November Globe

GL ďƒźBE November, Vol. 84 Issue 3

THE STATE OF CLAYTON Clayton Centennial 9

Differing Perspectives 22

Meeting Ann Romney 43

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CONTENTS

“We just have to decide which way we are going to go with as a nation. Do we want to put the effort into those things and the support where we should? And so all of them are generational elections, they are things that make a difference in the future.”

-Jean Carnahan, former senator

WHAT’S INSIDE COVER STORY 024 The State of Clayton What did our surveys reveal about Clayton’s political leanings? Also - an in-depth look at the local perspective on the upcoming election.

UPFRONT 009 Happy 100th, Clayton Clayton celebrates its 100th birthday with several events for residents and families to share in the celebration.

SPORTS 035 Tyler Walker: Game Changer Senior Tyler Walker talks to the Globe about his accomplishments as a CHS football player.

REVIEW 038 Perks of Being a Wallflower The coming of age book makes its way to the big screen. Sierra Hieronymus gives the movie four out of five stars.

Cover Photo by Olivia MacDougal

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MORE > > 006 PANORAMA Claire McCaskill and Todd Akin debated at CHS on Oct. 18.

011 BEAUTIFYING CHS CHS students worked hard to clean up the campus.

014 AP QUOTA Should CHS consider a quota on the number of APs students take?

018 URBAN BEAUTIFICATION Artist Jake Schmidt is painting the city red, literally.

022 DIFFERING PERSPECTIVES Some students at CHS disagree with the political views of their parents.

040 PRO/CON Two Globe reporters defend their candidate and make a case for who should be the next president of the United States.

037 ARGO REVIEW Ben Affleck directs and stars in this biopic of the Ianian Hostage Crisis.

get creative.

T H E

G L O B E

C A P T I O N

C O N T E S T

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LAST MONTH’S WINNER “I’d like to thank my barber...”

- Carly Beard (Junior)

SUBMIT YOUR AMUSING CAPTION AT CHSGLOBE.COM Editors in Chief Meredith McMahon Katherine Ren

Photo Editors: Olivia MacDougal Willie Wysession

Senior Managing Editors Eudora Olsen Parker Schultz Shiori Tomatsu Arya Yadama

Editors: David Androphy Peter Baugh Abraham Bluestone Rachel Bluestone Chris Cho Neil Docherty Emma Ehll-Welply Jeffrey Friedman Jessica Jancose Nina Murov Peter Shumway Christopher Sleckman

Webmaster: Dan Zeng Senior Web Editor: Addison Leong

Business Managers: David Behrend Ben Diamond Richard Simon Distribution Editor: Steven Zou Web Editors: Peter Shumway Varun Chakravarthy Reporters: Sophie Allen Zach Bayly Sonya Liu April Myers Rebecca Polinsky

Peter Schmidt Daniele Skor Noah Watson Steven Zou Bridget Boeger Gabby Boeger Jeffrey Cheng Gwyneth Henke Sierra Hieronymus Audrey Holds Joseph Katz JiHyun Kim Rebecca Stiffelman Phoebe Yao Albert Wang Eunnuri Yi Richard Simon

Graphic Artists: Audrey Palmer Matt De La Paz Cherry Tomatsu Victoria Yi Photographers: Sierra Carrel Noah Engel Seth Lewis Megan McCormick Hanna Park Regine Rosas Margaret Schedl Alexis Schwartz Dana Schwartz Alessandra Silva Rebecca Stiffelman

The Globe Newsmagazine exists to inform, entertain, persuade, and represent the student voice at CHS. All content decisions are made by the student editorial staff, and the Globe is an entirely self-funded publication. Not every story that our reporters write is published in the print newsmagazine. Visit www.chsglobe.com for additional stories and photos, and for more information about the Globe itself. For more information about advertising and subscriptions, please contact our office: Clayton High School Globe 1 Mark Twain Circle Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 854-6668 Fax: 854-6734 globe@claytonschools.net

EDITOR’S LETTER

FOCUSING ON HONESTY Lies are ever-present in our lives. They can be insignificant, and they can be life changing.

It seems in the months building up to the election cycle, the number of lies grow. With the innumerous sources of information that feed into our lives, sorting fact from fiction becomes almost impossible. We’re forced to go on our gut instinct, and sometimes we’re wrong.

At the Globe, we make honest reporting our top priority. We understand the great responsibility that resides in being a community’s voice.

We know that a newspaper’s credibility is its greatest asset. That said, we all sometimes fall short of our goals.

In the previous edition of the Globe, false quotes were unknowingly printed and distributed. In act to restore our integrity we took swift action to notify the public and dismissed the offending reporter.

It is unfortunate that the actions of one individual can taint an entire group, however, sometimes we are all responsible. The climate of politics has reached a point where no one takes responsibility anymore, but it’s wrong to point fingers just at the politicians. We all foster the political atmosphere that we criticize. We are part of the lies as well.

This election cycle, voters need to step up

their role. They need to be aware that their actions and votes have the power to stop lies.

When everyone is responsible for the problem, it takes all of them to reach the solution. Let’s get back to honesty, and make it an important focus in this election, as well as in Clayton. 

PARKER SCHULTZ Sr. Managing Editor

In the last issue of the Globe, in the article on Bullying, the reporter fabricated quotes. The fabricated quotes as printed in the last issue: CHS Principal Dan Gutchewsky thinks there is not. “The reason bullying cannot be eradicated is because it is based on an idea,” Gutchewsky said. “It is based on the idea that you are better than someone and thus have the right to harass them. This doesn’t just pertain to high schools either. As long as human nature exists, bullying is a problem that will never go away.”

Gutchewsky believes that there are multiple factors involved. “In high school, you have many teenagers that are in a phase where they are prone to making bad decisions,” he said. “Immaturity is one of the biggest factors behind bullying. Another factor could be background.

Sometimes, if someone has been a bully victim, they might want to take their anger out by becoming a bully themselves.”

His actual quotes are as follows: “I believe that we have an obligation to ensure that students feel safe at school. One way to promote a feeling of safety at school is to have policies against bullying and to enforce those policies when appropriate. We also need to educate students and the larger community about the dangers of bullying and enlist their support in combating this problem.

Unfortunately, some bullying goes on outside of school, and then it is imperative that we enlist the help of parents and police to make sure that we respond to bullying, as a community, wherever it occurs.

“I think that bullying occurs for a variety of reasons. This behavior frequently stems from a feeling of insecurity in the bully, and the bully may feel a sense of power or control over their victims.

“I think bullying is a problem to some extent in every school and we have an obligation to combat it. We have policies against bullying that we consistently enforce, and all staff have received training in the identification and reporting of bullying behavior. Our counseling staff is currently working on the implementation of an anti-bullying program for students. This program will include training on the identification of bullying as well as education on the ‘power of the witness’ in combating bullying.”

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PANORAMA Oct. 18, 2012

Politics at Home Congressman Todd Akin and Senator Claire McCaskill debated on Thursday, Oct. 18 in the CHS auditorium. The debate was broadcasted live on KSDK-TV 5 and St. Louis Public Radio. The panelists included representatives from KSDK, St. Louis Public Radio, the St. Louis Business Journal, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and the CHS Globe Newsmagazine’s Co-Editor-in-Chief, senior Meredith McMahon.

Photo by William Wysession

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Jewish students hold the chuppah, a traditional canopy used in Jewish weddings, above the heads of Rosati-Kain students. (Rebecca Stiffelman)

STUDENT TO STUDENT

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HS is known for its diversity, from the Voluntary Student Transfer program to its peaceful response to the Westboro Baptist Church protest. Other schools, however, are not as fortunate. Many rural high schools are incredibly homogenous and, as a result, students are rarely exposed to other cultures and religions.

Jewish students at CHS are trying to combat this by traveling to rural and parochial high schools and educating students and faculty alike on Judaism and how it applies to their lives.

Members of the Student to Student program typically present three to four times per year at rural or parochial schools scattered across the St. Louis area. Each presentation lasts about an hour, and covers Israel, the Jewish life cycle (birth to Bar/Bat Mitzvah to wedding to death, and everything in between), the Holocaust, and Jewish holidays.

Senior David Iken is in his second year of the Student to Student program. He explained how the program works.

“Four Jewish teenagers travel to various high schools where there is no or very little Jewish presence,” Iken said. “At these schools we give a presentation about different aspects of our Jewish lives … the groups are composed

by YOSSI KATZ

of at least one Orthodox, one Conservative and one Reform Jewish presenter.”

Iken stressed that the goal of the program is to build bridges of understanding.

“What’s important is that we try to connect with kids who otherwise would have little to no contact with Jews,” Iken said. “To show that while our beliefs may be different, Jewish teenagers really aren’t any different than any other teenagers.”

Fawn Chapel, the Student to Student Coordinator for the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis (JCRC) has been involved with the program since 1999 and has been the coordinator since 2002. She summarized the program.

“The [Student to Student] program trains Jewish high school juniors and seniors to give presentations to students in schools that lack a Jewish presence,” Chapel said.

Chapel remembered one of her more moving moments of the Student to Student program.

“One of our participants spoke about his grandmother’s experience during the Holocaust and he became very emotional and had to stop talking for a moment. I looked around the classroom and saw that most of the students had tears in their eyes. They were truly moved by his emotions and the story of his grandmother.”

Before CHS students present, they attend a training session run by Chapel that helps prepare them for the questions that they may encounter. Students are warned that they may (and often do) encounter stereotypes and ignorance.

“While presenting, I was asked if Jews really had horns,” Iken said. “I had to remind the [questioner] that Jews had the exact same body as non-Jews, and unless Christians had horns that I didn’t know about, I didn’t either.”

Chapel added that it’s important to not be offended and that humor can often help relax otherwise tense situations. She said that though the presenters are sometimes asked ignorant questions, they must take these in stride and answer them professionally.

“That’s the reason we have these presentations - to educate,” Iken said. “When presenting, you are dealing with kids who often know little to nothing about Judaism, so you can’t be offended.”

The Student to Student program aims to replicate the diversity of CHS and schools like it throughout the St. Louis area. “I think it’s great that CHS students are so knowledgeable about and tolerant of each other,” Iken said. “And as a result I wanted to try and bring that to other schools around St. Louis.” 

UPFRONT

ANTIQUE CLAYTON

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by EMMA EHLL

ne hundred years ago, downtown Clayton was farmland, not the bustling metropolis that it is today.

One hundred years ago, close to Wydown Middle School, the World’s Fair occupied Forest Park and drew people from around the world. One hundred years ago, Clayton was born.

The year of 2013 marks the 100th birthday of Clayton; with it comes a multitude of celebrations and events. However, this birthday doesn’t only bring fun parties and interesting activities.

It also brings the opportunity to reflect on Clayton’s history. In fact, the motto for this upcoming year is “Honoring our Past, Promoting the Present, and Planning for Our Future.”

And this is exactly what former alderwoman Judy Goodman has planned.

“All kinds of events are planned throughout the year,” Goodman said. “The approach is to ‘centennialize’ existing activities as a way to economize in the current environment and capitalize on the things Clayton does best, as well as to create a few special memorable and multigenerational events. There will be family activities, new park project dedications, and a speaker

series. The year will culminate with the Party of the Century on Nov. 29, 2013.”

Some of the other events include musical nights at Oak Knoll Park, a movie night at the Center of Clayton, and a 100 mile “Be Healthy This Year Challenge.” There will even be a restaurant week where restaurants in Clayton will offer a certain dish at a 1913 price. There will also be many activities for kids in Clayton.

“Mark your calendar for Feb. 22, which is Family Skate Night at the ice rink and also happens to be Ralph Clayton’s 225th birthday.

Ralph himself will be there in his authentic costume, so families are encouraged to come help him celebrate,” Goodman said. “A number of activities are planned in Shaw Park, including a special April 26 Arbor Day event and July 4th Family Pool Party.”

Linda Goldstein, the mayor of Clayton, is looking forward to what the upcoming year holds. “I’m excited that we are opening a new police station in January 2013 after spending 50 years (half our existence) in one that we’ve long ago outgrown,” she said. “I’m looking forward to our actual anniversary date, April 7, 2013, when we’ll celebrate the opening of the new Shaw Park trails in addition to our centennial.”

It may seem like a lot of time and work for such a small community to celebrate 100 years, but in the end it is almost as if we have earned a badge of pride for our growth and developments in the last century.

“A centennial is a significant milestone,” Goodman said. “When an organization is thriving at the 100-year mark, it must have done something right. There is research on the common characteristics of enduring success, and two of the qualities relate to leadership and an ability to adapt to a changing environment.”

Luckily, you don’t have to wait until 2013 for the festivities to begin. In fact, a book titled “Clayton, Missouri: An Urban Story” is already on sale. This book is filled with photos and little known facts about Clayton.

A lot has changed for Clayton in the past 100 years. As we continue to grow at a significant rate, we should take the upcoming year as an opportunity to learn about the city we all know and love.

“I think most of us agree that Clayton is a wonderful place to live, work, or visit,” Goldstein said. “This year-long celebration makes our community even stronger by bringing us together as we share our appreciation for the City of Clayton.” 

Clayton’s skyline is something that every resident recognizes. (William Wysession)

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TWO MILLION MINUTES

CHS students work in the science lab. (Olivia MacDougal)

The efficacy and future of America’s educational system is investigated in this film.

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by CHRIS CHO

he CHS PTO organized and invited Clayton parents and students to attend a movie screening of “Two Million Minutes: The Documentary” to raise awareness regarding the current state of

American education.

This documentary reveals how American students use their K-12 years in comparison to Chinese and Indian students. Interestingly, the CHS PTO had organized a similar event two years earlier regarding the documentary “Race to Nowhere.” This documentary, in contrast to “Two Millions Minutes,” condemned the insurmountable stress that high school students received due to the college application process.

Following the documentary, J.M. Rochester, a Clayton parent and university educator, gave his remarks regarding “Two Million Minutes” and its message in light of “Race to Nowhere.”

Rochester firmly sided with “Two Million Minutes” in that something needs to be done with the current high school system. The film blatantly points out the growing gap between the performance of high schools students in India and China compared to America. Evidenced by the number of engineers and scientists that

China and India produce, Rochester stated America may need a change in direction and emphasis.

Rochester emphasized that there are three main problems that have led to America’s degraded educational system: increasing number of distractions, the role of parents in the lives of students and the incomparable stress that students faced during the Great Depression era compared to students today.

The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research showed that 15 to 17-year-olds in 2002 and 2003 devoted about three and a half hours a day to TV and other leisure while their average time spend studying was 42 minutes. This statistic shows the growing epidemic known as “laziness” in today’s society. It is certain that technology has rapidly taken over the lives of Americans. The study shows the surprising lack of effort on the part of American students compared to those in India and China.

The second problem that Rochester emphasized was the role of parents in the lives of students. Rochester stated “parents are on the end of two spectrums; they’re either over-bearing or under bearing.” He criticized the extremity shown by parents in part to taking care of their children. The extremity shown by these parents have produced children that are either very pro-

ductive or those that are not.

The last problem that Rochester expressed was the large amount of stress students faced during the Great Depression era compared to students today. Sandwiched between two world wars and an economic collapse, Rochester talked about the immense stress students encountered in comparison to students today.

Rochester implied that because students had to overcome more challenging barriers, students developed a resiliency and perseverance that students in today’s society lack.

Parents, students and teachers attended the screening, and there seemed to be an overall sense of urgency with respect to the current state of public education.

The movie ended with a summary of how three individual students ended up with respect to going to college. Interestingly, the two students that resided in India and China did not end up at their dream school, while the American student enrolled at Purdue University with a full scholarship. Whether or not one deems the American student’s enrollment at Purdue a success, only time will tell where he or she will be on a global spectrum and where the United States will end up with respect to these rapidly advancing foreign countries. 

UFRONT

Students add new mulch to the CHS landscape as part of Beautifcation Day. (Rebecca Stiffelman)

BEAUTIFY CLAYTON

by ZACH BAYLY

B

eautification. The seldom-used word has echoed around the CHS campus for a while now, winding its way conspicuously through PTO meetings and Student Government gather-

ings.

Although the students are mostly accustomed to change by now, after members of the administration have come and gone and a new wing of the school has slowly but surely become an integral part of the school, there were still questions surrounding the inaugural day dedicated to doing yard work around campus.

However, Interim Principal Dr. Dan Gutchewsky didn’t express a hint of concern or worry about the success of the event, an idea inspired by his own high school experiences at Kirk-

wood.

“We’re going to make up some lists, buy some donuts or bagels, and whether there are 20 people or 200 people, we’re going to get busy,” he said, with a confident voice and demeanor.

What the student body has noticed unquestionably is that Gutchewsky has been pretty busy himself, whether it be greeting students outside every morning regardless of the weather, personally handing out birthday cards or surveying all members of the CHS community about the personal relationships they’ve formed.

“I really believe in the power of relationships and connecting with people, and I would like to expand and reach out to a broader audience on Beautification Day,” he said. “I want to continually provide reasons for people to come to school every day.”

And so, at 9 a.m. Oct. 6 students from all different grade levels rolled up their sleeves and began shoveling mulch and weeding alongside teachers in denim jeans, janitors out of uniform and parents subsisting on Panera coffee.

By 11 a.m. all superficiality had dwindled to nothing, ironically, as sweating students wiped smudged mulch from their faces and clothes and talked excitedly amongst each other. The Class of 1972 was toured around the hallways they once paced down daily.

Somehow, on a day that was supposed to be committed to improving exterior elements of the school, many members of the Clayton community discovered the very core foundation of CHS: community. When Gutchewsky says, “the little things make the big difference,” one can tell that he was planning for this discovery all along. 

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nSPIRED?

by JEFFREY CHENG

Photo by Olivia MacDougal

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teacher walks over and scolds a student for playing Pokémon on his calculator instead of analyzing the data that the teacher just beamed to the class. This may sound like a scene from the future, but the Texas Instruments’s latest creation, the nSpire, makes all of this possible. And with the District’s switch from the TI-84 to the new calculator, this technological power is now available to the entire student body.

Many features on the calculator leave past models in the dust. Senior Jack Wei likes the new version for many reasons. “I like the fullcolor screen, chargeable battery, faster graphing, easier calculations and new keyboard,” he said.

Teachers are just as enthusiastic about the new calculator. Geometry and Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry (FST) teacher Chris Moody cited the document format that eases saving, organizing and sharing files, new variable naming system, and graph format.

“In FST we used the nSpire extensively for analyzing data and creating lines of best fit. We have already done four excursions on the calculator to better understand functions,” Moody said.

“It helps share common data for problems and easily visualize relationships in geometry. We use it as a tool for understanding functions and their properties, but not as a magic black box that generates the answers.”

Perhaps these features, while convenient, overstep the boundaries of what a calculator should be able to do. Most of the features are appearance-based, which do not contribute towards the purpose of the calculator: to simplify calcu-

lations. Although the computer software allows for an easier display, using the document camera on the older models would have essentially the same result.

But the calculator itself also has some major flaws. “The regression information has generic names rather than type of regression specific names,” Moody said. “The touchpad is sometimes difficult to manipulate when you want a specific point, and that there is not a command to have the function bar on the graph all the time.”

Wei also acknowledged major problems with the nSpire.

“It is way harder to program on the nSpire,” he said. “It’s also harder to find equations, especially if you are used to the TI-84. Overall, I still like the TI-84 more than the nSpire, because its functions are easier to use and follow, and the better programming function is used in class a lot.”

Calculators are simple tools for easing the brute computations of mathematicians, allowing them to focus on the conceptual and theoretical aspects of mathematics. However, the trend of machines today is to add features that may be useful, but ultimately surpass or do not relate to the main purpose of the product. The TI-nSpire is a flashy representation of this trend in the mathematical world. Despite its amazing features, beautiful design, and possible applications in class, the nSpire offers little more in practicality than older, more traditional calculators. The nSpire, for all its full-colored, 3-D, data-collecting might, is only an embellished gadget to be outdone by the next eye-catching model. 

PEDAL THE CAUSE

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by GABBY BOEGER

ighteen high school students on Team CHS all crossed the finish line of the Pedal the Cause bike race on Oct. 7. Some of these riders rode for family members or friends that have been affected by cancer, and others because they wanted to support people whose lives have been affected by cancer. Altogether, Team CHS raised over $4,000.

Pedal the Cause, also known as PTC, is an organization that raises money to help find a cure for cancer. 100 percent of all the proceeds stay in St. Louis and benefit all types of cancer research. The proceeds benefit The Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

Money is raised through an annual bike race in which riders may form a team or ride individually. Lauren Indovino, a junior at CHS and founder of Pedal the Cause club at Clayton, is a dedicated participant in the event.

“There are friends/family teams and big corporate teams that ride for people they know who have been affected by cancer,” she said. “And throughout the year each team fundraises for cancer research.”

Jay Indovino, Lauren’s dad and Executive Director of Pedal the Cause, spoke about the event.

“When riders sign up, they commit to fundraising for cancer research,” he said.

“Many riders have a strong personal connection to cancer. Some ride in honor of a loved one who is battling cancer or who has lost their battle with cancer. Many of our riders are cancer survivors themselves.”

Fundraising occurs from the time the riders sign up for the ride to the time the fundraising closes.

“Our fundraising closes on Oct. 31 so we are still raising money but we are currently at $1.75 million and hope to reach $2 million by closing. Last year we raised $1.325 million,” Jay Indovino said.

Fundraising for cancer research is the reason why this event is so successful.

“It starts with very strong founders and sponsors like the Bill and Amy Koman Foundation and Edward Jones,” Jay Indovino said. “They have committed strong financial resources that allowed us to build a strong organization and a first class event which helps attract participants.”

All different levels of experience are welcomed in the event. Riding distances range from an easy 15 mile course to a challenging 75 mile course.

“Everyone should join Pedal the Cause club next year,” Lauren Indovino said. “It doesn’t take that much time and it is a really inspiring experience. You do not need to know how to ride a bike to do the club, there are many volunteer opportunities so that you can participate at the event.”

The even program letter from Jay Indovino summuraized what PTC is all about.

“Sponsors, Founders, Riders, Team Captains, Volunteers, Donors (20,000+ Strong) have all come together to make Pedal the Cause into a great event, and we couldn’t be more proud of the passion, determination and spirit that our St. Louis community has shown in making an impact in the fight against cancer.” 

Clayton’s Pedal the Cause team for the 2012 ride. (Photos by Megan McCormick)

LOSING CONTROL

Technology is everywhere we turn. Are CHS students battling a new addiction?

by BECCA POLINSKY

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Many students find technology to take up a substantial part of their day. (Globe archives)

he human population has had a consistent daily routine for centuries – wake up, eat, work, eat, sleep.

However, over the past decade this steady pattern has transformed into one that is also accompanied by a smart phone or computer.

Each day, people, especially young people, find themselves obsessively checking their Facebook account, Twitter account, text messages or other social media outlet.

According to Fendell, a recent Washington University study shows that social media is more addictive than alcohol and cigarettes.

In general, the signs of addiction can be physiologic, behavioral and psychological.

Ginny Fendell, a licensed clinical social worker, described the experience of how addiction impacts the lives of sufferers.

“Basically, an addict’s entire life now revolves around getting their drug,” Fendell said.

“They may stop hanging out with their friends or family.”

In fact, the general signs of addiction have now been seen in the victims of addiction to social media.

According to Fendell, college students from

Washington University in St. Louis complained about being obsessed with checking Facebook statuses and feeling depressed if they couldn’t check Facebook for some reason.

“They also felt like they spent way too much time thinking about getting on Facebook when they were doing other things like sitting in class or being out with friends,” Fendell said.

Psychological signs are more difficult to detect. Typical psychological signs include irritability, change in personality, lethargy and paranoia.

These symptoms can also be the same type of symptoms associated with mental illness, which is why it can be challenging for some therapists to help an addict.

Victims often come to therapy for what looks like depression, but actually the drug causes their symptoms.

All addictive behaviors can be assessed in a similar way, but the treatment for specific addictions are different.

“Some people believe alcohol addiction has to be treated with abstinence whereas other types of addiction require a cutting back on the behavior,” Fendell said.

However, the adolescent population would find abstaining from the use of social media painful and nearly impossible.

“I check my accounts probably hourly, even during hall periods and out of school I would

say twice as much,” Dylan Brown, a senior at CHS, said.

Brown described the very real anxiety she feels when faced with the possibility of being disconnected.

“I don’t let my phone die,” she said. “I dread the moment because it stresses me out so much.”

Brown has an Instagram account, Facebook account, Twitter account, Snap Chat and more, which are all accessible on her iPhone.

“Everything is on my phone, and when it is dead I feel as though I am missing so much,” Brown said.

Brown self-diagnoses her relationship with her device as an addictive relationship.

“I would consider my cell phone use an addiction,” Brown said. “I feel emotionally attached to it.”

Brown does not stand alone on her feeling of emotional attachment, though the majority of humans would not consider their use of social media so severe.

The reality is that society incorporates social media into every day lives involuntarily and the biggest problem with being over-reliant on social media is the loss of control.

At this point there seems to be no good solution to the problem and if what the study indicates is in fact true, then society might soon be faced with an epidemic. 

W

FEATURES

AP OVERLOAD

Where should we draw the line? Or should the line be drawn at all?

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by EUDORA OLSEN

“We would like to see you take the most rigorous course load possible” is a phrase repeated time and time again by admissions officers of highly selective colleges. This phrase rings in the ears of nearly all selective-college hopefuls.

But who is to say what the most rigorous course load looks like?

Colleges view students in the context of their school, and for CHS students, this means in the context of 21 offered Advanced Placement classes. The question is, how many are too many? With talks of a possible quota on the number of AP classes students at CHS can take, the issue becomes more complicated than simply that of a “rigorous course load.”

Senior Noam Kantor feels the pressure from colleges to achieve a sufficiently competitive transcript. But for Kantor, who is currently taking five AP classes, the depth of information that these courses provide outweighs the stress.

“I really love the sciences so it gave me a chance to spend a huge chunk of my day doing the sciences,” Kantor said. “At some points it was stressful, but most of the time I could look forward to being in science classes and doing labs.”

Kantor took the AP Biology AP Chemistry combined course his junior year. The number of students enrolled in this course is a record-high this year, with 26 students in the class.

Sally Lazaroff teaches AP Biology, and she does not see that the stress students are feeling is from taking multiple AP classes, but instead from extracurricular activities.

“The students in multiple AP classes are capable of the work expected,” Lazaroff said.

“They are also the students making the most of their high school experience.”

Neither Lazaroff nor Kantor support a quota on the number of AP classes students can take. Their thoughts reflect that parents within the Clayton community would override the quota by requesting exceptions too often, allowing students to take the normal surplus of AP classes.

College counselor Carolyn Blair believes that a quota would be good for alleviating the stress that students feel, but that everyone would have to be on board. Blair sees first-hand the extent of the pressure students feel to fulfill a challenging course load.

“There are some students who can handle it beautifully,” Blair said. “But the masses are just not wired. Part of the issue is that you are still kids and the lack of sleep alone is detrimental.”

Blair feels that the issue of building up resumes is one of mental health. The majority of students are not able to handle the pressure, so a quota would help to equalize the playing field. However, as long as Clayton offers a large number of AP classes, colleges will want to see that students are taking as many as possible.

Blair described an instance 15 years ago when she called a college admissions office to ask why they did not accept a particular student.

“They told me she did not have enough AP classes,” Blair said. “That was the beginning of the end.”

AP test scores are a way for colleges to standardize the course load and gauge the preparation of students.

Blair described the environment at CHS regarding AP courses as an “arms race,” but she accepts her inevitable role in contributing to the stress that students feel.

“We can’t complain about how students are so stressed if we are contributing to that stress factor,” Blair said.

Principal Dan Gutchewsky agrees with Blair - the larger issue is stress. However, Gutchewsky sees a stronger alternative to an AP quota to address the stress issue.

Photo by Olivia MacDougal, graphic by Audrey Palmer.

“I think it’s important that we help parents recognize the signs of stress and help them find ways of coping with the stress,” Gutchewsky said. “We are looking at ways of engaging the community.”

Gutchewsky is open to the conversation about a possible AP quota, but he sees a limit on the classes students can take as detrimental to individualization.

“There are a significant number of kids each year that successfully navigate multiple AP classes,” Gutchewsky said. “The larger issue is helping parents and kids to say, ‘When is it not healthy to take so many courses?’”

Both Gutchewsky and Blair recognize the pride factor of taking AP classes. Junior Adam Zoll, who is currently taking the AP Biology AP Chemistry combined course, sees some of his peers taking AP classes for the wrong reasons.

“A lot of people take AP classes for the sake of AP credit,” Zoll said. “But really they should be taking advanced courses for their own sake - to enrich their education and pursue their interests.”

The competitive culture is not unique to Clayton. For n o w , there is no cons e n sus on whether or not C lay ton should have a quota. As long as Clayton provides a large number of AP courses, the cycle will continue. Colleges will expect to see many AP classes and students will feel the pressure to fulfill that expectation. 

17

The Urban Beautification Project

by GWYNE HENKE

First project done for the UBP, artwork done by Jacob Schmidt

Jake Schmidt carries a tangible reminder of his travelling art show with him wherever he goes. His Converse shoes are splattered in a rainbow of paint drippings, the leftovers of dozens of creations.

His art show, however, hangs not on canvas in tidy studios or on the walls of art rooms or museums. Instead, Schmidt, a senior at Metro High School, took on the task of painting murals on 28, 20x8x6 city dumpsters with the help of 25 other artists. Schmidt was trying to create beauty amidst the dim alleyways and glaring billboards that rule most city streets.

“I had this idea to take one of the most ugly parts of the city, which is the dumpsters, and to beautify them, to bring colors to the streets,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt began the Urban Beautification Project in November of 2011. He started by asking his alderwoman for permission to paint two small dumpsters in an alleyway. The product spanned across both dumpsters, a pulsing ripple of deep blues and indigos fading out from a white center. Schmidt was then inspired with the idea to take this project citywide. He hoped to paint 100 small dumpsters located in back alleys of neighborhoods.

“At this point it was still in the dreamstate” Schmidt said. “Now I was starting to think more logistically about it and how I could get this into a reality.”

Schmidt narrowed the obstacles the project was facing down to three main points: getting permission, raising funding and recruiting other artists.

Although dealing with the bureaucratic system of the government could be difficult at times, Schmidt found some people eager to help him turn his idea into a reality. While working on getting permission and a plan worked out with city officials, Schmidt turned to the problem of funding.

Schmidt started spreading awareness for the project as so many do; he created a Facebook page (search The Urban Beautification Project), and then took to the fundraising site

Kickstarter, where he raised $4,300.

As Schmidt and the city began to work out a plan, an undeniable problem began to make itself clear. The small community dumpsters, once painted, made it hard for residents to distinguish between yard-waste and non-yard waste containers. Despite Schmidt’s efforts to clearly label the dumpsters, the city told him that his idea was not going to work.

“There was a point there where they were like ‘You can’t do this project because there’s no way to identify these dumpsters.’ For a good five hours or so I was really in the dumps, but I said to myself, alright, I have a good idea, I know I can make it work, and I’m going to try to think of new solutions,” Schmidt recalled.

Thanks to Schmidt’s determination, he and the city were able to work out a compromise.

The Urban Beautification Project would paint 24 (later to be increased to 28) 20x8x6 dumpsters used for leaf pick ups, parades and construction sites.

“The cool thing about these dumpsters is that they have their own truck and they’re transported all around the city. They pick them up and leave to another spot which creates this great opportunity for this project to become a travelling art show,” Schmidt said.

With funding and permission in place, Schmidt began to organize a team of artists.

At first, Schmidt only knew aspiring artists, most of them fellow students. However, as word about the UBP (as it is affectionately referred to on many of the dumpsters) spread, local professional artists started contacting him asking if they could get involved. Schmidt was thrilled with the community support, and ended up with 25 artists painting for one month in the scorching 100 plus degree weather.

With an inspired group of local artists driven by a leader who believed in the power for their project to bring about change, it was inevitable that great art would result. And this is exactly what happened. Schmidt, who is immensely proud and grateful for all the work that the artists provided, has a few favorite

pieces out of the squad of dumpsters.

Schmidt admired one Sally Ride tribute by Theresa Hopkins, as well as a mural of cyclists by artist Megan Rieke.

Of his own pieces, Schmidt was especially fond of “The Monster,” a depiction of an enormous octopus, and “The Vulture,” whose design was created a few years ago by Schmidt’s brother.

CHS graduate Andrea Hermann also had a hand in the project. “Andrea Hermann ... became a huge part of this project, coming out almost every day and painting beautiful things. She painted the Galaxy scenes and the Lorax - the Lorax I really loved - and she was a huge help,” Schmidt said.

Having painted 28 dumpsters, Schmidt left the project confident about the effect that the UBP has had on St. Louis.

“It has definitely affected people’s thought process about the cities they live in, and that was really the goal in this project ... It wasn’t just to paint these dumpsters, it was to have people question the ugliness around them ... and ask why, why do they need this ugliness and why can’t it be something beautiful?”

Schmidt said.

From his experience with the UBP, Schmidt has advice for those starting out on their own projects.

“Perseverance! There were so many times in this project where I doubted if it was ever going to happen,” Schmidt said.

Almost a year after the first dumpsters were painted, however, Schmidt’s dumpster art has been a resounding success with support spread across the St. Louis community.

For Schmidt, there is much more to come.

“I am planning on more art,” Schimdt said.

“Since I’m in school and I really don’t have the time ... Megan [a fellow artist] has taken the project in new directions, including murals all across St. Louis ... so that’s the next project we’ll be doing.”

What will Schmidt’s next medium be?

“Truthfully,” he laughed. “I’m done with dumpsters!” 

Photos clockwise from top left: “The Lorax� made by CHS graduate Andrea Herman, artwork by Bradley Pipkin, Before and After shots of dumpster painted by Marissa Favazza, Dumpster painted by Marissa Favazza (Photos courtesy of Jacob Schmidt)

A WEIGHTY DILEMMA

by PHOEBE YAO Back in late September, the topic of backpacks sparked my interest when I was looking to write an article for the third issue of the Globe. What started as an interest grew into a fascination which took me on a journey through the uncharted backpack regions of the CHS community. I came back with enough warnings, tips and solutions to write an article, or maybe something more. Where it all began was the nurse’s office.

Up the three flights of stairs, through hallways and into classrooms, there is no more loyal and constant a companion than the backpack.

A student’s success at CHS is partly due to his or her backpack and its ability to carry learning supplies, yet lately, CHS backpack weights have gotten out of control.

Into the Nurse’s Office School Nurse Dede Coughlin supervises the health of CHS students. Among those who come to her office are people who have developed back injuries, the majority of which are caused by backpacks.

“Often kids come in here to weigh their backpack and they’re anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds, and that’s a huge problem,” Coughlin said. “It’s a big strain, to pick up that much weight.”

Coughlin believes that most of the back pain and shoulder injuries of students at CHS are influenced by how people wear their backpacks as well as the sheer weight of the packs.

“The proper thing would be to have a good backpack that’s hiked up on your back and there’s a strap around your middle, because that more evenly distributes the weight,” Coughlin said. “But what people do is they sling [the backpack] off the back of their shoulders, it lands way down low on their back, so it’s pulling their shoulders and pulling their back.”

You can adjust the straps of your backpack to the correct fit without much difficulty, but limiting weight is a more difficult problem to

tackle.

“Students don’t use their lockers here, so what happens is, people instead of carrying

Average Weight

18.5 lbs is the average weight of backpacks across the student population from 9-12 grade.

their textbooks when it’s time for class, they simply carry their textbooks all day long,” Coughlin said. “And they carry all of them … so

that’s really, over a day’s time, a lot of weight.”

The school provides four minutes between class periods to visit the locker, and a neat trick a few have picked up is to rotate between two backpacks, one before lunch and another after. But for students who don’t have nearby lockers at hand, late or no lunch periods, Coughlin suggests a different solution.

“The very best thing that nobody will do but about two or three people use is a rolling backpack,” she said. “That solves a whole lot of problems.”

Several research articles state that the weight of one’s backpack should not exceed 10 to 20 percent of one’s body weight.

Coughlin acknowledged those statements but couldn’t comment on their validity.

“Does [improper use of backpacks] cause permanent long term damage?,” she asked aloud. “I don’t think there’s been enough studies about that, but I do know that it can cause short term discomfort for your shoulders and your back and so who wants to go through that?”

Unfortunately, many CHS students have gone through back pain. One CHS student shared his story and some solutions to the problems he faced with carrying a heavy load around Clayton.

FEATURES

Juniors Alessandra Silva and Abbie Kohmetscher roam the hallways with their seemigly over-sized backpacks. (William Wysesssion)

To the Library Although not the prevalent method, rolling backpacks are the norm for CHS junior Ben Cook.

“I remember I had to go to physical therapy when I was in 8th grade because I had so much weight on my shoulders,” Cook said.

Cook has a medical condition that won’t allow him to put too much weight on his shoulders, so he began using rolling backpacks during his sophomore year when the combined weight of his textbooks and binders became too heavy. “[During freshman year] I did actually use a backpack that you wear on your shoulders after I had my [corrective] surgery and within a week I had to stay home from school because it was so bad,” Cook said.

Though Cook’s case may be unusual, his unique experience provides some insight into the consequences of overweight packs.

“Of course buying a backpack that rolls on the ground is a helpful thing, but if you can’t do that because I know that’s not an option everyone would like to use, [try] back exercises. You can just go online and find exercises that you can do, or different stretches. If you do

those each day it will fix you up, [and] you’ll be fine,” Cook said.

The measures a student can take to prevent back and shoulder pains are limited to organization and sacrificing tradition for rolling back-

Injuries

31% of the 134 students that weighed in are suffering from back problems.

packs, but the school can help as well.

“Well of course there’s the argument about going digital with textbooks so that you don’t

need to carry around physical books,” Cook said. “But having two copies, one for home and one for school is always helpful.”

Whether CHS decides to direct its funding towards back pain or not, it is paramount that students make attempts to avoid injuring their shoulders and backs.

“If you do have back problems, don’t let it get out of hand because it can be bad, it can get really bad if you just let it slide,” Cook said.

The Weigh In This project began as a way to shed light on problems within CHS which stem from unhealthy dependency on the backpack, but I’d like people to think of this not just as a health warning but as an exploration into the inner workings of the CHS population.

On Oct. 1, a student organized event, “The Weigh In”, took place during student lunch hours to weigh the backpacks of the student body. We weighed a total of 2482.5 pounds of backpack and talked to many students about their school luggage.

Ultimately, we found a myriad of stories and problems that were backpack-related, as well as a few solutions. 

21

DIFFERING

PERSPECTIVES

by JESSICA JANCOSE Olivia MacDougal and her mother are best friends and are similar in many respects – except for the fact that they are polar opposites on the political spectrum.

This is startling when one considers how closely linked one’s political views are to their morals and fundamental principles.

It’s common for adults to hold different political opinions than their parents. However, what is far less common is for teenagers to stray from their parents’ views.

Research uncovered in a branch of social psychology known as political socialization suggests that views and opinions one holds about the world are formed by a multitude of factors, with the most influential being the environment one grows up in.

According to David Aiello, the psychology teacher at CHS, “It’s what happens to you over those formative years [childhood] where parents play such an important role in choosing the environment that you grow up in that you tend to take on a lot of those attitudes.”

Given how much our brain develops during our childhood years, these early influences have a vital impact on our life-long beliefs.

Yet despite this, many teenagers find that their opinions ultimately end up clashing with those of their parents. For MacDougal, her mother’s devoutly conservative beliefs simply hold no appeal.

“I’m definitely not a Republican,” MacDougal said. “I’ve heard FOX News and I’ve heard the conservative viewpoint and there are things that they believe and things that they follow that I can’t agree with.”

Out of the multitude of different topics that go into creating a political platform, teens typically have the most exposure to social issues such as gay rights. As a result, a party’s stance on social issues can determine a teen’s political leanings.

CHS junior Max Treutelaar says that he aligns with his parents’

conservative views on every topic except for those that are social.

“I’m more open and interested in human rights,” Treutelaar said.

“And also, it’s not my job to police your morals.”

Treutelaar believes that these differing beliefs could stem from the fact that he is younger and more exposed to different ideas. At CHS he finds that he is “in a more open community and I see more things. [My parents] don’t. They tend to stay with their friends who are more their demographic and I don’t because I’m a high school student.”

CHS is an extraordinarily open and accepting school. Our clubs range from the Young Republicans Club all the way to our active GSA. Politics club offers students a chance to debate, discuss their views and be exposed to multiple sides of an argument.

Clayton as a community tends to have a more liberal slant, as evidenced by our highly progressive, and uncontested, state representative, Stacey Newman. This translates over to a more liberal student body at CHS. This more progressive student body can prove influential on students such as Treutelaar who, at home, found that they were exposed to solely conservative views.

“We never talk about the Democratic party very much at home,” Treutelaar said. “[In high school] you’re around lots of people and you hear their ideas and you can decide whether you like them or not. At Clayton I don’t hear as many Republican ideas.”

MacDougal has also found that Clayton has contributed to the molding of her beliefs. She cites our thriving GSA as a prime example of the more liberal and open attitudes expressed here at CHS. “Here, you can believe whatever view you want,” MacDougal said. “You can see there’s a young republican’s club. But I think – maybe I’m making a generalization – but I think the majority of the population at Clayton leans towards the liberal side just because it

FEATURES is a really liberal school.”

However, the concept of a more liberal student coming from a conservative family certainly is not unique to Clayton. Liberal ideas tend to be more progressive and, therefore, resonate more with young people. “It’s called ‘conservative drift’ – or the tendency to become more conservative with age” Aiello said.

During election time, political advertisements and rhetoric are a nearly inescapable part of TV and radio. As a result, the differences between those with opposing views can become magnified tenfold.

In extreme cases, political differences can prove strong enough to wrench family members apart. Thankfully, in most cases, arguments over politics do not escalate to this level.

“I know there have been a couple of times where my sister just leaves because she can’t listen to my mom’s opinions,” MacDougal said.

However, for both MacDougal and Treutelaar, fights over politics are typically evaded simply by avoiding the subject altogether.

“We avoid it because I’m sure that there would be some discord,” MacDougal said.

Especially during election time when tension over politics is running high, we could all take a lesson from this family dynamic.

“Getting into a fight just really isn’t worth it,” MacDougal said. “In the end, family means more than politics ever could.” 

“It’s what happens to you over those formative years [childhood] where parents play such an important role in choosing the environment that you grow up in that you tend to take on a lot of those attitudes.”

David Aiello Psychology Teacher

Olivia MacDougal and her mother. (Photo by Olivia MacDougal)

23

THE STATE OF CLAYTON

The Issues Social Issues Foreign Policy Education Healthcare The Economy Missouri Senate Looking Ahead

It is hard to escape from the election this time of year. Turn on the television? Political ads clutter everything you watch. Go for a walk? Yard signs stare at you from every angle. Curl up on the couch to read a book? The phone rings and opinions are forced upon you in the place you call home.

Though politics often make people want to crouch down in a hole and hide, the future of America lies in the hands of the voters, the people who cannot escape.

How can you get an unbiased viewpoint?

What changes need to be made for our nation to pros-

per? In a country of 310 million, how can one voice make a difference?

The date is approaching when the nation needs to decide where the country will go. What should happen with the economy? What about Israel?

The Affordable Care Act? Unemployment? Social issues? Education?

Only the American people can decide what lies ahead. With millions of citizens who do not know how they feel, or worse, do not care, it is time for us to learn, be open and decide the direction our nation is headed.

Story By Peter Baugh, Design by Parker Schultz and Peter Baugh

F

our years ago, Democrat Barack Obama won over the country and the general election against the Republican nominee John McCain. After Obama took office the next January, Americans were optimistic about the promise of hope and the first African American president in the history of the United States.

However, after the honeymoon, the nation found out just how bad the problems facing us were.

After four years of ups and downs, how do Clayton students, community members and teachers feel about this upcoming election?

Who should get the blame for the government’s shortcomings? The praise for the accomplishments?

Four years ago hope filled the air around the nation. Now we have a mix of confusion, excitement and worry for the future of America.

OPINIONS Christine Stricker, a personal finance teacher and yearbook advisor at CHS, feels Obama has done a good job as president, considering how the nation was after George W. Bush left office.

“I think that [Obama] walked into the job at the worst possible time a person could walk into the presidency,” Stricker said.

Stricker feels Obama has done all he could in his four year term. “[We] are back down to the unemployment rate from when he took office,” she said. “He saved the auto industry, he saved millions of jobs through the auto industry and through the bailout.”

Contrary to Stricker’s opinion, Jack Klamer, a senior, feels Obama has struggled economically and was wrong in his handling of the auto industry, feeling the president should have let the failure of the auto companies play out.

“I would definitely have said, ‘let them go bankrupt, let them restructure and let them come back all on their own,’” Klamer said. “[Obama] likes to tout his numbers, but in the

end it was a lot of government spending and I’m just against that amount of spending for an industry that just needs to restructure.”

Mo Mills, a junior, does not feel the same way as Klamer about the economy.

“I recognize that the right wing feels there should be less government control, and more trickle down methods,” Mills said. “I support, for today, a more progressive [tax system] and [I think] more government intervention like social welfare and things would benefit the current situations.”

Rock Erekson, local precinct captain for the Missouri River Republican Township, has met Romney several times as a conservative advocate. Erekson feels Obama has expanded the role of government, exceeding its constitutional limits.

“Go back and read the federalist papers, read the Constitution and Bill of Rights, read the founding documents and supporting documents about how the country was formed,” Erekson said. “One of the reasons it was structured the way it was to prevent the growth of any one section of government. The government emanates from the people and their divinely endowed inalienable rights, not the reverse.”

51% 12% 37% Of students identified themselves as Democrats

Of students identified themselves as Republicans

Of students identified themselves as non-partisan, other or undecided

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney listens as President Barack Obama makes a point during the final presidential debate at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida on Monday, October 22, 2012. Bob Schieffer was the moderator. (Robert Duyos/Sun Sentinel/MCT)

What Liberals are saying: ----------------------------

What Conservatives Liberal Quote about are saying: Social Issues

-------------------------------

“One reason I like Obama is because he is working to legalize gay marriage.”

“I was disappointed in Obama’s handling of everything, especially energy (I’m usually liberal).”

“Romney is completely out of touch with the average American.”

“Romney’s views on Israel are the tiebreaker, Obama has supported dictators and terrorists while ignoring Israel.”

“From what I’ve heard it sounds like Romney can’t really make up his mind about what he stands for. His 47% comment didn’t really help much either.”

“Obama has been very disappointing ...

I expected much more of him.” *All comments from survey.

SOCIAL ISSUES Legitimate rape. These words, spoken by Todd Akin, the Republican adversary of Democrat Claire McCaskill running for a Missouri seat in the U.S. senate, sent shock waves through the country. In an interview with Charles Jaco of KTVI, Akin stated that he felt if a woman was raped legitimately, their body could prevent pregnancy, meaning an abortion should not be necessary.

Akin has apologized for and recanted his comments, but the remarks have spurred discussion about many social issues, including abortion.

Noah Engel, a sophomore at CHS, feels Akin’s comments were incorrect, both in a factual and moral sense. That said, Engel does agree with Akin that abortion is wrong, just not to the same extent. Akin feels abortion is wrong under any circumstance, which Engel disagrees with. “[There should be] no abortion except in the case of rape, life of the mother or incest,” Engel said.

This is the same stance Mitt Romney, the Re-

publican nominee, has taken.

Disagreeing with Romney in many respects, Stricker feels strongly against the Republican stance on social issues.

“I get frustrated that the Republican viewpoint is, ‘keep your hands off my money, but we will get involved in your personal life,’” Stricker said.

What worries CHS senior Kat Miller, copresident of politics club, about the Republican social platform is the future of Planned Parenthood, a research center that gives advice on issues such as contraception and reproduction, and also provides safe abortions.

Miller cites the fact that only three percent of what Planned Parenthood does is give abortions, and feels it is necessary to keep the research center intact.

Another social issue that is widely discussed is gay marriage.

Romney does not support gay marriage or civil unions, a recognized union of a same-sex couple. Obama, on the other hand, is the first president in history to go on record in favor of gay marriage.

Though Klamer is conservative fiscally, he does feel Obama’s stance on gay marriage and

other social issues has helped him gain a following of younger people.

“I think Obama has done all the social things that he has needed to do to really keep his youth party base, such as ... come out in support of gay marriage,” Klamer said.

Engel, who, like Klamer, still supports Romney, also aligns himself more with Obama in terms of gay marriage.

While Klamer based his decisions of who to support on economics, Emily Widder, a CHS senior, feels social issues are a deciding factor in who she supports this presidential election. “[Even] though I may disagree with some of [Obama’s] economic policies, I think social policies are probably the most important for me and I definitely align more with Obama rather than Mr. Romney,” Widder said.

In terms of the future, Jean Carnahan, former senator and Missouri first lady, wonders what the next four years will bring.

“Are we going to really do something about women’s rights and human rights and civil rights? Are we going to continue to support those things?” Carnahan said. “We just have to decide which way we are going to go with as a nation.”

Foreign Policy Since Obama took office in 2009, United States troops have left Iraq, Osama Bin Laden has been killed, tensions between Iran and Israel have grown, Hosni Mubarak, longtime president of Egypt, was overthrown and a U.S. Ambassador was killed in Libya.

On Sept. 11 of this year, it was reported that massive protests broke out in the middle east over an offensive video on the Muslim faith.

Protesters attacked the U.S. embassy in Libya, killing the U.S. Ambassador. It was soon discovered that the attack was a planned act of terror rather than spontaneous protests.

Erekson feels Obama has done a poor job in handling the current situations in Libya.

“I am still saddened and shocked that an ambassador of the United States of America would be [as] unprotected as they were,” Erekson said.

Since the attacks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said she is responsible for the protection of the embassy.

Current Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan (daughter of Jean Carnahan), who has decided not to run for re-election this November, is also interested in the situation in China.

Romney has talked about how China has manipulated their currency, taking advantage of manufacturers in the United States. Obama

feels he has helped reduce the manipulation of currency in China.

“Some dynamics of world affairs are changing,” Carnahan said. “To be able to lead a new approach to that is going to be important, and engaging the Chinese and not fighting with them is going to be an important part of that.”

A defining moment of Obama’s presidency was the killing of Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda. Bin Laden was responsible for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001.

Obama ordered the attack, which was carried out by an elite group of Navy seals.

However, there is a general Republican sentiment that overall Romney will be “tougher” in terms of foreign policy, similar to Ronald Reagan.

Education Perhaps the issue that will most affect students at CHS over the next four years is education policies.

Student loans have been a looming question this coming election, with many Americans wondering whether or not they are the proper way to deal with the financial cost of attending college.

Obama is in favor of the loans. Mitt Romney has also stated his support, but the Paul Ryan

budget plan would drastically cut the loans.

Romney selected Ryan as his vice presidential nominee.

Matthew Berrios, a CHS sophomore, feels that loans are an important and necessary measure for the United States.

“I believe student loans are really effective for the continuity of a good nation,” Berrios said. “That’s because I think a nation is based on how educated their people are and if they have good educated people they have good jobs ... It really helps everyone socially, politically and economically.”

Emily Longman, a senior, is not as sure about student loans as Berrios is.

“I think they are generally not the best choice for most people, depending on their situation, because they have fairly high interest rates and leave a lot of students struggling just to catch up with their payments when they are just starting a job,” Longman said. “It certainly can be a good investment, but should only be used as a last resort.”

Another issue causing controversy is the future of No Child Left Behind, a government program deciding the future of schools by using standardized test scores.

Established by Bush, the program has stayed intact throughout the Obama presidency.

With students at CHS only a few years away from beginning their own college experiences, educational changes may drastically affect their lives in a direct way.

Who is best looking?

Of students who would volunteer would do so for Obama.

82% 91% Of students would vote for Barack Obama.

Roughly 1/5

(20.1%) of students would vote for Romney

Do you approve of the Affordable Care Act?

Healthcare Some hate it, some love it, many have no clue. Coined “Obamacare,” the Affordable Care Act has evoked many strong opinions from Republicans and Democrats alike.

The Affordable Care Act requires every American to buy health insurance and provides financial help for those who cannot afford it.

The controversial part of the bill is the tax penalty given to a person who does not buy insurance.

Over the summer, Republicans brought the Affordable Care Act to the Supreme Court to decide whether or not it was constitutional. The conservative leaning court suprisingly voted in favor of the bill’s constitutionality with five justices supporting it, including Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee.

Washington University Associate Professor of Political Science Andrew Rehfeld feels the Supreme Court was correct in saying the Affordable Care Act was constitutional.

Rehfeld said how the bill is posed may

change how people view whether or not it is constitutional.

“If you frame it as ‘you are making us purchase x’, whatever x is, it does look less constitutional than if you frame it as ‘we are going to tax everyone in order to provide everyone with a service,’” Rehfeld said.

When the Affordable Care Act was deemed constitutional, tensions ran high from both parties.

The Affordable Care Act is certainly seen as one of Obama’s major achievements as president. And Romney has stated that he hopes to repeal ‘Obamacare.’

Alex Hawkenberry, a sophomore who has neutral views on politics, agrees with the intent of the Affordable Care Act, but is unsure of whether the timing was right.

“I think that America needs health care, but it may cause unnecessary spending,” Hawkenberry said. “Now may not be the time, but in the long run it is necessary.”

Jean Carnahan agrees with the Affordable Care Act. “Healthcare certainly is one of the most im-

portant things, and we have a chance now to provide healthcare for people,” Carnahan said.

She feels that though Republicans have been fighting the bill “tooth and claw,” and Obama’s healthcare plan is one of the things that has stood out most in his term as president.

People have often compared the Affordable Care Act to Romney’s healthcare plan in Massachusetts. David Stokes, the Clayton township committeeman for the Republican Party, feels the difference was with the level of government the act was carried out on.

“I believe that states have rights to do things within their own states that the federal government has no right doing,” Stokes said. “I would not support something like Romneycare for Missouri, but the people of Massachusetts voted it and that’s up to the people of Massachusetts.”

Erekson agrees, feeling states should do what is best for each individual state.

Like so many issues of the past four years, Obama’s healthcare plan comes down to one thing: how much of a role the government should have.

The economy Overall, the economy, particularly the deficit, is the biggest issue of this election season.

There is a general consensus that who wins the election will do so because of their economic policies.

Romney believes his past business experience will help him if he reaches office and that he can balance the budget.

Currently, the United States is around 16 trillion dollars in debt. In November of 2008, the debt was around 10 trillion dollars.

Romney has a five-point plan for what he feels will solve the nation’s economic troubles.

The plan states that North American energy

independence, more trade with Latin America, maintaining a balanced budget, training programs for workers and, finally, help for small business are the things that need to happen for the nation’s economy to be turned around.

Romney feels that an overall reduction of taxes would help the economy.

Obama hopes to strengthen the middle class, focusing on a progressive tax system to ensure that middle to lower class people are not paying more in taxes than higher class people.

Robin Carnahan agrees with Obama.

“I agree with that philosophy. I studied economics in college. I understand that the differ-

ence in those economic philosophies and I think his priorities are right,” said Robin Carnahan.

Stokes, on the other hand, feels Obama has done a very poor job at handling the nation’s deficit.

“I think he has just put us more and more in debt and expanded regulations to control our life right and left,” Stokes said.

Ultimately, the economy is what will decide the election. With our debt rising, both candidates feel they have a solution. It is up to the American people to decide whose policy they agree with.

Far Right: President Barack Obama greets supporters with a wave in Delray Beach, Florida, Tuesday, October 23, 2012. (Mark Randall/ Sun Sentinel/MCT) Right: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney takes the stage for a rally in Apopka, Florida, Saturday night, October 6, 2012. Romney is on a three-day tour of Florida. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

Missouri senate At a local level, senator Claire McCaskill has served Missouri for the past six years as one of Missouri’s two senators. She is being challenged

by Republican Congressman Todd Akin. The other seat, occupied by Republican Roy Blunt, is not up for re-election. Erekson has been unhappy with McCaskill’s term as senator.

“I think she is fairly straightforward speaking but I disagree with the policies she has endorsed and voted for,” he said. “I think she has been very, very closely aligned with Obama and I disagree in many ways and fundamentally with Obama and his policies.”

Kat Miller, co-president of Politics Club at

CHS, disagrees, feeling McCaskill, a Democrat, has been a good fit as senator for Missouri, a moderate state.

“I feel throughout her term she has done a very good job of crossing party lines to be good at dealing with issues. So in terms of being like, ‘Oh I am going to vote along democratic lines so I can keep the party happy’ she has not done that,” Miller said. “She knows that Missourians are really moderate and reasonable in most cases.”

One issue that has come up in McCaskill’s term is that of gun control. McCaskill remembers when she was younger, explaining how her

father would hunt for food. She says she strongly believes in the second amendment, the right to bear arms. She feels certain rules and policies may need to be examined, but good protection from our police department is most necessary, and the right to bear arms must come first.

“At the end of the day we need strong law enforcement and we need to protect people’s second amendment rights,” McCaskill said.

Akin was not available for comment, electing to leave before going to the media room after the debate at CHS. Both candidates had previously agreed to meet with the media after the debate.

Akin (right) and McCaskill (left) during the debate at CHS. The two candidates are running for one of Missouri’s two senate seats, the other of which is occupied by Roy Blunt, a Republican.(Photos by William Wysession)

Akin v. McCaskill: The CHS Vote

Looking ahead The next terms in both the Senate and presidency are sure to be challenging. Romney and Obama are deadlocked in the final stretch of a heated campaign. Polls have been inconsistent, some showing Obama ahead, some Romney, and some suggesting they are in a dead heat.

Although people have a hard time escaping this time of year, Americans must recognize that it is their own future they are deciding. We must not only accept the politically centered world we live in, but embrace it. 

Survey responses based on a random sample of 227 from approximately 400 surveys collected from CHS students during third hour classes.

GET HIT

B

by SOPHIE ALLEN

rent was a middle-linebacker on the Parkway West football team when he went into a Friday night game just three days after recovering from a concussion.

That night, Brent had emergency brain surgery.

During his time as a football coach of the Parkway West Longhorns, Scott Weissman has observed several impacts on the head during games. “We didn’t do a whole lot of hitting [on] Wednesday, and I know I probably took it easy on him, he was my middle-linebacker,” Weissman said. “And then Thursday’s [practice was] a walkthrough. [He] got in the game Friday night and he actually played very well.”

No one suspected that Brent would be experiencing the symptoms of Second Impact Syndrome (SIS) later that night. According to St. Louis physician Matt Bayes, who specializes in the treatment of all sports medicine injuries and is particularly interested in the treatment of concussions, SIS is something that can occur when an athlete is still recovering from a concussion when they get hit a second time. It’s very rare, but it can be fatal.

“I can tell you the exact hit that I think it happened, [when] the injury re-occurred,” Weissman said. “It was on our sideline and he just blew up a running back. He got right up, went right [back] in and there wasn’t any problem.”

But there was a problem. Even if nobody, not even Brent himself, saw it, he had been hit hard

enough to cause serious damage to his brain.

Concussions can’t be seen from the outside.

They aren’t obvious on the inside of the skull, either. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI’s) can’t be detected with any kind of brain scanner.

According to Bayes, a concussion is something that happens on a cellular level. It’s when the brain is rattled around in the skull and cells are damaged, but there aren’t any obvious structural injuries.

That’s why it’s so scary. The only way someone can know they have had a TBI is when they feel one of the 22-plus symptoms that are possible.

Two of the more serious symptoms are loss of consciousness and amnesia. Some people think that if an athlete gets a concussion, the first thing he or she does is pass out, but that’s actually not the case. Only 10 percent of concussions involve a loss of consciousness. What’s more serious is memory loss. There are two kinds of amnesia that can be clues to an athlete having a concussion. First, if a football player gets a concussion, he could either have pre-concussion memory loss or post-concussion memory loss. Both are serious, sometimes more serious than loss of consciousness because amnesia occurs much more often.

Weissman, however, noticed neither of those things in Brent. He said that what bothered him most was the fact that, “he just wasn’t acting right … We were just sitting there and I

cont. on next pg. >>

SPORTS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLIVIA MACDOUGAL

was watching him, I just didn’t like the way he was acting.”

After about 20 minutes of sitting with Brent after the game, Weissman turned to one of the other assistant coaches and said, “Somebody call 911. I just don’t like the way he looks, I don’t like the way he’s acting.”

The trainer called Brent’s family and Weissman called his wife to tell her that he’d be following the ambulance to the hospital. “By the time I got to the hospital, he was already in the operating room,” he said.

What happened to Brent was a rare occurrence. About 90 percent of people recover from concussions , or at least well enough to back in the game, in seven to ten days. Both Bayes and Weissman agree, however, that an athlete shouldn’t be back at practice the day after they feel symptom-free.

According to Bayes, an athlete needs to be symptom-free for at least five days and be able to pass a normal physical exam before they can return to practice and games. Weissman doesn’t let his players back out on the field until they’ve been symptom-free for at least a week.

“We’ll always err on the side of caution,” Weissman said. “I don’t think we rush anybody back.”

In order to become symptom-free, an athlete must first see a doctor if they think they’ve had a concussion. Bayes emphasized that even if they’re not sure if they’ve had one, it’s better to go to the doctor and just make sure you’re okay than have a concussion and not treat it (the latter puts an athlete at a greater risk for SIS).

The second thing an athlete must do post-concussion is rest their brain. It’s important to give the brain time to rest and recover, and that means not doing anything that could push it to work too hard.

Not only football players should be worried. According to Bayes, females have less muscle mass in the neck area, which makes it harder for them to absorb a hard blow. Females report more concussions than males, as the injuries can be more severe and have worse outcomes.

In high school contact sports, athletes have the possibility of getting a variety of injuries. A surprising statistic: concussions account for about 10 percent of all injuries in high school contact sports according to US data reporting. It doesn’t seem like concussions are that apparent in ev-

eryday high school life, but it’s very likely that several of your classmates have had one in the past or are recovering from one now.

An interview on NCAA’s website with professor Jason Mihalik talks about the effect age has on the severity of concussions. According to Mihalik, research has shown that because young people’s brains continue to develop until they’re in their early twenties. A concussion is more likely to leave permanent damage on a younger person with a vulnerable brain than an adult.

“There must have been 25, 30 people sitting in the waiting room,” Weissman said. “I told myself at that time that ‘I cannot go through something like this again.’ It was a long recovery for him.” Although Brent had a full recovery from his brain injuries, it affected Weissman deeply. He now takes longer than most other coaches to allow an athlete to return to practice. 

HARD IMPACT

by CHRIS SLECKMAN

As I send a pass to striker Peter Shumway, he sprints after the ball, attempting to beat the opposing goalie to it. Peter and the goalie both slide for the ball, they collide, and that is the last thing he remembers.

After the play I race over to Peter to see how he is doing. His mouth is bleeding and he seems dazed and confused.

“I realized that it was going to be a hard impact,” Shumway said. “After the collision I had blurred visions for a few seconds and then I was unconscious.”

After the incident Shumway spoke with a neuroscientist who recommended he relax in a dark setting such as a movie. The neuroscientist also told him that it was very important that he did not sleep for long periods of time that night because it would be very difficult to monitor his condition while he was asleep.

Peter is recovering well, but still feels some symptoms from the collision.

“Over the past few days I have had head-

aches and can tell that my thinking process is slower,” Shumway said. “I have mistaken mirrors for walls and walls for mirrors so clearly I have not fully recovered but I am feeling better.”

Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon in sports.

Earlier this year when the Clayton varsity football team was playing Ladue, a Ladue player had a similar incident. The Ladue Rams kicked off the football to the Greyhounds and 11 players from each team ran at each other with a head of steam.

One of the Ladue Rams came at the Greyhound kick returner with his head down and he fell unconscious at impact. The player remained down on the field for several minutes before being carted off on a stretcher and sent directly to the hospital.

The rise in concussions throughout sports and the limited knowledge doctors have about concussions has led to more awareness.

MSHSAA has a seven-step plan in the packet discussing the recovery process for concussions. elax, return to school, light exercise, running, non-contact drills, full practice, return to games. MSHSAA has also added more rules concerning concussions, such as requiring players to exit the game if they make a hard impact with their head.

CHS has raised awareness for concussions and is now offering an Impact Test to all high school athletes. The Impact Test is a 1015 minute test on a computer were you play games that are intellectually stimulating. You then receive a scan of your brain activity and if you think you get a concussion, you take the test again and they compare your brain activity to determine the extent of the injury.

With new information and better testing, treatment and detection of concussions will improve, but until then, athletes like Peter need to be careful with hard impacts to the head. 

SPORTS

STATISTICS Rushing: 69 Attempts 658 yards 9 TD’s Receiving: 13 Catches 310 yards 5 TD’s

Photo by William Wysession

GAME CHANGER ATHLETE PROFILE: TYLER WALKER

by PETER BAUGH

Rarely does a Monday go by without senior Tyler Walker’s name being read on the morning sports announcements, which inform the school about the highlights of the weekend’s sporting events. The student body is often told of Walker’s dominating performances on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

In 2011, Walker was the offensive player of the year as a running back and an All-State strong safety.

According to Doug Verby, the defensive coordinator, Walker brings a lot of different talents to the Clayton team.

“He is just extremely hard to tackle. He runs hard, he is very elusive, he has very good skills,” Verby said. “And if you get the ball in his hands in the open field he will break long runs because he is just so hard to tackle.”

Jack Hagan, a member of the special teams unit for varsity and a running back for the JV squad, also feels Walker has many qualities that make him an effective runner.

“Tyler’s style of running is a little different,” Hagan said. “He is really quick. He can change the play while it is going on.”

In terms of defense, Verby compares Walker to Brian Dawkins, a nine-time Pro Bowler who is a strong safety.

“He is just a very vocal, very emotional, very positive guy on the field,” Verby said. “An extremely hard hitting safety. I like that comparison because they’re both two of my favorite players to watch.”

An effective player on the field, Walker is also a leader to his team not only when the game is going on, but also on the sidelines and during practice. These leadership skills led to Walker being named a captain his sophomore year.

“He is not going to make everybody faster and stronger around him, but he sets the example for everybody to know their assignments and know what they are doing so [they] avoid the mistakes when you get to the game,” Verby

“step up or back down.” Walker also tries to influence those around him by working hard and trying his best.

“I always want to give it my all, no matter what I am doing,” Walker said. “I always [have] to pick my team up and make sure they are giving it their all and not taking plays off.”

Hagan feels that Walker does this even when he is not playing. After a miscommunication with a referee one game, Walker was forced to sit out the next game against Normandy.

Hagan cited Walker’s pre-game speech “I always want to give it my before the Normandy game as helping all, no matter what I am doto “motivate” the team. He also said that gave advice to players throughout ing. I always [have] to pick my Walker the course of the game, and made sure team up and make sure they the Greyhounds knew about having a team mentality. are giving it their all and not “After [we won] the game, he told us that he was really proud of us and it’s a taking plays off.” whole team [effort] and not just led by one person,” Hagan said.

Tyler Walker With a good balance of physical skills and intangibles, Walker is planning to continue to play football. He does not yet said. know where he is going to college next year, but One way Verby said Walker is effective as a he does know that he will play football. Verby is captain is by “coaching up” his teammates after confident that Walker will continue to play after mistakes are made. Hagan agreed. high school.

“If he makes a play in practice, he gets in his “People in the conference, people at the allteammate’s face and provokes them into play- state meetings know about him and colleges ing better,” Hagan said. are starting to look at his tape,” Verby said. “We Verby feels this style of leadership teaches know he’s got a really bright future as far as colWalker’s teammates that they either have to lege football is concerned.” 

Tennis Update: Connor Cassidy and Caroline Greenberg finish second in state for doubles tournament ... Carly Cassidy finished second for singles.

36

REVIEW

ARGO

by DAVID ANDROPHY      “Argo,” directed by Ben Affleck is another great production for the actor turned director and is already generating Oscar praise.

Starring Affleck, “Argo” is about the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979 and how CIA specialist, Tony Mendez (Affleck), organized a plan to rescue six Americans who managed to escape the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran after it was raided by protesters, but were trapped in the hostile city.

After the embassy was invaded by hundreds of violent Iranian citizens, 52 Americans were immediately taken hostage.

The film focuses on the six that were lucky enough to escape and were able to seek refuge in the Canadian Ambassador to Iran’s house.

The film revolves around the difficulties that Mendez, Jack O’Donnell (Bryan Cranston), John Chambers (John Goodman) and Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin) had in planning their rescue by pretending that they were a Canadian film crew.

The film also has a side plot that follows Mendez and how he became estranged from his family after he and his wife seperated.

As each day of the hostage situation passed, Americans and the rest of the world became more nervous. Action needed to take place as soon as possible. Hoping that the U.S. would resist from military action, he puts his plan into action by “shoot ing a movie”, “Argo,” in Tehran.

“Argo,” was riveting, dramatic and very insightful. In watching the film, you learn a lot about the historical significance and background of the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Affleck put together a decent cast and the trio of Bryan Cranston, John Goodman and Alan Arkin were great in their supporting roles.

All in all, this movie deserves two thumbs up.

Affleck made a wise decision to cast himself as the lead role and was able to play the “hardworking man and loving father” role exquisitely.

It is vital in a film such as this to be as realistic as possible since it concerns events that happened in real life and Affleck pulled it off nicely.

While watching “Argo” the audience begins to understand the real-life event in a historical context and also begins to see the emotions that the Iranian people felt along with the fear that the Americans had for their lives. 

Courtesy of Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/MCT

WALLFLOWER

    

by SIERRA HIERONYMUS

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is an enjoyable coming-of-age film about an introverted high school freshman who is taken under the wings of two seniors. An adaptation of the 1999 novel of the same name, the movie is narrated by 14-year-old Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, the titular “wallflower.”

The film is told through Charlie’s letters to an unnamed “friend.” He writes down everything from his difficult first day of high school to his experiences with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” to his first girlfriend and first heartbreak. Along the way Charlie deals with family problems, childhood trauma and friendship drama.

Fans of the novel won’t be disappointed, as the movie stays true to the story. Though there have been reservations about 20-year-old Lerman playing Charlie, he brings to life an awkward and relatable character. Emma Watson and Ezra Miller also give great performances as Charlie’s older friends Sam and Patrick who help Charlie grow from a shy wallflower to a happier person.

Overall, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” is a charming teen drama that engages the audience from the very beginning. 

Perks of Being a Wallflower/Wikimedia Commons

PASTARIA

    

by REBECCA STIFFELMAN

The backwall of Pastaria is decorated with various pictures. (Photo by Rebecca Stiffelman)

When I walked into Pastaria, a new Italian restaurant situated in the new Centene Plaza in downtown Clayton, I did not quite know what to expect. The owner of, and creative brain behind Pastaria as well as three other St. Louis restaurants, Gerard Craft, described it as a casual restaurant with fancy food.

The uniquely decorated interior appeared to be a combination of urban-modern design, and grandma’s kitchen. The plain, rectangular butcher block tables, the use of jars as cups, and the unfinished concrete floors contributed to the laid back feel.

After reviewing the menu, I decided to try the crispy risotto balls as an appetizer. They did not disappoint, as they offered a perfect, crisp outer layer with a soft, rich inside. For my main entrée, I chose the Papardelle, a long, wide noodle, with smoked pork, mascarpone cheese and apples. As I waited for my meal to arrive, I was offered delicious fresh baked bread. Olive oil, salt and pepper were each laid out in a small dish on the table.

When the main dishes arrived, the first thing I

noticed when I bit into my pasta was the perfect al dente, which I had yet to encounter at a St. Louis restaurant.

The pork was juicy and tender and left a perfect smoky taste throughout the dish. The apples absorbed all the flavors and added a great subtle touch of sweetness. My dish tasted fancy, and while I was just a mile from my home, I felt like I was in a five star restaurant.

For dessert, I tried their gelato, which was offered in a variety of strange and interesting flavors including olive oil and goat cheese. I went with the mascarpone pine nut brittle, which was delivered in a tall, chilled metal bowl. Considering the 6.95 price, the quantity was less than I expected, but delicious, thick and rich quality of the gelato made it worth it.

By the time I walked out of Pastaria, I was excited, and extremely full. Pastaria was a winner.

While it seemed a bit off from its advertised casual feel and affordable prices, the food was absolutely delicious, and the atmosphere charming. 

DON’T PANIC

by NINA MUROV Pop punk/rock band All Time Low released their new album Don’t Panic on Oct. 9. The band became popular when their album So Wrong It’s Right came out in 2007, with hits like “Dear Maria, Count Me In,” and “Six Feet Under the Stars.” Later, the band released Nothing Personal (2009) and Dirty Work (2011). Nothing Personal did well, but Dirty Work was more of a set back, because they didn’t produce it with their usual label “Hopeless.”

Well, fast-forward to 2012, and the band has yet another album out, Don’t Panic. The singles include “For Baltimore,” “The Reckless and The Brave,” and “Somewhere in Neverland.” Since Dirty Work was more of influenced by the popular radio music and not the band’s experiences, they wanted to get back to their old sound. The album definitely sounds like the old All Time Low, with songs that have strong vocals and guitar.

“For Baltimore,” is my favorite single on the album. The band is from Baltimore, so that

makes it more personal. The song is catchy and fun, like the lyrics: “Why can’t Thursday last forever/I don’t wanna say goodnight/I’ve never been so sure/Just do it for the memory/Do it for Baltimore/And do it for me.”

Another song that I liked, which isn’t a single, is “Backseat Serenade.” This song has more of a rock sound to it, but with melody.

The drums in the song carry the melody along with the guitar. The passionate lyrics are: “You send me reeling/ Calling out to you for more/ The value of this moment lives in metaphor/ Yeah, through it all/Backseat serenade/Dizzy hurricane/Oh god, I’m sick of sleeping alone.”

The only thing that I didn’t like was that there were no songs that featured the vocals more than the instruments. Lead singer Alex Gaskarth’s voice is unique and smooth, and I wish there was at least one song that showcased it more.

All Time Low may have gone back to their old sound, but their lyrics matured along with the band and their fans. 

LOOPER

Photo from Wikipedia Commons

    

by PARKER SCHULTZ

al is

rs e d I

frs e d 5 ut e

xr. al y

    

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in Looper (Courtesy of Alan Markfield/MCT)

Today’s theaters are flooded with unoriginal movies. Between remakes, sequels and books-to-movie, an original film is a diamond in the rough. “Looper” is a refreshing break from this trend. The sci-fi/action film brings an engrossing story to audiences while exploring humanity’s nature to repeat itself.

“Looper” is set in the near future where assassins kill targets sent back to them through time. The problem is, these assassins (called loopers) begin to have their future-selves sent back. The plot moves quickly. There’s never a slow moment, and the use of alternate futures creates exciting moments of realization for the viewer.

The greatest challenge to a time travel movie is becoming overly complicated, yet the plot is easy to follow while still maintaining its complexity. Audience members will have no trouble believing in it’s oddly realistic plot.

For moviegoers looking for action, “Loop-

er” excels in this category. The film is stocked with quality shoot-outs. What brings the action scenes to life is the unique arsenal of weapons employed by the film. Instead of futuristic lasers, “Looper” relies on old fashioned blunderbusses and revolvers, which the mob refers to as “gats.” The old weapons promote the movie’s theme of humanity’s fate to loop. They show that no matter what the year is in the future, violence will continue to prevail.

While”Looper” is a must see film, its use of violence and nudity limits its audience. Potential viewers should be aware of the graphic content. Thankfully, these scenes add to the movie’s message, instead of distracting viewers.

With the avalanche of movies streaming into theaters at the start of the holiday season, “Looper” is one that shouldn’t be missed.



PRO/CON

WHO SHOULD LIVE HERE? Our Current President In a moment of achievement for our country in January of 2009, Senator Barack Obama became the first African American president in the history of the United States.

Now a vital moment has come again, with President Obama running for re-election against Republican nominee Mitt Romney. While a lot of hype has gone to Romney, President Obama deserves to be re-elected as our president.

Obama’s success in restructuring a lagging national health care system, his willingness to stand up for what is just on social issues, the growth of the economy after an inherited Republican policy disaster and his toughness on taking on Al-Qaeda and taking down Osama Bin Laden have shown that he is a strong leader and the right person to lead our country for the next four years.

Although Obamacare is controversial, it is the right choice for America. Medical insurance is now going to be more affordable for everyone. Economically, Obamacare in comparison with Romney’s proposed insurance plan will save our country money because Americans will not have to pay for the insured when they have to seek the medical care they are not covered for.

During Romney’s term as governor of Massachusetts, he implemented a plan nearly identical to Obamacare, but when

he decided to run for president, he ran as quickly as he could from his successful medical plan and into the arms of the conservative base.

On social issues, President Obama stands out as the candidate that wants government out of our personal decisions.

While Romney is against gay marriage, President Obama is a full supporter of equality. Gay Americans should not be treated as second-class citizens. If the government gives out marriages, they should give out marriages to everyone. There should not be religion involved in the decision, as per the First Amendment of the constitution.

The president is also an advocate of women’s rights, believing that the decision to have an abortion or should be up to the individual female. Romney, on the other hand, doesn’t believe that women should be able to make their own healthcare decisions and has even said in the past he would nominate Supreme Court justices that would overturn Roe v. Wade.

On foreign policy, the president’s legacy is a positive one. He managed to get America out of a long and unnecessary Iraq war that put the US in the economic toilet as well as cost our nation thousands of American lives.

The president also has a clear exit strat-

egy for Afghanistan and will fully remove troops by the year 2014. But ultimately the president will be most remembered for the strength he displayed in finding and bringing to justice the Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

Finally, there’s the never forgotten economy. Obama saved an auto industry on the verge of collapse during the recession. The president’s stimulus bill prevented another Great Depression. And although some may point to lagging unemployment, the responsibility for this shouldn’t land in the hands of the president. It is because the Republicans who took over Congress have blocked every job-creation bill needed to restore economic growth in favor of political partisanship that America has not fully recovered from the Bush-era disaster.

In the end, this election will determine the fate of America and where our country is headed in the future. By selecting the right leader we will continue to see progressive movement in the US. So when it comes time on that first Tuesday in November, vote for President Obama. 

-Steven Zou

Do We Need Change?

In his inauguration speech in 2009 Obama promised, “the challenges we face are … serious and they are many… but know this America: They will be met.”

These promises remain unfulfilled and despite his noble intent, Obama has lacked the skill and leadership to accomplish his goals. Instead of progress, we have had four years of economic stagnation and a declined international position. A new president is needed.

A valid metric many use is, “How has the President’s policies changed my life in the last four years?” The U.S. Census Bureau clearly shows that in any year since 1998, the average American was wealthier than in any year in Obama’s administration, by comparing the median annual income after adjusting for inflation.

To put into context, these problems were not inherited, as the Democratic Party narrative goes. Instead, Obama took

these “inherited problems,” failed to enact meaningful change and made the U.S. people poorer.

Romney, on the other hand has both a business and government mindset. While people criticize his capitalistic policies, he knows how to grow an economy. As the governor of Massachusetts he successfully worked with a Democrat controlled legislature, and was able to pass a lot of needed legislation. He met weekly with Congressional leaders from both parties, demonstrating his understanding that both sides can bring valuable ideas to the table.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Obama has had four years in a row with an annual deficit of one trillion dollars.

Obama did make “change;” he increased the deficit in an unprecedented fashion, which future generations will have to pay back.

The New York Times reported that

while Governor of Massachusetts, Romney did balance the state budget. Deficit spending creates a burden on future workers and their children—if anyone should have enthusiastic support for Romney, it should be the youth.

Obama has not been an assertive leader in trying to push for the continuance of American ideals. For example, Obama as the president of the United States did not take a stance on the Chicago teacher union protests. This weakness of having an ambivalent direction has also translated into international politics. He stopped supporting the controversial Egyptian president. This decision trickled down to an Egyptian revolution which has became a roaring uncontrolled river of strife. In a study published by Zogby International, it states that Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE favor the US less, than they did four years ago. Obama continues to show his inability to make tough decisions, in places like Libya, China and Israel.

What has America gotten from supporting supposed democracy? Increased Muslim fundamentalism and extremism? Or the disrespectful intellectual property theft from China?

Reagan’s tough dealings with Soviet Union show what a visionary president can accomplish. Romney’s bestseller, “No Apology,” helps the world know that Romney will do what is right - no matter the cost. Romney will make sure that this Arab spring will not turn to a dark Arab winter. Romney plans to approve the Keystone Project which will provide many new jobs. He will approach China about violations of international trade law. For America to be great we need to revive its assertive toughness.

Romney is a rare leader. He has the intellect and organizational skills to actually implement needed change. As a conservative governor, he led a failing Democratic state back to economic success, crossing the aisle to achieve his goal. He saved the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics from international scandal and debt problems. And as a 1950s-1960s Detroit youth, he has seen the ultimate potential a United States with thriving industry holds.

This is Mitt Romney - the rational choice for our next president. 

-Peter Shumway

Graphic by Audrey Palmer and photo (above) by John Paraskevas/Newsday/MCT

Graphic courtesy of DonkeyHotey/Obama Vs. Romney 2012/ MCT

ATTENTION PROBLEM A constant flow of ads and false reports makes our civic duty increasingly difficult.

T

he line between politics and reality TV has worn dangerously thin. A conservative Republican blogger recently slammed Obama in an article titled “Obama Eats Dog.” The article included an excerpt from the President’s autobiography, which described Barack sampling dog meat as a child in Indonesia. “Obama eats Dog,” the headline boldly exclaimed.

This irrelevant attack on a political opponent indicates a significant trend. In a culture that is increasingly dependent on entertainment, politics have become just another venue for drama and scandal.

In these months before the election, many campaign ads focus on the shortcomings of their political opponent. These ads illogically prefer to convince the public that their opponent is the wrong man for the job. However, they make no mention of the candidate they are trying to support.

This reflects the attitude of many political candidates. Who needs to look good when you can make your opponent look worse? It is an

by PETER SCHMIDT attempt to categorize politicians into two completely nonexistent categories: good and evil.

While grabbing the attention of the public, this behavior succeeds in another regard - it distracts the viewers from those icky topics that politicians call policy. Policies are difficult to understand and, because of the infinite differences in personal opinion, difficult to discuss.

It seems that politicians prefer to avoid any subject that would make the public disagree with them. However, the subjects that most people avoid are the ones that require the most discussion. Silence is not a solution.

The media is confronted with another problem: America’s attention span. The messages that most dramatically affect the public opinion are written in bold typeface on the front of People magazine. People don’t have time to discuss political strategies. People want headlines, and the more shocked they are, the better.

A blogger on “The Dirty” recently compared pictures of Romney, Biden and Obama shirtless.

The caption said, “Who do you think would win a fight?” Although most voters aren’t determin-

ing their vote based on the candidates’ naked torso, the article serves as an apt caricature for the media’s attention to the most stunningly trivial details.

This political trend has potentially disturbing consequences for the rising generation of voters. We are barraged with such a constant flow of media opinion that it seems almost unnecessary to develop an opinion of our own.

The scandals that confront us everyday seem to take precedence over the issues that truly affect our future.

The solution? Discussion and good old-fashioned compromise. Our generation must learn to focus on the most pressing problems, even if they are touchy. Once we can openly discuss those issues, we can set out to solve them.

Only a few CHS students will be eligible to vote in the coming election. But that doesn’t mean the election shouldn’t concern the rest of us. We should view these months as an opportunity to look past the shocking headlines.

Maybe then we will see what these elections truly are: the key to improving our future. 

MEETING ANN ROMNEY A Globe reporter takes advantage of a rare opportunity to meet the possible first lady.

M

y father and I watched the presidential debate as if it were the thriller of the century. As an active member in politics, my father has never been afraid to showcase his feelings on tough issues - whether it be debating with his friends, or screaming at the TV during dinner.

As the debate ended, he announced that he was meeting Ann Romney the next day. The woman I had seen on the screen only five minutes before was expected to arrive in St. Louis on Oct. 4 to host a private fundraising event at the Chase Park Plaza - and my dad was one of the invites.

I, of course, invited myself, and after a few phone calls, I was in. We were among the first to arrive. Middle-aged folk stood in clusters conversing with one another, drinks in hand. I clung to my father as I nervously made my way around the room. Working our way through the crowd, certain people stuck out.

Billy Long, a U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 7th congressional district was a funny

by AUDREY HOLDS man. Our conversation ranged from Nascar racing to the heavy topic of the national debt.

He gave me a plastic coin with the emblem of the U.S. on it, and words written across the top, “U.S. House of Representatives.”“Probably worth more than the U.S. dollar nowadays,” he joked.

I was also introduced to Peter Kinder, the Lieutenant Governor of Missouri. He described what he does at work, and my dad and him spoke about the presidential debate the previous night.

After an hour had passed, Ann Romney walked in the door. The crowd turned to acknowledge her.

She thanked those in attendance for their support, “How about last night’s debate?”

Everyone cheered. She spoke of Mitt and how many people interpret him as being aloof and robotic, but she emphasized how caring he is.

“The media has been so unfair to us, and I’m so glad that last night everyone got to see Mitt

without a filter.”

She made her way around the room, making sure to greet everyone there. When my moment came, we briefly shook hands, while my father expressed that doctors were on Romney’s side.

We were escorted upstairs, where we were joined by a larger group and I was able to get a photo with the hopeful first lady.

Being Republican in Clayton is hard. Oftentimes, teachers and students are very Democratic and I can hear it when they talk about politics. I don’t speak up often about my political beliefs in school, because the word “Republican” often has judgments and accusations attached to it. Not everyone who identifies with the Republican party identifies with every belief the party has. Republicans encourage small government, and have the desire to help the country, just as Democrats do.

Democrats and Republicans share many differences, but the most important thing is that they both have a love for America and hope for the best in the upcoming election. 

Ann Romney, wife of former Governor Mitt Romney, speaking at CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

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POLITICAL TWITTER WAR

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Hector Casanova/The Kansas City Star/MCT Campus

n 2008, there were only 100 million people on Facebook.

Twitter had only 8 employees. There were only 13 hours of video being uploaded to YouTube per minute.

Since then, the number of technology users has exploded. This year, the first presidential debate, live on YouTube, had about 45,000 viewers. There were 10.3 million tweets on the subject, making it the most tweeted about event in U.S political history.

During this election season, both campaigns use social media as a way to spread information and keep politics immediate and visceral. According to a survey conducted by Pew, 36 percent of people say websites are very or somewhat important in keeping up with politics, 26 percent of people say sites are very or somewhat important in recruiting people to get involved and 25 percent of people say sites are very or somewhat important in having discussion and finding people with similar views.

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On all counts, liberals were more likely to say social media was important than conservatives. Liberals are also more likely to use social media than conservatives. In general, liberals seem to be more savvy in social media, as seen with Obama’s campaign in 2008 compared to John McCain’s.

In 2008, the idea of using social media in politics to get voters to donate and register was considered novel, but Obama showed that it could work by raising half a billion dollars online. (John McCain did very little in social media. Obama had nearly three times as many followers and views on every social media outlet.) There are 252 US congressional members who use Twitter, and the GOP has been trying to catch up. However, Obama is still thought to be more adept at social media (64 percent of 2,500 people polled by Google said Obama was better at social media, while 38.5 percent voted for Romney), and has five times as many tweets and 18 million more followers. (But then again, he is the president.)

Social media can help politicians look less

distant and more human. Direct interaction and communication makes people think of politicians as people. The Internet is a place where everyone has an equal voice - maybe one more or less listened to than others, but you can use the same platforms and you can’t necessarily see race or gender or age.

Groups of people who are underrepresented in positions of power are well-represented on the Internet. 69 percent of women use social media, compared to 60 percent of men, and over half of those women use it every day. 80 percent of teenagers use social media, and out of 3000 young people ages 15 to 25 interviewed, half use social media daily.

A Georgetown University study found that Hispanic and African-Americans are more likely to use social media to learn about and become involved in social issues. About 33 percent of African-Americans and 39 percent of Hispanics responded that they were “more likely” to support a social issue or cause online, compared to 25 percent of white respondents.

People live tweet or liveblog as events happen. You don’t have to be a pro anymore to share your opinion. There’s a lot of information and news that gets passed on nearly instantaneously with added commentary, memes and viral videos. In the case of the presidential debate, when moderator Jim Lehrer interrupted Mitt Romney telling him, “Let’s not,” twitter exploded at 158,690 tweets per minute.

(It is worth noting, however, that while mainstream media and news outlets have mostly positive coverage and conversation, that discussions on social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and Reddit) are quite often negative.)

Even with all this personal input and sharing of opinions, though, social media has the word social in it for a reason. Its purpose is to connect people to share ideas and opinions, and enable discussion. The presidential candidates rarely reply to tweets or join in discussions, choosing instead to use social media as more of an impersonal soapbox.

Still, it’s been four years and much has changed for the better. Both parties have accepted and embraced the fact that social media will play a role in politics, and they can only get better with time. Liberals may be more socialmedia savvy now, but who knows what could happen by the time of the next election. 

- NURI YI

COMMENTARY

STAFF ED

Zhang Jun/Xinhua/Zuma Press/MCT Campus

YOUR CIVIC DUTY

O

n the eve of a presidential election, there is always a political atmosphere, or “vibe”, peculiar to a particular congregation of people.

Whether that group is the country, the state, our city, an organization or even a school, it is an intrinsic part of that society’s identity. CHS is no exception to this phenomenon—there is a unique political atmosphere here that we have tried to capture in this issue’s cover story on the election. In compiling data for the cover story by sifting through approximately 500 surveys completed by CHS students, we were able to gain an insight into the political culture here at CHS. From a purely quantitative approach to these surveys we were able to garner a plethora of statistics. On perhaps the broadest level, we found out that 54 percent of our student body defines itself as Democratic, while only 11 percent Republican, and the other 35 percent are undecided. Clearly, this poll, along with others in the survey, is quite revealing in terms of demonstrating the political atmosphere of CHS.

However, there was also an aspect to our data collection that could not be as easily portrayed through numbers alone. A review of the surveys revealed a large number of politically undecided students as well as many students who seemed lacking in knowledge of the issues or where they stood on those issues. It is clear that even at an academically strong high school like CHS, there is a large percentage of our student body that is not educated on many of the political current affairs in our country. Although there are some students who are very educated about the issues of the upcoming election, and even a few who actively participate by volunteering for particular campaigns, these exceptionally interested students are in the distinct minority. It is easy to understand where this apathy or ignorance comes from-- it is likely that for most of the uninformed students, they are so involved in the day to day activities and concerns of their own lives that they lack the time or energy to make the effort to be educated about current events like politics.

However, this disinterest in politics is not specific to CHS—rather, this trend of apathy can be found throughout the country. One of the most telling statistics that demonstrates this trend

is that only 64 percent of American citizens of voting age actually voted in the 2008 election, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Furthermore, only 71 percent of voting age citizens were even registered to vote in the 2008 election. Clearly, it is not only CHS students who are so caught up in their own lives that they do not bother with politics.

There is a lurking danger in these low statistics. First of all, it is a shame that citizens do not take advantage of their right to vote, which is fundamental to a vibrant and functional democracy. It is truly the responsibility of citizens to choose whom they believe would be their best representative in government, and the low number of people actually fulfilling this responsibility is disheartening. It is our belief that an individual who does not even bother to vote should not be allowed to complain about the political policies of whoever wins the election. High school students, like those here at CHS, have a responsibility as well, however. It is our civic obligation to be educated in politics, so that when we are able to vote we may be invested enough in politics that we will be eager to vote, and to vote as informed citizens. 

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in their words How did you get the position of swim coach?

The coach was Wally Lundt and he had been the CHS water polo and swim coach for generations. He had been gone for about 10 years and came back and he got sick the summer before last season, and passed away over the winter.

Have you coached or coached swimming before?

I have been coaching swimming in St. Louis since 1987 pretty much non-stop. I coach kids year round such as Danielle Sikora who swims CSP and there are some other kids who swim in teams like that. [CHS student] Elizabeth Green last year never swam in high school, but swam in a team like that. That’s the kind of stuff I do.

Did you swim when you were younger?

Photo by Olivia MacDougal

I did. I swam on swim teams growing up including high school and college - Truman University. I was the captain of my college team and had school records and stuff. I had a school record in the 400 and the 800 relay.

What’s it like coaching after Wally Lundt?

Q&A

Audrey Holds sits down with teacher Robert Laux to discuss coaching the swim team after the death of longtime coach Wally Lundt last year.

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Its been a pretty smooth transition. The boys were really close to him and they’ve wanted to show respect towards him. They’ve done cheers at the beginning and end of every single meet they’ve gone to this year. As far as training goes, they were well prepared for what we were doing and we were just trying to keep moving forward.

So, you’ve enjoyed coaching this year?

Oh yeah, the kids are great. They have amazing character, they worked really hard, they listened really well.

How do you try to motivate the swimmers?

As far as spirit goes, the captains have done a superior job keeping people moving in a positive direction - that’s Jack Layden and Nico Salavaggione.

What were your goals and fears of being coach this year?

I don’t know if I had any fears. Pretty much I just wanted the kids to improve and to give them a place to develop. Hopefully they’ll all look back and all be satisfied with the goals that were achieved.

Will you continue coaching next year?

If they’ll have me back.

Why is swimming so special?

No one impedes your process. When you race it’s all about you and the clock. There are other teams you’re competing with, but it’s great because it’s just people trying to push each other to be as fast as they can be, opposed to water polo when there’s someone trying to prevent you from doing what you’re supposed to do. So that’s great, because it’s how far you can take yourself.

Has the team reached your expectations?

They’ve done really well. I’m very pleased, their record is 7 and 2 right now, so they’ve won lots of stuff. They beat one team that on paper we shouldn’t have been able to beat. They all stepped up really well as a group and performed well as a team to beat a team that has beaten them for many years in a row.

Is there anything you’d like to add?

The other swim coach is Mrs. Long. The boys are very lucky to have her because she has had a lot of experience coaching swimming. She was a high school state champion and had records as well. She was a superior swimmer and has offered her expertise and is a huge benefit.

And Hilary Wilson was a high school state qualifier and dove for the University of Arkansas - she’s our dive coach. They both provide great feedback to the kids and the three of us bounce ideas around to make sure we’re moving the group in the right direction. 