Feb. 8, 2019 Image Magazine

theimagemagazine Lafayette High School - Wildwood, Missouri - Feb. 8, 2019 - vol. 50, issue 4

Celebrate with us!

Pages 18-19

Opening 2

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In This Issue: pg 6

pg 10

Opinions 4 6 7

TRACKING APPS Tracking technology can be beneficial, but there should still be boundaries.

CANCELING CULTURE The social media trend of “canceling” celebrities sidesteps actual activism.

CLIMATE CHANGE The U.S. needs to take immediate action to protect our planet.

News 8 10 13

FIXING IT Find out what happens behind the scenes to keep LHS up and running.

BOY SCOUTS

BEST BUDDIES The Best Buddies program has come to LHS thanks to a few committed students.

pg 31

pg 36-37

Lifestyles 30

ACTS OF KINDNESS Students and staff share acts of kindness that impacted them.

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TEACHER SLANG

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TASTE TESTER

Teachers discuss how they try to be #hip with the kidz.

Image staff members review different chocolate-covered strawberries.

Sports 35

PROTEIN POWDER

36

HOCKEY

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pg 26-27

Meet the students who went the distance and became Eagle Scouts.

Features

16 20 23 26

ISHA LOVES ABE

Meet the sophomore superfan of our 16th president.

LEGALLY BLONDE: BEHIND THE SCENES

The Lafayette Theater Company’s musical features a cameo from a familiar face.

CULTURAL STEREOTYPES

Despite making up only 7.5 percent of the student body, Asian Americans consistently outperform their peers. Why?

GRACE STROBEL

An LHS graduate born with Down syndrome now works as a model and uses her platform to combat bullying.

Learn the pros and cons of using protein powder.

Check out what the hockey team is doing to prepare for the postseason.

Stay Connected

PREGAME RITUALS

The Lancer Feed

Athletes around the world have superstitions, and Lafayette’s are no different.

@thelancerfeed

General Information and Policy: This year represents the 50th volume of the Image.

The publication is produced by students in the News Production class. Free copies are distributed on campus.

The publication’s primary purpose is to inform its readers about events in the school and community, as well

as issues of national or international importance which directly or indirectly affect the school population.

While serving as a training ground for future journalists, we adhere to all rights and responsibilities granted under the First Amendment.

Operating as a public forum, student editors will apply professional

journalistic standards and ethics for decision-making as they take on the responsibility for content and production of the publication.

A full listing of all the policies and procedures used by student publications can be found at lancerfeed.press under the About Us tab.

@thelancerfeed

Web

lancerfeed.press

Opening 3

Feb. 8, 2019

FROM US TO YOU T

he publication you are holding is now 50 years old. We haven’t always gone by the Image, but we’ve been covering the happenings of Lafayette for half a century now.

The cover of this issue is pretty straight forward: what’s a better way to celebrate our publication’s birthday than to stuff our faces with cake?

To start off the new semester, our staff grew substantially in size. We’ve been joined by talented staff writers as well as a few new editors. More creative minds on board have opened the doors to new possibilities in terms of content, design and photography.

Ambition took its course for this issue, and we decided to

run 40 pages rather than our regular 32. Compared to last year’s 12-16 page newspapers, a publication of this size is something we would not have been able fathom just 12 months ago.

In addition to celebrating the Image’s half centennial, we also explored the idea of academics through a cultural lens in an in-depth feature on pages 23-25.

As always, we strive to balance fun, entertaining content with long form stories that pertain to you, our readers.

In just four issues, our staff has challenged themselves and improved over one short semester. Here’s to 50 more years of the Image, but we’ll call it quits at 100 (kidding).

Image Staff: Editors-in-Chief: Travis Bodell Amisha Paul Web Editors: Chloe Baker Grace Kirtley News and Features Editor: Delaney Stulce Opinions Editor: Shelby Darnell Lifestyles Editor: Hayden Cottrell Sports Editor: Kayla Carpenter Social Media Editor: Jack Weaver

Advertising Manager: Jasmin Kim Artist: Grayden Kurtz Staff: Makayla Archambeault Elizabeth Elliott Hannah Fitts Morgan Goertz Lourdes Hindi Melina Hudak Caroline Kesting Carson Luther Maya Manor Alex Rozar Naomi Saegusa Sophia Scheller Corren Tipton Morgan Vehige Jacob Ward

Digital Media Staff: Digital Media Editor: Jack Weaver Staff: Emily Budde Jackie Day

Janka Gerber Sam Knutson Jonah Nickerson Ryan Post Ava Saegusa Colin Swan

Adviser: Nancy Y. Smith, MJE

Sponsors:

Amisha Paul and Travis Bodell Editors-in-Chief

Thank you to our sponsors for their support of the journalism program.

Carpenter Family Paul Family Baker Family McDowell Family Heather Pick, Berkshire-Hathaway Home Services

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OPINIONS

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Staff Editorial: Try Talking, Not Tracking

Student editors determine the content of the Image including all unsigned editorials. Views stated in the staff editorial represent the majority opinion of the publication.

Feb. 8, 2019

Opinions 5

T

echnology is changing and developing every day, leading to new advancements and giving people opportunities to learn and succeed. It is a major part of everyone’s day-to-day lives, ranging from offices to modern schooling to completely computerized cars. But, the most impactful and relevant technology is the smartphone.

Although technology has brought many wonderful things, it has also brought an onslaught of privacy invasion, including that from parents monitoring their children.

Parents often to use tracking apps, such as Life 360 or Find My iPhone, to keep tabs on where their teens are.

Teens generally become upset when they find out their parents are snooping on their whereabouts. Some feel betrayed and are enraged when they learn about the tracking.

In their defense, it can be extremely frustrating to feel like your parents do not trust you, but, unless you are a troublesome person, parents are not necessarily doing this due to a lack of trust.

What it really boils down to is that parents are naturally paranoid about their child and only want them to be safe and healthy; tracking just happens to be the easiest way to ensure this and put their mind at ease.

Tracking can be beneficial, to both parents and children, in multiple ways.

Tracking can help parents ensure children aren’t putting themselves into potentially harmful situations. Although this may seem like a parent having too much control, teenagers do not have the same experience level as adults, and therefore are unable to fully understand the severity of dangerous situations.

Secondly, parents can use tracking to ensure their kids are in places they are scheduled to be, like in their college lecture rather than skipping and sleeping in. Although students should be making the step toward independence during college, if a parent is the one paying for their child to go to school, they have the right to make sure their money is not being wasted.

Not only do parents have the right to track their children for the benefits it poses on safety, but parents also have that right based on ownership over the smartphone. As long as a parent is paying for the phone, they have complete authority to track the phone.

So, yes, we acknowledge there are many valid reasons behind parents’ protectiveness; however, this does not completely justify the ways in which they track their children.

Some parents take a step past location tracking, consistently going through their child’s phone or using apps that allow them to view what their child is doing on their devices in real time. This is known as screen watching.

This extreme form of “checking up” is a massive step past merely tracking location, and a major invasion of privacy.

Today, smartphones hold one’s entire life, including information, although not necessarily inappropriate, that

teens do not want their parents to see.

Just like a diary, smartphones should be respected and should not be searched and read over without the individual knowing.

By continuously violating their child’s privacy, adults are instilling in their child their lack of trust, in turn making children not trust their parents.

Even though certain parents may have justification in their reasoning for closely monitoring their child, it is not usually the kids who are poorly behaved that are watched like a hawk.

Parents should only have the right to invade their child’s phone if given a proper reason, not just that they are the adult and can do what they please. If a child has never given parents a substantial reason to be mistrusted, they should be able to enjoy their privacy and feel the trust from their parent that they deserve.

Not only does being overly controlling of a child’s smartphone breach their privacy, it also prevents them from growing into a independent and responsible adults.

High school and college is the time teens should be transitioning from childhood to adulthood, which means he or she needs to develop responsibility and discipline. By watching and controlling their teen so closely, he or she continues to be dependent on their parent far past when they should be.

This also means that, if a teen wants to be independent and treated like an adult in one aspect of their lives, they need to begin to pick up certain responsibilities their parents take care of for them.

This means making appointments, packing lunches, paying for certain, unneeded items, solving problems with teachers or counselors alone and many other activities that parents do for their children.

Picking up responsibilities is a key factor in showing a parent that he or she is ready to be trusted and treated as an adult.

Although this is important, the only way that parents and children will come to an understanding is through good communication.

Teens should not be secretive about what they are doing or where they are going in order for their parents to not feel the need to track their smartphones. Also, at an age where teens believe they should have personal freedom, they need to ask their parents what they can do to show their responsibility.

On the same note, parents should be open about the ways in which they track a child and should give them the opportunity to show that they are trustworthy.

Because teenage years are such a monumental and admittedly difficult time in a person’s life, parents and teens need to sit down and have a conversation where they can share their thoughts and feelings on the situation.

By allowing an opportunity for both sides to share and understand the other, a solution tailored to each family can be made, and both sides can be understood.

photo by TRAVIS BODELL

We understand parent angst, but communication works better than stalking teens

Opinions 6

“Traffic Jam”

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comic by GRAYDEN KURTZ

Canceling people cancels activism Kevin Hart lost his job as the Oscar host over comments he made via Twitter ranging from 20082011. Seven to 11 years ago, these tweets were posted, and he lost an esteemed job over his former self.

Nobody is the same person they were seven to 11 years ago; neither is Kevin Hart.

The comments in question are described as being homophobic, mainly the usage of the word “gay,” to describe certain things, or other words that are in all ways derogatory to other people. The fact of the matter is that the things he said were acceptable in that time period.

They may not be acceptable now, but that doesn’t change the fact that he wasn’t the only one who talked like this in that time. That may not make it right, but putting it into context makes it much less dramatic than the public is currently making it.

Celebrities are people too, whether they’re in the public eye

or not. The main argument is that celebrities chose to put themselves into the public eye, so they have to set an example, but being in the public eye does not remove basic human characteristics. Change is one of them.

The people who dig these tweets up often claim to do so in the name of activism, keeping people who’ve done wrong out of the spotlight.

This is not activism. This is petty and unnecessary. They search through someone’s social media as soon as they catch a job just to get twenty seconds of fame on the internet.

People who do this might place themselves morally higher than these celebrities, saying it is their duty to condemn them, making themselves into some sort of social activist saint, for what? To get someone fired, to gain Twitter followers?

Activism is promoting change in society. “Canceling” people promotes forcing people into

SHELBY DARNELL Opinions Editor the molds of their former self.

“Canceling” somebody tells them that they are nothing more than their biggest mistake.

Today’s form of social activism is nothing more than people clambering to be the ‘best’ activist, to get everyone to agree with them, and if they don’t, they must be a bad person. This delusion is not activism. If anything, it’s making real activism into a joke.

People see these ridiculous Twitter threads being publicized constantly and think that is activism.

This culture takes away from true activism, the stories of citizens making real change in the name of their beliefs, in the name of helping

others, not in the name of social media.

Instead, activism is now made out to be ruining someone’s career over basic, over-analyzed things they said 10 years ago, or tweeting out something politically correct to gain followers, and that is the biggest mistake ever made in the name of activism.

Being an activist is not about telling people they cannot grow.

Being at activist is about making change. So get off your phone, stop digging through celebrities’ social media and thinking you’re a saint, and get up and do something.

Go help charity. Go to a protest for something you believe in, whether the people in your phone agree with you or not. And most of all, stop hiding behind a screen. Stop pretending that trapping people in their past makes you a saint of activism because if anything, it makes you the reason activism is seen as a joke. Get up and do something.

Opinions 7

Feb. 8, 2019

Media overlooks individual journalistic work Take out your phone. Turn the TV on. Look on the computer.

If you look at any type of social media you are likely to see the phrase “the media” with either political ties or talk of minority representation. “The media,” can ignore a racially motivated murder, but a smaller publication may have covered it. Yet they’re being lumped into the collective ignorance highlighted by outsiders.

Ever since I joined the Image staff at the beginning of the year, I have found an intense dislike of the phrase “the media.” As a student journalist, “the media,” lumps me and many others into a whirlwind of other stories that can be found on the internet.

Being categorized with obvious fake news or click bait is dangerous because then, over time, the real journalists’ work is not trusted. It harms smaller publications due to the fact that they are unable to get a good start, just because people don’t trust them. In this day and age, content found on the internet doesn’t even feel like a human wrote it.

The general public does not understand the time put into planning, interviewing, writing, factchecking and editing. They forget that a human wrote that story and that headline. They don’t realize the

weeks that the story has been in the works and the countless interviews, fact checks and edits.

Yet, even knowing the process, people are being conditioned to believe that “the media” is biased to the left or right.

People have biases, groups have biases and sports fans have biases, but an entity as big and diverse as “the media” cannot possibly be lumped into one massive category.

Yes, these journalists have biases, but it is in the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics that: “Journalists should: Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility...Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.”

Even as a high schooler, I am active and cautious about removing my biases from my work. I am an individual journalist with my own thoughts. I want to inform the public about events or people in the most unbiased, ethical way.

Other than opinion articles, biases are almost always removed in news.

And, now more than ever, instead of turning to trusted and highly talented journalists from

SOPHIA SCHELLER Staff Writer respected news outlets, we are turning to Twitter for our news.

This is dangerous because instead of “the media’s” agenda being placed on the public, one person’s personal agenda with a clear bias is distributed.

It becomes harmful when one person’s word is trusted over people’s experiences and clear lies are taken as truths.

The “media” exists to share stories through film and news, to expose corruption within businesses and within politics, and to record history through photos and newspapers.

While all of these things are a different source of media, each one of these has real people behind it, sometimes with even whole crews and different minds working on it.

So next time you see a story and almost brush it off, think about the weeks and people who have worked tirelessly to get you that information.

Stars: • The Lancer Feed’s official podcast is here! If you would like to be featured, please visit us at Room 137A. However, spots are limited, so be sure to know what you’re going to talk about and not just rant about your mom for an hour.

• Here’s some news that made us crack up: the new most-liked post on Instagram is egg-sactly a picture of an egg, which sent Kylie Jenner’s photo of her baby Stormi scrambling down to #2. Looks like Kylie’s time at the top is over. Easy.

• Billionaire Ken Griffin bought the most expensive home in U.S. history for $238 million, or roughly the price of popcorn, Milk Duds and a large drink at the movie theater.

Gripes: • On their trip to the White House, the undefeated Clemson Tigers were treated to a fast food smörgåsbord of Big Macs, Quarter Pounders and fries, all courtesy of President McDonald Trump.

• During the government shutdown, disgruntled, unpaid TSA workers at JFK airport played rap songs, including Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode”, over the intercoms.

It’s the perfect way to wake up after sleeping through a 13-hour flight.

• The Rams and the Patriots faced off in Super Bowl LIII, and St. Louis lost.

Climate change requires human intervention Every new day brings a brandnew climate change report, each one damning humankind for its destructive actions against Mother Earth.

The sense of urgency in these articles has risen over the past years, and all for good reason. Yet, mankind seems to be drawing a blank on how to fix these issues.

But it shouldn’t be that way. The detrimental effects of climate change are very real and increasingly becoming more serious; the signs are all around us.

The city of Capetown in South Africa creeps closer and closer to Day Zero, the day that water supply is completely cut off for the city.

Giraffes and tigers join the ranks among the many now-endangered animals inching closer and closer to extinction. Precious natural wonders such as California’s Big Sur, Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro

AMISHA PAUL Editor-in-Chief and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are all subject to extinction due to the effects of global warming.

But perhaps the most shocking, for me, was this: UN scientists have predicted that humans are the next dinosaurs, slated for extinction in the near future.

Global warming is no doubt the biggest issue facing our planet today.

This is the human rights struggle; without a planet to live on, all other human rights violations fade away. This is an issue that extends

beyond politics, and it shouldn’t be a partisan issue.

The destruction of our planet should be on the forefront of every human being’s conscience.

Change begins with us. It’s easy to blame other countries for their high carbon emissions or their poorly carried out waste management systems; but ultimately, change must start with us.

High income nations such as the United States must pave the way in caring for our environment before other countries catch on—otherwise there will be serious consequences.

I’m not using the grand, sweeping notion of “saving our planet” because there is no way to completely do that.

With our current lifestyles and with a world population predicted to be over 11 billion by the year 2100, the best we can hope for is

simply reducing our impact, so that the effects of global warming don’t spiral out of control so quickly.

And the best way to reduce this is through elected officials.

You can refuse to use straws for the turtles and turn off the water while brushing your teeth all you want—that’s mostly expected at this point—but if you don’t push for large scale change at the top level, it won’t be enough.

Though America has recently shed its role as a leader in climate change, this cannot continue.

America holds much power in influencing the rest of the nations of the world, so actions like these only continue to de-emphasize climate change as an important issue.

In the next elections, make sure climate change is on the forefront of all of our agendas, because otherwise there might not be very many elections after.

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Feb. 8, 2019

9

NEWS

30-year-old building brings more maintenance challenges for staff CORREN TIPTON Staff Writer A lot of work from the custodial staff goes into the upkeep of the Lafayette High School building each day.

They help make sure that everything is functioning and clean.

They also fix or report any issues relating to repairs that the school experiences.

Since the inaugural year of the new building in 1989, many renovations and additions have been made, the most recent being the new STEM labs added at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.

Lafayette made changes to fix slanted floors, eye wash stations and squeaky chairs in the science rooms.

Consistent with other aging buildings, the school experiences broken appliances and objects quite frequently.

A daily task for the LHS custodial staff and the Rockwood Maintenance Department (RMD) is to fix these issues.

Head Custodian Susanne Jessen plays a vital role in keeping the building in good condition. She has been working at Lafayette for 18 years.

“Each day, I maintain the crew

In addition to facilities, technology repairs are also vital. Upkeep in these areas falls under the Technology Department’s budget and is a major expense for the Rockwood School District. For example, it can cost $5,099 each time a SMART Board needs repairing. (photo by CORREN TIPTON)

“

in making sure that everything is done. The most challenging part of my job is managing This funding mechanism was reduced to everything that goes on and making sure zero dollars several years ago as a part everyone is happy,” of district-wide budget challenges and Jessen said. related reductions ” Jessen also has certain tasks that she —Christopher Freund, does on a daily basis.

One part of this is Rockwood Director of Facilities walking around LHS in the mornings and sure that everything is working making sure everything properly. Any problems they find are is clean. noted and fixed.

After school, the custodians go Many other people can become through the classrooms and empty involved in repair issues. Principal pencil sharpeners and trash cans, Karen Calcaterra said she is often erase white boards, clean messy notified of issues that are schooltables and vacuum the floors. wide disruptions or ones that will But being the head custodian need immediate attention. calls for more than walk-throughs If the custodial staff cannot fix and cleaning classrooms. Jessen the issue, the next step is for a is required to be knowledgeable work order to be sent in. The RMD about what needs to be done and will then send help to fix the more to organize the custodial crew. complicated issues.

Between busy school days The budget also plays a role and after hours, some items don’t in keeping the school in tip-top always get enough attention. condition.

The RMD was notified of the Freund said that general skylight leaking outside of Rooms maintenance repairs are provided 137 and 137A on Jan. 14. for by the General Operating Fund.

“Our technician has been on site It sets money aside for basic tasks and made a repair to the skylight. such as painting, roofing, lights, and We have been checking in with the HVAC repairs. building since the repair was made,” Large scale repairs like parking Rockwood Director of Facilities lot improvements and roof Christopher Freund said. replacements are paid for through a But the process of fixing these bond issue. issues has to start somewhere, and A bond issue is similar to an it usually begins with a student election, but participants cast their or staff member identifying and votes based on what they think a reporting a problem. budget should be.

Whenever a staff member finds Capital projects are ones that an issue, the first step is generally relate to the individual high school to email a custodian who will attend but are typically much more costly. to the problem.

The STEM lab renovations are the Hall monitor Tom Quatmann newest capital project at Lafayette. often notifies the staff when he However, this capital projects notices things around the building budget has faced some changes. that need attention.

“This funding mechanism was “Whenever I get the email, I try reduced to zero dollars several to fix the issue right away,” Jessen years ago as a part of district-wide said. budget challenges and related There are other steps that can be taken to identify an issue, as well. reductions,” Freund said.

Still, it is the work of the The building, along with all the other custodians that keeps LHS Rockwood schools, have routine functioning, despite differences and maintenance checks. The RMD fluctuations in the budget. goes around the school and makes

News 10

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Students earn top Scouting rank Eagle Scout requirements include completion of service project, years of commitment to community

MAKAYLA ARCHAMBEAULT Staff Writer

W

hile Boy Scouts may not be the most sought-after extracurricular, it instills skills that can’t be found in other clubs.

Cub Scouts traditionally starts in 1st grade and goes all the way through 5th grade, after which the Scouts advance onto Boy Scouts, a seven rank program that ends with the Eagle Scout achievement.

Walker Trieschmann, senior, has been a Scout for 13 years and became an Eagle Scout two years ago.

“I have had a positive experience with scouting over the years, doing awesome activities, doing awesome leadership things, and I would totally go

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back and do it again. I wouldn’t skip out on some of the amazing things I’ve done,” Trieschmann said.

The thorough process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout is structured to help boys develop certain skills, such as a sense of perspective, leadership and ingenuity within their environment.

“There’s one thing that you have to do to in order to get your Eagle Scout,” junior Eagle Scout Cole Ciesla said. “You have to sleep outside. All you can do is bring a sleeping bag and I didn’t really want to do that, especially since that night there was a storm, so it was raining. That was probably one of the toughest things.”

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must first advance through a series of ranks each requiring an increasingly harder level of skill. Each rank requires the Scout to go through a four-step process of learning, testing, review and recognition.

“I learned how to relate to other people and speak in front of people. A big challenge for me was that I was afraid of public speaking. It was hard for me, but through repetition, I learned how to speak in front of others much better, ” senior Eagle Scout Jimmie Kirtley said.

The Scouts Program was made to help young boys increase their self-confidence, self-reliance and leadership skills. The Scouts assume full responsibility for their journey and advance at their own rate.

Because of this, however, many Scouts become distracted, never finishing their journey to the Eagle Scout rank.

“There was definitely a time when I wanted to quit,” senior Eagle Scout Cole Johnson said. “It came around my freshman or

sophomore year when a lot of my friends were backing out. I was at the last rank before Eagle, and at the time, I didn’t see the point because there were other things in life I could do. But my family and my other friends that were in Scouting just kind of pushed me along because I knew I only had one more thing to do, only one more requirement.”

Not only do they learn life skills, the Eagle Scout title leaves a lasting impression for colleges and future job opportunities. The National Eagle Scout Association alone awards about $700,000 in scholarships based on grades, scouting background and any financial needs of the Scout.

In addition to the physical requirements, the Eagle Scout is required to lead a community service project. Some projects that have been done include building outdoor dog houses, building a bridge over a creek for a nature trail or constructing an outdoor education center.

“I’m not a super extroverted person, so especially with things like the Eagle Project, you kind of get the feel for how to lead a group,” senior Eagle Scout Patrick Rouff said. Rouff built a bridge over a creek to improve a nature trail for his Eagle Scout service project.

Although it is proven to be a difficult and long process, most Eagle Scouts look back on their experiences in the Scouting program fondly and are proud of all they have done to earn their Eagle Scout title.

“I think it was very worth it, not only for how it changed me as a person, but how it’s going to help me in my future as well,” Johnson said, “It’s something that I can always look back to and show people and say ‘here’s where I come from, here’s where I learned to be who I am today, here’s where I learned my leadership and here’s where I learned all these different things to help me in life.’”

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Feb. 8, 2019

w b g k k l n g v u f q r y m t p p f t r p q f z t h j k a z s c d t a d a g Po v z o l y a o a P k x k m l z b p i e LancerFeed creates new podcast CHLOE BAKER Web Editor GRACE KIRTLEY Web Editor Forty-four percent of Americans have listened to a podcast. In the past year, Abby Robeson, junior, has joined those Americans.

As an avid listener of National Public Radio (NPR), Ted Talks podcasts and various other podcasts, Robeson listens as she drives, cleans and runs to introduce herself to new information and concepts.

With the practicality and accessibility of podcasts, multi-tasking while learning new ideas is increasingly more common. It’s one of the qualities that attracted Robeson to podcasts.

“I think it’s very interesting when you’re introduced to new ideas without having to spend time looking through the idea or watching it on TV or reading a book. You can do another activity while listening to various perspectives on various issues,” Robeson said.

Podcasts can be found on a multitude of platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and

the LancerFeed. Topics range from murder mystery discussion, daily news and even the craziest cults of all time, topics for all different interests. There are over 630,000 podcasts available for listening, according to Podcast Insights, with the most popular genre being comedy.

Robeson enjoys news podcasts, but has also listened to lifestyle podcasts about food.

“They bring in experts and they argue what our diets should look like, or what they did look like in the pre-dinosaur era. They even discuss how the food industry has gotten so far away from the health industry,” Robeson said. “It’s very interesting because the food industry has become a large money making business.”

Due to the growing popularity and number of podcasts, many different ideas and opinions are in the hands of the people.

“I like podcasts because I get exposed to lots of different ideas and opinions and just thoughts I’ve never even been exposed to before,” Robeson said.

Although podcasts aren’t the most prevalent entertainment to listen to,

they have recently grown in popularity.

“It’s not necessary to listen to [podcasts] all the time, there’s obviously other things to listen to,” Robeson said. “It’s just important to learn other people’s opinions and broaden your horizons through others’ ideas and I think podcasts do that very well.”

The LancerFeed has also created a podcast, Listen in, with the goal of advancing coverage and providing students with a direct voice.

The new venture hopes to invoke creativity and help tell the stories of students.

The prominence of podcasts has continued to grow and LancerFeed wanted to embrace that.

Listen in will air every other week, covering a variety of topics from sports to life experiences. If students would like to be featured, contact LancerFeed through email or social media.

The first episode featured Jeff Landow, language arts teacher, discussing podcasts themselves and their growing popularity. Other recent podcasts look at student journalists at Lafayette and predictions for the Super Bowl.

Check out the first episode of Listen in on lancerfeed.press

News 11

Lily Tomasic

Junior “I listen to this podcast called Myths and Legends and its about different myths from around the world and the unknown stories that go along with uncommon myths. I’m really into mythology.”

Kathrine Flowers

Sophomore “I would have to say Views by David Dobrik. It’s not really on one specific thing, it’s funny and it’s almost like a YouTube video but there is no video, that’s why I like it. They just joke around and have fun.”

Gavin O’Neal

Junior “I like to listen to Joe Rogan.

He makes fun of a lot of people but he also interviews a lot of people about their lifestyles and stuff with their fitness. He also talks to them about their lifestyle, how they changed. He is very inspirational.”

News 12

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Schools nationwide achieve success with flex time addition CARSON LUTHER Staff Writer The 2019-2020 school year will bring about a large-scale change with the addition of student flex time. This alteration to the schedule has left many students and staff hesitant for the upcoming year.

Staff members are using Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings, a meeting between teachers teaching the same classes to conference as well as the half day Professional Development Days to plan for the change.

In general, the free time in the school day is designed to provide academic tutoring for student or allow them to make up work.

It can also be used for general help sessions, club meetings or just down time for students.

Associate Principal Michael Franklin described flex time as a time not directly focused on classwork where students are able to take care of their own needs, which includes resting, working on assignments, relaxing and talking to teachers and friends.

“The biggest benefit [of flex time] is to the kids, how they use the down time to promote their time management.” Franklin.

Teachers will be able to eliminate the need to spend extra time before and after school, as well as reduce the number of school meetings on mornings, afternoons and half days.

“Flex time won’t be used for

By the Numbers West Port high school in Ocala, Florida also introduced a similar concept to flex time, known as Power Hour. The program has been very successful since 2011, when it was first integrated.

These are the results after just one year.

teacher planning, but they will be given time to meet with their PLC groups,” Franklin said.

Lafayette hasn’t come to their final decision as to where teachers will go, whether it be staying in classrooms or having stations where students can come and see them.

Franklin said these details will all come together after the start of the school year.

“The main concern is [adjustment], since its a new schedule, and it’s something that not many schools have done,” Franklin said. “We are very much at the mercy of where kids will want to go during this time, which [administrators] are planning this spring, and will be readjusted during the fall,” Franklin said.

Although this is a new development for the Rockwood School District, schools across the nation have already integrated programs similar to Flex Time.

Roanoke Rapids High School (RRHS) in North Carolina, started their flex Time, known as Jacket Hour, in 2017-2018.

RRHS’s Jacket Hour has students attend four class periods per day, with one hour for Jacket hour and lunch. The lunch is split into two shifts ‘Homeroom A’ and ‘Homeroom B’ which gives students a 30 minute period to eat, and 30 minute periods for their own choice.

This is an idea Rockwood discussed, but chose to avoid.

There will only be designated lunch

“

shifts during ‘C days’ where there is no flex It’s the best of both worlds; you can get extra help, time.

RRHS sign up for clubs, meet with coaches, eat lunch, Principal socialize—all on your own schedule.”

Patrick Quast has found — Patrick Quast, RRHS Principal the new schedule allows students to have less stress provide insight as to what Lafayette outside of may need to do or change to best school hours and promotes the benefit the students. development of time management “We had to develop an and responsibility. accountability to system, to ensure “Using our new Jacket Hour that we know where each student is allows each child to pick their own at all times, ” Quast said. schedule each day, allow teachers In an attempt to prevent to pull those that need extra help students from misbehaving and lets administrators know where during Jacket Hour, RRHS has each student is,” Quast said. implemented a disciplinary program.

Since the schedule for RRHS “Instituting our Reforming has been altered, the school has Educational Habits And Behaviors become more organized, allowing (REHAB) room was essential to students to take care of all issues providing a negative consequence they would normally have to do students would work to avoid,” before or after school.

Quast said. “Students are able to “It’s the best of both worlds; relax during Jacket Hour, which has you can get extra help, sign up led to fewer disciplinary issues.” for clubs, meet with coaches, eat Lafayette has chosen to take a lunch, socialize—all on your own different approach, putting students schedule,” Quast said. entirely in charge of themselves In an effort to keep track of in order to promote responsibility, students during the nonacademic but will require students to be in part of the day, Lafayette will a supervised study hall if they are have sign ins and sign outs. The misbehaving during the flex time. beginning of next school year will

Student Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities: Went to 60% from 10% the previous year Disciplinary Referrals Dropped by 50%

Course Failure Rate: Dropped to 3.8% from 37% the previous year

News 13

Feb. 8, 2019

New initiative encourages creation of special friendships DELANEY STULCE News and Features Editor CAROLINE KESTING Staff Writer est Buddies International (BBI), a nonprofit organization geared towards creating lasting bonds between Special School District (SSD) students and students, has been introduced to Lafayette in the 2018-2019 school year.

This world-wide club has been integrated into all Rockwood School District (RSD) high schools, Lafayette being the last one to join.

This program was created to give students with developmental disabilities an opportunity to develop skills to help overcome obstacles they may face in their lives.

Best Buddies International was founded in 1989 by CEO and Chairman Anthony Shriver.

The company, which started as a volunteering opportunity on college campuses, has involvement in 50 countries across six continents.

Best Buddies made its way to Lafayette through the help of club president junior Ellie Moloney.

Moloney was intrigued with the club when hearing about how successful it was at Eureka High School.

“Some of the stories that they [her friends] have told me just seem like really cool experiences,” Moloney said.

“

She also became interested in bringing this club to Lafayette due to being close to a special needs child in her I feel like it will create good bonds between each childhood. other and bring the school closer together. Each “When I was in elementary individual person will have friendships they would school, I was really good not otherwise have had. This will help increase friends with a student with their high school experience and help everyone disabilities. I had a really good have more fun.” bond with him, but when we got to high school and middle school I didn’t see him as —Ellie Moloney, 11 much. It was kind of sad,” she said.

Moloney then decided In order to belong and participate in she wanted to get Lafayette the program, students need to go to the involved and began the process of Best Buddies International website and starting a chapter of Best Buddies. fill out a membership form.

“We had to talk to [Principal Karen] “You’ll fill out a membership Dr. Calcaterra and [Activities Director application which determines what type Jon] Mr. Sumner and then we had to find of member you want to be because there faculty to help sponsor it,” Moloney said. are different kinds that have different Moloney recruited Special School amounts of involvement in the club,” District (SSD) teachers Zack Sutter Moloney said. and Ben Stockwell as well as physical To become involved in the school’s education teacher Evyn Spencer and program, one would need to create a counselor Heather Chamberlain. site membership and then fill out the Not only was Moloney inspired to application for the Lafayette chapter. start the club, first year teacher and The program is compiled of three head sponsor, Sutter said he also had different pillars: One-to-One Friendships, intended to bring Best Buddies to Integrated Employment and Leadership Lafayette.

Development.

“I definitely wanted to get a Best The new chapter will participate in the Buddies program started, but I didn’t first pillar of the program, the One-toknow who was gonna want to be One Friendships. involved in it, and I didn’t know if we For this section of the program, each had the student support for the program. student will be paired with a SSD student Luckily, one day, we had some students based on personality traits and common come up to me and ask about the interests. After being paired, the buddies program and they were all interested. It participate in multiple activities each took off from there,” Sutter said. month.

After gaining teacher support, “You talk to them weekly whether that Moloney and other students interested be phone call, in person or text you get began to advertise the program. to meet with them during the month and “We had to find more students to do fun activities,” treasurer Lily Shaikun, be on the board to help it,” Moloney junior, said. said. “We got all that and now we’ve Best Buddies is intended to not only been trying to hold meetings to get more to get SSD students more involved with information to students about what it actually is and how they can be involved.” their community but also to make all students more connected and to create The program has begun to hold memories that students will remember various meetings before and after school, forever. but does not know of specific meeting or “I feel like it will create good bonds event dates for the future. between each other and bring the “We haven’t quite decided when school closer together. Each individual exactly all the dates will be,” Moloney person will have friendships they would said. “Hopefully we will have one event a not otherwise have had. This will help month with the club and then meetings increase their high school experience once a month either before or after and help everyone have more fun.” school.”

art by AMISHA PAUL

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Feb. 8, 2019

15

FEATURES

Women in STEM

Women fight for their place in science based field HANNAH FITTS Staff Writer

F

STEM fields. That growth, I think, would be very helpful to fix the very clear diversity in today’s world,” Campbell said.

The same sentiment was expressed by students as well. “Women need to take more chances when it comes to the STEM field, not always holding back and being afraid of what might happen. Just forgetting about all the male dominance in the field or how hard it might be.

Put aside everything else and just dive right in,” Blankenship said.

art by HANNAH FITTS

or centuries, industrial and science workforces have been dominated by men, but with new social standards and the will to face their fears, women are stepping up to the job.

The halls of Lafayette are filled with future doctors, scientists and architects who are all members of the Women in STEM, including seniors Rachel Blankenship and Mackenzie Marco, who are the vice president and events and communication chair.

The group is sponsored by industrial technology teacher Mark McAllister.

“I never really knew I wanted to be an engineer until high school,” Blankenship said. “I’ve always been good at math and science, but I didn’t ever consider STEM. I took Honors Chemistry and later AP Chemistry with Mr. [Jeff] Marx, and I decided I wanted to go into chemical engineering.”

Even though Blankenship, like many other girls, didn’t initially think about a STEM career, Marco always had an interest in the field.

“I’ve known as long as I can remember that I wanted to be an engineer. I’ve always been that kid that was always like, ‘I want to be an engineer!’ I love math and I love science,” Marco said.

According to College Factual, an estimated 6.7 percent of the United State’s women graduate with a STEM degree every year and only an estimated 13.3 percent of women work in the civil and architectural engineering, along with an estimated 12.8 percent in industrial engineering.

“I really want to be a civil engineer and work outside and to be with the people. I just want more ‘hands-on’ work,” Blankenship said.

Despite more girls like Blankenship showing interest in STEM, there are many things holding other girls back from exploring these interests.

“I think women are always stereotyped to look a certain way, do certain things, work certain places, but we have certain things that men don’t have,” Marco said. “We women are typically more observant and conservative when it comes to the places we live and work.”

These stereotypes may not be glaringly obvious, but the implicit bias is always there. And even then, many girls are simply unaware of the vastness of the field.

“So much of what we do involves so much science, technology, and math. Even if you’re super into make-up, make-up is chemistry.

Everything we do involves STEM, and I think

women in particular should look at how some of their favorite things could be linked to something so great,” science teacher Shannon Campbell said.

In an effort to attract more girls to the field and to allow more students to understand the field, the club began a few years ago and has continued to grow.

“I love bringing all the girls [in the club] together to do things in our community, and other communities around us. I plan all of our trips and we just got a great opportunity to go and visit T-Rex,” Blankenship said.

T-Rex is a tech startup company incubator where services and locations are provided for people and different companies for an affordable cost.

“At T-Rex we had a discussion session with two women entrepreneurs who started T-Rex. We talked to them and got many tips on being a woman in STEM. We also went on a tour and talked to a few more entrepreneurs in the building.” Marco said. “On the tour she talked to us about advancements in the company and explained how companies joined together at T-Rex.” Many colleges, not just in the U.S., look for young women who are willing to step up to this field of study all the time.

“All the colleges I am applying for right now are saying to me that they don’t have a lot of women, and we bring a lot of new ideas and thoughts to engineering. Many of the girls I talk to always say, ‘Oh I don’t want to be an engineer it’s only guys, I don’t want to go to this college because it’s only 25 percent girls.’ Well there isn’t any changing that, if you are not willing to go there and become part of the change,” Marco said.

At Missouri University of Science and Technology the number of undergraduates is 6,920, with 76 percent of them being men and 24 percent of them being women.

At Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the number of undergraduates is made up of 53.2 percent of men and 46.8 percent women.

Whether its a drastic or minor change in gender diversity, there is still change happening in furthering women’s appearance in some schools like these.

“Over the years I think we’ve seen more growth in women in STEM fields, however; it’s still very clear that we have a long way to go still. I would try to encourage more women and more girls at a young age to be interested in

Features 16

Isha

theimagemagazine

s Abe Meet sophomore Isha Deol, avid history-lover, book-reader and, above all, Abraham Lincoln fanatic. We talked to Deol to find out a little more about her fascination with Abraham Lincoln, and here’s what we found out.

Q A

: How did you first become obsessed with Abraham Lincoln?

: When I was a kid, I hated Abe Lincoln. I thought the whole craze over him was ridiculous and overrated. I mean, there’s 40-some-odd other presidents but we only ever learn about Lincoln! The summer after 5th grade I read almost 25 books about Lincoln and I was mind-blown—I thought “he’s the coolest person to ever exist” and my fascination kind of spiraled from there.

Q A

: What’s something you do, as a fan, that other people might not?

: Sometimes when I’m feeling down, I have excerpts from speeches and quotes from Lincoln saved to my phone that I read. He’s a big role model to me, and I aspire to be like him. My room used to be covered in posters of him. I later realized how ridiculous it was and I couldn’t see my walls so I took them down.

Q A

: What do you admire the most about Lincoln?

: I admire the type of person he was. He had two kids die during his presidency and three in his lifetime but he still persevere to serve his country and fulfilled his duty to America. That really inspired me.

Q A

: What’s your favorite fun fact about Lincoln?

: My favorite fact about Lincoln is that his wife was insane and held like four seances at the White House. She was really into supernatural stuff, and spent the whole redecorating budget in one year.. And I think it was because she was distraught about her children.

Q A

: Have you been to the Lincoln Memorial?

: I’ve been to the Lincoln Memorial twice and I went to Springfield, Illinois six times in 2015 and four times in 2016. I even went for my 12th and 13th birthdays. I think the Lincoln Memorial is okay, but I prefer Springfield because it’s all centered on Lincoln.

Q A

: What does your family and friends think about your obsession with Lincoln?

: My family doesn’t really even know that I’m so crazy about him.

I think my mom just tunes me out when I go off about Lincoln, but my grandma gets a little scared. Most people find it either funny or annoying, but they wouldn’t be saying that if they got it. But haters are going to hate, so I don’t really care what others think.

Q A

: What is your favorite movie and book about Lincoln?

: There’s not a lot of great movies and documentaries that do Lincoln justice. I prefer the books because they’re written by historians with PhDs and are a much more comprehensive overview of Lincoln. My favorite book is A. Lincoln by Ronald C. White.

Features 17

Feb. 8, 2019

Out of This World

LHS alum works as engineer for NASA Mars mission

ALEX ROZAR Staff Writer Andy Klesh graduated from Lafayette in 2001.

Now, 18 years and two bachelor’s degrees, two masters degrees, a Ph.D. and a Japanese post-doctoral fellowship later, Klesh’s work as a Chief Engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) has helped to bring scientific advancements to the Red Planet.

“I have always been interested in space exploration, so a career at NASA was a natural choice,” Klesh said. “From the time I was young, I’ve always been fascinated with exploration and the opportunities for men and women to explore space, bringing back both scientific measurements and the stories of their experiences.”

At the JPL, Klesh is a system engineer. His official title is “Chief Engineer for Interplanetary Small Spacecraft.”

“Roughly, this means I lead technical teams to design, build and operate small spacecraft, often serving as a ‘firefighter’ for any deep technical issues that might arise,” Klesh said.

The InSight lander, the latest Mars exploratory mission, landed on Nov. 26, 2018. The news was immediately broadcast all over the world—a feat that was made possible by Klesh and his team.

“I served as Chief Engineer for the two Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft, which launched with InSight, separated and flew to Mars to

Klesh dives to test the Buoyant Rover for Under-Ice Exploration (BRUIE) at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. (photo courtesy of NASA)

Lafayette alum ANDY KLESH speaks at a media briefing at Vandenberg Air Force base before InSight launched on May 3, 2018. (photo courtesy of NASA)

provide a communication relay during InSight’s entry-descent-and-landing (EDL) at Mars—the so-called seven minutes of terror,” Klesh said.

However, telemetry from the two MarCO CubeSats—nicknamed WALL-E and EVE— served a scientific function as well.

“With a long history of Mars failures, it is critical that we receive data back to Earth about InSight’s performance during EDL,” Klesh said.

“MarCO provided the real-time relay of this information as a technology demonstration.”

Unlike previous Mars missions, where the priority is to collect samples or take photos, InSight’s main focus is to analyze seismic activity on Mars. It’s a goal NASA has strived for since Viking 1 landed in 1976, but has only been made feasible in recent years due to new technology.

“This time, we are interested in the interior of Mars,” Klesh said. “An onboard seismometer will be deployed to measure ‘Marsquakes’.

NASA will then be able to compare “Marsquakes” with quakes on Earth and the Moon.

“The recorded measurements will allow us to ‘see’ the interior structure of Mars, telling us much about the evolution of other terrestrial planets, such as Earth,” he said.

While he normally works in Pasadena, California, in order to make sure his machines work on other planets, sometimes Klesh has to travel to extreme environments.

“One of the coolest opportunities I’ve had is to fly onto an Alaskan glacier in a two-seater aircraft, backpack all of our gear, including a robotic submersible, out to a field camp miles away and explore the interior of the glacier by driving the submersible into open-water channels called moulins,” Klesh said. “If we’re lucky, the

technology we are working on will help us to descend through the about 20 kilometers of ice on Jupiter’s moon Europa sometime in the future.”

In high school, Klesh was a hard-working student—an Eagle Scout and a member of the Scholar Quiz Bowl team, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the orchestra.

However, despite his future in science and engineering, Klesh said one of his most inspirational experiences at LHS was thanks to his language arts teacher, Diane Tinucci, who retired many years ago.

“Many teachers encouraged my interests in high school, but Ms. Tinucci provided an opportunity for me to partner with Washington University in St. Louis and launch a payload on a space shuttle during my junior and senior year,” Klesh said. “Those experiments, designed by kindergartners, provided a unique hands-on opportunity to get involved in space exploration.”

Tinucci remembers Klesh fondly.

“Oh, my goodness, what an amazing young man!” she said. “Humble and appreciative of his gifts, he worked to develop them rather than rest on his talents. Teachers remember the likes of Andy Klesh, and I consider myself lucky to have worked with him.”

Although science was not her area of teaching expertise, Tinucci still has great admiration for space exploration, which she believes led her to encourage and find opportunities for Klesh.

“I learned that Andy was as enthralled with America’s space program efforts as I was and still am,” Tinucci said. “You have to know that when I found that a student also had interest in our space exploration efforts, I happily shared my enthusiasm as opportunity permitted.”

Klesh has some advice for teenagers.

“More than anything else, find and follow your passions,” Klesh said. “These can be in or out of school, but they will make your career that much more enjoyable. I would especially encourage students pursuing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) careers to complete projects that encourage teamwork, hands-on learning and creativity.”

An artist’s rendering of the MarCO spacecraft over Mars. (photo courtesy of NASA)

For more on this story, check out www.lancerfeed.press.

Features 18

HAPPY

theimagemagazine

50 the Image to

CHLOE BAKER Web Editor

SHELBY DARNELL Opinions Editor

This year marks the Image’s 50th volume. It was first printed in 1963 as the Lancette, eventually transitioning over to the Image. Over these past 50 years student journalists across generations have taken a stand, exposed issues, and have been the voice for those to don’t have one and providing Lafayette with relevant, necessary information.

As the paper has changed over time, so has journalism.

From different printing styles, to our debut on social media and internet platforms, the Image has continued to deliver news to the students of Lafayette. We are proud to say that over the years our journalists have delved into controversial topics such as teen pregnancies, drugs, violence in schools and even death itself. The featured timeline shows merely a few stories covered throughout the 50 years of the Image.

Features 19

Feb. 8, 2019

Lafayette High School opened in 1963, and immediately started printing publications. The old archive methods are different from how it is done now, making it difficult to determine the date of the first issue. The first issue archived is from 1964.

1963

The Lancette covered a school-wide election during the same time as United States presidential election between Lyndon B. Johnson and Barry Goldwater. As the headline said, “Johnson by landslide,” he won the election both at school and in the presidential election.

This was the first year that a Rockwood school administered the ACT. The test was on June 11. Previously students had to drive to schools that were a testing site. Today taking the test at LHS is commonplace for most students.

1988

1964

After a couple of years with no printed newspaper, the Lancette changed their name to Marquis de Lafayette, naming the paper after the military officer the high school is named after.

1990

1967

Only three years after the editorial, LHS welcomed freshmen for the first time in 20 years. It was a big change and came with the fear of overpopulation.

An editorial by the Image staff brought up that they were only one out of two high schools in the area that lacked a 9th grade. The staff proposed that students should be grouped 1-4, 5-8 and, finally, 9-12.

1993

1972

The news staff switched the name of the paper from Marquis de Lafayette to the Image, the name we still use 41 years later.

Seven members of Lafayette’s Rifle Club were awarded over 2,000 rounds of ammunition by the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice. Today the school no longer has a Rifle Club and gun violence is a topic of controversy for schools.

2001

1978

The golf cart went up in flames on an early autumn afternoon. The fire trucks arrived to the scene quickly, but it was destroyed.

This year, the school purchased a new golf cart.

Hopefully we have better luck this time around.

Following the events on 9/11/01, the Image released both its first and only special edition of the paper. The issue looked at the impact that 9/11 had on them.

2005

1987 As the school population continued to increase, Lafayette found themselves losing space. A bond issue was proposed and passed this year expanding the location. The previous building is now Crestview Middle School.

2018 This year is the first time we have printed a newsmagazine. Here’s to another 50 years of the Image!

Features 20

theimagemagazine

Calcaterra takes

ST GE

the

TRAVIS BODELL Editor-in-Chief

T

he stage is graced with a special guest appearance during Lafayette Theater Company’s (LTC) production of Legally Blonde from Feb. 7-9. Principal Karen Calcaterra joined the cast of this year’s musical as Elle’s mother.

Being a part of the show was initially an idea Calcaterra mentioned to Special School District (SSD) teacher Dan Horst, the director of the musical. “[Horst] and I had a conversation about if I was Elle’s mom and another staff member was the dad,” Calcaterra said.

SSD teacher Cory Hicks is playing the role of Elle’s father along side Calcaterra.

Lauren Arnet, FACS teacher, is also making an appearance on stage as a “Hair Affair” client.

The teachers’ rehearsal varied greatly from what the student actors were required to do. As opposed to meeting after school to practice, their lines were sent to them to rehearse on their own.

“I was sent my script and a YouTube video as reference,” Calcaterra said. “I practiced on my own and then was notified when it was time for me to be inserted into live rehearsals.”

Calcaterra, along with other staff members in the production, have small roles with limited dialogue, so their absence from rehearsals was not of concern. Her role as Elle’s mother is Calcaterra’s theatrical debut—she has no prior experience in drama or singing.

Calcaterra expressed hope that her role in the play would be a positive experience for watchers.

“I think that students and parents seeing me in a different light, out of the school setting, is a nice change,” Calcaterra said.

photos by Travis Bodell and Jack Weaver

Features 21

Feb. 8, 2019

photos by JACK WEAVER

Legally Blonde:

BEHIND the

SCENES very production put on by the Lafayette Theatre Company (LTC) is comprised of more than just what the audience sees.

Teams of individuals work behind the scenes to bring the show to life. Each crew contributes something unique to the process to produce what is seen by the audience.

From taking attendance to giving actors notes and giving cues, stage managers oversee all aspects of the show.

For such a large-scale production, the job of stage manager isn’t as easy as it may seem.

“We begin with getting cast and crew ready for the tasks at hand,” stage manager and junior Jacob Dederer said. “At the end we really come together as a community. Actors do their part while crew is making sure everything runs smoothly back stage.”

The setting and props of each production is what helps brings a show to life. Lauren Sakowski, art teacher, designs the sets.

“It’s a lot of weeks of building and figuring out how exactly to do what she wants,” set head Lily Tomasic said.

Each item that an actor uses as well as items on the stage are made or bought by the props crew, who either makes, buys or repurposes the props.

Props crew works with set and costumes to create the ambiance of the production.

For many actors, the show is much more than memorizing their lines. A lot of time and research goes into the process of preparation for actors and in order to truly embody and understand their specific character for the show.

“Once I find out my roll, I love to look up different resources about it,” senior Abigail Mirikitani said. “Like if there’s different clips of other people or just like kind of the character plot, I really like to just get into my specific character.”

From head to toe, everything the actors wear is chosen by the costumes crew.

Each aspect is carefully researched based on time period, class and age of the character.

Another big part of costumes is backstage quick changes. These changes entail the crew members to have the costumes ready in the wings to help the actor who does not have enough time to return to the dressing room before his or her next scene.

Before actors even step on stage, the lights are up and the music is playing. The tech crews are responsible for the lighting and sound effects throughout the show.

“There’s a lot of preplanning. First we have to meet with event coordinators and figure out what the run through of the night looks like in their eyes.

Then we compare ideas lighting and sound-wise and we talk about what we can do to make the event better,” lights crew head Ryan Luedloff said.

ELIZABETH ELLIOTT Staff Writer

E

Features 22

theimagemagazine

Valentine’s Day

Horror Story NAOMI SAEGUSA Staff Writer

Sometimes it’s just not meant to be...

Lauren Arnet Child Development teacher “My boyfriend and I started the night out with dinner at a little Italian place, and then afterward we went to see Phantom of the Opera at the Fox Theater. After the show, we decided to go out for dessert, but the place we wanted to go to was closed. Somehow we ended up in a random Denny’s parking lot. So it’s 11:45 p.m. on Valentine’s Day and my boyfriend says, “Hey, I’m about to run out of time, and I wanted to make sure I did this on Valentine’s Day. Do you wanna marry me?” In the car. In the parking lot. At Denny’s. I mean, I said yes. After that, we went inside for dessert. I got a rootbeer float, and he got a slice of apple pie. The pie ended up giving him really bad food poisoning, and he was throwing up for the next two days. Regardless of all that, we’ve been married for almost 15 years.”

Jordan Cizek Senior “Last Valentine’s Day I brought in cookies for all the girls I’ve ever wronged. I didn’t have a Valentine that year, but I still wanted to participate in Valentine’s Day activities. It was really embarrassing because I had to go up to a lot of girls who I was pretty sure didn’t like me. But overall it went okay. I mean, some of the girls even forgave me, most of them I hadn’t talked to in a while, so they were kind of surprised to see me.”

Breeze Bonderer

Neil Gilchrist

Karan Tandon

Ainsley Phillips

Junior “In like the 4th grade I used to leave little love notes on my friend’s desks and pretend they were from guys as a joke. One time I did this on Valentine’s Day. My friend actually went up to the guy who she thought had left her it and told him that she liked him. The whole thing was super upsetting. They actually started dating a year later, so I guess you could say I like brought them together.”

Sophomore “When I was in the 3rd grade, I had my first girlfriend. On Valentine’s Day, My best friend dared me to carry her around during recess. When I tried to pick her up and move around, I lost my grip and dropped her pretty hard on her back. She broke up with me the same day because of it, and I was pretty sad about the whole thing.”

Junior “Do you remember those little parties that you used to have in elementary school where everyone in the class had their own Valentine’s Day box/mailbox? Well, when I was younger someone threw up in my box during one of those parties. It broke my heart because I didn’t get any cards that Valentine’s Day.”

Sophomore “[My ex-boyfriend] broke up with me two days before Valentine’s Day and knew I had already bought him a really nice gift. He was like “No, no you can still give it to me!”

I obviously said no. I was like, you know that’s not fair. It was really mean, but you know, whatever.

That’s life. He’s not a part of my life anymore, and that’s for the better.”

Features 23

Feb. 8, 2019

CULTURE OF SUCCESS photo illustration by AMISHA PAUL, MORGAN GOERTZ and TRAVIS BODELL

Family values impact academic success GRACE KIRTLEY Web Editor

JASMIN KIM Ad Manager

CT reports that Asian Americans (including those with South and Southeast Asian heritage) scored on average 24.5 on the test while the total U.S. population scored an average of 20.8. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2016, typically 58 percent of Asian Americans went to college compared to 41 percent college enrollment rate for the total U.S. population.

The total Asian American population at Lafayette is 7.5 percent. However, in Lafayette’s Class of 2018, two out of three perfect ACT scores were achieved by Asian American students. For the Class of 2019, eight out of 11 National

Merit semi-finalists were Asian Americans.

It’s no secret that Asian Americans excel in academics.

Books, TV shows and movies are rampant with the studious, quiet and hard-working Asian American stereotype.

But this leaves one question: what is the common factor behind the success of Asian Americans? Is this population truly smarter than the others? Does this population simply have a different work ethic? Or, is it merely a coincidence?

Turns out, there is much deeper story behind Asian Americans’ academic success.

(See more on pages 24-25)

A

Features 24

“

She is a junior at Lafayette, a highest-percentile scorer in standardized testing, an Advanced Placement student and a member of many academic clubs. Indian-American Sadhana Matheswaren attributes her academic success to the culture she grew up in.

With consistent participation in the Buddhist church, Matheswaran’s family emphasized the traits of truth, nonviolence, peace, right-conduct and love, as well as passion and hard work.

From childhood, Matheswaran was actively involved in a wide variety of different activities, all culminating in her extracurricular growth. The non-stop lifestyle that her parents instilled in her trained her for the rigor of high-school level academics in later years. Along with the weekly spiritual school teachings of core values, this is what helped Matheswaran to academic success.

“I was always doing something. It helped me last year to push through, to motivate myself and still succeed,” Matheswaran said.

Matheswaran’s parents stress other activities such as classical Indian dance or violin alongside her high school education. However, she believes her parents are the reason that she now naturally strives for success.

“Looking back, I know the process is tiring and draining, but now I’m really proud of myself for what I’ve been able to accomplish because of my mom’s motivation, push and love,” Matheswaran said.

Mathesh Baktha and Sathya Bhaktha, Matheswaran’s father and mother, moved to America after they were married in approximately 2000. They both work in the computer science field and experienced a similar busy, academically enriching childhood as Matheswaran’s.

Sadhana’s paternal grandmother was a self-educated woman who became a teacher after her husband passed away.

Through the motivation and example of his mother, Sadhana’s father instilled the importance of education within his own family.

“They tell us all the stories. His mom thinks that kids need to be educated. My dad got a good education and I think [the tradition is] all the family being teachers, medical administrators and careers like that. That’s what our parents insisted: we need to be educated,” Bhaktha said.

However, with the accentuation on the importance of education, comes the question, ‘How much is too much pressure?’ Sadhana spoke highly of her parent’s support and belief in her potential without being overbearing.

“There’s so many times I say ‘I can’t do this anymore, I just want to give up,’ but my mom was over there telling me that ‘You can, you can do it. And in the end, the work you put in now your future self is going to thank you for all that…. don’t stress yourself out,’” Matheswaran said. “My mom would

I think there is an understanding of children of immigrant parents like ‘I want to make my parents proud. They did everything they can do to bring me here because America is supposed to give me this amazing opportunity. I need to take advantage of that,’” — Cristina Marasigan, Science Department Chair

theimagemagazine never pressure me to always get an A, that’s never been my parents.”

Although Matheswaran didn’t have parental academic pressure, the competition between other Asian Americans provided a negative motivation to become more educated. “[The pressure becomes negative] when you’re not learning for the sake of knowledge or for the sake of knowing for yourself,” Matheswaran said. “When the motivation just becomes a pressure of ‘I want to do better than other people’ or that ‘I want to get into the Ivy League school’ and when it’s not even for you anymore it becomes a very negative thing.”

The older students Matheswaran grew up around with instilled a high-achieving example through their high academics and top-of-the-class grades.

“There were other Indians in the community doing so much.

They just made [their academic pursuits] seem all glorious and a glamified. I just looked at them and would think there is no way I will ever be as good,” Matheswaran said.

However, the family values and teaching helped her grow to realize the importance of individual achievement.

Matheswaran attributes the majority of her success to the character traits taught to her and the importance of religion in her family.

“I can’t speak for all Asian families, but I do know that religion is a big part of the lives of Indian families. What I got out of [religion] was love, you just always have to be a kind person when you show love to everyone else you’ll get that same love back,” Matheswaran said.

The difference of life throughout the generations in Matheswaran’s family contributed to the drive of her wish to use her academic pursuits to help positively change the world. “[Sadhana] sees the kids in the other countries, sees how they are unfortunate. So she was also feeling [as if she wanted to make a difference] … and we want support her to have a selfless love and do what is good for the community. Whatever path she takes in it will be good for others good for the future kids,” Bhaktha said.

In the future, Matheswaran plans to utilize her passion for health care and her interest in public policy to help advocate for more access to health for more people.

Darren Hwang, freshman, experienced a competitive academic childhood established by his first-generation immigrant parents. Although the culture surrounding the Hwangs changed dramatically, the general academic success was similar to relatives that remained in South Korea. “[In the U.S.] they stress academics a lot and in South Korea school is two or three hours longer than what we have here.

And, a hour or two, three or four, are spent doing homework,” Hwang said.

Despite the change in academic pressure, Hwang is still a high achieving and passionate learner when it comes to school. Hwang, like Matheswaran, attributes his success not to the pressure of his parents but the values and tradition of academic success throughout his family.

“One of the main things that they taught me was work ethic.

You have to work for what you get and what you get is what you deserve,” Hwang said. “Whenever we’re doing something or something needs to get done, we do it that day. We do it right the first time instead of going back and doing it over and over again.”

This consistent work ethic has proved to be helpful in Hwang’s short time at Lafayette, allowing him to finish homework and studies in one sitting, then moving on to other

Features 25

Feb. 8, 2019 Sadhana Matheswaren

extracurricular activities.

Hwang’s parents are supportive of his possible career in architecture, however, he has noticed a trend of students being persuaded into careers not of their choosing.

“My parents are very helpful and they understand that I want to [be an architect]. But in some other families, if a kid wants to become and artist or a music major, but their parents want them to become a doctor or a lawyer, that’s when I think [the family pressure is] negative,” Hwang said.

Although Hwang’s parents are open to his interest in architecture, an expectation of high efforts and studies is continued, no matter the subject.

“That’s part of the work ethic; when you slip up or don’t do your work you see the results yourself,” Hwang said.

But, ultimately, Hwang is thankful his parents push him so hard in his studies.

“I have a lot of friends whose parents aren’t that way. Their parents say ‘just try again next time’ and that makes me feel like I can just get away with it next time. But my parents make sure that I fix it next time and get higher grade,” Hwang said.

Many Asian students said an emphasis on values such as passion and work ethic are found to enable them to excel in their academic studies.

Although the life stories of Asian Americans that excel academically are that of an extreme work ethic generated through their home cultures, variables differ from family to family whether that be a white, African American or Asian American family.

Through her 12 years of teaching, Science Department Chair Cristina Marasigan observed many Asian American students thrive in her class, but she thinks students’ academic success depends on the individual students’ work ethic.

“They’re more inclined to be challenged and seek challenge, but it really depends on the student. The first time I student taught at Parkway South, I had an Asian American student who was known as the laziest kid in the class. It can’t just be because of the race,” Marasigan said.

Darren Hwang

As a daughter of Filipino immigrants, Marasigan witnessed herself the effects of the Asian American culture that propelled academic excellence.

She credited her family’s expectation on her as the factor that motivated her to try harder in school.

“It’s not just with my mom and dad, but I had expectations from my aunts, uncles and grandparents. I guess that puts pressure, but it was a positive pressure, at least for me,” Marasigan said. “It wasn’t like they expected me to always do well, but it’s expected to do your best. The fear of letting them down made me want to do well for them.”

However, not all Asian American students have immigrant parents. To the second and third generation families and students, academic excellence may not be their priority of children’s education.

“Some of them, who were born here, do not push themselves as much as children from immigrant parents,” Marasigan said. “Whereas, I think some kids, regardless of what race you are, if it’s always given to them, they don’t actually realize that you can do more with it.”

Marasigan’s parents were involved in her education from the early age. Her father taught her math, and she believes it was this early parental involvement that gave her advantage in school.

“My dad was really good with math. He sat down with me and showed me the strategies,” Marasigan said. “Any parent regardless of the nationality, if you sit down with your child and show them, it gives them big advantage because you’re learning from an adult.”

Marasigan views both the positive and negative effects in the culture that pushes children to harder in school even though she thinks the positives outweigh the negatives.

“There is a competition within themselves and their peers, which can be positive because once they get to college, they’re going to meet people who have been working harder than they have,” Marasigan said. “The con would be sometimes they pressure themselves. If you put yourself in the place where you don’t compare yourself to others but do what you can with the talents you have, then college becomes more positive and you adapt better.”

photos by LOURDES HINDI

Cristina Marasigan

Features 26

theimagemagazine

AMAZING GRACE AMISHA PAUL Editor-in-Chief

photos by TRENNA TRAVIS

Features 27

Feb. 8, 2019

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rowing up with Down syndrome, Grace Strobel didn’t always have it easy. Working twice as hard for the same results as everyone else, Grace learned of the strength required of facing the world with a disability.

Last year, when working at an elementary school, the young students began to make fun of Grace. She was devastated.

“I didn’t tell anyone. Then my mom saw what was happening and asked me what was going on, and I broke down sobbing. I cried all day. I was so hurt and humiliated,” Strobel said.

d

Grace never allowed Down syndrome to define her life and her goals. However, that didn’t always stop others from doing the same.

“Most times people judge me just by looking at me, and make unfair assumptions without ever getting to know or talk to me,” Grace said. “Sometimes, people won’t try to include me when they are talking-- it’s like I am invisible. Or they will talk and treat me like a child, even though I am 22 years old.”

Although Down syndrome affects Grace’s speaking, thinking and movement, Grace manages to do most things that a normal 22-year-old does.

“I am just like anyone else,” Grace said. “I want to do well, have friends, be believed in, included, given opportunities to succeed and be loved. I want to have a boyfriend, go to college and have a good career.”

Grace still finds it difficult to get people to see her beyond her disability.

“It’s odd, but very little of the hardships are about Grace herself; it is the low expectations people automatically want to put on her,” Linda Strobel, Grace’s mother, said. “We have fought that from the day she was born. If you always put the bar down low, then that is what you will get. It has been our constant to raise the bar for Grace. ” Grace’s school years were always a struggle against the expectations others had for her.

“It always killed me to see Grace not being included, especially in elementary school,” Laine Strobel, Grace’s younger sister, said. “As far back as I can remember, almost all of my friends were some of Grace’s biggest fans, and the ones that weren’t, I stopped being friends with them.”

Grace attended Chesterfield Elementary and Rockwood Valley Middle School. During these years, she made a good group of friends that helped and supported her.

“Her friends treated her like everyone else. It brought me to tears sometimes because of the way the students embraced her,” Linda said. “These seemingly small actions had a huge impact on who Grace is today and what she has been able to accomplish. You can change someone’s life with kindness, being believed in and included.”

Although Grace was home-schooled for most of her high school years, she did ultimately graduate from Lafayette.

“Walking down the hallways between classes was overwhelming for me, and I always felt anxious,” Grace said.

Grace eventually found her place among the Lafayette cheerleaders through the Sparkle Squad, a club that allows cheerleaders to mentor the school’s special needs students.

“That was the best time of my high school days. I loved being a part of Lafayette, cheering, being in the homecoming parade, going to football and basketball games and being one of the cheerleaders,” Grace said.

“The cheerleaders and coaches on the squad made me feel incredible!”

Now Grace stays quite busy by taking classes four days a week at a private school, working out, going to therapy, giving her ability awareness presentations and modeling.

“Life with a disability isn’t easy, but she is incredibly driven and determined. She doesn’t give up easily and is always up for a challenge, no matter how long it takes to achieve,” Linda said.

In September, Grace applied and was accepted into a college life program at George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, which has a 25 percent acceptance rate.

“After it sunk in that I would be living on campus away from my family, I decided I wasn’t ready,” Grace said. “My parents are now working with a university here in St. Louis to develop a similar program for students with intellectual disabilities.”

But the lack of a school in St. Louis doesn’t stop Grace from continuing to learn.

“My mom and I are always studying together about new topics. I love learning,” Grace said. “I am hoping to start college next year, and I am so excited!”

d When Grace was faced with the hurtful actions and comments of the elementary schoolers, she didn’t allow the hurtful words to affect her.

“We decided to make a presentation I could give to students, to help them understand what it might be like to have Down syndrome, called #TheGraceEffect.

I didn’t want anyone else to feel the hurt I did,” Grace said.

Grace gives her presentation to schools in the St. Louis area two to three times a month. While researching her presentation, Grace found an Australian girl with Down syndrome who was also modeling.

Shortly afterwards, Linda scheduled a shoot and Grace’s first Facebook post went viral with over 220,000 shares on the first post.

“Modeling makes me feel good about myself, especially because there are so many people helping me to succeed and supporting me. My dream is that I give hope to others who don’t feel like they belong,” Grace said. “I love seeing myself in magazines and people recognizing me when I am out in public. They’ll say, ‘There’s the girl from Facebook!’ It is so exciting.”

Through her modeling, Grace has become a role model for many others throughout the community and has left a lasting impact.

“After her presentations, students just want to be with her. They line up and give her hugs, high fives and talk to her. We’ve seen students and teachers cry during the presentations because of what she is saying,” Linda said.

Grace’s ultimate goal is simple: to let others know that having Down syndrome doesn’t make someone any less of a person.

“I hope through modeling that I can help change society’s perceptions of people with disabilities. I want to show that we have gifts, talents and abilities like everyone else,” Grace said.

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30

LIFESTYLES random acts of

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S D E I K N S N MORGAN GOERTZ Staff Writer

Kindness can be hard to come by. However, when found, students and staff of LHS don’t fail to forget. No matter how big or small, every act counts.

JACOB WARD Staff Writer

Sarah Trankle

Megan Resinger

Language Arts “A student had someone hand-make a baby blanket for me when I was pregnant, when my baby Gabriel was born I gave it to him. It was something that I didn’t expect anyone to do, especially a student.”

Junior “Someone did pull me aside one time and told me that I am the reason that they’re still alive. You couldn’t describe how great that made my heart feel. I couldn’t believe that they felt that way. It came out of nowhere.”

Na’Zir Dent

Evan O’Connell

Sophomore “It’s nice when some of my teachers help me with homework because they’re taking the time out of their day after school to make me understand things that I had trouble understanding during their class. I’ve really wanted to try to become a better student, so it means a lot.”

Sophomore “I think it’s when my football coach tells me to be in the weight room during the off-season to prepare for football.

He wants me to get stronger so he can see me succeed. I think it shows how much he cares about me and the other players. He cares about our well-being. I’m thankful for my coach.”

Kumari Downing

Lamarria Jones

Freshman “The girl behind me at Chick-Fil-A offered to buy me food randomly, and I don’t know why, but I wasn’t complaining. I thanked her and she just smiled and said, ‘it’s okay.‘”

Sophomore “This guy in my grade ordered food for me on Uber Eats and sent it to my grandma’s house, where I was at.

The thing is that he’s done that more than one time for me before, so he’s just really nice.”

Tara Burke

Drew Kodner

Senior “A girl saw I was having a bad day at school, and during class, we both went out for a bit and said we were going to the bathroom. We went out and walked around for a little bit and she wanted to talk to me to make me feel better.”

Junior “It’s probably all the times that my friend has mixed my music for me. I make music on SoundCloud, and he didn’t even ask for anything in return. I always am grateful for my boy.”

Lifestyles 31

Feb. 8, 2019

SLANGUAGE IN THE CLASSROOM

How teachers connect classwork to students through using slang

HAYDEN COTTRELL Lifestyles Editor LOURDES HINDI Staff Writer During the day, the school hallways are filled with different slang words. Words like “skurt”, “gucci” and “tea”, that people use because they are popular.

Students are the ones mainly using these terms; however, they are being integrated more and more into classrooms around the school.

Some teachers use slang in the classroom to connect with their students and gain a sense of relatability.

“When I’m trying to explain something, I try to appeal to the audience that I have. I can’t get away with sounding exactly like the audience that I have, so I just try to use things that I kind of hear are popular and try to use them as terribly as I can,” language arts teacher Paul Jaycox said.

While discussing the use of certain slang terms in the classroom, Doug Ell, social studies teacher, considers the terms to sometimes be a beneficial learning tool with his students.

“You hear kids using it and sometimes I will use it, knowing that I will completely botch it, just to get their attention. I think that it can build relationships with my students and can sometimes be more effective,” Ell said. “Sometimes they get a kick out of seeing someone older using those words.”

However, some teachers view that slang might either be distracting or unnecessary.

Teachers need students to pay attention to their lessons without the required use of informal language that can disturb the learning environment of the class. “[For instance] tone is important when you’re addressing a subject [in writing], so using the wrong words can misconstrue your tone. It can give your persona as a writer a bad or negative appeal, so I try to instruct them to avoid it because it can cheapen or misconstrue what

“

Would you use it in the classroom? Yes! We are gonna flow with it now.”

—Doug Ell, social studies teacher

they’re saying,” Jaycox said.

The integration has helped many students connect more within the classroom with the different lessons and teachers; however, there are some that don’t feel like this helps them connect in the classroom.

“When teachers use today’s slang, it can be weird and awkward because they don’t use it right and the whole class makes it a big deal,” Lily Tomasic, junior, said.

TEA: Used in reference to gossip or personal information belonging to someone else; the scoop; news

WEIRD FLEX BUT OKAY: Used in reply to something odd or weird that you wouldn’t agree with or understand, but go with anyway.

SNATCH MY WIG: Used to express extreme happiness when a person has done something amazing, shocking, or gives life by any means.

“No, I stay away from the tea in the classroom.

The less I know, the better.”

- DOUGLAS ELL, SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER

“I would not use it in the classroom because I don’t want to hurt my students’ feelings.”

- EMMANUELLE TAMAROFF, FRENCH TEACHER

“Take my hat off.”

- PAUL JAYCOX, LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER

Slang throughout the ages BREAD: Reference to earning money 1960s

1950s COOLER: Reference to a jail or detention

1970s HORN: Reference to telephone

GO POSTAL: Reference to someone or something that is crazy 1980s

1990s SENIOR MOMENT: Reference to being forgetful

HOLLA: Reference to calling someone on the phone 2000s

2010s MOOD: Reference to something relatable

Lifestyles 32

theimagemagazine

taste tester

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Edition

F

or this issue, two Image staffers sampled chocolatecovered strawberries from Edible Arrangements, Merbs, Godiva and a homemade batch. Here are their reviews for the best strawberries for this Valentine’s Day:

JACK WEAVER Digital Media Editor art by TRAVIS BODELL

MELINA HUDAK Staff Writer

Lifestyles 33

Feb. 8, 2019

Edible Arrangements Price: $3

The chocolate was too thick, but the berry was in perfect condition. It’s wasn’t too mushy, but also not too frozen. During the bite, almost no chocolate fell off of the berry. The berry was oversized and covered entirely in the rich milk chocolate.

We give this strawberry an A-.

Merbs Price: $3

The strawberry was completely coated in very thick chocolate. It was kind of mushy and not great tasting. The berry had too much chocolate that broke off in clumps when biting. A part of the stem remained inside chocolate coating.

We give this strawberry a C.

Godiva Price: $5

The strawberry was juicy and not mushy. It had good, rich chocolate. There was a nice balance of chocolate and strawberry, making it not overly filling or too rich.

We give this strawberry an A.

Homemade

Price: 15 cents per strawberry

The Dolci Frutta hard chocolate shell and one pack of strawberries made 50 berries for $7.46. The strawberries were too frozen after sitting overnight in the fridge. The chocolate wasn’t too sweet, but it fell off very easily.

We give this strawberry a B-.

Lifestyles 34

theimagemagazine

Valentine’s Day

Sweet Facts

MELINA HUDAK Staff Writer

HANNAH FITTS Staff Writer

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Information was gathered from TheHolidaySpot.

SPORTS

Feb. 8, 2019

“

I take protein powder because I do not get enough protein during the day.”

—Officer Jim McDonald, Student Resource Officer

“

I use Formula One protein powder and Level One meal replacement shakes. I use Formula One for post workout and the supplements to get jacked.”

“

—Jordan Kutun, 10

[I use] Muscle Pharm. It has a lot of good nutrients and fills me up after a workout, so I don’t go home and eat a bunch of junk food. It also doesn’t taste as bad as some other brands.”

—Courtney Joersz, 12

“

I don’t know what I use. I just take it. [I use it] to get bigger and it gives me more energy after workouts.”

—Jonah Robinson, 11

The

Protein

Phenomenon SOPHIA SCHELLER Staff Writer

35 Protein from the Professionals Diana Nguyen, DS, RD, KD, CSSD is the Director of Sports Nutrition at North Carolina State University.

Brett Singer, MS, RD, CSSD, LD is a Sports Dietitian at Houston Baptist University and Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute.

Why should people take protein powder?

Nguyen: Protein powder is a convenient way for athletes to meet their nutrition needs for post workout recovery or a snack on the go. It can also be useful for people who have trouble meeting their protein needs.

Singer: Protein plays a variety of roles within the body, but the role that most often comes to mind is the repair and growth of muscle. Athletes and general population should usually consume 20-40 grams of protein per meal although less or more can be just as beneficial depending on th individual. This can usually be achieved through food alone such as meat, dairy, eggs or fish.

But in some circumstances when it may not be feasible, protein powder may be an option.

What are some of the pitfalls using of protein powder?

Nguyen: Most non-athletes do not need protein powder. Most Americans have no trouble meeting their protein needs through diet alone.

Those who take it and don’t need it end up paying a lot of money for a product they don’t need.

Singer: If it’s a good, safe high quality protein, there aren’t necessarily negative effects. But there are cases where supplements have been found to have insufficient amounts of ingredients (relative to the label claim) or have been tainted. So that is a potential risk. They can also be expensive compared to food. Food can usually be just fine and a safer bet.

How should one make sure that their protein is “good” protein?

Nguyen: Always choose a reputable brand, even for protein. Look for products that are third party tested. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for sports is the gold standard for guaranteeing safety and quality.

Singer: Choose a protein powder which is NSF certified to ensure it’s banned substance free. Be wary of supplements that are not third party tested. Be aware of supplements which make bold or unrealistic claims or talk about unique or novel ingredients. Just plain generic whey protein is all that is needed if a protein supplement is being purchased.

Sports 36

theimagemagazine

CHASING THE CUP KAYLA CARPENTER Sports Editor ast season, the ice hockey team finished with a record of 10-14-2, and in the first round of the Mid States Club Hockey Association Playoffs for the Wickenheiser Cup, the Lancers fell to first seed Marquette 5-2.

This year, however, the team finished the regular season with a 11-7-2 record, and they’re now preparing to make a deeper postseason run.

“If you play as a team, if you come to practice ready to work, if you buy into what the coaching staff is teaching, the results will come,” Head Coach Jim Carrico said. “Our record is proof of that. It doesn’t matter what sport you play. You need everyone playing as one. This is my third season as head coach, and this is the deepest and most talented team I have had at Lafayette.”

Carrico credits much of his team’s success this season to the senior leadership and increased commitment of his players compared to past seasons.

“The biggest differences are the leaders on this year’s team. The seniors have the team buying into what we are trying to accomplish. The boys are coming to practice ready to work and you are seeing the results of it. The boys are taking pride in their team and playing for Lafayette. I am proud of how they are coming together,” Carrico said.

The players themselves have also noticed the changes in the team’s environment and approach to this season that have contributed to their winning record.

“There’s a much better attitude around the team. There is much more positivity in our locker room, and there is much more confidence. We trust each other, and we know if we play our game, we have a good chance to win,” senior Tyler Wojtow said.

The Lancers have had a balanced offense with eight players with five or more goals and nine players with more than 10 points. Additionally, two of the team’s top five scorers are freshmen, including Patrick Johnson who has scored seven goals and James Vermeersch who has scored nine goals.

“My experience as a freshman being on this team has been wonderful. We have a great group of guys that are great role models. Everyone on the team has made me feel welcome along with the other freshmen. Ever since the first day I was with the boys, they have always asked how I am doing and what’s going on which

Feb. 8, 2019

Ice hockey team has first winning season since 2015 means a lot to me. They don’t treat me like I’m an underclassman,” Johnson said. “This year we have a wonderful group of guys and I wouldn’t ask to go to battle on the ice with anyone else other than these boys.”

The team also credits their success to the energy and motivation they receive from their student section at games.

“This year especially the support from the school and students has been outstanding,” senior Grant Robinson said. “The difference from other LHS sporting events is that the pace and energy of all the games really gets the crowd a lot more into it than say a slow paced football game.”

Wojtow also appreciates his team’s student section and the vigor they bring to the ice hockey games.

“Our building gets pretty rowdy. There’s no holdback in our student section, and they adapt greatly to what it means to be a great hockey crowd. They know how to Pack the Barn,” Wojtow said.

The last time the ice hockey team claimed the Wickenheiser Cup was in 2006, but the Lancers are ready to build off of this year’s regular season success using their improved team atmosphere and support from their student section to end their 13-year championship drought this March.

“Every team in every sport goes through rough spots during the season. You have to keep working at it. Just like in life, you are going to have set backs. How much and how hard do you want it to continue to your goal? I believe in our team and our goals,” Carrico said. “The best is yet to come from them.”

During the Jan. 4 rematch game against Marquette, freshman PATRICK JOHNSON advances the puck up the rink and looks to score on the Mustangs. Johnson had one assist in the Lancers’ 10-2 loss to Marquette. (photo by INTERSTATE STUDIOS) At the Nov. 24 ice hockey game against Marquette at Queeny Recreational Complex, senior goalie CALVIN ROGERS defends the goal. Despite allowing five goals in the Lancers 9-1 loss to the Mustangs, Rogers had a save percentage of .848 and a regular season save percentage of .875. (photo by BREEZE BONDERER)

Sports 37

Sports 38

theimagemagazine

What

MAKES their GAME?

MORGAN VEHIGE Staff Writer

M

ichael Jordan wore his college basketball shorts under his NBA uniform. Serena Williams refused to change her socks during a tournament. The playoff beard tradition is thriving in sports all around the world.

Many athletes have a ritual they call their own, and it’s what makes their game.

No matter the team, no matter the sport, everyone has a ritual, whether they like it or not.

Pre-game rituals are unique to each athlete, and yet they still bring together teams when they need it most. The realm of sports is full of variables that make it difficult for athletes to control the game themselves, and participating in rituals gives them a sense that they are the ones in control.

For senior football players Mason Blosser and Tyler Hagan, this sense of control comes in the form of chugging a Monster energy drink as fast as they can before a game.

“It’s a long school day, and then we have to

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FITTS

Research shows real benefits to pre-game warm-up music

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art by HANNAH

Pump Up Jams

wait around until seven for our football game,” Hagan said. “That little bit of energy gets us amped for the game.”

Rituals aren’t necessarily confined to just one individual. It can be done by an entire team if that’s what the recipe for success calls for.

On the Lafayette girls swim team, and in many other sports as well, pasta parties are common before games or tournaments. Essentially, it’s carb-loading before huge events to get a large boost of energy to carry through the competition.

“Upperclassmen introduced it to us, and we just ran with the tradition,” freshman Abby Miltenberger said. “It’s important because it gives us a chance to improve our performance, but it also brings the team closer together.”

Some team traditions take place right before the game starts. The Lady Lancer softball team does a specific cheer as soon as their coach comes back from talking with the umpire, and it’s a necessity before anyone steps out on the field.

“It’s the little things that are stupid to everyone else, but you can’t imagine not doing it with your team. It’s a great way to pump us up,” sophomore Kate Sommer said.

nother fun way to get ready before a game is putting in an earpod and jamming out to some pump-up tunes.

Research from Georgia Southern University performed a study which showed that high-level college athletes performed better when listening to music before the event. It helped control their moods and get them in a ready psychological state of mind.

Along with the study, results also showed that music before an event increased confidence and endurance in the players.

Research from Brunel University conducted a study that showed music increases endurance by 15 percent, possibly drawing a line between victory and defeat.

The ultimate pre-game bop includes songs with a strong rhythm, an upbeat tempo and an appealing melody.

In order to be prepared for your next game, here is a playlist by and for some LHS athletes.

Sports 39

Feb. 8, 2019

Sports climbing approved as Olympic sport for 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo Kayla Carpenter Sports Editor On Oct. 2, 1991, the first International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Championships were held in Frankfurt, Germany. On Aug. 3, 2016, 25 years after the first IFSC World Championships, sports climbing was approved by the International Olympic Committee as a new competition for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Sports climbing was approved as an Olympic sport along with baseball, softball, karate, skateboarding and surfing in an attempt to appeal to younger audiences.

The Olympic event will last four days with 20 male climbers and 20 female climbers and consist of three disciplines: bouldering, lead and speed.

In bouldering, the athletes will climb various fixed routes on a wall without the reinforcement of a protective rope. In sport climbing, the climbers will scale a wall as high as they possibly can within a fixed time while being protected by a rope. In speed climbing, the climbers will race against the clock to scale a wall containing a set route while being protected by a top rope. Each wall is 10 to 15 meters tall.

The medalists will be chosen based off of the combined results in all three competitions.

Senior VITO LIN climbs one of the rock walls at Upper Limits in Chesterfield, Missouri. (photo by SHANNON WORLEY)

Learning the Ropes:

Lancer joins MHS rock-climbing league MAYA MANOR Staff Writer Two years ago, senior Jason Schibler from Marquette High School (MHS) created a rock-climbing league. Many students from MHS have joined this league and avid rock climber LHS senior Vito Lin also joined the group.

Lin first joined the league over a year ago, in October of 2017. Lin is good friends with other members of the league, which encouraged him to begin the sport of rock-climbing in the first place.

“My motivation was that my friends were all really into it and they convinced me to come. It’s not as competitive and is more focused on self-improvement,” he said. “It’s a great way to make friends as most of us are really close now and hang out outside of rock climbing.”

These rock-climbers have had the opportunity to go on trips to Holy Boulders, a park in Jackson County, Illinois, which has the largest concentration of boulders in Southern Illinois as well as participate in other outdoor rock-climbing activities.

In addition to venturing on trips and engaging in various activities, the league has competed in tournaments, both local and state-based.

For one of the league’s competitions, Schibler competed in a local tournament which served as a qualifier to participate in the state competition and won first place.

The league typically competes in local tournaments three times per one semester, six times total each year. However, first and second semester are different. First semester is focused mainly on bouldering and second semester is focused on belaying.

“Bouldering is just free climbing shorter routes, usually more focused on strength and technique, without a rope,” Lin said. “[Belaying tends to be] much more stamina focused.

A typical rock-climbing competition lasts approximately two hours.

Many different routes are given and ranked based on difficulty. Climbers are given a score based on the top five routes that they completed.

Depending on the routes a climber took, they will be ranked in one of the three brackets: beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Success at these competitions requires practice and hard work.

“We usually just climb for an hour since everyone is at a different skill level,” Lin said. “Some people who are a little closer might work on a single route together coming up with different techniques, or “beta”, for the route to make it easier to finish.”

These practice sessions are held at Upper Limits in Chesterfield, which is one out of three of the Upper Limits locations in Missouri. The other two are located in Maryland Heights and downtown St. Louis.

“We just practice throughout the week whenever we feel like. There is usually someone there every day of the week,” Lin said.