21-22 Marquette Messenger: Issue IV

the

MESSENGER

n. IV

VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE IV | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | DECEMBER 2021

Parents challenge library books See story on pgs. 8-9

INSIDE 04

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07 04 SCHOOL STORE LOW ON STOCK The School Store has seen an increase in popularity, leaving them sold out.

05 SLEEPING STUDENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Anonymous Instagram accounts feature the social aspect of school.

07 MSA PRAYS DURING PASSING PERIODS The Muslim Student Alliance gathers during passing periods to pray.

13 Following the footsteps of Crestview Middle School, MHS is getting a facility therapy dog. See full story on pg. 6.

15 GIRLS WRESTLING GAINS POPULARITY The girls wrestling team increase from 4 to 15 girls in three years.

Photographs by Ben Hughes, Melody Kaplan, Annabelle Miller, Liv Trost, Emma Tyulyayev and Lajja Patel. Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev

ROLL CALL Editor in Chief Marin Ellington Associate Editors Aarushi Bute Akhila Swarna Copy Editor Stephanie Lei Online Editors Rue Siddiqui Arpitha Sistla Production Editor Ben Hughes Features Editor Lajja Patel Arts & Entertainment Editor Anika Talyan Sports Editor Taryn Moore Opinions Editor Liza Cooper Illustrators Mason Kellerman Emma Tyulyayev Social Media Editor Katie Wheeler Staff Reporters Annie Alcorn Aiden Burkhardt Elle Devous Carter Long Annabelle Miller Jacob Robinson Aleena Shaik Carter Van Buskirk Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen

After an initial loss and subsequent recount of scores, girls swim won their relay event. See full story on pg. 15.

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13 ADVENT CALENDERS NEED TO GO These Christmas season calenders harm the environment.

ONLINE

PREVIEW

OUR POLICY The Messenger is published eight times a year by students enrolled in the News Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext. 26228 Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff or the administration. The Messenger takes

responses for any issue. Send these in at mhsmessenger@rsdmo.org.

The Messenger reserves the right to edit submitted material and to refuse to print material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor in chief and adviser deem appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.

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Students return to in-person tutoring in a variety of subjects after COVID-19.

Dr. Farrar hosted a pie bake-off with her students. They are hoping to have monthly baking contests.

by | emma tyulyayev

by | jack favazza

issue IV

NEWS

Butterfly Effect: small events can have a large, unpredictable influence on the future

DEI committee begins beautification initiatives ben HUGHES RSD’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiative was created after a survey of students revealed that a majority thought the RSD schools don’t make all student groups feel comfortable and welcomed in the learning environment.

The DEI initiative is being instituted across RSD by a committee of teachers and administrators. Dr. Tracy Waeckerle and Shelly Justin represent MHS on the district-level DEI Committee and have made MHS the first high school to involve students and parents in bringing change to RSD. “We just dove right in and went ahead and created both those subcommittees because we are just raring to go on this,” Justin said. “We want to get students involved, parents involved and staff involved because we feel like we can do so much more that way.”

Justin said the DEI Committee’s first initiative is to beautify MHS. The initiative is taking place over several weeks and includes several changes to the MHS environment.

“The walls are really blank and there is nothing warm and welcoming and inviting to our school,” Justin said.

The initiative is led by students senior Carson Hanis and junior Yana Dragnev. Hanis said one of the main goals of the DEI Student Subcommittee

was to get as many students involved in Ritam Sarkar, junior, said he MHS’s beautification as possible. submitted to the design contest on a Their first improvement was whim. As a self-proclaimed non-artist, embracing the Butterfly Effect theoSarkar said he entered the contest with ry, or the idea that small actions can a sketch of Spider-Man on the back of create big changes. The first of the a homework assignment. Sarkar said beautification improvements involved he felt that his small sketch would help students creating paper butterflies on make a big change to the feel of the Thursday, December 9, during Ac Lab MHS hallways. to be displayed “He’s like a alongside their normal teenager,” “There is beauty in color classmates’.

Sakar said. “He “The goes out there and and leadership is school, it feels fights crime and power. Students having a little bit hossaves people then large leadership roles and he does his math pital-y,” Dragnev said. “We taking advantage of their homewant to feel a resources will allow them work. little bit more It’s to be productive and get kind of like a high school. Adding inspirationchange done.” just a little bit al.” of color and Hanis said Carson Hanis, some sense of one of the main creativity will goals of the DEI senior help the enviStudent Subcomronment.” mittee was to get The committee is also hosting a stu- as many students involved in MHS’ dent art contest to collect designs for a beautification as possible to ensure the hallway mural. The winning design will changes are well-received by students. be chosen in an election of the three “There is beauty in color and leadbest designs. ership is power,” Hanis said. “Students The committee will begin collecting having large leadership roles, and art work from advanced art classes. taking advantage of their resources will Submissions will be mounted on canvas allow them to be productive and get and can be moved around the hallways. change done.”

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NEWS

dec. 2021

SHORTAGE CENTRAL During winter months, plow driver, supply shortages affect RSD

QA

marin ELLINGTON

tiple days off of school, though they are hoping to avoid the variety of problems Icy roads and heavy snow will present that happen when school is canceled more of a challenge this winter than such as child care for working parents. ever before for the state of Missouri.

“Really the bottom line comes down “We are asking the public to be to is it going to be safe to get the kids to aware and watch for information we school?” Heyman said. “It really doesn’t will put out storm by storm so they take much to mess things up.” have the best information to make Up to 35 percent of the district has travel decisions,” said Ed Hassinger, the potential to become completely deputy director and chief engineer of inaccessible in inclement weather, the Missouri Department of TransporHeyman said. However, he said the tation (MoDOT). crew that services the district does a Hassinger said the roads will take fantastic job salt treating the roads and much longer to be cleared this winter sidewalks both the night before and the should a storm arise as they are 300 day of the inclement weather. plow drivers short and will not be able “We just have a lot of people behind to as successfully run operations. the scenes working very early when The maintenance professionals everybody else is nice and warm,” at MoDOT are responsible for mainHeyman said. taining 34,000 miles of roads as well Joe Scotino, driver’s education as 10,440 bridges in Missouri, and teacher, said an increased number of Hassinger said plowing takes the highaccidents that he sees during the winter est priority in the winter as it is a 24/7 months is definitely cause for concern responsibility for their staff. However, due to the roads. they are struggling Though the to pay the market Driver’s Education “We just have a lot of course covers demand for people impeople behind the with the skills and portant driving skills time commitment scenes working very for winter such as they need. slowly with early when everybody moving “School districts gentle acceleration, else is nice and warm.” Scotino said inexpeneed to understand what we are facing rienced and distractand take that into ed drivers will still Mike Heyman, account as they be a problem. director of consider decisions “I would recomtransportation at RSD mend that [RSD] on travel if there is winter weather take off as many coming,” Hassinger said. “We are coor- days necessary to get all students to dinating with school districts and our school safely on time,” Scotino said. other partners across the state, so no “In St. Louis we only have a few good one is surprised.” snows a year, and when that does hapMike Heyman, director of transpor- pen, drivers tend to drive the same and tation at RSD, said work is being done not slow down and drive more respontoward an effective solution to this sibly.” problem.

Heyman said that during the winter CLIMATE ISSUES he is on the road with some of his colleagues by 3 a.m. to begin road assessSalting causes an entirely different ments of ice to help ensure the safety concern for some researchers such as of both students, staff and bus drivers Kathryn Lopez, a PhD student who has to and from school. been researching how road salt is nega“Our concerns are safe transportively impacting both the environment tation both morning and afternoon,” and building infrastructure.

Heyman said. “We don’t want to get a “It’s salt, and people tend to think bus stranded with kids on it.” it’s not that big of a deal. It’s not like Depending on conditions this winuranium or something exciting, but it is ter, Heyman said the lack of MoDOT pretty widespread in the Northeast and drivers could potentially cost RSD mul- the Midwest,” Lopez said.

DID YOU KNOW?

Snow plow drivers can’t exceed more than 15 consecutive work hours.

&

Margie Speichinger, School Store volunteer, shares her perspective on shortages in the School Store

Road salt can contaminate drinking water, kill or endanger wildlife with high chloride levels and increase soil eroision, according to the Enviromental Protection Agency.

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev Lopez said her work has focused on communities dealing with expensive home plumbing issues from the road salt.

She said there are multiple training programs that teach salt truck drivers how to best apply it.

“You really don’t need that much to get the desired effect,” Lopez said.

Though there are many possible alternatives, Lopez said allowing the snow and ice a chance to melt on its own is the best.

“We reduce the number of people that even have to be on the road to plow, and we also cut back on how much we apply,” Lopez said.

DRIVING TIPS

1

Accelerate slowly

2

No sharp movements when steering and braking

3

No cruise control

4

Check tire pressure and treads

5

Have good wiper blades

6

Carry scraper and blanket in the car Information by Joe Scotino, driver’s education teacher

Since the school year started Speichinger said there has been an increase in sales of School Store snacks as opposed to the past two years.

With the increase, Speichinger also has seen food shortages. Students who buy from the store have occasionally seen their favorite snacks out of stock from Animal Crackers to Uncrustables.

WHY DO YOU THINK THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE? “The suppliers can’t get it, and I don’t know whether it’s manufacturing or whether it’s shipping. I think part of it is just the people to get it to the store.”

HOW HAS INVENTORY BEEN AFFECTED

BY FREE LUNCH? “We have seen some people trying to trade things, acting like they bought it from here to exchange.”

ANY ADVICE? “Everybody needs to be patient with each other. The stores we get stuff from can’t help it when they’re out, just like we can’t help it when we’re out.”

issue IV

5

NEWS

Themed Instagram accounts gain popularity 1

In the midst of her geometry class, Nour Elbeshbeshy, sophomore, drifted off to sleep. Having stayed up until 4 a.m. working on homework the night before, Elbeshbeshy napped through half the class.

Instead of waking to classmates, however, Elbeshbeshy awoke to find her photo featured on one of MHS’ student-run Instagram accounts that highlights sleeping students on a daily basis.

1 2 3 “I rarely ever sleep at school so it’s almost ironic that the one time I do, I get posted,” Elbeshbeshy said.

The Instagram account @mhs_sleeping_page has featured more than 115 students since it first became active. It has gained 1006 followers, as of Wednesday, Dec. 15. Elbeshbeshy said the concept itself is fun and appealing to students.

“The only effects I’ve seen are positive so I’m a fan,” Elbeshbeshy said. “I can see how they’d be a bit problematic, though, to people who wouldn’t want • 60+ fresh and live seafood to get posted, but as longvarieties as whoeverof runs them is She kept it a secret for a long time, with only a respectable.”

• 70+ varieties of fresh meat including roast duck, madeHowever, daily on Thursday, Dec. 2, few people knowing.

The account is one of many that thrives on proMiller revealed her identity as the account holder. viding amusement to the school with vegetables anonymity.

• 200+ fresh and fruits With 24 posts and 516 followers as of Wednesday, From criticizing parking to sharing student drama Dec. 15, Miller said she has never received a negative to, new accounts appear almost daily. Submissions complaint or a request for the removal of a photo are often direct messaged to the accounts themselves off the account. She said it has elicited responses of before they are posted. amusement.

The MHS account holders remain secret, but the “This account was not made to make fun of peotrend has been prevalent in other schools, and some • Bakery and deli with fresh goods made everyday ple.

Everyone has those days where they just can’t posters are less concerned with keeping anonymity. park,” Miller said.

“If the account gets too out of hand • China Bistro restaurant • Authentic Boba Tea shop coming soon Alexis Miller, senior at Rockwood Summit, runs and people are getting mad, then I will delete the the @rshs_badparking Instagram • The Face Shop page skinhighlighting care and make-up accountcounter or delete the post.” the faults in student parking at her school. Miller Accounts like these can recieve repercussions for said she got the idea from videos highlighting similar posting photos without the consent of the people accounts she saw on the social media app TikTok. in them.

Mike Hiestand, senior legal counsel of the “I honestly didn’t think the account would get far Student Press Law Center, said these accounts are in at all,” Miller said. “Once I saw I would get 60 fola gray legal area. lowers a day, it showed me that people find this stuff Crowded areas such as lunch rooms have no funny.”

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Melanie Chavéz, freshman, was in her 5th Hour Algebra class when she fell asleep.

Her photo was taken and sent into @mhs_sleeping_ page. Photograph by Meghan Harman Carly Vinson, sophomore, had her photo taken while napping in her gym class where it was sent to @mhs_ sleeping_page. Photograph

by Liv Trost Kallie Fisher, senior, had just eaten food before she fell asleep and her photo was sent to @mhs_sleeping_ page. Photograph by Maddi Gwinner

reasonable expectation of privacy, Hiestand said, but classroom photos that would be more likely to result in embarrassment rather than an invasion of privacy are up to more individualized school discretion.

“I think a school could be on reasonable grounds in banning cell [electronic] use in classrooms as long as any established rules were uniformly and fairly enforced,” Hiestand said.

Freshman Principal Dr. Dan Ramsey said these types of accounts can get out of hand if not run properly.

“The big thing is it’s got to be in a positive light.

If it’s something that puts someone in a negative light, I think that’s where they run the most risk,” Dr. Ramsey said.

Dr. Ramsey had his own experience with a similar social media account, a Twitter page called “The Daily Dan Ram” that posted daily images of him. He said he found the account flattering and all in good fun.

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dec. 2021

FEATURES

MEET REMI Facility therapy dog, Remi, will soon join the MHS staff

Remi also will help teach students basic pet ownership skills, provide stress reduction for students and staff Dr. Robin Lady, gifted resource teachand facilitate happiness through a huer, drove home from Columbia, Mo. man to animal bond. in April with her fiancé and their new Dr. Lady said she takes Remi everyLabrador retriever, Remi, in her lap. where to expose her to different places She knew Remi was an uber-sensuch as stores, restaurants, the ballpark sitive dog when the then 5-month-old and softball games and to give her dog stayed in the fetal position the interactions with people of all ages and whole car ride home. appearances.

She knew Remi was an empathetic, “This continued exposure that Remi focused and understanding animal. is getting confirms that this is absoluteAnd, she knew Remi would be a ly her line of work,” Dr. Lady said. great therapy dog, so she started her Ella Derstine, junior, has experience training immediately.

“When I sat down and started to re- with a service dog: her miniature Goldendoodle, Tiffany, who is 4 years old. search, she would put her head on my Derstine said Tiffany was originally lap and I would pet her,” Dr. Lady said.

“It was so calming, and I was able to get trained to work in hospitals and help patients with anxiety, but COVID-19 a lot of work done.”

Now, Remi is approved to join other ceased the hospital work for Tiffany. therapy dogs in RSD. Pond Elementary, However, Tiffany was able to work in her home over quarantine.

Rockwood Valley Middle, Crestview “I developed really Middle and Wild“Dogs can’t judge bad anxiety over quarhorse Middle have antine,” Derstine said. also implemented kids, and they can’t Derstine said facility therapy dogs give them a grade.”

Tiffany sits by her and to work in their lets her pet her until buildings. she feels calm again.

Remi passed her Dr. Robin Lady, “I know so many American Kennel gifted resource kids at Marquette, Club (AKC) Canine teacher including myself, Good Citizen test on that will benefit from Friday, Oct. 15, and having a dog like Tiffany available at is on her way to becoming a certified school,” Derstine said. therapy dog for MHS, Dr. Lady said.

Melody Kaplan teaches seventh Remi turned one in November, grade language arts at Crestview Midso she is now allowed in schools, but dle School (CMS). Kaplan has an emoDr. Lady said she probably won’t be tional support Goldendoodle, Clayton, brought into school until January of that has worked at CMS since January 2022. of 2019.

The Canine Good Citizen is a “We find that so many students 10-skill training program that teaches come to school just to see Clayton,” dogs the basics of obedience and good Kaplan said. manners.

Students stop by to say hello to She is now working on her AKC Clayton and take him for a walk if they Therapy Dog Title, which exceeds need to get out of the building. Teachrequirements for her to be a facility ers use time with Clayton as a reward therapy dog. for good behavior in their own classPart of Remi’s purpose will be to rooms, Kaplan said. help students who are anxious to read “Everyone in the building has found out loud, Dr. Lady said. a way to benefit from Clayton regard“Dogs can’t judge kids, and they less of their age or situation,” Kaplan can’t give them a grade,” Dr. Lady said. said. “He really brings joy to everyone, “This will result in a significant reducand I hope Dr. Lady’s dog has the same tion of anxiety attacks and stressful effect at Marquette.” situations.”

annie ALCORN

Facility therapy dog, Remi, smiles after getting a new scarf. She has helped friends, family and neighbors cope with depression, anxiety and the loss of loved ones. “We’re getting her as much interaction as possible,” Dr. Robin Lady, gifted resource teacher, said. Photograph by Dr. Robin Lady Dr. Lady said she feels less stressed when Remi’s around; therefore, Remi would be great for students who are struggling at school. Photograph by Verlen Crosby

Melody Kaplan, Crestview Middle School (CMS) language arts teacher, sits with her dog Clayton in front of her classroom. Clayton has created a connection between all students and staff at CMS. “Clayton is always excited to see everyone, and that rubs off on people,” Kaplan said. Photograph

by Karen Farmer Two CMS students sit in the hallway while they pet Clayton. Time with Clayton can be used as a reward for good behavior from students in classes. Photograph by Melody Kaplan

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Skills Needed for Dogs to Pass AKC Test

1. Sit politely for petting 2. Keep up appearance 3. Be friendly to strangers 4. Behave around other dogs 5. Walk on a loose lead

6. Come when called 7. Sit on command 8. Walk through crowds 9. React properly to distractions 10. Pass supervised separation

issue IV

FEATURES

7

3 Positions of Prayer

1. Standing is a sign of respect while reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, which is an opening prayer in the Quran.

2. Bowing symbolizes admiration to Allah.

3. Prostrating, head on ground while kneeling, is a way of asking forgiveness from Allah.

Photographs by Lajja Patel

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3

2

Muslim students pray daily during passing period lajja PATEL When the clock strikes noon, Iman Muhammad, sophomore, goes to Room 280 instead of her proceeding class to pay respect to her Muslim faith and devote time during school to pray.

“Praying helps me focus, and with the help of Allah, my anxiety escapes,” Muhammad said. “The prayers give me a sense of virtue, and I believe it has brought the [Muslim] community closer at school.”

Muhammad is the president of Muslim Student Association (MSA) and has noticed the positive results in her personal life and the Muslim community at school following the start of in-school prayers.

Beginning in early November, MSA started praying daily during the passing period before seventh hour on C-Days

and sixth hour on A and B-Days, Muhammad said.

Sophomore Humnah Khan, vice president of MSA, said Muslims are required to do five mandatory prayers: Fajr during sunrise, Dhuhr during noon, Asr during afternoon, Maghrib during sunset and Isha during night.

“It is a religious obligation, and it is nice to set time for God because it grounds me and allows me to accept my whole self,” Khan said.

Due to Daylight Savings, the time for this specific prayer is between noon and 2 p.m. which is why it must be done during school because by the time we reach home it’s too late, Khan said.

Khan said the prayers last about 10 minutes, so passes are given in case anyone is late to their next class. However, the Friday prayers are considered special and usually longer because it is

considered a holy day according to the Quran.

“We want to keep the prayer long enough, so we aren’t disrespectful to the religion but short enough so we take less time out of our education,” Khan said.

Junior Mohid Idrees, secretary of MSA, was involved in finding a space to pray and currently leads the school prayer.

To Idrees, carrying out his faith during school keeps him calm, he said.

“It’s hard to put into words because it means more than I can say it means,” Idrees said. “Praying with the group is often the most peaceful part of my day and even more peaceful than praying at home.”

In past years, only about two or three people prayed at school. Now, approximately 15 people attend, Idrees

said. He said the increased participation called for a larger room.

“I am very thankful for the school allowing us to pray,” Idrees said.

Junior Principal Dr. Richard Regina said he felt it was his duty to find a space big enough for the increasing number of students wanting to take part in the prayers.

“I want students to feel encouraged to pray, and it is my job to find a private and comfortable space for them to do so,” Dr. Regina said. “This experience with MSA has been gratifying, and I am always available to help other students who want to pray because I know it means a lot to them.”

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IN-DE

Challenged Books

8 • • • • • • • • •

“Where I End and You Begin” by Preston Norton “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M. Johnson “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins “Looking for Alaska” by John Green “This One Summer” by Mariko Tamaki “Heroine” by Mindy McGinnis “The Breakaways” by Cathy G. Johnson

Parents have put several books in RSD school libraries under official review, claiming they contain pornography and references to violence and drugs

50%

of book challenges are made by parents

Under Review

stephanie LEI • arpitha SISTLA Since the start of the semester, 12 library books have been challenged at the district level by students’ parents under various concerns including language, drugs, sexual content, LBTQ+ representation, violence and police brutality.

“It’s interesting because there are lots of different reasons why people challenge books, so there’s never really a complete pattern to it,” Dr. Shelley Willott, RSD director of curriculum, said. “Everyone’s a little bit different, and it just depends on that person’s perspective and what they believe about that piece of material.”

Dr. Willott said there have been more book challenges this semester than her entire eight years in RSD. None of these books are required reading but rather they are books available to students in the library.

As of Dec. 15, three committees have chosen to “retain without restriction” for the material they reviewed which allows students full access.

During the Thursday, Nov. 18, Board of Education (BOE) meeting, several parents were given the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the process of challenging books and the books themselves.

Christian Eldridge, RSD parent, is concerned about the content of the books available to students in libraries, specifically those with pornagraphy and sexual content.

“It represents an alarming agenda that targets youth hiding behind virtuous words such as diversity and inclusion,” Eldridge said during patron comments at the BOE meeting. “We must welcome children of all identities into our libraries and there are plenty of books that do that. What I am deeply concerned about is the large number of books sitting on our library shelves with the agenda of sexually ruining our children.”

Librarian Perspective Brittany Sharitz, librarian, said none of the book challenges have come from MHS parents.

“These challenges have all been from parents who have students at different levels,” Sharitz said. “But I think those parents are just looking ahead and thinking about when their students will become high school age, what they’ll have access to.”

Sharitz is on the book challenge committee that reviews “Crank” by Ellen Hopkins and “Looking For Alaska” by John Green.

While Sharitz understands that having multiple perspectives and dialogue over the library books is important, she said if students are ever bothered by content they find, they can choose not to read it.

“Librarians know that not all books are intended for every reader, but we also strive to meet the needs of a very diverse group of students. The maturity, interests and life experiences of students can vary greatly,” Sharitz said. “Content that seems too mature for some students could actually reflect the experiences of others and provide comfort in troubling times.”

Sharitz said librarians consider the merits of a book during the purchasing process, and thus, she does not think books should be banned.

Sharitz is a trained professional with 12 years of teaching experience and has completed a 42 credit hour master’s program in order to become a librarian.

“We definitely make judgment calls on what is appropriate and what isn’t appropriate for school libraries,” Sharitz said. “We’re using discretion to decide what should be in here and what shouldn’t.”

Student Perspective Aadhya Subhash, senior, talked about the issue of banning books from school during an AP Literature discussion for “Native Son” by Richard Wright.

“One of the best things about reading books that do contain sensitive topics is we’re being exposed to problems that really do affect real-world situations,” Subhash said. “Rather than being sheltered by it, it’s better to receive a formal education like this, so we’re not just navigating through this in our home, but with the help of teachers and other educational material.”

Subhash said parents may be concerned that books with violence or sensitive topics such as assault or drug usage have a negative impact on their child.

“I think parents can obviously restrict what books they want their children to read, but they shouldn’t restrict them from everyone else,” Subhash said.

Author Perspective One of the 12 books being challenged in RSD is “Heroin” by Mindy McGinnis. McGinnis spoke to students at MHS earlier this year.

One reason parents in the district have requested this book to be removed from school libraries is that “the content of the book is inappropriate for children of school age through twelfth grade.”

McGinnis, however, said that according to the CDC, heroin use more than doubled among young adults ages 18–25 in the past decade.

“Real talk has to happen with teens about

drug abuse, prescript very real dangers of c turn 18, exactly the p dow of opportunity th deny,” McGinnis said McGinnis said ban libraries has a greater “It’s a black mark, Ginnis said. “It tells k these topics - whateve lives, that they are wr This does not encour or seek help. It encou heads down, bury pai isolation as they prete abide by a social code upon them.”

While McGinnis s be heard and that she concerns, she asks ad librarians and other i “If a parent says, ‘ ate for my child,’ they “When a parent says, ate for any child,’ we’ Laura Saggar, RSD committee in charge As president of Wildw PTO, Saggar was aske a parent leader in the “Books are window live,” Saggar said.

Saggar said the va such books is that the with their parents and Rather than glorifyin Heroin tells a story th dangers of drug addic

EPTH

QA

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&

Mindy McGinnis, Edgar Award-winning author of the challenged book ‘Heroine’, shares her perspective

WHAT AUDIENCES DO YOU THINK YOUR BOOK “HEROIN” IS APPROPRIATE FOR?

At the Thursday, Nov. 18, Board of Education (BOE), parents attended to voice their concerns regarding a variety of topics. A few parents applauded at the close of each comment. Jason Moore, RSD parent, spoke up about his dislike of the materials being taught at schools. “I did not feel comfortable reading what I saw,” Moore said at the meeting. “Rethink how this district is being led.” Photographs by Marin Ellington

tion drug misuse, and the casual drug use before they period of time and the winhat the statement would d. nning books from school r significance. , a patina of shame,” Mckids who are dealing with ver they are - in their daily rong, shameful and dirty. rage anyone to speak up urages them to keep their in and live in emotional end to fit in, be normal and e that others have pushed

said all voices should e understands parental dults to trust educators, institutions. ‘this book is not appropriy are right,” McGinnis said. , ‘this book is not appropri’re in censorship territory.”

D parent, is part of the of challenging “Heroin.” wood Middle School’s ed to join the committee as e district. ows into how other people

alue in students reading ey may spark discussion d other trusted adults. ng drug usage, she said, hat warns students of the ction.

Restriction Process

Supreme Court Cases

1. Parents must first speak with their student’s teacher or librarian.

Minarcini v. Strongsville City School District

2. The librarian then restricts the student’s access to the particular book.

3. If the parent still feels the issue is unresolved, they can talk with the principal.

Challenge Process 1. In the case where the parent wants the book completely removed, they must fill out the challenged material forms.

2. RSD then forms a committee consisting of teachers, librarians and students to review the book’s content and determine if it will be removed from school libraries.

3. The committee’s decision is presented to the Board of Education for final approval.

This 1976 case ruled that a library in a public school is created to benefit students and its content cannot be taken away by school boards because they dissaprove of content.

Board of Education vs. Pico This 1982 case ruled that petitioners cannot extend their discretion further than the classroom environment to the library and the content that is stored in it.

Mozert v. Hawkins County Board of Education This 1987 case ruled that religious themes taught in required reading is not required worship and is open to individual interpretation.

“Humans. Anyone looking for empathy and compassion in the world.

Anyone hoping to be understood.

Anyone wondering how easy it is to fall down a rabbit hole, and anyone who has ever considered the fact that it could be them one day.”

WHAT POWER SHOULD PARENTS HAVE IN CENSORING THE READING OF HIGH SCHOOLERS BEYOND THEIR OWN CHILD? “Trust the readers themselves. I worked in a high school library for 14 years. Teens and young readers DO self-censor. I’ve seen plenty of kids pick up a book, page through it and be like, ‘Woah! Okay... not for me.’ They put it down. They move on.”

WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DECISIONS REGARDING BANNING BOOKS? “Most schools have a great process for dealing with challenged books.

Of course, all voices should be heard.

Parents have real concerns about what their children are exposed to, and raising their children is their most important job. Listening is also critical, and in a time when most public discourse has been demeaned to slugging matches where the winner has the best one-liner and everyone has a pie chart to refute someone else’s bar graph, actually being quiet and considering the other person’s point no longer seems essential to arriving at a decision.”

See full interview online

10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

MARVEL MADNESS

dec. 2021

Evolution of Spider-Man Actors

Fans reflect on evolution of Spider-Man aarushi BUTE Blasting music through the speakers on the way to school, Edward Ter-Hovhannisyan, freshman, has listened to one song every school day since pre-school: the Spider-Man theme song.

Inspired by nostalgic memories and his love for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) movies, Ter-Hovhannisyan decided to start the Marvel fan club.

“I’m excited because I get to share my common interest with other people,” Ter-Hovhannisyan said.

Students in the Marvel fan club select a movie to watch each week and then discuss their reflections at the end of the meeting, Ter-Hovhannisyan said.

Mike Wagner, sponsor, said he has been a fan of the MCU and started collecting comics during the early to mid 1980s.

“I like the sense of adventure, the writing, and I was a big fan of the different artists that would draw the comics,” Wagner said.

Wagner said he is looking forward to seeing “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which released Friday, Dec. 17.

“Like a lot of fans, my hope is high,” Wagner said.

“I worry that it will buckle under the weight of all the expectations because of all the different storylines feeding into it. This is a culmination of 20 years of

Spider-Man movies that will come together in two hours and a half.”

As for the evolution of Spider-Man, Wagner said it has been natural. The first trilogy, featuring Tobey Maguire, was extremely successful with about $821.7 million earned in box office, because there was a hunger for well-done movies at that time, Wagner said.

The movies also depicted real iconic scenes from the comics.

In the past Spider-Man movies, Peter Parker/Spider-Man has been played by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and currently is Tom Holland.

“I thought Andrew Garfield did a great job. The Spider-Man wasn't as crisp of a character, but Peter Parker was about right. And then as far as the total package, I think Tom Holland is pretty awesome,” Wagner said.

Alexis Nguyen, junior, said Spider-Man and the MCU has been a form of escapism for her.

Like many others, Nguyen said that her favorite Spider-Man actor has been Tom Holland because of his performance as both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. “Spider-Man is such a classic character,” Nguyen said. “He’s a reminder of how purely good someone can be, and I’m extremely excited to see how this movie turns out.”

"Spider-Man Discussions" by Emma Tyulyayev 2

1

Tobey Maguire Though TV shows featured other actors, Tobey Maguire was the first to potray Spider-Man on a movie screen. He starred in the original "Spider-Man" trilogy from 2002-2007.

Andrew Garfield Although he only starred in the role of Spider-Man in two films from 2012-2014, Andrew Garfield was well known in the role. He premiered in "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."

4

3

Tom Holland Making his debut in the role of Spider-Man in 2016, Tom Holland starred first in the movie "Captain America: Civil War" and has subsequently appeared in five Marvel movies, most recently, the new film "SpiderMan: No Way Home."

Brandon Forrest is the owner of local comic shop, Altered State, which is located in Manchester.

The store was opened in October.

Forrest said that Spider-Man comics are his best seller, with him selling over 218 comics.

These are the newest SpiderMan comics that have come into Forrest's shop.

Comic by Emma Tyulyayev

Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev Information from YardBarker Entertainment News

issue IV

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12

7 issue IV

OPINIONS

SPEAK OUT

WOULD YOU GET THE COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT?

“No, it’s supposed to take 5-10 years to make [a vaccine], but [the booster shot] took like three months. I don’t trust it.”

JELANI JAMES,

freshman

“Yes, I would because it keeps me safe, it keeps the people around you safe, everyone at school safe. There is a lesser risk of getting [COVID] basically.”

KABIR GHURA,

sophomore

“Yes, I would get the booster shot because it’s science that has been proven to work.”

ADITI KISHORE,

junior

“Yes because I personally have asthma. I believe it’s the most crucial thing toward getting out of all this mess, out of quarantine.”

JACKSON WILHELM,

senior

“I actually have gotten my booster shot, so yes, I’m fine with getting it. For me, it’s just a matter of wanting to end the pandemic as quick as possible.”

MARY JESPERSON,

School Store volunteer

Illustration by Mason Kellerman

Schools should be mask optional The debate over schools continuing a mask mandate has once again become a controversial issue with the filing of a lawsuit by the Missouri Attorney General.

The lawsuit claims that mask mandates infringe upon civil liberties and should not be left up to the discretion of individual districts.

Though this contrasts directly with the governor’s statement that individual districts have discretion over such matters, it has given the mask debate new wind..

A small group of students at Eureka High School protested the St. Louis County mask mandate on Thursday, Dec. 9. The “mask off” protest was EDITORIAL met with mixed reactions.

That same day, St. Louis County removed its mask mandate. Districts around the St. Louis Area therefore began discussion about the continuation of their mask mandates.

Following these events, RSD released a proposed update to their Rockwood Safe Together plan. The proposed plan would instate a mask-recommended policy, one in which masks are not regulated nor required.

This plan was voted on at the Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16, however, the results of this vote were not yet available at the time of

publication.

Due to the current climate in the district regarding masks, a mask-recommended policy, is in fact, the best course of action for RSD. It allows for students and staff to decide if they want to wear a mask and eliminates a lot of the political tension surrounding masks.

In an ideal world, all RSD students and staff would remain masked, especially due to the omicron variant.

But this simply can no longer be the case as vaccination rates grow, case numbers drop and tensions rise surrounding the issue.

We strongly advise to as many people as possible to continue wearing masks, even in a mask-recommended setting.

It is still possible to contract COVID when vaccinated and wearing a mask provides additional safety. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), masks reduce transmission up to 50-70 percent, and with new variants, it is best to continue wearing masks.

The CDC also continues to recommend correct and consistent mask usage indoors.

This mask-recommended plan paired with proper contact-tracing protocol would ensure safety for students and staff while also allowing them to make their own decision regarding mask use.

BOARD

Letter to the Editor Don’t change concerts Concerts have no need to increase their safety. As live concerts begin to open to the public as restrictions are lifted, many want to get back to listening to live music. The crowds are larger than before and the feeling of being squished up to random people screaming their lungs out is a rush you get from no other place. Things like this are bound to happen with the mobs, but this should not be the artists or the concert planners fault as warnings and other discretions are given to concert goers before the concert and it’s on them if they get hurt not the artists. The increase in safety would indefinitely get rid of the thrill of the concert and cause many to not want to come anymore. It should be on the people to have the sense to not bring a nine year old to a concert full of grown people where he could easily be trampled.

Do you have a strong opinion that you would like featured in the Messenger?

If so, you can submit a Letter to the Editor at yourmhsnews@gmail.com

- Jay Medasani, freshman More letters to the editor can be found online at www.marquettemessenger.com

dec. 2021

13

OPINIONS

America must update gun laws liza COOPER When it comes to the right to hold a firearm, there are people for it, there are people against it and there are those who don’t care.

Personally, I think it is hard to form an opinion on such a serious subject when I haven’t been directly impacted.

It’s easy to adopt the mindset of “it’s never going to happen to me.” But, members of communities affected by gun violence have probably said the same thing to themselves, only to find that the problem is much more near to heart than they expected.

Whatever your opinions are, the cold hard facts don’t change: 42,539 people have died from gun-related violence in 2021, according to the Gun Violence Archive. And that number keeps going up each year, which is not okay.

I’ve noticed that after each gun-violence related incident that makes the news, especially mass shootings, there is a frenzy of activity to “crack down on” and “strictly regulate” America’s gun laws. But after a few weeks, the same people who felt so strongly about gun laws are on to the next issue.

This needs to change. We can’t just address gun violence when it is convenient, when it makes the news. We have to address gun violence all day, every day, to ensure the safety of the American people.

One way to do this is to follow the example of other countries. For example, after an April 1996 shooting in Tasmania, Australia radically reformed

annie ALCORN

Illustration by Mason Kellerman

their gun laws. Their National Firearms Agreement (NFA) banned several types of assault weapons and required a 28-day waiting period, background check and a “justifiable reason” to be present before the sale of a gun.

Since then, Australia has created a country of responsible gun owners.

Following the enactment of NFA, total firearm deaths decreased 6 percent each year.

It is in America’s best interest to conduct more thorough background checks before selling guns, like Australia, including the examination of past criminal history and medical records for any signs of mental illness. In doing so, the number of gun-related murders

and suicides would drastically decrease.

Also, we have to practice what we preach. That starts with advocating for gun safety. Holding mandatory firearm safety classes and keeping guns out of reach of children are important steps forward.

I am not saying people should not own guns. The Second Amendment, or the right to keep and bear arms, is a quintessential American law. But we also need to keep in mind that the Constitution was written in a very different time, for different weapons that were used for different reasons than guns are unfortunately being used for today.

We should stop buying Advent calendars annabelle MILLER The season leading up to Christmas is celebrated by most Christians as Advent: a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus on Christmas.

At my church, mass is held each of the four Sundays of Advent and a new candle is lit on the Advent wreath.

Seeing the Advent wreath in Church always gets me excited for Christmas and the holiday season.

My grandma gives me and my two siblings Advent calendars after Thanksgiving to count down the days until Christmas.

The idea is to open a different door each day in December to find a piece of chocolate or other small gifts to celebrate the season.

The Advent calendars don’t contain different types of chocolate though, just the same off-brand milk chocolate.

This is the worst type of chocolate I have ever tasted, and I always forget how much I dislike it until I open the first door on Dec. 1.

No one in my family really enjoys the process, yet we feel obligated to repeat it because we love how excited

The semester should end now

my grandma is to give them to us. Unfortunately, these Advent calendars are hurting the environment.

There were an estimated 16.5 million Advent calendars sold and discarded in 2019, according to Business Waste UK. Many people try to recycle their Advent calendars, but they contain large amounts of plastic and foil which cannot be recycled. Doing so contaminates all other materials they are with, which causes the whole load to be sent to a landfill rather than recycled as they should be.

According to Green Peace Africa, plastics never truly break down in a landfill. They only break into smaller particles that can contaminate surroundings. This means the single-use plastic in 16.5 million Advent calendars is breaking down and poisoning the environment.

Advent calendars are a well-meaning way to get kids excited about Christmas and Advent, but the truth is, they are hurting the environment. If many of us are going to throw them away without much enjoyment, we shouldn’t buy them in the first place.

For anyone who can’t stand the idea of getting rid of Advent calendars, there are a few alternatives. Many calendars have been made with pictures, crafts, socks and much more. These don’t rely as heavily on plastic and won’t contaminate the environment if recycled.

I love the holiday season, but when traditions like Advent calendars hurt the environment (and my taste buds), they need to go.

It’s the final stretch before Winter Break.

Teachers are cramming in last-minute lessons and students are studying for big tests.

But, when I leave school on Tuesday, Dec. 21, for break, I will not have taken a final. My grades won’t be finalized for the semester, and when I come back on Monday, Jan. 3, I will have two weeks left of first semester to complete.

Due to a law signed on July 11, 2019, by Governor Mike Parson, the start date of Missouri public schools is now 14 days before the first Monday in September, extending our semester into January to make up for the lost days at the beginning of the year.

This law was created in the hopes of giving families an extra week of summer vacation.

It feels extremely unnatural for me to end the semester in the middle of January. I understand RSD has to start the school year later than usual, but I still feel ending the semester after break has many negative effects.

I am always ready for a change in my schedule after the holidays.

After four months of the same routine every single day, Winter Break was always the perfect divider between the two semesters.

It is also a nuisance for the eight seniors who are graduating a semester early, one of those being Giselle Bauer. She said she is disappointed she will have to come back after the break for two more weeks before she is able to graduate.

“It has always been rewarding to go on Winter Break and know that you have completed a semester and you’re done,” Bauer said. “It’s frustrating that I have to come back after break because you think you’re done and you’re not.”

Instead of being able to completely recharge and reset, I will still have final exams and end-of-semester work looming over me throughout Winter Break, which defeats the purpose of a break at all.

Liberty Public School District in Kansas City, Mo., has found a way to make this work. According to the district’s calendar, they started school on Tuesday, Aug. 24. But, they are still ending their semester on Tuesday, Dec. 21. So, it is possible to start the year in accordance with the law, but still end the first semester before break.

If RSD eliminated all Late Start days and Early Release days in the first semester, I think we could end the semester before break.

The RSD Board of Education would benefit from trying to find a better solution since other districts have found a way to make this work.

SPORTS

14

Girls wrestling triples team size in less than three years emma TYULYAYEV Rebecca Strong, junior, said one of the best decisions of her life has been to join the girls wrestling team.

“I’ve always been pretty strong since I was little, and my friend came up to me and she was like you should join wrestling,” Strong said.

When Strong joined her freshman year, there were only four girls on the team. Now there are 15.

“Before, no one really knew that we wrestled, but now it’s growing and people are acknowledging this,” Strong said.

The rise of members on the team could trace back to the increased awareness among girls of the sport, which the team members frequently talk about and post on social media. Strong said she would let other girls know about the sport and how it benefited her in areas like strength and confidence.

Although there is an increased interest in girls wrestling, Strong said the boy’s team still gets more attention because people think they have more action during matches. Strong said the action of the matches usually depends on skill and the athlete’s experience and not specifically on their gender.

Maddy Barton, junior, who has been wrestling for three years, said that at the beginning of this year, the girls from the previous years hung up posters in the bathrooms and talked about the sport frequently.

Emails were also sent out to let the freshman girls know about the team “It makes me really happy that there are more girls that wanna try the sport since we tried our best to promote it this year,” Barton said.

Sean Torgoley, girls wrestling coach, has been working with the girls wrestling team for about two years. He said wrestling is the hardest high school

sport a student can do because it requires a great amount of physical and mental toughness, and that there are certain stigmas and stereotypes around it that keep girls from joining.

He said he hopes even more girls in the coming years will consider trying out.

With good progress being made, Torgoley said this might be the first year where the girls wrestling team might get some first places in tournaments.

“This year is going to be huge for them,” Torgoley said. “I’m excited for them to leave their mark in Marquette history.”

6

dec. 2021 facts about weight cutting From Coach Jacob Dieffenbach and wrestler Rebecca Strong

1

Wrestlers take a body fat test and hydration test to determine their lowest allowable weight.

Dehydration slows down metabolism if you go too long without eating.

3

Cutting weight allows for people to go down a weight class and have an advantage over the others.

There are 14 weight classes you can be in. The classes are between 106 lbs to 285 lbs.

5

Junior Isabel Oriola has been on the wrestling team since freshman year. “The guys are really supportive of us. It’s just like a family.” Last match the girls placed fifth, which was the first time the girls team has ever placed.

Photograph by Ben Hughes

2

Wrestlers limit their water intake 1-2 days before the weigh in to have the least amount of water in their body.

4

When working to lose weight, avoid sodium because it will make you thirsty and gain more water weight.

6

issue IV

15

SPORTS

Swim team upholds winning relay tradition

meet] and show that we can still compete with the best of the best out there When Molly Holubowksi, freshman, and still win was a huge boost of confileft the Marquette Relays Swim and dence for sure,” Schoedel said.

Dive meet on Tuesday, Dec. 7, the girls Schoedel said the team did not enter swim team ranked second place. the meet solely with the intent to win.

Several days later, Holubowksi’s “I just said swim fast, swim clean, phone buzzed with notifications. The cheer for each other,” Schoedel said. “No girls swim team group chat was celematter what happens, we’ll see where we brating a pleasant surprise: first place. fall at the end.”

“I just got chills, and I was so Ellen Klasing, assistant swim coach, happy,” Holubowski said. “It was just said a winning streak always comes with so cool to see how excited they [the expectations to uphold it. However, like coaches] were and then how excited Schoedel, Klasing said the coaches did my team was.” not focus on winning, but more on allowMHS was originally awarded second ing the swimmers to try their best. place due to point calculation errors, “It’s a relay meet, so you really are reduced here will other not match but after a recount, theisteam was in quality to be email compatible, making some images appear blurry. Colors displayed swimming for each and forthe your named first.

The team has earned first team,” Klasing said.

“So, that’s what we final product exactly. VERIFY YOUR INFORMATION IS CORRECT. Indicate any changes and return this proof promptly.

Ad Pages is not place at the meet since 2013. told them going into it: ‘We want you responsible fortradition any printed errors Senior after approval is given. Additional proofs requiring design or copy changes may result in extra charges.

Upholding the of winning Carsyn Cosman has been a swimmer on varsity for 4 years. Cosman said she was very guys to do your best. Go out there and the meet meant a lot to the team, Hol- surprised to have won the Marquette Relays due to the size of the team and loss of key show us what you got’.” ubowski said.

Because the team is smaller this year, swimmers from last year. Photograph by Ben Hughes Approved, Approved, “If we keep working hard in practicthe team and coaches were happy to have 11/8X2-LR AD PREPARED _________________________________ es and everyone on the team is getting along well, no I changes ubowksi said. with noted changes receivedBY: second place at first, Klasing said. However, think we can always do really good in the Marquette Joe Schoedel, head swim coach, said the error in once the results were recounted, and the team earned Relays and be some good competition,” Holubowski calculations stemmed from changes made in the first place, Klasing said everyone was ecstatic.

Approval point Signature: _______________________________________________ www.AdPages.com said. past few years. Coaches proposed “B” relays, or two “I would love to continue this streak, but my menHALF The Marquette Relays was Holubowski’s first relays per event, instead of just “A” relays, or one retality as a coach and with the girls teamPAGE and the boys Date: _______________ Corporate Fax: 972-509-1603 972.424.1980 | 888.424.1980 BOA1221GS09S swim meet for the MHS team after transitioning from lay per event, to allow more swimmers to participate team is that as long as they’re doing their best and club swim. in the meets. they’re working hard and they’re putting out their Holubowski said the main difference between Schoedel said winning the first meet of the season best times and they’re supporting each other, the club swim and MHS girls swim is the team atmoand preserving the eight-year tradition was a boost of placement isn’t really what I’m focused on,” Klasing sphere and connectedness between the swimmers. confidence for the swimmers. said.

“The friendships that I am making on high school “I think a lot of the girls think that we are not as swim, I’ll probably carry them out for so long,” Holfast as we were last year and for them to win [the

akhila SWARNA

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16

dec. 2021

SPORTS

MHS NFL Rivalries Kansas City Chiefs 68 Wins

Las Vegas Raiders VS 53 Wins

Joey Swaykus junior

Chicago Bears Felicity Garton junior

94 Wins

Zack Thelen senior

Green Bay Packers 102 Wins

VS Ryan Giordanella junior

Arizona Cardinals Los Angles Rams 39 Wins 47 Wins

VS

Myles Moore junior

Anna Volk junior

Growing up football

Family love for football inspires life long passions

watching the team with her family, has continued to advance her knowledge and love for the game and the It began on Jan. 26, 1985, in the basement of a central atmosphere it creates.

“Getting together every year is a memory, bondIllinois home. Kevin Schultz, a 6 year old at the time, ing with my parents,” Cole said. watched the Chicago Bears beat the New England Rob Durham, language arts teacher, similarly Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX with his family. remembers having sports be a large part of his life.

Inspired by the Bears’ victory, Schultz made the He has been watching the Ohio State University life-long commitment to support the team.

Buckeyes since at age 3 he heard his dad yelling at the “The excitement that there was when the Bears television. won has stuck with me,” Shultz said.

Durham attended Ohio State University and Even though the Bears haven’t won a Super Bowl moved from Ohio to St. Louis in 2005. He said he since the 1985 season, Shultz said he still follows the often gets congratulated for the success of the team team, even if they are not the best. and is amused at the way it feels like the success is Sports teams allow friends, family and fans to attributed to him. come together, celebrate and bond “It’s my identity,” Durham said. for a common cause. They create unforgettable moments that bring “It’s my identity. It’s like “It’s like a religion that nobody else around here has.” communities together. a religion that nobody Durham said nostalgia plays a Shultz said the Bears’ gritty culelse around here has.” big role in his passion. He said his ture as “Monsters of the Midway” closest friends all attended Ohio and their success drew him in as a State University with him and takkid and stuck with him as an adult.

Rob Durham, ing road trips and texting during “I don’t want to let go of those language arts teacher the matches makes him feel young. memories and that team,” Schultz With such dedication also said. “You want to have hope that comes a dominating force in his they can get back to where they life, however. Durham said his passion also brings used to be.”

While Schultz’s love for his team began before Jil- worry in regards to the success of the team, and he has lost a lot of sleep worrying about the success of lian Cole, senior, was even born, she said her love for the team. the Kansas City Chiefs has been a family love passed “I’m not proud of the amount of anxiety it gives down over generations. me,” Durham said. “You try not to let it affect the rest Cole’s father grew up near Kansas City, and the of your personal life.” family returns every year to watch a game together, Durham said he knows he will always receive usually the home opener. Cole said her favorite part harassment from fellow staff members and students of the team is how they interact with their fans. following a tough loss from the team, but that the “They always make sure to interact with the peolarger community it fosters is more important. ple that are there and talk to them or hang out with “There’s always gonna be ups and downs, but try them before the game,” Cole said. not to over-do it,” Durham said.

Though a firm understanding of the game really began to take root around age 8, Cole said every year,

marin ELLINGTON • ben HUGHES

Couch Commanders

Online fantasy sports leagues are available for most major sports, allowing any fan to get involved in the action and invested in every game of the season, all from their living room.

1

How to win your Fantasy League

Plan

Find out where you want to play, who you want to play with and what you want to play for (fun, bragging rights and more). Sign up and join a league!

2

Get together in person or online to pick the players you want on your team.

Have backup plans in case another manager picks the player you want.

3

Build

Draft

After the draft, plan out what players you want to play each week. Trade with other managers for players to help round out your team.

Pay attention to injuries, trades and performance of your players to put the best, highest-scoring ones on your roster. Score more points than your opponent every week to win.

4

Win

Fantasy Sports: By the Numbers

14-18 16-20 Weeks in a NFL season

People per league

Top Fantasy Scorers Giannis Antetokounmpo Power Forward

Cooper Kupp

WR, LA Rams

585 335.4

Total Points

Total points