you were in here using the B-word.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Don't get it twisted now, don't let this suit fool you!- Oh.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18I go in the hood. I'm from the hood.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22INDISTINCT SPEECH OVER WALKIE-TALKIE
0:04:24 > 0:04:2710-4. BELL RINGS
0:04:32 > 0:04:34I like that coat. I like that.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38This is Dr Peters, principal.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44So, we begin today on our quest to be the best.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46And as such, we're going to need your cooperation.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50We are in three critical weeks of school, possibly the most
0:04:50 > 0:04:55important weeks of this school year, as we prepare for testing.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00Let's make this a fun day, zero drama.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12What do people expect when people graduate from OW?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Not going to college.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Getting somebody pregnant or getting pregnant. Erm...
0:05:19 > 0:05:22just going on the job where you gonna have to struggle
0:05:22 > 0:05:25all your life, you know what I'm saying? Stuff like that.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28So, do you think if the expectations are low for people
0:05:28 > 0:05:30then it's difficult to change?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33It's not impossible and I feel like...
0:05:33 > 0:05:35They've probably been saying this for years and years
0:05:35 > 0:05:38but it does start with ourselves, it starts with our generation
0:05:38 > 0:05:42and even if it's just a small portion then that still matters.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45We're not just that ratchet school in Orangeburg,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47we're actually pretty smart kids.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51My name is Jalena Jones.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54I am a senior at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57I am involved in several clubs and activities that
0:05:57 > 0:06:00take up much of my time.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I do drill team after school.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I am in the National Society of Black Engineers.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I am a part of National Honours Society.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11I am in Emeralds Of Distinction,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14which is like a high school sorority.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Is there anything you're not doing now?- Er, a quitter.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Pretty sure that most of the people that passed by right now
0:06:25 > 0:06:27don't even know who I am.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29I kind of keep to myself.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34I am beginning the steps to be by myself as an adult.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37I'm kind of, sort of, ready for it but it's, like,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39kind of scary at the same time.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42THEY LAUGH
0:06:42 > 0:06:44We got the same hairstyle!
0:06:44 > 0:06:49'Well, Jalena and I have been friends since sixth grade.'
0:06:49 > 0:06:53We've always pretty much just been the top two in our class.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57I was about to wear that, "AI In Action."
0:06:58 > 0:07:03I would describe Jalena as a beautiful person, inside and out.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09All right, can I have y'all's attention for a just a second?
0:07:09 > 0:07:10Please, listen up.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13These are three of the most critical weeks of our whole school year,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15starting today.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19No playing, no fighting. Serious business.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24And all the kids fail on purpose.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Nobody in the classroom is succeeding.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Everybody is just failing.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Everybody talking about OW, how bad it is, how ratchet it is.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37We need to make this school what it's capable of being.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41Work, work, work, work. You never know, it may work out.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Then it may not work out. But then, it may work out!
0:07:46 > 0:07:50So, three weeks of straight-up business. See you all later.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Uncomfortably quiet and peaceful this morning.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04I don't know whether it was the announcement this morning
0:08:04 > 0:08:06seeking their help.
0:08:06 > 0:08:12But I like it and I am hoping that it will last
0:08:12 > 0:08:16and we can ride this three-week critical time right into testing.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25'We want to break records, we want higher test scores,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27'we want a lower dropout rate.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31'Testing, it's tied to what people think of our school.'
0:08:35 > 0:08:38And get too hot!
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- ALL: - It's about to come down tonight!
0:08:40 > 0:08:43The Bruins are ready to fight!
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- We're here to win this game and get too hot!- Come on!
0:08:47 > 0:08:52It's about to come down tonight, the Bruins are ready to fight!
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I'm Vernon, Vernon Stevens. Everybody knows me.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58We're here to win this game and get too hot!
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- THEY CHEER - 'I'm currently a cheerleader.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06'I'm on the Varsity squad.'
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- Right, let's go!- Be quiet.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12When you finish, stop talking. You don't have to prove...
0:09:12 > 0:09:13"We wasn't talking, she..."
0:09:13 > 0:09:16You don't have to prove yourself to nobody.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20My coach, she can be hard on me. I know she loves me, though.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22She loves all her girls but I think she loves me more
0:09:22 > 0:09:24because I'm Vernon.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26We have our next practice and you finish something,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30you talk when I sit you down, I'm going to call your mother for you.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Vernon is like my brother/sister.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36THEY CHANT
0:09:36 > 0:09:39'I could ask him for fashion advice.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41'We play make-up together.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- 'He's so girlie!' - SHE LAUGHS
0:09:46 > 0:09:49We aren't doing it like you don't even want to do it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52If you're going to be absent, you need to communicate.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55We were sitting here discussing the importance of your role.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58She had to actually stand in for you yesterday,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01so accountability is going to be important.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- It won't happen next time.- OK, so you'll be here tomorrow?- Yes, ma'am.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Or will we be just be holding your banner up
0:10:06 > 0:10:07and saying that you went to work?
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- HE GASPS - Oh, God, I thought my phone cracked!
0:10:10 > 0:10:14'She wants me to be focused and don't let anything distract me
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'cos once I get distracted... I'm easily distracted.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21'If you don't know, I'm very easily distracted.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:26Sometimes I get worried about Vernon because I want him to be able
0:10:26 > 0:10:29to do bigger and better things than what he's used to.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34There is more than just this little town that we live in.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38BELL RINGS
0:10:39 > 0:10:41CHATTER
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- WOMAN ON PA:- All administrators
0:11:01 > 0:11:03please report to the cafeteria immediately.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06All administrators please report to the cafeteria immediately.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- MAN ON WALKIE-TALKIE: - Dr Peters, message me. Dr Peters.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12I'm on my way.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Just had some new information that a weapon was used.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21I repeat, a weapon was used.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23'OW has a reputation for itself.'
0:11:23 > 0:11:27It's a bad school, fights and stuff always going on.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32All right, can you all go, please? Just go.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I mean, what you waiting for? Just go to class.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Why y'all still here? No, no, can't go that way.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40We've got that blocked off.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47Outside school, they think of OW as thug, hood.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52You can barely go a day without hearing something bad happening -
0:11:52 > 0:11:54fights, shootouts or something.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01There's no level of how, how severe something is,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03you know what I'm saying? Everything is severe.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08So, a girl said the boy's eye is cut because of the brass knuckle.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- Yeah.- We want to block this area off from now on.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16Tell whoever's supposed to be there, Coach Derby, to be on post.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22This is ridiculous, man. So much for three weeks of business.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29So, here's what I'm going to do.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32You and your brother are going to get suspended for fighting.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37I'm going to put them out because we can't find the brass knuckle
0:12:37 > 0:12:38but we've got witnesses that he has them.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- I'm going to charge him with having a weapon.- Yes, sir.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Putting them out for ten days with recommendation for expulsion.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47They're gone, they're not coming back here. So, y'all got to...
0:12:47 > 0:12:52This has to stop right here. All right? We've done our part.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Keep the ice on, that'll go down.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58You never know what's going to happen when you come here.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59The Burg is really crazy.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02You've got some people who just don't care.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Officer McQueen, come back, please.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Where's McQueen?
0:13:13 > 0:13:18Some of the kids said there are two cars coming up here to retaliate?
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Somebody's coming up here to finish this off,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23that's what some kids just told me.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I just cleared the parking lot just now.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28So, we need to keep watch outside.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Two cars supposed to be coming up here to fight these kids.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35This ain't the safest place to be.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40At all times, anything crazy could happen at any time.
0:13:40 > 0:13:41So, you got to know your boundaries,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44you got to know what's safe, what's not.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50Mr Jones, I need you to use your car to be vigilant outside.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Check the student parking lot and just keep your eyes open out there
0:13:55 > 0:13:58and alert us to anything that's out of order, OK?
0:14:00 > 0:14:03'I used to run the streets a lot.'
0:14:03 > 0:14:07One night, I went, I was out there selling drugs, whatever,
0:14:07 > 0:14:09and I had a gun put to my head.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11They told me, it was like, if I didn't come up with
0:14:11 > 0:14:15everything that was in my pocket, they'd shoot me in my head.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24In America, we've had so many school shootings, mass shootings,
0:14:24 > 0:14:29that law enforcement believes that if we have an armed police officer
0:14:29 > 0:14:33in our school, if something like that were to happen,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36that the school is not totally defenceless.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42All right, this is Dr Peters.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Well, what happened is we have video that shows that your youngest son
0:14:46 > 0:14:48was in possession of brass knuckles.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Some of the kids are saying that some of their friends
0:14:52 > 0:14:54are on the way up here to school.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I need you to try to help them to ward that kind of stuff off.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00This needs to stop.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03All right, OK. Thank you. Bye-bye.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09This is the reality of now.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14It's a continuous cycle that never stops.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15You get me, I get you back.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19My cousin gets you, my cousins get you back.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23And it has become a culture in our young society.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28BELL RINGS
0:15:48 > 0:15:50We got ropes!
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Hey! You doing anything?
0:15:55 > 0:15:5620 be too much.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Hey, excuse me, y'all need to finish your workout.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I don't need y'all to watch the sunshine.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Kordel, you up? Who's up? You up?
0:16:08 > 0:16:10I need a good laugh.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14My name is Kordel Johnson. I'm a senior.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16I play football.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19I'm number 17 and I'm a wide receiver.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22That ain't too sissy, that's 255.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- This is 12!- OK, 255?- Yeah!
0:16:25 > 0:16:27All right, you're good.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30I know you wouldn't see it in the smile now
0:16:30 > 0:16:32but I was a terrible child.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I just talked too much and I was just bad, I was horrible.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Kordel is a good friend.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I heard... Not I heard of him but, you know, I knew
0:16:41 > 0:16:44that he played football and he was in the football team
0:16:44 > 0:16:45last year when I cheered.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Get it on, come on. Lock it out, lock it out. Lock it out!
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Kordel, he always had a lot of confidence about himself.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57His main goal's to be a star in OW.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Everybody's been telling me since I was, like, in sixth grade,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04"You're cocky, you're arrogant, you're just standard dirt.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06"You're just too this and too that."
0:17:11 > 0:17:14He's just a...friend.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17Mm-hm, that's it.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- On three, one, two, three! - THEY CHEER
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Let's go!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29At Orangeburg, there's that perception of us being jocks
0:17:29 > 0:17:33and just picking on kids, it's not really like that.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37We just go to class, man, we trying to survive and stuff, man.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40We just out here trying to make it till the next day.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Come on, Mike. We need to use you if you ain't doing anything, Mike.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Come on, we need you out there if you're not in first offense.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50'Here at OW, football is a tool to get an education.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53'Not just being a football player.'
0:17:53 > 0:17:56And I always go to them and ask them, "What do you want to do?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59"Do you want to play college football?"
0:17:59 > 0:18:03They say yeah, so that makes me motivate them more.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Hey, hold up, I need another lineback guy here.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10'All of the athletic teams, no matter what team, it's year round.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- 'And that's what we do here at OW.' - Running again?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18'Everything at OW athletically is good.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'They prepare us for college athletically.'
0:18:21 > 0:18:24But academically, er, no.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Say hut!
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Coach, what is Herb doing? Oh, man! come on, Herb.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34I know you're in that great class!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41I love football. I love it so much, man.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43I used to take plastic bottles,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46fill it with rocks and throw it at myself. "Somebody play with me."
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Nobody used to play with me when I was a youngster.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Slide right!
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'I've wanted to play football since I was, like, five.'
0:18:54 > 0:18:56Down this side.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00'In college. I just want to get out of Orangeburg, so bad.'
0:19:00 > 0:19:02If I could just, like...
0:19:02 > 0:19:04You ever seen The Wizard Of Oz?
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Like, she just click her heels and just disappear?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10If I could do that, I'd do that right now.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13I really, really want to get out of Orangeburg.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17What is that? What are you doing, old boy?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19Is that the way you're going to run the play?
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Who are you fooling doing this like this?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Go to the line and round the play!
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I mean, red dummy three, man!
0:19:28 > 0:19:30And that's just what you are just now.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35'I actually make them go through a lot.'
0:19:35 > 0:19:40There's no short cut, there's no easy way to do it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41It's a grind every day.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Coach Brown will not let me talk back or anything like that.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50I'm in the ninth grade. I got in trouble, man.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54He whispered in my ear, "You like to talk back?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57"You'll be talking to that grass all day."
0:19:57 > 0:19:59And I had to crab all day.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06There you go.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14All right, listen up. You know how crazy it's going to be? OK?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16Nobody's going to have fun
0:20:16 > 0:20:18unless we win the football game, especially us.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We've got to take care of this business.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23OK?
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- One, two, three. - ALL:- Be great!
0:20:25 > 0:20:26Game time, baby, let's go!
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It's a big game and we've still got a chance
0:20:29 > 0:20:31of reaching the Championship,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34so it's going to be very important to us to get this win.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37We've had colleges come in, looking for different athletes.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40This could be the difference in them getting big scholarships,
0:20:40 > 0:20:41based on one game.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Everybody just wants to show what they're capable of doing.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51'I never had no goals in my senior year besides making it to college.'
0:20:52 > 0:20:54And it's make or break time for me.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04'Research says it takes 3-5 years for constructive change
0:21:04 > 0:21:06'to take place in our schools.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12'Unfortunately, we don't have 3-5 years. We have to change now.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17'And we have to stand up, tired or not, and make a difference.'
0:21:33 > 0:21:35It's seven o'clock. Or later.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Good morning, precious princess.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43Brec biscuit?
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- So, what's the schedule for today? - Go to class and it starts at 8:10.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55I'm trying to finish my computer work and my economics work.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Mr Triseci gave us a whole packet of stuff to do.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- What's your schedule today? - Go to the factory.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And try to earn some milk for the baby.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08With the last child.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I'm the last child, no, no!
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Gonna have some more babies. - No, you won't.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Gonna have some more babies, what are you talking about?
0:22:15 > 0:22:16No, you won't.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- It might help me to live to be 350 or whatever years old.- No.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- I'm helping you to live to be 350 years old.- Yes, ma'am.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27You see how youthful you look now?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- That's because of me. - All right, me!
0:22:36 > 0:22:40'My daddy is Robert Jones.'
0:22:40 > 0:22:43He supports me in everything I do.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53I have applied to a lot of colleges. I think I applied to, like, 17.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58The career that I want to choose is computer engineering.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01I applied to Georgia Tech, which has one of the best
0:23:01 > 0:23:03engineering programmes in the world.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11I think he wants me to go there because that's like in his dreams,
0:23:11 > 0:23:16I guess, when he was younger and he used to want to be an engineer.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17And now it's my chance,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21it's almost like he wants me to keep striving for those goals.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- So, is that your dream? - That is generally my dream, yes.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47I'm going around doing some encouragement talks about testing.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Unfortunately, test scores tell the story.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Whether our teachers are teaching and whether you're learning.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Bottom line is there's a lot at stake.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03INTERCOM: I know that we will increase our test scores.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07But we can only do it with your help,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09so I ask that you join me this morning,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13as we embark on changing the culture at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Are you ready? You feel like you ready? OK, all right.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21We're counting on you. Are you ready today? Are you ready?
0:24:21 > 0:24:24All right, do your best. 90%.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Good luck today. Good luck. Go get 'em.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30You feel great? Feel like you're ready?
0:24:30 > 0:24:32All right, let's do it for me. OK?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Do it for me, do it for you, do it for the school.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Start walking. Let's go.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I'm just sitting here, looking at some highlights.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Have a seat, man.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05We're going to make this attempt to help your dream come true, man,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08that's my goal, you know,
0:25:08 > 0:25:13I know a lot of coaches dream about winning championships.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18But my goal is getting as many kids that want to go to college, go to college.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23OK. That's good play right there.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Showing some speed, breaking tackles.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31One thing about receivers, it's a tough position to get recruited in because there's
0:25:31 > 0:25:34so many receivers out there. You've got to show something different.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- You've got to show something special.- I think I'm special.
0:25:37 > 0:25:43I'm a diamond. And I ain't no uncut diamond. I'm polished.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45You know, put me on a ring right now.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I'm engagement-ready, that's how I am.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49You know, I wish I could promise.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I never make promises cos that's not real.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56But, you know, you demonstrated a lot of things and, you know,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00that show me that you can play on the next level.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03Six million people playing high school football.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Only probably like 60,000 of them are going to get into college.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09The chances of it is hard.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12But I mean, I think I am good enough for that.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Black people don't get opportunities.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18So, you have to maximise your opportunity.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21You have to make the best out of every opportunity.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- RADIO:- Welcoming you to Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School pep rally.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Just one day to go until the Bruins Friday night football game against Berkeley.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39The atmosphere in the Bruins den is electric
0:26:39 > 0:26:41and we're with them all the way.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50A pep rally is a school gathering, where everybody in the school,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54teachers, students, staff members, everybody,
0:26:54 > 0:27:01they just come together and celebrate and, like, get hype for the game.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Give it up for our football team!
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Pep rallies are supposed to boost the team's morale and
0:27:08 > 0:27:13show them that they are supported and that we want them to win.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Football players, they work hard for what they get.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22You can tell, like, they put in work to become something successful.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28It's not just one person for themselves or the other
0:27:28 > 0:27:31person just goes about themselves. It's everybody working together,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34so that we all can be at the top.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39CHEERLEADERS CHANT
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Football comes down to what's in your heart.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53If you keep working on it, you work hard enough, there ain't
0:27:53 > 0:27:56no telling what you could really become.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02What do you do on a Friday night when the lights are on?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04It's all or nothing.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- ..better than MY class - class of 2016! - CHEERING
0:28:22 > 0:28:25THUNDER CRACKS
0:28:40 > 0:28:42BUZZ OF CONVERSATIONS
0:28:44 > 0:28:47BELL RINGS
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I failed that test, uh-huh...
0:29:07 > 0:29:11I didn't do well. I didn't do well.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Final exam, you got 22 questions correct out of a total of 45.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22- You're going to have to repeat the whole course.- Yeah.- Mm.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25I failed it, it's OK. I tried.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29I'm the one that got the failing grade.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33I get the work, I get how to do the work but I guess
0:29:33 > 0:29:41when the test comes and, like, it's...shut-down mode.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54The fall testing that we got, the results that we got, I,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58um, was not well pleased.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00The bottom line is,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02we're going to all be held accountable for what happens.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- Oh, yeah!- You know, Rome wasn't built in a day.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09We have a job ahead of us. It's a tough job
0:30:09 > 0:30:11but it's something that's doable.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14People need to know that these students are learning.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Ours were not great results.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28We had students who could have passed if they have two more points.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32So, when you see that, you're like, "Wow, we could have been, like,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35"majorly ahead of the game."
0:30:35 > 0:30:38It gives us hope.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42But we have a lot of work to do.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00It's cold outside.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05I was, uh, looking at degrees on this form,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07on this report card again.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12She pointed that out. Number one in the class.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15- Check me out. - SHE SQUEALS
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- Congratulations.- Ooh!
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- What's the amount on the cheque that I get for that?- Cheque? What cheque?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24For your being number one.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28No, you get a cheque of the amount of affection I have given you
0:31:28 > 0:31:33- for 18 whole years. - All right, all right. Outstanding.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- Well done, well done. - So, what are you cooking tonight?
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. - Oh, gosh.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43HE CHUCKLES
0:31:59 > 0:32:03- RADIO:- Friday night lights, right here in Orangeburg, South Carolina, 93.7 FM.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07The People's Station, for the Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School football game.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11This is a night of excitement and activity for the whole family.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- Paul, what do you think about it? - I'm telling you, it's a big game, Harvey,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18as OW are facing off against the Berkley Stags and you
0:32:18 > 0:32:21cannot forget about playmaker Kordel Johnson.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24They are expecting big things out of big number 17.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Ready for the fight... Hey, you see how we're rocking.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30You see how we rocking... All pink. That's how we rocking, all pink.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34If you're going to do it, you got to do it right...
0:32:34 > 0:32:36You got to release everything, man. You see that boy right there?
0:32:36 > 0:32:39That's a boom star. My dog with the Batman on.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42- Light it up, baby, all I'm gonna say.- Boom squad. Hey, baby.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45This is my main man right here, my DB.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Yeah, flex up one time! Flex up!
0:32:46 > 0:32:48And we got Tariq Thomas in the locker room.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52Let's get it, you already know. Chills in here.
0:32:52 > 0:32:57- What's happening, baby! - Muscle up, kid. Muscle up one time!
0:32:57 > 0:33:03That's the T right there, baby. Hey, it's our heart right here. It's football. We love this, baby.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04Let's go.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07This is a big year for me.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Either I'm going to get a scholarship
0:33:10 > 0:33:12or I'm not going to get a scholarship.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18If you lose, you live to fight again.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23If you win, you are on top of the world for that moment.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25CHEERING
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- RADIO:- And we are under way here from Bruin Stadium!
0:33:30 > 0:33:32It's Berkeley with the kick-off.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33And the Bruins get the ball.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38What a start for OW!
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- KORDEL:- High school football at OW is like everybody that you know
0:33:45 > 0:33:47and everybody knows going to be at your game.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Your momma, the people that your momma know.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53People that you see at the barbershop.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55The cheerleaders come on and
0:33:55 > 0:33:58the band come in and it's a great feeling, man.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04- RADIO:- Number 17, Kordel Johnson, ready to receive.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Number two quarterback lets loose.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09It's long. Johnson in the end zone.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Touchdown, Bruins!
0:34:11 > 0:34:12CHEERING
0:34:15 > 0:34:19I love going to sporting events and being a proud Bruin.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22I want my team to win. I'm behind them all the way.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23I wish them success.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29I mean, I always play with a chip on my shoulder,
0:34:29 > 0:34:30cos I think I'm Superman.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36Any time OW has needed me, I have come to save the day.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Let's go 60 now... Read it, read it.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47- RADIO:- Coach Brown calls a quick play!
0:34:47 > 0:34:52OW driving for the line. Touchdown, Bruins!
0:34:52 > 0:34:53WHISTLE
0:34:56 > 0:35:00And at the half, the Bruins lead 14-0.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- KORDEL:- Football is big.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06That's just how people dream at OW. They want to make it to the NFL
0:35:06 > 0:35:12and everything is going to be all good. But at a certain time,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14you know, reality hits.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- RADIO:- We are in the second half and it's a different side we're seeing.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Berkeley are making a comeback.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26And Bruins' captain... he's down on the field.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Berkeley get a break. He finds space.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40OW missed their man. He's almost made it.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45Touchdown, Berkeley. It's 14 apiece. Man, this is tight.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47This does not look good for the Bruins.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53What are you all doing? Why is the fullback running the trap?
0:35:56 > 0:36:01Gentlemen, we are self-destructing every time. We are self-destructing!
0:36:01 > 0:36:04We are self-destructing.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Every time we get a drop, somebody do something stupid!
0:36:18 > 0:36:23Just right. 60, 60, 60. Move through!
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Blue through! Blue! Blue!
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Heads up!
0:36:41 > 0:36:44Back, back, back!
0:36:48 > 0:36:51CHEERING
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Touchdown, Bruins!
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Let's go!
0:37:08 > 0:37:11I told you we'd get it done with the whole thing.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Couldn't have written the script better than that.
0:37:17 > 0:37:2230-yard touchdown pass to win the game. But we'll take it.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24- HE LAUGHS - We'll take it!
0:37:24 > 0:37:29I feel wonderful. I feel great for coach Tommy Brown!
0:37:29 > 0:37:30For the Bruin nation.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39I don't like losing. I don't play this game to lose.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Who was the person that got shot?
0:37:46 > 0:37:51Something happened and he pulled out a gun and shot the boy.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Rendull is popular with the ladies.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00But, OK, I don't want to get into that!
0:38:00 > 0:38:03If people knew what I went through, they'd understand.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08The reason why I act out. See, that hole up there in that wall? I punched the wall.