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VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE V | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | FEBRUARY 2022
Hues of Humanity Art popularity rises during the pandemic See story on pgs. 8-9
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07 04 CARL HUDSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Funds from the Hudson family will provide two seniors with $1,000 toward their college education. 06 WESTERNIZING NAMES Students alter traditional name pronunciations. 07 SMILEY COOKIES Lafayette Industries and McArthur’s Bakery partnered up to provide cookie decorating jobs for adults with disabilities.
11 Red Cross struggles with severe blood shortage. See full story on pg. 3.
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PREVIEW
14 GIRLS WATER POLO TEAM Increasing interest led MSHSAA to recognize girls water polo teams. Photographs by Sujin Chun, Marin Ellington, Samson Kohler, Annabelle Miller, Micah Roeseler and Emma Tyulyayev. Front page art by Driptaa Chakraborty.
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 News Editor Annabelle Miller Features Editors Lajja Patel Parker Brandt Arts & Entertainment Editor Anika Talyan Sports Editors Jacob Robinson Pranav Sriraman Opinions Editor Liza Cooper Illustrators Mason Kellerman Emma Tyulyayev Social Media Editor Katie Wheeler Business Manager Aubrey Lacavich Staff Reporters Annie Alcorn Elle Devous Willem Hummel Claire Lowder Tiona Merritte Elizabeth Neier Aleena Shaik Prashu Sidella Anvi Talyan Samuel Wakapa Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen
Students pursue song writing and composition. See full story on pg. 10.
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11 STUDENTS BUILD COMPUTERS Computer construction leads students to future career plans.
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Messenger staff reviews M&M’s new seasonal flavor: White Chocolate Pretzel Snowball.
Students in the theatre program create and produce self-directed one act plays in three weeks.
by | annabelle
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issue V
NEWS
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Blood shortage impacts local communities akhila SWARNA Along with the typical lecture on blood spatter and blood typing in forensics class, Dawna Barnhart, science teacher, incorporates information about a crucial issue: the national blood shortage. The American Red Cross announced the country is undergoing one of the worst blood shortages in more than a decade, creating a delay in crucial blood transfusions for patients. The Red Cross provides up to 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, and the shortage has led to blood banks reporting less than a day’s supply of some blood types, according to the organization. “I think my job is just to make my students aware of things that our community needs,” Barnhart said. “And so our crisis with blood right now, that’s just one of those things.” The current blood crisis stemmed specifically from the pandemic and harsh weather conditions inhibiting transportation to the blood drives. In fact, the rise in COVID-19 cases attributed to a 10 percent decline in the number of individuals donating blood, according to the Red Cross. Barnhart said since the majority of her students are old enough to donate blood, she wants to inform them of the crisis and encourage blood donation. If students had access to a blood drive at MHS, she said most of her students would donate. Senior Theresa Santos, secretary of media for the National Honors Society (NHS), said NHS decided to host a blood drive this spring to improve students’ access to donation centers. Santos said the goal of the blood drive is to donate to hospitals and to patients who are in need of blood for transfusions. The blood drive is also a yearly tradition for NHS. “We decided to do a blood drive because we need to give back to our community,” Santos said. “It’s a certain way to donate something other than goods.” As the Red Cross National Headquarters Intake Team Member, Michelle Cubero said her work connects thousands of Red Cross volunteers with links to the nearest blood drives to help mitigate the crisis. She offers Donor Ambassador (DA) positions to volunteers who sign up for shifts working blood drives and helps educate the DAs on how to support blood donors. “Our work helps staff the nations’ blood drives to make it possible for people to donate blood to offset
What are blood types?
Blood types are determined by the presence of antigens, either A or B, and can trigger an immune response with the presence of a foreign antigen. Each blood type contains either A or B antigens with the exception of the O blood type that has neither antigen.
- Also known as the universal red cell donor - Can only accept O blood
- Can only receive type O and A blood
the blood shortage,” Cubero said. Cubero said blood shortages happen from time to time, but the current crisis documents record lows with factors like the COVID-19 pandemic or the area of the country impacting the blood supply. “Recently we’ve had tornados, blizzards and other natural disasters where a simple blood transfusion can save a person’s life,” Cubero said. Cubero said she encourages individuals to get involved by signing up to volunteer at the American Red Cross, by donating blood by becoming a DA and staffing blood drives, or even assisting the National Scheduling Team by scheduling volunteers for shifts in blood drives. “It’s no longer about us: it’s about the emergency itself and we are partnering up and teaming up,” Cubero said. Margaret G’Sell, medical technologist at Mercy Hospital St. Louis, said the current blood crisis is concerning for numerous reasons, especially for patients
-Also known as the universal plasma donor - Can receive all blood types
- Can receive O and A blood
Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev. Infographic by Akhila Swarna
needing trauma surgery or patients with acute blood loss. Because type O blood is the universal donor to all blood types, G’Sell said the blood type is the lowest in supply which is potentially dangerous to babies and individuals needing emergency surgery. Although Mercy Hospital does not order blood through the Red Cross, the blood shortage has impacted the elective surgery schedule, G’Sell said. Due to the increase in COVID cases, elective surgeries were pushed back. Blood donation was inhibited by the past snow days, but the elective surgeries will require additional blood requests. In the future, the Red Cross requests the nation to “roll up a sleeve to help ensure people receive the care they need.” Those wishing to donate blood can visit www. redcross.org to find local blood drives.
RSD announces Dr. Curtis Cain as new superintendent aarushi BUTE After a year-long search, the RSD Board of Education (BOE) unanimously selected Dr. Curtis Cain as the district’s new superintendent effective July 1, 2022. Dr. Cain currently serves as the superintendent of the Wentzville School District where he has worked since 2013 and will be replacing RSD’s interim superintendent, Dr. Tim Ricker. In a press release, Dr. Cain said he is honored to join RSD and looks forward to building relationships and supporting opportunities for students. “I plan to spend a great deal of time listening and learning and bringing people together to focus on all students and their growth,” Dr. Cain said in the press release. “I’m truly grateful and excited to join the Rockwood family.” Taryn Blevins, junior, said she used to be in the Wentzville School District and has had Dr. Cain as a superintendent in the past. “The majority [ of Wentzville School District] was white so it was a big thing to have an African Ameri-
can superintendent just there,” Blevins said. “He was like a face that you knew in the school district, and he really made personal connections with people.” Blevins said Dr. Cain being RSD’s first person of color superintendent is a huge step forward for the district. As part of the Diversity and Equity Committee (DEI), Blevins said they often talk about the lack of African American administration. “So I think that it is definitely just such a powerful thing that he’s superintendent now, but it’s also like you have somebody standing with you and for you, and it’s pushing for change,” Blevins said. As part of the DEI, Blevins said she hopes Dr. Cain will focus on making RSD more diverse. “I definitely hope that he looks forward to hiring more or pushing for more African American administration,” Blevins said. Jamie Bayes, BOE president, said Dr. Cain was chosen because of his qualities and experiences. “He understands the importance of relationships while focusing on student growth and potential,”
Bayes said. “He is a positive and energetic person who brings a great depth of experience leading a large district.” Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said he has known Dr. Cain for seven years as his kids are in the Wentzville School District. “I think he is a great leader so I think he will be a great addition to RSD,” Dr. Hankins said. Dr. Hankins said Dr. Cain will respond to controversy in the best manner to properly represent RSD. “He’s been a superintendent for the last seven years,” Dr. Hankins said. “The last two years of this he’s been in a position where he’s had similar controversies with different viewpoints and different boards, so he’s very experienced with this situation, and I think he’s gonna be just fine.”
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NEWS
feb. 2022 Former Senior Principal Carl Hudson regularly took students on trips around the country to visit college campuses. “He put everyone else above him,” Kilea Jenkins, junior, said. Hudson came from a single-parent family and was the youngest of nine kids. He poses with his mother after his graduation from Missouri State University. Photographs by Linda Maxwell
Scholarship honors former senior principal annabelle MILLER After the passing of Senior Principal Carl Hudson in December, his family is offering two scholarships for the Class of 2022. The Carl B. Hudson Memorial Scholarship will provide two seniors $1,000 toward their college education. Minority students are highly encouraged to apply. The form to apply for the scholarship is on the MHS College and Career Center website under “Scholarships.” The applications are submitted anonymously to a scholarship committee of teachers and administrators who choose the winners. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 1, and the winners will be notified at the senior award ceremony, the Celebration of Excellence, at the end of April. Linda Maxwell, Hudson’s sister, along with her family funded the two
scholarships this year. “I hope that [the scholarship] will allow students to fulfill some of their hopes, dreams and aspirations,” Maxwell said. Hudson came from a single-parent family and was the youngest of nine kids. His mother didn’t have a high school education, Maxwell said, but Hudson was able to go to college at Missouri State University and earned his Master’s degree. Maxwell said she hopes that even just one of the students can pursue their ambitions because of Hudson. “For us as a family to honor our brother, there’s no better way than to give scholarships to his students,” Maxwell said. Hudson often used his story to inspire and encourage his students, Maxwell said, and he hoped they would
actively pursue their own education. “No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, if you just have the determination, you can do anything,” Maxwell said. “Carl loved his family, he loved his church, and I think that was the driving force behind everything he did.” Paula Ake, college and career counselor, said any fundraisers held in Hudson’s name will fund the scholarship going forward. “We hope students will be interested in being awarded something as honorable as Mr. Hudson’s good name on a scholarship,” Ake said. The College and Career Center is looking for students who embody the characteristics of Hudson, Ake said. On the application, it asks students to explain how they display four qualities: character, acceptance, role modeling
and love. Kilea Jenkins, junior, is part of the Marquette Academic and Cultural Club (MACC), which was sponsored by Hudson. Jenkins said Hudson would take the club on trips to different colleges every summer and on other outings during the year. Jenkins said Hudson always had a positive effect on everyone he was around. “He put everyone else above him and he always had kindness,” Jenkins said. Though the scholarship was only offered to seniors, Jenkins said she has plans to apply if it is funded next year. “Applying for the scholarship just goes to show our respect for Mr. Hudson and it allows his legacy to live on,” Jenkins said.
Winter dance postponed to March 5 aleena SHAIK Doubling as a fundraiser and a school dance, the winter dance, which was rescheduled from Saturday, Feb. 5 to Saturday, March 5, produces most of the funding for the Marquette Academic and Cultural Club (MACC). Sophomore Lani Hines, co-president of the MACC, said MACC is trying to raise money for college trips to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “We don’t get much money and donations for our club,” Hines said. “There is a certain amount of money we are trying to reach.” Special Education teacher Dr. Holly Hick, sponsor of MACC, said the club needs to sell 67 tickets to break even, but they are hoping to sell double the amount. Dr. Hick said the HBCU college trips are about creating access to an
opportunity for students of color. “Some of the students who are going on this trip haven’t had the opportunity to visit a college campus at all, much less one where everyone looks like them,” Dr. Hick said. MACC’s college trip will be from June 6 to 8 and have stops in Memphis, Tenn. and Jackson, Miss. Dr. Hick said. Hines said that in years before, the dance has had basic themes such as Winter Wonderland and Valentine’s Day. This year MACC wanted to try something new. “We wanted to do something different and [a theme to] not reappear, so we did Dazzling Disco,” Hines said. “People like shiny things and want to dress up in cute, sparkly dresses, so we decided that that would be good.” Former Senior Principal Carl Hudson used to sponsor the MACC and was the one planning the winter dances the years before. Even though this is Hick’s
first time planning a school dance, she said it has been an awesome experience. “I could not have done it without having such a generous community,” Dr. Hick said. “We got a 20-inch disco ball and tried to keep everything colorful to keep with the disco theme.” Dr. Hick said students who have bought tickets but can’t make the March 5 date are able to get a refund. Because the change in date was so sudden, as the dance gets closer, MACC will make announcements and have a new spirit week, Dr. Hick said. While the winter dance might not be as popular as other school dances, Megan Lawson, freshman, said she is looking forward to it. “I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends and having a good time,” Lawson said. “I think it will be fun.”
The Winter dance is now Saturday, March 5.
issue V
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FEATURES
The Name Game
Students westernize name pronunciations marin ELLINGTON
As early as elementary school, Chloe throughout Kang’s life, and she said it Kang, junior, remembers being teased is a common fault for many teachers about the pronunciation of her name. and students at MHS. Though she didn’t fully comprehend “I’m very used to it to the point the joke at such a young age, “Chloe where I sometimes accidentally proKangaroo” became her name to some nounce my own last name wrong,” of her classmates. Kang said. “I have many other POC Though the nickname did not stick friends with ethnic first and/or last throughout her life, the pronunciation names who simply let their peers misof her last name did. Kang’s family is pronounce their name for the conveKorean, and she said everywhere exnience of Western pronunciation, so cept in her house and with her Korean we like to relate on this topic. I believe friends, she goes the culture is very by an alternative “I’ve just been letting normalized in pronunciation of her general and within people pronounce it Marquette.” name. “I’ve just been Though she with the typical letting people prohas become used American accent.” nounce it with the to it, Kang said typical American it’s thoughtful and accent,” Kang said. would be appreciChloe Kang, “The usual pronunated if more people junior ciation in Korean made an effort to is Ga-ng (Ga as in learn the proper ‘GO-blin’), but I just let everybody pro- pronunciations of names from other nounce it as ‘Kang’ as in ‘kangaroo’.” cultures. Additionally, Chloe is not Kang’s “I’m sure most people who’ve been given birth name. Her name was Je-in asked will be thankful for the question (spelled Jane in English), before she and will gladly try to help their peers had it legally changed to Chloe Jane pronounce their name in the right Kang in fifth grade. Kang said her parway,” Kang said. ents wanted her to have a more modThough mispronunciation can stem ern American name in addition to her from a lack of trying to understand, Korean name and thought Chloe suited Dr. Matt Barros, linguistics lecturer at her well. Washington University, said language The mispronunciation of her barriers from other countries often name has been a common occurrence produce sequences of letters that aren’t
feb. 2022
pho·net·ics /fəˈnediks/ noun the study and classification of speech sounds. Photograph by Marin Ellington
common in English. “There are sounds in many other languages, though, that you don’t find in English,” Dr. Barros said. “Native speakers of any language, American English or otherwise, will not be able to help pronouncing foreign names as ‘loan words’ into their language.” The concept of “loan words” relates to the action native speakers will subconsciously take by adapting foreign names with foreign sounds they are unable to pronounce into a more easily understood pronounceable form, Dr. Barros said. Dr. Barros said the most common problem people run into is with words and sounds that are used infrequently in conversation. People tend toward using default rules of English pronunciation, he said. “Language is an extremely complex topic. Perhaps because language is so much a part of what it means to be human,” Dr. Barros said. “If an American can’t pronounce your foreign name correctly, it is most likely because they can’t tell the difference between how you pronounce your name and how they’re pronouncing it.” For Srisahithi Tadakamalla, junior, the change began in second grade when she remembers a teacher pronouncing her name differently than her family did. Tadakamalla said while her family
always pronounced her name the same, she remembers times when she asked them to go by an alternate pronunciation. “It just happened when my teacher pronounced my name, and it sounded normal,” Tadakamalla said. “There wasn’t anything that really changed. It was just the way it is pronounced is a little different, but I never really thought of it as a bad thing.”
7,139 different languages are spoken around the world. Ethnologue Tadakamalla goes by Sahiti which she said is pronounced as Tahiti but with an s. Though the mispronunciation of her name no longer bothers her, she said she sees this as a problem that can be fixed with more exposure to unique names. “When a substitute is calling attendance, when I was younger I used to feel embarrassed. Now I don’t really mind because I am older, and I understand that some names are harder to pronounce,” Tadakamalla said.
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FEATURES
Alumnus becomes face of the Smiley Face Cookie Company prashu SIDELLA When Mark Kohler worked at the Pioneer Bakery Cafe, his outgoing personality and work skills eventually led to him being the face on the label for the Smiley Face Cookie Company Mark Kohler, Class of 2018, spends his early adult years working at the Pioneer Bakery Cafe through the StepUp program. The StepUp program is owned by Lafayette Industries and individuals have the opportunity to work at one of their partnership worksites, Pioneer Bakery Café or McArthur’s Bakery, where the Smiley Face “perfectly imperfect” Cookies are produced. One of Kohler’s job’s at the bakery is decorating the cookies, which are sold at select Schnucks stores. Kohler is also pictured on these cookies. The cookies are decorated by individuals between the ages of 18-35 who have intellectual disabilities. “Once they complete the program, participants are supported in their transition to obtain and maintain competitive employment of their choice in the community,” Emma Seyffert, StepUp Program Instructor, said. “And this allows them to gain independence while also earning their own paycheck.”
Smiley “Imperfectly Perfect” Cookies are available at select Schnucks.
Molly Straumann, Special Education teacher, said there are many different levels to the Lafayette Industries company. “The students start from basic training and move up and one of their full-time positions is working and making the smiley cookies,” Straumann said. Over time they expanded into other sectors which allowed for more kids to participate. They are also hoping to expand to stores. Along with Kohler, two other past students of MHS, Sam Lesch and Colton Ruscutti, are also currently involved in this program. Their past teachers Eric Kipp and Molly Italiano, said this is another opportunity for students to have a job, be involved with the community and be able to give back. Kohler has been involved with the program for two years now. Before stumbling upon a flyer for the StepUp program, Becky Kohler, Mark’s Mom, was interviewing many places for Mark to go. After interviewing with the program, Mark was trained and is in his second year in the program. Mark spends half his time learning skills that will better aid him in doing his job well at the bakery. When he is not in a classroom, he is at the Pioneer Bakery Cafe cleaning tables, decorating cookies and working the register. “The goal is to have them take these work skills and apply it to an actual independent employment opportunity elsewhere,” Becky said.
Mark Kohler, Class of 2018, smiles while standing at the cash register at Pioneer Bakery Cafe. Kohler is now the face of the Smiley Face Cookie Company and works to decorate the cookies. Photograph by Becky Kohler
The StepUp program has helped Mark in seeing what a job may be and feel like. “I like working at the Cafe, and I like the people and what I do” Mark said. “It’s helped me to work hard and follow directions.” Due to the threat of COVID, participants of the program now are only able to be at the cafe once a week. Mark works at the Cafe every Friday. “Mark is very sociable and engaging with customers and is always smiling,” Becky said. “So he’s just like the perfect face to go on those cookies.”
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Crafting change Students and staff find passion in various art forms during the pandemic marin ELLINGTON • paige GOODYEAR • rue SIDDIQUI
The Evolution of Western Art History Prehistoric Art 40,000-4,000 B.C.E.
Medieval Art 500-1400 C.E.
Renaissance Art 1400-1600 C.E.
Baroque Art 1600-1750 C.E.
Romanticism 1780-1850 C.E.
Realism 1848-1900 C.E.
Impressionism 1865-1885 C.E.
Expressionism 1905-1920 C.E.
Abstract Impressionism 1940s-1950s C.E.
Contemporary Art 1970-present Information from invaluable
Forced into isolation and boredom during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, Frisk Harris, senior, began to search for something to occupy their time. Though they picked up hobbies such as skateboarding and baking, Harris found the most passion in an art form they’d never thought to explore. “Two years ago on my TikTok, I was seeing a lot of people shaping pottery and stuff,” Harris said. “I thought it would be kind of cool to try.” Though many businesses were closed, Harris sought out and bought clay wherever they could to begin molding it. When they returned for their senior year, they took up a ceramics class to continue their newfound passion. Though ceramics is an art form that dates back to 28,000 B.C.E., with the oldest artifact being a clay figurine, students and staff have turned back to art as a hands-on expression to keep themselves occupied while during the pandemic. For some, art is a past time. For others, it is an expression of their emotions.
is enrolled in Advanced Photography and takes photographs recreationally. “I mainly work with current photography styles but through traditional technology,” Sabnavis said. “For example, I prefer film photography but in an urban landscape.” Sabnavis said he captures and communicates different cultures and lifestyles through his photographs and hopes future generations will interpret current photography as versatile and capable of storytelling in a single snapshot. “Our photography right now will influence what people think of the people in our time period, just as photos from the 90s and 80s show us what their lives were like,” Sabnavis said.
The Deeper Meaning
As art continues to pick up the nuances of the time period, historians can better understand what it was like to be alive during that time. Dr. Kristina Kleutghen, associate professor of art history and archeology at Washington UniverPopularity sity, said art created now will reflect the time. “It’s all happening at the same time as Black This school year, 605 students are enrolled in Lives Matter, and voting rights protests and all art classes, but the mediums of those arts vary. sorts of other highly politicized conflicts,” Dr. Farren Miller, senior, took a liking to painting Kleutghen said. “Certainly in the time of a panas a kid by observing her grandpa as he painted. demic when everyone is learning differently, As a current AP Art Studio student, Miller said working with art differently and creating things she experiments with a plethora of mediums; in ways that previously there was no need to however, she predominantly works with paint. create works under such tightly restricted set of “Typically, I go for realism, environments, everything is but recently I have been trying different.” “Art doesn’t just reflect to do some impressionism or Dr. Kleutghen said art also what is happening in serves as an agent of change in Renaissance style art, as well as some styles of abstract,” Miller the world. It actually has the present. said. “Also, I like mixing realism “Art doesn’t just reflect agency.” with some of those styles as well what is happening in the to get an interesting look.” Dr. Kristina Kleutghen, world. It actually has agency, In a time when tactile art is associate professor of art and what I mean by that is it being swapped for digital art, history and archeology does active work in the world. Miller said she aims to capture So yes, people are creating obnew concepts traditionally. jects, but those objects don’t “Cartoonism is pretty popular right now, and exist in a vacuum,” Dr. Kleutghen said. “They go it might bring back nostalgia to some in the fuback into the world and reflect on people who see ture, but for me, I will always prefer realism and them and people who interact with them.” traditional artwork,” Miller said. Dr. Kleutghen said reflecting on art of differSuch an interest in art isn’t limited solely to ent cultures can bring people of all different backpaint and canvas. For Rishabh Sabnavis, junior, grounds together through a common interest and photography is his preferred medium. Sabnavis is effective, especially during a digital age where constant online interaction occurs.
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Dr. Barbara Danin, Art Therapist, discusses the benefit of art during the pandemic.
“Certainly the more you know about something, the less you are afraid of it,” Dr. Kleutghen said. “We have even more opportunities to come together through visual material, through works of art than ever before.”
Reflecting on the Past While many in the community seek to create new artwork, others, such as Della Thompson, French teacher, have taken a fascination with reflecting on artists of the past. This past fall saw the emergence of the “Beyond Van Gogh” immersive experience at the Starry Night pavilion at the St. Louis Galleria. Since then, the pop-up has become a popular spot for teens and adults alike and will continue to do so until its end on Wednesday, March 30. Thompson discovered the pop-up via Facebook and said she was “blown away.” The pop-up displays Van Gogh’s work through interactive exhibits, projectors and floating canvases that depict accounts of his life. “There are some things that are very subtle about it,” Thompson said. “The movement of the stars is very similar to the movement of liquids, and it’s interesting how even now we’re learning things about his artwork.” Thompson said she enjoys Van Gogh’s art in part because it encapsulates both his art and the time period in which it was created. “With artwork like his, we can see scenes of daily life,” Thompson said. “But also, it’s a way to communicate with people in the past. We can definitely feel the same feelings he was feeling when we look at his artwork.” Thompson is not the only one who takes an interest in past art, as archaeologist Dr. Liam Brady said it shows not only emotion felt by the creators but also what life was like. “For rock art, changes could be related to what was happening in the environment,” Dr. Brady said. “Other images reflect peoples’ belief systems. There are a great many things that rock art and other artifacts such as sculptures and decorated objects reflect.” Dr. Brady said modern art functions similarly to the artwork of older times, and historians into the future will be able to derive similar meaning from the work being created now. “I think the paintings on rock walls do what modern art does: it tells a story,” Dr. Brady said.
WHAT IS ART THERAPY AND THE GOALS FOR THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT? “It’s not meant to create some type of aesthetic piece of art. It’s really meant to serve as a vehicle for self expression, and it’s more about the process than the product.”
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN TO THE ART THERAPY INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC? “Mental health referrals have increased because so many people are struggling. Maybe more clients, less art. The repertoire of materials is much more limited doing it virtually.”
WHY WOULD THERE BE A POPULARITY OF ART AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS? “Creating art is therapeutic, and so it could be that people are discovering that. That being creative and being expressive feels good, and having a product, accomplishing something. Having something to take away from it feels good. It’s satisfying. That can be healing too.”
WHAT MAKES ARTWORK THAT IS CREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC UNIQUE?
Sanjana Iyer, senior, attended the Van Gogh exhibit and said it was fascinating to see art come to life through multiple mediums. Driptaa Chakraborty, senior, has created numerous pieces of work, including the ones pictured, and said she has found creativity to be an outlet. “I think that is what I want to do in my future,” Chakraborty said. “Combining fields like math and art and to create something that is at the intersection of those two fields.” Photographs by Driptaa Chakraborty and Sanjana Iyer
“We were just so busy being on the run all the time and never really taking the time to stop and just stay at home all day. A lot of people, in some way or another, whether it’s making art or getting more into music, that this has really changed the way we spend time and given us new opportunities in that way.”
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feb. 2022
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Music Makers
Process of Creating Music Information from Hazmat
1. Lead singer creates lyrics and chords as a basis
2. The lyrics and basic chords are given to each band member
3. Using the lyrics and basic chords, each member creates parts for their own instruments
4. They come back together and combine and smooth out their parts
Students upload music to Spotify, SoundCloud anvi TALYAN
Hazmat members, Sara Ahmadian, junior, Bo Tockman, senior, and Lily Belknap, junior, play at Red Flag on Dec. 29. Ahmadian was the lead singer, with Tockman playing drums and Belknap on guitar. Photograph by Micah Roeseler
Their new single,"Blood," to be released Friday, Feb. 18
Rayan Khan, sophomore, sings his song "Chains." Khan released his song with his friend in December 2020. Photograph by Anika Talyan He released his single,"Chains," Monday, Dec. 2
Though she never had planned to join a band, Lily Belknap, junior, now plays guitar for the alternative band Hazmat. At first she wanted to focus on playing music by herself, but she grew an interest in Hazmat after seeing their social media. “When I saw that there were three other girls who were doing all the same things I enjoy, I was super interested in knowing them and being in the band with them,” Belknap said. The band first started by playing covers of alternative songs such as “Take Me Away” by The Aquadolls and pop songs like “Brutal” by Olivia Rodrigo that they altered to sound punk. Recently, they started to create their own music and now have about 10 original songs. Like Hazmat, many students have uploaded music or are in the process of uploading music online. Hazmat themselves are releasing their first single, “Blood,” Friday, Feb. 18, on Spotify. “I think it has a lot of clever wordplay and I really like the guitar part, and it has a really cool drum fill that I really love,” Belknap said. Their lead singer, Sara Ahmadian, creates the lyrics for songs, and then passes them along to the rest of the band. Belknap works on the guitar and bass parts of their songs, and then collaborates with her band members to finish the song. Sometimes they finish a song within three practices, but the process can take weeks when they find themselves “liking but not loving” a song idea, Belknap said. Hazmat has gone through this process with the help of Carl Nappa, a popular producer in St. Louis who is known for his work with the famous rapper Nelly. From helping them release music, to offering advice about the industry, Belknap said she finds Nappa to be a large help to her band. Hazmat uses their songs to voice their anger at society, focusing on sexism and their feelings as women in the music industry, Belknap said. “We don’t want to just be shut down because people think we’re ranting, but we also want to speak our true thoughts on these issues that we feel are important to us,” Belknap said. The band also has plans for potentially releasing an EP this upcoming spring. Rayan Khan, sophomore, has many hobbies but has always had a special interest in music. “Music’s definitely the one thing I’ve had a passion for, so that’s why I’ve probably hit it more hard,” Khan said. Throughout Winter Break in 2020, Khan worked with one of his friends to make his song “Chains,”
which was released on SoundCloud. Khan said it was a fun way to spend time during the pandemic. Khan didn’t have access to any special recording equipment, so he decided to use WeVideo. He wrote the lyrics himself, got a beat from YouTube and used that to create his song. Though he made his song mainly as a way to fill time with a friend, Khan said he is definitely going to continue creating music. “I think you learn more about yourself. Whether it's writing, whether it's singing, it just kind of reveals more about yourself without knowing it,” Khan said. Jonathan Pirrello, sophomore, is the lead singer for the band NineVolt. They play psychedelic and surf rock and have started off with only covering music with songs such as "Aneurysm" by Nirvana. After playing his first gig in December, Pirrello started putting more of his focus on writing music, as he said that only playing covers can pose limitations to their band. “We kind of want to do something different from what other people around us are doing,” Pirrello said. Pirrello works with another one of his bandmates to create their music. They work separately first to come up with ideas, and then swap notes to receive feedback from each other. Pirrello finds that being unique is the hardest part of creating music, and said that he could write multiple songs but not find any of them to stand out. “I think all good music comes from a desire to do something different,” Pirrello said.
Members of NineVolt, Jonathan Pirrello, sophomore, and Carlos Vences, sophomore, open for Hazmat at Red Flag. Pirrello did vocals and Vences and Pirrello alternated who played lead guitar. Photograph by Micah Roeseler Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev
issue V
11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TECHNOLOGY FROM SCRATCH Students, staff build their own computers
akhila SWARNA • anika TALYAN • emma TYULYAYEV After quitting sports in 2013, Spencer Shank, junior, turned to a new hobby to fill his free time: building computers. Shank began by taking apart and rebuilding them, and, since then, has built up to 50 computers for self use. “It’s a good learning experience from the start, and it’s a fun process to learn,” Shank said. “It’s a good hobby.” Like Shank, a number of students and staff have either built computers from scratch or taken apart a computer to further understand the building process. Though computer building can have a learning curve, Shank said it is possible for a layman to partake in the endeavor. Shank said he originally learned how to build computers from watching YouTube videos. “I say that you try to do your best, and you’ll like what you get out of it,” Shank said. Most of Shank’s parts come from Amazon, Best Buy or Micro Center. However, Shank said a shortage of parts is leading people away from building computers. Though it started as a hobby, Shank said he now plans on majoring in either software or electrical engineering in college and hopes to become a computer engineer in the future. Nathan Frankenberger, computer teacher, built a computer that lasted about three years. He said building the computer himself was surprisingly cheaper than buying a pre-built one. “It was worthwhile, fun and engaging. It was exactly what I thought it would be,” Frankenberger said. The process of building the computer wasn’t hard, Frankenberger said, because the pieces fit together in a specific way. It took approximately an hour to complete. Frankenberger said building a computer helps individuals learn the different parts of the software and how they connect together. He recommends experimenting and building with old computer parts to become familiar with the process. “I think everyone should do it at least once in their life,” Frankenberger said. He said he noticed gamers are more likely to build a computer because it then becomes customizable
Anatomy of a Computer Power Supply Unit (PSU)Supplies power to the computer, usually from an outlet to the rest of the parts within the computer. Central Processing Unit (CPU)- Handles all of the going-ons in the computer, from the essential code to the data received from a website. CPU Fan- This is a fan specially designed for the CPU in order to take the heat from it, as it typically generates the most heat. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)- Receives data from the CPU in order to construct images on a monitor. Essentially handles all things relating to images or videos. Information by Carter Long
and can include features that make gaming easier. Jeff Minnis, CEO of Jeff Computers, began fixing computers in 1994 by helping people with computer issues or building custom computers. From there, he grew his passion for technology and started his own business, opening a store at 14366 Manchester Rd. in 2006. Minnis said the hardest part is picking out the best quality computer parts for the computer because there are so many available. The actual process of building the computer is not particularly difficult, he said, as long as the individual follows the instructions and has plenty
of time to assemble. He recommends having extra components on hand in case the computer runs into a problem during building. For beginners, building a computer can take up to a day, Minnis said. “The best way to learn is through experience, doing things and just learning a little bit at a time,” Minnis said.
Evolution of Computers 1926: Alan Turing develops the Turing machine, which is the first machine capable of computing.
1890: Herman Hollerith designs a punch card system.
1941:
1958: Jack Kilby and
Robert Noyce created the first computer chip.
Zonrad Zuse completes his Z3 machine, the world’s first digital computer.
2006: Apple’s Mac
Book Pro is released. It’s the first Intel-based, dual core computer.
1983:
The Gavilan SC, the first portable computer with a fliptop, is released
Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev Information from Live Science
12
issue 7V
OPINIONS
SPEAK OUT
WHAT ISSUE WOULD YOU LIKE THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT TO ADDRESS? “The mask mandates. We have no clue when COVID could pick up again, and I just want to make sure the schools are safe and we social distance correctly.” DYLAN PORATH,
freshman
SYDNEY SONN,
“I think they should probably address indirect bullying because I always see that on social media and I feel like people don’t really recognize what they’re saying is offensive to people when they’re typing.”
sophomore
“I would like to see there be better quality food in the lunchroom. The food we have now is not the tastiest.”
GAVIN LANG,
junior
“I think diversity with the teachers, especially in Rockwood as a district, because we don’t see a lot of teachers of color, especially since the superintendent is of color.” SAMYUKTHA SYAMSUNDAR,
senior
“I think that the new superintendent needs to bring people together and help build positive relationships.” JULIE SPURGEON,
sophomore principal
Illustration by Mason Kellerman
Prioritize education over tourism Governor Mike Parson favored tourism over students’ welfare by signing House Bill 161 on July 11, 2019, prohibiting schools from beginning the year more than 14 days before the first Monday of September. Two years later this decision EDITORIAL has proven harmful. It’s understandable laws are never perfect or near-perfect in the first year of passage, but into the second year of the bill, it’s safe to say it’s not functioning effectively. The two-week shift has negatively impacted finals, preparation for AP exams and even registration for next year’s courses. Instead of students and teachers relaxing before the start of second semester, they spent winter break anxious about finals and the end of the semester. Immediately after finals, students and teachers then moved into second semester without closure. The new school calendar pushed the first semester grade due dates two weeks later - ultimately affecting
the time needed for the administration to produce credit check letters. Without the much appreciated credit check letters, students were left without the necessary information to pick classes. Prior to the change in school calendars, students could reference their existing and incomplete credit needs and choose classes that fit their personalized requirements. If the enrollment window were pushed back, the process wouldn’t have been as hectic. However, Dr. Tracey Waeckerle said the administration cannot shift the enrollment window because course registration plays a role in staffing which is controlled by state deadlines. Also, the development of the building schedule and course sections are processes that take several months to complete. Simply put, the law adds unnecessary headache at a time of chaos posed by the pandemic. We ask the Missouri government to repeal the law and prioritize education over tourism.
BOARD
Letters to the Editor
Keep the mask mandate
Do not ban books
Rockwood needs to enforce masks. No ifs, no buts, no anything. It’s dumb how people are refusing to wear the masks because “they’re uncomfortable” or whatever. COVID cases have been rising since after break, so why should we take the mask policy down? Plus, COVID has long term effects on people, even when you recover from it. One of my sister’s friends who got COVID still can’t taste food. Plus if we all wear our masks and keep proper social distance, then we won’t have to wear the masks, because then COVID-19 won’t be a huge problem! I don’t get why people don’t want to wear the masks for a short term, and rather risk getting worse health for the long term.
Taking away books from our libraries is not something that should be done. Just because a book has explicit language or parts does not mean it should be banned from our libraries. If a student and/or parent has an issue with a specific book, the easiest option is to simply not read it. If one person doesn’t like a book or thinks it’s inappropriate, that should not result in it being banned from school libraries. Taking books away also takes away the opportunity from other students to read them. If a few people in the school dislike a specific book, it should not ruin it for other students. It is so unfair to other students when there are simple resolutions to the problem.
- James Beers, freshman
- Ally Wieczorek, freshman More letters to the editor can be found online at www.marquettemessenger.com
feb. 2022
RSD needs more Black teachers tiona MERRITTE From a young age, I realized there weren’t too many people in the media that looked like me. So, I had to hold on to the representation I had, even if that character or experience was unlike me. Black teachers are the real-life representation Black students need. I’ve only had one Black educator in my life: a counselor at my elementary school. She was as supportive and kind as the other teachers in school, so why was my experience with other teachers who weren’t Black different? When I got older, I finally grasped
Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev
the reason why: having a teacher that looked like me in an educational setting was something that shaped me by showing me that I was capable of being Black and successful. I believe all people of color deserve the same experience. One key resource that would help any student reach their full potential is having someone in their life who believes in them full-heartedly. But in reality, some Black students do not have that luxury. Systemic racism is a form of racism embedded in laws and regulations in society. This is shown when we look at the education systems of predominantly Black schools and the living condition of communities with high
populations of Black people. Many predominantly Black schools were and still are highly underfunded, this beginning before segregation was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. This caused many predominantly Black schools to hire teachers who were under qualified to teach, not be able to provide textbooks nor have the funds to keep schools safe and students focused. In recent years, some students who live in impoverished areas have had the privilege of going to predominantly white schools for a better education. But not everyone’s family is supportive. Some families will shame their children for trying to get an education or, their families will not provide their children with the support and resources they need to succeed in these schools. This is usually driven by not being able to help their children because of work, a lack of education or jealousy. How do we get more Black people out of these areas and into situations that further improve their education? The answer is the implementation of Black teachers in all schools. According to a 2017 study by the Institute of Labor Economics, Black teachers hold Black students to higher expectations than teachers of other backgrounds and are more culturally sensitive. Black youth need Black teachers now more than ever; they are growing up in a time when we see police brutality more frequently. Having black teachers in schools will give these students what they need most: hope and support.
Virtualize, shorten standardized testing annie ALCORN When I took the ACT test for the first time, I stared at the clock and watched the minutes
pass by. My foot was tapping excessively, my hands were shaking and I worried about transferring over answers from my packet to the Scantron. On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the College Board announced that the SAT test will be fully virtual, starting in 2024, for students in the United States. The duration of the test also will be shortened from three hours to two. According to an article by CNBC, 80 percent of students who took the pilot test, given in November 2021, found the virtual test to be less stressful, and I too think a virtual SAT will be a beneficial change for many students. I have taken the ACT test two times: first in June of 2021 and then again in October of 2021. I sat at a desk for four hours with only two five-minute breaks to walk around or get a sip of water. If I wasn’t stressed before, sitting in the same chair staring at the same book for
13
OPINIONS
the ACT or SAT. Studies show that stufour hours only made it worse. dents who have low anxiety going into The ACT, like the SAT, is an exa test acquire higher scores on a test, tremely rigorous test. It did not matter according to an article by the National how much studying or preparation I Center for Biotechnology Information did, I never felt fully prepared. (NCBI). Although I have not taken the SAT, Because the virtual SAT test is now the ACT and SAT are similar standarda shorter duration, a lot of students, ized tests for students preparing for including myself, will be slightly less college. anxious going into the test, which could Shortening the SAT will benefit improve test scores by many points. students. For me, one of the hardest parts of taking a standardized test like the SAT is staying focused and awake. If the SAT is shortened to only two hours, there is a much greater chance of students staying focused, and subsequently, achieving better scores. Both standardized tests are common in college ad1,509,133 students took the missions and each measures students’ SAT and 1,295,394 students proficiency levels took the ACT in 2021. in various subject Information from College Board and ACT areas needed for college success. It is ridiculous that a score teenagers receive, while under such a high pressure situation, can determine their futures. For this reason, I am always anxious the night before taking a big test like
Should minors need parental consent to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Some teens are expressing frustration with their parents who have different opinions than them concerning the COVID-19 vaccine. Recently, the issue has sparking a debate.
YES liza COOPER When making medical decisions, teens need parental guidance. Adolescents are at a biological disadvantage when it comes to choosing the right thing. The frontal lobes, the part of the brain that is responsible for helping make decisions, are not fully developed until age 25. This causes teens to make quick choices without thinking about how they could negatively affect them in the long run. The majority of states, including Missouri, require a parent to consent for a minor under age 18 and we should keep this policy because it makes sense.
NO aarushi BUTE The COVID-19 vaccine has been proven as an effective measure to counter COVID-19 and the right to receive the vaccine shouldn’t be denied on the basis of a parent’s consent. Teens should be able to choose how they can best support their health because it is their body. At the end of the day, teens have the capacity to understand the risks and side effects, but the beliefs of some should not deny teens the right to choose and to have the chance at better health.
Have an opinion on this topic? If so, fill out this voluntary poll. Results will be displayed in the next issue.
14
feb. 2022
SPORTS
Injuries continue despite fewer winter sports parker BRANDT
The most common injuries, such as a strain, sprain, or twist, are due to overuse or lack of Kahley Sheen, junior, was looking forward to dancing strength. Petersen said some athletes completely stop with her teammates on Varsity Mystique. But, her training once their season is over and that can lead season and time in school was temporarily halted to issues later on when they try to resume an exafter a head injury. treme fitness regimen after little to no endurance or After practicing headstands with her team’s new strength training. poms, Sheen said she was unable to catch her weight These injuries can have a substantial impact on fast enough causing her head to hit the ground. the remainder of an athlete’s season. Restricting athAfter being diagnosed with a concussion, Sheen letes’ time committed to practicing can inhibit their was benched from participating in any physical activ- performance, while being injured also takes a physiity of any kind for three weeks. She also had restriccal and mental toll. tions on the amount of time per day The most common injuries are that she could view screens, read usually minor and can be healed in and write. or weeks, Petersen said. How“Once the bell rings, days “It was hard especially since we ever, there are more severe injuries, it’s just a flow of had an upcoming competition so like fractured bones or torn ligaI had to try and get better, which ments and muscles, and accidents people in here.” meant if my head started hurting that can end an athlete’s season I had to stop, while also trying to indefinitely. Mathew Petersen, dance as full out as I could in order “If it’s something that’s more to feel confident and prepared for severe like you’re gonna need a athletic trainer competition,” Sheen said. surgery, then I would refer that to Sheen is one of many athletes an orthopedic,” Peterson said. “A at MHS who has experienced the more dangerous lot of times when it’s more severe, they’ll get put into repercussions of their sport. Injuries can restrict athformal physical therapy, where they’d do two to three letes for weeks or even entire seasons. days of formal, and then two to three days here.” Sheen was set back in both school and dance as a This was the case for varsity basketball player result of her injury, and she said she’s still working Gavin Lang, junior, who suffered a more extensive on catching up with her school work. She still gets injury during an after school basketball practice. the occasional headache while dancing and has to “I went up for a layup, a routine play, and I felt my remember to take it easy. knee buckle and pop,” Lang said. “Although I am back to dancing, I am still techniLang tore his ACL and meniscus. cally recovering and it will take some time to fully be The injury occurred only one day before the first back to normal,” Sheen said. “I don’t know how long game of the season and has the potential to bench that will be.” him from any high impact sports for 8 to 10 months. Mathew Petersen, athletic trainer, said injuries are After recently undergoing surgery to correct and common in the winter season despite fewer sports repair the ligament and surrounding cartilage, Lang being in season. He sees dozens of athletes every day. now attends physical therapy three times per week. “Even in the winter time, when I have a lot less He said the focus is to regain strength in the muscles athletes, I’m probably seeing 20 kids right after around the knee and to regain his full range of motion school,” Petersen said. “Once the bell rings, it’s just a before he can begin to retrain his performance. flow of people in here.”
Top Tips for Staying Safe During Winter Sports from athletic trainer Mathew Petersen
1 2 3 4
Participate in off-season strength and conditioning training programs.
Play in preseason games, and participate in preseason practices for your respective sports teams.
Work on rehabilitation and strengthening your body outside of scheduled practices.
Be cautious of your body, and be mindful of your surroundings when playing a contact sport.
Water polo heads into second all-girls season willem HUMMEL Since water polo started at MHS, it has mainly been a co-ed sport. This season, however, will be the second season with separate girls and boys teams. Last year there was enough interest in girls water polo that MHS and five other schools in Missouri officially formed MSHSAA recognized girls water polo teams. “I was really excited when we finally officially separated,” senior Brianna Allstun, two meter defender, said. Last year the girl’s team earned a first place finish at State against Oakville. There has been so much interest in the girls water polo that Claire Maniscalco, assistant water polo coach, said they may have to start cutting people this year as there is only one girls team. Maniscalco said Allstun is one of the best defensive female water polo players in the state. Allstun will continue to play water polo next year at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. Since her freshman year, Allstun has had experience in both co-ed and split teams. She said moving away from co-ed allows more people to shine with a more diverse group of athletes having the spotlight and their own time to play. She has experienced less competition in girls water polo as it is still in its infancy, whereas co-ed is
Meg Murphy, senior, prevents a goal from being scored during a practice last season. As a result of the rising interest in girls water polo, this season will be the second year for an all-girls team. Photograph by Marin Ellington
more established, and the mix of girls and boys has given her more competition in the past. Playing against and with boys created a different type of challenge, Allstun said, and a much different experience than she has had with an all-girls team. “You have to play yourself up when you play with
guys,” Allstun said. “You have to make yourself act bigger.” Maniscalco said the boys team has been challenged by the separation into boys and girls teams because of the key roles the girls played as starters and leaders. “Some of the boys that are still learning how to play are going to be thrown in, and they’re going to have to really learn on the fly,” Maniscalco said. Junior Nico Case, utility player, said practices will be similar to what they were during co-ed, but during games, the players will all have to adapt to their new situation. “I think it will be a little bit of a setback for varsity, especially because we had girls on our team whose skills are quite valuable to us,” Case said. Case has played water polo for four years, and he, like Allstun, has experience playing co-ed, but unlike the girls, none of the boys have experienced a season being a split team. Case also said the boys team will at the same time be suffering from a loss of good seniors, and adjusting to these losses will be a bit of a hurdle for the beginning of the boy’s season. “I really do think that we have a lot of good potential on our team,” Case said. “I think we have the potential to be better than we were last year.” The water polo season officially begins Tuesday, Feb. 22.
issue V
15
SPORTS
First female activities director hired ben HUGHES MHS will welcome new activities director Cathy Shoup for the 2022-2023 school year. Shoup is the current activities director at Willard High School near Springfield, Mo. Under her leadership as activity director, Willard took home two state championships in both baseball and girls volleyball. Shoup played basketball at Culver-Stockton College where she earned a degree in physical education. Despite her background in sports, Shoup said it’s not her main focus as activities director. “My number one goal is to start building relationships, getting to know the directors, coaches and sponsors,” Shoup said. “From that, then you can gather what your priority list needsintoquality be, what is reduced tothat be email compatible, making some images appear blurry. Colors displayed here will not match the to-do list is.” final product exactly. VERIFY YOURdirector INFORMATION IS CORRECT. Indicate any changes and return this proof promptly. Ad Pages is not Besides being only the fourth activities in After the retirement of Shane Matzen, athletic director, Cathy Shoup will take over the position for the 2022-2023 school MHS history, Shoup also will be the first female to and saidAdditional her experience as a player and coach will help her greatly in the role. think high play a responsible for any printed errors after approvalyear is given. proofs requiring design or copy changes may“I result in school extra activities charges. occupy the role. paramount role in the [lives] of the student’s involved,” Shoup said. “We have the opportunity to influence and help direct “I think it speaks to how open districts have bethose kids.” Photograph by Ben Hughes come,” Shoup said. “This has been a position that has Approved, Approved, ground. She saidwith the lessons learned in her AD sports “Most think doing something special as a been more filled by the male population, but I think 11/8X2-LR PREPARED BY:people _________________________________ no changes notedshe changes background, as a player and a coach, helped her supcoach is winning a tournament or winning a trophy. our goals are going to remain the same.” port other activities as activities director. It’s really not,” Matzen said. “It’s the relationships you Sophomore Principal Dr. Julie Spurgeon joined Approval Signature: _______________________________________________ “I think high school activities play a paramount build with your players and your peers.” the administration team last year. She said that havwww.AdPages.com role in the [lives] of the students involved,” Shoup After nine years on the job,HALF Matzen PAGE said he ing diverse leadership is important for education. Date: Corporate Fax: 972-509-1603 said. “We have_______________ the opportunity to influence and help learned how unique the cultureBOA1221GS09S around MHS activi“We want to have school of diversity so that 972.424.1980 | a888.424.1980 ties truly is. students can learn from all cultures and not just one,” direct those kids.” Matzen said the activities director role at a larger “We really put aside personal stuff and egos Dr. Spurgeon said. “We’re just trying to have a staff high school like MHS allowed him to get more stuand work together here,” Matzen said. “You will be that represents the students that we have.” dents involved in activities they are interested in, but amazed how well our coaches, sponsors and directors Similar to Shane Matzen, the current activities said he missed the personal connections coaching work with each other.” director who is retiring at the end of this year, Shoup provided. comes from a physical education and coaching back-
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16
feb. 2022
SPORTS
TRADITION TAKEOVER
Maya Esparza, senior, listens to "No Control" by One Direction before every race she swims.
Athletes swear by good luck charms rotates through, consisting of cookie monster socks, taco socks, toilet paper socks and others. Though his team members all wear normal socks, For baseball player Warner Lenahan, junior, there's Lenahan said he isn't embarrassed by his socks but one piece of clothing he never forgets on game day. rather thinks they are funny. “I always make sure to have some funky socks “These socks seem to help me play better,” Lenahon when I play,” Lenahan said. “The other weekend an said. “The confidence is what really helps.” when I played in Arizona, I played in cookie monster Lenahan is not alone in having a good luck trasocks.” dition. His teammate, junior Sam Lenahan has a tradition where he Shackleford, has his own tradition. pitches every game with crazy socks. "These socks Before the season starts each year, he Lenahan plays for the Rawlings Tigers grows out his facial hair so he has a as well as MHS, but at different times seem to help during the year. me play better. beard. “The team loves it, but the chicks Unique socks have only become The confidence hate it,” Shackleford said. a tradition for him over the past few After playing well with a beard years, but Lenahan said wearing these is what really one time, Shackleford said now he socks has helped him to add more fun helps.” feels like if he doesn't have it, his to his game. He has a collection of performance will lack. Despite the socks that he mixed reactions, Shackleford said his Warner Lenahan, beard has become a huge part of his game and he needs it to play to his junior full potential. Peyton Cusick, junior, went to State last year for golf and kept her tradition where she uses the same ball marker every time she plays. “I got the ball marker from winning a tournament,” Cusick said. “I have to use that or I’m not going to play well.” Cusick said she also listens to music all day before her tee time from the second she wakes up till the
jacob ROBINSON
Sam Shackelford, junior, has a tradition where he grows out his beard and facial hair before the start of each baseball season.
time she tee’s off. “Sometimes I'll just listen to the same song over and over again, but I don't have a certain song I play,” Cusick said. “It's just any song I like at the time.” Cusick said her music and marker have become a part of her golf routine and that her performance will suffer without completing them. She is not alone in her reliance on music, as Maya Esparza, senior, also finds herself listening to music before every swim race. Instead of listening to a variety of songs, however, Esparza listens to the same song, “No Control” by One Direction, before each race. “I’ve listened to it since I was like 8,” Esparza said. “My friend showed me the song and I had a really good race.”
Swim scavenger hunt promotes bonding jacob ROBINSON In addition to player traditions, many teams have taken up their own traditions as a form of team bonding. The girls swim team hosts a yearly scavenger hunt, though they haven’t been able to for the past few years due to COVID-19. However, this year they were able to resume the tradition. Aubrey Adams, junior, said she is thrilled to be able to participate in the hunt again this year. “The scavenger hunt will be things like take a selfie with a police officer or find certain things, and it really helps bring the team together,” Adams said. The scavenger hunt teams consist of swimmers of all grades and levels of skill. While the hunt itself doesn't have a set winner, it still inspires friendly competition. “It's a fun way to bond with the team and help talk to people you usually wouldn’t talk to on the Swimmers of all grade levels participate in the swim team's annual scavenger hunt that ventures around St. Louis. Tasks vary in nature and location to present a challenge to the team. Junior Olivia Bieri, senior Carsyn Cosman and freshman Addi Bossi pose in front of the Lafayette school doors to complete their task. Photograph by Hannah Johns
While some tasks require only photos, others require purchases. Sophomores Nicola Downing and Liv Trost and junior Erin Huff had the task of buying a goldfish and taking pictures with their new pets. Photograph by Liv Trost
team,” Adams said. The seniors set up the scavenger hunt and split up the team into different groups to compete. These groups are often named by colors such as pink team or green team.. “Each thing is worth a certain amount of points, but we don't really count out the points,” Hannah Johns, junior, said. “It's really just a way to bring the team together and compete in friendly competition.” Maya Esparza, senior, said they try to bring the team together by grouping people who usually don’t talk to each other that often. It was a tradition that started a few years ago when the seniors wanted to find a way to bring the entire team together, Esparza said. “We don't count it for points because it's a really annoying thing to do,” Esparza said. “But, I'm sure whoever you ask will say their team won.”