Oct. 30, 2019 Image Magazine

theimagemagazine Lafayette High School • Wildwood, Missouri • Oct. 30, 2019 • vol. 51, issue 2

There are many family structures

that go beyond what is considered the normal nuclear family make-up.

Read about some less-than-traditional LHS student families on pages 24-25.

2

theimagemagazine

Opening

FROM US ...

TO YOU From the families of Lafayette to Brookdale Farms to the impact of a local Superfund site on our community, the Image and LancerFeed staff is not contained by the grounds of our school.

In this issue, we explore not just the news and unique personalities inside the walls of Lafayette, but also the stories of our community. We examine the effects of vaping and dating on our generation, while exploring the carcinogenic toxins that have been in our neighborhoods for decades.

This issue stretched our staff to reach outside the orbit of Lafayette to uncover information and be a voice for students as well as the community around us.

Alongside our newsmagazine, we have a website where

we post breaking stories and continue our coverage.

Our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook provide up-to-date information.

Our online coverage provides a more personal look into the lives of LHS students and staff, and it is regularly updated with weekly sports updates and additional opinion pieces.

Although this issue is unique due to its extensive reach into our community, we will continue to constantly report on both Lafayette and our community, and that will be available to you on all our platforms.

The Image and LancerFeed staffs understand the importance of keeping you updated on what is important to you whether it is at school or in the community.

Oct. 30, 2019

Behind the cover

Social Media Editor JACK WEAVER and Lifestyles Editor GRACE KIRTLEY met the Barnard family at their home to take individual shots of the Barnard family, Kate, Elissa, Andrew, Lily, Holly, Sarah, Natalie and Jeffrey (left to right). This issue’s cover photos were also taken by WEAVER and the cover was designed by Editor-in-Chief DELANEY STULCE. A special thanks to the Image staff and Lancer staff members who provided family photos to help create our large family picture for the back cover.

• photo by GRACE KIRTLEY

Stay Connected • The Lancer Feed • @thelancerfeed • @thelancerfeed

Chloe Baker and Sarah Locke Web Editor and Staff Reporter

Web

• lancerfeed.press

theimagemagazine

Opening

• Image Staff •

• In This Issue •

Oct. 30, 2019

Editors-in-Chief:

3

Kayla Carpenter Delaney Stulce

Web Editor: Chloe Baker Assistant: Makayla Archambeault News Editor: Hayden Cottrell Assistant: Corren Tipton

Opinions Editor: Alex Rozar Lifestyles Editor: Grace Kirtley

Assistant: Hannah Fitts

Sports Editor:

Morgan Vehige

Social Media Editor: Jack Weaver

Artist:

Alex Vancil

Reporters:

Sarah Locke Maya Manor Sophia Scheller Abby Stebner Vijay Viswanathan Kennedy Willhite

• Digital Media Staff • Digital Media Editor Jack Weaver

Staff:

Abdi Abdalla Chloe Baker Alli Bishop Micah Bounds Emily Budde

Jack McDonald Sophia Scheller Colin Swan Ryan Swan Kevin Vera Joey Weaver

pg 7

pg 12

News

Opinions 4 6 7

HALLOWEEN: INNOCENCE LOST

What used to be a holiday full of innocent fun is now a platform of examples of some of the biggest social and political issues of today.

NOVICE VOTERS’ RIGHTS

If newly turned 18-year-old voters are allowed to vote in the Presidential election, shouldn’t they also be allowed to vote in the primary elections?

DRUGS IN BASEBALL

MLB has major issues with steroid and other illegal substance abuse among players, and needs to adequately punish the offenders rather than hide their wrong doings.

9 12 13 14

• Publications Adviser •

LAND CONTROVERSY

For years, Wildwood and St. Louis County have been dealing with a toxic Superfund Site in Ellisville that has ties to the Times Beach incident

HOMECOMING ROCKS

Homecoming 2019 came to a close Oct. 12 with the dance, but the week lives on in photos. Check out some of the best pictures on pg 12.

BATTLE OF THE ENTRANCE EXAMS

There are key differences in the ACT and the SAT. Each has specific benefits and disadvantages that make them better for different types of students.

VAPING EPIDEMIC

Despite e-cigarettes being marketed to help those quit smoking, it has caused a widespread addiction to a new generation of teenagers.

Nancy Y. Smith, MJE

• General Information • The Image is produced by students in the News Production class. Free copies are distributed on campus.

Subscriptions are also available for $40 per year.

Rockwood student publications are the official student-produced media of news and information published/produced by Rockwood students and have been established by both policy and practice as designated public forums for student editors to inform and educate their readers as well as for the discussion of issues of concern to their audience.

Publications will not be reviewed or restrained by school officials prior to publication or distribution.

Because school officials do

not engage in prior review and the content of all Rockwood student publications is determined by and reflects only the views of the student staff and not school officials or the school itself, its student editors and responsible student staff members assume complete legal and financial liability for the content of the publication.

A full listing of all the policies followed by student publications staff members can be found at lancerfeed. press under the About tab.

The Image is a member of the National Scholastic Press Association and received First Class rating with two Marks of Distinction. The Image is also a member of Quill and Scroll, journalismSTL and MJEA.

• Our Gold Sponsors • Thank you to our sponsors for their support of the journalism program.

The Baker Family The Kirtley Family The Carpenter Family The Johns Family The Archambeault Family Steve Martinez–State Farm Agent

pg 18-19

pg 30

Lifestyles 16 18 22 24 26

FREAKY FEARS

This Halloween season, students and staff share their secrets on what scares them the most.

BROOKDALE: HAVEN TO COMMUNITY

What initially started as a place to house the Brookdale horses soon became a place for family fun and an escape back to nature for the community.

TASTE TESTER: STL STYLE PIZZA

Image staff members tried multiple different types famous STL style pizza to tell you which one is worth the buy.

FAMILY FUN

In a large school, there are bound to be many different types of families. Meet these few families to better understand the diversity within LHS.

SNOW FOUNDATION WARRIOR

Freshman Raquel Gebel has been diagnosed with a rare disease called Wolfram Syndrome, but hasn’t let it stop her from living her life to the fullest.

Sports 29 30

SPIKEBALL FANATICS

Although intended to be a purely recreational activity, some students have taken Spikeball to the next level.

THREE-SPORT ATHLETE

Madison Chester, senior, takes on the large workload of three different sports, extensive club involvement and a challenging academic course load.

4

• OPINIONS •

Staff Editorial:

Halloween has changed drastically since childhood, for better or for worse. Many of these changes mirror the political and social issues of today.

Staff Editorials reflect the majority opinion of the Image staff.

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

Opinions

Halloween: a microcosm of our rapidly shifting world Halloween is the time of year for children to be children. They can dress up like a fun character they love, go trick-or-treating with friends or family and eat way too much candy. It’s a perfect example of what childhood is.

Or, at least, it used to be.

What was formerly an innocent expression of childhood joys has turned into a platform that reveals our nation’s deep political and social change.

When we were kids, Halloween was seen as a day of carefree fun. Now, however, there are seemingly endless lists and warnings of what kids and adults alike can and cannot do.

Adults who hand out candy—a generous act as-is— are now sent lists of dietary restrictions for all children in a neighborhood that tell residents what types of candy they can and can’t hand out.

Plus, there is a renewed pressure for people to give out healthier treat options—because children getting that much candy is just too outrageously unhealthy.

On its face, this change is not necessarily a bad thing, given the recent increase in awareness of nutritional issues and childhood obesity.

These pressures and restrictions, however, are simply too much.

Halloween is only one night every year. Children should be able to experience this holiday to its full potential. And adults should not feel like they have to go a mile out of their way to ensure that kids they don’t know don’t make unhealthy choices.

If parents are concerned with what their child consumes, then they can look through what their child collects after the fact and put rules in place that clearly state how much their child is allowed to eat.

Additionally, not only are there social pressures to make Halloween a healthier holiday, but there are also many restrictions on the types of costumes that are socially acceptable and politically correct for children to wear.

Gone are the days when a girl could dress up in a costume of a boy character or a boy dress up like a girl because it can now be seen as offensive.

A kid can no longer dress as their favorite Disney prince or princess because they aren’t the same race as the character, because this innocent act can

now come off as insensitive or a form or cultural appropriation.

What these societal standards overlook is the fact that these children are not attempting to make a political showcase with their costumes. They are simply choosing to dress up as someone they admire.

Though the extent of this pressure on children to be politically correct is somewhat unsettling, this societal push has been, overall, positive. Many adult costumes have been outrageously offensive and insensitive.

People should not use Halloween as an excuse to make a joke out of socially touchy topics. This push—although it has gone a little bit too far—will, in all, teach children from the beginning that something so simple as a costume has the power to offend and impact how people view themselves or their identity.

On a more serious note, the stigma on safety surrounding Halloween is much more prevalent now than ever.

No longer can kids go out with trick-or-treating with groups of friends. Now there have to be parents or other adults around every corner, out of fear for the worst.

Due to mounting societal tension, especially in regard to mass gun violence and seemingly daily stories of abduction, children are taught to be extremely cautious of how they interact with adults they may see while out at night.

Each generation has its own impacts on behavior and education as a result of various social issues that were occurring when they were growing up, but the fact that young children can no longer celebrate a once-innocent holiday without taking extreme safety precautions is truly unfortunate.

It’s gotten to the point where many families now opt out of traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating in exchange for community trunk-or-treating, where a church or other community organization has members use the parking lot to pass out candy.

Overall, the actions society has taken are generally in the best interest of both children’s and adults’ safety and health. It is sad to see, however, how the naïve and joyous holiday of Halloween has turned into a battleground for the overwhelming awareness of social and political issues.

5

6

theimagemagazine

Opinions LANCER’S LOT

Oct. 30, 2019

18-year-old voters should be able to vote in Presidential primary elections as well

O

STARS

ALEX ROZAR Opinions Editor

Stars & Gripes is a satirical column written collectively by the Image staff.

between all of the 2020 candidates’ positions. Even among frontrunners, the variance in political stances n Nov. 3, 2020, I will be 18 years old, and I is plainly evident. Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, will vote for who I think should be President of the for example, represent wholly separate ideological United States. Kind of. factions of the Democratic Party.

Essentially, my choice will be limited between two If we can’t chime in on candidates on the ballot. this elementary electoral This comes despite the fact that a record process, issues that number of Democrats threw their hats into matter to Gen Z With so many candidates the ring for the White House this year, and will be neglected representing such a wide three Republicans are vying to unseat by presidential array of political beliefs, President Trump, the first real challenge candidates. voicing our opinion is more an incumbent president has seen from In Missouri, important now than ever. his own party since 1992.

17-year-olds are There is incredible nuance Thankfully, there is a solution to recognized as adults between all of the 2020 winnow down the field. Both major under the juvenile candidates’ positions. parties hold primary elections in every code. This definition state where voters can come and select their has a big impact— preferred candidate. residents under 17 can only In Missouri, that day is March 10, many months be charged with “delinquent ahead of the presidential election. acts” rather than crimes.

However, due to state law, thousands of young If the State of Missouri believes that 17-year-olds people in Missouri, myself included, will miss out on are mentally capable of committing a crime, then this crucial step of the electoral process and instead logic holds that it should allow them to vote as well. have to acquiesce to a candidate we had no say in.

Since we are to be criminally punished for social Why? Because even though the 26th Amendment irresponsibility, then we should conversely have the grants 18-year-olds the Constitutional right to vote, right to demonstrate our social responsibility. anyone born between March 10, 2002 and Nov. 3, Right now, however, Missouri has it both ways.

2002 will be only 17 when the primaries roll around, We need to follow the lead of 21 states and D.C. and, per state law, ineligible to vote in the primary. that allow 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections.

That means many teens in Missouri exist in Doing so would incentivize more young people to electoral limbo. Despite being able to vote for vote—something bipartisan lawmakers have sought president, most of those who will be 18 on Election to improve for decades.

Day can’t cast a vote for who the presidential The system as it stands is unfair to thousands of candidates should be in the first place. voters like me, who will be forced to rubber-stamp With so many candidates representing such a wide a candidate come November. Amending the law array of political beliefs, voicing our opinion is more would give 18-year-old voters their Constitutionally important now than ever. There is incredible nuance determined fair shake in electoral politics.

“

•A Bread Co. employee was fired over a TikTok video showing the company’s mac and cheese being stored in plastic bags. In other news, we have a new investigative reporter on staff.

•A security guard in Wisconsin handcuffed himself but realized he left the key at home.

His story serves as a reminder: as cuffing season approaches, make sure you can break free.

•The popular video game Fortnite selfdestructed when an in-game black hole swallowed up every character.

For a few days, teachers’ prayers were answered.

•If you miss out on Halloween candy tomorrow, don’t fret: it’ll surely be 90% off on Nov. 1. It’s the perfect snack for putting up Christmas decorations.

•MLB player and LHS alum David Freese signed off on an 11-season career. Though he’s now a millionaire, we’re pretty sure he’ll never have to pay for food in St. Louis again.

theimagemagazine

Opinions

Oct. 30, 2019

7

MLB needs to fix The Monthly Joust rampant drug issue Major League Baseball (MLB) provided him with oxycodone has a major drug problem for years. again. Except this time, it’s Drug use persists to the not performance-enhancing extent it does because under drugs—it’s illicit the current MLB drugs. rules, players Illegal drug use aren’t required in the MLB first to undergo drug publicly came to testing. light in 1985. During VIJAY VISWANATHAN Therefore, the Pittsburgh Drug players using Staff Reporter Trials, 13 players drugs often were accused of go completely using illegal drugs and 11 were undetected by the system as-is. suspended from the MLB. And even if they are found to All of those suspensions, be using illegal drugs—which however, were later commuted rarely happens—MLB players in exchange for fines and are initially only required to go community service. through a treatment program.

Since then, MLB officials have Only after his second offense stated time and again that there is a player given a suspension. isn’t a drug problem anymore— Unlike the MLB, minor league but evidence says otherwise. players must undergo testing Many MLB players have been for illegal drugs. exposed to cocaine and other However, the minor league’s illicit drugs, per a 2017 HuffPost disciplinary methods follow the investigation. same lax MLB punishment rules.

Former Texas Rangers The MLB needs to recognize outfielder Josh Hamilton has it has a problem and solve it. publicly stated he went through Instead of just making a periods of drug and alcohol player go through a treatment addiction while in the MLB. program, players need to be Drug use has cost many suspended for at least 25 games. players their careers and even MLB also needs to overhaul their lives. the mandatory treatment A prominent example is program that exists to be more Los Angeles Angels pitcher intensive.

Tyler Skaggs, who died after Also, if a player’s illegal drug overdosing on a combination use is severe enough that it of fentanyl, oxycodone and requires an appearance in a alcohol. federal court, then he should be The Drug Enforcement banned from the MLB. Administration (DEA) opened an Only after these changes investigation into Skaggs’ death will the league be able to curb and found an Angels employee illegal drug use and save lives.

•Homecoming at LHS was a smashing success! In fact, many students continued the party until the following Monday!

•A broken clock is right twice a day. Well, except at LHS, where it seems a new electronic clock turns off every day.

•Prince Harry is suing two British tabloids for allegedly hacking Buckingham Palace phones, further proving that the palace’s tourist-friendly guards aren’t so great at their day jobs.

•As winter approaches, trying times are coming for new Superintendent.

Mark Miles.

Will he call off school, or will he attempt to brace the blizzards?

Only time will tell.

GRIPES

•Taco Bell recalled 2.3 million pounds of beef after metal shavings were found in food.

Considering how popular the fastfood chain is, we can safely assume the majority of students are now magnetic.

cartoon by ALEX VANCIL

8

theimagemagazine

Ads

Oct. 30, 2019

Sylvan Learning Centers Centerseld ofofSylvan BalBallwin lwLearning in && Chesterfi Chesterfield Under New Management Under New Management

Start Start off the school year with a bang!

New Customers can take advantage of a New Customers can advantage of a free assessment nowtake through November 22, Call nownow to schedule! free2019! assessment through November 22, 2019! Call now to schedule!

Sylvan Learning of Ballwin 14248 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011

Sylvan Learning of Chesterfield 126 Chesterfield Towne Center, Chesterfield , MO 63005

https://cities.sylvanlearning.com

https://cities.sylvanlearning.com

636-394-3104

636-537-8118

Don't wait until it's too late. Start now.of Chesterfield Sylvan Learning of Ballwin Sylvan Learning 14248 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011 126 Chesterfield Towne Center, Chesterfield , MO 63005

SYLVANLEARNING.COM 636-394-3104 636-537-8118 https://cities.sylvanlearning.com

https://cities.sylvanlearning.com

Don't wait until it's too late. Start now.

SYLVANLEARNING.COM

did you know?

STLCC offers hundreds of courses that are guaranteed to transfer to any public university in Missouri.

Get details on CORE 42 and start earning affordable college credits at STLCC today!

stlcc.edu | 636-422-2000

• NEWS •

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

9

Blissful Ignorance

Spread of toxic chemicals remains a dilemma years after contamination CHLOE BAKER • Web Editor • SARAH LOCKE • Staff Reporter •

In the 1920s, the town of Times Beach was created as a small resort community. Later, it became a small, cozy community of permanent residents. But in 1982, that paradise changed when residents were forced to evacuate.

The town, along with several others, hired Russell Bliss, a waste hauler, to spray oil on the dirt roads to prevent dust from rising from 1972 to 1976.

However, unbeknownst to Times Beach residents, Bliss was also hired by another party to dispose of a toxic chemical mix. The oil he sprayed on the roads of Times Beach, several horse arenas and his own Strecker Road property was laced with this chemical waste that included a substance called dioxin.

In a CNN interview in 1997, Bliss denied having any knowledge of the dangerous chemicals found inside the oil that he sprayed.

“The only thing I knew I was spraying was waste oil. The people in the factory in Verona were running around in cutoff shorts, a lot of them wore sandals—there’s goo on the floor— this residue, and I never had the slightest idea,” Bliss said.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) defines dioxins as “a family of compounds that share distinct chemical structures and characteristics. Numerous dioxinlike compounds have been identified that are considered to have significant toxicity and can cause disease.”

Labeled as a carcinogen, dioxin is known for causing cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also linked dioxin to “reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and [interference] with hormones.”

The most toxic form of dioxin is found in Agent • photo by JACK WEAVER

Orange, an herbicide used by the United States military during the Vietnam War to remove the dense foliage of the terrain. Bliss obtained the chemical waste from a plant in Verona, Missouri where Agent Orange was manufactured.

Bliss sprayed the preventative chemical on countless areas in an attempt to manage dust, including several ranches and stables throughout Missouri.

In 1971, Judy Piatt, the owner of horse stables north of Wentzville, connected the deaths of about 50 of her horses and the illness of her young daughters to the oil sprayed on her property repeatedly by Bliss. Piatt then launched her own investigation into Bliss and composed a list of about 16 sites where she had witnessed him spraying oil.

It was through the urgings of concerned citizens like Piatt that the EPA began an investigation into the soils and properties Bliss sprayed, one property being the town of Times Beach, which is near Eureka. In 1982, the citizens of Times Beach were notified that their small town was contaminated, and were advised to evacuate. The soil was tested and it ultimately had to be incinerated by the EPA. This may seem like a problem of the distant past, but it is something the Lafayette community still has a connection to.

A major area polluted by Bliss was his own Strecker Road property and a few properties nearby, all within the Rockwood School District.

Bliss handled this chemical waste directly on his ranch. Some dangerous chemicals were disposed of in pits, buried in drums and in liquid wastes that were dumped on the property along with other properties he worked on. Two of the sites are located off Strecker Road, two of which are adjacent to Englebrook Farms and Strecker Farms, streets that fall within Lafayette’s borders.

“I think it is really scary [to live that close to the site],” sophomore Pooja Reddy said.

According to the 2018 annual report released by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the

CONTINUED ON PAGES 10-11

10

theimagemagazine

News

Oct. 30, 2019

section of his property containing his barn is located at 149 Strecker Road, Ellisville, however, the rest of the contaminated area is located in Wildwood as the city line falls in the middle of the property.

The report also says Jerry Russell Bliss is still the owner of 149 Strecker Road along with portions of SW 1/4, NW 1/4, Sec. 32, T. 45N, R. 4E, Manchester Quadrangle.

According to the report, “the 1-acre property contains a residence, and the northwest parcel is a vacant grass and wooded area; all are owned by at least Mr. Bliss.”

In 1980, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources received information from an eyewitness that saw drums being buried near a barn.

An investigation proved these drums to be filled with toxic waste.

These local sites have been linked to the chemical Bliss sprayed in Times Beach and other places throughout Missouri.

EPA Clean up Efforts

Three non-contiguous units, the Bliss property, the Callahan property and the Rosalie property are collectively called the Ellisville Superfund Site.

Laura Price, the Remedial Project Manager for the Ellisville site, said a Superfund Site is defined as “a site that typically does not have a responsible party still there to clean up the contaminated site, and that’s when the government steps in to clean it up.”

This site has been on the EPA’s National Priority List (NPL) since Sept. 8, 1983. Since the 1980s, the EPA has done many things in order to clean up the properties.

“We’ve done removal actions, excavated the soil, burned it and they brought in fresh soil. They had multiple investigations to determine where the contamination was at, and they’ve been doing groundwater investigations since then,” Price said.

According to the report issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in 1996, the EPA completed a Removal Action, they removed a total of 24,478 tons of dioxin contaminated soil, 581 tons of soil contaminated with other chemicals and 480 buried feet of formerly contaminated areas.

In July 2017, the Callahan property was removed from the Superfund NPL; however, it remains uninhabited.

Despite efforts to clean and restore these sites, many are still unconvinced they are safe for people, including former city council member and founder of the Times Beach Action Group, Steve Taylor.

“Environmentally, I think that Bliss’ activity has not been cleaned up satisfactorily yet.

It never will be given the extent of it and

Directly off of Strecker Road sits the Bliss-Ellisville Superfund Site. Several houses used to sit at the front of the property, which were torn down several years ago, leaving empty patches of land. The area now contains several no trespassing signs as well as three monitoring wells put in by the EPA. • photo by JACK WEAVER

the lack of urgency from the EPA and state agencies,” Taylor said.

Health Concerns

Over the years, the sites have not only been a controversial topic in city politics but a concern for people in surrounding neighborhoods.

Eric Woytus, an environmental scientist, has lived in a neighborhood backing up to the property for most of his life. He was unaware of the dangerous chemicals that lingered right in his own backyard until he did his own investigation.

“People used to tell me about the area I now know is a Superfund Site. They would go to the creek beds to find ‘fun stuff’ like tires, wheels and other random debris you could build stuff with,” Eric said. “I knew it was garbage left by farmers, but I never would have imagined that the property was contaminated with hazardous chemicals.”

When Eric’s parents bought their home they don’t remember being notified about the toxin in that area.

“That kind of stuff only happens in the movies or in faraway towns. It didn’t seem like such a site would exist in this safe, affluent neighborhood,” he said.

Woytus said that is what inspired him to pursue an environmental studies degree and make a career out of environmentalism.

In 2008, the Image staff interviewed Kelly Kramer, a Lafayette parent who lived in Strecker Farms. Her son, Jay Thomas, Class of 2003, was diagnosed with cancer his

junior year.

Kramer credits her son’s illness to dioxin and does not believe the land is safe to develop on.

Jessica Johnson, another LHS student, was diagnosed with cancer and died at the age of 18 after exposure to dioxin.

“Dioxin was dumped in areas nearby that included a horse barn where Jessica spent a great deal of time for over 10 years,” Vicky Johnson, her mother, said to the Image staff in 2008.

In a Facebook post, community member Carl Altman shared how his best friend lived where contractors unearthed the first buried drums that led to the investigation of the Bliss and Callahan sites.

His friend used to hike in Caulks Creek multiple times a week, a creek where runoff from the sites leaked. However, his friend had no idea that the EPA was conducting a cleanup just a few miles upstream.

“I remember coming over to his house, and he was in the yard with the garden hose scrubbing mud off of his boots with his hands,” Altman said.

Altman’s friend developed leukemia and died at the age of 23 in 2002.

“I have no way of knowing whether benzene and dioxin from the Bliss site killed my friend. But I know that the combination has been linked to leukemia and bone cancers. I know my friend was not the only one who was exposed to that creek and developed leukemia,” Altman said.

Despite these stories of people exposed

theimagemagazine

News

Oct. 30, 2019

to dioxin getting sick, along with dozens of others, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has not officially announced these areas as cancer clusters.

The CDC defines a cancer cluster as “a greater-than-expected number of cancer cases that occurs within a group of people in a geographic area over a period of time.”

Because of this, there is no definite way to link the exposure of dioxin to those around the area who developed extremely rare forms of cancer and illnesses. However, in other cases, dioxin is known to cause cancer.

“All I can talk about is anecdotals. There are stories of children who had played on the property together and several of them had developed the same rare form of leukemia together. Physically, it would seem amirante, but that being said, there is really no official study, so I can’t say with any scientific certainty,” Taylor said.

1

Development Concerns

Although concerns remain by some that the land is not safe to live on, a request to start building 23 single family homes on the Ellisville Superfund Site by developer Wesley Byrne of Byrne Builders has been heavily debated by the City of Wildwood Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and various community members.

Originally proposed over 11 years ago, the development was almost approved, according to former City Council member Tammy Shea.

“They were going to give the final approval to it, but a woman came forward who lives in an adjacent subdivision. She gave her story of her son’s cancer and his friend who ultimately succumbed to cancer before he graduated high school,” Shea said.

Her son and his friend unknowingly played in a creek that was the cumulation of various streams from the toxic properties.

“She came forward with her testimony and it was a very compelling story, so instead of signing the document, they made a moratorium on the site development,” Shea said.

A moratorium, or hold, placed on the request has been repeatedly extended for the past 11 years.

Once again, debate surrounding possible residential developments in the area has been sparked, but most community members are extremely opposed.

At the Sept. 23 Wildwood City Council meeting, Barbara, Eric’s mother, spoke and said, “I would be comfortable if the Callahan subsite was developed into something like a golf course, driving range, or some kind of industrial facility. This would mean not exposing people to any existing hazards on a daily basis.”

11

1 • Discovered in the 1980s by the EPA, the Bliss property was once home to a functioning horse ranch. The site also sits adjacent to Englebrook Drive and Strecker Farms Court. According to the EPA, runoff from this site had been found in Caulks Creek, which runs behind several other neighborhoods in the area. • photo by JACK WEAVER 2 • The Callahan property, sitting directly across from the Bliss property on Strecker Road, was removed from the EPA’s Superfund list during July 2017 per the request of the owner. This site lands adjacent to Englebrook Drive. • photo by JACK WEAVER

How Close Are We? The Bliss Property is...

2 Community members are very skeptical of the safety of living on the property for the potential homeowners. Most inhabitants of the surrounding neighborhoods were unaware of the Ellisville Superfund Site when they purchased their homes.

“When my parents bought the house, the people who were supposed to tell them about the landfill never did,” Reddy said.

It is clear many believe hypothetical future homeowners should be aware of the Ellisville Superfund Site, and that more should be informed on the site’s history.

“If they do [build], I think that people need to know what that site used to be. It should be up to the individuals and not [the builders],” Taylor said.

At the Sept. 23 meeting, a motion was made and passed to prepare legislation to extend the moratorium.

1

minute from Englebrook Drive

1

minute from Strecker Farms Court

3

minutes from Ellisville Elementary School

5

minutes from Crestview Middle School

5

minutes from Silky’s Frozen Custard

6

minutes from Lafayette High School

12

1

4

theimagemagazine

Photos

Oct. 30, 2019

2

3

Homecoming rocked Lancers through the ages

5 1 • The seniors celebrate as they score another touchdown at the junior vs. senior Powder Puff game.

The seniors won, 21-14 after about an hour rain delay. • photo by HAYDEN COTTRELL

6 2 • At the Homecoming Parade, sophomore AINSLEY MOSES passes out candy with the Escadrille float. The choir float was named the best in the parade. • photo by ANUSHA SINGH

3 • During Lancer Regiment’s halftime show of Origami, junior EMILY KASER spreads a fan in front of the Torii gate. Halftime also featured Escadrille.

• photo by RACHEL BROWN

7 4 • Junior MITCHEL HOFFMAN intercepts a Parkway North pass in the first quarter. The Lancers defeated the Vikings 41-0. • photo

by SHANNON WORLEY

5 • Students form a Conga line during the dance on Saturday night.

Seniors SIENA MEYRER and JAKE DEDERER were named Queen and King at the dance.

• photo by RAY SHAW

6 • Senior JOSH HANSEN does a back flip during the Male Escadrille performance before Powder Puff.

The group also danced at the Pep Assembly. • photo

by SHANNON WORLEY

7 • Junior JULIA MANNING takes a photo with her friends in front of the Bubble Bus at the Homecoming Kickoff. The week’s events ran from Oct. 6-12. • photo

by KENNEDY WILLHITE

theimagemagazine

News

Oct. 30, 2019

Test Success

13

Top scores come from best preparation strategies; knowing which test to take CORREN TIPTON • Asst. News Editor •

“I always felt like I had the potential to know every answer, it was just a matter of being able to do them fast enough while being accurate,” senior Zoe Spriggs said.

Spriggs got a perfect score of 36 on the ACT when she last took it in April of 2019.

“I liked that the ACT was very consistent.

I’ve taken it a lot of times because I was in a program that allowed middle schoolers to take it, and I always knew what to expect on the test,” Spriggs said.

The ACT is freely administered to juniors by the district. Sophomores also have the opportunity to take the Pre-ACT in September during the school day.

Additional retakes or SAT registration is determined by the individual.

“It depends on where [the student is] going to school and what that school is looking for. Since we’re in the Midwest, [the] ACT is more popular,” Jessica Brawner, A+ and Testing Coordinator, said.

Come September 2020, students will be allowed to retake a singular section of the ACT with an additional cost.

“Students must have taken the test in full at least once before they can retake individual sections. The test can also now be taken digitally at a testing center when it’s administered nationally, ACT officials say,” USA Today said.

Brawner said Lafayette generally

performs well on all the categories.

However, students who struggle in math may find the SAT better suited to their strengths and abilities.

With more time and lacking a science section, the SAT puts more emphasis on the reading portion. While these tests are created to gauge what a high schooler has learned, the tests analyze different elements within each subject.

Senior Ben Augustine took both the ACT and SAT. “When I took the ACT, I took it two times, one [of which] the school gave us. I found on both of those tests I was losing time,” Augustine said. “For the SAT, the first time I took it, I felt like I was finding what the questions were. The second time, it was almost the exact same test, just different numbers. It was like a class retake.”

Augustine also felt more confident in the math section on the SAT. “For SAT, they basically tell you exactly the types of questions and amount of questions they’re going to ask you in each section for the math test. You know what you’re going to get when you come into it, so it’s much easier to study [for]. It’s a better showing of a student because it’s not necessarily just random questions—it shows your hard work,” Augustine said.

He said the SAT was easier to prepare for because it is on the College Board platform.

“The biggest thing to use for SAT [prep] is Khan Academy. Khan Academy is sponsored by the College Board, so the questions they have on there are like a big review guide. They curate to what questions you’ve been getting wrong.

You can import your scores and your actual test; you get to analyze your test and see [what] you missed. [If] three of the math or two of the math questions you missed are geometry [they’ll give you] a bunch of geometry questions that you need to work on,” Augustine said.

When deciding which test to take, Augustine suggests testing to your strengths.

“If anybody’s thinking about which test to take, I’d recommend SAT, but the first thing I would do is look at what your strong suit is. If you’re really bad at science, the best thing is the SAT doesn’t have any science. You have to curate to your strengths,” Augustine said.

Spriggs recommends preparing for the ACT like any other test: by eating well and getting a good night’s sleep.

“You probably won’t do well if you aren’t 100 percent there or can’t focus. If you’re up there in the [high] score ranges already, then you have the capability to get a perfect score. You just have to bring it all on test day,” Spriggs said.

Comparing Standardized Tests for 2020 SAT ACT • No science section • Costs $47.50 for the test • The essay costs an additional $17 • Focuses heavily on algebra in math section • Allows one minute and 10 seconds per question • Better reflects math • Includes a math section without a calculator

• Includes a science section • Costs $50.50 for the test • The essay costs an extra $16.50 • Focuses heavily on geometry in math section • Allows 49 seconds per question • Caters to students who are better at English • Starting in September 2020, allows retakes of individual sections

14

theimagemagazine

News

Oct. 30, 2019

•art illustration and photo by HAYDEN COTTRELL and JACK WEAVER•

EVALI Epidemic

Multiple injuries, deaths found with vaping, school, state tighten teen vaping restrictions HAYDEN COTTRELL • News Editor •

SOPHIA SCHELLER • Staff Reporter •

Emma* used to vape every day. She’d start vaping on her way to school.

Once she got school, she would carry her device into class.

During two passing periods a day, Emma would spend time in the bathroom for a quick vape break. She’d repeat the break during lunch before

being done for the day.

“I had a JUUL. I had a SMOK T-PRIV. I had a SMOK NORD. I trusted the mods more than the JUUL, so I would normally never use it, but it was a quick easy thing I could hide in my bra or in the restroom,” Emma said.

And, Emma started to notice different aspects of her and her friends’ lives changing because of the vapes.

“I had a friend who actually ended up getting pneumonia from [vaping]. As well as having pneumonia, they now

have a black spot of tar from [vaping] on their lung right now,” Emma said.

New illness connected to vapes In April 2019, health officials in Illinois and Wisconsin started tracking 53 cases of a mystery illness—that is starting to be called E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)—that was discovered to

theimagemagazine

News

Oct. 30, 2019

be linked to the use of e-cigarettes.

By Oct. 8, nearly 1,300 illnesses and 26 deaths had been reported across 49 states and in one U.S. territory.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports those who develop EVALI have symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Worsened and continued symptoms have been nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and fevers. Many of those patients have been diagnosed with acute respiratory diseases.

The more serious cases often result in the patient needing life support.

A handful of people are now also being hospitalized twice for EVALI. This means the illness and its’ effects are lasting longer than originally believed.

Additionally, approximately 70% of the cases tracked by the CDC are males, and 80% of the cases are affecting those 35 years or younger.

The CDC says the suspected cause of the illness is due to long exposure to a chemical found in vaping devices.

A chemical getting a reaction from health officials is vitamin E acetate.

Vitamin E acetate is found in some vaping devices and can be dangerous when inhaled.

The vitamin is found with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil, but it is far more dangerous when it is inhaled because of the temperature of lungs.

Vitamin E acetate has to be heated to 363 degrees Fahrenheit, which is nearly four times the normal human body’s temperature, to be a vapor.

New York State health department officials said this vitamin was found inside nearly every patient’s vape device in New York who reported using a vape with THC before the onset of their symptoms.

Vitamin E acetate was not found, however, in nicotine vapes used by those who got ill.

When school officials started to search kids suspected of using vape devices at school, students had to be

more secretive with their habits.

“I kind of got scared after everybody started to get searched, so I wouldn’t bring it to school anymore,” Emma said.

Instead of vaping during passing periods and lunch, Emma would vape while she got ready for school in the morning.

At school, she would put her device into a textbook shoved into her locker to avoid it being discovered if she was searched.

LHS crackdowns on student vaping Administrators are tasked with finding and confiscating these devices.

Assistant Principal Mandy Lewis is one of the several administrators who takes these products away.

“Students don’t realize it, but you can actually smell vape on clothes and backpacks,” Lewis said. “I know some can be odorless, but [some] have a bubblegum or a mango smell, so that tends to be what we monitor.”

Some teachers report students passing devices during class. Most of the time, administrators receive tips from the students.

“Often students come to us because they get irritated because they are waiting in line and they come to us and say, ‘There are kids in there vaping and we can’t use the bathroom,’” Lewis said.

Other than a possible criminal record, students who get caught vaping will receive in or out of school suspension.

Missouri restricts teen access to vapes Missouri law prohibits the use and purchasing of tobacco and vaping products to those 18 or younger. The state also started an anti-vapaing campaign with Executive Order 19-18.

Although the state set the age to 18

15

to purchase vaping devices, counties can raise the age for purchasing and consumption of the products.

In 2019, St. Louis County raised the age to purchase tobacco and vaping products to 21.

Those who are over the age of 18 can still use the products; however, they can’t buy tobacco products if they are not 21 years old.

Even with these restrictions, many students circumvent them by traveling to other counties, like St. Charles County, to purchase vaping products.

Another way students gain access to vaping devices is by going to small gas stations that do not card minors or by purchasing products online.

However, pressure by the federal government may be impacting the industry.

JUUL will stop selling fruit-flavored pods next year. They stopped selling those products in retail stores last year and sold them only online. The company will continue to sell its mint and menthol nicotine pods.

Emma stopped vaping when her boyfriend walked into the ocean with her device in his swim trunk pocket.

“When it short-circuited, I kind of thought ‘Well, it’s time to be done,’” Emma said.

After seeing the effects of vaping firsthand, Emma has been helping her friends start to slowly quit.

“I recently just took one from my friend because I could see how bad it was affecting her. It affected her mental health really, really badly,” she said. “I have another friend who said ‘Take my JUUL away.’ It’s just sitting in my car now. I don’t even look at it. I forget it’s in my glovebox.”

The illness and risks associated with vaping have made Jones shift her view towards vaping as well.

“Really don’t do it. You’re going to realize later on what you did to yourself in high school has affected you 10 years later,” Emma said. *Name changed to protect identity

16

• LIFESTYLES •

Sweats. Trembles. Raised hair. Nausea. Dry mouth. A rapid heartbeat. Fear is a vital response to any potential physical or emotional danger the human body may experience, and its roots date back to human evolution. Both individually and universally, fear is present on a regular basis.

The Smithsonian reports that nearly one in four people experience a form of an anxiety disorder during their lives and nearly eight percent experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Krista Silvernail, AP Psychology teacher, said, “We live in a culture that is much more driven by fear than ever before. We see that with the increased people that suffer from anxiety disorders, which a lot of the times is based on an irrational fear.”

These disorders can cause reactions that consist of biochemical responses—the ones a person experiences physically through sweaty hands, lightheadedness and stomach aches amongst others.

“We know biologically what happens when we experience fear has to do with our flight or fight system and how our bodies naturally change in order to tackle fear,” Silvernail said.

The instinctual response of fight or flight, otherwise known

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

as hyper-arousal or the acute stress response, is influenced by phobias as well.

There are many phobias and anxiety disorders that also cause those phobic-like reactions in certain situations.

Treatment for phobias include therapeutic techniques, medications or a combination of both.

If these fears are not addressed, it can have lasting effects on physical and mental health and brain functions, including thought processes, reactions and memories.

“It’s an emotion, an intense emotion that can have lasting consequences if we let the emotion show itself more than not,” Silvernail said. “It is one of the core emotions we experience and how much recognition we give to it can tell us how it is going to guide and affect our lives.”

When people live in constant fear, whether from physical dangers in their environment or threats they perceive, they can become incapacitated.

“Learning about fear for some, especially if they are struggling with anxiety, teaches them ways to have coping strategies or ways to try and live their life with less fear or even how we can get a better explanation of how to control it,” Silvernail said.

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

“I am scared of fireworks.

On the Fourth of July, my Dad bought sparklers and me and my brother were playing with them, and he hit me with it in my face.

I had to go to the hospital.”

Trevor Heckmann • 12

“My greatest fear is living a really boring life. I don’t want to spend the rest of my days working a boring job or anything.”

Jabari Tutu • 9

“I am scared of butterflies.

They can fly everywhere and anywhere at all points in time, and they can change from one thing to another. They’re terrifying!”

Caroline Anthes • 10

“My worst fear is getting chased by a dog because they are pretty scary. It’s pretty much the thing that l fear the most.”

Latesha Scott • 12

17

“I am scared of riptides. I went to Daytona, Florida when I was around 12 years old, and I wasn’t strong enough to hold myself above the water. The water began to toss and turn me around, and my sister’s best friend had to go down to get me when I hit my head on something.”

Peyton Kuhlmann • 12

HANNAH FITTS

• Asst. Lifestyles Editor • HEADLINE ART ALEX VANCIL

18

Lifestyles

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

Giving locals ‘pumpkin’ to talk about

MAKAYLA ARCHAMBEAULT • Asst. Web Editor •

• photo by CALLIE HARRISON

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

Lifestyles

19

Family-owned Brookdale Farms offers variety of fall activities

N Brookdale Farms is a family-owned farm that was founded in 1986 by JERRY KIRK. Kirk is currently still in charge of running the farm and according to his wife, Laura, they do not plan to sell out to any big corporation in order to maintain the “family” aspect of the farm. • photo by CALLIE HARRISON

estled into the Ozark Mountains in Eureka, Missouri, there is a place that provides people and families of all generations a place to escape, marvel at the beauty of nature and simply relax. This place is Brookdale Farms.

Senior Connor Jones began working at Brookdale Farms at the age of 11, and he views his time working there as a way to learn valuable lessons.

“I have to take care of a lot of animals and[other things], and it’s taught me how to be responsible for a lot of things and what happens when you don’t take care of it,” Jones said.

Jones typically spends his time at Brookdale helping wherever is needed.

“I’ll either be helping people with the pumpkins or helping at the petting zoo and showing [visitors] all the animals, or if someone gets lost in the corn maze, I’ll help them out,” he said.

Laura Kirk is Jones’ mother and the wife of the founder and owner of Brookdale Farms, Jerry Kirk.

“I honestly think [what brings people to Brookdale] is the natural beauty. You cannot create the landscape that is created around us,” Laura said.

She added, “It’s just beautiful here.

People love to be outside, they love to be in the country, so to speak, even though we’re in Eureka, Missouri, they still feel like they’re away from home.”

Brookdale Farms’ starting point was a horse and carriage business in downtown St. Louis that grew when Jerry needed a place for his horses to rest and relax.

“Formerly, it was just for the horses to hang out and be in the pasture, but then we realized how wonderful everything was out here, so we wanted to cultivate it into a public attraction.

That’s really what [Jerry] has worked on all these years,” Laura said.

Since then, Brookdale Farms has continued to expand with many attractions including everything from a pumpkin cannon to haunted paintball.

The Kirks consistently ensure there is a good amount of new attractions to interest their guests.

“We’re definitely satisfied [with Brookdale], but we’re never happy. Every year we expand, and we do feel that we owe it to our customers to continue to add on. Otherwise, they’re going to just get bored with the same old,” Laura said.

As a result, Brookdale is constantly expanding and creating new events in order to appeal to all ages; however, a few staple components have remained at the farm due to their popularity such as the pumpkin cannon, which shoots pumpkins across a field and into a lake, and the corn maze, although the maze’s pattern changes.

“There are so many different events that we do there. It’s a pretty place to go, and it feels like there’s a lot of different people there,” Jones said.

The Kirks prioritize the satisfaction of their customers in effort to maintain a friendly environment with the purpose of both entertainment and relaxation.

“I think as long as we don’t overbuild, people will come here. We have weddings and events every weekend, so people love to be out here. It’s almost like it brings them back to home or something. It just makes them feel relaxed and back with nature,” Laura said.

Brookdale is currently wrapping up their fall season which included a new event called Big Bounce America. This event took place every weekend from Oct. 4 to Oct. 13, and it welcomed 21,781 guests according to Brookdale’s Facebook page.

“It was crazy. Tons of people came out all day and bounced around, even older people, not all little kids. It took about three days to put up and three to take down, but it was awesome,” Jones said.

Although Brookdale Farms’ fall season activities are coming to a close, locals are still able to enjoy the farm’s fall activities until Nov. 3. For information on these events, head to Brookdale’s website or Facebook page.

• photo by AUDREY SAMPLES

20

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

Trending: Sustainable Straws ABBY STEBNER • Staff Reporter •

Plastic vs. Paper: Debate rages about which is better for environment

There are several opinions about whether paper or plastic straws are more environmentally friendly. Some may believe paper products are less resourceintensive to manufacture than plastic straws.

Paper products are usually recyclable, and meaning paper straws are recyclable.

However, most recycling facilities will not accept foodcontaminated paper products.

Since paper absorbs liquids, it may be the case that paper straws will not be recycled and will end up in a landfill.

Price

It costs half a cent to make a plastic straw and two and a half cents to make a paper straw.

Plastic

Americans use an estimated 390 million plastic straws each day.

That is estimated to kill about one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals each year. It also takes plastic straws about 200 years to decompose.

Reusable Straws: Metal, silicone offer better alternatives to plastic items Metal straws are one of the most environmentally friendly options when used correctly.

Buying a metal straw has the potential to decrease one’s ecological footprint.

They are also durable, so they can be used multiple times.

In 2017, a new straw called the Koffie Straw was released.

It is made from soft silicone that will consistently remain at room temperature.

These new straws are thin enough to fit through the slit of a hot coffee cup, flexible enough to fold up into any bag and strong enough to be cleaned in a dishwasher.

Silicone is long-lasting, but when the straw is worn out, it should be burned rather than thrown away.

The Koffie Straw will turn into 100 percent biodegradable ash, aiding in the reduction of waste.

What type of straws do LHS students use?

Information from: GetGreenNow.com National Geographic New York Magazine Rubicon Global

“I personally do not like paper straws because they leave a weird taste in my mouth. I would rather not use a straw at all because then I am not hurting turtles by using plastic, and I am not killing trees by using paper.”

Gracie Maurer • 10

Paper

It takes paper straws one to two months to decompose. The manufacturing of paper emits 80 percent more greenhouse gases. It also takes about 91 percent more energy to recycle a pound of paper than a pound of plastic.

Price

Metal straws cost about $2-3, and they can be used more than once. Therefore, these straws can end up paying for themselves.

Chemicals Metal straws are BPA free, resulting in fewer harmful chemicals in the product compared to plastic straws.

Metal/ Reusable 18.1%

Silicone 2.8%

Paper straws 3.7%

*216 students surveyed

Plastic straws 75.4%

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

Lifestyles

Does dating hurt GPA?

Study claims dating in high school could have negative impact on academic performance KENNEDY WILLHITE • Staff Reporter •

A study by Brigham Young University reported that students who are dating or in a relationship have, on average, a 0.34 lower grade point average (GPA) than students who are not in relationships.

Being in a relationship could have its effects on one’s social, academic and family life. However, it all depends on the way those in the relationship choose to handle its effects.

At Lafayette, there are a number of students who are currently in or have previously been in serious relationships.

Guidance counselor Sarah Hicks believes this type of serious dating can impact students’ school work and grade point average (GPA).

“It can either be a positive or a negative. If the person someone is dating is very studious, then it has its advantages.

Otherwise, the relationship may just be a distraction and keep students from doing their homework or studying for tests,” Hicks said.

After interviewing 15 students from various grade levels who are currently in long term relationships, over 60% agreed dating did have an impact on their school work, whether it was positive or negative.

Senior Marilyn Fogarty reminisces about her past relationship and how it negatively impacted her homework and overall grades.

“Dating made me less motivated to do my own work because I was helping him, and I was distracted. Then I would go home and finish mine, causing my homework time to be twice as long,” Fogarty said.

Fogarty, along with several other students, found themselves spending more time with their significant other rather than using that time to study or do school work.

That lost time for school work affects not only their GPA, but also the quality of the work completed.

Shadley James, senior, has been in a relationship for eight months and feels as if he has lost time meant for school work because of his relationship. However, he thinks the relationship has helped him learn to prioritize his work and manage his time wisely.

“It’s easy to just get side tracked with your relationship and want to hang out with them; however, staying focused on academics as well as your relationship is essential to being successful,’’ James said.

Additionally, dating can help students learn to better delegate their work and develop their time management skills in the future. Learning to manage one’s priorities can help prepare students for college and their future career.

Sophomore Drew Powell, who has also been in a relationship for eight months, has learned several lessons since getting in a relationship, all of which have positively impacted his work.

“Time management has been prioritized with a relationship because I plan accordingly to when I need to get school work done. When I’m finished with academics, I then allow myself to be able to hang out with my partner,” Powell said.

Powell, like other students in relationships, divides his time between his relationship and work which is beneficial in the long run.

Not only does it impact the completion of his work, but the quality improves.

“My completion and accuracy of my work done in school has risen as well. It’s mostly the motivation to see my significant other happy that I’m succeeding. It’s just the best feeling and gives me more motivation to keep doing well in school,” he said.

The study concluded the effect a relationship could possibly have on one’s school work depends on the person’s choices and how they spend their time and delegate between their responsibilities and their relationship.

• photo by JACK WEAVER

21

22

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

Pizza St. Louis Style

Edition TASTE TESTER DELANEY STULCE • Editor-in-Chief •

SOPHIA SCHELLER • Staff Reporter •

For this issue, two Image staffers tried four different St. Louis style pizzas topped with pepperoni from Faraci, Imo’s, Stefanina’s and Dogtown to find out which pizza took home the cheesy crown of the best St. Louis style pizza.

St. Louis didn’t know the word pizza until 1945, when Chicago native Amedeo Fiore opened an Italian restaurant in the basement of an apartment building. Two years later, Fiore imported an oven from Italy and created his own pizza recipe, which was the first to ever be created in St. Louis.

Sixteen years later, a couple opened the first pizza shop in St. Louis that delivered its pizzas. This was key to the increase in pizza’s popularity among young adults. With only a used oven, two refrigerators and a stove, Ed and Margie Imo went on to cement a St. Louis pizza legacy.

During the next 22 years of Imo’s pizza, the brand opened 30 locations around the St. Louis area and 34 years later, opened over 100 locations across St. Louis with franchises even branching into Illinois.

From a small basement to the hearts of St. Louis natives, St. Louis style pizza has remained a staple in the diets of many.

Here’s what the staffers thought.

Faraci

15430 Manchester Rd.

Imo’s

16447 Village Plaza View Dr.

13 minute drive from LHS

11 a.m.- 10 p.m.

14 minute drive from LHS

7/10

6/10

7/10

4/10

9/10

7/10

6/10

8/10

11 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Crust

Cheese

Sauce

Topping

Crust

Cheese

Sauce

Topping

$1.25 Per Inch

$1 Per Inch

The most noticeable factor of this pizza when taking the first bite is the creamy, strong flavor of the cheese.

The provel mixes perfectly with the slightly sweet sauce to create a smooth consistency. The crust, although slightly too floury, has a good balance between crunchiness and doughiness.

It’s a true St. Louis style pizza.

Imo’s is a classic example of St. Louis style pizza. The provel, their signature cheese, is creamy but not overwhelming. The pepperoni packs a punch with its intense and strong flavor.

Additionally, the crust is crunchy and sturdy. The only real complaint about this pizza is the overuse of sauce.

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

23

WE ASKED • YOU ANSWERED

What’s your go to pizza?

“I’ve eaten pizza since a young age. It has always been a reward for me at the end of a busy week. With that being said, I love Imo’s. I love the provel cheese and how it’s very unique.

The taste is exotic.”

Mitchell McCoy• 9

Stefanina’s

Dogtown

11 a.m.- 9 p.m.

11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.

8 minute drive from LHS

103 Chesterfield Towne Center

13 minute drive from LHS

Local grocery stores

4/10

3/10

3/10

4/10

7/10

2/10

6/10

5/10

Crust

Cheese

Sauce

Topping

$1 Per Inch In the grand scheme of St. Louis style pizzas, Stefanina’s is the most disappointing. The crust has no crunchiness and is overly floury. There isn’t enough sauce, leaving the pizza too dry. The pepperoni, despite the good flavor, is too thin and gets lost.

The cheese, however, is creamy and delicious.

Crust

Cheese

Sauce

Topping

$0.58 Per Inch Due to Dogtown pizza being frozen, it is lacking the quality in crust, sauce and pepperoni. Despite these issues, the cheese is stretchy and flavorful. If looking for a quick and inexpensive option, Dogtown is a decent choice.

“My favorite St. Louis style pizza is Imo’s because I like the flatness of it, and the cheese is good. It is also not as messy to eat as other St. Louis style pizzas.”

Seraphina Blackmon • 10 “Dewey’s Pizza always smacks. I’m actually lactose intolerant, but I will always eat Dewey’s. I am not fond of Imo’s provel cheese.”

Kari w • 12

24

Lifestyles

theimagemagazine Oct. 30, 2019

Not your average households

1

LHS families differ in dynamics, structures GRACE KIRTLEY • Lifestyles Editor •

Barnards thrive with big family “Wild, chaotic at times— most of the time—kinda a jumble of things,” freshman Elissa Barnard, one of six kids, said.

The Barnard family consists of six children, all in the span of seven years; the two oldest—Kate, junior, and Elissa—speak highly of their family dynamic, and said they wouldn’t change it if they could.

“I think it’s funny, almost. I have so much of a different dynamic with my family. We are constantly joking around, and the chaotic vibe feeds into our relationship,” Kate said.

The sense of humor that dominates the Barnard household consists of “fart jokes,” including making the noises in public and grading reactions from random bystanders.

“My mom brought all of us to the Botanical Garden,” Elissa said. “I was the person

to blow the arm farts, and my siblings watched [people’s] reactions, and it’s literally what we did the whole time because we didn’t want to be there. It was a fun day.”

Although each sibling has mastered fart sounds to contribute to the fun, Kate proclaims she has become the best of them all, yet she forgets not everyone finds the noises comical.

While the siblings share the same sense of humor, their personalities vary, and it causes different issues for each family member.

“With the different siblings, there’s different things that come out,” Elissa said.

She added, “With Kate, we’re both super stubborn, and we both have to have the last word. Natalie is a lot different than me. I have different relationships with each of my siblings.”

Each sibling has to understand the needs of one another, so when their parents can’t help one of the children, another sibling can step in.

“Splitting our parent’s attention is tough. There’s so many kids, so it’s hard for [our parents]. Sometimes it may feel like you’re on the

backburner, and you don’t get as much attention,” Kate said.

Despite the varying levels of attention, Elissa believes she has matured due to the amount of siblings she has.

“When I was younger, I used to be very temperamental and act on my feelings. If I was mad at anyone, I would act on it. Now I’ve learned to keep it together and process.

I’ve learned to control my emotions so that we avoid both of our anger rising,” Elissa said.

Kate has also experienced personal growth thanks to her siblings.

“I’ve grown to appreciate them more as I’ve gotten older. When I was younger, I was always jealous and annoyed, but I’ve learned to cherish them—it’s cheesy,” Kate said.

Both Kate and Elissa speak highly about having five siblings, and they want to provide the same benefits for their families in the future. “[My favorite part of my big family is] the camaraderie. We all have the same experiences and memories, which many people don’t understand, because they don’t understand all the struggles

and the fun things that come with a big family,” Kate said.

Berrys find meaning in unconventional family “I find it so interesting,” Sydney Berry, junior, said. “I don’t talk about it a lot, but sometimes I’ll sit in bed and think of where I would be right now if I was not adopted.

I think it’s just cool to give a kid that opportunity.”

Sydney was adopted from Ethiopia in 2006 by the Berry family. Now the family of six children is thankful for the opportunity to have an adopted family member.

Charlie Berry, freshman, said, “It’s a cool experience that a lot of people don’t get to have, but I’m glad I’ve experienced it.”

Sydney and Charlie were around the same age when Sydney was brought into the family, resulting in their early friendship.

“Charlie and I were pretty close in age, and we kind of learned how to speak English

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

25

2 1 • Sisters KATE BARNARD (11) and ELISSA BARNARD (9) are the oldest of six children. 2 • NICK (12), SYDNEY (11) and CHARLIE BERRY (9) enjoy being in a large family. “There’s a lot of joy in the house,” Charlie said. 3 • AUDREY SAMPLES (12) has no siblings, however, she would like to have many children of her own in the future. • photos by JACK WEAVER

together; he was my best friend,” Sydney said.

That relationship has continued, and Charlie believes Sydney’s adoption hasn’t changed their family dynamic.

“It’s no different than having a regular sibling,” he said. “I think of her the same, and I love her the same as any sister, not my adopted sister.”

In 2011, the Berry’s parents got divorced, and the family later expanded to include two half siblings: Ella and Nate.

However, Sydney and Charlie found their experience with the changing family wasn’t all negative.

“At the time, it was odd. I didn’t really know what divorce was, and our parents tried to explain it to us,” Sydney said. “It does kind of suck that I see my parents half of the time, and I know it sucks for them. We have two Christmases, two birthdays, so it’s not all that bad.”

Charlie faces obstacles with living in two different homes, especially with a busy high school schedule.

“It’s crazy to manage going back and forth between houses and making sure you

have everything,” Charlie said. “That’s really the only difference that I’ve noticed.

Life works the same otherwise.”

Charlie and Sydney both enjoy being older siblings to 4-year-old Ella and 2-year-old Nate.

“I love [having younger siblings]. They are just so cute, and I love being able to see them grow up. It’s loud, and when having friends over past 8 p.m., you have to be really quiet because you can’t wake them up,” Sydney said.

Charlie believes he spends more time with his family compared to his friends, yet he enjoys the family time.

“There’s more people around, so even if some people are gone, you are still with your family. We got a new deck, and at night we like to hang out, and Ella and Nate will play out there, and we talk,” Charlie said.

Sydney said she enjoys having a large family due to the amount of people who encourage her.

“I have such a good support system,” Sydney said. “I’m so used to having a big family and big holidays. It would be different to have less.”

3

Samples enjoys only-child life “The question usually is, ‘Is that boring?’”

Audrey Samples, senior, is an only child, and she loves it, despite a few setbacks.

“I really like [being an only child]. Sometimes it’s boring because there’s no one really to talk to, but I like my alone time, so it’s okay,” she said. “I think it’s weird: the thought of someone having a sibling and having someone my age living in my house.”

According to the Seattle Times, 47% of families are only-child households.

Samples attributes her onlychild family to her parents’ abilities to split their time.

“I don’t think [my parents] could function if I had siblings.

They dedicate so much time and energy [to me], so I don’t know if they would know how to split up the time,” Samples said.

An obstacle that is often found in large families isn’t tough for the Samples: attention.

“I feel like I’m a lot closer

with my parents than my friends are because there’s no favorite kid. It’s just me,” Samples said. “I have to spend all the family time with them.

There’s no other kids to split the time.”

Although Samples enjoys being an only child, she said she wishes she had an older sibling to act as a mentor and hopes to provide that for her children in the future.

“I want to have four kids. I love the big family dynamic, I love when siblings can take care of and look out for each other,” Samples said. “I would want to have an older sibling to teach me things, and I would want my kids to have that for them.”

Samples often finds stereotypes of self-centered only children to be offensive.

But ultimately, being an only child has been a positive experience for Samples, and she’s glad her family is this way.

“It’s fun because you don’t have someone to beat you up, it’s nice because you don’t have to steal your sister’s clothes—you have your own.

No one steals your stuff, and no one pesters you,” she said.

26

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

KAYLA CARPENTER • Editor-in-Chief •

One of a Kind

Wolfram Syndrome affects about 15,000 people worldwide. Freshman RAQUEL GEBEL was diagnosed with the rare disease in 2010, and she has learned to stay optimistic about her symptoms including diabetes, vision, olfactory and auditory loss.

• photo by SHANNON WORLEY

Gebel conquers challenges with rare disease

“If you’re more than three feet in front of me, I couldn’t tell it’s you. It just gets really small. I have to figure out how many carbohydrates I had after I eat, and then I do a shot. It’s affected my bladder.

I can’t pee on my own. I have to do a catheter every time I go to the bathroom.

It may have affected my hearing a teeny bit but not much. It’s affected my smelling a little bit. I can only smell really good smells which is a good thing.

It hasn’t really affected my taste, but it could eventually,” Raquel Gebel, freshman, said. “This is my normal.”

Raquel is one of 15,000 to 30,000 patients worldwide who suffers from a rare genetic disease called Wolfram Syndrome (WS).

Symptoms include insulin-dependent diabetes, visual and auditory impairments, psychological and behavioral issues, urinary complications, balance problems, seizures, muscle spasms and irregular breathing. The life expectancy for a WS patient is around 30 years.

She tested positive for the disease when she was five years old after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and optic atrophy within a span of six months.

“The diagnosis of WS really impacted our entire family because this disease is insidious and to know that you have to watch your child deteriorate in front of your eyes and [knowing that they] may not make it beyond the age of 30, well there are no words to describe this,” Stephanie Gebel, Raquel’s mother, said.

Dr. Fumihiko Urano is a researcher in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipid Research at Washington University.

He is focused on finding a cure and developing personalized medicine for genetic forms of diabetes, including WS.

theimagemagazine

Lifestyles

Oct. 30, 2019

“There are no treatments that slow or stop the devastating deterioration associated with WS,” Urano said. “The root cause of the disease is gene mutation. Thus, we need to develop gene therapy to provide a cure, which is not straightforward. We need to work with multiple specialists to manage medical conditions of patients with WS which is challenging.”

Despite the lack of treatments and prognosis of WS, Raquel tries to live a life similar to that of her peers.

“Raquel soldiers on in most other areas that have affected her, but the vision loss has been difficult. Our family takes it one day at a time,” Stephanie said. “Her goal was to attend high school just like her sisters. Her dad and I want her to experience as much as she can.”

Although Raquel has not completely lost her sight, she is legally blind. For the first weeks of the school year, she used her cane to navigate the building; however, Raquel has developed tactics to find her way around the crowded, narrow hallways on her own.

“I try to find marking spots. I can’t see the numbers above the doors, so I have to remember there’s the soda machine [near the classroom]. I have to remember if the classroom is this hall or the next one, and then I have to guess. It was hard the first few weeks, but now I’m more used to it. Every once in a while, I go in the wrong halls but not as much now,” Raquel said.

Once locating her classroom, Raquel struggles seeing her work, but she has several tools to help her with these challenges including a vision machine that enlarges the words on her paper and a magnifier on her insulin pump.

“This disease has made Raquel more dependent. She is tiny in stature, so she appears younger and her lack of vision has kept her from enjoying most sports and social activities, but she is beyond mature and has dealt with unbelievable situations that most adults haven’t even dealt with,” Stephanie said.

Raquel’s vision also impacts her social life since she can’t locate her friends from across the Commons or hallways.

“I guess WS really does suck living with.

I don’t really make much friends because sometimes I’ll see one person, and then I’ll see her again the next day, but I won’t know it’s her because I can’t really see her. I have to remember voice, but it’s very hard,” Raquel said. “I want people to just be aware that people are struggling and going through stuff, and they need to look outside of their box and talk to people who are quiet because they might

want to talk to someone, but they don’t know how to because they can’t see them.”

Raquel’s sister, senior Lauren Gebel, has watched her sister’s WS progress and deprive her of opportunities and experiences over the past nine years.

“She shows me every day how brave she is with everything she overcomes,” Lauren said.

After Raquel was diagnosed in 2010, Stephanie created the Snow Foundation.

Since its founding, it has become the largest supporter of WS research in the world. It provides information, resources and support to those impacted by WS. “The Snow Foundation is a voice for rare disease. It started in honor of a little girl, but it has turned into a beacon of light for all those who suffer around the world,” Stephanie said. “We may not find a cure in time for Raquel, but as Raquel has always said, if it helps someone not have to go through what I have gone through, then this is all worth it.”

Through the Snow Foundation, Raquel has attended various events and met several WS patients many of whom have further progressed WS than Raquel.

“If I had to say something good out of all of this, meeting all the different people, but what scares me the most is everything that could happen, but I hope won’t,” Raquel said. “I really hope we get a cure sooner rather than later, but the sad thing is that we need money to do it. A lot of people think that just because it’s a rare disease that they shouldn’t give money which sucks because it does impact a lot of people, but they don’t think it’s that much because it’s rare.”

Through the past 10 years, the Gebels have prepared for the future by doing all they can for both Raquel and WS, but they have also learned to live in the present since they know that is their only guarantee.

“We do not know when Raquel will lose her vision or her life. We focus on the now,” Stephanie said. “Our goal is to raise the necessary funding to find a drug therapy for this disease. We pray in hopes this drug therapy will be found in time for our daughter and others who suffer from WS.” Although WS is a part of Raquel, she doesn’t let it define her. Raquel enjoys being outside, riding horses and driving motorcycles on her family’s lake property.

She approaches these activities the same way she approaches her life with WS. Raquel said, “If something comes up, I’ll just know if I run into it. It’s okay because I wear a helmet.”

27

28

Ads

theimagemagazine Sept. 25, 2019

SHRIJI TRAVEL, TOURS, & CRUISES Specialize In Discounted Airfare Europe * Africa * Asia * South America * Australia

All Inclusive Vacations & Cruises Mexico * Caribbean * Hawaii * Alaska * Europe

WILsquare is pleased to support the LHS Image.

150 Weldon Parkway, Suite 109, Maryland Heights, MO 63043

PHONE (314) 423 - 5900

Have A Safe Halloween Lancers!

Take the 2020 Legend Yearbook Poll & Have Your Opinion Be Part Of Our Coverage!

theimagemagazine Sept. 25, 2019

Not over ‘til it’s over Spikeball gains popularity around LHS community

• SPORTS •

29

Hitting the ball onto the Spikeball net, senior MASON HEWLETT attempts to earn a point. Along with Hewlett, seniors TY STAUSS and DYLAN STOVALL regularly compete in the backyard sport.

• photo by RACHEL BROWN

VIJAY VISWANATHAN • Staff Reporter •

“[My favorite part of Spikeball is] being with friends and the opportunity to socialize, as well as being able to play competitively with my friends. We kind of like to have bragging rights,” senior Mason Hewlett said.

Hewlett was introduced to Spikeball three years ago, and he has continued to play it since.

Spikeball Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Ruder said about four million people play Spikeball via the Spikeball Roundnet Association which is the U.S. governing body for Spikeball.

Hewlett is currently attempting to get a Lafayette Spikeball Club started.

“We have a couple of sponsors that are willing to split times, and hopefully that will work out,” Hewlett said.

Hewlett plays Spikeball with a group of seniors that includes Max Fruscella and Connor Jaggie.

“During the summer, we came up [to Lafayette] probably every other day,” Fruscella said. “Most weekends we will tend to play with each other. We bring it

most places we go to, like if we go out of town together, then we bring a [Spikeball set].”

Spikeball can be played in any wide-open space. The equipment for Spikeball is also minimal and easy to transport. While Spikeball is not played during Physical Education classes such as Lifetime and Recreational Sports at Lafayette, it is played at the Rockwood elementary school level. In Dallas, Texas and Buffalo, New York, however, Spikeball is played at the high school level.

Despite the sport not being included in Missouri’s Physical Education curriculum, there are people who want Spikeball to be included in the Lifetime and Recreational Sports curriculum.

“I think people would like it. It’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it, so it’s something everyone can do,” Jaggie said.

Currently, Spikeball is not very popular in the United States, but that is what makes it enjoyable for some people to play.

“It’s really fun. It’s a lot different than most sports we play just because it’s not like any other sports,” Jaggie said.

Hewlett does not play Spikeball

competitively, but he and his friends do play in their own tournaments.

“We really do get into it. We have tournaments to see who’s better, and sometimes we put money down,” Fruscella said.

On Oct. 5, Spikeball Inc. held the 2019 Spikeball National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia. There is also going to be the first-ever Spikeball World Championship in Belgium in 2020.

Another good sign for Spikeball is that its popularity is growing in the country.

“It’s a sport where you aren’t standing around that much, and you’re always active and engaged, so more people should play Spikeball,” Hewlett said.

Spikeball is played competitively through the Spikeball Roundnet Association “I think a [Spikeball Roundnet] tournament would be a good experience.

I think we have the potential to [go to a tournament],” Hewlett said.

Spikeball Inc. holds tours at colleges around the United States, the most recent was at the University of Maryland. The closest tour to Lafayette is on Nov. 9 at Ricci Fields in Notre Dame, Indiana.

Other Top-Selling Outdoor Sports Games Kan Jam

In Kan Jam, the goal of the game is to get a frisbee through the slot of one of the cans. $38 on Amazon

Flickin’ Chicken

In Flickin’ Chicken, the goal of the game is to get a rubber chicken onto a target with the least amount of throws. $13 on Amazon

Ladder Toss

In Ladder Toss, the goal of the game is to get exactly 21 points by throwing golf balls tied together onto a ladder rung. $35 on Amazon

Corn Hole

In Corn Hole, the goal of the game is to get more points than your opponent by tossing a bean bag into a hole. $38 on Amazon

30

theimagemagazine

Sports

Oct. 30, 2019

A Triple Threat

• photo by AUDREY AGNEW

MORGAN VEHIGE • Sports Editor •

Playing one sport during the school year is hard enough. During the season, schoolwork piles up along with the many practices and club meetings. For some athletes, the end of the season is a relief.

But for others, when one season ends, another begins.

There’s been a decrease in three-sport athletes over the years. Activities Director Jon Sumner attributes it to the growing intensity of year-round club sports.

“The clubs are drawing kids in to be involved more year-round than they ever have been,” Sumner said.

But there are still benefits to being a three-sport athlete.

“It has a lot of value because when kids are competing, they’re getting better at everything. It teaches them how to be a good teammate, a good person, how to work harder and how to handle adversity in different ways,” Sumner said.

A lot of work goes into playing a sport and managing the academic workload.

On top of athletics and academics are extracurricular activities and jobs. It takes certain skills to keep up with all that

Chester’s schedule includes academic challenges, leadership, three sports seasons needs to be done.

“You have to have a strong drive and work ethic,” Sumner said. “It takes a lot of grit in a person to be committed to doing something every season of the year while also maintaining good academic standing.”

Senior Madison Chester is a threesport athlete. During the year, Chester plays softball in the fall, basketball in the winter and throws javelin in the spring.

Her determination and love for the sports drive Chester to be the best athlete she can be.

“I’m really competitive,” Chester said. “I love the competition. I love the people I meet. I love the friends I make and the relationships I make with my coaches.”

Chester not only plays three sports, but she participates in Key Club and Lancers Helping Lancers. She is also on the Executive Board of National Honor Society.

To Chester, time management isn’t the key–it’s using her time wisely. In her freshman year, she struggled with time management and thought she needed to go and be at everything, she said. But in her junior year, she realized it’s important to prioritize what’s making you happy.

“Of course it’s hard,” Chester said. “But to me, it’s worth it. It’s worth the late nights and the homework that it builds up because it is so much fun.”

In her final year as a Lancer, Chester said she has learned the essence of what makes teams at Lafayette so great: her coaches and her teammates.

With her coaches, she said she knows she always has someone in the building she can trust and talk to. When she’s at practice with her teammates, she can always bet on them to turn her bad days around.

“In my previous years,” she said, “I placed an emphasis on stats and playing time. But now more than ever, I have begun to value my time with teammates and coaches.”

The future is bright for Chester, but she wishes to leave behind an important legacy as a leader. More than anything, she said she hopes her teammates and coaches understand the camaraderie and team chemistry she experienced.

“I hope I helped create that environment on the teams I’ve been part of,” Chester said. “I hope future Lancers experience these teams as a true family that I was blessed enough to be a part of.”

theimagemagazine

Sports

Oct. 30, 2019

31

3

1

2

1. In a game against Parkway South, senior MADISON CHESTER eyes the pitcher as she takes her turn at bat for the Lancers.• photo

by KAYLA CARPENTER 2. CHESTER looks down court to pass the ball to her teammates in a game against Timberland. • photo by CALLIE HARRISON 3. CHESTER poses with Coach BRIAN GROTE and teammate KATIE BOLLINGER. • photo courtesy of BRIAN GROTE

Chester hits field, court, track to excel in three sports a year for Lancers

Softball

Basketball

Track

Starting on varsity her freshman year, Chester is a veteran in the Lancer softball program.

As one of the seniors on the team and one of the key players on the infield, Chester leads the team with confidence.

“As a senior, I think I really have a voice in implementing plays I think are helpful or strategic. I also give pre-game speeches to the team and help make the little decisions, like choosing uniforms,” Chester said.

Not only do her words and leadership earn her a spot on the field, her excellence on the field does as well. In 2018, Chester had a batting average of .315, reached first base in over a third of her at bats and had 23 hits.

Coach Ashley Lewis has been with Chester for four years and has noted the product of the work she puts out on the field.

“Madison has had a huge influence on the team throughout the season,” Lewis said. “She sets the bar high on and off the field and expects a lot of her teammates, and they, in turn, expect a lot of her.”

Not only has Chester improved her skills throughout her softball career, she still continues to grow as a leader.

“To say that I am proud of Madison and all that she has accomplished is a complete understatement,” Lewis said. “But what I am most proud of is the amazing young woman she has become over the last four years and that is what is most important.”

Chester has played varsity basketball since her freshman year; however, she had to work hard both on and off the court to prove herself as a true member of the team.

She didn’t start in every game and sometimes only played for half the time.

“In my freshman and sophomore year, I really brought a lot of energy to the team,” Chester said. “I tried to be the best cheerleader I could be.”

In her junior season, Chester stepped into a more on-the-court role. She was one of the leading scorers and led the team in three-point and free-throw percentages with 261 points all season.

“It was a lot different [than freshman and sophomore year], but I loved it,” Chester said. “I loved spending the time on the court because it not only improved my skills but helped me develop relationships with my coaches and my teammates.”

Coach Denise Meyer has been with the basketball program for three years and has seen Chester’s energy every day.

“Having her on the team is very comforting; it makes my job easier as a coach,” Meyer said. “She not only leads with a voice that is confident and calm, but just to have someone show up and be enthusiastic about the game every single day and not want to take a day off a practice because she loves it so much helps the rest of the team follow that lead and just do the right things and enjoy the time they have together.”

While Chester played softball and basketball freshman year, she only started throwing javelin her junior year.

Assistant track Coach Brian Grote initially got Chester interested.

“Grote kind of roped me into it,” Chester said. “He said it would be fun, and I trust him, so I said ‘why not?’”

In her first year, Chester stepped into a role on the team that needed filling.

Despite there being two spots for javelin throwers at each varsity meet, only one was filled by junior Katie Bollinger.

“I worked really hard to get up to the varsity level as quick as I could and compete with Katie,” Chester said. “She was an amazing teammate who helped me step into a sport I never played.”

Chester worked closely with Grote to improve her skills throughout the season.

“Madison is a great competitor and student of the sport,” Grote said. “She uses her ability to break down complex movements into simpler ones in order to perfect them. Her work ethic helped her improve vastly over the season and make it to State.”

Making it to the State Meet in her first year was no easy feat. Chester attributes her success to both her coach and teammate.

“I just listened to the feedback they gave, and we ended up going to State,” Chester said. “It was amazing because in my first year, I was able to do something some people never get to do, and it was one of my best experiences ever.”