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Parkway Central High School 369 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017 Volume 59, Issue 2, Nov. 14, 2014
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Nov. 14, 2014
“If all four of you girls qualify, I will go run in that lake and take a dive, rather a nice little plunge.” - Girls cross country coach Ryan Banta pg. 21
Senior’s art gallery pg. 7 Coffee shop serves cup of Unique senior artistry pg. 7 opportunity pg. 8
Slater extends football career pg. 22
Math teachers swap rooms pg. 4 Hygiene problems due to student mess pg. 9 Ebola overreaction pg. 14
Haloweeen spirit seizes school pg. 19
Be on the lookout to find your story featured on Faces of PCH.
Corral News Online at parkwaynews.net/corral
Special Olympics sets record highs pg. 6
Holla at us! Top 5 tweets will be featured next issue.
Follow us at @pchcorral
Corrections from October Issue In the walk-out story, Khahlil Stith’s name was misspelled. The Kolts Strike Out Cancer drive raised money for the Jason Motte Foundation.
Nov. 14, 2014
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Theatre department works through challenges with play If you go:
The district bond issue passed with 62 percent of votes on Nov. 4. The funds will be used to maintain and update facilities throughout the district.
The library and Epsilon Beta Library Club sponsored the first Fall Writing Festival on Nov. 13th after school in the library.
Math Honors
Box Office: 314-415-5944
Thirty students participated in the Annual Excellence in Mathematics Competition at Forest Park Community College on Nov. 1. The freshman, junior and senior teams each placed first overall in the large school division. The sophomore team placed second overall in the large school division:
Working in the light booth above the theater, co-company stage managers junior Joanna Kolker and sophomore Jessie Goldberg mark stage and light cues during rehearsal on Nov. 6. Photo by Kirk Randolph.
Juniors Matthew Kertzman and Madeleine Van Leunen discuss stage details and design with senior Austin Sellinger. Photo by Kirk Randolph.
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All tickets are for reserved seats only.
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News in Brief
Fuel Up to Play 60 held a walk/run on Nov. 8 on the track. A healthy breakfast was available to participants after the workout.
$6/students $8/senior citizens $10/adults
hen the curtain went up on “Picnic” on Nov. 13, the audience had the opportunity to view the finished performance. For the actors and crew members, however, weeks of hard work were required to get the show to that point. “I want to tell the story that the playwright wrote in the most sincere and honest way possible through my interpretation of the script,” theater director Nicole Voss said. In order to do this, Voss’s work starts long before the school year begins. “It was a long summer of reading lots of plays,” Voss said. “I decided on this one because of the number of girls in the cast and the fact that we have a lot of girls in the depart-
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Pancake Run
Nov. 14-15 7 p.m.
KIRK RANDOLPH Entertainment Editor
News
ment and not many guys.” Once the play has been chosen, Voss begins the search for the actors to fit the various roles. Students read scripts and play several different roles over two days and callbacks are reserved for a third day if necessary. One of the actors that made the cut is junior Matthew Kertzman. Although he has worked on other productions in and out of school, Kertzman said he sees challenges with learning the characters to this play. “This play is so unique when compared to other productions I have been a part of,” Kertzman said. “The show takes place in a small rural town, and I haven’t worked with a lot of material that exposes this type of environment. So it’s been eye-opening to be able to experiment with the character and how the small-town life affects his decisions and interactions with other characters in the play.” As with any play she directs, Voss attempted to ease the learning curve by exposing her cast to the setting of the play before they attempt to perform it. On Oct. 19, she took the theater department to Cuba, Mo., a town that is very similar to that of the play, and let them experience the atmosphere. “This way the actors can really have something to connect to when they are acting on stage,” Voss said. Freshman Alex Kaiser appreciates this resource and others that Voss provides. “We go a lot more in depth with characters than I have with others shows,” Kaiser said. “We really think about past experiences and really work hard to get into a mindset that your
character would be in.” No matter how well the actors portray the script, the visual effect of the set is still needed for a complete play. According to Voss, creating the set for “Picnic” presented more of a challenge than past years as the majority of her regular set crew graduated last year. “Our set crew is small this year as this is a ‘rebuilding year,’” Voss said. Voss attempted to ease this transition year by getting help outside of the theater department such as students in Todd Pannett’s woodworking class, who made the picnic table for the set. Voss knew that she needed to take this inexperienced set crew into account far before the school year. “One of the reasons I chose this particular play was that the set is somewhat easy and can be done abstractly, which is important this year,” Voss said. While Voss made a concerted effort to set the crew up for success, she still let students such as junior co-company stage manager Joanna Kolker work through the learning process. Kolker has worked on paint, set, costumes and running crew since her freshman year and is doing much more this year. “This will be the first show that I’m going to be in the booth for,” Kolker said. “Previously I have been backstage making sure the actors are ready for their cues to go on stage. This time I will be the one giving cues, which I’m a bit nervous about.” The play will have two more performances Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. in the theater.
Freshmen: Michael Zhou, John Kim, Jonathan Yn, Michael Tian Sophomores: Souradip Ghosh, Balaji Cherupalla, James Kim, Jessica Sun Juniors: Yunchao Zhang, Sharanya Kumar, Jinghang Zhang, Gajan Kumar Seniors: Minki Kim, Terence Huang, Michael Dotzel, Ani Gururaj Individual honors were as follows: Freshmen 4th Place: Michael Zhou 6th Place: John Kim 9th Place: Jonathan Yn Juniors 2nd Place: Yunchao Zhang 4th Place: Sharanya Kumar 10th Place: Jinghang Zhang Seniors 4th Place: Minki Kim 8th Place: Michael Dotzel 9th Place: Terence Huang
GSA
The Gender Sexuality Alliance will be selling flowers, pins and t-shirts next week, Nov. 17-21, in light of the Trans Day of Remembrance. The day is to memorialize trans people who have been killed in the past year.
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Nov. 14, 2014
Teaching Triangle
Math department switches classrooms mid-semester JEFFREY EIDELMAN Sports Editor
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lassroom size and seniority played a major role in the changeup of teachers’ classrooms on the west side of the math hallway this October. “Right before school started, they changed the old math computer lab into a classroom,” new math teacher Hannah Worman said, “and it was a big classroom but without a SMARTBoard. And somebody with more seniority wanted the classroom but with a SMARTBoard.” Worman started the school year in the former lab, knowing that once the SMARTBoard was installed, she would be moving. “Over the summer it became known that the math computer lab was being changed into a classroom,” math teacher Sarah Reeves said. “We just weren’t sure of the timeline.” That timeline ended in October, when the SMARTBoard was installed, which proved as a minor inconvenience for Reeves. “I think it was more mentally difficult than it was physically because we had a lot of students help move the stuff,” Reeves said. “The fact that I had to pick up mid-semester and move was overwhelming to me because I like time to create a classroom environment. I was just afraid I wasn’t going to be able to do that quickly enough once I moved rooms.” The room Reeves moved to used to belong to veteran teacher Gina Caruso, whose seniority allowed her the bigger room
once the SMARTBoard was installed. According to Reeves, other veteran teachers were given the option to move into the former computer lab, but they didn’t want to change classrooms. Sarah Reeves Reeves got to choose if she wanted Caruso’s classfrom Room 510 room, which she did, moving Worman into Reeves’s smaller classroom. to Room 505 Occurring almost exactly mid-semester, the change in rooms has caused some confusion for a few students in locating their teachers in their new rooms. As of Nov. 1, the room numbers had not been updated in Infinite Campus, creating challenges Hannah Worman for office aides or new students in finding the correct from Room 508 math class. to Room 510 “I had a couple new students looking around in the hallway,” Reeves said. “I’m looking in the hallway but they are new, so I don’t know them and they don’t know me, so it is difficult.” Despite the frustration of moving, Caruso said the change to Another situation Reeves encountered was students coming the former computer lab has helped her teaching. into her room, Caruso’s former room, to ask Caruso a question. “I picked this room for a couple reasons,” Caruso said. “A) Reeves said they look up at her and say, ‘You aren’t Ms. Carubecause it’s bigger and b) because you can hear the toilets flushso,’ and realize they are in the wrong room. Worman said that some of her students had trouble adjusting ing in the boys restroom and when they go to the bathroom. So obviously it would be my first motivation to move rooms.” to the new room at first. Reeves also enjoys new perks of her bigger room. “It was just students getting used to a new room,” Worman “I like that I have room to do cartwheels if I want to,” said. “Like some minor complaints like students saying, ‘Oh, it Reeves said. is too hot’ or things like that.”
Gina Caruso from Room 505 to Room 508
Leaving it after Lunch
Students struggle to maintain cafeteria, hallway cleanliness ASHLEY WRIGHT Staff Writer
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Groups of students abandon their messes scattered across the cafeteria, on the tables and the floor. “It’s kind of gross, they should clean the tables between each lunch,” sophomore Matthew Whay said. Photos by Ashley Wright.
ith rumbling stomachs eagerly racing to the cafeteria, it’s no wonder students claim lunch to be their favorite part of the day. But afterward empty milk cartons, apple peelings and remnants of pizza crust lie scattered across the upper commons, making it uncomfortable for those who want to enjoy their lunches in a clean environment. “It’s dirty; I can’t even sit on the floor without feeling gross,” sophomore Hannah Klepper said. The upper commons floor is far from the only problem. The hallways stay occupied with leftovers and vending machine treats, and few students go out of their way to get rid of the trash. “I try to pick it up, because the lunch ladies do enough as it is,” senior Libby Kaiser said. With the custodians and lunch ladies constantly picking up after students, they say there is not enough time for them to tackle other areas of the school where they are needed. “Right here in the cafeteria it’s the worst,” custodian Ada Giuffrida said. “Children need to pick up after themselves, but they just throw their trash on the floor.” Even students acknowledge the mess in the area. “I expect the lunchroom to not look like trash when I go to lunch,” senior Rachel Briggs said. Students might like the tables and lunchroom to be clean, but many don’t put in the effort to keep them
that way. Even on the rare occasion a student gets rid of their trash, they usually don’t take the time to separate the materials. “They need to learn how to recycle,” Giuffrida said. Teachers who purchase their lunches in the cafeteria, such as science teacher Tom Kazanecki, say they are disappointed in the way kids respect their environment. “They don’t recycle,” Kazanecki said. “I walk past these trash cans and see aluminum cans and plastic bottles in there. I wish they’d have trash, recycle and compost bins in the classrooms. I think if given a chance, most kids would put it in a compost or recycle bin.” Most staff members and custodians recognize that there’s no sure-fire way to make a student throw their trash away. “What are you going to do, tell a kid he can’t leave until he cleans it up?” Kazanecki said. “He would never leave. He wouldn’t want to go back to class.” With few ways to motivate students, the floors and halls continue to stream with lunchtime leftovers. Kazanecki offers a simplistic yet motivating approach: money. “That’s the only way to do it,” Kazanecki said. “Whatever motivates them you’ve got to be able to work with that. And that’s money.” Until the school takes measures to address student waste and their habits of not throwing trash away, the cafeteria tables and floors will continue to look as it does after lunch.
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Wellness policy implemented unequally throughout building EMILY SCHENBERG Production Manager
Pfeiffer said that she sent out an email to all Parkway district offices spelling out the new policy and what is and what is not allowed. “I know that we try to schedule fundraisers so they don’t overlap; ith all junk food stripped from the vending that way each sport has a chance to sell what they need to,” Athletic Dimachines and school lunches altered to fit the rector John Theobald said. “There are certain things we can’t sell, but I new Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, Parkway believe they can still be distributed at school as long as it isn’t consumed has joined the nation toward a healthier future during school hours.” — for the most part. Selling cookie dough and pizzas as a fundraiser is completely in Despite the effort put into revamping school coordination with the law due to the fact that these items are either not diets and restricting what can be sold for fundraisers, a steady circulabeing eaten during school hours and follow the health guidelines. Even tion of junk food is still flowing through the halls. While the policy was selling cups of coffee follows the law. enacted July 1, the enforcement in the building has not been “For the coffee shop, we had to abide by the health law,” as immediate. A few organizaFuture Business Leaders of America sponsor Sarah Lueken said. tions are still hocking sweets “We had to have sugar-free syrups, and the cookies are low during school hours against fat.” the national policy. The policy states that if a person wants to just give “Each school gets five away junk food that’s perfectly fine, but someone waivers, and those waivers are cannot sell it to students during school hours for a submitted when the school profit or fundraiser. wants to have something like a Many coaches and sponsors note, however, that not donut sale or sell candy grams all organizations are abiding by this policy. to raise money for an event, or “There is a tremendous amount of fundbasically wants to sell junk food,” raising going on in all different fashions,” Marlene Pfeiffer, Parkway Disoccer coach Brian Adam said. rector of Food Services said. “There are a bunch of fundraising Each waiver is valid strictly opportunities we haven’t even for one day, and one day only, tapped into yet that we will need to meaning the school must be seexplore in order to accommodate the lective in what it chooses to allow. needs of teams that our school cannot “By no means is selling junk food provide for us.” These sweet treats are no longer allowed unless it is during one of those seen in the vending machines but While some sponsors agree that five waiver days,” Pfeiffer said. “Selling are still sold around the school. fundraising needs to be come innovative candy and chips in the hall is absolutely in violation Photo by Emily Schenberg. to work around the new law, others would of the new Michelle Obama policy that Parkway has like to see the school uniformly support the accepted.” wellness efforts. Pfeiffer said there are consequences for these violations. “I think it’s very sad,” cross country coach Adam Bergeron said. “If “This causes not only the school to get a huge fine, but individuals you really care, then you model appropriate behaviors. You are the role can be personally fined,” Pfeiffer said. “The government could also take model and that can be very challenging. However, if we are in known money away from Parkway if they catch people doing this.” violation of policy, that puts funding at risk. Those are the things that need to be targeted first, no matter how unpopular they might be.” Adults in the building are not the only ones who are frustrated with the hypocrisy of the enforcement of the wellness guidelines. “Sports get very little “As a student I find it very disappointing that we are constantly being funding here at Central, and told to become healthier, especially in school, yet we have candy and “I have tried to sell hot whatever needs to be done chips constantly available,” senior Melissa Buerk said. “It just seems like Cheetos and regular Cheeshould be done to provide a huge contradiction to everything this school is supposedly ‘trying’ to tos to raise money for some that funding, within reason do. I mean what message are adults trying to convey to us, when they new equipment, but I wasn’t of course.” allowed to because it would aren’t even following the rules themselves.” -Soccer coach violate the new Michelle Principal Tim McCarthy acknowledged the disparity between the Brian Adam Obama law.” policy wording and its enforcement. -Anonymous “I think the expectation is compliance and whether there are areas “I consider myself to be a Teacher where we’re not in compliance,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s a point rule follower, so I think that of reflection, and we’re continuing to identify those areas.” if there is a rule against “We work so hard to make While McCarthy believes that there is reflection to do, he notes that something, you should sure that what the school is we are in a transition period where hcnages will take place as needed to follow it.” providing students follows be in compliance with the new law. -FBLA sponsor the new guidelines, and it’s “Ultimately it is my responsibility to regulate what is going around Sarah Lueken saddening to see that being the halls,” McCarthy said. “I’m not sitting here saying it’s someone ruined by others who aren’t “I’m so sick of this school else’s job. Have I been quick to make sure we are compliant? No. Could following the rules.” having a football-first mindthere certainly be another approach or could someone criticize me for -Marlene Pfeiffer set; that’s the whole culture my less than vigorous implementation? Absolutely. Am I going to make Parkway Director here and it’s horrible.” everything cease and desist immediately? Well, I don’t know.” of Food Services -Anonymous Until building decisions are made, current practices regarding the Teacher sale of items not approved by the wellness act will continue.
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Coffee Shop offers business experience ROBERT SHIFRIN AND EMILY SCHENBERG Staff Writer and Production Manager
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perating in the business wing, a new student-run shop offers coffee and treats before school and during academic lab. “We sell low fat cookies, hot chocolate and obviously coffee,” senior Elizabeth Leath said. The shop opened on Oct. 10 and runs every morning from 7 to 7:25 and every academic lab during traveling time. “It started in internship when a few of us played sports and found it challenging to get hours in,” Leath said. “The business teachers had talked about opening this coffee shop and making interns run it, which is where we came in. For a few months we were just talking about different coffees to use and trying to decide what to sell.” Business internship students need 180 hours of work per semester, and running the shop has helped them get a substantial amount of hours. “Now that I’m done golfing I can go work at my job and get hours, but I still help out here, and this was really useful for me during the season,” Leath said. Students are getting hands-on business experience working the shop, while also turning a profit which benefits the business department. “We love it. It’s a great experience for our students,” business teacher Cassandra Maloney said. “Students are really enjoying the opportunity.” Students can get real-life practice running a company. This is highly beneficial for students who aspire to start a career in business. “I help manage supplies and keep track of our inventory, and we take turns running the cash register,” senior Philip Simpson said. The coffee shop is growing and expanding its inventory. They started with basic coffee and are now selling hot chocolate and cookies as well. “Business has been great; we have a ton of business at the beginning of ac lab, and it continues to grow more and more as the year goes on,” Maloney said.
Senior Joshua Herbert prepares a cup of coffee for a customer at the new coffee shop open in the business wing on Nov. 7. Photo by Ashley Wright.
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Nov. 14, 2014
Hundreds 365 athletes attend of Smiles Special Olympics
HANNA WHITEHOUSE News Editor
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ore than 365 students with special needs competed in the 26th annual Special Olympics on Oct. 22. “I thought Special Olympics was amazing this year,” Student Council sponsor Sarah Lueken said. “I had so many teachers from the school come up to me and say how great our kids are and that we have the best kids.” This was the largest number of athletes that have ever participated in Special Olympics. When the original deadline for volunteers passed, there were fewer than 100 buddies signed up. “We were very worried that if we did not have the number Sophomore Evan Mogley paints a design on an athlete’s face at the of buddies for these athletes, we carnival in Gym B on Oct. 22. The Drama Club provided a face painting were failing at doing everything booth. Photo by Ilennah Fanega. we could to show how much we The event started with an opening cerecare about them and about this mony, which included a performance from day,” senior Student Council member Alex the dance team and band, speeches and a torch Zvibleman said. “These athletes look forward run. to Parkway Special Olympics all year, and we Then teams played their games or spent needed to show that we cared.” time at the carnival. After realizing the shortage in buddies, “It made me feel so thankful and it was so Student Council members extended the rewarding to see everyone having such a great deadline. During this time they encouraged time,” freshman Sarah Whalen said. “Making students to sign up by sending out emails and sure that they had the best time made me feel making announcements. so good inside.” “When you join StuCo, you join because Students with a wide range of disabilities, you want to make the school a better place,” including some in wheelchairs participated. Zvibleman said. “When we have events like “There are challenges no matter what you this, it hits close to home and I like to do do, so I think that having a buddy in a wheeleverything I can to make everything and chair just made it more of a learning experianything possible.” ence for me,” Whalen said. In just three days almost 200 additional A special skills field was also included students signed up for Special Olympics, to accommodate athletes whose teachers enough for each athlete to have a buddy. thought they could not participate in a game. “I think the coolest part of being in the This consisted of athletes practicing individual Central community is that so many peosoccer skills such as shooting and dribbling. ple care about this day,” Zvibleman said. “I love seeing our kids helping other kids,” “It makes me very happy to be a student at Lueken said. “It is a moment for the Central Parkway Central when I see the school come kids to think about someone else, and to make together to make someone else’s day.” that someone else feel special for the day.” Each school sponsors a different sport and Between the athletes and their teachers, holds Special Olympics for one day every there were over 600 visitors during Special year. Students from Special School District Olympics. can choose which event they would like to “I can promise you there is nothing more attend. amazing than to see the smiles on these kids’ Members of the boys soccer team was in faces,” Zvibleman said. “I always go home charge of refereeing and setting up the games with that smile. We may be making their day and scoring the individual skills. but they are making my year. These athletes “I love seeing the smiles on the athletes leave an impression on me that always makes and I love seeing our kids encouraging them my heart skip a beat.” and just showing how special Central is,” Lueken said.
Senior Shelby Hughes helps her buddy catch a basketball in a bucket at the carnival in Gym B. Members of the Robotics Club programmed their robot to throw a ball to the athletes that they tried to catch. Photo by Ilennah Fanega. Freshman buddy Frances Adams helps her buddy catch “fish” at the Special Olympics carnival. “My buddy loved the fishing game because he got candy” Adams said. “It is awesome that our school does the event for the athletes.
Nov. 14, 2014 About the Artwork: Following the completion of other projects, Szymkowicz turned to a self-portrait. “I ran out of ideas and thought it would be cool if I did a self-portrait,” Szymkowicz said. “I took a timed picture of myself from afar and took a selfie in the mirror. I wore a tie-dye shirt, and I guess that inspired me to change the colors.”
MATT FRISCHER Editor in Chief
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22-foot wall, dedicated solely to the artwork of one high school senior. Matt Szymkowicz didn’t seek out his possible career as an artist, it just seemed to find him, like his art itself. Szymkowicz is not a typical painter or sculptor, though. He practices a kind of art different than seen by most. “Basically to make a piece, what I do is take multiple photos of any subject and I layer them on top of each other,” Szymkowicz said. “I can alter the color and saturation and contrast to make it look abstract, and not real.” Yet, Szymkowicz’s work doesn’t end with his altering digital photos. “Digital photography, mixed mediums,” Szymkowicz said. “I plaster photography onto a mat board and then extend the photo using colored pencils or markers onto the board it’s mounted on.” His art has taken off in a short period of time, as mixed digital medium has not always been the taste of Szymkowicz. “It was mostly just Mr. (Brian) Guilfoyle’s class,” Szymkowicz said. “I was doing photography for his class and that’s where I got the idea, and I’ve just been keeping it going.” Szymkowicz’s talented work has turned some heads. He recently earned his own, invitation only, four-week gallery exhibit at Framin’ Place, a custom frame shop located in Four Seasons shopping center, near school. “This local frame shop hosts a personal artist for each month of the year and they get their own gallery and he frames their work,” Szymkowicz said. “It’s like a mutual agreement; he gets a chance of selling frames and I get a chance of selling art.” Barry Luedloff, art and conservation consultant at the Framin’ Place, organizes the artists invited to be featured. Luedloff noted that the shop hosts local and regional artists, a long with “up-and-comers,” like Szymkowicz. “[His portfolio] was the thing that kind of interested me because it was this whole thing about overlapping photographs,” Luedloff said. “I saw that he had matted one of his pieces. Then, on the mat he had actually done just artwork that expanded the photography, which I thought was brilliant.” Yet, it was not through work of his own that Szymkowicz landed his gallery gig. Luedloff first discussed the artist’s
About the Artwork: After working digitally with his photos, Szymkowicz takes the next step of his art process by hand drawing a frame. This frame surrounds the photo. Szymkowicz’s mix of mediums sets him apart from other artists, according to Guilfoyle.
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arrangement with his mother. “She went there to get something framed, and she noticed there was a gallery for local artists,” Szymkowicz said. “She talked to the owner and he said he was interested after she showed him my stuff.” Szymkowicz is a rarity at Framin’ Place, however. “We’ve only had two other photographers in the seven-plus years I’ve been doing this,” Luedloff said. Szymkowicz’s rapid rise may have surprised some, but it stood as no surprise to his former teacher. “I knew right away when I had Matt in class that he was very creative,” photo teacher Brian Guilfoyle said. “He goes above and beyond on his pieces, to the point where he’s spending more time on that piece than most students spend to get two or three About the Artwork: “I took pictures of two different baskets with different patterns,” senior Matt Szymkowicz projects done.” said. “I overlaid the two on top of each other, decreased the opacity of one and changed the colors.” In this extensive time period, courage to be able to do that.” Szymkowicz permits his creative While Szymkowicz plans to attend art school after graduaside to take off. “He’s just exploring that creative side of it,” Guilfoyle said. tion, he sees a different effect from his gallery. “I really just want to get myself out there a little bit,” “As he draws it out, he’s balancing it and figuring it out, and Szymkowicz said. “It helps to make money, but it also helps if it doesn’t work out, then he scraps it and goes back and to just kind of get the word around that there’s somebody tries again. As an artist, he’s trying to figure out what his doing a different type of art than what most people see voice is, and he doesn’t settle for anything less.” The subject used by Szymkowicz in his art mirrors his me- around.” While the gallery helps Szymkowicz today, Guilfoyle says dium, as it differs from the typical as well. it serves a great purpose for his future as an artist as well. “Most of the things we have, you can tell immediately “Matt’s a very talented student, if he wanted to he could what they are about because they are simple; they’re recogactually pursue that as a career,” Guilfoyle said. “Some stunizable characters,” Luedloff said. “The thing about Matt is, dents need that next step of going to art school and exploryou have to actually look at the artwork to see the images. ing that realm; they usually do not get an opportunity to do One photograph, you’re recognizing it’s all of one hue, and a gallery showing until after or during that experience. He’s then you have something juxtaposition on it, totally differgetting it at a very young age, which is fantastic.” ently, with a different hue. They can’t really see a definite The critique developed from publicly displaying artwork form and say ‘Oh, that’s a tree’ or a car or a house’. It’s more serves as excellent practice for young artists, according to about the color in the movement.” Leudloff. While the artwork is defined by its abstract images and “You’re capturing the shot, you’re manipulating it, you ranging colors, it is not impossible to discover. see how you want it to be,” Luedloff said. “But now you’re “Matt’s got both things working for him,” Luedloff said. “The images that you recognize are there, but you have to re- putting it out there for people to throw mud at, and they’re going to critique it. It gives someone like Matt a little bit of ally look for them. Once you do, you see things in a different exposure on not being afraid to put there work out there. It light and that’s what makes his artwork so interesting.” encourages them to keep working and do another display.” A gallery display devoted to their work is not a regular The gallery runs from Nov. 7 until the end of the month. occurrence for high school seniors, and according to Guilfoyle, it can cause major maturation. “I think anytime you put your artwork up in front of other people and they are critiquing it and looking at it, it makes you a more confident, stronger artist,” Guilfoyle said. ”For somebody his age, it shows a lot of confidence and a lot of
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Andrew Kirkham DANIELLE SEROTA Opinions Editor
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enior Andrew Kirkham is involved in a variety of school activities, including marching band, cross country and debate. Despite his jam-packed schedule, he and some friends managed to find the time to found a school-sponsored ultimate frisbee team last year. “Freshman year after football games, all the band guys would get together and play ultimate frisbee on the turf,” Kirkham said. “So finally last year we thought it’d be cool to make it a legitimate team.” They found a gym teacher from Central Middle, Mike Fritz, to coach the team. Kirkham said the team started out well in its first season of competition. “We ended up beating two teams,” Kirkham said. “We totally shut out Westminister.” Kirkham said he looks forward to the second season this spring and hopes that underclassmen will get involved and take over the team once he and his friends graduate.
Claire Ji HANNA WHITEHOUSE News Editor
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ecause senior Claire Ji is an honors student and scored a 36 on her ACT, many people may be surprised that she listens to heavy metal. “I really like it because I like hard rock; it makes me feel energetic,” Ji said. Ji also prefers to listens to Dubstep, which is only instrumental. Since there are no words, it allows her to listen to the music while doing her homework. “It makes me work faster; it’s angry music,” Ji said. “The music itself is fantastic.”
Lewis Love
Cody Van Oppen
MATTHEW GIBBS Staff Writer
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ROBERT SHIFRIN Staff Writer
f you ever see junior Lewis Love around school, you will usually notice that he is wearing a bucket hat. Popularized by rapper Schoolboy Q, the trend of wearing bucket hats has been a thing for about a year. Although this trend was started by the iconic rapper, Love doesn’t wear anything just because famous people do. “I like the style,” Love said. “I don’t let anyone else influence me.” Since he doesn’t get influenced by what others wear, he has reasons why he wears them. “I wear my bucket hats to school because they look nice; usually they are matching my outfits,” Love said. Since Love wears bucket hats so often, it only makes sense that he owns multiple hats. “This one is blue white and red, another one is navy blue and some rainbow colors, and the other one is just black.”
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unior Cody Van Oppen spends his free time playing the drums when he isn’t occupied with school and work.
“I taught myself how to play the drums a few years ago, and I used to play all the time, but as soon as school started and I got a job, I didn’t have as much time. I usually play about three times a week,” Van Oppen said. Van Oppen started working at Scarecrow restaurant in September as a busser. Despite losing his practice time on the drums, he enjoys his work and the luxuries it provides. “I make good money between minimum wage and tips, and the work isn’t bad once you know where to put everything and what to do,” Van Oppen said.
Brenesha Finger MATTHEW GIBBS Staff Writer
“I
am Instagram famous,” senior Brenesha Finger said. “I have 14,000 followers.” Finger says she gets most of her followers from doing what she loves most. “I like doing hair,” Finger said. Finger not only likes to do hair, she also rakes in a good profit. “I’m making that bread,” Finger said. Her favorite type of hair to do is “braids because I get the most money off of it.” What does Finger spend the money she makes from doing hair on? “Clothes and food. I like [St. Louis] Bread Co,” she said. “My favorite thing there is broccoli and cheese soup.”
Nov. 14, 2014
Yun Jun HANNA WHITEHOUSE News Editor
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enior Yun Jun has been participating in art classes since she was in kindergarten and hopes to continue in college. “I like art because it helps me express myself and it shows my personality,” Jun said. Jun started taking art classes when she lived in Korea. From there she took art classes in elementary school and middle school. In high school she took art classes sophomore through senior year. This year she is taking AP Studio Art and Digital Design. “In my projects, you can see what colors and patterns I like,” Jun said.
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Nov. 14, 2014
Features
Re-enactors join ye old faire throughout year PIPER ROTHER Staff Writer
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words clanging, knights jousting, and men in kilts, it can only mean one thing: the Renaissance Faire. Re-enacting medieval times, the fair is like a blast to the past. Seniors Alpin Brown and David Bradbury are both involved in the Faire. The Faire itself is like a blast to the past where everyone is trying to reenact Medieval Time. “It’s where you try and believe that you are in medieval times and you go about and there's a bunch of homemade items, shops, jousting tournaments and all sorts of stuff to make you feel like you are in the renaissance period,” Bradbury said. Both seniors got involved by going to Faire and getting to know others involved. “I had a group of friends who were really into it and they were all in the German’s guild then I had one friend and she was in the Scot’s guild,” Bradbury said. “The Germans were already over populated so she said join the Scot’s guild. So I did.” While Brown was introduced by friends as well, what sparked his interest was the atmosphere of the Faire. “A couple of my friends that went to this school were doing it and they invited me to this thing called Mid Winter’s Ball last year,” Brown said. “After going to the ball they took me to Faire that year and I enjoyed that a lot and I was like I really want to do this next year and thats how I ended up joining them.” Picking a guild (a medieval group of merchants and craftsmen) might be hard for some but Brown had a pretty good idea on where he wanted to be. “I went over to the Scots who I had met before and one of
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them was like ‘hey, I remember you’ and I spoke to him about it and I was like oh, being a Scot doesn't sound so bad,’” Brown said. “So I filled out their application and about an hour later I got in line to do my audition where I picked what I wanted to be.” There are many things that go into joining a guild, you have to have the right garb, or the outfits they wear everyday, and you have to perfect the accent. For Bradbury the accent wasn’t hard to learn. “My dad’s from England and we go there every summer and pretty frequently we hop the border into Scotland,” Bradbury said. “So I’ve been to Scotland a couple times in my life so I’m at least some what decent at faking the accent.” Brown was so determined to learn the accent that he would bring the sheet with him wherever he'd go. “I was going crazy because I couldn't stand not being able to talk in a Scottish accent before I started Faire,” Brown said. “As soon as I got the worksheet I would bring it to school, Senior Alpin Brown (back right) stands with other members of his guild around a fire at the Renaisgo over it, read it out loud, and start answering sance Faire. Photo courtesy of Sara Delano. peoples questions like that.” Chris Stout said. “Its a strong community of people who love to The fair has something for all ages from watching the joustlive in the past and I think it’s a rich place to be.” ing tournament to playing in the Faye Forest, many who have been say it’s a great thing to attend. “I think anyone who attends won’t be disappointed,” Mr.
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Nov. 14, 2014
Librarians strive to serve student needs KAYLA BENJAMIN Staff Writer
them tools to get it, is another thing the librarians do. “I think the most important job is inspiring curiosity in students, and giving them access to the information that they he librarians work every day to create an environment truly need,” Watson said. “They are deciding what they believe that is most helpful to students and teachers. about the world to be true. I think it’s important as a librarian “My favorite part of working in the library would to provide good information to teens about the things that are have to be working with kids,” librarian Brigid Dolan said, “and important to them.” seeing things from their perspective, Watson taught special educawhat’s going to engage them, what’s tion for four years before coming going to help them.” to the school library, where she Two librarians, a library secretary “The most important job has worked for seven years. Dolan and student library aides work to keep taught English on all different is inspiring curiosity in the facility running smoothly. levels, from junior high to college, “The librarians here have a ton students, and giving them before she started working as a of work to do all the time so an extra librarian in the building, where access to the information helper really helps out a lot,” senior she is starting her third year. Their library aide Darren Johns said. “Just that they truly need.” background in education affects seeing the process move faster is pretty how they run the library. cool.” - Angie Watson, librarian “I enjoy the times when I get The library is a helpful resource to to teach classes and actually work utilize with almost any project, and with students,” Watson said. the librarians are always willing to lend “That’s definitely the most fun a hand. part of the job, the part that’s more hands-on, where you’re “We really are just here to help people,” librarian Angie actually working with kids.” Watson said. “We can help them with research or talk to them Watson has worked to change the library over the years she about books and make book recommendations.” has been here, continually doing things to make it better. The library focuses, in part, on inspiring in kids a love for “When I started being a librarian here, it felt like it was not books. as student-centered as I wanted it to be,” Watson said. “So “I think my favorite part of the job is just getting to talk to I think that’s been a really positive change in the library; it’s kids about books and getting to make those connections,” Watbecome a lot more student-centered. The students feel really son said. “It’s great that we are not in a position where we have comfortable in here, which is a good thing.” to evaluate students or give them grades.” Sometimes, however, the less rigid atmosphere of the library Instilling in students a thirst for knowledge, as well as giving can make it hard to keep it as a place for study and order.
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“Occasionally some people feel too comfortable in here, and then we can get into disciplinary situations,” Watson said. Beyond the obvious things that people see, like keeping the library quiet or helping students find books, the librarians do lots of work behind the scenes. Budget records have to be kept accurate, new books are selected and outdated books are weeded out. Due to a new inventory system, the librarians are working on taking a full inventory this year. They also go to conferences to keep up with the best new ideas about libraries and education. The librarians and the library secretary do lots of research in order to find the best resources for the library, particularly in technology. “We have been fortunate to be able to provide access to a lot of different kinds of technology,” Watson said. “Now we’re able to provide some tablets at times, and some Chromebooks, which is cool.” Technology is constantly changing, and the librarians make sure that the library changes with it. “Every year there’s more technology we’re expected to know,” Dolan said. “Now we’re focusing on using the Google Drive and Google Apps and things like that.” The new technology has an effect on young readers now; the librarians note how society reads and gets information has changed over the years. “In the new age of media, everything is online,” Johns said. “People can read online now.” Despite this, the librarians remain optimistic about the role books play. “I think we still have a core group of kids that are really book-hungry,” Dolan said. “There is a real hunger among kids for really good books.”
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Features
Band aided by color guard improvement MATT FRISCHER Editor In Chief
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eversing recent trends, both the marching band and the color guard have improved their performances and leadership. “Our seniors are really the standard in the group,” band director Doug Hoover said. “Virtually every section leader is a senior, so if they’ve done a good job they’ve set us up for the future really well.” Senior Andrew Chasen is a veteran member of the drumline, a heavily senior dominated section, which works to keep tempo. “We’re the ones keeping the tempo for everyone else, so if we screw up, everyone else screws up,” Chasen said. The drumline was deemed especially important this year. The show performed in competitions by the marching band is titled “Pulse,” immediately highlighting the drumline. “If you’re doing a show called ‘Pulse’, you want to make sure you have a steady one,” Hoover said. “Certainly, our drum line this year has the capability to be a strong point in the show. We felt, designing the show, they should be a strong contributor.” The music in the show reflects different themes than in the past, tied together with one shared element. “It is a little bit different this year than some things we’ve done in the past because there are some modern tunes in it,” Hoover said. “We’ve taken music from Blue Man Group, Senior Justin Schaefer and juniors Cole Edelstein and Leo Mankovich lead the band during the varsity football district playoff game on Oct. 24 versus Parkway West. Photo by Rebekah Poscover.
Cirque du Soleil, as well as the famous stampede scene in Lion King. The idea is it all has a great beat.” The color guard, which performs with the band, must match the theme created in “Pulse”. Their choreography was composed by director Liz Bryan after assessing other elements. “Listening to the music and understanding what the directors vision is and knowing what the girls can do...I just took those ideas and expressed them in a color guard matter,” Bryan said. “We wanted to show a pulse throughout with the choreography and heighten everything the music was saying. It helps the audience so not only can they hear the music, they can see the music.” While the band lacked competition success in previous years, Chasen feels confident. “We’re trying to place this year, we’re trying to get trophies,” Chasen said. “We usually place kind of lower, but I feel like we might be able to do it this year.” Junior Jennifer Wayland practices rifle spinning prior to the home football game on Sept. While the majority of the drum line will move on 26. The color guard began using rifles under director Liz Bryan. “A rifle is a much stronger technique used,” Bryan said. “Because it is a smaller equipment, you have to have more to graduate at the end of the season, Chasen hopes control over it.” Photo by The Corral. that his impact in the band doesn’t leave when he does. ing. Having cool work is always really encouraging, making us “I feel like it’s a good way to go out, but I feel like people work even harder to achieve her visualization.” also go off our experience, they look up to us so we try to do Bryan’s arrival marked her first coaching gig. She was led to the best we can,” Chasen said. the position by advice from the former color guard coach. The leadership and maturation of the drumline has been “[When I arrived] they were at a basic level,” Bryan said. complemented by the rise of the color guard. “We could toss it and everything, but there was definitely room “You can’t even try to be competitive without a good color for improvement. You could tell it was a very young program.” guard these days, and our kids are doing a great job,” Hoover While the team once only had four members, it has expandsaid. “They add visual punch to what you’re trying to play and ed to 10 members. march.” “It’s a growing program and it’s very exciting to have people Two years ago, in an effort to improve, the color guard hired who are so dedicated to it,” Bryan said. “These girls, they really Bryan, a former spinner of her own. do want this program to go somewhere, and as a coach, that’s “Liz has made a huge difference in our performance level,” really exciting.” senior Jessie Sauerwein said. “Her work is artistic and challeng-
Counselors respond to array of issues for students HANNA WHITEHOUSE News Editor
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All levels experience crisis, stressors and academic issues. It’s different developmentally because they are at different ages in their growth. - Counselor Judy Tretter
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t’s two weeks before school starts; you look at your schedule and realize it’s not right, so you immediately go visit your counselor. Students are familiar with this process but don’t know about everything that must happen to keep the school running smoothly. “Every day is different,” counselor Judy Tretter said. A counselor's day may consist of meetings in the morning about students and procedures and appointments with students throughout the day to discuss schedules, college or personal issues. “If a student has a crisis, then I knock my meeting out of the way to take care of that student,” Tretter said. Tretter is responsible for 362 students. She provides them with academic support as well as emotional support. “Every student’s needs are different,” Tretter said. The different requirements for each student varies according to the different grade levels. Underclassmen are focusing on the transition from middle school to high school while the priority of upperclassmen is college and/or graduating. “The difference in working with underclassmen and upperclassman is developmental needs,” Tretter said. “As a freshman, you are transitioning from a middle school setting where you are
with students who are 11 to 14 and now you are with students who are 14 to 18. By the time students are seniors, developmentally they have experienced successes, learned about themselves, and figured out direction.” While each grade level often needs different types of assistance, there are some similarities. “All levels experience crisis, stressors and academic issues,” Tretter said. “It’s different developmentally because they are at different ages in their growth.” Throughout the day, counselors’ duties include writing recommendation letters, helping students with college applications, answering phone calls from parents and consulting with teachers and other counselors. In addition, Tretter said they receive up to 200 emails each day. “My biggest challenge is time and being pulled in multiple directions,” counselor Lelia Flagg said. “Each day I come in, and here are the things I need to do. I have my list of things to do, and I have a general idea of what my schedule should look like for the day.” However, these schedules are likely to change throughout the day. Typically an hour or two into the day, a situation occurs in which a student needs help.
“It is challenging to accomplish everything while continually having to revamp my time frame,” Flagg said. Another challenge for counselors is schedules. There are always students who want to change classes and teachers. Often some classes are offered some periods but not others, which cause numerous conflicts. Many times this results in a student having to choose between two classes. “When students have really specific classes that they are trying to take and keep, it is hard to get all of their specific requests in,” Flagg said. With more than 1,200 students in the school who have requests, students are constantly visiting the counseling office and making appointments. “My favorite part is working with students,” Trish Reynolds, registrar liaison and counseling assistant, said. “I like that it’s busy.” Reynolds maintains all of the records for transferring students and prepares transcripts, maintains counseling records, assists counselors with projects such as test proctoring and mailing and schedules appointments for the counselors. She is also the point of contact for the counseling office. “Trying to get all of the students to see the counselors is challenging because they have multiple responsibilities,” Reynolds said. Despite these challenges, the counselors agreed on a shared interest of enjoyment. “I like the people, families and my colleagues,” Tretter said. “I truly enjoy people and seeing growth in people.”
Make the varsity team Get a perfect ACT score Earn scholarship money Study 12 Cover 14, 2014 starting spot Story Take AP classes Have aCorral top 10 class rank Do all of yourNov.homework Be the valedictorian Make the varsity team Get a perfect ACT score Earn schol Have a top 10external class rank Dostr all acceptable Win the starting spot Take AP classesInternal, outA the varsity teamlife Get ain, perfect straight A’s and H’s Be the valedictorian Makeinfluences classroom Take AP classes Have a top 10 college B’s aren’t acceptable Win the starting spot chapter Get straight A’s and H’s Be the valedictorian Make the varsity team Ge in to a good college B’s aren’t acceptable Win the starting spot Take AP classes H ahead in the chapter Get straight A’s and H’s Be the valedictorian Make the va the ACT Get in to a good college B’s aren’t acceptable Win the starting spot Take athletics Study ahead in the chapter Get straight A’s and H’s Be the valedictori Study more for the ACT Get in to a good college B’s aren’t acceptable Win the sta Play college athletics Study ahead in the chapter Get straight A’s and H’s Be th ship money Study more for the ACT Get in to a good college B’s aren’t acceptable homework Play college athletics Study ahead in the chapter Get straight A’s an Earn scholarship money Study more for the ACT Get in to a good college B’s are Do all of your homework Play college athletics Study ahead in the chapter Get s ACT score Earn scholarship money Study more for the ACT Get in to a good col class rank Do all of your homework Play college athletics Study ahead in the ch Get a perfect ACT score Earn scholarship money Study more for the ACT Get in Have a top 10 class rank Do all of your homework Play college athletics Study ah the
Upressure nder DEAN TRAIL Managing Editor
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ressure to students is applied in all areas of life, and in all different ways. It is created through athletics, grades and college and put onto students by themselves, their parents and their peers.
GRADES
Hard work in the classroom is often translated into the gradebook with A’s or B’s. For some it is an expectation to acheive those grades. “My parents don’t really look at my grades too much, but they make sure I do my homework every day,” senior Minki Kim said. “Getting a B is not acceptable.” Feeling pressure from parents in the classroom is normal, but for some it can be more extreme. “My parents put pressure on me if my grades are getting lower or if I’m ignoring studying,” junior Justin McMullen said. “Sometimes I want to play a computer game or do other activities. If I’m caught up on all of my work, my parents will tell me to work ahead a lot of the time.” While other students are not as pressured in the classroom by their parents, they are trying to live up to the expectations that their older siblings have set. “My older sister, she pressures me a lot because she expects a lot from me,” senior Udval Tsolmonkuu said, “but I don’t pressure my little sister because I know what it’s like to be pressured a lot.” Not only does her sibling pressure her, but Tsol-monkuu also makes sure that her schedule and grades are sufficient. “I try to maintain an A average, and in order to do that, I study a lot. My older sister checks all my grades and makes sure I take all hard classes,” Tsolmonkuu said. Sophomore Jessica Sun’s older brother William was a Harvard graduate, and having an Ivy league graduate sets a
high precedent for the rest of the family. “I obviously want to live up to his expectations, but at the same time, I want to follow what I want to pursue,” Sun said. “There’s some pressure, but my parents are totally accepting of whatever I want to pursue, too.” Along with pressure from siblings and parents, these students also put a lot of pressure on themselves. “I look at my grades a lot, and I regret not doing certain stuff,” Kim said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself because I want to do well, and I want to go to a good college. To reach that goal, I try my hardest to do well in any class.” A lot of the pressure students put on themselves is based on their past performance. “I’ve never really gotten that low of grades before, so I’m putting pressure on myself based on my history of grades,” freshman Emily Kaiser said.
COLLEGE
Most of the pressure to get good grades is based on going to a good college and pursuing a career. “I feel the most pressure from myself because as a senior in high school, you put a lot of pressure on yourself because you feel like you need to decide what you’re going to do the next four years of your life,” senior Grant Alley said. A lot of the pressure to get into a good college is based on a student’s ACT score. “For the ACT I had a lot of problems because if I didn’t get a certain score, I had to take it again because my parents weren’t satisfied with it,” Kim said. “I had nightmares about the ACT because I really didn’t want to take it again.” There are also expectations to do well in school, and to have the grades to be accepted into certain schools. “My parents have high expectations for me regarding college, and they know that I can do well if I put in the effort,” McMullen said.
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ATHLETIC
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h there is a focus on getting into a good school, e goal is to get an education that will aid success e. that my parents pressure me more for my han for college,” Kim said. “They know that if d education then I can go to a better college. So ing a better education goes a long way.”
isn’t only applied to students to get into college play college athletics as well. d has a big influence on whether I play college Alley said. “He doesn’t say it. but I feel like he o keep playing. I’ve never told him directly that t to play in college, but I feel like if I did, he sappointed.” more starting quarterback Mitchell Goldenberg o continue playing football in college, and s older brother Jordan walked on at Kansas, g still feels motivated by himself only. al is to play in college, but Jordan playing in sn’t affect that I want to,” Goldenberg said. r, pressure to make the varsity soccer team in s an expectation for Kaiser. der sister Libby made varsity freshman year, so el pressured to do well during soccer,” Kaiser e to play soccer too, so I hope to make varsity.” thletes don’t feel influenced by others to do well rt; the motivation is internal. country is more about self-motivation,” Kim arents don’t really know about my extracurricmuch, I don’t think that they’ve ever watched a
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Nov. 14, 2014
CENTRAL Corner of healthy and hypocrisy SPEAKS Administration should not ignore national guidelines What is the greatest pressure in your life? “Living in the shadows of someone else’s achievements in sports.” -freshman Claire Whitehouse
“Literally everything. Time management with StuCo, Improv, the play and not to mention honors classes.” -sophomore Emily Kang
“Getting good grades for college. Meeting the standards set for you when you’re competing with people who are a lot smarter.” -junior Dean Randolph
STAFF EDITORIAL
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mplementing the new Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was put into place July 1 of this year, the vending machines have been eradicated of junk food and lunches have been reconstructed. While the district has been making conscious strides in trying to become healthier, our school is lagging behind. Despite the changes in the food in the commons, there is still plenty of candy and junk food circulating the hallways — and a lot of it is being sold by school-sanctioned organizations. Unfortunately, even though many school officials have been well-informed about the policy, it is being ignored in certain parts of the building. And it’s bad enough that chips and candy are being sold in a wellness zone; it’s worse that we’re being sent contradicting messages by the people who are supposed to be educating us. Being an adult comes with certain responsibilities, especially if you happen to be working with kids. Whether people care to admit it or not, what students see around school does affect them. So when students see teachers blatantly disregarding a policy while principals are well aware of this infringement, what are we to learn? Should we take away that turning a blind
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Illustration by Kelsey Bonini.
eye on actions in violation of laws is appropriate behavior? Or should we stand up for what is right? Understandably, we’re not talking about some life-threatening issue; nevertheless, the same principles apply. When is it OK to stand by the regulations, and when is it OK to ignore them? As students, it’s frustrating to always be told to do what is right, no matter the consequences, especially when we are inundated with examples throughout society where what is popular often trumps what is right. What is shocking, though, is that our school is now a prime example of that hypocrisy. When this noncompliance with the wellness act was brought to the attention of officials of our school, the response was astounding. It varied from pleading ignorance to claiming to be well-informed and choosing to do absolutely nothing about it. It seemed the only interest
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“College applications. The sheer amount of college essays I’ve had to write is insane.” -senior Chris Chen
The Corral is a student-written, edited and produced publication of Parkway Central High School, 369 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017; 314-415-7978. The Corral is given away free of charge to students and faculty. Subscriptions and patronships for one year may be purchased, starting at $20. The goal of this publication is to provide accurate, informative and entertaining information in the true spirit of responsible journalism and to operate as an open forum for students, faculty, administrators and parents. The Corral is created on Hewlett-Packard computers using Adobe Creative Suite 6 and is published by Missourian Publishing. Unsigned editorials reflect the views of the majority of the staff. Signed columns and artwork reflect the views of that individual. The staff appreciates comments and suggestions. Letters to the editor, guest editorials and other correspondence are encouraged but must be signed. The Corral reserves the right to publish or refrain from publishing, as well as edit, all submitted material.
to fix the violation came when a hefty fine and loss of funding was mentioned. Until that, it seemed as if the school was content in its continued hypocrisy. Unless the staff decides to firmly implement the rules, then this school will remain not only in violation of the new wellness policy, but will also sink in its own hypocrisy. The school is further expressing that it is OK to ignore rules and turn a blind eye on something just because it may not be the popular decision. The big question is, should we do what is right, or what is easy? That’s a question that we will have to encounter and answer for ourselves the rest of their lives. We, as students, will continue to model what we see until we get to a point in our own adult lives of trusting our own judgement. Don’t let us see the adults in our lives do what is easy; show us what is right.
2014-15 Staff Editor in Chief Matt Frischer
Sports Editor Jeffrey Eidelman
Managing Editor Dean Trail
Entertainment Editor Kirk Randolph
Production Manager Emily Schenberg
Staff Writers Kayla Benjamin Matthew Gibbs Ben Kraizer Piper Rother Robert Shifrin Ashley Wright
News Editor Hanna Whitehouse Features Editor Kate McNeal Opinions Editor Danielle Serota
Business Manager Kathryn Rechenberg Adviser Ms. Tara Stepanek
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Nov. 14, 2014
10 reasons to reduce your stress level
KATE MCNEAL Features Editor
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Students put enough pressure on themselves already
A majority of students have some desire to go far in their lives, and realizing how big of an effect grades may have on the future is a big motivator to do well in school. Plus when students see their older siblings and friends graduate and go on to do impressive things, they put pressure on themselves to accomplish similar feats because they want to measure up.
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Activities should take priority
A lot of students are involved in activities outside of just their classes, including sports, clubs and music ensembles. Devoting more time to a sport than to homework isn’t advisable, but if it’s unavoidable on certain days, it’s not the end of the world. Plus, if a sport or extracurricular makes someone happier than doing homework, it’s not a bad thing to keep it alongside grades on a priority list.
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People matter too
Mental health
If students spends all of their time trying to succeed in school, they can lose sight of other important things, including the people around them. Being social also generally makes people happier, so talking with or spending time with friends or family can be just as beneficial as the 30 minutes spent studying instead of eating dinner with family.
When someone’s under a lot of pressure, it tends to make them stressed or constantly anxious. Especially for people that pressure themselves to do well, having external pressure really just makes them more tense. To avoid crumbling from the stress, having less pressure would be extremely beneficial.
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Physical health
Getting good grades and doing a sport, especially excelling in a sport, takes up a lot of time. Those are two reasons a lot of students don’t get enough sleep, and when additional pressure is put on them, they’re given another reason to stay up late to finish that homework assignment or study for that test they think is imperative to graduating high school. There’s no harm in working hard, but it is possible to become overly tired or sick from working too hard, and there is a time that it’s necessary to take some weight off of a student’s shoulders.
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What if it’s pointless?
There are always students that say, “Why am I doing this if it’s not going to pay off anyway?” as they stay up to 1 or 2 a.m. to finish an assignment. It’s a pretty negative attitude, but not completely unrealistic, as an innumerable amount of lessons and experiences will be learned after high school. Plus, it’s debatable how often any high schooler will need to know the quadratic formula outside of math class.
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Grades aren’t most important
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Stress isn’t an effective motivator
It’s debatable whether or not the people who put stress on students actually stop and think about how effective it actually is. A lot of the time it may be completely ineffective in motivating someone to do better and really just end up stressing the other person out more. And sometimes when things get really tough, a student might give up because they think they’re not meeting the expectations of others, so they don’t see a purpose in trying.
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Tears down more than builds up
Not only does pressure not always motivate someone to do better, telling someone they need to be doing better, or that they’re not doing well enough, can end up putting someone down a lot more than it builds them up. Students can only be expected to do their best, and pressuring them to do better will not result in greater success.
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Contrary to popular belief, grades aren’t everything. While it’s reasonable to worry about a GPA when it is the means to an end of getting into a good college, grades don’t measure quality of character or how someone treats others. Frankly, sometimes grades don’t even measure true intelligence. How someone does in school is important, and it’d be a lie to say it’s not, but it doesn’t always have to be every student’s top priority.
Internal drive needs to come from a real place
Ultimately, students have to create expectations for themselves rather than relying on motivation from others -- and make sure those expectations are realistic and fit in with their life goals. After graduation, parents can’t look over their kids’ shoulders to pressure them into getting good grades, a good job or paying their bills on time. If students learn how to motivate themselves now, it can healthily prepare them for the independence that comes with college and careers.
Opinions w
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yays & NeighS
Our take on today’s news Yays:
3 weeks to Thanksgiving break. Bring on the turkey and pumpkin pie. Black Friday shopping. Ladies and gentlemen, get your tents ready. Uggs and oversized sweaters, and don’t forget your pumpkin spice latte. Pancake run huge success. Nothin’ better than syrup and sprinting. Winter sports season kicks off. Kudos to the senior guys for upping participation in Powerpuff. T-swift’s new album “1989” “shakes off ” the charts, holding the 2014 record for first week sales at 1.2 million. ‘Cause baby she’s a “nightmare dressed like a daydream”. Curtain rises on “Picnic,” the fall play. Performances at 7:00 on Nov. 13-15. Date night?
Shouts out to the 30+ students who signed up for the Students On The Go. Props for getting in shape. Neighs:
Mix It Up day attempts to change routine, fails to let the rest of us know. RIP Oscar Taveras. Cardinal nation will miss you. No shave November=no date November. 6 weeks until finals. Studying? Yeah right. - CORRAL STAFF
16 Opinions
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Nov. 14, 2014
Ebola jokes become dangerously infectious DANIELLE SEROTA Opinions Editor
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hat started as widespread panic almost as viral as Ebola itself has turned into a flurry of distasteful comedy. If it’s not OK to make cancer jokes, there shouldn’t be any difference with the disease that is estimated to kill millions in the coming months. When students are making jokes about this deadly infectious disease, it is important to at least have the facts straight. FACT: Ebola kills 50-90 percent of people it infects. If you’re sick, you better be happy it’s not Ebola. FACT: Ebola may strike more fear in the community because of the dramatic statistics associated with it, but the flu is a much greater public health concern for our region. Last year’s flu season was one of the most severe in terms of deaths in younger adults in the St. Louis area. Death toll of Ebola in St. Louis=0. FACT: Ebola is not easily transmitted. It cannot be spread through the air; it must be spread through the contact of bodily fluids including blood, sweat and stool to mucus membranes which are the eyes, nose, mouth or open wounds. Furthermore, someone carrying the virus but not yet showing symptoms cannot transmit the virus to someone else. If the kid sitting next to you in math
class sneezes, you aren’t going to start bleeding out of your eyes. FACT: Symptoms of Ebola may include high fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, organ failure, severe bleeding, seizures and coma. If you’re head hurts and you’re a little sore from soccer practice Tuesday night, that doesn’t mean you have Ebola. FACT: There are many factors unique to West Africa that have allowed for the Ebola outbreak to escalate to such extreme magnitudes. Some of these factors include inadequate health-care facilities and supplies, lack of proper education on the disease and its transmission, distrust of health-care professionals and traditional burial practices involving direct contact with the body — none of which are issues in the United States. Additionally, the vast majority of victims in the outbreak were either family members or health-care workers who did not follow proper infection control procedures when treating victims and disposing of bodies. With the advanced medical facilities and training present in the United States, the likelihood of an Ebola epidemic in America is extremely low. If you are guilty of cracking the occasional Ebola joke (which let’s face it, most of us are) think twice before making the next uneducated slur in the hopes of getting a giggle out of your classmates. Maybe go for a classic “knock knock” instead.
Illustration by Danielle Serota.
Despite difficulties, students can hold down jobs during school ROBERT SHIFRIN Staff Writer
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hile it is extremely difficult for students to balance school and a job, it is manageable and can be beneficial. With the intense workload, it is reasonable to ask students if they have time for a job, but if they do, they should have one. While it is important that students have plenty of time for their studies, some need the cash for their gas and food money, and others can benefit from the experience that employment offers. High school brings stress for students and parents alike, and the added pressure of a job can create more unnecessary issues. Students should take on the responsibility of a job if they can ensure that they will get enough sleep. Teenagers need 8-9 hours of sleep each night, and working after school before coming home to a heavy homework load can lead to sleep deprivation. Instead of cozying up in their beds and allowing their bodies to recover, students who are not able to balance a job and their school responsibilities are wide awake at work with homework waiting for them. Teens have to be able to manage their time and fit sleep into their schedules. They cannot be productive during the day without proper rest. This becomes a greater challenge when a job is added to the equation. Students need to have some time to settle down and relax.
Without a little while to just CHILL, high schoolers can find themselves feeling helpless in the whirl of homework. Working during school is a great option, but students have to find time to relax during the day. With the demanding hours of a part-time job, this relaxation time is hard to fit in. The last thing anyone wants to do is end up with a school full of stressed-out, sleep-deprived students who still can’t find the time to get their homework done. Although it can be difficult to manage, it is definitely possible to keep up with school and a job at the same time if students plan their time and are flexible with their shifts at work. On the night of a big test, it might be necessary to talk to co-workers and ask if they’d be willing to switch shifts to create study time. It’s more important to do well during school than to clock into work on a busy weeknight. Another compromise that students can make is finding a flexible job that will work around their schedules and extracurriculars. There are plenty of jobs close to school that are convenient hours for students. While working during the school year certainly proves to be challenging and time-consuming, it is manageable. It is important to choose a job that is flexible and enjoyable and allows some time to relax and stay on a regular sleep schedule. When this is possible, working during school is beneficial for many students.
Do you work during the school year?
Work (57%)
Don’t Work (43%)
n=130
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Nov. 14, 2014
Women’s fall fashion
Gold statement necklace from Forever 21
Tan vintage hat (courtesy of her father)
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Army green jacket from H&M
“A
lexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” provides simple plot and little comedy in a boring movie rendition of the popular childrens book. Alexander is a young boy who lives in a busy household and often gets forgotten by his parents and siblings. The day before his 12th birthday he has an awful day, starting with gum in his hair and ending with lighting his crush’s lab notes on fire during chemistry class. While Alexander has the worst day of his life, his family has a fantastic day. For his birthday he wishes that his family could feel what it’s like to have a bad day, and the next day his wish comes true. The movie was extremely predictable and missed many opportunities for slapstick comedy and clever jokes. The premise of the plot was bad things happen to the family, so anticipating what happens next was just too easy. It became boring because I knew what was happening next before it happened. The actors were well-known, yet disappointing. Steve Carell played the dad and is
High-waisted distressed jeans from Pac Sun
American flag booties from Forever 21
Purple low-top Converse
Rating: 1.5/5
‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad’ movie DEAN TRAIL Managing Editor
White crop top from Forever 21
White button down shirt from H&M
Blue harem pants from H&M
Dean’s movie of the month
one of my favorite comedic actors, and he let me down by not making me laugh. Jennifer Garner played a convincing role as the mother but, yet again, didn’t provide any comedy to the movie. The main character, Alexander, was played by Ed Oxenbould; he acted the role of the innocent, unlucky pre-teen well. The highlights of the movie was that it was short. The movie was only 81 minutes long, so at least I didn’t waste my time along with wasting my money. Also, like most children’s movies I go to, the theater had a few families, and even the kids didn’t seem to enjoy the film. There was almost no giggling or laughing from them. If you’re looking for a funny family comedy, don’t spend your money going to see ‘Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good very bad day’. Although it was family oriented it wasn’t funny.
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Senior Emma Frank
Senior Demetria Jones
DANIELLE SEROTA Opinions Editor
s the winds of November start to swirl, the leaves begin to change colors, and so should your closet. When it comes to fashion, color is key. In addition to the classic array of browns and reds that appear in stores around year after year, this fall orange really is the new black. Don’t be afraid to throw a some patterns into the mix either; leopard is making a comeback. For many of us, putting August’s flip flops and shorts in the back corner of the closet can be a bit traumatic. But as we wish warm weather goodbye, the arrival of thick knit scarfs and oversized sweaters is there to save the day. Rotating your wardrobe to a new season can be expensive, so shop wisely. Before ringing up, compare prices to make sure you are getting the best deal. Luckily, with the sales of the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s a great time to add to your wishlist.
Entertainment
Black leather jacket from All Saints
18 Entertainment
Corral the
Nov. 14, 2014
Gibby’s food review: Satchmo’s MATTHEW GIBBS Staff Writer
When eating a chicken wing, it is a known fact that your hands will get messy. At Satchmo’s, the wings are not as messy as typical wings but there is still plenty of flavor. These wings are crunchy on the outside and soft and meaty on the inside. Some restaurants make wings taste good by drowning them in sauce, but Satchmo’s makes them taste good by giving a good crunch and a lot of meat.
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atchmo’s Bar & Grill is located on Olive between Woods Mill and 141. Some students have heard of it, but it seems most students haven’t. I have theories why this restaurant isn’t jam-packed every night. Despite having great food, its atmosphere isn’t the same as nearby Kriegers or a Buffalo Wild Wings. It doesn’t have TV’s everywhere, and it isn’t as clean and family friendly. There is a smoky smell and old feeling wooden floors. They didn’t have a host or hostess greet me, as it was a self-seating night. This isn’t a bad thing at all, many times these places serve up the best food. These places tend to have the best entertainment. Satchmo’s often has bands come in and play live music which makes it a fun place. Everything I ate had common themes. A crispy-crunchy outside with a warm and delectable inside. One flavor doesn’t overpower the rest of the food, making every ingredient work in unison with the rest. Most students don’t know about Satchmo’s, and they need to. This restaurant is a hidden gem that must be considered when wanting good food and a good time.
On Wednesday nights Satchmo’s has a steak special for $8 which is very cheap for a steak meal. The price fit the product, as this was not a quality steak dinner. The inside wasn’t a melt in your mouth flavor like more expensive steaks are. The outside had to have a lot of seasoning and some crunchiness added to it because if it didn’t, it would be a chewy steak without any flavor. If you are craving a steak and don’t want to break your bank, it is worth it to go on Wednesdays.
The buffalo chicken pizza had a little S next to the label, signifying that it was one of the most popular things on the menu. Whenever there is the restaurants emblem next to the item on any menu, it is a rule of mine that I have to get one of those items. The buffalo chicken pizza met, and exceeded, the expectations of what a signature item should be. Generally, most buffalo chicken pizzas have an overwhelming amount of buffalo sauce or are ruined by too much cheese. This is not the case. When you bite into the pizza, there is a little crunch since it’s thin crust and then boom, the flavors hit you! Buffalo sauce followed by cheese, then some crispy chicken and bacon. This is the perfect buffalo chicken pizza.
GIVE US ONE WEEK! The buffalo chicken pizza was the best buffalo chicken pizza I’ve had in my life. Photo by Matthew Includes 5 Hours Whether your teen has never been of one-on-one Gibbs. behine the wheel or is looking to brush up on basics ahead of their DMV driving test, Coach Harder can help. We offer a range of classes and instruction options designed to meet any need.
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Nov. 14, 2014
omemade alloween
Entertainment
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Creativity displayed in solo, group costumes Referee: senior Taylor Burlis
KATE MCNEAL and KIRK RANDOLPH Features Editor and Entertainment Editor
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“I looked up costumes that included crutches and I found the referee costume,” Burlis said. “A lot of people thought it was creative and a funny way to incorporate my injury.”
ressing up in a costume is a common favorite part of Halloween. However, coming up with the perfect costume is easier said than done. Getting their materials from around the house or buying parts, these students managed to come up with unique costumes.
101 Dalmatians: freshmen Alexis Poe, Abby Brand, and Jordan Lander “We were texting in a group chat just throwing out ideas,” Poe said. “When [people] saw how it turned out they all loved it and thought it was really cute.”
Curious George and “the man in the yellow hat”: seniors Bridget Rennard and Roland Fanega
Dr. House of Cards: senior Stephen He “I found everything I needed around the house and it didn’t take that long to assemble everything,” He said.
Superheroes: sophomores Lexi Ecker, Leah Chelist, and Rachel Bernstein “[We] were looking up ideas online and superheroes was one of them that we all could pull off,” Bernstein said. “We all went to Target and got shirts to match our character.”
“I already had a monkey onesie so I didn’t really need to get anything,” Rennard said. “Roland got a yellow shirt and tie from goodwill because you wouldn’t want to use a fancy tie or anything.”
20 Sports
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Nov. 14, 2014
Scheduling to Swim
Freshman takes two classes and participates on team
DANIELLE SEROTA Opinions Editor
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or freshman swimmer Graham Wells, the transition from homeschooling to a part-time high school course schedule l has been all calm waters. Wells was homeschooled from preschool through eighth grade, during which years he played on a variety of club sports teams including basketball, soccer and swimming. For the first time this year, he began taking some classes in order to swim on the school’s swim team. Wells has to take two classes at Central, and the rest of his courses he can complete online. “It wasn’t too hard to make the arrangements,” Wells said. “The school was pretty open to it, as long as I fulfilled the course requirements.” Wells comes to school during 7th and 8th block, during which time he takes Introduction to Business and Biology. After that, he goes straight to practice. “I decided to do some of my classes online because I have more freedom,” Wells said. “When other students are in school all day, I have the whole day until 12:30 to do what I want.” Despite the benefits of his arrangement, not many other students make the same choice. Coach Jeff Spector, the swim team coach, has never had a homeschooled student join the team before. “I don’t know of any other homeschooled kids that have waited until high school to show up to Central sports,” Spector said. Although this is the first time Wells has competed with a school team, he didn’t go into the first practice a complete stranger. “I knew four or five guys before this year from Parkway Swim Club,” Wells said. “So, it wasn’t hard joining the team at all.”
Fall Sports BY T H NUMB 3 RS
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service aces by the volleyball team
unior Madeline Finkelstein led the team in aces. “It’s a boost of confidence because you’re earning that point for your team all by yourself,” Finkelstein said. Junior Emily McCann also contributed to the total number of aces. “It’s awesome knowing that you’re helping the team out that much more giving the team some free points and having some leeway for errors,” McCann said.
Spector believes Wells has fit in well with the team. While not many other freshmen have the same schedule as Wells, in his coach’s eyes he is the same as any other student. “Overall as a person, I see Graham as a typical ninth grader,” Spector said. “He’s come in and had some things to learn about how high school works and how high school swim works. But, he is a fast learner.” Spector’s goal for every swimmer on the team is to take the next Freshman Graham Wells swims at practice after only a two-period school day. Wells qualified for state in five events as a step up, no matter what freshman, and hopes ot win an event at state in the coming years. Photo by Kate McNeal. level they are starting on. In Wells’s case, he Wells said. began the season as a state qualifier, and the next step was to Wells has impressed both his coach and his teammates with place at State. his bold entrance to Central swim this season. “Going into the season, my main goal was to get 5 state “I’d say Graham is the fastest swimmer on the team this cuts,” Wells said. “Since I achieved that, my goal now is to make year,” senior teammate Clayton O’Hanlon said. top eight in something at state.” Spector hopes to see Wells continue to learn and improve Wells is most proud of qualifying for state five individual and have a good time with his teammates. Whether or not times. He has already started making goals for the rest of his Wells will join Central as a full-time student in years to come is high school swim career as well. undetermined. “In the future, I hope to eventually win an event at State,”
W 70%
of varsity girls tennis members are underclassmen
5.9
average yards per carry from the 3 top rushers
ith only two of the ten varsity tennis players graduating this year, the young tennis team has high hopes next season after missing out on state this year. “We hope that next year we will make it as a team to state,” sophomore Rebecca Davis said. “We know it will be tough with losing two really good players, but we’ll work hard towards getting there. Even if we don’t, we want to have a great season and compete hard.” Davis realizes that there is a difference in leadership because of the lack of upperclassmen. “A young team is so much fun because we all have to come together and lead the team as a whole,” Davis said.
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ichael Slater, Tyrone Wilson, and Daniel Burcke combined for an average of 5.9 yards per carry. This year was a running back by committee, meaning the runs were split among different guys. Slater and Wilson were the two primary running backs with Burcke getting some carries as the fullback. “Slater was the big and strong back, and I would be the fast and speedy back,” Wilson said. “Me and Slater would switch out whenever he would get a first down they would put me in to get us up the field.” Slater is listed 6’3” and 265 pounds, and his size was utilized in certain situations. “Whenever we would need a first down we would put Michael Slater in, and everytime we would get to the goal line they would put Slater in and he would bash it in there and get the touchdown” Wilson said.
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Nov. 14, 2014
Sports
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Four girls make State in cross country JEFFREY EIDELMAN Sports Editor
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or the first time in school history, according to head coach Ryan Banta, the girls cross country team had four girls qualify for the State Championship. Junior Sarah Madsen and sophomores Richelle Bain, Lizzie DeJoie and Claire Huang all qualified at sectionals on Saturday, Nov. 1. “I absolutely lost it in a positive way,” Banta said. “There are very few moments in your lifetime as a head coach when you can look back and say, Wow they really surpassed my expectations.” Bain had mixed feelings immediately following the sectional race in Farmington. “It was definitely exciting, but it was kind of tiring obviously,” Bain said. “When we were running it was intense and it took a lot out of us.” While Madsen was excited for herself, she also looked at “I was excited to see that my teammates also made it,” Madsen said. Banta, after becoming head coach last year, was pleasantly surprised by the outcome the girls produced. “I did not expect them to run this fast,” Banta said. “I knew they were going to do good Sophomore runner Richelle Bain and junior Sarah things, but statisMadsen complete the first mile of the state race at tically the chances Oak Hills Golf Course on Saturday, Nov. 8. Photo by Tara Stepanek. of us getting four
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relays fast enough to compete at the state meet
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girls out were slim, and so when we did that, it was really impressive.” Banta believes it takes about five years for a new head coach to establish and build a program. The reason is because every coach has a different philosophy on the best way to create positive team chemistry and prepare for the meets. “For us to be here in my second year as head coach and being able to have all those girls coming back after making state is really exciting,” Banta said. Before the race, Banta said he tries to get the runners mind off the race with a joke or a goofy comment. At sectionals, Banta decided to challenge all four of them to make state. “If all four of you girls qualify I will go run in that lake and take a dive, rather a nice little plunge, into the water,” Banta said. Banta isn’t the only one who has rituals before every race. The team is a little superstitious while previewing a course they are about to run. “When we preview a course and we are walking the course we never cross the finish line,” Bain said. “You never finish on the finish line you Head coach Ryan Banta jumps into a lake at Engler Park om Farmington immediately folalways just have to walk around.” lowing the four girls, junior Sarah Madsen and Sophomores Richelle Bain, Lizzie DeJoie and Banta was very confident in his girls, as he believed at least one of them have the ability to medal Claire Huang, qualifying for State. “If all four of you girls qualify I will go run in that lake and take a dive, rather a nice little plunge, into the water,” Banta said. “It was rather cold. It at state. was kind of like an ice bucket challenge.” Photo courtesy of Richelle Bain. “I think each girl comes in with kind of a different goal and they are all talented enough to place 111th, and 135th respectively, at State in Jefferson City. top 60 position in state,” Banta said. Madsen credits Banta for being an excellent coach. Madsen didn’t have any specific goals. “He is incredibly enthusiastic,” Madsen said. “He just “My goal is to just compete as well as I can,” Madsen said. makes sure that we work really hard and work to his expecta“I’m not really hoping for a specific place.” tions.” Banta wasn’t too concerned with how the girls perform this Banta is extremely satisfied with his girls and is excited for year at state. what the future holds. “The fact is that all of these girls will be returning,” Banta “As a whole I think we set the table for some really nice said. “We can take some risks this year because it really doesn’t things in the future,” Banta said. “I was just really proud of that, matter other than their own individual race.” how much the girls improved, and how we really built what I Bain, Madsen, Huang, and DeJoie, ranked 52nd, 83rd, believe is a good team for the future.”
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any swim team members were able to enjoy the state experience thanks to their ranking in the relays “It was great that we got all the relays qualified because it gave more people the chance to swim at state and enjoy the state experience,” freshman Graham Wells said. The team accomplished this feat despite losing many of its top athletes. “There weren’t any real all stars on the team but we still had enough good swimmers to step up and fill the roles we needed and that’s why it was special,” junior Eric Fenton said.
home runs hit in softball this season
unior Lauren Greenstein was one of the girls who hit a few home runs over the course of the season.
“My real home run over the fence felt pretty good because it was from one of the best pitchers in the area” Greenstein said. Senior Melanie Wasserman also hit a few home runs. “It felt great to hit another home run this year because my hitting wasn’t as strong as it had been” Wasserman said. “And after that it improved my morale and it felt nice to hit another one my senior year.”
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loss for girls golf
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he girls golf program finished their season with only 1 combined loss between varsity and JV. “This golf season was a lot of fun and we had a lot of success. The best moment was at districts when we all finished and saw our scores and realized we actually had a chance of moving on to sectionals,” said sophomore Morgan Brody. The golf program was able to flourish this season. Many of the girls improved their numbers and worked on their game, including sophomore Kathleen Cannon. “This season I worked a lot on my form and my swing so I changed my swing, which gave me more power when I swung, and Elizabeth [Leath] helped me with some techniques at the range,” said Cannon.
16:46 Charlie McIntyre’s time at state; Earns 40th place
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cIntyre’s recent 5k time of 16:46 is approaching the school record and the sophomore aims to break it in the future. “I was happy to get top 50 but it motivates me to push every work out harder so I can move up. I want to make it to state next year and just keep improving,” McIntyre said. McIntyre isn’t satisfied yet, as he continues to work hard on improving to help his teams chances next season. “It was a cool experience but definitely pushes me to try to help our team make it there next year,“ McIntyre said.
22 Sports Teach me how to:
Flip turn with Conner Ripp
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Lead-in: “I’m swimming into the wall and starting to bury my head and keep my arms at my side. This is important so that you can flip your body as quick as you can.”
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Flippin: “I’m keeping my body as compact as possible. I’m trying to make my legs flip around as fast as possible to get to the wall.”
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Break out: “After I’ve hit the wall I’m trying to keep my feet together so that I can get fast kicks off the wall and make my break out as fast as possible.”
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Nov. 14, 2014
Slater verbally commits to play football at Iowa MATTHEW GIBBS Staff Writer
Choosing where he will play football in college for the next four or five years, Michael Slater made his choice to attend the University of Iowa over other Division I programs that were pursuing him to attend their school. “I talked to (Assistant Coach) Jim Reid a lot and he wanted me there really bad,” Slater said. “It was just the coaches, the environment, and it felt good being there. It felt natural.” Iowa started recruiting the offensive and defensive starter for about a year. “They started contacting me right after the state game,” Slater said. “They wanted me to start coming to their camps, junior days, and spring games and stuff like that.” The coaching staff at Iowa liked what they saw from Slater after driving four hours on two occasions where they interacted with him. “(Graduate Assistant) Coach Pollizi came to school to talk to me face to face,” Slater said. “And when I went to the Iowa camp at Lindenwood, coach Jim Reid became my recruiting coach and that’s who I talk to more than anyone at Iowa, and that’s when I first met them.” Although the coaches came to the St. Louis area twice, Slater’s recent visit to Iowa is when he became convinced he wanted to be a Hawkeye. He had a day full of activities: touring the facilities and locker rooms, having a one-on-one meeting with the head coach, meeting with assistant coaches, getting information about what makes a good college, meeting players, and watching how the players workout in the weight room. Celebrating a big hit, Michael Slater turns to his sideline to show his excitement to his teamSlater liked what he saw during his jam-packed day in Iowa mates while he is in Parkway West’s backfield during the Sept. 19 homecoming game. The Colts City, where the university’s campus is located. went on to win the game by the score of 22-6. Photo by PCH Publication Staff. “Environment-wise, around the university it was really calm, really has not played in high school, varsity football coach Mark Goldenhome-like,” Slater berg thinks he will do well. said. “There were a “I think he will do great at wherever they put him. I really do,” lot of friendly and Goldenberg said. “He’s got the willingness to learn and he’s got the kind people around. athletic ability and the strength.” Football-wise, when I Goldenberg has seen Slater grow physically and mentally over went to their practices Slater’s four years of varsity experience. and strength and con“I wish I could go back in a time machine and look at him,” Goldditioning programs, enberg said. “He was never little, but as a freshman he had so much they were really live to learn and he was always willing to learn and work and he worked and energetic and really hard. He overcame a few things injury-wise as the years went.” stuff and they were Injuries aren’t the only endeavors Slater has dealt with. He curpassionate to be there rently lives in a boys home where there are strict academic requireand I just loved everyments. Senior Khahlil Stith, who lived in this boys home with Slater thing about it.” for a few years thinks that from their time there together to now, Once Slater gets Slater has grown a lot. to Iowa, he won’t “Mentally, he definitely matured,” Stith said. “When I first met play on the offensive him, we were all silly and we were young and laughing at immature side of the ball, as he things, but I noticed how he handles certain situations now, how he has through his high carries himself is different,” Stith said. “I can say he really changed a school career. lot, and all I can say is that I’m really proud of him.” “They think that Stith has also noticed how Slater has grown physically. they want me to play “Physically man, he just continues to surprise me,” Stith said. “He outside linebacker just gets bigger every year. I don’t know how it’s possible but he just and d-end where I can continues to grow.” rush the quarterback Goldenberg and Stith both attribute the 6-foot 3-inch, 265-pound when they need me man’s size to his work in the weight room. Stith, though, also has to, and I also can drop seen Slaters eating habits. back in coverage,” “He eats. His stomach never ends,” Stith said. “But he’s dedicated After a touchdown, he celebrates a touchdown run with Slater said. to the gym as well. They both contribute to his size.” senior Sam Dvorak at home vs. Parkway South on Oct. Although this is a 17. Photo by Matthew Gibbs. new position that he
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Nov. 14, 2014
Senior Elizabeth Leath prepares to take a tee shot at the State golf tournament on Oct. 14. Photo by Molly Pannett.
Up Up,
Away &
Senior finishes final season with top finish at State
KATE MCNEAL Features Editor
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inishing her final high school season, senior Elizabeth Leath placed second at the girls State golf tournament. “It was really exciting because my goal was to place top 5,” Leath said. Leath qualified for the tournament all four years of high school and moved up in the rankings with each year. She tied for 36th her freshman year, tied for 20th her sophomore year and tied for 11th her junior year. In order to qualify for the tournament, Leath had to place among the top 12 individuals at the Sectional tournment, where she ended up placing second. Leath attributed her success this year in part to her prior experience. “Some people put a lot of pressure on themselves, but since I had past years of experience I was more calm and relaxed,” Leath said. According to head golf coach Todd Pannett, Leath’s goal of placing in the top 5 originated at the State tournament last year. - Elizabeth “Our ultimate goal, we set this last year on the final day of the state tournament. We saw the final foursome on the green, and I said, ‘That’s where we need to be next year,’” Pannett said. Due to inclement weather, the first day of this year’s State tournament was canceled, shortening the tournament. Leath said that having only a one-day tournament gave opportunities for unexpected players to do well. “A two-day tournament would’ve benefitted me because the more consistent players would be the ones competing for the title, and this year I considered myself to be a contender,” Leath said. Leath trains throughout the year, traveling for tournaments in the summer and spending October through May working usually seven days a week doing a weight program, or when it’s nicer outside, going onto the course or going to a driving range. “She takes very few days off,” Pannett said. “When other kids are taking days off, she’s hitting golf balls just about every day.”
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According to Leath, all the time she spends golfing paid off when she verbally committed to golf next year at the University of Central Missouri. “These past four years that I’ve been watching some of my friends graduate and play in college, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Leath said. “Four years of hard work and sacrifice, a lot of sacrifice, has finally proven itself that it was worth it.” Leath credits her success to both working hard and the people around her, especially her dad. “He has done so much for me and my game, and I know I would not have been able to do it without him,” Leath said. “Having the opportunity to travel with my dad to all the tournaments is something I will never forget.” Leath said that while she is looking forward to golfing in college, she will miss high school golf. “We had such a good atmosphere this year that it’s going to be hard to leave them and know that when their high school season starts, this’ll be the first year I won’t be there,” Leath said. Leath (12) Both Pannett and some of Leath’s teammates believe she had a positive impact on the team. “Elizabeth always has a great attitude and taught me a lot of new techniques, especially when we went to the range together,” sophomore Kathleen Cannon said. “She was always positive which put me in a better mood if I was playing badly.” Along with Leath’s individual success, the varsity team had a winning season as well, with varsity having an 9-1 record for dual matches. “The team was super successful this year,” Cannon said. “Varsity made it all the way to sectionals, and the JV team was also undefeated, which was great.” Through so many years of golfing, Leath said she doesn’t regret any of the work that she’s done. “Even after all the hours of practice and sacrifices I made, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Leath said. “It’s what I love to do.”
Four years of hard work and sacrifice, a lot of sacrifice, has finally proven itself that it was worth it.
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Sports
23
Soccer team goes undefeated on turf KIRK RANDOLPH Entertainment Editor
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s if losing in heartbreaking fashion in the district semifinal game to Parkway West was not hard enough, the boys varsity soccer team also feels that they were at a disadvantage from the beginning. “The grass had a huge effect on the way our districts ended so tragically,” senior Daniel Rasmussen said. “We had six losses this season, and every one of them was on a grass field.” The shift from an undefeated record on turf to a 5-6-1 record on grass was no coincidence, according to senior captain Luca Vezin. “[The grass] slowed the play down, and we couldn’t transition as fast,” Vezin said. Rasmussen explained the difficulties in more technical terms. “We couldn’t run as fast or move the ball as fast, which made it harder for us to create chances on goal,” Rasmussen said. “It would take a lot longer to possess the ball up the field to an attacking opportunity. When a team kicked it out of their back, it would take a lot of time to make another opportunity when the process would start over.” The boys said there was not an easy fix to this problem. “We had a lot of skillful players on offense, so we would pass around other teams on turf, but on grass we couldn’t do that,” Vezin said. These challenges were magnified when the team was forced to play a win- or-go-home game on the grass field of Priory High School and the comfort zone of turf was absent. “We are used to playing on turf since we have one at home, and normally our games are on the turf, so it was harder to adjust to playing what were not used to,” Rasmussen said. This perceived disadvantage added to the frustration of the team’s loss. “We would have beat West on turf because we beat them in the regular season on turf,” Vezin said.
Senior Luca Vezin battles for the ball against a Parkway West defender on Sept. 12. The game was stopped in the first twenty minutes due to weather on Sept. 9 before being resumed days later. Photo by Shannon Flynn.
24 Spotlight
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Nov. 14, 2014
Sophomore pens novel in eight weeks of summer KAYLA BENJAMIN Staff Writer
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s a personal summer project, sophomore Paul Gibson wrote a 274-page fiction book titled “Mending Flames: Waiting for the Future.” “It’s about a guy in London who, due to a complicated set of circumstances, is able to reach into the infinite possibilities of the future, and take whatever he wants and bring it into the present,” Paul said. The book explores themes such as friendship, power, corruption and second chances. “It plays with the concept of human fallacy,” Paul said, “and what friends will do for each other.” Paul has had an interest in writing since he was 7, and this summer he finally decided to write a novel because he “needed a feasible project.” He found inspiration for the book within his own experiences. “There was a lot of life in the book,” Paul said. “I have to write from what I know. I don’t understand a lot of things about the book, but what I do understand are things I’ve experienced.” He started the 33-scene outline during his freshman year, working on it for six months. After the school year, he began to fill in his outline, working intensely all summer. It was eight weeks of “solid writing from about 8:30 to 11:00 at night,” Paul said. The book, while fiction, required a lot of planning and research. Paul looked at floor plans, city plans and the layout of London. He also had to learn about “Beowulf” and its mythology and Japanese mythology. “Paul did a lot of research on London using Google Maps,” his brother Thomas Gibson, an eighth-grader, said. A lot of time and effort went into fully developing characters, as well. Paul’s goal was to make his characters realistic and relatable; he said he wanted them to be “likable, but not perfect.” Throughout the writing process, Paul continued to make sure the reader would be cheering for the main character, even as the hero’s “darker side was being emphasized by this power he has.” Paul said that the enormous amount of character work paid off, and his favorite part of the book to write was the last few scenes. “All the characters came together and you really saw the best in every character and the worst in every character, and they
all just bounced off of each other perfectly to create the story,” Paul said. “At the beginning of the story I had this trajectory in mind, and I just threw all the characters at the trajectories and just hoped that they would all collide in the right places at the right times. And then they all just landed in the right spots, and it was very satisfying.” Paul did have some help from a fellow writer. High school student Michel Ge, a sophomore at MICDS, worked with Paul, helping with the book, most notably with the outline. “The ideas that Paul had were completely new,” Michel said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s really interesting to explore.” Michel is also helping with the ongoing editing process. Paul said that he was happy with how the book turned out but that it is still far from perfect. His younger brother also helped with editing by pointing out flaws and making some suggestions. “It moves a little fast, and it can be a little confusing...maybe [he could] slow it down a bit and make things more clear,” Thomas said. “There’s some time-stuff that is kind of hard for my brain to comprehend.” Paul estimates that the book needs two to six more months of improvement before he could begin thinking about publishing. If he decides to publish, the book will most likely be self-produced. Traditional publishing requires an agent, and publishing agents, according to Paul, generally take on only one or two new clients per year. “Self-publishing would definitely be an option,” Michel said about Paul’s book. “Big publishing would be a challenge.” According to Thomas, Paul showed persistence from the very beginning with the outline, then through drafting, and now with editing. He found satisfaction in working hard and coming out with a good product. “When he starts to do something, he really follows through with it,” Thomas said.“It was inspiring that he could do that. It was really cool.” Paul’s advice for other young writers is to not make excuses and to make time to write. “Everybody has time,” he said. “I’m taking four honors classes and I still have time to do this. It takes a lot of self-discipline, and it won’t ever be perfect, and you will screw up and stuff, but it’s always worth it — just keep at it.”
Paul Gibson, Fiction Writer