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Volume 46 Number 4 ~ February 2016 ~ De Smet Jesuit High School ~ 233 N. New Ballas Rd. ~St. Louis, MO 63141
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The biggest reason [I compete] is because I like it and it’s fun; also there is possibility of scholarships in college. -Angelo Marcallini
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Almost Perfect
Unconventional Sophomore Comes Single Strike Away From Perfection page 7
Photo by David Goodwillie
entertainment
SUPERHERO MOVIES
Marvel and DC dominate the blockbuster lineup for 2016 movie calendar. page 8
Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
news New Logo Provides Consistency, Simplicity and Unity page 2
opinions Students Paying The Price For Blowing Off Classes page 3
feature Mr. Welling Uses Filmmaking Background To Inspire Students page 3
sports College Athletes Should Receive Compensation page 6
For more information visit our website at www.desmetmirror.com
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NEWS
News News Briefs Briefs Stephen Baxendale Editor-in-Chief
Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month and to break down long-held misconceptions. De Smet Jesuit will host guest speakers, a film and a panel throughout February. After initiating the events with a prayer service on Feb. 2, the 2011 documentary “The PruittIgoe Myth” will be hosted in the library on Feb. 11. On Feb. 16, founder of the St. Louis Baseball Historical Society Steve Pona will talk to students about the Negro League and how it impacted African American society. Finally, a panel with discussion on Feb. 24 will provide an opportunity for students to see different perspectives on similar issues from people ages 18 to 70. “Throughout my life, I can recall when Black History Month rolls around, there seems to be a focus on the Civil Rights movement,” diversity director Armando Gilkes said. “As a college student and as an adult, I’ve learned so many different aspects of black history that have absolutely nothing to do with the civil rights movement. So what you get is that the black experience is an experience that is sorrowful, painful, hurtful and negative.” But rather than focusing on the civil rights movement, the events emphasize many of the positive aspects of black history. “There’s so much knowledge out there, that if you start looking at things in racial terms, it opens your world up so much more. We have to learn about people that are different from us in order to understand that and to be one of those people who fights for a seat at the table for someone else.” Ultimately, Gilkes hopes to see the programs expand in coming years. “I hope that it becomes something that people think ahead saying, ‘Oh what are we doing for Black History Month?’” Gilkes said. “It’s not something that’s done because we want to appease a group of students. We are going to celebrate Black History Month because it’s connected to our mission as being men for others. We can’t be men for others if we don’t understand those others.”
‘Spamalot’ Opening
The De Smet Dionysian Players are hosting the comedy musical “Spamalot” in the theater from Feb. 18 - 20. Based off the 1975 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the play sees King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table embark on a quest to find the holy artifact. Luis Mejia-Ahrens will be starring, playing the role of King Arthur. “When I heard the show was going to be ‘Spamalot’ last year, I got really excited,” MejiaAhrens said. “It’s one of my favorite shows. I’ve seen it a lot of times, and I’ve seen the movie a lot of times. So I’m a big fan of that type of humor. And so I’m like, ‘Yeah, I want to be part of it somehow.’” Rather than trying out for specific parts, Mr. Kurt Kay, the play’s director, assigned parts based on their auditions. Casting auditions were held in November. “All the knights of the round table have very good chemistry, and we’ve all gotten to know each other,” Mejia-Ahrens said. “It’s probably one of the biggest shows we’ve done so far with over thirty people, but I think everyone is really liking what they do and enjoying every single rehearsal.”
What’s Up February 10 12 14 16 18 20
Ash Wednesday Mass De Smet/SLUH Faculty Retreat New Companero Training Mission Week Prayer Service Winter Musical begins Winter Musical ends
March 1 2 6 7 9 11
Rising seniors leadership Online Course Registration Mother/Son Mass and Breakfast One Act Auditions Alumni Mentor Lunch Coffee With the Principal
FEBRUARY 2016
Culture Fest Highlights School’s Diversity Second Culture Fest Expands For More Interactive Experience Alex Hejna Entertainment Editor The MAC hosted their second annual Culture Fest on Jan. 28 in the cafeteria. This year, the founders Ray Stewart, Bronson Taylor and Jackson Ullmann aimed for the event to be more hands on. “We wanted Culture Fest to give students knowledge and understanding to draw their own conclusions,” Ullmann said. “We had to create something fun, something new, to get the kind of student interest we were looking for.” The founders of Culture Fest wanted more than a typical event to educate other on different cultures by making it more interactive by adding singing, dancing and food. “Not everyday do you get to see all kinds of people come together and it’s amazing,” senior DeAndre Hayes said”. “ People coming together after the racial tension going on shows that we can keep working to get closer to that kind of diversity.” Another reason why the organizers of Culture Fest wanted to continue was wanted to build on the healing of the racial tensions. The event was to show that eventually we can overcome these problems. “I found the event to still be informational but I felt everyone was having fun and learning, senior Ray Patt said”. I’m glad that De Smet was able to come together to put Culture Fest
Photos by David Goodwillie
(Top) Senior Conor Dunlap runs the Scandinavian booth. (Bottom Left) Teacher David Cabrera signs a student’s passport for the Peru booth. (Bottom Right) Dancer Daniela Martin performs a Colombian folk dance.
together and hope they continue it next year so I can come back and enjoy it.” In order to continue with Culture Fest the seniors picked younger students to organize next year’s event. “Our three sophomore partners, all handpicked because of their
reliability and initiative, were our way of passing the torch, and I have absolute confidence in them to plan and host the next Culture Fest,” Ullmann said. “I’m very excited to see what the next generation of Culture Fest looks like, and I can only imagine how they will make it better.
Exchange Program Broadens Horizons Taiwanese Students Given Opportunity To Experience America and develop their social skills at the same time. “It’s about being able Hoping to gain a to build bridges with better perspective of people are a lot different American culture, than you are and how seven students from to be comfortable with Taiwan are visiting someone who speaks De Smet from Jan. 21 another language or is to Feb. 7. This year’s from another country,” exchange program, Gilkes said. Then which is a result of a having the wisdom to collaboration between learn from them and diversity director appreciate what they Armando Gilkes and have to offer.” Photo By Adam Craig Chinese instructor Since their arrival, the Taiwanese Exchange Students (Left to Right) Harrison Christine Tseng, has exchange students have Lee, James Peng, Hugo Hsieh, Michael Lee, Ricky Lin and Patrick Lee left an impression on taken a calligraphy both exchange and host course at Saint students. Louis Priory, toured It’s about being able to build “It makes me look at Washington University things from a different and represented Taiwan bridges with people are a lot perspective,” host senior with a booth and diffrent than you and how to be Matt Wemhoener said. performance at Culture “ Having to break down Fest 2016. The students comfortable with someone who the norm here and gave up their winter to explain it to someone visit America. speaks another language or is else, has helped me “I was excited to come from another country. understand what De to [America]. Usually Smet culture is.” I would stay home and Gilkes hopes the do nothing,” exchange exchange program will student Ricky Lin said. both prepare students -Armando Gilkes “It’s good to come out for professional careers and see new things.
Doug Dolan Staff Writer
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OPINIONS
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Staff Editorial
Students Need To Value Their Classes
Would you pay $12 to sleep through an English class or play games during a history lecture? With De Smet’s tuition at $14,660 for the 2015-2016 year, that is roughly the amount students will pay for each class they attend. Are they making the most out the 40 minutes they spend in each period of the day, or rather neglecting how much their education is worth? High schoolers are particularly picky about how they spend their money, so imagine handing a teacher $12 after walking into a class. If that were the case, students would be more likely to prioritize getting their money’s worth out of every minute they spend at school. All students should do that in the first place, regardless of how much they pay to go to school. Strangely, those paying large tuitions for their education sometimes fail to value the time they spend at school more often than those in the public school system. By not paying attention in class, students in private schools are missing out on the unique benefits that their schools offer. As a college preparatory school, De Smet teaches skills in the classroom that students will find advantageous in the future, especially in college. Unfortunately, a lack of attention sometimes causes students to miss out. Students can neglect their education in the public school system, free of charge. In private schools,
Cartoon by Darrian Sandos making every dollar count is the responsibility of the student. Unfortunately, not all students handle that responsibility well. They should be encouraged to challenge themselves to the best of their abilities and make every minute count. All schools offer a myriad of low level and blow off classes. Students shouldn’t take the easy way out with their education, but should take the classes
that will benefit them most. It is a challenge for all students to spend their time in school wisely. Classes can be dull, and busy work isn’t always entertaining. Every student at one time or another has failed to get the most out of his education, but those in private schools are literally paying the price by doing so.
DO STUDENTS MAKE THE MOST OUT OF CLASSES? “It’s like an investment. As students, I think we recognize that our classes are teaching us information that we can use in the future to earn back that $12 per class.” -Caleb Hackman, Junior
“Classes don’t matter as much as they should to students. If they knew what they paid, students would want to take advantage of their classes.” -JJ Meyer, Junior
“A lot of the times I see people sleeping or just hanging around in class. When we do that and don’t give our full attention, we are not getting the most out of our education.” -Dillon Gilkey, Senior
Social Media Is Potentially Harmful MIRROR R Stephen Baxendale Editor-in-Chief
Within the past ten years, social media has bloomed into a global phenomenon. But while this increased communication can be entertaining, high school students should be wary of potentially harmful effects. It is important to recognize the benefits of the medium. It provides an easy form of communication with friends or classmates that would otherwise be hard to reach. It also allows for communication with people that would otherwise not have a chance to talk to outside of school. But with this increased connection, there comes a considerable decrease in privacy. Constant communication among friends, whether directly or indirectly, has become commonplace. And while this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially since a large part of high school is the social aspect, virtually removing privacy makes it more difficult to balance between the three pillars: family, friends and school. Not only does it make it more
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Submit your Thoughts
difficult to concentrate, but it also causes users to have a false sense of bravado. There’s a lot of talk about cyberbullying, and a large part of its existence is due to people feeling more confident about less thought out answers. This same concept applies to the idea that when someone posts something, it may have long term repercussions. Colleges and employers, when trying to judge character, often look through profile pages seeing saved moments of carelessness. Sometimes a profile can be the deciding factor when differentiating candidates with similar resumes. With high school students integrating social media into their daily routines, it is important to note there are no simple ways to make these problems disappear. The only way to avoid these problems is through personal responsibility and self control. So before you post that photo of you at your 18th birthday party, think about whether this is how you would like to be represented to educators, employers and peers.
detriments of social media: - May cause difficulty Concentrating - Gives a false sense of Confidence - Cyber bullying may occur -Lack of privacy for users
The Mirror staff welcomes opinions and ideas from the De Smet community. All comments or editorials should be submitted to: Kevin Berns (kberns@desmet.org) Brendan Johnson (bjohnson@desmet.org) Stephen Baxendale (sbaxendale@demset.org)
233 North New Ballas St. Louis, MO 63141 Volume 46, Issue 4 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 Alex Hejna- Entertainment Editor Drew Brown- Web Editor Doug Dolan- Staff Writer Mario Ghazal- Staff Writer 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. Bylined commentaries represent the opinions of their writers; they do not necessarily express the views of the administration, faculty, student body or The Mirror staff and its adviser. Editorials without bylines represent the opinions of the editors and staff. At least three-fourths of the majority of the staff is needed for an article to be considered an opinion of the paper. The 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.
For more information visit our website at www.desmetmirror.com
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FEATURES
New Direction
FEBRUARY 2016
Simplicity, Consistency Drive Re-Branding Plan
Drew Brown Web Editor
If a student walked into the bookstore last semester, they would see many varying shades of maroon as well as multiple different Spartan heads and De Smet logos. This will not be the case anymore with the launch of the new school logo and colors. “We wanted to maintain consistency, strength of our visual images and simplicity of our brand” director of strategic relationships Katie Martin said, ”thus resulting in even more pride in De Smet Jesuit.” The colors displayed in the Spartan head are adopted from different colleges. The new maroon is based off Boston College a fellow Jesuit school, and the new gold is taken from the University of Notre Dame’s logo. These were chosen to create a more steady logo and branding of our school which will only enhance the sense of
community and brotherhood we already have. “As our students, alumni, and other members of our community begin to consistently sport the new look” Communications Coordinator Kala O’Connor said, “it will create a more solidified sense of unity and belonging” The bookstore already has a few new items of clothing with the new spartan head but the store is expecting to get a bunch of new clothing items in the following weeks. From a sports standpoint, this spring sports will be able to use their old uniforms and will not be required to abide by all the new guidelines for using the new logo. Over the course of a few years, the athletic department will phase in uniforms for most teams. Teams will also still be allowed to get alternate jerseys that follow the schools guidelines. “We don’t want everyone to be the same [uniforms],” athletic director Kevin Roberts said. “We want to express our own individuality. We will offer them that option [of alternate jerseys].” The new logo and all of its rules are in place to help keep consistency and create a clearer De Smet Jesuit brand.
New School Colors
From Campaigning To The Classroom
Course Selection
TIPS
Ray Stewart Managing Editor New AP Government and World History teacher Phillip Bognar hates corrupt government. So much so, he ran for state representative in 2008. For months, Bognar campaigned in the 93rd District on the promise of improving middle class life, economic development, and community safety. “It was exciting and it was rewarding, yet it drained you,” Bognar said. “It was probably the most intense year or so of my life.” When a political career fell short, Bognar took his experiences to community colleges across St. Louis County. As an avid fan of Socrates and philosophy, Bognar plans to use Socratic methods to broaden the perspective of his students at De Smet. “I want to break down labels. I want students to be very skeptical,” Bognar said. “I want students to be very analytical, very skeptical, and very philosophical. All while following Ignatian tradition of being love because that is what makes good citizens.” After graduating from Eureka High School, Bognar received a BA in history and political science from Webster University and then a MA from Washington University in St. Louis. Bognar hopes to use both his employment history and his education to shape his classes. “I’m not here to be people’s friend nor am I here to just throw information out to you,” Bognar said. “I’m here to be someone who gives you wisdom. The parts of wisdom that you’ll use in the outside world.”
Bognar Bits
Joe Cafazza Sports Editor
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CHALLENGE YOURSELF
While it may be tempting to take all the “easy” classes, you may not be reaching your potential if you do not take some tougher classes.
THINK AHEAD
De Smet offers some beneficial electives that could influence picking a college major and eventually a career.
3 Photo by David Goodwillie Bognar works the Hungary booth at this year’s Culture Fest celebration.
Favorite vacation destination Lake Bled, Slovenia. Which political figure do you most admire “Harry Truman. While he was flawed (like all of us), he seemed very authentic, serving his nation without pretensions. First thing on bucket list “Visiting tiny Liechtenstein’s royal castle and the Germany’s Liechtenstein castle on the same trip!”
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ACC OR AP
People often have the question about the difference between an ACC credit and an AP credit. An ACC credit is through SLU’s 1818 program where the class you take goes directly through SLU. The grade you receive in the class goes on your SLU transcript, but can be transferred to all schools in Missouri and most schools in the Midwest. To receive college credit in an AP course, you must take an AP test at the end of the year.
BALANCE YOUR SCHEDULE Make sure not to overload yourself. If you sign up for a couple of hard classes, it is important to balance those out with a study hall or a P.E to break up the day.
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FEBRUARY 2016
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FEATURES
Out Of His Comfort Zone
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Teacher Learns From Experience After Making Documentary About The Ville
“Standing up and traveling with the film and sort of teaching, was the final moment English and Fine Arts teacher Christopher of grace,” Welling Welling had thousands of dollars worth of camera said, “that had been equipment in one of the worst neighborhoods in slowly building up St. Louis, but the only place he felt unsafe was in since I was practicing Clayton, where he was the victim of a carjacking. law where I said, ‘This “[These events] further confirmed our belief is what I really love to that our conclusion about the neighborhood was do’,” accurate,” Welling said. Welling screens the Welling and his coproducer Amy Bench film every semester originally wanted to film a documentary in in his Public Speech Tanzania, but the insurance company revoked class and that the permission because they were worried about unit has become a the equipment being stolen. discussion of race Welling and Bench then decided to do a and diversity. documentary about the Ville neighborhood. “One of my “When we originally pitched the idea of filming greatest gifts I have a documentary about the Ville there was a received at De Smet pushback for similar reasons as the pushback was watching the in Tanzania,” Welling said. “The misconceptions level of maturity, and stereotypes, the same issues came up.” thoughtfulness, and With priests in the neighborhood’s help, intelligence that the Welling met with community leaders and Public Speaking class residents of the Ville. Many of Welling’s that was challenged friends and family feared for his safety, but he with confronting did not back down. this unit during the “As we went about filming early on, every Ferguson riots,” stereotype, every fear, every misconception Welling said. “It that had been thrown towards us was immediately obliterated,” Welling said. “There Photo by David Goodwillie was nothing short of amazing.” wasn’t a moment in those eight weeks that Welling teachs his students on the art of acting. Welling won many awards for the documentary on Welling loves neither Amy nor I felt any degree of fear the Ville. watching students’ whatsoever.” sense of community in that neighborhood,” misconceptions and stereotypes change with their After forty hours of interviewing, Welling Welling said. “I left that project with Amy experiences at De Smet. and Bench cut the interviews down to sixteen fully believing that I have not seen another “I think De Smet does the best job of any minutes, with two people speaking, seventeen neighborhood where the sense of community is private high school in St. Louis of exposing year old named Jermaine and an 85 year old so strong.” students to the realities of the larger world,” named Catherine. The film was sent to different film festivals, and Welling said, “and appreciation for what those “But [we had] two perspectives that end with Welling gave speeches about race. differences bring.” the conclusion that there is an unwavering
Doug Dolan Staff Writer
ROTC: Road To Success Seniors Follow ROTC To Get College Education, Pursue Military Career Alex Kramer News Editor There are quite a few different paths to take while in college. Some are easy and some are more demanding than others. Senior Brad Litwicki is choosing one of the most demanding ways to experience college; the ROTC program. “I’ve wanted to do it for as long as I can remember,” Litwicki said. “In my opinion, the best way to serve my country is as an officer.” Brad Litwicki is among some of the seniors attending an ROTC program in their college careers.
Why Join ROTC?
• Offered at more than 160 leading colleges and universities throughout the U.S for Navy and Marines • Available at over 1,100 colleges and universities for the Army • Courses take place both in the classroom and in the field • Upon graduation from Army ROTC, you will earn the bar of a Second Lieutenant • The value of skills learned in ROTC go beyond the military, and prove themselves helpful in every day civilian life
Litwicki is going to attend the Navy ROTC program in the coming year. The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC, is a challenging, yet rewarding route that students take in order to serve for their country. The ROTC offers a way to pay for college and a means of becoming a leader straight out of college. After graduating college and the ROTC program, the graduate leaves as a second lieutenant officer. There are only four ways to become an officer in the military: direct commission, Officer Candidate School, an academy (West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy) or the ROTC. The ROTC program doesn’t only send people to the military; it gives them expertise that ultimately prepares them for the real world. Senior Jim Harter is also taking part in an ROTC program next year. Unlike, Litwicki, Harter is attending the Army ROTC program. “ROTC offers a lot of leadership skills, you learn a lot of new things,” Harter said. “And I want to take advantage of those.” An ROTC scholarship virtually gives free college. However, Counselor Dave Boland said that there’s more to it than the finances of college. “There’s the realization. Guys have to accept the fact that there’s a cost to this, and that cost is not just the program that they’re going through during college but they have to commit to being on call and ready to defend the country,” Boland said. “Psychologically, that takes a big toll. It’s not everybody that can do that, and that’s why they screen guys so strictly.” Out of 25,000 applicants, only 4,000 students are chosen each year. “There are just so few
Photo by David Goodwillie
Senior Brad Litwicki does push-ups in the weight room. Litwicki will be going through the ROTC program after graduation.
[scholarships] that are given out. There’s a lot of talented guys that have leadership abilities, are really physically fit or really smart. A lot of guys want it and it’s just really competitive. You have to know that you’ve wanted to do it. If you came into senior year and thought, ‘Oh, I want to get the scholarship,’ and you didn’t have anything on your résumé, you’re not going to get [a scholarship],” Litwicki said. “You
have to know from your freshman year that you want the scholarship because then you have to spend your whole high school career building your résumé around what you know that they want to see.” Litwicki wants to have a skill that most future ROTC students aspire to have: leadership. “I’m not shooting to be a captain or anything,” Litwicki said. “I’m just going to do my job and hope that I can be the best leader.”
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FEBRUARY 2016
Super Bowl Sunday Super Bowl 50 Kicks Off On Feb. 7
champions. It would be known as the NFL – AFL Championship Game and The Super Bowl is more later known as the Super than just a game, it’s an Bowl. American holiday, with If you ask some people 114.8 million people why they watch the Super watching last year’s game Bowl, they won’t say they which the most watched watch it for the game but, televised event in history for the commercials. Super is. However it was not Bowl ads have been known always the biggest game of for more extravagance than the year. In celebration of usual during the premiere the 50th Super Bowl let’s of the big game. These take a look at the humble commercials are known for beginnings of the Super their high production values Bowl. and comedic tones that The first National Football make them more special League championship compared to a typical game was held at Wrigley commercial. Advertisers are field in Chicago, Illinois on willing to pay 4.5 million December 17, 1933 with an dollars for a 30 second spot. attendance of 25,000 people. That’s 150,000 dollars per The NFL had consisted of second. Super Bowl ads only 10 teams at that time have become what many and was nowhere near the consider to be the highlight eventual popularity and of the event. success it was about to Throughout the years, the achieve. Super Bowl has now had The AFL (American over-the-top halftime shows Football League) emerged and countless epic games. in 1960 with eight teams The Super Bowl has evolved in the league. The AFL from a game on a baseball was the bitter rival of the field attended by not even NFL for a few years until the 30,000 people to become both teams decided to meet one of America’s biggest for a championship game traditions. Super Bowl 50 between the two league’s airs Feb. 7 on CBS.
Patrick McHugh News Editor
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
Top Right: Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers does the “dab” celebration after scoring. Bottom Right: Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown. Left: Bart Star calls his cadence in Super Bowl I.
Super Bowl 50 Staff Picks Ray Stephen Alex K . Brendan Drew Patrick David Joe Alex H .
L 27-14 27-24 L L 27-17 L 35-28 L
35-15 L L 42-37 28-24 L 42-0 L 35-28
Panthers Vs. Broncos game therefore many believe Manning is going to have the The wait is over, greatest game of his Super Bowl 50 career. is here and the The Panthers, Carolina Panthers however, are and Denver Broncos equipped with the will face off in the best offense in the final game of the league with receiver NFL season. Ted Ginn Jr., tight The Denver Broncos end Greg Olsen and come in the game of course superstar with the best defense quarterback Cam in the NFL and Newton. Newton with star defensive comes in the game players such as with the best season cornerback Aqib he has had his Talib and Linebacker entire career with Von Miller will 35 touchdown passes give Cam Newton and 10 rushing and the Panthers a touchdowns. tough time moving The Panthers come the ball down the into the game as the field. Broncos’ favorites with the offense is led by much more balanced Peyton Manning, offense and consistent who is considered play from Newton. by many to be one The Panthers should of the greatest have trouble moving quarterbacks of the ball against the all time. This is Broncos stiff defense expected to be Peyton but should prevail in Manning’s last career the end.
Patrick McHugh News Editor
College Athletes Deserve To Be Paid Alex Kramer News Editor
According to USA Today, Oregon University earned a net $85.6 million from its sports programs in 2015. That number is as high as it is simply because Oregon is not required, and forced by the NCAA to not pay its athletes, athletes that put their bodies on the line every time they touch the field or court. Schools are making more money than ever from T.V. stations and sportswear contracts. It’s time for college athletes to get a cut of their schools’ earnings. Sure, college athletes, in a way, get paid by their respected schools by receiving some sort of financial aid for their education. However,
An employee at any job produces something for their employer and therefore receives a paycheck for their production. Since the athlete is producing revenue for their school, shouldn’t the athlete receive direct compensation for their production? with the amount of revenue that Power Five conference schools generate, NCAA athletes should receive more than a scholarship and room and board. Some athletes receive a scholarship and monthly allowances for books. However, sometimes that isn’t enough. Student athletes have to balance sports and school and therefore cannot keep a job. College sports are usually more demanding than typical college jobs. An employee
at any job produces something for their employer and therefore receives a paycheck for their production. Since the athlete is producing revenue for their school, shouldn’t the athlete be compensated for their production? There’s no denying that college athletes should put their schoolwork above their practices. No one can also deny that a fullride recipient gets roughly $120,000 in scholarship money over the course of four years.
However, what if that graduate doesn’t make it to the next level? Well, all of that hard work the athlete produced in four years gives them no financial reward, other than their education. Paying college athletes will give the men and women that didn’t get recruited by the big leagues some extra time to rethink their career and to figure out how to start making a living. It will also give the ones that do make it to the pros some compensation for the work that they put in for their school.
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FEBRUARY 2016
SPORTS
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Sophomore Bowler Works Toward Perfection Brendan Johnson Opinions Editor
Sophomore Katom Parnell bowled nine frames, strike after strike. It wasn’t until his brother yelled to him that he realized he was on track for a perfect game. In the tenth frame, Parnell sent all but one pin toppling down, ending his hope for a perfect game, but pushing him to work harder. “I was disappointed, but on my way home I said to myself, ‘Think about it, you weren’t even trying to throw a 300.’ I knew then that if I challenged myself, I could get to that score that every bowler dreams of.” Averaging a score of 221, Parnell throws strikes regularly. Throwing a perfect game, however, is a rare experience. “If I let it haunt me I know it will stay in my mind and I will always feel like I have to throw a 300,” Parnell said. “It’s something I just have to shake off.” Parnell is not a stranger to competition. He is always looking to challenge himself, bowling against the best player on the other team in tournaments. “I figure why not compete at the highest level when I know what I am capable of,” Parnell said. “I’m a competitive guy, I mean, I don’t even like to lose at family reunions. To me it’s all about pushing
yourself.” While he began playing for De Smet when he was in 8th grade, Parnell now stands as a leader for his team. He works to improve both himself and his teammates as best as he can. “It won’t be too long before he is better than me,” Coach Frank said. “He’s got a lot of talent. It’s my job to help him be as good as he can get, which potentially is incredibly good.” As Parnell bowls, he carries on his family’s legacy. His grandfather, Tommy Magee, is one of his many teachers that have helped him develop his craft. “It lifts me up to see what he is doing,” Magee, said. “From what I’m teaching him everything pans out. He’s come a long way, and I am really proud of him.” Parnell has modeled his shot after PBA bowler, Jason Belmonte, taking after his untraditional two handed technique, the Belmo style. “The world is changing every day. Why stay traditional when you have teachers and coaches that can help you develop into a new style of bowler,” Parnell said. “The new style has taken over me and the way I play the game.” Parnell aims to further develop his craft with the untraditional, yet effective, technique. He feels that doing so will help him be the best he can be. “It’s become a second nature of
Junior Gymnast Bounces Back From Knee Injury Marcallini Tells The Story Of His Recovery Drew Brown Web Editor “I messed up on the landing pretty bad,” Angelo Marcallini said. “At first I didn’t think the injury would be that bad, I thought I would just get up and do the next event. But then I could even stand so I was pretty nervous” After going to the hospital Marcallini was told had torn his ACL, LCL, stressed his PCL and fractured his tibia all at once. Now started the grueling year long stretch to fully recover and starting to compete again. Not being able to practice motivated Marcallini to come back stronger. “It was kind of saddening and definitely frustrating because I wanted to get going again, and being restricted and seeing my friends doing things at practice made me really determined to get back as strong and as fast as I could.” Marcallini found refuge in his physical therapy because of his inability to practice. “Physical therapy was just a bit challenging but I kind of liked it because it was
Photo by David Goodwillie
Parnell lines up for a shot at practice at Olivette Lanes on Tuesday, January 26th, 2016.
mine,” Parnell said. “It gives me the ability to throw harder and increase my percentage of strikes, which in the long run will help me perfect my craft.” Parnell has nearly reached perfection once, and he hopes that further devotion will allow him to
do so again. “I know I can do anything I put my mind to,” Parnell said. “I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today without my teachers and my passion for the sport. It’s these things that will help me go further.”
MLS Should Expand To STL Joe Cafazza Sports Editor
Photo by David Goodwille
(Above) Junior Angelo Marcallini practices the pommel horse at the St. Louis Gymnastics Center. After his injury last year, Marcallini recovered to compete directly below the Olympic level. (Below) Marcallini works the rings.
some of the only exercise I could do at the time.” Marcallini competes at the highest level possible, level 10.Competing at such an extreme degree does not come without hard work. Thus, Angelo practices five times a week for four hours each and then another five hour on Saturdays. “When I was three my parents just started it for me and I have just been doing it since,” Angelo said. “The biggest reason [I compete] is because I like it and its fun; also there is possibility of scholarships in college.” All of this preparation helped him to get ready for his first competition back. “Getting cleared and coming back has been somewhat hard, but I am doing fine so far this year and I think I am coming along mostly well. I have definitely got some practicing to do to get totally back, so I am working on that.” All of this training and striving to be on a college team payed off. Marcallini even with all this practice he was still fearful of what would happen during the event. “After that knee injury
With the Rams gone to Los Angeles, there is now a perfect opening for St. Louis to acquire an Major League Soccer team. If St. Louis offered a venue, the MLS would jump at the opportunity to give St. Louis a team. One of the biggest draws about St. Louis for the MLS is how great of a reputation it has for being a soccer town. St. Louis has proven in the past with their indoor team the Steamers that they can support a soccer team. St. Louis is also currently showing its passion for soccer in the attendance numbers at home games for St. Louis FC, who plays at Soccer Park in the United Soccer League (USL). Soccer Park has a capacity of around 5,000. St. Louis FC has consistently brought in between four and five thousand fans to their home games this year despite their below average record (28-33). Although it is important to have fan support, it takes planning, money, and (most importantly) a stadium to be able to host an MLS team in St. Louis.
Photo by Nick Plassmeyer
St. Louis’ passion for soccer showed during the 2015 high school state soccer playoffs. Soccer Park filled up to max capacity for the semifinal and final games.
There have been reports of some tentative talks between MLS Commissioner, Garber and St. Louis officials like Dave Peacock and Jay Nixon about the prospect of bringing an MLS team to St. Louis. Garber visited St. Louis to give input on the potential new stadium in May of 2015. It would most-likely be an expansion team as a part of Garber’s plan to expand the league to 24 teams by the year 2020. There MLS currently has 20 teams. The people of St. Louis showed they cared enough about the Rams to offer a 1.1 billion dollar stadium to Stan Kroenke. That would give reason to believe that they would make a similar offer to bring the MLS to St. Louis.
Photo by David Goodwille
doing that specific vault is very nerve-racking but I have done it a couple times since” Angelo said. “I did the entire event but my reunites were not up to par.” In his first competition back from surgery, Angelo’s highest score was in vault, the same event that caused the tragic injury, were he got a score of 13.1 out of 16.
Photo courtesy of stltoday.com
Although the plans for the football stadium on the riverfront were not accepted by Rams ownership, the land on the riverfront is still open for a possible soccer stadium to be built.
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8
R MIRROR
ENTERTAINMENT
FEBRUARY 2016
DEADPOOL - FEBRUARY 12 Gifted with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor, mercenary Wade Wilson adopts the alter ego Deadpool and hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life. Wade Wilson aka Deadpool is played by Ryan Reynolds. BATMAN v. SUPERMAN - MARCH 25 Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modernday savior,. With Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before. CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR - MAY 6 After, The Age of Ultron, the governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This challenges the Avengers and causes two factions that side with either Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr or Captain America (Chris Evans). X - MEN APOCALYPSE - MAY The world’s first mutant, Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) reemerges and the X-Men must unite to defeat his plan. Traditional actors, Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Lawrence continue their roles with new actors, Alexdra Sharp (Storm) and Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), installment looks to excite. SUICIDE SQUAD - AUGUST 5 Suicide Squad is a team of imprisoned super villains who perform high risk missions for the U.S. Government in exchange for commuted sentences. Suicide Squad stars Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, and Jared Leto as The Joker. DOCTOR STRANGE - NOVEMBER 4 Doctor Strange starts when his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under his wing and trains him to defend the world against evil. The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange.
YEAR OF THE HERO Photo courtesy of 20th Century
Photo courtesy of DC Comics
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Alex Hejna Entertainment Editor
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
for years. DC Comics and 20th Century Fox are up first with the This year comic book fans will finally highly anticipated Deadpool and get to see the superhero movies Batman V. Superman. DC Comics they have been anticipating eventually adds the villainous
Predictions
Predicted winners in gold
Record of the Year
Ray Stewart Managing Editor
Really Love – D’Angelo and The Vanguard Uptown Funk-Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran Blank Space-Taylor Swift Can’t Feel My Face-The Weeknd
Album of the Year Sound & Color - Alabama Shakes To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar Traveller - Chris Stapleton 1989 - Taylor Swift Beauty Behind The Madness - The Weeknd
Song of the Year Alright - Kendrick Lamar Blank Space - Taylor Swift Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran Girl Crush - Little Big Town See You Again - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
Best New Artist Courtney Barnett James Bay Sam Hunt Tori Kelly Meghan Trainor
Photo courtesy of DC Comics
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
Suicide Squad to its releases. With Marvel also adding movies like Captain America: Civil War and X: Men Apocalypse, 2016 is full of comic movies.
Predictions
Best Picture
Alex Hejna Entertainment Editor
The Big Short Bridge of Spies Brooklyn Mad Max Fury Road The Martian The Revenant Room Spotlight
Best Director Tom McCarthy - Spotlight Lenny Abrahamson - Room Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu - The Revenant Adam Mckay - The Big Short George Miller - Mad Max: Fury Road
Actor in a Leading Role Leonardo Dicaprio - The Revenant Bryan Cranston - Trumbo Matt Damon - The Martian Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs Eddie Redmayne- The Danish Girl
Actress in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett - Carol Brie Larson - Room Jennifer Lawrence - Joy Charlotte Rampling - 45 Years Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn
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