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I bring passion, energy and funniness to pick my teammates up.
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Volume 46 Number 1 ~ October 2015 ~ De Smet Jesuit High School ~ 233 N. New Ballas Rd. ~St. Louis, MO 63141
New Teachers
De Smet’s new faculty provides a fresh look at old subjects page 4 and 5
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-Avi Wesseh
Pilgrimage To Philly Students travel to Philadelphia to see the Pope Brendan Johnson Editorial Editor Junior Michael Dunn could not understand what the Holy Father said, but the reactions of the crowd said it all. Three faculty members and five students from De Smet Jesuit , including Dunn, heard Pope Francis speak during their pilgrimage to Philadelphia this past week. “He spoke in Spanish, and there wasn’t a translator,” Dunn said. “But seeing the reactions of those who could understand said it all, and it made you realize that this is bigger than yourself.” In the City of Brotherly Love, Pope Francis addressed the love people show for each other. He focused on the love that exists in families around the world, especially that of the families who shared with him their stories of struggles, triumphs and values during the World Meeting of Families. After they spoke, the pope described them as “a real witness that it is worth having a family.” The group joined hundreds of thousands of people from around the world eager to attend the Pope’s final mass or catch a glimpse of him along the way. He celebrated his final mass in the United States on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, where Junior Connor Blair was taken by the energy of the Catholics gathered. “There were so many different people from different cultures celebrating,” Blair said. “But it gave a sense of unity in the differences.” As the group moved through the streets, theology teacher Timothy Wilmes felt connected through a common purpose: to celebrate the Pope. “It was about being among that community of believers,” Wilmes said. “Especially when the Pope arrived and we had mass, the feeling was absolutely incredible.” Wherever Pope Francis went, enthusiastic crowds were there to greet him. De Smet’s pilgrims were able to see the pope up close as they joined the crowds lining the streets of Philadelphia. As the Holy Father passed by in his Popemobile, the group took pictures and video to share their experience of being in his holy presence with friends and family back home. “Though we were not up close and personal with him, you could tell he was special and he was a man that was very close to God,” Wilmes said. “It was surreal to be in the presence of such a prominent figure and be surrounded by all these believers that are eager to see him.” See Pilgrimage on Page 2
entertainment
‘MAZE RUNNER: SCORCH TRIALS’ REVIEW
New movie provides thrills for the most hardened action fans page 8
Photo courtesy of foxmovies.com
news Admissions Department Steps Up Its Game page 3
opinion Kim Davis not a Martyr
feature New Teachers Add New Personalities to Faculty pages 4 and 5
sports Keenan Agnew Talks about Struggles of the Football Team page 5
page 6
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NEWS
OCTOBER 2015
Pilgrimage To Philadelphia Continued from page 1
The pilgrims were hosted by St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, along with several other Jesuit schools from across the country. Though Dr. Michael Callahan was halfway across the country, the Jesuit environment made him feel right at home. “There is something very similar and familiar about Jesuit schools,” Callahan said. “The schools and the people share the same personalities, so it feels like one big family.” As part of their pilgrimage, the group reflected on three main topics: joy, mercy, and encounter. Meditations gave them time to process and reflect on the momentous opportunity. “If you don’t stop and don’t look around you are going to miss out on the opportunity,” Blair
said. “You may be there physically, but you won’t be there spiritually.” Pope Francis’ message to people everywhere was to show their love to one another. He noted that people should acknowledge the smaller acts of love in their lives, saying that “holiness is always tied to little gestures.” Wilmes felt that Pope Francis’ message can be reflected into the De Smet community. “We are in the similar tradition of loving at De Smet,” Wilmes said. “It is about opening ourselves up to that message and understanding not only how to spell out that love, but knowing how to receive love.” Dunn interpreted the Pope’s message as necessary guidance that encourages Catholics to live more compassionately.
Photo courtesy of De Smet Ministry
1.) Left to Right: Michael Arens, Jack Gerbic, Michael Dunn, Sean Higgins, Connor Blair, Ken Luecke, Michael Callahan and Tim Wilmes
“When following his message of love, we are fulfilling God’s plan,” Dunn said. “It is one that everyone wants to hear and everyone needs to hear.” As they return home, the group brings the Pope’s
message to the De Smet community. “We are going to keep unpacking our feelings [from the pilgrimage],” Wilmes said. “And we want to be able to show people that we want you to know that you are loved.”
Sean Higgins takes a selfie with the Pope.
Photo by Sean Higgins
See More Pope Photos at www.desmetmirror.com
Spartanfest Spreads School Spirit Stephen Baxendale Editor-in-Chief
To celebrate De Smet Jesuit’s tradition, spirit and identity, the student government hosted Spartanfest from Sept. 16 to the 19 Stugo planned multiple activities, both run by clubs and the stugo officers themselves. This ranged from a pieeating contest, a flagfootball tournament and a Companeros soccer game. “It’s all about honing the spirit of each student,” student government comissioner Bronson Taylor said. “So we had to look at activities that have been done previous years and kind of put together what we thought would bring out the most school spirit.”
Senior Hayden Leary beats Senior Ethan Erusha in the field goal contest.
With these activities, the student government aimed to connect the school in a fun and competitive way. “I think Spartanfest sets a tone for the rest of the year.” Taylor
said. “The end goal is all about school spirit and doing different activities that students wouldn’t regularly get to do. So doing things like water balloon fights, video
Photo by Adam Craig
game tournaments after school, watching movies together; those are all things that students wouldn’t regularly do.” During the events, students had the
Photo by Stephen Oliver
Senior Ethan Erusha finesses past defenders at the flag football tournament.
Photo by Stephen Oliver
Sophomore D’Marco Richie wins the pep rally dance contest.
opportunity to earn house points by participating in competitions. Stugo began planning for the event immediately after freshman Odyssey. The process consisted of brainstorming ideas and putting them on the wall. Eventually, they selected a few that fit into the Spartanfest schedule. Looking back, Taylor believes the event accomplished its goal. “Pretty much every different aspect we had of Spartanfest, every different activity that we did, turned out a success,” Taylor said. “We didn’t have a hundred people going to every single activity but I would say most of the students the ones who participated in each different event and activity thoroughly
enjoyed it.” But despite the success of the event, Taylor still sees room for improvement. “We can definitely see school spirit improve,” Taylor said. “When we have things like pep rallies or nonordinary activities at the school, we do see a lot of demonstrated school spirit when we have football games, basketball games. It’s just the number of students that participate in those is just really low. We have to find a way to encourage students to be able to go to those different activities that are part of your everyday high school life, not just participating in your out of the ordinary activities during Spartanfest and Mission Week.”
Photo by Brendan Johnson
Sophomores Eric Nikolaisen, Patrickson Jean and Nick Hauser pose with their dates at the homecoming dance.
Senior Griffin Morgan hypes the crowd with the football team behind him at the pep rally.
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Photo by Stephen Oliver
OCTOBER 2015
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NEWS
Admissions Steps Up Its Game that we are doing now to make the general public aware of what this The new De Smet school is all about.” Jesuit sign on the Ballas Events such as high entrance is just one part school nights, tailgates, of Tim Sullivan’s, the and shadowing director of admissions, the school to help plan to communicate perspective students the school’s principles learn about the school. clearly. “I am not a salesmen; “We want to be sure I like to share the that De Smet Jesuit’s school not sell the message was clear,” school,” Sullivan said. Sullivan said, “that “We enhanced our we are a proud Jesuit high school nights by institution, preparing having more student young men for college, interaction, so our a balanced high school ambassadors are the experience, and most stars those nights.” importantly we are During high school forming men for others nights, students are the and strong leaders in ambassadors for the the community.” school and talk to the The admissions staff parents and kids about has added the crest and their experience at De Jesuit to everything they Smet Jesuit. design from brochures to “We don’t script any clothing. of our answers. We like “We brought back the guys to be who they are,” crest and blue rivers Sullivan said. “Those are and how important this words I use a lot come to crest is to us,” Sullivan De Smet you can be who said. “It is on everything you are be yourself”
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Drew Brown Web Editor
Photo by David Goodwillie
The new design for the Ballas entrance.
Meaning Of The Crest The crown represents Louis IX of France, patron saint of the city of St. Louis
New Wing Club off and flying first time September 10, 2015 to organize what they thought would be The De Smet Wing club primarily a freshmen is the newest addition to club. The smell of slow the many clubs offered cooking wings protruded at De Smet Jesuit. throughout the halls The freshmen ran club and drew a crowd of 96 was created to give students of all grade underclassmen a new way levels. to meet other students of “It was great to see so both their class and others many people show up for in school. our first meeting,” said “I think that it’s great Wing Club president that my homeroom Nick Einig. “We tried to freshmen have the energy organize the club and and initiative to start coordinate dates for the Wing Club,” club outings but the smell of moderator Dr. Mariette the wings just took over.” Baxendale said. “Their They plan to meet idea clearly excited and have dinner once a not only their fellow month similar to what freshmen, but also many the Burger Club does upperclassmen and but with the make up faculty.” being mostly freshman The Wing Club was transportation is an issue. created by freshmen Nick They hope to solve that Einig, Nick Stange, Philip problem by getting more Lasek, Camden Brazile upperclassmen involved. and Ethan Aronson “Eventually we want who selected Baxendale this club to be something as their moderator that all grades can after a conversation enjoy,” said Phillip Lasek. in homeroom. The “Hopefully our first out of Wing Club makes the school outing will draw fourth club Baxendale more students who can moderates. drive us [freshmen] to the “I feel honored that restaurant.” students ask me to With the new direction be their Moderator,” of student activities there Baxendale said. “It are more clubs both means that somehow we being created and being made a connection.” revamped. Check out next The self-proclaimed issue for the next club “Wing Kings” met for the spotlight.
Ray Stewart Mananging Editor
The two ribbons of blue that come together beneath the cross represent the Missouri and Mississippi river, both of which were traveled extensively by Fr. Pierre De Smet.
The cross represents the school’s Catholic and Jesuit heritage, as well as Fr. De Smet’s strong sense of service to others and missionary zeal.
Out With The Old And In With The New De Smet replaces old vans with new activity buses. Joe Cafazza Sports Editor De Smet has replaced the old vans with new activity buses. These buses are currently ready for use to any of the faculty, staff and coaches that have been trained to drive it. “We were looking to upgrade our vans because the vans are old,” Principal Trevor Bonat said. “We wanted something that was safer and had more room for [students] going to games or going on trips.” As opposed to the old, outdated vans, the buses are safer and more comfortable for everyone. “These buses are the upgrade that we were looking for in terms of providing a safer, more comfortable means of transportation,” Bonat said. The buses will be used for a multitude of activities ranging from service trips to athletic events. “The goal is for them to be used for away [sports] games of course,” Bonat said., “Activities, field trips, and regional trips to Chicago, Kansas City, Memphis, Joplin, Philadelphia, wherever.” This effort to acquire new means of student transportation has been in the works since the auction last winter. There is a Fund-a-Need at every auction that Mr. Lee (Director of advancement at the time), Fr. Sidney and Chief
Club Spotlight
Photo by Brendan Johnson
One of the new activity buses are parked on the Emerson side. Teachers and students will use the bus for extracurricular events.
Financial Officer, Mr. Burr decided that the new buses would be one of the needs. “The weight room was one of the needs but the buses were another one and we raised $138,000 for the buses,” Bonat said, “We got two used buses and one new one.” The $138,000 ended up covering all of the buses as well as and the paint and wrap designs going on them. The paint has to cure for four weeks before they can be wrapped, but the wrap will most-likely be the De Smet shield and the Spartan head.
Photo by Ray Stewart
A batch of wings being fried at the club in room 308.
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FEATURES
OCTOBER 2015
New Pieces to Ray Stewart
Managing Editor
Madeline Schissel, Math Favorite TV Show: Friends Hobbies: Traveling Biggest Phobia: Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) Favorite Political Figure: Bernie Sanders. “He’s a strong man - votes consistently for what he believes in and doesn’t waiver for the sake of the game.”
Kevin Berns ’87, Publications and English Favorite TV show: Fixer Upper Hobbies: Camping, hiking, and biking Biggest Phobia: Claustrophobia. “I am a big person.” Favorite Political Figure: “I admire those who use the political machine to advocate positive change in a peaceful and appropriate way.”
Joseph Esposito, History and Swimming Coach Favorite Movie: Black Swan Biggest Phobia: Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) Favorite Vacation Destination: Tulluride, Colorado Favorite TV show: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia “Because it is completely not politically correct.”
William Gunn, College Counseling High School: Marian High School in Mishawka, IN Favorite TV show: Big Brother Favorite Political Figure: Dwight Eisenhower Biggest Phobia: “Like I’m going to type out a list of my weaknesses and hand them out to all the sundry who approach me.”
Matthew Beerman ’11, ASC Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting Favorite TV show: How I Met Your Mother Favorite Political Figure: “Bernie [Sanders]voice has been the same for a number of years and he has never changed his views unlike others whom have changed theirs to receive donations or votes.”
Tim McCoy, ASC High School: SLUH Favorite Movie: The Darj Favorite Quote: “It is ama complish if you do not car Harry S. Truman
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OCTOBER 2015
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FEATURES
to the Puzzle David Cabrera Favorite TV show: Naruto Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings Favorite Political Figure : Ernesto “Che” Guevara Favorite Quote: Even the smallest person can change course of the future” J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings)
Keith Huckshold Biggest Phobia: Trypophobia (fear of sink holes) Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy Favorite Quote: “You’re going to need a bigger boat!” (Jaws) Favorite Political Figure: John Danforth “He is willing to go against the noisy, destructive forces in his own party.”
Jim Burshek, S.J High School: SLUH Biggest Phobia: Ataxophobia (fear of messiness) Favorite TV show: Big Bang Theory Hobbies: Constructing databases, solving math problems, and computer programming
Armando Gilkes, Director of Diversity and Math Favorite TV show: Heroes High School: Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, MO Favorite Politcal Figure: General Colin Powell Favorite Movie Line: My mama says that alligators are ornery because they got all them teeth and no toothbrush.”-Bobby Boucher (The Waterboy)
Kevin Roberts ‘01, Athelic Director Favorite TV show: The Red Zone Biggest Phobia: Ephebiphobia (fear of youth) Favorite Quote: “I am your Huckleberry” -Doc Holiday (Tombstone) #1 on his Bucket List: Play golf at the old course at St. Andrews in Scotland
jeeling Limited azing what you can acre who gets the credit.”-
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OPINIONS
OCTOBER 2015
Debating The Minimum Wage
Leave It Alone
Stephen Baxendale Editor-in-Chief
For many high school students, getting a part-time job is essential to support activities outside of school. And many of those jobs have their base pay at the minimum wage currently sitting at $7.25 in the United States. Recently, people have been pushing to increase it into the double-digits, but that would cause disastrous consequences for the economy. Let’s clear something up right away: the increase is meant to support people trying to live off the minimum wage, not high school students working part-time for a little extra money. The thought is that if people have more money, their new wages would loosen their tight incomes improving the quality of life for all in the region. Raising the minimum wage causes a chain reaction of pay increases. When a worker gets a raise, the person directly above them wants a raise to keep the pay division consistent, and the increases continue all the way up the ladder. To compensate for the massive new payroll costs, the business is forced to increase prices dramatically. The inflation would put low-income in the exact same situation they started, meaning that any increase in the minimum wage’s positive effects would be negated by the ensuing inflation In addition, small businesses take a massive hit. According to the U.S. Small Business Association, there
were 27.9 million small businesses in 2010, and the market trends show the number only increasing. Larger corporations are able to take the brunt of the increases due to their large margin of profit. But many smaller businesses don’t have enough flexibility in their tight budget to support higher wages, causing them to have to make massive layoffs and concessions, even having to close in extreme situations. The worst part of increasing the minimum wage is the potential loss of jobs. A business’s primary goal is to gain profit, and to do so, they work to cut costs and increase efficiency by modernizing their workplace. Businesses look for possible areas to cut costs to maintain their margin of profit, and the most vulnerable and easily replaced jobs are often ones with the minimum wage. Companies will quickly invest into more technology that removes the need for such jobs and will lay off the unnecessary employees. Those who support increasing the minimum wage are hoping to do good, but the potential harm to lives and the economy overall makes it seem unreasonable. We need to move away from this idea that raising the minimum wage solves all the problems in impoverished areas, start working towards a solution to aid the poor and move them out of their condition through cheaper education allowing for workers to move into a specialized, higher-paying job.
Change It
Alex Kramer News Editor
There are many political is sues that the United States
struggle with, one of the major ones being the minimum wage. The economy would drastically be affected. Including the economy, teenagers would make more money per hour. However, almost everyone’s wages would increase upon raising the minimum wage. Opponents of raising the minimum wage claim that it is not supposed to be a living wage; that it is only an entry-level wage. Those people are simply wrong. In 1933, in his statement on the National Industrial Recovery Act, Franklin D. Roosevelt essentially stated that a business has no right being a business if it doesn’t pay its workers a living wage. However, it took five years to approve a federal minimum wage at 25 cents, which is $4.13 in today’s money. Sure, $4.13 is not a living wage today. Other than inflation, products and services were not as expensive (in today’s money) as they are now. In 2009, the federal minimum wage was raised to $7.25 an hour. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, $7.25 iny
2009 is now the same as $8.06. On the other hand, $7.25 in 2009 was not a living wage. In 1968, Lyndon Johnson raised the minimum wage to $1.60 an hour. In today’s cash, that amounts to $10.97. Raising the minimum wage would push the economy in a positive direction. People think that if a company has to pay its workers more money, it will go out of business. On the contrary, paying people more money would cause them to naturally spend more money. As said by FDR, “If the purchasing power of the Nation as a whole - in other words, the total of the Nation’s income can be still further increased, other happy results will flow from such an increase.” FDR is, in essence, claiming that the more expendable money the customer owns, the healthier the economy becomes. In addition, poverty would substantially go down if the wage increases. Inflation goes up 2.5% a year but products and services go up more than that per year. To make the minimum wage a living wage and to equal inflation and the elevation of products and services a year, the wage must be raised to double digits in the next couple years.
Kim Davis Is NOT A Martyr MIRROR R overstepped its boundaries by forcing her to act against her religious beliefs and Kim Davis of Rowan violated her right to County, Kentucky was freely exercise her arrested Sept. 3 after religion. refusing to issue same Her claim falls apart sex marriage licenses. when the second clause Davis sites her religious or the Establishment beliefs as the reason Clause is explained. she couldn’t consciously The Establishment sign the marriage Clause prohibits the license of same sex government from couples. aiding or assisting any Kim Davis’ decision religion, or religious to not issue same sex viewpoint, over any marriage licenses is others. As a government both constitutionally employee the moment illegal and substantially she imposed her hypocritical. own religious beliefs As a public official, she created an Ms. Davis should have Establishment Clause known that the First flag. Davis’ actions gave Amendment has two greater weight by the clauses that must government (her job as be considered in the clerk) to a particular instance. The commonly religious viewpoint, cited part, and the one which is clearly a Davis proudly recites, violation of the clause. is the Freedom to Davis and her Worship. Which reads supporters are crying the government isn’t out about her own allowed to pass any constitutional rights, law, or take any action, which she does have. prohibiting the free Everyone has the right exercise of religion. to their own beliefs Davis feels the however they do not government has have the right to
233 North New Ballas St. Louis, MO 63141 Volume 46, Issue 1
Ray Stewart Managing Editor
Photo by Pablo Alcala/Lexington Herald-Leader/TNS
impose those beliefs on members of the public. Davis especially does not have that right because she is a public government official. As clerk she is expected to do her job no matter who is standing before her. Ms. Davis also claims she is protecting the sanctity of marriage and doing God’s work. Her numerous marriages and divorces say otherwise. The same religion she proclaims prompted
her actions also frowns upon adultery and divorce. The same religion also frowns upon the premarital sex and underage drinking that many of her supporters are guilty of. Instead of comparing Kim Davis to Rosa Parks and other great activists, her supporters both bigots and second class politicians should keep quiet and attempt to understand same sex marriage and the struggles of members of the LGBTQ community.
Adviser Kevin Berns Editor-In-Chief Stephen Baxendale Staff Ray Stewart- Managing Editor Brendan Johnson- Opinions Editor Joe Cafazza- Sports Editor David Goodwillie-Photo Editor Alex Kramer- News Editor Patrick McHugh- News Editor Drew Brown- Web Editor Alex Henja- Entertainment Editor The goals of The Mirror, as De Smet Jesuit’s official student newspaper, are to provide accurate information in the spirit of responsible journalism, to entertain and to offer a forum of ideas of students, parents, graduates, faculty and administrators. By-lined commentaries represent the opinions of their writers; they do not necessarily express the view of the administration, faculty, student body or The Spartan Mirror staff and its adviser. Editorials without bylines represent the opinions of the editors and staff. At least threefourths of the majority of the staff is needed for an article to be considered an opinion of the paper. The Spartan Mirror welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be limited to 500 words and should be submitted to the publications office in Room 212. All letters must be signed, but names may be withheld upon request.
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OCTOBER 2015
SPORTS
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Freshman Soccer Player Stands Out
difference down the stretch but was sidelined because of a yellow card. “I didn’t play my best games,” Wesseh Freshman soccer said, “but it was good player, Avi Wesseh has [experience] because had a love for soccer it was my first MCC since he was young. At games.” the age of 5 he started Anytime a freshman playing soccer and makes varsity in a has been working on sport there are high perfecting his craft ever expectations, and since. everyone handles that “I played a year up on differently. Wesseh my club team,” Wesseh tries to stick to his own said, “so it’s pretty much agenda before listening the same speed and same to all of the hype physicality.” surrounding him and his Fast forwarding to high school, Wesseh was not Photo by Kevin Berns accomplishments. “My expectation is to completely expecting Wesseh gets ready to make a play in De Smet’s 2-1 win over Rockwood Summit. keep my grades up,” to make varsity his Wesseh said, “and to give up at tryouts but I just include his four goals on can’t stutter step or freshman year. He was 100% every time I get on went out there and I felt the year. Wesseh also change directions,” determined to make it the field and help out my comfortable and I made had questionable penalty Wesseh said. though, so he worked as kick called back against De Smet was not able to teammates and stuff like hard as he could to make it through.” Not only did Wesseh Eureka which could have pull off the upset against that.” that a reality. Moving past the make varsity, he helped decide the game. SLUH in the finals of “I didn’t know what to intangibles, the starts in the midfield “It got called back the MCC tournament, a expect,” Wesseh said, freshman also has and is making strong because they said once game in which Wesseh “Last year it was hard hopes of putting his contributions, which you’re in motion, you may have made a and kids were throwing
Joe Cafazza Sports Editor
name among some of the best soccer players in De Smet Jesuit’s rich tradition. “I wanna break a record,” Wesseh said. Anytime that Wesseh is on the field, it is easy to see how much he loves to be out there. He always tries to bring the best of himself to the team regardless of what is going on around him. “I think I bring passion and energy and funniness to pick my teammates up,” Wesseh said. Along with that passion and energy also comes a lot of talent; talent that he hopes could eventually earn him a place on a college field. “I hope I have a great year at De Smet,” Wesseh said, “and hopefully I have a free ride to college.”
Keenan Agnew Staying Optimistic No matter what the scoreboard says, Keenan Agnew won’t give up Patrick McHugh News Editor
Ruiz del Arbol and Tyler O’Connor push to finish their 5k at Forest Park.
Photo by Nick Plassmeyer
Cross Country Expectations Coach Bryan Traughber is focused on training his young runners for the future seniors. “We try and Alex Hejna push our runners Entertainment Editor harder each year Bryan Traughber head coach of the team talked on his team being younger and having less seniors saying “we have a good young team and the juniors are our strongest class because of them dedicating so much to their training.” He continued talking on how they have been training the runners to be on varsity for a couple of years. This also can be caused by the lesser amount of seniors to juniors there are. The training for the juniors is the same because they are on varsity but even next year they will run harder for being
Completely their own goals can also help the team achieve their trying to get the best goals as a whole team. out of them.” All the Cross country is a runners have the same tremendous mental expectations to run and physical challenge the best they can. So so working as a team that means they are is needed to do well in expected to run their the meets. level not their age. The Cross Country All the cross country teams started off very runners run together well when getting 2nd making it a joint effort place in Granite City on the team to do out of 30 teams. Colin well. The juniors and Donovan a sophomore seniors do their best on JV said “to say to give support for the that we started off our younger runners. If a season well would be freshman needs help an understatement”. they try and pair an The average time older more experienced in the race of 16:51 runner like a junior or beating last years’ a senior to give help time of 17:15. The to the younger runner. meet before that at The Cross Country Parkway Central they program shows the got 3rd place so it is importance of setting a very good start for goals and each the team. On Oct. 3 individual should have they will be running in their own set of goals. Jefferson City.
The football team has had a rough start this season with blowout losses to Rockbridge, Jeff City, Chaminade and CBC, but that doesn’t stop Junior Keenan Agnew and the rest of the team to continue looking on the bright side. “After a tough loss what keeps us motivated is realizing that we are a better team than what we showed on the field,” Agnew said. “We realize that we can go back and fix our mistakes, and know things will improve from there.” But it’s not all about winning while being on the football team. “The best part of being on the football team is making friendships that will last many years down the road,” Agnew said. “The one thing you will always remember about playing football in High School is the teammates you have. Those are the people you will never forget” However it’s not all on the bad side as the football team is steadily improving.
“
Our ultimate goal is to win a state championship
”
-Keenan Agnew
“I feel like our team has made a good amount of progress since the beginning of the season,” Agnew said. “We’ve gained more confidence and we’re starting to play better. I feel like that I’ve gotten a lot better as a player since the beginning of the
season and that I’m improving game by game. Every game I feel like I get closer and closer to reaching my full potential.” The team is looking forward to finishing the season on a strong note and be the best they can be. “Before the season ends, I want us to become the best football team we can be and become the best brotherhood we can be,” Agnew said. “And of course, our ultimate goal is to win a state championship.”
Photo by Kevin Berns
Keenan Agnew holds a block against Chaminade
Photo by Adam Craig
The football team lines up and locks arms for the National Anthem before every game.
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ENTERTAINMENT
“Scorch Trials” Wins Over Box Office Drew Brown Web Editor
go there way the group encountered Cranks, causing a transition from a slow to fast pace by jumping straight into a chase scene. Equally enjoyable “The Maze Runner: Scorch Trials” is the second in was the quality of the horror because The Maze Runner Trilogy written by James Dashner. Scorch Trials could have easily be It was number one in the box office the weekend of made into a jump scare movie its release and nearly matched the weekend gross but the director instead of last years box office hit “The Maze Runner.” focused on the plot and only “Scorch Trials” is a sci-fi action thriller included two or three jump packed with numerous amounts of chase scares to keep the and fighting scenes. viewer engaged. After escaping the maze, the The biggest flaw Gladers are pushed straight into was the overanother challenging environment exaggeration called the Scorch, is a vast in the acting of desert setting with abandon certain scenes buildings and cities from the movie. throughout. The main For example, characters Thomas when someone was (Dylan O’Brien), Minho infected, the group ( Ki Hong Lee), Teresa proceeded to panic (Kaya Scodelario), even though and Aris Jones (Jacob the virus takes Lofland) continuing several days to their mission to infect someone escape the World completely. In Catastrophe: T h e K i l l z o n e movie is Experiment rated PGDepartment 13 but the (WCKD). excessive W h i l e blood and also trying gore of the Crank to fight off attacks would turn and flee from away . The only zombie like other thing that would people called stop people from seeing Cranks or people “Scorch Trials” is if you have infected with the not seen the prequel. Without Photo courtesy of foxmovies.com Flare virus. seeing “The Maze Runner”, people The pacing of the movie was might have lots of unanswered questions very enjoyable just as it was about to get boring a about how the Gladers got to the Scorch and about thrilling action scene would steal the attention. At WCKD. one point, the group of Gladers were exploring an “Maze Runner: Scorch Trials” earns four out of abandoned building. Just as things were starting to five stars.
“The Visit”
“Scorch Trials”
“The Visit” Laughs And Scares Alex Hejna Entertainment Editor
“The Visit” is written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan and the film focuses on two kids that set out on a trip to their grandparent’s house. As the trip goes on, the kids start to notice there grandparents are not who they expected them to be. The film delivers on scares, some comedy and a good found footage film. The film shows the kids making a documentary on the trip and “The Visit” uses this to use found footage. This film actually uses found footage realistically not adding music or having five different cameras angles. But this film actually feeling like the girl in the film actually m a d e it. The
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granddaughter acts as the creator of the movie picking shoots for the movie and making interviews with her family.“The Visit” for trying to be a very scary movie did not have as much scary scenes as it should have had. Most people will take this movie as a kind of scary movie or even a funny movie but there is subtext behind this movie if you care to look. “The Visit” shows two kids on an adventure where they must to deal with their fear. There is some horror dropped in the film. But as a found footage film like the “Blair Witch Project” and like most other found footage movies this is not completely horror. There was a lot more comedy than I expected in this movie that sometimes I found annoying. The brother is an aspiring rapper and for no reason will start rapping and tries to curse every time he gets a chance and that to me was not funny. The funny part of the film to me were the grandparents because they do some crazy stuff that the kids really have no idea how to react and comes off pretty funny. “The Visit” surprised me very much of how dramatic it can be. There are some very dramatic scenes involving the family and the difficulties of the kids trying to make a new relationship with their grandparents. Also, the performances in this are great from the kids to the grandparents. Especially the grandma who after 9:30 can go a little crazy. The film can please anyone looking for a early horror movie long before Halloween. Also it’s one of the better found footage films that is out. This director has been making bad movies for over ten years and this is a step up for him. “The Visit” is a good watch for people wanting a scary movie and a interesting story. “The Visit” gets a three out of five stars.
OCTOBER 2015
Top Netflix Original Series Patrick McHugh News Editor
“Bloodline” “Bloodline” is a dark family drama starring Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelson. Bloodline focuses on the Rayburn family who seems to be your average family. That’s until the outcast of the family, Danny returns home unexpectedly which causes turmoil between the family and their dark past is threatened to be revealed to the entire world. “Bloodline” includes heart wrenching performances from Chandler and Mendelson and great direction from the show’s creators,which will keep you glued to your seat.
“Sense8” “Sense8” is an ambitious series written and directed by the Wachowski brothers, famous for the Matrix films as they once again amaze us with a mind bending sci-fi thriller. “Sense8” tells the story of eight strangers from across the world who are all emotionally connected through their experiences. “Sense8” is an amazingly exciting series with a vast array of characters and locations that will keep viewers interested.
“Daredevil” “Daredevil” might be the most exciting series to come to Netflix due to its excellent writing, exhilarating action scenes. “Daredevil” tells the story of Matthew Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights crime as a vigilante in the city of Hell’s Kitchen. What makes “Daredevil” work so well is that it is not just another superhero show it is that it is an amazing crime drama as well. With excellent performances by Charlie Cox and Deborah Ann Woll and some of the best action scenes, “Daredevil” is a show Netflix viewers cannot miss.
“Bojack Horseman” “Bojack Horseman” starring Will Arnett and Aaron Paul is an animated comedy about a talking horse who has become a washed up actor in Hollywood and is looking to revitalize his career through an autobiography. “Bojack Horseman” is full of great gags and clever writing. Will Arnett gives a great performance as Bo really shines as one of the funniest actors working today.
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” “Kimmy Schmidt” a hilarious new comedy from Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) tells the story of a girl who is part of a cult that believes the world has ended and live in a bunker their whole lives. Kimmy is freed from this cult and moves to New York City and discovers what the outside world is like. “Kimmy Schmidt” is full of lively characters and hilarious jokes throughout and is a great watch if you’re in the mood for a light hearted comedy.
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