globe.
A HOUSE
DIVIDED Clayton High School. Clayton, MO. December 2018.
2 | SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! The Globe is an entirely self-funded publication. We receive no funding from the school district for printing. Each issue of the Globe costs approximately $2000 to print. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their support of our publication. They make our work possible. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email us at globe@claytonschools.net. ISSUE SPONSORS ($2000 Level) Gail Workman Herbie’s in Clayton
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WORLD TRAVELER SPONSORS ($100+ Level) Northwest Coffee The LaGesse Stanton Family The Brown Family The Higuchi Family The Sturmoski Family The Abburi Family Jane Cross Eugene Cross Bob and Betsy Cuneo Bob Chapman The Stemmler Family Charlotte de Sauvage Nolting The Curtis Family Sangeeta Khanna and Aseem Sharma
The Chung Family Washington University Physicians Allergy & Immunology Clinics Mary and Dick Anthony Robin and Neil Snelling Christy Hager DDS Ann Sachar Sarah Bernard Dr. James Fehr Dr. Anne Glowinski Angela and Troy Quinn Chandrakant C. Tailor Alex Waldbart Florist
3 | CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2018
10 COHEN’S CLAYTON CONNECTION
A look into TV personality and CHS alumnus Andy Cohen’s recent donation to the new CHS baseball field.
16 A HOUSE DIVIDED
An in-depth look into the political climate of CHS.
30 WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW A sneak peek at the CHS winter sports season, highlighting players to watch and team goals.
41 KAVANAUGH CONCERN
An opinion piece that looks into the recent nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
CORRECTIONS The article “Why Do We Still Play Football” in the Nov. 2018 edition incorrectly stated that concussions were the number one cause of death in children and young adults. In fact, traumatic brain injury from unintentional injuries is the number one cause of death in this category. Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of TBIs in children and young adults. Concussions are a form of TBI. Additionally, in the same article CHS Athletic Trainer Kristin Saunders’ name was misspelled.
Junior shooting guard Ruby Gallegos dribbles down the court. Photo by Michael Melinger.
In the article Pro: Cut Policy, senior soccer player Eliza Copilevitz’s name was misspelled. ______________________ Send your thoughts to globe@claytonschools.net
globe. STAFF
REPORTERS
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Michael Bernard and Jacob LaGesse
Natalie Ashrafzadeh
Kaia Mills-Lee
CHIEF DIGITAL EDITOR
Luka Bassnett
Margaret Mooney
Kaitlin Bates
Siddhi Narayan
Disha Chatterjee
Ruth Pierson
Danielle Choo-Kang
Reese Quinn
Cece Cohen
Dheera Rathikindi
Ella Cuneo
Helena Reuter
Sofia Erlin
William Redington
Kate Freedman
Maya Richter
Sahithya Gokaraju
Ingrid Stahl
Mhari Harris
Abigail Sucher
SENIOR MANAGING EDITORS
Tallulah Hawley
Jackson Swinigan
Richard Cheng
Maxwell Keller
Louis Van’t Hof
Grace Snelling
Sasha Keller
Jessie Wang
Lila Taylor
Moriah Lotsoff
Angela Xiao
SECTION EDITORS
Gabriela Madriz
Yiyun Xu
Justin Guilak
CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR Michael Melinger
CHIEF VIDEO EDITOR Sean Kim
COPY EDITOR Anna Sturmoski
BUSINESS MANAGER Daniel Cohen
David Higuchi, NEWS Sara Stemmler, FEATURE Daniel Cohen, SPORTS Ashley Chung, OPINION Hongkai Jiang, REVIEW
PAGE EDITORS Sarah Baker
Jimmy Malone
Josephine Cross
Neema Naemi
Lise Derksen
Junyi Su
Zachary Fisher
Sophie Thompson
Katie He
Bridget Walsh
Noor Jerath
Victor Wei
PHOTOGRAPHERS Isabella Clark
Caroline Marsden
Gwen Duplain
Mallory Palmer
Catherine Holtzman
Deborah Park
Xuenan Jin
Maya Richter
Lucia Johnson
Elia Rios
Areeba Khan
Annika Sandquist
Cicely Krutzsch
Madalyn Schroeder
Julian Lawless
Emma Siegel
Kathleen Lay
Anna Walsh
Whitney Le
Lauren Wolff
Audrey Deutsch Professional Affiliations: JournalismSTL, Missouri Interscholastic Press Association, Missouri Journalism Education Association, Journalism Education Association National Scholastic Press Association, Columbia Scholastic Press Association Please visit chsglobe.com for our editorial policy, mission statement, and ethics code. You can contact us at chsglobe@claytonschools.net with comments, story ideas or letters to the editor.
5 | editors letter
from the editor This past August marked my 18th birthday. This meant, aside from all the exciting stuff like becoming eligible for the draft and jury duty, I could vote. I was excited, after all, I’ve always found politics interesting, and I think it’s important for all of us to participate in our democracy. It’s what makes this country so great and it’s too bad that turnout is still just around 50 percent. It was empowering casting my ballot. I felt a sense of real importance because I knew that day my opinion mattered the same as anyone else’s. So I’m grateful for that fact that I live in a country where I have a voice unlike so many others in our world, but honestly, I’m also glad that the elections are over. It seems every election cycle is becoming even more nasty and bitter than the last. And I know that in our country’s history we’ve had some extraordinarily mean and dirty elections that probably make our recent ones seem tame in comparison. Even so, to my young mind, our current political climate seems more divisive and uncivil than ever. Increasingly inflammatory rhetoric and demonization of the
“other” has lead both sides to grow farther apart. Its seemingly become impossible today to have a conversation about politics without it breaking down into an angry yelling. And that’s sad. This country was born on the back of fierce debate, people with vastly opposing views came together to create our constitution. Our founders knew that the ability to get along with each other even you disagree was an essential part of a functioning democracy. For us to overcome our differences and come together to improve this country, we must maintain trust in our fellow citizens. By age sixteen, George Washington had written down 110 Rules of Civility in his school book, among them “Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy.” Civil discussion is something that we badly need in this day and age. Instead of looking for our differences, we should look for what we have in common. Instead of letting our disagreements separate us, why not our diversity unite us? Too often, especially in highly partisan
places like Clayton, people are quick to use labels and generalize the other side. If you’re a Republican, you become a racist xenophobe who hates gay people, or if you’re a Democrat, you’re a snowflake who wants open borders. There is nothing more divisive than using these labels to assume. Our public discourse would be so much better off if everyone treated each other like the unique individuals they are and not stereotypes of their identity. The Globe recently conducted a poll of 250 Clayton High School students’ views on politics, and one result stood out to me. Of the CHS students who identified as Democrats, 57 percent of them said that it would strain their friendship if they found out a friend voted for Donald Trump. It’s unfortunate we’ve gotten to this point. I understand that President Trump’s often inflammatory rhetoric can be very hurtful to many, but don’t let politics ruin friendships. There is just so much more to life than politics. I’m reminded of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late Justice Antonin Scalia who, despite being on completely opposite sides of the political spectrum, became best friends. The two went together on vacations and enjoyed their shared love of opera. After Scalia’s death, Ginsburg described Scalia and herself as “best of buddies” and said that “It was my great good fortune to have known him as working colleague and treasured friend.” So I hope at the end of the day, everyone can look at the people around them and not see Democrats or Republicans, but see friends. After all, our America needs more friends now than ever.
DAVID HIGUCHI | NEWS SECTION EDITOR
Photo by Michael Melinger
mccaskill loses missouri Claire McCaskill concedes the Missouri race for US Senate to Josh Hawley on Nov. 6, 2018. Currently, there are 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats in the Senate. Claire McCaskill was one of several Democrats facing tough re-election campaigns. Missouri went to President Trump in the 2016 presidential race. Pictured are Claire McCaskill supporters at a viewing party.
MICHAEL MELINGER | CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR
news & notes n ectio ts
El Resul
DAVID HIGUCHI | NEWS SECTION EDITOR
US SENATE 51.4% 45.6%
1,254,927 1,112,935
Josh Hawley (R) Claire McCaskill (D)
US REP. D2 51.2% 47.2%
192,477 177,611
Ann Wagner (R) Cort VanOstran (D)
MO AMD. 1
185,854 views,
a video featuring the Clayton Basketball team has gotten on Instagram.
Lobbying, Campaign Finance and Redistricting Reform
62.0% 37.9%
1,469,093 899,613
YES NO
MO AMD. 2
Rendering by NASA
INSIGHT LANDS ON MARS After spending over six months traveling through space, NASA’s InSight Mars Lander survived the dangerous descent to the surface to become NASA’s ninth lander to touch down on the Red Planet since the twin Viking spacecraft in 1975. The InSight lander carries with it an ultra-sensitive seismometer and a sophisticated thermometer it will use to study Mars’s interior.
Legalizing Medical Marijuana
65.6% 34.4%
1,583,227 830,631
YES NO
County Exc 56.9% 37.3%
246,976 161,826
Steve Stenger (D) Paul Berry III (R)
MO PROP. B Increasing Missouri’s minimum wage to $12 by 2023
62.3% 37.7%
1,499,002 905,647
YES NO
Photo courtesy of Kilmeadehoops
Former Senator Claire McCaskill concedes election to Josh Hawley
FRIENDLY FIRE
Four St. Louis City police officers were indicted on federal charges alleging three of them beat a fellow police officer working undercover during a protest in 2017 and all four attempted to cover it up. Prosecutors allege the attack, which took place Sept. 17, 2017 during a protest against the acquittal of former police Officer Jason Stockley in the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith, occurred while the undercover officer was “compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone.” After learning that the person they attacked was an undercover officer, the three officers lied about the arrest and tried to contact the undercover officer to dissuade him from pursuing disciplinary or legal action, the indictment says. The indictment also includes a series of text messages the officers exchanged including, “it’s gonna be a lot of fun beating the hell out of these s**theads once the sun goes down and nobody can tell us apart!!!!” and “going rogue does feel good.” Photo by Michael Melinger
soccer in st. louis
9 | NEWS
CECE COHEN | REPORTER
After a failed attempt last year, pro soccer could finally come to St. Louis
RS
Rendering of stadium from HOK
In April of 2017, voters of the City of St. Louis voted against building a Major League Soccer stadium in St. Louis. Now, 19 months later, citizens of St. Louis are beginning to talk about a new stadium. Recently, the Taylor family, who owns Enterprise Rent-A-Car, put up a bid for a new soccer stadium in St. Louis, along with Jim Kavanaugh, CEO of World Wide Technology. The 2017 stadium required $60 million in public funding, which would be mostly paid for by taxpayers of the city of St. Louis This new 20,000 seat stadium is projected to cost $250,000,000. It plans to achieve public funding through a tax on tickets, rather than through taxes from residents of the city of St. Louis. This way the only citizens helping to pay for the stadium will be the citizens that attend the games.
The 2017 stadium would have been built just west of Union Station. This is where the new stadium would also be built. In 2015, Major League Soccer announced that they wanted to expand their 24 teams to 28 teams. Nashville and Cincinnati were chosen to have the 25th and the 26th teams in the league. Along with St. Louis, the league is also looking at Detroit, San Diego, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix The team will be the first in MLS history to be owned by a majority of women. An added three cents onto every dollar spent will go to team. The proposal passed by unanimous 8-0 vote by a Board of Aldermen committee and will go before the Board of Alderman on Friday The 2017 stadium was denied because the citizens rejected it. However, this new stadium will
“It would inspire younger soccer players to really want to work hard and get better’’ not face a public vote; instead the St. Louis aldermen will have to approve the deal in order for it to be accepted. MLS will also have to agree to it. St. Louis also has a greater drive for approving this stadium after losing the Rams in 2016. “I would definitely go to some soccer games,” CHS senior and girls varsity soccer captain, Eliza Copilevitz said. “Especially after we lost the Rams, it’s always fun to go to sports events that bind the city together.” The stadium could also inspire many young children in St. Louis to start playing soccer. “It would inspire younger soccer players to really want to work hard and get better, because they see that there are professionals and role models that can continue doing what they love even after their high school years and college years,” Copilevitz said.
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Peppers Dance Special (pick up only)
10% off fresh flowers or holiday gift items
10% off corsages and Boutonniers
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Coupon code: Peppers Dance
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10 | NEWS
cohen’s clayton connection MICHAEL MELINGER | CHIEF PHOTO EDITOR JACOB LAGESSE | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
11 | NEWS
Insert dope graph
Andy Cohen talks with Adzick. Photo by Michael Melinger
Andy Cohen, CHS Graduate and Bravo executive, returns to support Adzick field
E
ach Thanksgiving, Andy Cohen, CHS graduate of 1986 and Bravo executive, returns to St. Louis to spend the holiday with his family. While his usual venture home includes family time and Imo’s pizza, this year it came with the added goal of supporting his high school alma mater through the Adzick field renovations. Clayton’s Education Foundation, the driving force behind the new Adzick field, hosted an event at the Ritz Carlton in Clayton on Nov. 24 to raise money for the multi-million dollar project. Plans for construction include a new multi-sport turf playing area, scoreboard and press box. This event featured Cohen as their hallmark guest. Cohen may have never tested his baseball skills at CHS, but the Cohen legacy runs deep at Clayton. Cohen, a CHS Hall of Fame member, was one of many in his family that went to Clayton and even still has several relatives still in the district. Cohen’s own foray into athletics during his time in Clayton was less than fruitful. When he was an elementary student at Meramec, Cohen was sent home from gym class one day because he didn’t know how to tie his shoes. As an 11-year-old, Cohen remembers striking out and losing the final baseball game of the season for his recreational team. During the last water polo
practice his freshman year at CHS, Cohen was kicked off of the team for talking. “It’s kind of ironic we are raising money for the athletic field,” Cohen said. “I sucked at every sport I ever played. But what I lacked in athletic ability I made up for in social skills.” Academically, Cohen found CHS to have a rigorous environment similar to what students experience today. One year, his biology teacher ripped up his final exam because he heard Cohen
“It’s kind of ironic we are raising money for the athletic field. I sucked at every sport I ever played.” - Cohen talking after the test. “Talking always got me in trouble. But now I’ve found a way to monetize my inability to shut up. So I feel like I got the last laugh,” Cohen said. Cohen credits Doris Randolph, vice principal of CHS at the time, with helping him kickstart his career. Randolph helped connect Cohen to an
internship at Channel 4 news, which gave Cohen a unique opportunity to get experience working in the field. “I always knew what I wanted to do when I grew up,” Cohen said. “If you don’t know, don’t be afraid to try different places and internships. You should start as early as you possibly can. Once you get in the door somewhere, it’s going to lead to your next thing and you can figure out whether you like it,” Cohen said. Although he now lives in New York, Cohen’s ties to his roots in St. Louis remain strong. On his show “Watch What Happens Live”, he has featured many guests from his hometown, including Ellie Kemper, Karlie Kloss and Jon Hamm. Cohen also remains a die-hard Cardinals fan. He has thrown the first pitch at several home games, invited outfielder Harrison Bader to bartend on his show and even named his dog after pitcher Michael Wacha. Although Cohen’s own athletic journey may not have been prosperous, he recognizes the value and effect that projects like this can have on the school and its students. “[My family] grew up with Clayton. If I can somehow give back I will do it in any way I can. It’s going to keep [CHS] a few steps ahead,” Cohen said. “I will look forward to seeing some Hounds baseball on the field sometime soon.”
12 | FEATURE
the rise of soundcloud
Artists at CHS are rising in prominence through their use of the website and app Soundcloud LULU HAWLEY | REPORTER who had their start on the app. However, junior Charlie Quigless has made the jump from SoundCloud and YouTube to larger music platforms, such as iTunes and Spotify. His EP, Against All Odds, has almost 1000 views and plays on Spotify. Charlie, known as C-Quig, started writing his own songs in fifth grade and “dropped” his first song in eighth grade.
Photo of junior Charlie Quigless by Emma Seigel.
S
ince 2008, SoundCloud has allowed new up-and-coming artists to release their content with minimal effort. Similar to YouTube, many musicians post their projects onto SoundCloud with hopes of being “discovered. This website and smartphone app, created in 2014, are growing more popular each day, especially in high schools and colleges. Here at CHS, there are many different resources for students to begin making their own music, such as the music lab in the library. This new addition includes equipment for recording music and software to use for making instrumental tracks or background beats like Garageband. There are also multiple classes available throughout the district that provide students with an introduction to electronic music. In fact, an electronic music class was the inspiration for sophomore Zan Wellmon to begin
his SoundCloud experience. “I took electronic music for the fine arts credit last year, and I made a bunch of beats. We were just on Garageband for the whole class period, and I had all these beats, so I might as well do something with them,” Wellmon said. After he had amassed a horde of assorted instrumental tracks, he made an impulsive decision. Wellmon, known as Lil Speedo on SoundCloud and other social media platforms, has released one song so far. While all genres of music are prevalent on the app, the rap scene is definitely the most prominent. Wellmon believes that the rise of Soundcloud, both at CHS and around the country, is due to the fact that SoundCloud is most wellknown for its rapping community, its ability to upload tracks quickly and the influence of notable rappers, such as Travis Scott and Lil Uzi Vert,
“I took electronic music for the fine arts credit last year, and I made a bunch of beats. We were just on Garageband for the whole class period, and I had all these beats, so I might as well do something with them.” - Zan Wellmon. C-Quig believes that SoundCloud and Spotify are currently equivalent spaces for rappers to upload their music, though the process of uploading and getting your songs accepted to be on Spotify is more tedious than Soundcloud’s. “Most of the rappers that I listen to, they grow much faster on SoundCloud, but Spotify is also popular. I can’t really say that one has more of a chance for you to blow up than the other,” Quigless said. As new CHS students arrive and seniors leave, the SoundCloud scene is changing. Although a handful of high-school rappers take SoundCloud as a joke and as a chance to diss other kids or stay relevant, others view it as a place to craft a career to pursue in the future. Laughing, Quigless said, “Alright, I’ll say it right now. Rap isn’t for everybody. If your passion really is music, if your passion really is rap or hip-hop, just do it. Don’t just make fun of it, and don’t treat it like it’s a trend.”
of Clayton students did not use e-cigarettes in the past month.
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14 | FEATURE
g-h’s gym changes CHS teacher Sarah Gietschier-Hartman describes changes to the gym and health LISE DERKSEN & SARAH BAKER | PAGE EDITORS
“Hopefully, students take physical education through senior year. I want them to graduate with this amazing skill set so that they can navigate a gym when they are in college,” Gietschier-Hartman said. After consulting other experts regarding the role of gender in physical education, she decided to implement a new philosophy in her classes. “The research shows that one thing that students dislike about PE is being forced to change for class because of a locker room environment that they might not be comfortable with,” Gietschier-Hartman said. “I
“We literally started from scratch; we were rebuilding everything and that process was really smooth. It is easy to work with Hutson and Brechin.” Junior Ryan Rosenthal plays frisbee golf during gym class (photo by Robin Fultz).
W
hile I wasn’t really looking for a change, change was probably the biggest thing that I needed and now I have the benefit of collaborating with my department every single day,” CHS physical education and health teacher Sarah Gietschier-Hartman said. Gietschier-Hartman transitioned to the high school this year after teaching physical education at Wydown Middle School for seven years. She is dedicated to changing the physical education culture and curriculum at the high school and in the rest of the district. This summer, Gietschier-Hartman met with colleagues Steve Hutson and Dave Brechin to make changes to the physical education curriculum. She also spoke with Wydown Middle School health teachers Jill Warner and Rachel Gasawski to update the health curriculum.
“We literally started from scratch; we were rebuilding everything and that process was really smooth,” Gietschier-Hartman said. "It is really easy to work with Hutson and Brechin." Hutson, Brechin and Gietschier-Hartman are all recent additions to the high school staff, and despite their unfamiliarity with the high school, they quickly established an effective group dynamic. One of the teachers’ main goals is to ensure that the topics covered in middle school and high school flow naturally. “We want to make sure that the topics that are taught in class are covered at the appropriate time in the appropriate order and that they makes sense based on what students learned at Wydown,” Gietschier-Hartman said. The teachers also hope to instill a love for physical education in their students as well as general knowledge about staying healthy.
stopped requiring students to change their clothes and have gotten amazing feedback.” Gietschier-Hartman says that the new policy increases activity time and creates more equity. Students who do not have the resources to regularly wash their PE clothing no longer have that burden. Gietschier-Hartman and her colleagues also changed how students are assessed. They eliminated participation points and found new ways to evaluate their students’ growth. “Just like any other subject area, we want to assess our students about what they know, what they understand and what they can do in relation to outcomes and standards that we are required to teach,” Gietschier-Hartman said. Gietschier-Hartman feels that the changes to health and physical education have had a positive effect on students. “We surveyed students this semester and found that they are enjoying their classes and valuing physical activity," Gietschier-Hartman said. "Their mindset has changed for the better.”
THE GLOBE
December 2018
A Hou se
DIVIDED By Grace Snelling, Sara Stemmler, Lila Taylor, Jacob LaGesse, David Higuchi and Disha Chatterjee Artwork by Anna Sturmoski
Photos by Michael Melinger
Graphics by Justin Guilak
THE TAKE ON This is a pulled quote. It draws the reader in and it is soooo interesting. Lol.
TRUMP
Trump’s candidacy and presidency from the perspective of Clayton students, residents and graduates On Nov. 8, 2016, at 2:30 a.m, Donald Trump was elected 45th president of the United States. As millions of Americans began to hear the results of the election, the overwhelming reaction to the news, regardless of political affiliation, was evident: shock. “I honestly couldn’t believe it. I was on record as stating that there was no way that he would be president,” said Charlie Brennan, CHS parent and host of KMOX’s The Charlie Brennan Show. “I did not think that he would be able to run the table, as they say, and win as many states as he needed to to win the presidency. So I was as shocked as anybody that Donald J. Trump became the 45th president of the United States. I couldn’t believe it. I thought he was an amusing candidate. I fully expected Hillary Clinton to be president.” Though Brennan felt that Trump’s personality distinguished him from other candidates, he doubted his chances of winning against Hillary Clinton. Many citizens, even those closely following the campaigns and election, echoed similar perspectives. “I think firstly, everybody was shocked, including myself. I’m in the political science department at University of Missouri-St. Louis, where we have some really terrific American politics experts, and I can tell you that they never predicted Trump’s victory. There were very few, if any, American politics experts who predicted Trump’s victory. I think almost everybody was shocked by it,” said Martin Rochester, political science professor at University of Missouri-St. Louis and parent of two CHS graduates.
Trump’s polarizing political effect meant that his victory evoked widely varying emotional responses from American citizens. “When Mr. Trump was elected to be president, I felt that it was a very important victory for the Republican Party, and I still believe that it was the best outcome of the 2016 election,” said CHS sophomore Jackson Carter. In contrast, CHS junior Tucker Hall woke up on Nov. 8 to the news and was both surprised and devastated. “I just felt kind of hopeless and really just generally confused, because, like I said, I wasn’t really expecting [Trump] to win and I didn’t believe that the opinions that he represented were part of the majority in America. I still don’t know if they are, but when he was elected I felt like they were. Me growing up in a progressive community, it was kind of a culture shock to realize that his nativist, racist, bigoted, isolationist views resonate with a lot of people,” Hall said. From the moment that he announced his candidacy, Trump stood out compared to his running mates. His status as a reality television star and billionaire meant that he was more well-known for his persona and businesses than any previous political experience. According to Washington University in St. Louis political science professor Randall Calvert, this may have been one of the major reasons that he appealed to the American public. “He seems to have been able to command media attention in just a supernatural way. It was extreme. And in ways that previous
candidates hadn’t been able to appeal. Maybe it had to do with his fame as a TV performer, maybe it had to do with his previous fame as a media figure in NYC, as a real estate mogul or maybe it had to do with his status as a billionaire, I don’t know. But he was able to command attention,” Calvert said. In some regards, this was an advantage, as many Americans expressed a desire for leadership from a Washington outsider. Yet, as Brennan stated, it has also come with its negative consequences. “The con is, well, you may not know what you’re doing when it comes to Washington D.C.,” Brennan said. “It can be a very complex labyrinth. I would say, if you’re talking about Donald Trump being elected with no previous experience, it shows. He had difficulty filling his cabinet, filling administrative roles in the federal government and retaining people in the White House and around the federal government. It seems kind of unstable.” However, there were more pivotal reasons for Trump’s success. Namely, his ability to captivate the attention and support of groups who felt that their previous power had been diminished by past administrations. “I think that he appealed to what I would called a left-wing populism as well as rightwing populism. And what I mean by that is this: I think he tapped into the fact that a lot of the democrats and liberal leads seemed to ignore white working-class people, particularly in the midwest,” Rochester said. “They tended to ignore the industrialization of the midwest, and so he tapped into
a lot of economic dissatisfaction. Another thing he tapped into, when I say right-wing populism, was cultural issues. I think there was a sense, that a lot of people had, that the Democrats had devalued a lot of traditional values–patriotism, family, religion [. . . ]. There was a feeling that a lot of people had, including myself, that the Democrats under Obama had thrown the police under the bus. During the Ferguson issue. So there were a lot of things that Trump was able to tap into, both economic and cultural.” According to Brennan, Trump addressed Americans who lack college degrees and felt that offshore labor competition was either cutting their wages or keeping them out of work. A report by Georgetown University found that, of the jobs created since the 2008 economic recession, 8.4 million have gone to people with a bachelor’s degree or higher, while only 80,000 have gone to those with a high school education or less. “We lost millions of manufacturing jobs in the late 90s to current day. And very few people were addressing that,” Brennan said. “Most people said that was a good thing, and there are some economic benefits. But Trump said no, losing the manufacturing base is bad. And he was one of the few people recently to say that [. . . ]. I think that was very appealing to a lot of Americans–a lot of rural Americans, a lot of Americans who, in the last 40 years, have not seen their wages go up because of the competition for labor abroad.” Of the many promises that Trump made during his campaign, one of the most prominent, which also directly targeted his middle-class supporters, was his emphasis on heavy tax cuts and an increase in focus on American businesses. Both Brennan and Rochester agreed that one of Trump’s greatest successes thus far has been his effect on the economy. “Right now, our unemployment rate, which is a big deal, is at its lowest since 1969. It’s at 3.7 percent. Why is that important? Well, I think that when we have more people working, they pay more taxes, and actually federal revenues are up in 2018, even though there’s been a corporate tax cut and a personal tax cut, because people are paying income taxes and payroll taxes and there’s more money for the treasury. And the pay is up for retail workers, service workers and manufacturers. Pay is also up for people who have a high school education or less, which is rare. The number of people applying for food stamps is down. So the economy has been good between the stock market and unem-
ployment. It’s really at record levels,” Brennan said. Although these tax cuts have had an immediate effect on the economy which has appeared to facilitate growth, Calvert contended that there is a high likelihood that current overstimulation of the economy will lead to a period of inflation. “There were enormous tax cuts. And I think ultimately, they’ll turn out to be inflationary tax cuts, there just can’t be much doubt about that, because we’ve gotten down to such a low level of unemployment already [. . . ]. And we’re going to see, I’m afraid, another period of inflation like we did several
“Growing up in a progressive community, it was kind of a culture shock to realize that his nativist, racist, bigoted, isolationist views resonate with a lot of people.” - Tucker Hall, junior
decades ago, which was, at the time, quite disruptive,” Calvert said. “It might be that we have institutions that can handle that a little better now, but I think that the economy is probably overheated. I think that in the longrun, the tax-cuts and dialing back of antitrust efforts and regulatory efforts is just pushing the economy toward more market concentration and more inequality and those are going to be damaging to the political system. That’s a trend that has to be reversed if democratic politics are going to be maintained.” Perhaps even more fundamental to his campaign than his economic promises was Trump’s open criticism of Obama’s immigration policies and his insistence that, as
president, he would build a wall on the Mexican-American border and crack down on immigration. For Hall, Trump’s demand for a border wall was especially striking. “I was stunned when Trump declared his campaign and said that he was going to build a wall to keep Mexicans out, despite the fact that everyone knowledgeable on the issue said that this would never work, that it would not be feasible, that it would not fix the problem and would be a big waste of money. And yet he continues to talk about it. And I don’t know if he’s made any progress on it or not, but it’s just insane to me. The fact that people really latch onto that and the fact that people believe it despite there being no evidence to support the idea that that would be an effective solution,” Hall said. CHS senior Jason,* despite agreeing that America, as a country founded by immigrants, should continue to admit some refugees, is supportive of Trump’s attitude towards immigration. “We do need to make sure that this country is a safe place for all,” Jason said. “Germany, for example, has had a plethora of small terrorist attacks over the years, and that’s really a result of their open borders and all the refugees that they’ve let into their country. So I think that Trump’s push for stronger borders and some more screening for immigrants is very helpful for our country and keeping us safe.” Brennan, who has helped several Syrian refugee families in St. Louis to adjust to their new communities and seek better employment and education opportunities, expressed his support for greater admittance of legal immigrants. “I think he’s been completely wrong on immigrants. His policy, restricting immigrants from seven different countries, which I think the Supreme Court later upheld, was wrong. Syria has many people who should be coming here because they have a terrible civil war, it’s a war-torn nation, and we have room for them in our economy. We have about seven million job openings, and only six million Americans looking for work. So here in St. Louis and around the country we need workers. Syrians have come to St. Louis and they’re getting jobs, they’re starting businesses, they’re opening restaurants, they’re
* Some names have been altered to protect the anonymity of conservative students who, in Clayton’s liberal climate, felt that they could not comfortably go on record.
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trying to live the American dream. He also should open the door to others, legally, to come here, and begin their American dreams [. . . ]. I think that the president is really mistaken there. Especially for Syrian refugees who need to come here and who have been helping the St. Louis economy,” Brennan said. Trump’s positions on various other social issues have also sparked controversy, especially as a result of his unorthodox use of social media platforms to communicate with the American public. Only a few months after his inauguration, Trump used his Twitter account to announce that he would be attempting to implement a ban on transgender people in the military. According to Hall, this was one of the most concerning messages that Trump has communicated to the American public thus far. “One thing that, for me, was particularly upsetting, was the idea that he would use his powers as president to prohibit transgender people from serving in the military. That is something that I really believe transcends politics. These are people who have chosen to dedicate their lives to preserving America’s power and preserving the freedoms that we enjoy in America, and the president has decided that that’s not acceptable. I just find that really baffling. As people become more educated and people find more interest in academic fields, I think that interest in the military as a career is decreasing. So I think the idea that you would explicitly prohibit certain people from serving in the military just makes no sense,” Hall said. As of yet, district courts across the country have blocked the policy from taking effect. Despite this, as recently as Nov. 23, 2018, the Trump administration has requested that the Supreme Court review the issue in order to bypass the decisions of lower courts. Lambda Legal Counsel Peter Renn commented on the demand for Supreme Court action
(Oliver Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
in an interview with The Washington Post: “Yet again, the Trump administration flouts established norms and procedures. There is no valid reason to jump the line now and seek U.S. Supreme Court review before the appellate courts have even ruled on the preliminary issues before them,” Renn said. The unconventional political strategies of Trump’s administration, as well as Trump’s own blunt and sometimes sensational persona, are topics that continue to be analyzed by political scientists and the media today. During his campaign, Trump’s honesty caused him to seem more genuine to his supporters. “People a lot of times also don’t like his honesty,” Jason said. “Like Trump really doesn’t hold things back, he says exactly what’s on his mind. Sometimes something will come out of his mouth that people don’t want to hear and they’ll become upset by it, but I appreciate his honesty. I don’t want to be left wondering what he’s thinking, and I won’t be. His lack of a filter is definitely what causes him to make some ignorant comments and some comments that he probably shouldn’t have said, but wouldn’t you rather have someone who doesn’t hold anything back?” However, other aspects of his personality have drawn criticism, even from those in favor of his political policies. “I think what’s really stood out is that he’s rude,
crude, boorish and at times reprehensible. He also has a careless disregard for the truth. He just talks and spews and says things, sometimes they’re accurate, often they’re not. So that whole persona really sticks out, more than the policy in many ways. There’s been nobody like him in that office. I really thought that President Barack Obama carried himself with dignity befitting the office. I think that this president is effective in some ways, when it comes to policy, but the Trump persona I can’t endorse. And I think his personality is actually bigger, in many ways, than many of his policies,” Brennan said. The consequences of this unprecedented approach to the presidential office have been widely debated. Though historical examples indicate that a pendulum effect may cause future politicians to employ highly contrasting political strategies in order to gain the support of voters, it is also possible that many candidates will attempt to mimic the traits which have allowed Trump to be successful. “I try to keep reminding myself that although these particular things haven’t happened before, strange things have happened before and they fizzle out and things get back to normal,” Calvert said. “The episode I keep thinking back to would be the conflict of the late 1960s, following the Civil Rights Acts, but especially in connection with the Vietnam War protests and then Watergate. That was a very tough time in a lot of respects, socially and politically, in the United States. And yet, it seemed to sort of evaporate over the 1970s. On the other hand, there are a couple of changes which Trump has made that are worrisome for the long-term. They’re connected. First, doing politics in the sort of ethnic, nationalist way that Trump does was never a thing before. At least you had to talk in coded language to do it. And now, it’s in the open. There is still an audience for that and we now know it’s a bigger audience than we thought it was. That’s a real worry. It’s changed citizens outlooks. People have begun to talk the way Trump does and I don’t think that’s healthy for American politics. I don’t know when that’s going to go back to some semblance of normality.”
“I think there was a sense, that a lot of people had, that the Democrats had devalued a lot of traditional values– patriotism, family, religion.� - Martin Rochester, former Clayton parent
the kavanaugh confirmation.
On July 9, 2018, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to fill the position of Supreme Court Justice for the retiring Anthony Kennedy. Prior to this nomination, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University, contacted a Washington Post tip line, accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault during the 1980s when the pair were both in high school. This led to a a supplemental Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee hearing which resulted in a statement declaring that the allegations against the judge were unsubstantiated. Following the investigation, the Senate voted and confirmed President Trump’s nomination on October 6 by a vote of 50 to 48. Kavanaugh graduated from both Yale University and Yale Law School and began working as a law clerk, later joining the Bush administration as White House Staff Secretary after the
2000 election. He was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2006 after being nominated by Bush in 2003. He has vast amounts of experience in his field, and the Washington Post found that he had the most conservative voting record on the D.C. court from 2003-2018. Due to his experience, he made the short list of Supreme Court nominees. Harvard Law Professor Richard Fallon spoke of Kavanaugh’s confirmation as well as of other inner workings of the Supreme Court. “But for the allegations of sexual abuse, Brett Kavanaugh would have been a highly qualified nominee to the Supreme Court,” Fallon said. “He is smart and experienced. Presidents in making nominations and Senators in casting votes on whether to confirm nominees also take judicial philosophies and relative conservatism or liberalism into account.”
Despite believing that Kavanaugh was qualified nominee, Fallon also believed the allegations of Dr. Ford. “Following the harassment allegations and the testimony before the Senate Judicial Committee, different people drew different conclusions about whether Kavanaugh had engaged in sexual assault as a teenager. For my own part, I thought Dr. Ford a credible witness. A majority of the senators obviously disagreed. I do not think they thought that he had committed sexual assault and then lied about it, but that no assault ever occurred,” Fallon said. Fallon also has noticed a recent rightward shift in the Supreme Court. This movement to conservatism could mean a variety of things in the coming years. “Over the past 20 years, the Supreme Court has become more conservative, largely as a result of more conservative Justices being
appointed,” Fallon said. “If Justice Kavanaugh is more conservative than the Justice he replaced, we could say the same of the most recent 10 years.” Unlike most political positions, Supreme Court Justices serve life terms. Fallon believes that a shorter term of 18 years would be more appropriate. “I think it would be better if the Justices of the Supreme Court served fixed terms of 18 years each,” Fallon said. “This schedule would allow each President to nominate two Justices during each presidential term. But three-fourths of the states need to approve amendments to the Constitution, and getting three-fourths of the states to agree to anything is nearly impossible. As a result, I expect that Supreme Court Justices will continue to serve life terms.” Despite the lifelong terms, impeachment for a Supreme Court Justice is still possible, but extremely rare. “Supreme Court Justices can be impeached. The impeachment process requires the House of Representatives to vote “articles of impeachment” and the Senate then to convict the accused Justice of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Only one Justice has ever been impeached by the House, and he (Samuel Chase) narrowly escaped impeachment by the Senate early in the nineteenth century,” Fallon said. Kavanaugh’s confirmation sparked contro-
versy across the nation. Many took the side of Judge Kavanaugh, either believing that high school mistakes should not affect a major decision over 35 years later, or that Ford’s allegations were false, misremembered or not substantial. Others supported Ford’s case, backing her in her allegations against Kavanaugh. Clayton students and faculty alike have mixed opinions on the latest Supreme Court confirmation. CHS history teacher Richard Kordenbrock spoke on the controversy. “He’s in the Scalia mold of an originalist, or sometimes referred to as a strict constructionist, which I don’t agree with,” Kordenbrock said. “I think the constitution is a living document. I’m definitely in favor of those judges which are referred to as being on the left: Ginsburg, Sotomayor and so on. From that standpoint, I’m not happy he was appointed to the Supreme Court. Gorsuch, the guy before him, he’s in that same camp and that makes a definite shift to the right of a 5-4 majority of judges who are conservative in the Scalia mold.” While Kordenbrock does not agree with Kavanaugh’s political stance, he additionally disagrees with the result of his misconduct hearing. “As far as whether he should’ve been confirmed by the Senate, my personal opinion was no, because I believe his accuser [Ford], and that should disqualify him,” Kordenbrock said. “That’s an anti-social act. I don’t care what
age he was, I don’t care if he was under the influence. When he commited a sexual assault by laying on top of her, putting his hand over her mouth, closing the door, trying to keep her from screaming, trying to get her clothes off… My belief is that she didn’t forget who did that to her. Yes, she might’ve forgot whose house it was, but you don’t remember everybody’s house where you went to a party. But you remember who did that. You don’t forget that.” Kordenbrock believes that Kavanaugh’s confirmation sends a negative message to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. “This sends a message that you’re not going to be taken seriously. But that’s always been the issue. That’s why women don’t report rape. It’s the most underreported crime there is. Because if they do, they’re going to get dragged through the ringer. They’re going to be called liars. They’re going to be accused of being immoral or promiscuous,” said Kordenbrock. This isn’t a new pattern that society has adopted. As a history teacher, Kordenbrock has found that the cycle of disregarding sexual assault and rape allegations has been happening for a very long time. “In African-American History I, we use a document–a report of sexual assault in Virginia in the 1670’s. A woman claims that she was raped and the witnesses testify that she was kind of making a pass at this slave–she was an indentured servant, he was a slave. So histori-
cally this is nothing new, but I do think it sends a terrible message. One that says if you’re a young guy who’s drunk, you get a pass. It’s just like when candidate Trump talked of what he could do with women. He later said that it was locker room banter. Well, I was in a lot of locker rooms. I never heard guys talk about sexually assaulting women,” Kordenbrock said. CHS student Jackson Carter, however, believes that Kavanaugh was a suitable candidate and the right person for the job. Carter believes that the evidence presented by Ford was not incriminating enough to prevent Kavanaugh from being appointed. “I believe that Judge Kavanaugh was rightly appointed because of the fact that there was not enough substantial evidence to convict him of any wrongdoing in the past,” Carter said. “I do understand that what he has been accused of is horrible and should never happen to anyone, yet I believe that due to conflicting evidence in his trial he was rightly appointed to the Supreme Court.” Two other Clayton students, Jane* and Margaret*, agree with Carter in that they thought Kavanaugh was rightly appointed. Jane believed that alleged high school actions should not be held above an entire career in politics and law. “We’re in high school. People do things that they think are awful looking back on them, or just stupid. But I feel like that shouldn’t reflect your entire life. And I was just skeptical of it all because she came out right when he was about to be elected for Supreme Court. If you really had a problem with it, why wouldn’t you have said it right when it happened and made it a big deal? I just think it’s a little fishy,” Jane said. Margaret thought that there wasn’t enough evidence to support Ford’s claims. “Honestly, I don’t know if people believed it was real. I mean, she probably was assaulted, but we don’t know if it’s exactly by him, and there’s not enough evidence to support it was actually him,” she said. Sophomore Reagan Wade continues to question whether or not Kavanaugh’s political affiliation affected the investigation and the media surrounding it. “I think that a drunken mistake when you’re 17 years old should not affect your entire life or your career, because not only was his career put in jeopardy there, he was also humiliated for something that he might not have done,” Wade said. “If Brett Kavanaugh was a liberal, if he wasn’t appointed by Trump, would this thing have happened?” Another CHS senior, Charles*, takes into account the idea of false accusations. “The testimony of Christine Blasey Ford was heartfelt and compelling,” Charles said. “She sounded credible as she emotionally described the impact of the alleged assault on her life.
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However, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was just as compelling and heartfelt as he strongly denied the accusations with indignation. The problem is, who do we believe? As a country, what standard should we have for believing accusations? Or should we, as some might suggest, believe every accusation?” While false accusations may happen, they are extremely rare. A study done by the National District Attorneys Association found the rate of false reports to be 7.1% after surveying eight U.S. communities, which included 2,059 cases of sexual assault. “Despite some claiming false rape accusa-
“I think he should still be held accountable for his actions, because by 17 you should know right from wrong. By 17, you should understand that your actions have consequences. As a 17-year-old, I can understand right from wrong.” - Kate Lay, junior tions never happen, they are real and they can ruin lives,” Charles said. “Studies estimate the number to be somewhere between two to ten percent of cases. The number really isn’t the important part though, it happens. Therefore, I believe it’s entirely reasonable to need some shred of corroborating evidence before labeling someone guilty.” On the other hand, many Clayton students believe that Kavanaugh should not have been appointed, both conservative and liberal alike. CHS sophomore Kate Lay feels passionately about the controversy at hand and the pattern of underreported and prosecuted cases of sexual assault. “Brett Kavanaugh was accused for sexual assault that he committed when he was 17,” Lay said. “I think he should still be held accountable for his actions, because by 17 you should know right from wrong. By 17, you should understand that your actions have consequences. As a 17-year-old, I can understand right from wrong. I am tired of American rape culture, where rape is normalized and victims are ignored. As a woman, as a feminist, and as a human being, I refuse to sit back and allow a patriarchal society dictate the maltreatment of women.”
Another CHS sophomore, Leo Goodfriend, believes that any suspicion of sexual assault should be enough to halt a Supreme Court Justice confirmation. “Obviously, the allegations against Brett Kavanaugh were more than enough to disqualify him from the Supreme Court. It is not a criminal trial, so he should not have been assumed innocent until proven guilty. If there is any doubt as to whether or not someone is a rapist, they should not be voted onto the Supreme Court. Despite this, I can almost understand why many republicans used the unavoidable doubt in the allegations as an excuse to vote for him,” said Goodfriend. The major issue for Goodfriend was not just the sexual misconduct allegations against Kavanaugh, but his conduct throughout the hearing. “For me, the deal breaker was how he conducted himself in the hearing. A judge is supposed to be even-keeled and predictable, and he proved himself to be a compulsive, angry person. If the rape allegations weren’t disqualifying for Republicans, Kavanaugh’s demeanor should have been.” This is not the first time Kavanaugh’s composure has been put into question. In 2006, the Bar Association had to reassess Kavanaugh before lowering his ranking due to temperament issues. Psychiatrist Brad K. Greenspan wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Chicago Sun Times in which he stated, “Whether Judge Kavanaugh lied, whether he did or currently does suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence, whether he is or isn’t guilty of sexual abuse in the past, his interview behavior alone was, in my opinion, appalling and disqualifying. Despite extraordinary coaching in preparation for his testimony, he behaved with hostility and belligerence. He was, at times, demonstrably abusive.” At one point in the confirmation hearing, Kavanaugh addressed the Democratic members of the Senate. While talking to Democrats, Kavanaugh was heard saying,“What goes around comes around…” which many interpreted as a threat against Democrats to be carried out after his confirmation as a Supreme Court justice. With yet another issue dividing the country, it is important to stay informed and updated on all aspects of politics, and to be tolerant of the views of others. Regardless of whether or not Kavanaugh is supported or disliked by members of the Clayton community, he is now one of the United States’ Supreme Court Justices. The next step is watching Kavanaugh and the decisions he makes.
Colored lines show percent that felt the press is reliable.
About the survey: The survey was sent via email to all CHS students. Data shown is based on 250 voluntary responses. Respondents were anonymous.
A
Ch
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ing Climate (NASA/JPL/USGS)
Two degrees. In 1965, that’s all experts said it would take to change the world. And we’re halfway there. A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that human activities are estimated to have already caused approximately 1.0 degrees Celsius of global warming. This amount is projected to reach 1.5 degrees between 2030 and 2052 if it continues at the current rate. As such a pressing global issue, climate change has become heavily integrated in today’s political discourse. But before one can understand this relationship between science and politics, one must first understand the issue itself. According to Michael Wysession, a professor of earth and planetary sciences at Washington University, climate change is a global issue that describes incremental adjustments in climate over time. “Climate change is an issue that describes how Earth’s systems have altered over the climate’s history. So to understand climate, you have to understand physics, space science, earth science, biology, chemistry, as well as sort of have an understanding of current human activity,” Wysession said. While the disciplines required to study the complex facets of climate may be diverse, they all contribute to an issue that has one simple root: the gradual warming of the planet. Historically, the planet has been able to dispose of excess heat. With current human contributions however, the Earth is no longer able to rid itself of this surplus. “If the Earth’s surface heats up a little bit, it radiates that heat back out, and it will approach an equilibrium. So all these feedbacks are constantly changing, and Earth is constantly striving to reach this moving target. The reality is it never ever gets to reach an equilibrium,” Wysession said. According to CHS biology teacher Adam Bergeron, it is important to understand that climate change can occur naturally, but that this process has been sped up as a result of human activity. “Climate change, in terms of fluctuating climate, is a naturally occurring phenomenon. But when you look at the last 200 years, there has been a dramatic change in the concentration of carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor in the atmosphere, and as a consequence of those inputs being added to the atmosphere, there has been a significant impact on climate.” The dramatic environmental events that we see today did occur historically as a course of nature, but are now occurring at a higher magnitude. “There have been times when the global temperature was warmer. There were times when North America was underwater. Now, however, with the rapid rate that we are alter-
ing Earth’s systems and adding greenhouse gases, we are changing climates faster than we have ever seen them change naturally. And that’s why climate scientists are so terrified of what’s happening,” Wysession said. As our climate changes rapidly, so does its effect on society. Substantial historical evidence suggests that human movement is dominated by climate and its relationship to geography. According to Wysession, climate change will undoubtedly alter the state of the world economically, politically and socially, just as it has historically, but at a greater rate and magnitude than past centuries. Despite differing philosophies on the issue, large energy companies such as ExxonMobil are attempting to convert to renewable energy in anticipation of decreased funding for their unsustainable methods of extraction. Wysession believes that this sort of economic lens for climate change does not affect how people affiliate themselves in terms of political party, as it is a mostly bipartisan perspective. “All these regulations in the 1970s for the Environmental Protection Agency–the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act–they passed either unanimously or near unanimously in the U.S Senate and the House. They were fully bipartisan. There were both Republicans and Democrats embracing them. Then what happened was it became clear that if you identify burning fossil fuels as a problem, for pollution and for global climate, there are financial implications for this. It’s more so an economic issue than a political one.” Wysession acknowledged, however, that while it may appear economically as a bipartisan issue, party affiliation still has an effect on the votes coming in on climate-related amendments. “Republican senators, they all know about climate change and they understand this. They have smart staffers fill them in, and their votes and decisions are are based on political alliances. And when it becomes sort of prudent for them to vote a different way, they will. That is, unfortunately, an offshoot of having a two party system. So yes, climate change has become a political issue.” Wysession also believes that the way in which a party votes on these issues is also based on their relationship with authority– namely, President Trump. “Trump made it very clear he drew the line and said ‘I’m not supporting renewable energy,’ so he has very much drawn that line and he has a strong support, so the Republicans have followed suit.” Bergeron sides with many climate scientists in his belief that what is done to address the issue of climate change should not be based on the swinging pendulum of party support, but based on science alone, and what steps can be taken to limit the climate’s effect on humanity.
“From a human population perspective, climate change has been politicized. We turned it into something that we can debate over that is open for interpretation. In reality, it’s something that has happened, is happening and is going to continue to happen regardless of whether or not you are a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian or independent. It is probably if not definitely the most pressing issue that will influence the human species in the next century.” It is clear that if we wish to create sustainable living conditions in the future, change is required. If change is going to take place, it must occur soon. “As the IPCC reports show us, we don’t have a lot of time for these political games. We really need a concerted effort on sooner rather than later So we really need to find a way to get over the politics and remove climate change as as a defining issue for one party or another,” Wysession said. The Clayton School District has taken initiative to become more sustainable and to promote environmentally friendly habits among its students through various renovations and programs. According to Tim Wonish, director of facility services in the district, the middle school building received a gold certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) organization, and the renovated science wing at CHS received a silver rating. “Many things go into into LEED certification, as specific as how many trees, how much grass,” Wonish said. “The organization’s purpose is to make things more sustainable and to reverse how we’ve treated the earth over the past hundred years.” The District has also experimented with implementing renewable energy sources to decrease reliability on fossil fuels for power. Solar panels have been added to most buildings, including three 25 kilowatt arrays at the high school. While these arrays do not satisfy a significant amount of the energy required, all the electricity generated reenters the grid and is used. “Making the District more sustainable, it’s the best thing for mother earth,” Wonish said. In 2015, almost every country in the world pledged to reduce emissions as part of the Paris climate deal. The United Nations’ recent report claimed that these goals were too low to begin with, and no country has made significant progress in accomplishing these. The UN climate science panel stressed that if greenhouse gas emissions are not massively reduced in the next 12 years, we should expect a major climate crisis within our lifetime. “I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, and I hate to say it but it really is true, you know, we screwed things up,” Wysession said. “And it’s up to you to fix it.”
HISTORY OF THE SUPREME COURT Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a vote of 50 to 48, the narrowest margin in modern history. In 2017, Neil Gorsuch was confirmed 54 to 45 in a vote following mostly along party lines. However, the Supreme Court nomination process wasn’t always this political. In fact, nominees of both parties used to receive widespread bipartisan support routinely. In 1986, the United States Senate voted to confirm conservative Justice Antonin Scalia to the Supreme Court by a unanimous 98-0 vote. In 1993, the Senate voted to confirm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by a 96 to 3 vote. She was the last Justice to get more than 90 votes. So what changed? “Presidents are generally pretty successful at getting their nominees through. But that doesn’t mean that the Senate has always just approved, it may just mean that presidents are just really good at picking nominees who senators will approve of,” Assistant Professor of Political Science at St. Louis University Dr. Morgan Hazelton said. “And when times are less polarized that’s an easier task.” As Hazelton suggests, America is in an era of increased political polarization. According to the Pew Research Center, the average gap between Republican and Democrat political values have increased from a 15% gap in 1994 to a 34% gap in 2017. “Over time what we’ve seen is in the Senate and in the House and in society that between Republicans and Democrats, there’s much less of a middle,” said Hazelton. “They’ve polarized so there is almost no middle ground to have a candidate in. And it then becomes more of a party line. So I think increasingly these nominations are seen as important political acts that voters are going to hold senators accountable for.” For most of American political history, the Senate portrayed itself as a collaborative body that tried to stay above partisan politics and the Supreme Court was viewed as an apolitical institution. As strange as it might seem today, it was almost unheard of to vote for or against a nominee based on political affiliation. In fact, from 1894 to 1968, the Senate rejected just one
nomination to the high court. However, the Senate has quickly lost much of its bipartisan tradition, and Supreme Court nominations have devolved into pure partisanship. Many historians point to the Senate’s rejection of Reagan Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork in 1987 as the starting point. Bork was a
conservative judge and writer with a record of controversial ruling. His style of legal theory which he self-described as “original intent” meant interpreting the words of the constitution exactly as it was understood when it was drafted. Bork wrote an article opposing the 1964 Civil Rights Act that requires businesses to serve people of all races and opposed Supreme Court ruling on gender equality. Bork’s record led Democrats and civil rights activists to launch a campaign to stop Bork’s nomination In a speech to the Senate, Senator Ted Kennedy said, “Robert Bork’s America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch
counters, rogue police could break down citizens’ doors in midnight raids and schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution.” In the end, Bork was defeated 52-48. His failed nomination and the success of the campaign to stop him opened up a nominee’s ideology as legitimate grounds for attack. His failed nomination also had lasting effects on the confirmation process as a whole, with nominees now refusing to talk about their political views and views on current cases so that they don’t cause controversy. Another major step to the polarized state of today’s Supreme Court was the court’s 5-4 decision to end Florida’s recount in the 2000 presidential election, effectively calling the race for Bush. The decision highlighted the court’s political impact and motivated senators to rethink how nominations were handled. While previously criticisms of nominees were always couched in qualification issues or characters flaws, the ruling lead to voting based on political views become seen as fair game. In an op-ed for the New York Times, Senator Chuck Schumer wrote that it was time to stop pretending that politics didn’t matter. “For one reason or another, examining the ideologies of judicial nominees has become something of a Senate taboo. In part out of a fear of being labeled partisan, senators have driven legitimate consideration and discussion of ideology underground. The not-so-dirty little secret of the Senate is that we do consider ideology, but privately,” Schumer said. Following his return to the Senate following cancer treatment, the late Senator John McCain called for the return of bipartisanship. “This place is important. The work we do is important. Our strange rules and seemingly eccentric practices that slow our proceedings and insist on our cooperation are important. Our founders envisioned the Senate as the more deliberative, careful body that operates at a greater distance than the other body from the public passions of the hour.”
CLAYTON CONSERVATISM
Clayton conservatives speak about their experience in Clayton’s “liberal bubble.” Is CHS the tolerant environment that it is thought to be? It’s no surprise the community at Clayton tends to have a liberal climate. In a survey of 250 Clayton students and parents organized by the Globe, 63.3% identify as liberal while only 12.5% identify as conservative. For the smaller sector of conservative students at CHS, it’s not always an entirely comfortable task attending a school where liberal views are so frequently circulated. Janet*, a CHS sophomore, grew up with more conservative beliefs. “Both my sets of grandparents are conservative as well as my parents, so I’ve been raised into those beliefs,” she said. Different conservative students also expressed the same idea of being raised with their political viewpoints. “My family’s in the South, and I grew up listening to conservative views. Although there’s
some points in the liberal party I can understand and agree with, it’s like overall Republican and conservative,” Annalise*, another CHS sophomore, said. However, the majority of their peers hold liberal ideas, and having starkly contrasting views from others becomes a challenge at Clayton for many conservative students. Junior Christina* realized when she first came to the high school that with her less liberal views, she was a fish out of water. “I felt a bit isolated, and I felt sort of foreign here. Every time I meet someone who’s the slightest bit not wholeheartedly liberal it’s like, ‘Hey, two of a kind!’” she said. For others like Janet, an obstacle comes when dealing with a situation where her peers all speak openly about their liberal views and she isn’t sure how to respond.
“I don’t want to speak out, but I also don’t want to go along with what they’re saying, because sometimes it’s not always what I believe,” Janet said. According to sophomore Brianna*, being conservative at Clayton can be an incredibly frustrating experience. Her belief is that conservative viewpoints, because they are heard less frequently are taken less seriously. “People kind of take conservatives as a joke. They just laugh, and it’s not really funny. If we were at a more conservative school, and I was laughing at people with more liberal views, it’s rude,” she said. Brianna additionally commented that there is a skewed impression of what being conservative entails, as it can widely differ from a stereotype which is often believed. Her peers now associate being conservative with traits
that do not always describe her or others of the political party. “People just think that conservatives are diehard Trump fans, they are so horrible, they want everyone to have guns–that’s not true. People just feel that way, and it’s not a good environment,” Brianna said. This exasperation is shared by CHS senior Simone*. She explained that in her experience, she has often been disrespected for her Republican beliefs, and is frustrated that, in her opinion, a double standard exists at Clayton. “It’s ironic to me how some democrats claim to be accepting of all beliefs, yet when someone disagrees with them politically, they somehow forget what acceptance means. I am hesitant to talk about my political beliefs for fear that people will think poorly of me,” she said. The predicament does not merely exist outside of the classroom. Conservative students expressed discomfort in sharing their own views inside class, fearing that teachers with differing political beliefs could potentially treat them unfairly. They also shared a belief that teachers tend to express their own more liberal viewpoints, which frustrates certain republican students–especially in history classes. “I know [teachers] don’t mean to, but they do sort of project a very liberal filter on things, and when people are just talking and laughing and joking about how much they hate, you know, all these things that I agree with, it sort of makes me feel, like almost guilty,” Christina said. The liberal viewpoints expressed by teachers make Brianna and Janet fearful that their conservative beliefs could harm the relationship they have with their teachers, or even their grade. “Some of the teachers say they don’t express a view, but it’s obvious they have one. They’ll say little side comments, you just kind of know. At least for my brothers and I, we’ve refrained from speaking our minds because it’s not really worth it to have a teacher not like you,” Brianna said. On Nov. 8, 2016, President Trump was elected to office. For some of the conservative students in eighth grade, this marked a significant turning point in history, and a change of course for the administration. Former President Barack Obama had been in office since they were in kindergarten, and
they were excited with the prospect of change. In social studies that day, Brianna was asked to express her thoughts on the election, to which her response was that she believed the new change could be beneficial. In her view, the teacher criticized her perspective and her fellow peers began denouncing her for her position on the issue. “People said it is a safe community, but how is it safe if one group of people isn’t allowed to express their views?” Brianna said. The day was not only negative in Brianna’s experience. When Christina arrived at school the morning after the election, she approached one of her friends, who was aware of Christina’s support of Trump. In response, the girl said
‘don’t talk to me’ and walked away. “I felt like I couldn’t say anything because everybody else was so upset … I knew I should have been happy because it was what I wanted, it was what I supported, but I felt guilty for wanting that,” Christina said. Other students, such as Annalise, have faced criticism for their support of Trump. On the day of Trump’s election, Annalise was talking with Brianna, when a person behind them rolled their eyes, leading Annalise to immediately feel guilty for her belief. In retrospect, Annalise realized that she should not have been afraid in expressing her views, but also understands that when she does, she will be regarded differently by peers and teachers. However, Annalise has maintained faith in the president, excluding her initial skepticism, and continued
her support despite the negative responses. “I remember in seventh grade we were talking about the election in history class, and a bunch of people brought up how rude he was being during the debates, just like how he tweets a bunch of stuff. At first my views were kind of skeptical, I knew he would bring good changes since he’s conservative and he knew what he wanted to do, but I was always a little skeptical if people would like him or not. But now, as he’s making these changes, I’m starting to support him more and I’m glad I put my faith in him,” Annalise said. Despite their more conservative beliefs, most students do in fact have mixed opinions on many subjects. Students such as Janet are in strong support of gun control, contending that only certain enforcers like the police should be armed and that thorough background checks need to be conducted before allowing a person to have access to such weaponry. Some, like Christina, have a wide variety of liberal views, including their opposition to Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment into the Supreme Court, which she believes is an issue that transcends political ideology. Many also easily identify negative aspects of Trump and are not entirely in support of the policies he enacts or his behavior. Simone is against the administration’s current methods of dealing with immigration, is suspicious of some of Trump’s activities in office and questions his ability to lead the country at times. “I kind of start to think about those ideas. But when I get home, my family’s pretty conservative, so I have these two worlds that I live in. I really do see both sides,” Brianna said. While the liberal environment at Clayton has allowed for conservatives to be more open-minded and process many new ideas, they still believe that in their experience, the political climate of CHS has not always treated them beneficially. Janet often wonders if her experience at Clayton is justified, or whether a double standard could potentially exist. “I have to be open minded. Same with the conservatives who go to our school-- we have to be open minded. But then, sometimes, the liberals, since they’re just so used to the community being so liberal, they don’t have to adapt to different ideas. So I think it’s almost unfair, too.”
WRESTLING Players to watch: Jeremiah Austin Khaylie Ross Josh Julian
DANIEL COHEN | SPORTS SECTION EDITOR JIMMY MALONE | PAGE EDITOR
2017-2018 Record: N/A
Goals: To grow in experience and make everything second nature.
GIRLS’ DANCE Players to watch: Ca’Shell Thomas Ariana Basey Christa Resinger Taylor Warner
2017-2018 Record:
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
N/A
Goals: To start new traditions by revamping the program.
BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY Players to watch: Cooper Barnes Daniel Cohen Damien Stahl
Photo of senior Robert Miles by Caroline Marsden
2017-2018 Record: 12-12-3
Goals: To qualify for the Wickensheiser Cup.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL Players to watch:
GIRLS’ CHEER Players to watch:
Hunter Chesnutt-Perry Darryl Sams Ray Wood Blake Bax
Carmen Goodrich Isaacyia Edwards Taniya Walton Kamiella Reece
2017-2018 Record: 6-20
Goals: To compete for a conference and district championship.
2017-2018 Record: N/A
Goals: To hit all of our stunts, learn harder stunts hype up the crowd and be there for each other.
GIRLS’ SWIMMING Players to watch: Sophia Thompson Kellen Mottl Caroline Foley
2017-2018 Record: 8-6
Goals: To help each swimmer achieve their indivdual goals.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Players to watch: Sara Litteken Mira Upshaw Ruby Gallegos
2017-2018 Record: 12-15
Goals: To improve on the overall record, compete for a conference championship and win the district tournament.
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32 | SPORTS
sara litteken
Junior basketball star leads Greyhound squad
SOFIA ERLIN | REPORTER ANGELA XIAO | REPORTER
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Junior Sara Litteken drives the lane and attacks the basket in Stuber Gym. Photo by Michael Melinger
ntense. Motivated. Competitive. These words can only begin to describe Clayton High School junior Sara Litteken. Litteken is the girls’ varsity basketball captain and a starter on the varsity soccer team. Her unwavering dedication to the basketball team has made a tremendous impact on the team and led them to qualify for the district championship game two years in a row. Litteken’s passion and focus cause her to stand out as a leader on the team. Girls’ varsity head coach Michael Knight emphasizes her contributions to the team. “She leads by example. She hustles all the time,” Knight said. Litteken leads the team through practices and games. Varsity player Regan Wade noted Litteken’s leadership and said, “She makes everyone a better player because she always tries her hardest in practice, which motivates us to try our hardest. She’s a really tough competitor to practice against, so she’s made me a lot better as a player.” Litteken pushes the team to practice harder, which prepares them for tough opponents. She illustrates the intensity of the team. “We take practice more seriously, we practice on the weekends, and you have to show up to practice. I think we have higher expectations, and then we hold ourselves to them.” “She has an intensity and aura to her that keeps her focused,” Knight said. Part of the reason Litteken is successful in leading the team is because of her intensity. “My favorite part about playing basketball is the intensity. There’s not really a break in the game very often. So, it’s just very fast paced and exciting to play,” she said. Despite being involved in athletics, Litteken is able to balance school with her sports. “She’s able to lead by example both on and off the court. She’s a very good student,” Knight said. “The balance she strikes between achievements in athletics and academics encourages younger players to strive for the same success.” This season, Litteken is hoping to lead her team to a district win. Litteken said, “I hope we can have an above .500 record, and I think that we can make a good run at districts. So, I think a good goal is for us to win districts.”
33 | SPORTS
KATIE HE | PAGE EDITOR KAIA MILLS-LEE | REPORTER
elizabeth miller
Senior CHS swimmer shines as team captain
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lizabeth Miller, a senior at CHS, started swimming competitively when she was 6-years-old and began swim yearround after joining her first swimming team, Clayton Shaw Park’s team (CSP), when she was only 7-years-old. It was because of her intensive experience and passion for the sport that Miller decided to join the CHS swim team when she was a freshman. Miller has tried other sports, such as lacrosse and even water polo. “I just preferred swimming over all of them,” she said. Swimming helps Miller relieve stress and helps her feel more relaxed. “It requires a lot of commitment, but it is very rewarding, ” she said. Swimming is a very taxing sport. The most difficult and demanding part about it, though, is being able to push through the pain and exhaustion. This is something that Miller excels at. Katelyn Long, a coach of the girls’ swim team at CHS, said, “She never complains. She never tries to take the easy way out. She does whatever is asked of her and she leads by example. You rarely see her skipping sets, and she works really hard.” Being able to push yourself is certainly not an easy task, but being able to motivate your teammates is even more challenging. As a senior and captain of the swim team this year, Miller not only has to be a great swimmer but also must motivate the other girls who look up to her. “I am there to help and be a role model. I think just helping the other girls learn how to swim and or learn little tricks is important,” Miller said. This additional assistance is crucial because it helps to relieve the stress of swimmers who may just be starting. Miller says that the sport can be very stressful, especially at meets, but it is very beneficial if you are prepared. In the past, she has helped other swimmers to feel more mentally prepared by making sure that everything goes smoothly. One of the most major parts of swimming is reaching your goals and setting new records for yourself. In order to do this, you must be very driven and focused on improving your skills. Along with the more general goal of developing the swimmers’ abilities in the water, Miller and the CHS coaches have some more specific targets for the season. While it is difficult to make predictions
Photo of senior Elizabeth Miller by Mallory Palmer
with the season only having begun, David Kohmetscher, head coach of the CHS girls’ swim team, feels very optimistic. He hopes that the team will get more individuals and relays to qualify for state. “[The team is] working hard. They’re doing a great job. I’m excited based on where we are this early in the season.” Kohmetscher said. Like Kohmetscher, Miller also has goals for the season. She is working hard to meet her individual target of dropping time and hopes that in addition to doing well at conference, the team has fun. “Hard work. Dedication. Team spirit.” These are the things that Miller believes will help everyone to be successful. “I think if you are there to have fun and actually swim, and you don’t want to complain about it all the time, it makes it better. It makes it more
tolerable.” As a captain on the team, Miller plays a notable role in helping everyone to reach their goals. One of the most effective ways that she does this is by pushing the other girls at practices. “[Elizabeth] is a very hard worker. If you ever swim next to her or swim in a lane with her, she pushes you. She doesn’t slack off, so I think that that is probably the biggest thing. Other people seeing her do a good job inspires them to work hard too.” Long said. Ultimately, Miller is a reliable swimmer and leader on the team and will likely guide the girls’ swim team to success this season. “We can count on [Miller] to step up, and we know she’s going to race no matter how she’s feeling, even if she’s tired she’s going to try her hardest,” Coach Long said. “She is a calm and confident presence.”
34 | REVIEW
bohemian rhapsody
Vivian Chen offers her perspective on Queen’s feature film VIVIAN CHEN | REPORTER
Photo from foxmovies.com
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ohemian Rhapsody” was released Nov. 2 in the US, featuring Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. As a huge Queen fan, I went into the theatre with very high hopes. Sadly, I was rather disappointed. The movie’s introduction shows the preparation for Live Aid, a concert that was held to raise funds to provide relief for the famine in Ethiopia. It then flashes back, showing Mercury as a baggage handler, doing a poor job of loading suitcases off of an airplane. This is meant to show Mercury as an outsider, among the “lowest” of the “lows”. Later, Mercury is at home, leaving right as the family is about to enjoy dinner together. This sparks evident disapproval in his parents, especially his dad, who’s disapproval of his son supposedly gives him a chip on his shoulder. The rest of the film talks about the formation of the band, Mercury’s inner battle with himself about his sexuality, AIDs, the conflict pushing the band members apart and lastly, their historical performance at Live Aid. It’s a lot to put into 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the producers did well to include all of this material. However, that doesn’t change the fact that this movie was subpar. Despite Rami Malek and Gwilym Lee’s convincing performances as Mercury and May, the film did not feel like “Queen” to me. The film wanted conflict and some sort of
plot, so several of the scenes with the whole band just show them at each other’s throats. While it’s true that they fought a lot, a big part of them getting back together at the end is because they are a family. The idea of them being a “family” isn’t very believable upon seeing this movie. Furthermore, in the scenes where they do get along, it feels fake. We are supposed to feel like the members have a special bond between them, but when they hug and rejoice together, it all feels staged. John Deacon was known as the very shy member of the band, and while Joseph Mazzello certainly captured Deacon’s adorable awkwardness, he didn’t quite get the “quiet” part. Additionally, Ben Hardy, who plays drummer Roger Taylor, nailed the roguish aspect of his role, but he made Taylor very unlikeable. Additionally, the lack of attention to history was distracting. With band members Brian May and Roger Taylor supervising the creation of this movie, I hoped that they would accurately depict the band’s journey to fame. While watching, we get to look into the creation of “We Will Rock You”, which was released in 1977 in the “News of the World” album. In the movie, Mercury is shown with his signature mustache during the making of the song, which doesn’t make sense since he got his mustache in the 80’s.
Also, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, two years after Live Aid. However, long before the concert begins, Mercury finds out that he has AIDS and tells his bandmates a week before their performance. This was so they could end the film at Live Aid since that was the peak of their career, but by doing so, they leave out the Innuendo album, one of the band’s most bold statements put into music. Moreover, I disliked how much the film focused on Mercury and his personal life. When you title a film “Bohemian Rhapsody,” it is typical to expect it to be about Queen’s music. However, barely any of the film’s focus was on that. They may as well have titled it “Freddie Mercury and the Other Three.” However, I loved the little snippets of other, less-known Queen songs throughout the film since they brought some of the focus back to the music. It wasn’t enough for me to truly like the film, but it made it much more enjoyable. In conclusion, I disliked the film. The only part that I really enjoyed was the Live Aid concert, which lasted for about 7 minutes in this 134 minute long movie. Overall, the relationships felt fake and the conflict didn’t tug at my heart, and the movie was entirely too focused on Mercury. The film was mediocre and does not do the actual Queen justice.fdfdfsf
35 | REVIEW
grbić The Globe reviews a Bosnian cuisine hit in St. Louis LUKA BASNETT | REPORTER
Chicken Rouladen at Grbić in South St. Louis. Grbić serves up authentic Bosian fare in a location that’s design is steeped in Balkan tradition. Photo from Grbić.
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ocated on Keokuk Avenue in South St. Louis, Grbić Restaurant and Events exhibits an atmosphere seldom found outside of Europe. A family business owned by Sulejman Grbić, the restaurant is without a doubt St. Louis’s go-to place for Bosnian cuisine. My family has a penchant for Balkan food; my mother is Croatian. So, on a chilly Saturday night, we took a trip to Grbić Restaurant. When we passed through the building’s glass double doors, we could immediately feel the charm of the friendly restaurant. To the right of the entrance was a cafétype area, where patrons could sit on small, octagonal stools and sip Turkish coffee or “šlivovica,” a plum brandy found throughout the former Yugoslavia. To the left was the hostess’ desk and the brick arch leading to the rest of the restaurant. After a brief wait in the unusually crowded restaurant, we were seated at a rectangular table near the center of the room. For an appetizer, I ordered the $8 ‘Grbić salad’, which arrived after a short wait which was slightly exacerbated by technical prob-
lems in the kitchen. The salad, quite like a Greek salad, was served in a wide conical bowl, and consisted of chopped tomato, cucumber and feta cheese on a bed of lettuce, covered in a simple oil and vinegar dressing. After devouring my salad, I awaited the next course. The restaurant’s small brick storefront hides a building of surprising size. Accommodated by a large parking lot, Grbić houses not only a spacious dining room, but a large venue that can host weddings and other private events. Its central room is an open area, with a wood-paneled ceiling buttressed by wide brick archways. Impressively, two sides of the rectangular space are adorned by hand-painted murals of Bosnian landmarks and other Balkan landscapes. For a main course, I ordered a whole portion of ‘Ćevapi’, priced at $11. Ćevapi, a staple of Balkan cuisine, are small sausages, made of beef in this case, that come sandwiched between slices of “Lepinja,” a pita-like flatbread. My ćevapi were served with onions, sliced tomatoes, and a small bowl of some sort of tomato relish.
While I enjoyed the ćevapi themselves, the slices of lepinja were the best part of the dish. Spongy and flavorful, they went well with the sausages, and were quite unlike the sliced bread often seen in the United States. To finish the meal, I chose a traditional Bosnian coffee and a slice of baklava, a layered dessert found throughout the Balkans. After a few minutes, the coffee was delivered in a tapered copper pot with sugar cubes. Alongside was a large slice of baklava, its flaky layers stuffed with walnuts and covered in a sweet honey sauce. While the baklava itself was good, it was also obvious that someone had made an effort to arrange it artistically on the plate, next to a chocolate fleur-de-lis. Our visit to Grbić was a wonderful experience. The staff were helpful and professional, and the restaurant’s atmosphere was lovely. Most importantly, the food was reasonably priced and tasted excellent. For anyone in need of Balkan cuisine, Grbić Restaurant is the place to go. The restaurant is unrivaled in St. Louis and definitely one I would be happy to visit again.a
36 | REVIEW
lost and foundry The new Asian-inspired bakery is making its mark in St. Louis DANNY CHOO-KANG | REPORTER
Photo by Cicely Krutzsch
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idden in a small strip mall in Maryland Heights lies The Foundry Bakery. This Asian inspired bakery was opened this past July and has since become a big hit in St. Louis. Their midday hours aren’t very busy, with only about 10 other customers enjoying their food at the time that I went in. The rustic decor is welcoming, with dark wood panels, metals sheets along the counter-tops, and chalkboard paint covered in menu items. The bakery’s menu consisted of everything from bread, buns and pastries to coffee, tea and Taiwanese fruit milk. One of the first pastries that caught my eye were the pineapple gems. Despite the fact that I don’t normally like pineapple, I thought I’d give them a try. These small shortbread pastries had a caramelized pineapple filling that was similar to a jam but with more pulp. It was a surprisingly amazing combo that had a sweetness which wasn’t too rich. Hoping to continue with my luck, I also got a crispy orange pastry. I’m not very fond of orange either, but this croissant-like pastry with caramelized sugar and an orange tang was an unexpected success. The orange and caramelized sugar did have a bit of a sour twist, but it didn’t ruin the overall taste. Lastly, I tried a coffee bun that was similar to
the crispy orange pastry. It was comparable to a doughnut or a ‘coffee top’. Although it was simple, this item was my favorite. The caramelized sugar created a crunchy outside layer that melted in the mouth and mixed with the doughnut-like center. Like the crispy orange pastry, this also had a taste similar to sourdough bread. The employees were welcoming and sociable, asking questions and interacting with customers beyond the transaction. The pineapple gems were two dollars, the crispy orange pastry was three dollars, the coffee bun was $1.75 and their bread loaves run for $6.50. Overall, the bakery items are relatively affordable. Although I didn’t get one, I’d be interested to try one of their drinks, especially the Taiwanese fruit milk, which they describe as “fruit blended with ice and house caramel milk” (via thefoundrybakery.com). There aren’t many places where I’ve tried foods I knew I wouldn’t normally like and ended up enjoying them, but I took a chance on some of The Foundry Bakery’s items and was pleasantly surprised. Although it is not located in the most local area, it is definitely worth the drive to try some of The Foundry Bakery’s items whenever you’re looking for a sweet treat, and I can’t wait to try more in the future.
37 | REVIEW
the hate u give
A groundbreaking book is translated to the big screen, examining the racial divisions in American society SHANE LAGESSE | REPORTER
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Amandla Stenberg plays Starr Carter in “The Hate U Give.” Photo from “The Hate U Give” Press Kit.
he subjects of racism and police brutality are becoming ever more prevalent in our modern society. Both matters, along with many others, are main focuses in the movie “The Hate U Give,” directed by George Tillman Jr. The movie received extremely positive results, grossing over $26 million as of Nov. 7. Reviews by both critics and viewers are trending greatly to the positive. The story follows Starr Carter, a girl whose life is split in two, constantly switching between her poor, mostly African-American neighborhood and the almost completely white prep school in which she is enrolled; her father, a former gang member, and her mother, who will stop at nothing to protect her children. After witnessing the police shooting which ends her friend’s life, she is thrown into the world of protesting and advocating, as well as
the gangs which her parents have tried so hard to keep her away from. The characters around Starr are a mix of her “friends” from high school, her close family, very close friends and the neighbors and gang members that populate her neighborhood. Each possess their own personality and has a deep effect on the events that play out. The story never slows. It is full of emotion which is encapsulated by the flawless acting and production. The pain through which the characters endure, as well as their triumph, is felt by the viewer, who is granted a window into this divided community. Starr’s journey is an emotional roller coaster, and its ups and downs are both abrupt and powerful. The topic of police brutality is given a new voice through this cinematic representation of an individual yet universal perspective. Many people are uncomfortable discussing
topics such as police brutality openly, yet “The Hate U Give” allows for the beginning of many conversations on the matters which normally are ignored or cast aside. When it comes to social issues, it is difficult to contextualize numbers and statistics. Instead, “The Hate U Give” introduces relatable characters whose tribulations and successes can be followed by viewers, thus allowing the audience to develop an emotional connection with the topic. Overall, the film is wonderfully shot, the story is without lulls or plot holes and is engaging throughout. The characters are relatable, offer a unique perspective and are portrayed superbly. The movie leaves you considering the state of modern society and your own impact on the issues at hand today. It is a powerful and engrossing story which could have the ability to spark real change.
38 | REVIEW
the baked bear The Globe reviews a new sweets destination in the Loop LAURA PARVULESCU | REPORTER BRIDGET WALSH | EDITOR
Photos by Abby Cooper
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ce cream sandwiches are a staple for every child during the summer. However, most sandwiches do not exceed the basic two small cookies with ice cream in between. The Baked Bear attempts to challenge that with its one-of-a-kind ice cream sandwiches that radiate comfort and joy. The Baked Bear, a delicious cookies and ice cream sandwich shop, opened on Nov. 29 across from the Pageant on the Delmar Loop. The company was started in San Diego by two local sweet-enthusiasts, and Missouri is the tenth state that their brand has now reached. Their mission, as displayed on a sign in the shop, is to “spread joy and create memories, bringing a smile to every customer’s face, one ice cream sandwich at a time.”
The shop offers a variety of cookies, brownies and donuts to choose from in order for customers to create a personalized ice cream sandwich. They have many ice cream flavors and toppings as well. To complete the sandwich, it is hot-pressed so the outsides are warm and delicious to eat, even in the winter. On several occasions, The Baked Bear has had a line out the door. The popularity is inspired by its unique sandwiches with endless combinations. Greeted by customers with friendly faces at the counter, it is easy to see how this restaurant finds success. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the location is easy to access with several other attractions surrounding it. These sandwiches are not ordinary ice cream sandwiches; they are plenty to fill one or even two people. With a promise that all
cookies are fresh out of the oven every day, it is obvious by the taste that these recipes are beyond the basic cookie or brownie. To prove that they do not reuse cookies, they even sell cookies from the day before in packs of six at a discounted price. In addition, all of their ice cream flavors are original with a wide range of flavors such as “Bear Batter”, “Toasted S’mores” and even vegan flavors. To top it off, there is a multitude of toppings to roll your ice cream sandwich in to finish it off perfectly. This is truly an experience to visit and one that everyone should try. The prices, usually around $6, are reasonable for the quantity of food received, but not necessarily an everyday treat. For any ice cream lover, try The Baked Bear—you won’t be disappointed.
39 | OPINION
the “mountain”
Many CHS students are experiencing back pains due to having to carry heavy backpacks around all day; how could we prevent this? SOPHIE THOMPSON | EDITOR INGRID STAHL | REPORTER
Photo by Madalyn Schroeder
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t Wydown, students are forced to leave their backpacks in their lockers throughout the day. However, at CHS, students are allowed to carry their backpacks around the school during the day. To the distress of students’ spines, most take advantage of the backpack freedom and rely on their shoulder sacks to function as a locker. Many CHS students have expressed that they do not even know where their locker is located in the school. However, there are some students who do choose to use their lockers. Freshman Kaitlin Bates is one of these individuals. Bates feels that her locker is useful and helpful. “My locker is very convenient given that my backpack is pretty small. I use it before school, during lunch and after school,” Bates said. According to Bates, carrying a backpack can get heavy and uncomfortable, which is why she utilizes her storage space. Another freshman, Adelaide Griffey, agrees. “Carrying backpacks is convenient, but the load can become super heavy,” she said. In contrast to Bates and Griffey, many students do not use their lockers, arguing that their locker is located in an inconvenient location, or
that they do not have enough time in between classes. Sophomore Regan Wade often avoids her locker. “I have no clue where my locker is located, and even if I did, I would not use it,” she said. “I do not have enough time in between classes and before and after school to visit my locker.” Along with Wade, many CHS students avoid their locker due to inconvenience and a lack of time between each class to stop at a locker. But carrying the heavy load instead of using a locker to store materials means that many students complain about pain from carrying their heavy backpacks. One might conclude that visiting a locker two-three times a day would be the reasonable solution for this issue, as it would allow students to leave some binders in their lockers while taking the ones out for their use in following classes, but most students refuse the option. If so many people say they suffer from back pain, then why do CHS students avoid their lockers? Sophomore Abigail Mann suggested that teachers could encourage students to empty out papers and handouts once a unit has been completed.
Mann believes that taking out papers and creating a filing system at home could eliminate weight and ultimately help students’ back pain issues. We asked 15 students to weigh their backpacks to get a sense of the load that students are carrying. Of the backpacks we weighed, CHS students weighed in their backpacks at about 1520 pounds. All students whose backpacks were weighed arrived at the same consensus that the weight came from heavy binders and bulky Chromebooks. Chromebooks are vital in each class, considering CHS students use them every day. If CHS students applied Mann’s ideas at home, they could lighten the load they carry throughout the day. However, more than just taking weight out of binders, the CHS community could promote the use of lockers by allowing for more time during passing periods. An extra minute or two would encourage more students to make a locker stop during the day to change out materials, thus lessening the weight of their packs. Let’s give student backs a break and give them time to lighten their packs.
40 | OPINION
hoping for hyperloop
Reporter Rachel Liang discusses the possible future of a Hyperloop between St. Louis and Kansas City RACHEL LIANG | REPORTER
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
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few summers ago in China, my family rode on a high speed railway from Chengdu, Sichuan that reached the nearest mega city, Chongqing (190 miles) in about 50 minutes. The same trip took my father nine hours by an antiquated train 30 years ago. Mirroring the change my father experienced in China, St. Louis may also witness a huge innovation in the near future. Missouri officials recently announced the formation of a partnership supported by Hyperloop One, the American transportation technology company that developed the concept of Hyperloop, to study the feasibility of building an ultra-high speed railway connecting St. Louis and Kansas City. The Hyperloop is a futuristic model of railway transportation where pods carrying people travel almost at the speed of sound (760 miles per hour) in an airtight tunnel. The company chose St. Louis as one of the 5 cities around the world as possible sites to build the high speed railway.
Traveling from Kansas City to St. Louis, which currently takes about three hours and 40 minutes by car, would be cut down to only 31 minutes via Hyperloop. The potential lifestyle and socioeconomic changes brought about by Hyperloop cannot be underestimated. The half-hour commute gives employees the opportunity to live in St. Louis but work in Kansas City, and vice versa, meaning that the dramatically shorter trip also opens up more options for job seekers. Similarly, for employers, the pool of talented operators available would also multiply. Not only will the Hyperloop contribute to significantly improving people’s commute between St. Louis and other local areas, but it will also attract many to visit the city. St. Louis has long been in the shadow of its much larger rival city Chicago. The Hyperloop will project St. Louis as a more venturous city. People crave innovation and novelty; the surreal concept of the Hyperloop becoming a reality would attract novelty seekers from around the country. Looking back at my train
ride in China, watching the scenery shift from rice paddies to small towns in the matter of minutes proved to be a unique experience. We were also impressed by how smooth and comfortable the trip was. There is one problem with the proposal notwithstanding: building a Hyperloop between St. Louis and Kansas City is very costly, likely in the range of billions to tens of billions of dollars. A majority of locals believe that the Hyperloop would not be able to pay for itself due to limited adoption and actual usage by the public. However, I believe that St. Louis should seize this rare proposal as an opportunity to pull itself out of the current state of decline. In the last 15 years, China has built the longest and also the most extensively used high speed railway network. Now, the vast majority of the Chinese people travel between cities by high speed railway. Perhaps the same can apply to St. Louis.
41 | OPINION
kavanaugh concern
Anna disagrees with the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. ANNA STURMOSKI | COPY EDITOR Brett Kavanaugh, associate justice of the Supreme Court, speaks during a ceremonial swearing-in event in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
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or someone attempting to become a Supreme Court justice, Brett Kavanaugh objected quite vehemently to the process of a fair hearing. Perhaps his objection to the hearing indicates guilt, or perhaps he was furious about potential damage to his reputation. But regardless of the merits of the sexual assault claim against him, during the hearing, Kavanaugh’s demeanor was erratic and controlled by emotion. His behavior demonstrated that he does not have the temperament necessary to hold a seat on the Supreme Court. He treated several senators and other superiors with contempt and scorn. He also made many statements that were riddled with falsehoods. And, he openly disrespected Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Dr. Ford, who was brave enough to bare her pain to the country with tears pouring down her face. This is the pain which Kavanaugh described as a “calculated and orchestrated political hit.” While Dr. Ford delivered her testimony with her distress in check, Kavanaugh did just the opposite. After even a one-second glimpse of his facial expressions while he was on the stand, an observer could tell that he was unhinged.
He became so emotional that he felt obligated to write an op-ed several days after the trial, explaining—not apologizing for—his behavior. No matter how he defended himself, he acted in a turbulent and emotional manner unfit for any courtroom, much less the highest one in the country. The Supreme Court faces countless emotionally-charged cases. While this case was personal for Kavanaugh, any Supreme Court justice will face cases that hit close to home. If the country cannot trust Kavanaugh to conduct himself in a composed and civil manner in the face of emotional cases, then the country cannot trust him to remove personal or emotional bias from his judiciary actions. Thus, he has no place on the Supreme Court. In his emotional state, Kavanaugh was disrespectful to others in the courtroom as well. As his status of Supreme Court justice had not yet been confirmed, the senators who questioned him were still his superiors. Nonetheless, he interrupted those who were speaking, glossed over many questions or simply answered the question he wanted them to have asked instead. His short responses to questions can be described not as brevity, but as the refusal to answer openly at all. Facing both authority figures and his own peers, he once again demonstrated an unac-
ceptable level of disrespect. For example, a large amount of Kavanaugh’s argued innocence hinged on a very questionable piece of evidence: his high school planners. His planners should not have ever been presented as any form of convincing evidence. The very nature of the planner allows for recorded falsehoods and the alteration of information at a later date. If he attended any event where he behaved inappropriately, he could easily have rewritten the day’s activities and moved on with his life, feeling assured that he would never be caught. More importantly, there is no guarantee that Kavanaugh did not just omit the gathering where Ford was allegedly assaulted. After all, what high school student would record, in total honesty, every elicit activity he had participated in? Contradicting the contents of Kavanaugh’s calendar, Dr. Ford described the evening of her assault, in clear detail, as a small gathering which was “spur-of-the-moment,” where people were drinking beer in the living room of the house. Kavanaugh said that he never attended an event like the one Ford described. In fact, he brushed off with a suspicious rapidity any implication that he might have ever done so. However, in the submitted calendars, he described “weekday gatherings at friends’ houses ... to meet up and have some beers.” The gathering in question, which Ford described, was incredibly similar to multiple events Kavanaugh detailed in his planners. Even if he truly didn’t attend the gathering in question, by his own evidence, he did attend gatherings “like that.” His denial of participation in any such events is completely inconsistent with his earlier statements. This, in conjunction with many other inconsistencies, not only suggests that he is guilty, but also displays that the oath he swore had little significance to him. Under that oath, if there was no explicit lie, then there was at the very least blatant manipulation of the truth. Having been confirmed to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh will serve for life. As a result, the country’s cases will be subjected to judgment by a dishonest and emotional individual, as well as an alleged sexual assailant. There is no longer a guarantee that cases will be viewed with fairness or protocol. In a country that supposedly values justice, a person like Kavanaugh should have never been confirmed.
42 | OPINION
love, the globe a column
DISHA CHATTERJEE | REPORTER
Art by Sean Kim
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ove. The four-letter word that sparks an idea of a passionate flame in my mind, blazing brightly with an ardent fervor. I never pictured in my mind that love could be as simple as the smile growing on my weary face as I walked into my house, greeted by the sound of excited barking. I’ve been a canine fanatic for as long as I can remember. At two years old, I silently played with animal figurines. I dragged a plastic dog on wheels all around the house for weeks on end despite the irritating screech. Every visit to my uncle’s house meant going to the backyard by myself and sitting beside his two golden retrievers, stroking them clumsily and sharing the lively confessions of a first grader. It was not long before I found out my dreams of having a pooch of my own were
simply that. Dreams. Moving to America with my parents’ growing careers meant there was hardly any time to handle anything other than two elementary school children. Not only that, my mother was deathly afraid of dogs. Devastated at the news, my sister and I protested, and so my mother was forced to tell us, as a means of quelling our resistance, “we’ll get a dog in five years, maybe.” Five years seemed better than never. I was hooked. Late weekend nights, my sister and I scribbled down future plans for our dogs. We devised names, picked breeds and researched to no end. For our first Christmas in America, I was gifted an awkwardly large book about dogs, and in it contained information about all the common dog breeds. I pored over the blown out, high resolution pictures of the groomed poodles and
shaggy shepherds. Convinced I would be a veterinarian, I spent hours educating myself on dogs. It’s obvious that my love, passion and excitement all bordered on obsession at times. It was also no surprise that five years later, we were no closer to adopting a new member of the family. I held out a small lingering hope, but having ventured into the mature waters of middle school, I was no longer quizzing my sister on dog breeds or writing journal entries about my fictitious alternate life with a puppy. That being said, I still played with my friends’ four-legged companions, watched the Buddies movies and visited our local shelter just for kicks. I started to prepare myself for the idea that maybe a dog would never be part of my future, but I was caught unprepared by the dangers of seventh grade.
43 | OPINION
From a storm of violent emotions I had never dealt with before, to losing all interest in school whatsoever, I felt as if I had hit an all-time low. It worsened over the year, and I started asking to be home-schooled as a last resort. Things didn’t start picking up until the school year drew to a close. We were packing up our belongings, moving to a house in a new neighborhood when all of a sudden, my father got an email from our local shelter about some foster puppy arrivals. “Let’s go!” my sister shrieked in excitement. I threw on a coat and rushed out the door as fast as I could. My mother’s reluctance couldn’t stop us. It turned out, the arrivals were only two weeks old, much too young for us to handle. But seeing as we were at the shelter already, we asked if there were any other puppies available for fostering. We immediately agreed to taking two older puppies at the first sight of them snuggled up against each other, snoozing like tiny angels. However, Jojo and Jet were the opposite of angels. They were rambunctious monsters of destruction packaged in the cute bodies of month-old puppies. If moving into a new house wasn’t difficult enough already, having two sets of paws
dashing around definitely didn’t speed up the process. They trampled our bushes, peed on every carpet they could find and fought with each other so much that they knocked over everything in their path. Simple tasks became impossible: they whined incessantly in the car, crawled out of my grasp despite a valiant effort to keep them restrained and wiggled onto the driver’s shoulder. Spending two months watching the pair of miniature devils grow up shaped my summer to be one of the best I’d had so far and pulled me out of my melancholy gloom permanently. I had never known a single face on the block, but taking them outside meant regular encounters with other dog-walkers from the neighborhood. I jogged with them on evenings, snuggled with them on my bed, chose them to be the models of my photography passion. Lazing on the porch swing while they trotted around the backyard became a Sunday afternoon recreation. Soon, the three of us had a plethora of experiences, from horror stories which made for hilarious anecdotes to affectionate, tender moments cuddling them tightly after a rougher part of my day when I realized how much I loved having a furry friend by my side. Unfortunately, we realized when the new
school year came around that there would be no one to stay at home with them, and we decided not to go through with making them members of the family. Another person was already in line for adopting them, and after Jojo and Jet, we had to say goodbye to the idea of adopting a pooch of our own for good. No more lingering hopes or what ifs. But it was those small moments of exhausted bliss watching the two puppies clumsily trample over themselves that redefined love for me. Love didn’t have to be the zealous, idealistic obsession it started out as. Love is draining. Even annoying, at times. Love is having someone, furry or human, there for you when you need them. Love is the giggles, the exasperated sighs, the annoyed yelling and the warm, fuzzy feeling inside. While there’s no sight of my own Fido in the near future, I still stop to pet the dogs I pass by on my daily walks and occasionally visit the shelter, excitedly waiting for the day I turn sixteen and can volunteer. There’s no doubt dogs still hold a special place in my heart as “man’s best friend” even today. And someday, I’ll have a tail-wagging, miniature devil of my own.
Photo from KDVR-TV/Tribune News Service
44 | OPINION
pro: gpa disabled Ruthie argues that a disabled GPA decreases student stress RUTHIE PIERSON | REPORTER
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or many CHS students, a majority of their lives are spent stressing about grades. Obsessively checking their grades and GPA on PowerSchool becomes a daily routine for these students. So, when the message “GPA Disabled” popped up on PowerSchool a few weeks ago, everyone was shocked. While some feel disabling GPA was the wrong decision, it can bring many benefits to students. As CHS counselor Joyce Bell notes, “The GPA students were seeing was not an accurate representation of their GPA.” Grades and GPAs are not finalized until the end of a semester, and are cumulative with GPAs from previous years, so having an ongoing, progressive GPA is almost pointless. “GPAs are not meant to, and should not, fluctuate,” Bell said. Constantly checking their GPA and being alerted the second it changes can cause high stress levels in students. Students have become obsessive over their GPA, checking it the second they got a notification. This causes a high-stress environment that can have a negative impact on a student’s mental health. “That Pavlovian mindset of a bell rings and I check my GPA is not healthy,” Bell
said. “If we create a culture of learning first and checking grades second, this can help to relieve some of the stress.” While a majority of our culture is focused on numbers, grades and awards, our goals should be aimed towards learning and improving our society. When students are notified each time a grade goes into PowerSchool and their GPA changes, stress levels go up and students are constantly thinking about their GPA. Eliminating a visible GPA to students between semesters can help to reduce some of this stress. Another reason disabling GPA is beneficial, is because colleges use GPAs in varied and different ways. While colleges do use GPAs as a major factor in their selection process, “Colleges calculate GPA on their own, so each school’s individual system doesn’t matter as much,” sophomore Julia Bautz said. And, as Mrs. Bell noted, students were sending in their current GPAs for schools and academic programs. These GPAs are not accurate. Each school has a unique system for calculating and weighting GPA and grades, which are not finalized until a student’s semester transcript is finalized. Eliminating GPA in between semesters can help make students happier and healthier..........
45 | OPINION
con: gpa disabled Max argues that a disabled GPA shelters students from stress MAX KELLER | REPORTER
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Graphic by Hongkai Jiang
PA Disabled.” That was the first thing many students saw when they unlocked their phones one fall morning. Apparently, the number wouldn’t be visible until the end of the semester. Complaints immediately arose, with many students feeling blind without their grade point average. While many parents and teachers supported the change, the results will not be of benefit. Joyce Bell, a counselor at CHS, explained why the GPA was disabled in the first place. “The GPA that students were seeing was not an accurate representation of their GPA. GPAs are not meant to and should not fluctuate based upon a teacher putting in a grade, or a test score being entered.” The disappearance of the grade point average did have a good reason behind it. The GPA of any student is nothing but a number until winter or summer break, and planning to enable it after each semester is a good idea in this respect. “I think eventually, yes, it will benefit students,” explains Bell. “I think when we create a culture of A). Learning first and B). Looking at the grades second, that will ease some of the stress.” Putting learning first is a practice that everyone should follow, but that is not how the real world works. Many colleges use the GPA as a major determining factor, and that’s not going to be disabled. Students have a right to see directly what their GPA is, especially those close to graduation. “We still have a GPA, just because we don’t see it doesn’t mean we don’t have it,” said
sophomore Liam Redington. While it isn’t on PowerSchool, the GPA still exists, and it’s still important. In the real world, GPAs will be visible, but unchangeable. Students should be able to see and improve their GPAs while they still can, and disabling it does nothing to help. School officials may have shut down the GPA function to stop the stress that comes with constantly checking PowerSchool for your grade. However, the school is fixing nothing by shutting off the GPA. “There is such a competitive nature in Clayton that I don’t think that stress can ever be disabled,” said Nyssia Crandall, a CHS student. To many, removing the source of stress is a quick and easy solution to anxiety. But, the removal of the source of stress, called the stressor, can actually increase stress in children, according to the Child Mind Institute. “Helping children avoid the things they are afraid of will make them feel better in the short term, but it reinforces the anxiety over the long run.” If students are truly anxious and stressed about their grades, removing them from our daily lives is the last thing we want to do. Taking away our stressors now is subconsciously telling us that our future stressors will be disabled too, and we will develop bad coping mechanisms. I know the school has good intentions for disabling the GPA, and I know that many students are overly stressed about it. But, in the long term, a hidden GPA will hurt more than help.
46 | OPINION
quiet Opinion editor Ashley Chung discusses the life of introverts ASHLEY CHUNG | OPINION EDITOR
Famous introvert Abraham Lincoln. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.
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here are a lot of things I dislike. Of these, I strongly dislike graded discussions. In a graded discussion, students are essentially graded on how well they can insert themselves into a conversation and how well they can repeat another classmate’s words. Graded discussions are merely teaching us that it is better to talk more. The cons of graded discussions far outweigh the pros. But the biggest reason I dislike graded discussions is because they are microcosms that reflect on how the world favors extroverts. Knowing that the world is extroverted, it
is no surprise that school systems favor extroverts, as society itself looks down upon introverts like me. There are countless movies and TV shows that begin with a “nerdy” protagonist who likes to stay at home and read, but, by the end, undergoes a makeover that gives him or her dozens of friends and parties. Although introverts are defined as those who are drained by social situations, society sees introverts are merely quiet, shy kids. Silence is an uncomfortable situation for the majority of American society, so it is hardly shocking that these quiet and shy “introverts” are overshadowed by their lively and
outspoken counterparts. Furthermore, just like in graded discussions, society believes that those who talk more are smarter than those who don’t. But this is false. Some of our country’s best leaders were introverted. Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson all are important parts of our country’s history, and all of them are introverted. Moreover, another trait those three have in common is that they learned extroverted traits, and used them when appropriate. If Lincoln did not know how to appeal to a crowd, the Gettysburg Address would not be as renowned as it is today. If Mahatma Gandhi was unable to connect with people, one of the world’s most known independence movements may not have come together as well as it did. These leaders are examples for introverts everywhere. In the end, everyone is a mix of introvert and extrovert. Even Carl Jung, the psychiatrist who popularized the concepts of introversion and extroversion, once said, “There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum.” As much as we dislike it, sometimes introverts will need to speak out and be with groups of people. Job interviews, group projects and work meetings are all examples of this. Unless we live as hermits, we will never escape people. But introverts do not necessarily need to give speeches to have impact. Rosa Parks’ quiet yet powerful refusal to stand up for a white man sparked a massive economic boycott. No one would have thought that a quiet elderly lady like her would become immortalized in history books for her indirect bold move. So for all the introverts struggling to find a place in high school, sometimes we need a push to leave the comfort zone so that we can develop necessary skills, just like in graded discussions. But it is important for us to remember that we don’t need to talk more to be great. Just like Rosa Parks, we can stand up for what we believe with a quiet confidence that makes us more than just “shy”. There is no shame in preferring not to attend large parties, but rather, staying in with a few close friends. Life would be boring if everyone were extroverts.
47 | OPINION
staff ed: gender neutral The Globe staff supports the implementation of a public gender-neutral bathroom at CHS
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n May of 2017 we asked for the inclusion of public gender-neutral bathrooms at CHS through the Globe staff editorial. With the Trump Administration threatening to change the definition of gender, we are reminded of the daily discrimination experienced by the LGBTQ+ community, and we are calling on CHS, again, to make a public display of acceptance and support towards gender non-conforming students by adopting a more public gender-neutral bathroom. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Luckily, CHS has done an outstanding job keeping this in mind. Students are able to join Gender Sexuality Alliance, use the restroom pertaining to their correct gender, and the administration is open and responsive to student’s concerns. However, the current system for gender-neutral bathrooms at CHS fails to include everyone. The administration allows students who do not feel comfortable using the gender specific bathrooms to use the front office restroom, and the nurse’s office restroom.
“I feel like it makes people feel like they are diseased or contagious. Maybe they feel like they are more cut off and they don’t feel like they are as connected to the other students,” CHS freshman Ryan McDowell said. It is important that no student at CHS feels excluded from the rest of their peers. This is why implementing one or more gender-neutral bathrooms would be beneficial to our school community. “I hope that all of our students walk into our school feeling physically safe, emotionally safe and feeling accepted … that students feel comfortable and not feeling singled out,” said Superintendent Dr. Sean Doherty. According to Doherty, students should focus on their education, rather being anxious about basic rights and needs. “I don’t want kids walking around the halls of high school worried about where they’re going to go use the restroom versus worried about what’s on their social studies test,” Doherty said. With the current system in place it gives students a chance to use the restrooms without a lot of fear, but depending on where you are in the school, it can take up to four minutes to walk there, two to three minutes to use the restroom, and four minutes to walk back. By the time students would get back to class, they will have missed almost ¼ of the
class period, which does not match up with the ultimate goal being a focus of learning. One of the problems we face as a school is finding a location in which to potentially install gender neutral bathrooms. Because of the plumbing and construction of the building, especially the new wing, it would be substantially more difficult to install a completely new restroom. Our school is plentiful with restrooms designed specifically for the staff, in the front office, not to mention in alternate wings of the school. If we were to replace the two staff restrooms in the art hallway, a centralized location in our school, students and staff would feel more comfortable using the restroom whenever they need to. This idea allows everyone, transgender or not, to have an easily accessible restroom, that is in a more inclusive spot. When people at CHS see these bathrooms, they will know that Clayton is an accepting district. In a world filled with sadness and heartache, where people can’t even use the restrooms without fear for their safety, we need a haven. A place to go when no one wants us. A place to learn and to grow, both in solidarity and as a community. CHS can be this place. Let’s start by knocking down a sign.