Liberty Ledger - Issue 2 - December 15, 2017 by The Ledger Magazine

Vol 5 Issue 2

Liberty Ledger December 17, 2017

Seeing Yourself

As Art

Content

News

A Great Opportunity Students attend Lewis and Clark to prepare for their future occupations.

Liberty’s Got Talent Liberty prepares to host it’s first ever talent show.

In-Depth

The Journey to Self Love Students bring awareness to the importance of loving and accepting yourself.

Features

Oops You’ve Burned the Turkey A much needed survival guide so that you can make it through the holidays.

Features

Entertainment

Doing Big Things Senior Claire Roberts starts her very own non-profit organization.

Locked Up Reporter Max Fensterman investigates why students prefer to not use a locker.

Sports

Breaking the Boundaries Take a peak at Liberty’s successful winter sports season.

Placing at State Varsity cheerleading takes third at state competition

Content l lhstoday.org design by: e. bobbitt

LIBERTY LEDGER Volume 5 Issue 2

Editors-in-Chief Olivia Holler* Chasteanne Salvosa* Online Editor Sarah Martin* Reporters Alyssa Bailey, Maddie Baker, McKenzie Bartels, Emma Bobbitt, Max Fensterman, KaMera Harper, Jessica Gibson, Alisha Grant, Emma Hankins, Gibson Mitchell, Melana Quarles *Each editor also serves as a reporter

Intentions

The Liberty Ledger is a publication that releases 4-5 issues throughout the year, distributing 1,000 free copies to the student body, faculty and administration of Liberty High School as well as the surrounding Wentzville and Lake St. Louis communities.

The Ledger magazine is a part of the district’s curriculum and is designed to provide a practical journalistic experience for written expression on a variety of topics. It is a student-led publication class that reports on stories relatable to the school community. Students write, take photos and design the publication and the adviser will supervise the student journalists. The opinions expressed in this magazine may not be those of Liberty, nor the Wentzville R-IV School District, faculty, staff or administration. The main editorial, when included, expresses the opinion of the Liberty editorial staff.

Reacting

Letters to all editors can be submitted in room 239, emailed or mailed to Liberty. All letters must be signed. Limit letters you wish to be published to 250 words. Letters may be edited for space requirements and libelous material to the discretion of the editors. If you have a news story idea or comment, please contact us in room 239.

Credentials

The Liberty Ledger is a member of the Sponsors of Student Publications of Greater St. Louis.

Advertising

To further facilitate the space available for student writing, advertising will not be offered in the Liberty Ledger.

Dear LHS, As we close out our first semester, we wanted to spread positivity in a time that is stressful and worrisome. Students can tend to lose themselves in finals season in grades, assignments, projects and exams and we often to forget to show ourselves a little self love in this season, which is why we decided to incorporate this message of acceptance and appreciation within this issue. But not only did we include this powerful message into this issue, but like always, we have brought the latest news, features and sports to the student body. The publications staff would also like to remind you to visit lhstoday.org, where we post stories focused on Liberty’s very own students and staff. We always aim to be the student’s number one choice in school news and hope you enjoy the latest issue of the Liberty Ledger. Your Liberty Ledger Staff

A map of where the new highly anticipated entrance and exit will be. The road will have one entrance and exit into the Liberty fields parking lot.

A Road To Safer Driving

provided by Liberty High School

Liberty welcomes the new road addition

By Jessica Gibson Reporter

A plan that has been on hold for five years is finally taking action. The city will be connecting Paul Renaud Blvd. - a road located near Liberty and in Countryshire - to Sommers Road. Not only will the road be an extra entrance and exit for Countryshire, but also a way to help traffic at Liberty. A date hasn’t been set for the beginning of the road construction, but the anticipated finish date is either late 2018 or early 2019. When the school was being built, the road was in the plans of being built, but never was. “The city is building this, not the school district. So it’s not our road,” principal Nelson said. “It’s basically like an easement, like the ones in front of most people’s houses. The city is able to do whatever they would like in that area.” The school has been pushing the city for the finishing of Paul Renaud Blvd. It will be an improvement for the better for Liberty students

and staff. Over the summer, it was decided that the road will be finished. The road will have one entrance and exit into the Liberty fields parking lot. It will have a major impact on the traffic situations during after school events like football, baseball, softball, soccer and tennis games, along with track and cross country meets. “Leaving football games are always a pain,” assistant principal Dr. Kiely said. “Even I park at the school parking lot and walk to the football fields just because it’s easier to leave afterwards.” Also before school, students who live in Countryshire will have a faster and safer way into the school’s parking lot. “I’m really happy because I can wake up a little later in the morning and have a easier way to school,” junior Claudia Wallace said. “I think it will really help because coming out of my neighborhood in the morning is always a

cluster.” Not only will the road open an easier way to leave the field parking lots, but it will also make it easier and safer to enter and exit the main parking lot in front of the school for others. Buses will be directed to enter through Paul Renaud Blvd. and exit the school through the same route. This means they won’t be turning into where students, teachers and parents are entering and leaving. The buses will have their own path to the bus drop off and pick up areas. In more recent matters, the school has also recently opened the back parking lot to students. Students are now able to park behind the school once the front parking lot is full. If a student parks behind the school and is late, students are still required to walk around to the front of the school to check in.

What Do the Students Think?

“I don’t really go in that part of the neighborhood but I guess it’s helpful.” Skylar Pinz (12)

“I think it will help speed up traffic.” Nick McGuire (10)

By Emma Bobbitt Reporter

“I think it will be helpful and reduce traffic.” Lilly Lankford (11)

“I’m really excited. It’s going to make getting to school so much easier.” Mikayla Nilges (11) News l lhstoday.org design by: e. bobbitt

“The people I work with are great and the teachers are really nice.” -Quentin Sims (11)

“It’s a great experience. You make like a solid great 15 to 16 friends.” -Molly Smart (12)

“I like it a lot. The barbecue pits were fun to make.” -Shawn Lammert (11)

News l lhstoday.org design by: j. gibson

A Great Opportunity

ig opportunities don’t come around all the time. The Lewis and Clark Career Center could be the start for many students careers. This program offers students a variety of different programs for different job interests including advanced manufacturing, construction trade, automotives and mechanical technology, education and training, informational technology, health science and hospitality to name Liberty students take part in the a few. Wentzville students are able to attend the Lewis and Lewis and Clark programs Clark programs during school from 11:10 a.m. to 1:55 by Jessica Gibson Reporter p.m. Students from the Wentzville School District will attend their first three classes throughout the school day, then transportation is provided, and will drive students from all three high schools to the career center. The Lewis and Clark programs are offered to all St. Charles County schools. “This program does not lean towards any one group,” Ms. Wootten said. “Students that attend Lewis and Clark can go to college, attend another technical type school, join the military or go straight into work.” The enrollment process has multiple steps. Students must fill out an application first. You can receive one from the guidance office. A student must also be a junior or senior in high school. The Lewis and Clark program looks at a student’s current grades, attendance, behaviors and credits. There is also an oasis test all students applying for the program must take. This is a general altitude test that determines which programs would be best for you. There is only a certain amount of spots per program per school. Most programs will accept two to provided by Lewis and Clark three students per school. Each class will range between Above: Austin Leavitt installs a new operating system in computer maintenance and networking. 12-18 students. Below: Zach Shank works a lathe in the machine shop in the precision “If we have spots and people qualify, then we will manufacturing program. provided by Lewis and Clark accept as many as we can,” Dr. Andrew Stewart, director of the Lewis and Clark Career Center said. “ Probably about 35-40 kids from Liberty.” The Lewis and Clark Career Center is the only of it’s kind in St. Charles. It is the smallest public high school in the St. Charles area and has an average of 200 students per year. Students can earn a certificate in their program and three credits per year, up to six credits. Wentzville schools weigh ½ credits per year for transportation. There are also dual credit option among the programs. The school district pays for training and transportation costs. There were 76 Liberty students who signed up for the Lewis and Clark meeting on October 19. “I am thinking about going into early childhood,” sophomore Julia Bailey said. “ I want to be a preschool teacher and the programs they have sound fun.” Students who didn’t go to the Lewis and Clark meeting and are considering applying for a spot in one of their programs should look at the Lewis and Clark website (lewisclarkcc.org) for more detail. You can talk to Ms. Wootten in the guidance office for applications and more qualifying information. The Lewis and Clark Career Center is a great opportunity for students to shadow and have hands on experiences with a certain career path. Not only does it look great on college applications, but it’s also great experience to have in your high school career.

lark

Making it Happen

Going

Backstage

Liberty’s drama students performed their fall play in the long-awaited auditorium by Emma Bobbitt Reporter The moment thespians had been anticipating said, who is a three-year drama club member. “We finally happened. The students had been working have all become a big family and I am so excited for non-stop every day after school to prepare for and everyone to see our amazing finished product. Out perfect the fall play. of all the productions we have done so far, I am This year they performed three one acts in a most excited for this one.” show called A Night of Comedy from Nov. 16thThe play consisted of many wacky characters 18th. and a hilarious monologue that had the audience After four years of performing on a makeshift laughing until their stomachs ached. However, the stage in the cafeteria. The thespians finally got play would be nothing without the hard work that to perform on the director, Liberty’s very own Mrs. Willis, has stage in the brand put into this new auditorium. production. “We’ve been “Mrs. Willis anticipating this has done such moment for so an amazing job long,” junior with directing Christian Tebeau and putting the said. “We are play together,” so blessed and junior Braden excited to be McMakin said. performing on “She has such our very own an amazing stage. It’s such a passion for what humbling feeling she does and it to see how much definitely does this program has not go overphoto by s. downs grown in just a looked. We all Junior Christian Tebeau and senior Alyssa Fay run through their lines for Act I of few years.” really hope to the play “Avoiding the Pitfalls of High School Dating”. Tebeau plays Lucky and Fay plays Starry. They are promoting their fail-proof dating system. Although it make her proud, wasn’t the first proshe has worked duction held on the stage, it was still such a huge so hard and put so much time and energy into this step into the future of Liberty’s growing theater production, she truly deserves the best. We could program. not do it without her.” “The best part is working with such amazing The play was a wonderful display of hard work and talented people,” junior Paxton Linnemeyer and talent and succeeded expectations.

photo by a. grant Members of the cast and crew, freshman Zach Pinkham, sophomore Nash Gilbo and sophomore Audrie Helms help set up for the third show “Going to School.”

photo by j. arnold Mr. Eversole, senior Sara Merz, and district employee Zach Cheatham helped in the sound booth preparing for the shows. They controlled the mics, lighting and sound effects.

photo by j. arnold Junior Cameron Jones and sophomore Lindsay Grant help senior Nicole Thompson get ready for her show. Thompson played Nick’s grandma in the third show “Going to School” and had her hair sprayed gray to look older.

photo by j. arnold Senior Alyssa Fay, junior Paxton Linnemeyer, senior Abby Hankins, junior Christian Tebeau, and junior Braden McMakin warm up before dress rehearsals. The cast had a “shake down” before every practice. photo by z. miller During her scene in “13 Ways to Screw Up Your Colleg Interview”, senior Julia Wolz acts out her character Lily’s experience at a swimming pool.

photo by m. arnone Senior Maddie Foeller’s character threatens freshman Joey Powers character Lenny for repeatedly calling her pretty in “Avoiding the Pitfalls of High School Dating”.

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A Performance for All to See

by Alyssa Bailey Reporter

Hard work and enthusiasm makes for a great group of students, especially students who are putting on a play based off a book, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, which was performed on Tuesday, Oct. 24th and Wednesday, Oct. 25th during second hour in the auditorium. The production is about an old woman who travels into a wooded path near her cottage and as she is walking, she hears different sounds that could potentially come out and scare her. Alex Rozanc has spent much of his time rehearsing for his parts in the play and he’s happy to be a part of the making. “We have spent about four to five weeks working on the play and I’m nervous but I get a little excited,” Rozanc said. Similarly, sophomore Tyler Jansen talks about his experience with the play and how he feels about performing it the day of. “I’m nervous to perform but I am a little excited, too. I’m excited for my mom to see it,” Jansen said. Despite the minimal nervousness, the students were all excited with how the production developed from all of their hard work over the past month. Jake Houston looked forward to having both of his parents proudly watching. “I’m just excited about the play,” Houston said. “My mom and dad are going to come and watch it.” It’s been a great involvement for all of the students and they are proud to know that their hard work helped build the making of this theatrical production.

Liberty’s Got Talent by Alisha Grant Reporter

Liberty has lots of skilled students and now they finally have a way to showcase their talents. This winter on Jan. 20, Key Club is hosting the school’s first ever talent show to help fundraise for their service projects. Key Club cabinet members senior Danielle Kunz and sophomore Annette Oliphant are in charge of planning the project. Auditions were held on Thursday, Nov. 30 and Friday, Dec. 1 in the auditorium right after school. The talent show is meant to replace the My School Color Run as the club’s main fundraiser for the year. “Anyone is open to audition. Hopefully a lot of different people will come in and we’ll have a variety of acts,” Oliphant said. There will be dress rehearsals leading up to the talent show. It is required that those participating attend two of them with a mandatory dress rehearsal on Jan. 18th. The show will be in the auditorium after school at 7 p.m. The talent show will be a competition with category-based awards like funniest act and most original and teachers will be the judges. “I’m super excited to be a part of Liberty’s first annual talent show,” Kunz said. “I think it will be an opportunity for Liberty students to become closer to one another and become part of a community. You get to see a different side of someone that you don’t get to see in school.” Any act is acceptable as long as it is school appropriate. So, break out your ukulele or tap shoes and audition for the talent show.

Seniors (from left to right) Austin McClanahan, Rayche Paguntalan and Heather McClanahan collaborate for their audition.

photos by l.spakowski

photos by LHS Publications Participants include; freshmen Jake Walker, Callyiah Bell, Amber O’Donnell, Jake Houston and Ben Kahrhoff, sophomores Connor McNiff, Tyler Jansen, Anna Benne, Caileb Cronin, Thomas Wiggins and juniors Alex Rozanc, Mike Halter and Carter Hayden.

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Above: Senior and Key Club president, Maya Schnable, ensures auditions run smoothly. Left: Junior Cameron Jones holds the translations for junior Mikayla Bowman’s sign language act. Beside: Sophomore Julia Deters prepares for her audition outside the auditorium.

A Homecoming to Remember Students and teachers rave about what they say is the best homecoming yet

by Chasteanne Salvosa Co-Editor-in-Chief

umors that Liberty has lost its spirit spark were disproved with the return of homecoming season this past October. Liberty not only kicked off A Night in Paradise with a high note, but ended on one as well, with a pep assembly that was hard to forget and a dance to remember. Spirit week consisted of a Beach Bum, Tie Dye, Wacky Color Wars and Liberty Luau themes, with freshmen bringing their unexpected spirit game to the table. Therefore, there was no surprise to freshman Sam Audrey winning spirit king at Friday’s pep rally and sophomore Emily Gann narrowly winning spirit queen. And in addition to the fun-filled week, to cap it off was the pep assembly with the annual Belles and Bros. dance, the announcement of Ms. Genenbacher as most spirit teacher and lastly, but certainly most memorable, a lip sync battle between some of Liberty’s favorite teachers.

The battle kicked off with Mr. Barker’s rendition of The Little Mermaid’s Part of Your World, followed by Mr. Hendricks’ cover of Queen’s classic, Bohemian Rhapsody and Ms. Tarrant-Oliphant’s energetic Twist and Shout. However, it was Mr. Barnes’ signature song, You’re Welcome, originally performed by Dwayne Johnson in Disney’s Moana, that brought the house down. Liberty also celebrated its second winning homecoming game in a match against Bishop DuBourg (42-0) and received a special fifth quarter performance from the Liberty Eagle Regiment, who performed their full show in front of the student body for the first time in the season. Not only did the entire school enjoy this year’s homecoming, it also set the bar for next year’s season, leaving all of us hoping that next year’s homecoming is just as great.

What were you thinking?

photos by LHS Publications

by Chasteanne Salvosa Co-Editor-in-Chief

Junior Ian Herling

Freshman Anna Decker

“I thought Marlee (Doniff) was really....engaged in the dancing and she definitely had a lot of energy, which was fun for the rest of us to watch.”

“I think I didn’t really care what anybody else was thinking because I was having fun with my friends. When I was surrounded by my friends, everything else didn’t really matter.”

photos provided by Trotter

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Overcoming Thought Spirals “I failed the test!” It’s ONE TEST. One test does not determine your future. Just prepare for the next one, and do your best to pass the class.

“My GPA is the worst.” A low GPA is not the end of the world. You can still get into college, as well as pursue a career that interests you. You can still turn your grades around if you have time.

College

Ever heard of a gap year? If you’re truly interested in attending college, you will have other opportunities. Also, many stable jobs do not require higher education.

Getting a Job Coming out of high school, it can be tough to find a job. However, there are jobs available. Don’t give up hope and apply to as many places as you can.

Quality of Life

The quality of your life will not depend on your accomplishments; but how you handle the stressful situations in your life. A positive attitude will change your life.

The Journey to Self Love Learning to love the reflection in the mirror

by Emma Hankins Reporter self love, you have to learn that it’s before you.

veryday boys and girls wake up and take a look in the mirror. Why is it common to hate what you see? Why is it common to want to change the way you are? There’s a difference between wanting to change in a healthy way and truly wanting to get healthy and better yourself rather than wanting to change who you are as a person. When receiving compliments, the auto response is to deny and argue against it. Why has society trained us into being okay with not being okay? In adults’ minds, it’s more important for teens to get an A in a class than to be happy. It’s a corrupt way to think about life. In order for grades and overall well being to improve, mental stability should be on the top of the list of priorities. It’s acceptable to stay home from school for physical sickness but not for mental sickness. Mental health controls many aspects of everyone’s life and should be taken completely seriously. It’s not normal to feel sad all the time even though that’s what is brought up through social media and through other people. People are hated because they’re happy because people are jealous. You could ask anyone in the school if they love themselves and more than likely the most common answer will be no. People focus on the flaws instead of the perfections about themselves. The journey to self love isn’t an easy task and that’s because most important and serious matters take effort and that’s hard to give sometimes. Sometimes life can be exhausting and school doesn’t make it any better. In order to start the journey to

In Depth l lhstoday.org design by: e. hankins, s. martin & m. quarles

okay to put yourself first. Asking around, people say that they care about others more than they care about themselves. It is an important character trait to care about people but it shouldn’t be to a point where you solely depend on others for emotional support. You need to learn to depend on yourself before you depend on others. Being dependent is a skill that’s learned in time and through experience. Most of the time having to learn this lesson comes with a lot of pain and a lot of hurt. If you don’t have a stable relationship with yourself, then you can’t possibly have a stable relationship with anyone else. This goes along with the dependence aspect, but always searching for that missing piece in your happiness can’t be found in other people. Self love truly is like a puzzle because there are so many different pieces and aspects of it even when just one piece of it is missing the whole picture doesn’t come together. If you try and put two different puzzle pieces together, they don’t fit without a lot of effort and a lot of change. You need to complete the puzzle with things that help you. Just because the path to self love needs to be an inner thing doesn’t mean it has to be done completely alone. There’s a reason group therapy exists; you need people with the same healthy mentality. It’s not good to let other unhealthy people in your life when you’re not healthy. It’s okay to always be there for a friend, but sometimes you need to step away and check and make sure that their issues aren’t adding to your own and help them but don’t put them

Another step in the road to self love is to realize that you need help. Living in denial only lets the mentally draining thoughts run wild. Sometimes you need to think about what you’re thinking about. A lot of the time your greatest enemy is yourself. You need to be close with the enemy if you’re ever going to conquer it. Being careless with the thoughts that run through your head is how the self hate thrives because you’re giving your mind the power to bring you down. If you tell yourself you’re beautiful enough times you’ll soon begin to believe it. When you look in the mirror instead of nitpicking every issue you see you should pick out what you like and focus on it. At first, it may be hard to find something to love but after you find that one thing and truly start to love it you’ll slowly but surely begin to love yourself. A few ideas to remind you that you’re worth it is to write things that you’re insecure about and write a compliment about it. Another way to help you feel better is to help others feel good. If you think someone looks good, tell them. Sometimes something as simple as a compliment can help someone more than you would know. The age old saying of treating others the way you want to be treating is true but it also should pertain to yourself. Why would you treat someone else better than you would treat yourself? The journey to self love is a hard one but once you complete it it’s worth all the pain because once you’re happy with yourself life falls back into place.

I Am Art

by Melana Quarles Reporter One of the most renowned paintings of all time is the Mona Lisa. She doesn’t have plump lips, big eyes or any other ‘modelesque’ features. Statues that stand in museums being admired all day have rolls, disproportions, muscles and none, thin and thick. When the statues were made they were the idea of beauty at the time, something that changes with the decades. The idea of beauty is always changing but we can’t change ourselves along with it. Trends are mostly harmless to follow, but as far as looks, you might be striving for the impossible. What’s seen as ideal is always changing with culture and time. “Art” is something appreciated for its beauty and power. There are many portraits that many people wouldn’t see as pretty, but it’s still art. No matter how you see yourself, you still are art. You have beauty and power in you. If you go in an art museum, chances are high you will find a statue or painting mimicking the exact feature of yours you hate. Anything can be art in front of the right audience, and people are the subject of the most appreciated pieces, and we are art ourselves. Grow yourself as a person inside and how you see yourself on the outside will start to grow to. Grow your soul and do things that make you happy and help you develop as a person. See what you have to offer to the world, your friends and yourself. Try new things. There’s more to life than high school and what people think of you. Don’t try to be someone else but instead make yourself something you are proud of. Making something you are proud of is the best feeling and that’s something that you can apply to yourself as well. If you were painting something, you wouldn’t purposely sabotage it. In the same way don’t do things you know will be bad for you. Don’t look at yourself as something to be critiqued but as something to be appreciated, and looked at with care and admiration, as you do art, or your loved ones. I know it’s easier said than done. Take pictures of yourself, draw bodies that look like yours, dress up, admire yourself. Water the garden that is yourself and the beauty will shine from within.

Plan Something Give yourself something to look forward to: Plan something! Who doesn’t like being excited for stuff? It can be as simple as watching a movie you’ve been wanting to see, or something like hanging out with friends, sometimes you need more than waiting for the weekend to keep you going!

Books

Put down your phone! Without realizing it, it’s putting you in a bad mood! Reading exercises your mind. It’s an amazing escape even if you don’t consider yourself a reader. “Milk and Honey” is an easy read and appealing and helpful to us. It’s a poetry book about breaking and growing. “I’ll Give You the Sun” is another amazing read, with well developed characters and plot and a lot of art aspects that makes you sure to see things a little differently after reading it. If this isn’t your thing, Ms. Oliva is always happy to make really awesome book recommendations.

Letting Light In Sometimes you just wanna lay in the dark. Instead, open your curtains and blinds. The light will automatically make you feel better and want to be productive, it’s a great way to get some of the outside on the days you can’t go outside or the weather is bad. Going outside is so helpful for your mind. Get some fresh air and sunlight. It really does help.

In Depth l lhstoday.org design by: e. hankins, s. martin & m. quarles

Oops... You’ve Burned The Turkey

verybody knows that getting through the holidays isn’t always as easy as it seems. There is stress combined with annoying recipes, planning for that one family member that may or may not show up to dinner, and the ham that has to cook at that perfect temperature. Not only is does Thanksgiving serve as a time to be thankful, it also acts as that practice round for that specific kind of stress that follows after for Christmas. Both holidays require a lot of cooking, food in general, and making sure your friends and family are all around satisfied and happy. Both holidays also account for a rise in national expenses and their fair share of accidents. Keeping an open Everyone blames the eggnog anyways. mind when it Besides the funny banter and comes to your awkward staff parties, here are some tips for surviving and getting through holiday guests by Gibson Mitchell Reporter this season of every year without any bumps or bruises. The first thing you should want to do is remain calm. You’re about to eat food, lay around all day afterwards and get your fair amount of gifts, so stick around and it might not be as bad as you think. Let’s start with Thanksgiving. When it comes to this holiday we all look back on the first time it was celebrated. The fabulous colony of Plymouth served as the venue for the event that was shared with the company of both the colonists and the Wampanoag tribe. Obviously this first time didn’t include any television or phone screens, as well as barbecue sauce or convection ovens, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe did gather in a more dull circumstance. But besides the fact that this was probably the reason why part of Thanksgiving is so awkward, what with all the past violence between white settlers and Native Americans being nearly wiped off of the face of

this planet, it was still, probably...possibly fun and wholesome. Back to our contemporary and modern era, Thanksgiving is the reason why so many of us stress out over getting the best deals on Black Friday, and creating a long list of excuses as to why we can’t attend that terrible...maybe even diabolical...staff party. Combined with the fact that you also have to cook food and make it reasonably perfect at the same time, gives me anxiety right now even as I’m typing this. Let’s go over some possible scenarios and people you should watch out for. First of all, is the drunk, that one person who just can’t stop it with the wine and instead of actually enjoying it just hurls it around thus spilling it on your brand new H&M sweater that you bought just for this occasion, and leaving stains on your carpet. Not cool..not cool at all. But that’s okay because the next person on the list, the mom of the party, would gladly clean it up for you. Annoyed and frustrated every time someone makes a mess. This person can’t stand it when a small, microscopic, molecule of a pile of crumbs is left on the couch. Pulling out their secret weapon, those cheap little mini-vacuums act like a corrective parent and judge you for accidentally dropping a dirty napkin onto the floor. But beyond being clumsy and dealing with irritating family members and such, keep in mind the fact that Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be fun not boring. You can still have fun, eat your body weight in 30 minutes, and be incredibly lazy for the rest of it. Blame everything on the eggnog and you should be fine. It’s also good to remember that stressing out isn’t called for - it’s perfectly appropriate. But if it lasts the entire day or evening, then you might as well crown yourself the official Debbie Downer. Not everyone may feel the same way as you do so be mindful and aware of that so you and your family can avoid some sort of meltdown, argument, or the start of some sort of no holds barred war. Besides feelings and emotions, you should also keep an eye out for those in your own family. Those crazy family members who always seem to find ways to press your buttons. You can have fun at the same time while surviving all of the cheek pinches, embarrassing family stories, and questions as to why you’re still single. So, be grateful on Thanksgiving and in the words of Hugh Martin, have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Family Profiles

Fearless Cousin May

Cousin May is obnoxious every year, but this year is just ridiculous! Just because someone wears heels, doesn’t mean you should use the shoe as a dart.

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Gassy Uncle Tom

Uncle Tom ate beans this year. Does he not realize what that does to him? I feel bad for my grandma because this smell will linger forever.

Crazy Aunt Suzie

Aunt Suzie had to bring her two cats to Thanksgiving. She dressed them up as turkeys this year. Last year they were dressed up as pilgrims. I am so sorry for those poor cats.

Holiday Traditions

Students share how they celebrate different holidays by Alisha Grant Reporter Junior Mikayla Bowman Halloween with st celebrates her family by going “Booing”, a twist on ding-dong ditching. “We usually pick a bunch of families and we leave treats on their doorsteps,” Bowman said.

Oct.

Senior Juhaina Aarda celebrated Black th has Friday with her family every year since 8th grade. “We go crazy Black Friday shopping,” Aarda said.

Nov.

Sophomore Meyer Fensterman and his have a pickle ornament on their th family tree. “Our parents hide this pickle ornament on the tree and then Christmas morning, the first one of us to find it on the tree, there’s like an extra present that person gets,” Fensterman said.

Dec.

photo by a. bailey

Gifting on a Budget by KaMera Harper Reporter

here are plenty of times throughout the year when there are moments when you need to find the perfect gift without spending all of your money. During the holiday season is when stores have some of the best deals of the year but you can still spend way too much money. Some of the best gifts are the ones with creativity. Junior Aria Ellis believes that gifts should come from the heart. Ellis loves to go thrift shopping.

Scorpio (October 23rd-November 21st)

You should step out of your comfort zone! Challenge yourself during this time! You have the willpower and focus to accomplish anything you set your mind to. Challenging yourself this week will bring surprising rewards your way.

“One of my aunts went to Goodwill and got me a really cute African scarf and oversized sweater,” Ellis said.Students agree that gifts should have lots of thought and come from the heart. Gifts should not be meaningless. Gifts are just another way to show someone that you care. Senior Andrew Dexter believes that an important quality in great gifts is usefulness. The best inexpensive gift Dexter has ever received is a gas gift card. He also believes that summertime is the best season to shop. “I get to wear shorts and bathing suits. I prefer shorts over pants,” Dexter said.

Sophomore Kelcie Normand believes the best inexpensive gift has to last long. Normand thinks a great example of a long lasting present would be makeup. “Makeup is good and anything from Sephora is great,” Normand said. This year’s trick to staying on budget is to think about what is being purchased. Put as much thought into the gifts as possible. Inexpensive does not mean the gift should break in an instant, but it should last long. If the gift does last long, it can be really useful to someone. Overall, be creative and try to catch the sales on Black Friday. Most importantly, make sure your gift comes from the heart because this will show how much thought was truly given while still staying on budget.

Winter Horoscopes Discover what your zodiac sign should do by Emma Bobbitt Reporter

Sagittarius (November 22nd-December 21st)

The past couple weeks may have been hard for you, but know that your hard work to get past this has not been overlooked! This week, you will come out of your funk as long as you keep motivated. Many surprises and new people you would have never thought would come in your life, will.

Capricorn (December 22nd- January 19th)

Recently, you have been very overwhelmed due to many factors in your school and work life. Take the time to do something for yourself and take a day this week to relax. This will help you more than you realize, Capricorn. All you need is a little rest and self care to bounce back and be as productive as ever.

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Connections are Key

Cat Frank will be job shadowing a surgery this winter by Olivia Holler Co-Editor-in-Chief Some opportunities only come once in a lifetime. That’s usually because someone knows someone who does a big thing and that’s how jobs and opportunities are created for people. Junior Cat Frank has an opportunity to observe a surgery and will be shadowing either a brain surgery or heart surgery in mid January. Cat has had a passion to be a surgeon for quite sometime now. A brain surgeon at that. “I find human consciousness fascinating and people’s thoughts, how someone can be a living being and the process of thinking is just by this lump of fat in your head,” Cat said. Her mom was the one who got her this incredible offer.

“My mom’s always been more than willing to give me every opportunity to explore what I’m interested in,” Cat said. “I’m grateful I’m even able to get involved in something like this. I’m really nervous about being around so many professionals, but I’m excited.” Cat’s mom got the opportunity from her friend in her golf league. She works at the hospital as a surgical nurse at DePaul hospital and was able to book her as a shadow. “This is her time to find out what she is interested in and of course I’m willing to look into these things,” Ms. Frank said. “I never got to do anything like this.” Frank is looking forward to the experience she’s going to receive and to the future that is near.

“I find human consciousness fascinating and people’s thoughts, how someone can be a living being and the process of thinking is just by this lump of fat in your head.” - Cat Frank (11)

Walking for Credit

Fitness walking class offers a good break during the day by Emma Hankins Reporter

How can walking for 50 minutes a day be a class? For many students, it is. After taking an initial year of P.E., there’s a requirement for one more credit. Students can choose from weightlifting, personal fitness, a few other options and of course fitness walking. “This is my favorite class because we go outside everyday as long as it's not raining,” Kleekamp said. Coach Kleekamp is a hard working, easy going and nice person. Always switching it up, she takes her students on different routes each day. She walks her classes through neighborhoods, around the school and on the track.

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“This is my favorite part of the day to be honest. All you do is walk and talk with your friends,” said sophomore Melanie Wallace. Fitness walking is a great way for a brain break and helps you get thoughts rolling throughout the day. “Exercise enhances academic performance by increasing blood flow, releasing serotonin, and stimulating your brain,” said Mrs. Hall, who is an avid runner and exercise enthusiast. Students who take the course like it because of how fun it is. “I like how we don’t walk in the same places everyday,” said Isabel Martinez.

Madelyn Birk enjoys how fitness walking is different from most courses. Some students don’t like the class, just how most courses are. “At least it's a good break during the day,” said sophomore Madelyn Birk. This class is comprised mostly of sophomores who want to complete their physical education requirement. “Fitness walking is a good class and probably the best option to take,” sophomore Alek Moore said. If a student is needing their second credit, fitness walking seems to be the best bet.

Giving Back

Claire Roberts starts a non-profit organization for sex trafficking and assault victims by Olivia Holler Co-Editor-in-Chief Many people want to make a difference but usually don’t know how to start or begin. Senior Claire Roberts had the opportunity through the Ignite program to legitimize a non-profit organization for sex trafficking and assault victims. “My nonprofit is called Instrument of Safety and its goal is to help survivors of sexual assault and sex trafficking recover and achieve self love,” Roberts said. She started with gathering information, researching and planning and went from there. “It started with a passion and just talking to people which led me to the Ignite program and gave me the support to follow through with kick starting instrument of safety and opening to a whole new level of resources that I didn’t know was accessible to a person at such a young age,” Roberts said.

Mr. Jarrett has been a mentor to Roberts and has helped her get the project off the ground. “I had her look up and investigate topics relating to non for profit. We have talked to a lawyer through email that gave her some advice to do the non-profit and then go out to the IRS.gov and find some of the information out that way,” Mr. Jarrett said. Roberts also was motivated even when she was researching and found heartbreaking news about our city. “I was inspired because St. Louis is in the top 20 for sex trafficked cities in the U.S. and this epidemic is happening in our own backyard and no one is talking about it,” Roberts said. She wants to make a difference and help people who have been in this situation. Mr. Jarrett is impressed with the amount of dedication she has to make a difference in other people’s lives. “I’m very proud of her idea of helping others. Most of the other people in the class are more interested in making money where she is trying to make money but give it back to people in need,” Mr. Jarrett said. “That’s very admirable I think for her and I hope that through next semester and this she can actually help people that need help.” Instrument of Safety currently is making slow progress but Roberts is in high hopes for the rest of year in terms of making the project launch. She is going to start fundraising at the first home basketball game.

Community Leaders

Liberty students make a difference outside of school by Alyssa Bailey Reporter

Hannah Noles (11) “You’re all in, or you’re all out. If you’re going to be in a group like this, you have to give it everything that you have and show that you’re dedicated.”

Abby Visconti (11) “We decided to collect for the Salvation Army just to help people out for the winter. Our main goal is to collect as much as we can and help people. I’m happy all the time to be there.”

Danielle Kunz (12)

Christian Tebeau (11) There’s a time commitment to the UNICEF Trick or Treat but it’s really fulfilling whenever you take in everything that’s going on and take time to help people.”

“I’m doing a project with the Atai Orphanage and since I was little, I used to always do community service and it’s definitely fulfilling. It’s great to get to know each individual on this project.”

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Along for the Ride

Students experience high school life with parents who are teachers at Liberty by Alyssa Bailey Reporter

igh school can be a obvious about it to make sure she’s okay, and you crazy adventure that can know, she just makes me feel better; she’s my buddy take you anywhere, and - my best buddy,” T.O. said. it’s often where we learn who we are Annette continues to say how great of a teacher outside of family. However, the benher mom is, which is one of the main reasons she’s efits of having a parent work at the proud of her. She’s constantly hearing other stusame school you’re going to isn’t so dents talk about how they love her and she enjoys bad, as well. Noah Braile and Annette hearing good things about her because it’s not only Oliphant have an inside look on what nice to hear, but because they’re very close. their school life is like with having Similarly, Noah Braile talks about what his both of their moms teach at Liberty high school experience is like with his mother who High School. has been teaching there for a total of four years. Annette’s mom, Ms. T.O., has “It was kind of weird at first but other than worked at Liberty for about three that, I didn’t have a problem with it. I was pretty years now but has also worked at fine with it, actually,” Braile said. Frontier Middle School when AnMrs. Braile also has a daughter attending Libnette was in middle school. erty, senior Makayla Braile, and she discusses what submitted by Annette Oliphant “When I was in fifth grade, I was it was like for her daughter to be in her class, as well Annette loves having her mom along for the ride during her really excited, especially since I was as having her son going to Liberty. in elementary school and I was going to high school journey. It’s been a experience for her to have. “I enjoy it - all of it. I don’t think Makayla or middle school,” Oliphant said. “It was Noah mind either because they come visit me and great and it was basically the same thing as an eighth grader going into I had my daughter in class last year, as well. She was just like another high school. I was kind of scared but if I was ever nervous or anything, student; she was harder on herself than I could have ever been on her,” I knew I could go to my mom’s room and she would calm me down--it Braile said. “They also don’t get special treatment. In fact, I kind of hope was nice.” people are a little bit harder on them because of that. I enjoy seeing them Annette goes on to talk about the benefits of having her mom with every single day but I certainly don’t want people to give them special her and how she helps her out if she’s having a bad day, doesn’t feel well, treatment because I work here.” or just wants to see a friendly face. Oliphant says that she gets rides to Opposed to the stereotypical awkwardness of having a parent and from school everyday and how if she needs money for food and for working at your school, it’s actually quite nice to see a familiar face and something else, she can just pop into her mom’s room and come see her. as a student, show your parents what you can do and how you can get Not only that, but Annette also loves seeing her mom around the school. involved with school. In the same way, teachers who are parents enjoy Ms. T.O. feels the same way about seeing her daughter at school and seeing their child thrive and experience the high school life for themdiscusses how it has ultimately benefited her at Liberty, as well. selves. High school can be rough, sometimes, but it’s an amazing feeling “Yeah, it’s nice to know where your kid is in my building, so if I’m to know who’s in your corner and who can guide you through all the ever concerned about her or she isn’t feeling well or she was just having madness. a bad day, then I can go and peek in on her myself without being really

Knowing the Families Brailes

The Brailes have lots of traditions. They try to eat as a family for dinner between everybody’s schedule. They also have a jar for the four of them that they put accomplishments in and all the great things that happened for the year - different things, good things, that we can appreciate at the end of the year to be thankful for. They always have the normal holiday traditions with family and for Christmas, spend a day making appetizers and doing all the holiday decorating together, which is the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Oliphants

Over Thanksgiving/Christmas, the day before Thanksgiving we go to the kids grandma’s house and we decorate their house for Christmas and we have an early turkey dinner and after words and its really fun. We also do a big holiday dinner the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is an Italian dinner with T.O.’s side of the family.

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submitted by Makayla Braile The Brailes love their traditions, but they love spending time with each other even more. It’s an important aspect in their family.

Inside Look What’s happening with clubs and academics around Liberty

by Olivia Holler Co-Editor-in-Chief

photo by e.hankins

Ping-Pong

A friendly competition never hurts anyone. Ping Pong club which is sponsored by Mr. Hysong, is where students can come together and play a few matches of ping pong. They meet every Monday in the commons at Liberty. The club has about 10 total members, which is a perfect amount for a competitive tournament between friends. Mr. Stoll originally started the club, but later asked Hysong if he wanted to take over. There are many thing you can learn in ping pong. There are skills, talents and techniques students can learn.

photo by e.mason

photo by ar.amann

All of Us Club

All of Us club is an opportunity to create friendships and connections all across Liberty. Mrs. Whitmore and Eva Herling had originally started the club a couple years ago and now Mrs. Sachs and senior Bennett Outman are running it. There are approximately 10 students in All of Us club and they meet every other Wednesday after school in Mrs. Sachs’ room. They do different activities each time they meet. They try to stick with holiday things but have participated in school events, going to sporting events and supporting fundraisers as well as doing crafts. This club is a way to meet new friends and make new interactions with different students throughout Liberty.

Einshoch6

German students enjoy memorable hip/hop concert by band from Berlin by Melana Quarles Reporter

Clapping ensued as the students anticipated seeing the language they work to learn come to life. On Thursday, the German students attended a concert by Einshoch6, a German band from Berlin at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). There were about 1,200 students there from high schools around the area. Einshoch6 is a hip hop/rap band and the entire concert was sung in German. Everyone was standing and this concert was very interactive, the audience clapped, danced and even sang along with Einshoch6. One of the more eager students, Madelyn Birkhead, made custom Einshoch6 signs. At the

end of this rager, despite odds that the band was not giving autographs and there was no writing utensils in sight, the sign was autographed by all of the Einshoch6 members. It is currently being laminated and then will hang in glory as the prized possession of Mr. Stoll’s room until the end of time. There were unique instruments played by the band including a cello and keytar. The keytar player, Sebastian, was a huge crowd favorite for Liberty. He was quite the eccentric character, even inspiring some students to want to pursue a keytar career. “Long live Sebastian,” bubbly sophomore Dessa Outman stated. The band was very enthusiastic to be playing for this audience

photo by Mr. Stoll The German classes attended a German hip-hop/rap concert at UMSL. Einshoch6 is a hip hop/rap band and the entire concert was sung in German.

– stating it was “a very special honor and a dream come true” to be playing in the United States. “I want to have as good of a time as the band was having on stage,” sophomore Elaine Amery said. St. Louis was the band’s second to last stop on their U.S tour. Their songs ranged from talking

about female German teachers, to the weekend or “Wochenend” and there was even a love song where the entire audience had their flashlights out. Seeing 1,000 sweaty students shining their lights and swaying along to a German love song is quite the heartwarming spectacle.

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In recent years, students here at Liberty and around the country have neglected their lockers and opted instead to keep their supplies in backpacks.

Locked Up

photo by m. baker

Why do most students not use their lockers? by Max Fensterman Investigative Editor Lockers are a quintessential memory of any high school graduate of the past. In the pre-digital age, they held all of their textbooks, notebooks and folders. They were convenient, even those who didn’t like having to walk the hallways for a while to get to their locker knew how much of a necessity they were. Nowadays, students seem to be quickly turning their backs to the metal behemoths that line the hallways. Here at Liberty, it’s more common to see somebody roaming the halls with an overweight backpack than someone poking their head into a locker to get their next class’ homework. So why is it that Liberty students have left the lockers to collect dust, and prefer to carry all of their belongings with them to every class? Senior Grant Berkelhamer sees the large amount of lockers here at Liberty as being pretty useless. “I’ve never used the lockers in high school, I just carry everything around, although in middle school I used my locker everyday,” Berkelhamer said. He is of the opinion that the reason for students turning their backs on the lockers is a preparedness factor. Having all of your belongings with you ensures that you won’t leave anything in your locker and end up missing out on class time. “It’s also a time issue, we only have five minutes of passing time and it’s kind of a hassle to walk all the way down the hallway depending on where you are,” Berkelhamer said. Even Liberty’s freshman class is no outlier to the recent trend of carrying backpacks to every class. Freshman Michelle Yoder also doesn’t use her locker at Liberty, although during her three years at Frontier Middle she used it everyday. “Most people used lockers back in middle school because we weren’t

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allowed to take our backpacks to every class, so any person who didn’t use their locker had to carry all of their stuff and basically couldn’t use a backpack at all,” Yoder said. She shares the same view as Berkelhamer in that the classes here at Liberty are too far apart for a locker to be practical. Because students aren’t required to use their lockers, it’s easier to have everything in your backpack. Although most students at Liberty refuse to use their lockers, those who do are often very passionate about them. Junior Stacy Bamberger uses her locker everyday and knew at the beginning of this school year exactly what hallway she needed her locker to be in. “I needed a locker in the 300 hallway, and the school refused to let me have one there because it would make it harder for the custodians to clean all of them out at the end of the year,” Bamberger said. Due to the way her schedule is set up, and the distance between classes, a locker in the 200 or 400 hallway would mean that she might often be late to class. She uses her locker for all of the regular school supplies, like her lunchbox, notebooks and folders. Despite this, she agrees that the lockers remain underutilized due to time constraints. “I feel like a lot of students don’t use their lockers because they don’t want to use their passing period time up, they’d rather just carry all of their stuff around. Either that or they can’t get one in an area that they really need one in,” Bamberger said. Whether it’s changing times or simply a matter of ease, it seems like lockers are on the way out for students at Liberty. However, like all trends, they may make a comeback someday.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

The new TBH app prompts teenagers’ need for self validation by Ianne Salvosa Reporter “Did you download TBH?” is a phrase you’ve probably heard in the screen is in no way similar to getting a compliment from somebody face last month or so. Conceived in August 2017, this anonymous pollto face. When telling someone they have a beautiful smile, part of the ing app allows students to vote on one of their friends who match the genuity is telling them in person. When your screen lights up and you description the poll gives. From first glance, the thought of anonymously earn another gem, the sparkling words seem cheap. distributing labels to peers seems like trouble. But here’s the catch; it’s all Moreover, if there’s one thing all teen obsessions have in common, positive. it’s that parents are not in support of it. For example, upon creating an When using the app, the user is given a description such as, “Too account in the app, the user has to allow access to their location and Lit to be Legit” or “Most Contagious Smile”, and four of their friends to their contacts. This immediate violation of privacy has parents worried choose from. The friend chosen then receives a notification that shows that the app could be compromising the location of the users. According the compliment they’ve received along with the gender and grade of to the app, location access is needed to locate schools in the area. The the person they received the compliment from. Additionally, for each user’s contacts are needed to find friends within the app. But all in all, compliment received, the user earns a gem, a way to show the number of parents knowing the whereabouts of their child being available to others compliments given to that person. An all positive compliment app may have a right to be worried. seem like what society Furthermore, the needs in the midst of gems users receive could online hate and bullyalso be taken down a ing, but this app can be different route. On the twisted upside down. app, users can look into Already feeding other user’s accounts and into teenagers’ addicsee information such as tion to phones and sograde and gem count. cial media, TBH gives When a user is looking teens something that at their own gem count, they can get elsewhere; it could bring a feeling their self worth. Within of self assurance knowthe first week of the ing they have received app being available for that many compliments. Liberty students, many On the contrary, the were buzzing about the gems can also feed into compliments that they a popularity contest. have received and how Instead of spreading many they have gotten. around good vibes and Constantly checking warmth through the their phone for a app like intended, users notification, teens have could be using it to see allowed themselves to how favored they are become engulfed into compared to others. The photo by m. baker the mirage of contingems give a visual of uously being able to see Along with causing quite a stir, the new TBH app has also been linked to an increase in stress and anxiety in young their public ego, big or adult students. what others think of small. them. Although TBH may Self esteem is an important thing to possess, especially for teenagers, have many qualities that would make one wary to use it, it is an imbut esteem and worth are entirely different things. Self esteem is knowprovement compared to other anonymous apps. Ultimately, it is another ing that yourself as an individual is enough, shying away from self depre- prime example of how some things with good intentions end with bad cation. Self worth is much like self esteem, but in the eyes of others. Like outcomes. In the beginning, the warm and fuzzy feeling of getting a a freshly peeled apple, self worth is quick to rot. This so-called “dignity” compliment was definitely present but ended with that feeling becomis how you believe you are perceived. ing an annoying presence. Teens’ self validation meter was overflowing A week or so after the app made its stance at Liberty, the compliand with that, the app died. But what will this mean for the future of ments given on the app had an alternative effect. With the notifications anonymous apps? There’s no knowing when there will be a new app for repeatedly appearing, the praise had lost it’s effect. Getting compliments teens to be obsessed about but the forest fire it will cause will probably over and over had become redundant and the kind words of the combe tamed quickly. To be honest, when fishing for compliments, it’s tough ments had lost their charm. Receiving a compliment from your phone to see what will bite. Opinion l lhstoday.org design by: m. fensterman & g. mitchell

Breaking the Boundaries Winter Sports start off their seasons by setting goals

Boys Basketball Determination: Record: 1-2

“After winning districts, people are out to get us which will motivate the players to stay on top and play their hardest.” - Coach Sodemann

Girls Basketball Determination: Record: 0-1

Girls Swim Determination:

Wrestling Determination: Record: 3-1

“We don’t have much height on the court so we need to focus on our defense for sure this season and the girls still know the expectations on what they have to do to be successful this season.” - Coach Walterbach

“The goal is to overall have the team improve from last year, It would be really cool to see more people making it to state. Also more team bonding.” - Coach Whitmore “The goal is to get as many people as possible to state and also win districts as a team.” - Jake Simpson (12)

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Managing All the Responsibilities Sports managers play a huge role for sports teams by McKenzie Bartels Reporter

photo by m. baker By being soccer manager, Zoe Miller is able to enjoy the sport from a different perspective.

Everyone always hears about who is on the sports teams but many people don’t know all the hard work that goes into being a sports manager for these teams. Junior Abby Reed has been one of the football managers since her freshman year. She has always had a love for football. By being a manager, it was a perfect way for her to get involved. She went to every practice for the freshman, JV and varsity team, which is a huge time commitment. Not only did she go to practices and games, but one of her jobs is doing laundry for the team. She comes up to school every Saturday morning and does it for six hours. Some other responsibilities that she has is making sure water bottles are filled and that the team has all the equipment they need for practice. Even with all the hard work and responsibilities, Reed has loved being a team manager

photo by m. baker One of the many jobs that comes with being the football manager is doing the laundry, which Abby Reed did for six hours every Saturday morning.

ever since she asked to be a part of it. “I love being a manager because I’m able to watch them grow as a team and it’s just another way for me to get involved at Liberty,” Reed said. Senior Zoe Miller was the boys soccer team manager this past season and she too enjoyed every minute of it. Miller plays soccer herself and by being a manager it lets her enjoy the sport from a different perspective. “Ever since my sophomore year, (coach) Raziq has always been my favorite teacher. He asked me to be the manager and I was so ex-

cited. I haven’t stopped since. I love it,” Miller said. Although she isn’t required to go to every practice, she does go to every game and always rides the bus with the team to the away games. Some of her responsibilities are to keep track of who’s playing, scores and she also has to constantly talk to the coaches and referees so she can make sure she is keeping track correctly. Being a sports team manager comes with many responsibilities and is a huge commitment. The sports teams wouldn’t be the same without them.

Winter Sports Managers Freshman Boys Basketball Jae Elam

Varsity Boys Basketball

“I didn’t know much about basketball but now I do with being a manager. It’s a huge time commitment, but it’s a lot of fun because everyone is so welcoming. We rely on each other.”

“Being a manager is a lot of fun, but it does take up a lot of time.”

Madison Haynes

photo by m. bartels

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Varsity Cheer Places Third at State

by Maddie Baker & Sophia Sahrmann Reporters The excitement built up for the cheer team as state approached. On Oct. 28th, cheer traveled 90 minutes to Mizzou where they competed against other cheer squads in the state. For the last seven months, the team had been working hard at each and every practice leading up to competition season. When walking into the stadium, the feeling of competitiveness was in the air but the team was very confident that they were going to do well. “While running through the routine, our coaches were getting so excited because everything was hitting, so they were yelling and cheering us on and that really set the mood for the real date,” junior Cassie Flod said. The coaches even had a vibe that it was going to be a great day for the girls making sure the girls were prepared to go on the floor. “We felt pretty confident that things were going to go pretty well. We felt like we were prepared and we were relaxed,” head coach Rosner said. When the team stepped on the floor at six o’clock and finished performing, they knew they performed well. “Right after our routine, many girls came off the mat crying because we hit everything and we were so excited, to the point where the Mizzou workers had to ask us to quiet down,” Flod said. The team, as well as the coaches, were a little nervous due to their biggest rival, Holt. Luckily for them Holt wasn’t able to make the competition. The team hoped to get at least top 5. “It felt great to earn third place. We were all feeling really accomplished and proud of ourselves,” senior Yamilka Jimenez said. “We were happy to have gotten there (state) in the first place, getting third just made it even better.” The motivation wasn’t just to place, but to show to the school that they can be one of the best teams in the state. “Pride was our motivation, we wanted to represent our school well, making a good first appearance, being able to come back to school and being proud of the work that was done,” coach Rosner said. Overall, the team and the coaches were proud of all the hard work they put in to get the placement that they wanted. “I was proud of the work the girls put forth and just excited for them to get that opportunity of feeling success,” Rosner said. Sports l lhstoday.org design by: m. baker

provided by Coach Rosner The varsity cheer team went into state knowing that they were going to do well. “We felt pretty confident that things were going to go pretty well. We felt like we were prepared and we were relaxed,” head coach Rosner said. photo by a. fay