19-20 Marquette Messenger: Issue 7 by Marquette Messenger

the

MESSENGER

n. VII

VOLUME XXVII, ISSUE VII | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | APRIL 2020

COVID-19 & Z M R S H G C Y D S K Q C E

Y M J

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N G Z U D P B T C O G K A B

U Q S C V R

Z Y T G E H G D R

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J N E D U C A T

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F C Z X T U K L

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D S P O R T S V R U G T

E O N H J

V R B C A N

A Y P O L X N E G J C O M M U N I R S A Y H J

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T Y K T O

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A T B

ROLL CALL Editors in Chief Kavya Jain Marta Mieze Associate Editor Sarah Harris Copy Editor Mansi Mamidi Online Editor in Chief Kailin Zhang Executive Producer Jackson Estwanick News Editor Waha Siddiqui Features Editor Jessica Li Arts&Entertainment Editor Stephanie Lei Sports Editors Jeff Swift Connor Del Carmen Opinions Editor Will Roach In-Depth Editor Sabrina Lacy Social Media Editor Zara Tola Illustrators Jilian Bunderson Mason Kellerman Business Manager Aarushi Bute Advertising Manager Akhila Swarna Equipment Manager Ben Hughes Staff Reporters Caroline Cudney Sydney Goldsmith Alayna Higdon Emily Kaysinger Shrija Maganti Ella Musial Lauren Pickett Peyton Rubenstein Molly Sillitto Arpitha Sistla Anika Talyan Carter Van Buskirk Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen

INSIDE RSD closes fields and tracks to help social distance efforts.

Local businesses share how they are adapting to the new policies regarding social distancing.

15 fields 8-9

local business Kate Pogue, senior, organizes a remote food drive to help those in need.

sweethearts

Visit our website to view more stories and MHSNews: marquettemessenger.com

Community adjusts to the spread of COVID-19.

The Messenger shares five things to do in quarantine.

food drive

poetry

OUR POLICY The Messenger is published eight times a year by students enrolled in the Newspaper 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, the newspaper or the administration. The Messenger

SNAPCHAT @MHS MESSENGER

OUR DAYS IN QUARANTINE Take a look into the lives of the Messenger staff and how they have spent their time in quarantine. Follow @yourmhsnews on Instagram to see more.

Poets consider the effect COVID-19 has had on National Poetry month and their writing.

ONLINE

Adam Withinton, junior, finds a love for competitive weightlifting.

High school sweethearts reflect on developing a relationship in high school.

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 deems appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.

INSTAGRAM @YOURMHSNEWS

FACEBOOK @MARQUETTEMESSENGER

YOUTUBE @MHSNEWSPRODUCTIONS

TWITTER @YOURMHSNEWS

SENIOR MARTA MIEZE,

co-editor in chief

Mieze FaceTimes co-editor in chief Kavya Jain to discuss decisions regarding this issue of the Messenger.

SOPHOMORE CARTER VAN BUSKIRK,

staff reporter

Van Buskirk goes out to take photos for a Messenger photo gallery.

JUNIOR ZARA TOLA,

social media editor

SENIOR SARAH HARRIS,

associate editor

Harris starts her day by walking her dog Sam.

Tola passes out flyers for the remote food drive in her neighborhood.

issue VII

Remote learning policies at local districts

NEWS Hold Harmless- Progress 2 grades locked in, grades can only increase from ALP

eLearning counts for 5 percent toward the semester grade

Seniors can choose to freeze their third quarter grades and not continue with online learning

Infographic by Marta Mieze

Hold Harmless- grades cannot go below their third quarter grade as long as students participate

Hold Harmless- grades cannot decrease as long as students turn in at least 75 percent of all of their assignments

Hold Harmless- grades cannot decrease, assignments go under “Distance Learning” in Infinite Campus

RSD implements “Hold Harmless” policy anika TALYAN

grades, which are important in applying for universities and scholarships. RSD RELEASED AN EMAIL MONDAY, “We just really wanted the opporApril 6, about their new grading policy tunity for students to have an incentive called “Hold Harmless,” which has to continue learning and to help their been implemented during the district’s grade,” Dr. Hankins said. closure due to COVID-19. The teachers are supposed to assign This policy states Progress 2 grades no more than 90 minutes of work a were locked in Thursday, April 9, and week, which may differ by how fast a the grades will be re-evaluated at the student can complete the work. end of the semester. If the final grade is If a student does not complete an lower than the Progress online assignment then 2 grade then the final they will get an incomgrade will be the Progplete in Infinite Campus “They made ress 2 grade. but they will not be pethis decision In addition, semesnalized in any other way. because this one This decision was made ter finals are canceled. “They made this provided the most because RSD does not decision because this know what students are opportunities for going through at home, one provided the most opportunities for stustudents to find Dr. Hankins said. dents to find success,” Academic dishonesty success.” Junior Principal Dr. Dan is also a concern of the Ramsey said. staff with online schoolThe committee con- DR. DAN RAMSEY ing. sidered many options Dr. Hankins said if JUNIOR PRINCIPAL students such as continuing the look up annormal grading policies swers to something that and options such as making the class a teacher has assigned that it is okay. pass/fail, but eventually landed on the “They’re learning while they’re “Hold Harmless” policy, Dr. Ramsey doing that,” Dr. Hankins said. said. Anna Marren, sophomore, said Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said academic dishonesty is going to be a the committee did not choose pass/fail big problem and that many students are because that option eliminated letter going to cheat.

Marren said she is surprised by “Hold Harmless” but sees it as the correct decision. “They can’t make our grades worse because we’re teaching ourselves,” she said. She said she had thought teachers and the district would help students with final exams, not cancel them altogether. “I’m not against it because I am a high school student and I don’t like exams,” Marren said. Brittany Sharitz, language arts teacher, said RSD is making decisions that are best for the students and their families. “They don’t have the added stress of not knowing how they’re going to be able to navigate through their online learning and so that they do not have to worry as much about their grades,” Sharitz said. Sharitz said she hopes teachers might be able to learn new teaching styles to help students learn the content when they get back to school. She also said teachers will spend a lot more time reviewing content to help students catch up. “I hope that students are remembering the value of the educational process and the value of learning and that they are not just focused on grades,” Sharitz said.

Brief: State extends school closures marta MIEZE

RSD ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, April 9, that the initial school closure until Wednesday, April 22, would extend to the last day of school, Thursday, May 21. The district communicated via phone calls, emails and social media to announce the decision to the community. “The absence of our daily personal interactions in our schools with students and staff is a challenging reality to accept,” Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles said in a district-wide statement. “However, it is imperative that we take bold measures to further mitigate the

spread of COVID-19 and help save lives in our community.” The decision followed Missouri Governor Mike Parson’s press briefing as he announced all Missouri schools will remain closed until the end of the school year. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and multiple local school district superintendents recommended doing so alongside local public health officials. School events remain subject to rescheduling and currently Graduation has a postponed date of Thursday, June 4.

AT A GLANCE

Seniors Claire Zhang and Kevin Zhou were selected as the 2020 Missouri Scholars 100 that honors 100 of Missouri’s top academic seniors by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals.

Missouri’s stay-at-home order is in effect until Friday, April 24, but it may be extended through May.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is not requiring schools to make up any 2019-2020 calendar hours lost due to the extended closures.

The state commissioner has canceled all statewide required tests such as End of Course assessments.

Graduation has an alternative date of 11 a.m. Thursday, June 4, at Chaifetz Arena.

Many seniors will be finalizing their college decisions as the Friday, May 1, deadline approaches.

The College Board has released dates for AP tests, which will now be opennote and 45-minutes long with only free response. The tests will be available to take at home through any device.

NEWS

United Hebrew Congregation

april 2020

Daar-ul-Islam mosque

Photo Illustration by Marta Mieze

Kate Pogue, senior, passes out flyers in her neighborhood to ask for donations for her remote food drive. She also created an Instagram account, @marquette.remote.food.drive, and a Google sites website. Photograph by Marta Mieze

St. Louis Grace Church of the Nazarene

Senior organizes Religious worships seek new outlet food drive COVID-19 interferes with the marta MIEZE

WHAT STARTED AS AN ATTEMPT TO EARN volunteer hours for National Honor Society, has since turned into a way for Kate Pogue, senior, to bring the community together in a time of uncertainty. Pogue started the remote food drive two weeks ago to collect perishable food items for those in need. “I was like ‘hey, this might be a cool way for students to come together and help people out’,” Pogue said. “There is an actual need here and we can help meet that need.” She created a website and an Instagram account, @marquette.remote.food.drive, for the drive to promote her efforts and encourage others to participate. Pogue began by handing out flyers about the drive in her neighborhood with a designated date of when she’d come around to pick up donations off their front steps. “It has been really encouraging, especially in neighborhoods,” Pogue said. “I only did about 30 flyers before and more than half of them all had food on their doorsteps.” Pogue said there has been participation from students as she set out a bin on her front step to collect their donations, but communication has been difficult due to the lack of accountability on social media. After the Circle of Concern closed due to COVID-19, Pogue decided to donate to the Eureka Food Pantry. Audrey Bell, Eureka Food Pantry director, said the organization is 100 percent volunteer run and donation driven, so as long as there are people willing to give, their doors will remain open. “It’s individuals or groups like MHS doing drives like this that keep us going, so it’s detrimental,” Bell said. “When people band together, you can see how they can impact the pantry or someone like us.” To limit contact, Bell said the pantry is doing prepacked bags of food for families through a drive thru, whereas normally it would be a walk-in, so those in need can pick what they need. “We are able to offer a pretty wide variety because people are kind of listening and cognisant of what the needs may be for a family,” Bell said. She said the pantry has seen an increase in visits since the start of the pandemic, both in people donating food and expressing need. “I’m just so thankful that MHS students are willing to pitch in and help,” Bell said. So far Pogue has collected enough donations to fill up the entire trunk of her car and plans to bring them to the food bank at once to limit contact. The last day to drop off donations is Wednesday, April 22.

zara TOLA WHILE THE RAPIDLY SPREADING COVID-19 virus has postponed many traditional events, these weeks of quarantine also include several religious observances the public can’t necessarily reschedule.

LENT AND EASTER Quinton Durer, senior, said his observation of Lent was slightly inhibited. “Masses are canceled as well as youth group, so I am missing out on a little bit of the community aspect,” Durer said. “However, me and a bunch of other teens from my church have started online groups, and we’ve been praying Rosaries everyday virtually for the world, as well as just hanging out and goofing off.” As a devout Catholic, Durer said the biggest limitation from not being able to go to mass has been not being able to receive the Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ. “There isn’t really a way to distribute the Eucharist to everyone during this time,” Durer said. “We’ve always had a couple people who would take it to the sick, but there isn’t a way to transport it on a large scale since it is literally the flesh and blood of God, and you have to handle it with care.” Additionally, Durer said his Lenten fast was not affected by COVID-19, but that traditional Easter celebrations were severely impacted by the virus. Jaeni Lee, junior, lives in St. Louis Grace Church of the Nazarene in Ballwin with her twin sister Jaena Lee. Lee said COVID-19 has forced the church to do online congregations, but that her family still gathers for Bible study at home. Lee’s father, Sungkil Lee, the church pastor, remains optimistic about the current online situation that churches have been using. “It doesn’t bother me because it is another way to worship during this time,” Sungkil said. “So far, my church focused on the gathering aspect of worship. With COVID-19, it gave my church the opportunity to focus on their faith and worship separately.”

PASSOVER With the seven-day celebration of Passover, Jews are celebrating the fundamental holiday quarantined in their houses, without the customary family gatherings. Jordyn Lange, junior, said there has already been a profound effect on religious congregations with the closures of synagogues in the area due to COVID-19. Passover is no exception. Normally, Lange’s family has a big family seder, typically with about 17-21 people in attendance. However, Lange said they must adjust their traditions

to comply with the ongoing stay-at-home order in the area, which is currently set to end at the end of the day Wednesday, April 22. “That is currently not allowed and my older relatives can’t leave their houses,” Lange said. With Lange’s family unable to physically convene for the seder, the Passover traditions that take place at the seder, like eating bitter herbs to symbolize the suffering of the Israelites as slaves, was not done in a large congregation as is the custom.

RELIGIOUS PILGRIMAGE AND RAMADAN Ayesha Kazmi, junior, said that for Muslims across the globe, there has been a large impact on religious practices. Specifically, religious pilgrimages to the holy city of Mecca can no longer be completed as precautions have been taken to limit the amount of visitors. “The house of God is no longer surrounded by hundreds of thousands of worshippers. Just a few could be seen around,” Kazmi said. “The area around the Ka’bah has been closed and large barriers were brought up to prevent people from having contact with the house of God.” Locally, mosques have shut down and Friday prayers have been cancelled, leaving many to watch online sermons and pray at home. Kazmi said the upcoming holy month of Ramadan also could vastly change because of the ongoing mosque closures and the fact that Muslims won’t be able to gather for communal meals before and after fasting. At Kazmi’s local mosque, the Daar-ul-Islam mosque, when people are finished with iftar, they gather for Taraweeh. Usually, by the end of Ramadan, the entire Qur’an has been recited through the nightly Taraweeh prayers, but with the quarantine halting public prayers, it is unknown as to whether the mosque will be able to maintain this tradition this year. “It really is saddening because families won’t be able to see or pray side by side with their friends and people in their community at the mosque,” Kazmi said. “The mosque is really where everyone goes after they break their fast. It has a nice, calming and peaceful vibe to it.” Nevertheless, Kazmi said the harsh impact the COVID-19 outbreak has had on society is a reminder to have sympathy for other people and try to be better as a community. “Mankind should not let their hearts harden. We should stop and become better,” Kazmi said. “As for now, it is our duty to pray for those who are sick and feel for one another. It is our duty to reach out to someone who is not well.”

issue VII

OPINIONS

SPEAK OUT

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER THE STAY-ATHOME ORDER IS LIFTED? WHY?

ISABEL ORIOLA,

freshman

RSD established a “Hold Harmless” policy which states students’ grades can only increase from assignments during the Alternative Learning Plan period, Thursday, March 26, to the last day of school. Photo Illustration by Marta Mieze

editorialBOARD

KATE BOBRUSEV,

sophomore

HOLD HARMLESS GRADING APPROACH AS RSD ANNOUNCED THE CANCELLATION which are important for upperclassmen applying for of in-class instruction and the continuation of colleges and scholarships. the Alternative Learning Plan (ALP), the “Hold Hold Harmless breaks chains of the modern Harmless” policy was established, essentially locking education system where most students are more in students’ grades from before Spring Break. concerned about getting a good score than learning The specific policy states any grades earned the material. Regardless of a student’s grade, it is in during ALP can only improve a student’s grade and if their best interest to continue to engage with the they cause the student’s semester grade to decrease, learning opportunities provided. the student’s final transcript will reflect their second The only concern this raises is that because the progress report. The policy also eliminates final education system has failed to establish this culture exams. under normal circumstances, students have been While any student would rejoice that conditioned to the rat race. With the lack of their grade cannot drop, the benefits of accountability, which are usually provided this approach stretch much further. with numbers and scores, students who We commend RSD for prioritizing may already have their desired grade, its most disadvantaged students may dismiss these opportunities as Hold Harmless in taking this action. In these Lacking the participation breaks chains of the wasteful. unprecedented times, many of these students may result in a modern education families in America have lack of diversity in opinion and system where most lost their jobs and are facing perspective in classes, impacting students are more financial struggles, leaving discussion-based classes the students with a lack of access to most. concerned about certain resources like food and A large part of our education getting a good score internet. In March, the number is the interaction with each than learning the of Americans who lost their job other and our teachers, now more material. and applied for government aid than ever when isolation leaves exceeded 10 million, according to scarce social interaction outside the Washington Post. Some have to face of our family. If students dismiss the the hardships of knowing someone with opportunity to connect with their teachers COVID-19 and many students have parents who and peers, teachers will resort to doing less work in the healthcare industry. At a time of so much Zoom calls. While this can be helpful in freeing unknown, students should not have to stress about students from the traditional school day schedule, their grades or final exams. social interaction is crucial especially in times of By deciding not to make the semester or certain uncertainty and isolation. classes pass-fail, RSD has ensured students still have While we cannot expect the entire student body the opportunity to raise their GPAs if they so desire to maintain the work ethic they establish during the and that the playing field is even – with all students school year, we implore students to stay engaged in transcripts reflecting the semester similarly. This classes they care about. Or at the very least, stimulate is especially vital for upperclassmen as they apply their intellect, not for a grade, but for the sake of for scholarships and have to send in their final unlearning what the broken education system has transcripts. Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said making ingrained in all of us. a class pass/fail would have eliminated letter grades

MAX COADY,

“I want to just go outside and hang with some friends. I find that before all this, I was in the house a lot of the time and I just want to change that and be more active and hang with family and friends.” “I really just want to have a good family dinner with all my cousins, aunts, uncles and my grandma. It’s crazy how we didn’t even notice how good such a small gathering would be until it’s gone. I really do miss my extended family.”

“Travel. I’ve spent a lot of time over quarantine watching videos of far off lands and now I’m read to see them with my own eyes.”

sophomore

“Play softball because sports are a really big part of my life.” LAUREN MEYER,

junior

“I plan on going to morning mass to receive the Eucharist with a community of friends that have helped me through this quarantine.” HAYLEY MEYER,

senior

ELLEN KLASING,

JOCELYN THEISS,

“Maybe not the exact first thing, but I can’t wait to go see live theater again. This is a difficult time for everyone, especially performers and artists. I can’t wait to be able to support them again and see them doing what they love.”

“My mom has a lot of risk factors that make it unable to be near her. Our baby is due in July, so I either want her to feel our baby move while pregnant or let her hold her first grandchild if it lasts that long.”

math teacher

Spanish teacher

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april 2020

issue VII

FEATURES

HEAD OVER HEELS

SENIORS ALLISON THORNTON & THEN - EIGHTH GRADE DURHAM BRANDT

Couples discuss prospects of maintaining relationships post high school. molly SILLITTO

important for relationships to grow, along with a lot of trust. JACOB STIGLICH, SOCIAL STUDIES “If you really want to make it hapteacher, was a sophomore at Francis pen, you can,” Stiglich said. “You just Howell North in 1998 when he met his have to trust the other side.” wife, Karissa, who was a freshman at Seniors Allison Thornton and the time. Durham Brandt have been together “We were basically best friends besince eighth grade when they both fore it even turned into a relationship,” attended Crestview Middle School. Stiglich said. “We communicated and Thornton said she had liked Brandt talked all the time. We shared stories. since the sixth grade, but he didn’t It grew from there.” even know who she was until the end They married in April 2008 and of seventh grade. have been together The relationship ever since and now started during the “It’s not whether or have two children. second semester of not the couple has Stiglich said eighth grade when disagreements, but Brandt asked Thornhaving a friendship with his wife before it’s how they handle ton out near the the relationship lockers of CMS. them.” started was benefiThe pair said cial in knowing each their relationship other’s qualities and DR. ALEXANDRA H. has matured greatly characteristics and in since middle school. SOLOMON, overall strengthening Between juggling their relationship for AP classes, sports CLINICAL the years to come. and work, Thornton PSYCHOLOGIST Stiglich’s marand Brandt have a riage represents fewdifficult time finding er than 2 percent of time to set apart for marriages. That is, marriages that come one another. from high school relationships, accordTogether, Thornton and Brandt ing to Brandon Gaille Marketing. made an agreement that friends and Stiglich said the number is so low family are still important factors in mainly due to college years when there their relationship and that only spendare many people coming into and out ing time together would do more harm of each others’ lives making it difficult than good. Space is a key factor. to stay true to that commitment. Brandt and Thornton said many of “A lot of people say high school is their friends say they are practically where you find your niche, and it is, married and refer to them as “mom and but it’s really solidified in college,” he dad.” said. “We’re not necessarily party peoDuring his college years, Stiglich ple. If we do go out, we’re usually there said his personality really came out. helping everyone,” Thornton said. And though Stiglich and his wife did “Which is why everyone calls us mom not attend the same colleges, he found and dad.” in his wife someone to confide in and They are planning on staying totalk to during those years. gether going into college, yet said there Stiglich’s advice to young relationis no reason for them to go to the same ships is to be willing to make sacrifices college because of the relationship. and stick it out for the long haul. He Faith, trust and communication are the said time, energy and patience are also main key factors the two are reliant on in order to maintain a healthy relationship. However, high school relationships face their own challenges. Within the first 10 years of marriage involving high school sweethearts, divorce rates are at 54 percent, compared to the average American couple divorce rate at 35 percent, according to Brandon

THEN - 2001

JACOB STIGLICH & KARISSA STIGLICH NOW - 2019

NOW - 2019 HOMECOMING

Gaille Marketing. Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon, licensed clinical psychologist at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, also attributed life-changing events such as college as one of the main components behind the statistics. With dramatic change in geography, friend groups and identity, Dr. Solomon said many young relationships tend to struggle to stay connected. Dr. Solomon said couples marrying at a young age have a higher risk of divorce, but there is not necessarily a higher risk of divorce for high school relationships marrying at a later age in life. She said it is more about the timing of marriage than when the relationship began. Dr. Solomon described one of the key factors in a healthy young relationship as being able to support each other’s growth and evolution. For couples starting in high school and moving forward together to college, a lot of space and support is needed to grow. “Every couple is going to hit bumps in the road,” Dr. Solomon said. “It’s not whether or not the couple has disagreements, but it’s how they handle them.” Though not all high school relationships may last, Dr. Solomon urged for high school sweethearts to enjoy their relationship without worrying about where it is going. “You learn a lot about how to be a good partner from that relationship,” Dr. Solomon said. “And that will serve you well as an adult, even if you don’t end up staying with that person.”

DATING DURING QUARANTINE Q&A WITH STUDENTS DEALING WITH DATING WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING DURHAM BRANDT,

senior

dating Allison Thornton, senior “We make it work. I’ll go to her house to talk to her from my car, maybe bring her Chick-Fil-A, or make up an excuse to see her or bring her something. Conveniently, we’ll be attending college this fall at separate universities, giving us an opportunity to practice our ‘longdistance’ relationship. Overall, it sucks not seeing her like we used to, but we make it work, and it has gone well.” JORIE MYERS,

sophomore

dating Michael Quinn, sophomore “Social distancing has made having a relationship really difficult. FaceTiming has been a great way to communicate, but it’s a lot different than being with someone in real life. It also really sucks that there’s no set date for when we’ll be able to see each other again.”

IN-DEPTH

april 2020

Local businesses, student employ peyton RUBENSTEIN

COVID-19, THE PANDEMIC SWEEPING THE globe, has sparked health concerns since early 2020. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a cloth face cover when out in public and leaving homes only for necessary circumstances like grocery shopping or picking up other essential items. Many are worried for their personal health, but what about the health of their local businesses? “By just supporting one small business, so many are affected for the better: employees, farmers and other vendors, besides helping the business remain after the pandemic,” Denise Diribin, owner of The Wolf Cafe, said. Diribin said The Wolf’s sales have been cut in half since the shelter-in-place order was put into effect. The restaurant is now closed Sunday and Monday and recently stopped serving breakfast as well due to slow business. Another local business seeing COVID-19 affect their sales is Main Street Creamery. Nick Kaiser, owner, said sales have decreased by more than 70 percent of what they were in past years. On top of the challenges every small business is facing like fewer customers and lower profits, Main Street Creamery recently opened a second location in Wildwood. “Now that I look back on it, that opening was a good decision,” Kaiser said. “I think that we’ve offered something to a community in a time right now when people are looking for something different, something to make them happy, something to give them to look forward to.” Now working with two locations, Kaiser is responsible for the well-being and health of more employees and customers. The government has protections put in place for small businesses trying to support their communities during this time, but Kaiser said the processes for help aren’t as simple as they are made out to be. “I’ve attempted to apply for everything that’s out there and you can’t even get an answer,” Kaiser said. “Most of the time, you can sit on the Small Business Association website for five hours trying to put your information in and then the system will crash, and you’re just sitting there with nothing.” However, Kaiser said the long-term impacts of this pandemic could be positive as well as negative and said restaurants will likely become cleaner and more health conscious. But these changes will only be made to businesses that can survive the plummet in profit COVID-19 is bringing. Kaiser is optimistic Main Street Creamery will make it out alive. “We don’t live outside of our means, and we’ve managed to keep our doors open through this and keep most of our employees working, so I would say

The Wolf Cafe offers curbside pick up Tuesday through Saturday as they try to keep business running during the pandemic. Photographs by Marta Mieze

“We’ve offered something to a community in a time right now when people are looking for something different, something to make them happy, something to give them to look forward to.” NICK KAISER OWNER OF MAIN STREET CREAMERY that short of this lasting into the fall, we’re probably not at any risk of going anywhere; however, it would sure be a lot easier to sleep at night if you could start to see some of this assistance that’s been talked about actually show up,” Kaiser said. Main Street Creamery, like many other small businesses, has had to furlough employees to compensate for slow business. The ice cream shop also has allowed employees to stay home from work if they do not feel comfortable working during this time. Ella Tolbert, sophomore, is one of Main Street Creamery’s employees. She is currently not working, but plans to return to her job once the spread of COVID-19 has died down. “My biggest concern for working with a small business at this time is the fear of going out of business,” Tolbert said. “I really love my job and if I were to lose it, I would be really disappointed.” Drew Keller, general manager of Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria, said the Italian restaurant also is experiencing a plummet in profits. The eatery is down 5060 percent in sales and has had to close their dining room due to COVID-19.

“Luckily, we have such a tremendous staff here that are really really really passionate about making the food and making sure that it’s perfect and making sure it’s fast and we’re able to get it out to our guests curbside or delivery,” Keller said. Although the restaurant has had to furlough workers, owners Ted and Katie Collier donate all fresh pasta sales to these employees. A sense of community is important to local businesses like Katie’s Pizza, and the eatery is doing what it can to support theirs during this time. There are countless small businesses at risk due to this pandemic, and many of these establishments are run by people who have spent their lives working on their craft. Keller said he fears many businesses will not survive COVID-19 but he continues to focus on what Katie’s Pizza and Pasta can do to help people through a time filled with worry and uncertainty. “We want to be able to provide for our communities,” Keller said. “There’s so much out there every day that we deal with that’s uncontrollable. We would like to be able to still provide that comfort for our guests and their families by cooking for them.”

ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES Healthcare operations and pharmacies

Supermarkets and grocery stores Transportation including airlines, taxis, rideshare programs and vehicle rentals

Banks

Daycare centers and food banks

Post offices and shipping businesses

Gas stations

Garbage collection Information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infographic by Marta Mieze

issue VII

IN-DEPTH

yees adapt to COVID restrictions Depop offers new source of income Students work mason KELLERMAN OFF WORK DUE TO COVID-19, RACHEL Steurer, junior, finds an alternative to receive a consistent income during quarantine. For Steurer, making money involves Depop after formerly working at The Wolf Cafe. Depop, a social media community platform, allows users to buy and sell clothing from other users and has become increasingly popular among teens. “Some resell things they don’t wear anymore, like just your basic closet items, and some sell original, vintage or rare items,” Steurer said. “So there’s really anything you could need all in one place.” Steurer takes classes at St. Louis Community College - Wildwood currently, but wanted a source of income for future college savings. She was first introduced to Depop about a year ago and started only as a buyer. However, more recently she decided to make a change for herself by selling some of her own items. Finding inspiration in a lot of styles, she continues to learn more about upcoming trends by following streetwear and vintage clothing. The stores Steurer returns to the most are Urban Outfitters and Savers, spending only as much as the item strikes her. She enjoys splurging sometimes on select pieces if they mean something to her. Before quarantine, Steurer accumulated a stash of clothes with which she continues to organize for her page. After selecting items, Steurer makes alterations to her clothing looking for any holes, imperfections or ways to add creativity. “My grandma taught me how to hand sew and machine sew when I was younger,” Steurer said. “I learned everything I needed to get me started from her.” One of her favorite pieces she created combined some bandana patterned fabric and a pair of elastic pants. Steurer said Depop has allowed her to continue buying her normal necessities while off work in addition to exploring her creative side with fashion. Outside of Depop, thousands of online markets like Amazon are thriving with new stay-at-home conditions consumers have to endure. Scott Galloway, NYU Stern School of Business marketing professor, encourages students to also take part in online selling platforms. “Online selling platforms like Depop are not benefiting the economy right now, they are the economy,” Galloway said. Galloway said while about 3 million people have

filed for unemployment, Amazon is currently hiring 100,000 new employees. Social selling, or social media based markets, are central to current online shopping. It is creating a commonplace with brands, personalities and politics that wouldn’t have been possible long ago, he said. Teens are able to attract major brands now and promote them under their specific niche. He’s not surprised an increasing number of teens are finding themselves on selling platforms like Depop due to the matter of growing up alongside social media. Depop creates a community lacking in other online markets. “[Consumers] want to be told by someone attractive what is the best thing to buy,” Galloway said. “Depop has figured this out by meshing the product and personality in one shopping experience.” Depop, specifically, is becoming an innovation to the area of digital shopping by knocking out past flaws of the modern consumer. Galloway encourages students to be active in the economy during COVID-19 as it can be easy to hide behind a screen, but he said the younger generation can instead use technology to advocate for themselves. Steurer continues to update her profile with items exhibiting her personality and choice. She pushes others to follow suit by continuing to actively contribute to the economy instead of holding back. She said it’s important to support digital businesses during COVID-19 because it creates awareness for the functionality of platforms like Depop. “I think it’s really helpful for students to have jobs in high school,” Steurer said. “It’s important to understand the responsibility of having your own money and supporting the businesses around you.”

essential jobs sarah HARRIS

TONY EBERHARDT, JUNIOR, IS ONE STUDENT who has continued to work during the pandemic as essential businesses have remained open. Eberhardt works at Buffalo Wild Wings where he does a little of everything as he cooks, helps at the cash register and helps with take-out orders. “The company wants to continue to make a profit so they make the managers do their jobs and everyone else’s job at the same time, which is hard on them,” Eberhardt said. Along with a significant decrease in his hours, Eberhardt also has noticed a decrease in customers. Even with this decrease, many people are supporting Buffalo Wild Wings by ordering delivery. Eberhardt said he fears he might get his family sick or could spread the virus. After he returns home from a shift, Eberhardt said he cleans his clothes and showers immediately. “I don’t talk to my family or anything until I have cleaned up,” Eberhardt said. Eberhardt said his company will soon give their employees gloves and masks. “I feel fairly safe, as safe as you could working during this time,” Eberhardt said. Similar to Eberhardt, Kenneth Hartwig, senior, also works in the food industry. Hartwig has worked at Raising Cane’s for a year and a half and has continued to work throughout the pandemic. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Raising Cane’s makes employees wash their hands when they arrive. They also have to take a survey regarding the symptoms and if they are experiencing any of them. Hartwig said he mostly works the drive thru. During his shift, he always wears gloves and changes them after each customer. Every 10 minutes, he wipes down the countertops and washes his hands. Hartwig’s boss texted him and his coworkers explaining they will have to wear bandanas while working with customers beginning Tuesday, April 7. “Right now, I feel safe working at Cane’s,” Hartwig said. “I see the precautions they are taking and I feel like it’s a safe work environment.” Katie Curran, senior, works at Target but as of Monday, April 6, she decided to go on leave. However, Curren did work during the pandemic. At Target, Curran restocked the shelves and organized them. She also helped check out. During the pandemic, Curran said she noticed an increase in her hours. In the beginning, Target was busier as people were trying to stock up on essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Also, during this time, some workers were on leave. Curran said she felt safe working at Target due to the precautions Target took. Employees would clean the store every 30 minutes and also wipe down commonly used items like walkie talkies. Along with the extra cleaning, Target provided customers with specific hours for those at risk to go shopping. They also placed signs around the store to ensure customers remain six feet apart at all times. “I made sure to use hand sanitizer and wash my hands as often as I could,” Curran said. “I would also go home and wash my clothes and take a shower after each shift.” While she felt safe at Target, she said she feels safer on leave and her family encouraged her to go on leave. Now they also feel safer. “I was concerned that our family would have more exposure due to Katelyn working at Target,” Daniel Curran, Katie’s father, said.

FEATURES

10 NO SEW T-SHIRT FACE COVERING INSTRUCTIONS The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public places where social distancing is difficult to maintain to prevent the spread of the coronavirus 1. Materials: T-shirt, scissors

cut off 7-8 in

3. 4.

cut out rectangle 6-7 in long

cut tie strings

tie over head and around neck, then adjust

Information taken from CDC Infographic by Kavya Jain

april 2020

Community makes protective gear ben HUGHES THE OUTBREAK OF THE COVID-19 pandemic has led to shortages of many supplies around the world. One of the most vital resources that has been at a loss is personal protection equipment (PPEs). PPEs like face masks, gloves, goggles and face shields are necessary for medical professionals and consumers alike to protect themselves from contracting the virus. Kelsey Wood, senior, has stepped up to help fill the need for face masks. Along with her mother, Wood sews face masks to give to her friends and family. “I actually just started sewing a few days ago because I was bored,” Wood said. Wood and her mother got the design from friends on Facebook and originally started making them for her brothers who live out of town. The masks are constructed using layers of fabric cut out with a pattern then attached together with a sewing machine. Even if people don’t have the equipment to make masks or other PPEs, Wood said they can help in other ways. “It’s really important to check up

on your loved ones and friends,” Wood said. “You need to spread positivity during this time.” Chuck Spohr, software engineer, has been the MHS robotics team mentor for the past eight years and has started 3D printing face shields that can be used in local hospitals. The team normally uses a 3D printer to make custom plastic pieces that are to be used on the team’s robot, but with most competitions and school being cancelled, the printer has sat dormant until recently. Spohr is 1 of 20 other volunteers who have started using the district’s 3D printers to produce the reusable visor that holds the clear plastic shield that protects doctors and nurses. “I was inspired by others who were using their skills to help,” Spohr said. The visor starts as a computer file that is read by the 3D printer. Each visor is made in about two hours. The face shields are made from a PLA filament, a plastic substance that was originally intended for the Rockwood robotics teams. The design used has been approved by the National Institute of Health to be used in hospitals. Brian Reed, robotics coordinator for RSD, helped organize the face shield

production. Across the district, 200 to 300 face shield visors are being produced a week to help fill the demand in St. Louis area hospitals as Covid-19 cases increase. “We are going to keep producing the visors until there is no longer a need for them,” Reed said. Rockwood also has teamed up with Face Shield Initiative STL, a Facebook group that provides the clear plastic shield and distributes the completed products to hospitals like Barnes-Jewish and Mercy. Along with the visors, RSD has collected rubber gloves, Ziploc bags, and is starting to produce more comfortable and effective straps for the surgical masks worn by healthcare workers. “I’m just very proud of our efforts at Rockwood to help out our community,” Reed said

issue VII

FEATURES

Family leaves St. Louis to quarantine in Mexico John said. “We knew we were far less likely to contract the coronavirus in Mexico than back in St. Louis.” INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING In Todos Santos, the city has been the stay-at-home order in St. Louis nearly untouched. There have been 165 County, the Lynch family decided to reported cases in the Baja Peninsula, vacation out of the country. 109 of which are in Cabo. Because the Since Friday, March 13, the famipopulation of Todos Santos is so small, ly, including Ian, senior, and Michael, John said panic doesn’t seem to have freshman, has been socially distancing in Todos Santos, Mexico, a small fishing set in with the locals. The excursion hasn’t been all village about an hour north of Cabo, critical. Day to day, San Lucas. the family enjoys a The Lynch family practically vacant owns a condominium “As soon as President gym, tennis court and on Cerritos Beach and has been vacationing Trump announced the beach. “The trip has been to Todos Santos for six travel ban, we decided very calm,” Michael years. we were going to leave said. “Down here, I am “We saw what the United States.” able to keep up with was going on around school, lift and go on the country and felt runs if I want to.” that we had to make a JOHN LYNCH Because of RSD’s quick decision,” John new Alternative Lynch, father of Ian Learning Plan, Michael and Ian are able and Michael, said. “As soon as Presito continue their studies virtually. dent Trump announced the travel ban, “It’s really helpful that classes are we decided we were going to leave the now online,” Michael said. “I’m able to United States.” access my online textbook for math and Todos Santos, located on the Baja communicate with teachers through Peninsula, has an estimated population Zoom while in Mexico.” of 6,485 people. Backed by the PacifIan said the trip has been lengthy, ic Ocean and the Sierra de la Laguna but it’s a great alternative to being quarmountain range, the city is generally antined in St. Louis. He said his family secluded. is still taking safety precautions and are “We thought if we headed to Todos making sure they keep their distance Santos where there are far less people from others. They are also making certhan in St. Louis, we would be safe,”

carter VAN BUSKIRK

Ian Lynch, senior, studies for his online classes near Cerritos Beach in Todos Santos. Photograph by John Lynch.

tain they wash their hands more than usual. “We have everything we need here, if we do have to stay for a long period of time,” Ian said. “Personally, I’ve been in Mexico for a long time, and it’s been great, but I would like to come back to St. Louis soon.” Currently, the Lynches are scheduled to return to St. Louis May 1; how-

ever, they fear they will have to remain in Todos Santos indefinitely. “There are too many unknowns and, with numbers increasing daily, it’s hard to predict when we will come back to St. Louis,” John said. “For right now, we are going to stay put and see what the next couple of weeks hold. Currently, we feel a lot safer in Mexico than in St. Louis.”

Paul J. Pontillo

Need help stlouisacademic.com paul@stlouisacademic.com with homework? 314-532-5185 Help with quizzes?

Tutoring • Algebra 1, 2 • Honors Algebra 2 • Geometry • Pre-Calculus

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

april 2020

KEEPING BUSY

Students engage in new, old hobbies while in quarantine

kavya JAIN

1 SEWING Burton Brandt, junior, spent her time in quarantine sewing her own Prom dress: a gold, shimmery chiffon ball gown with a halter top and thin straps in the back. Brandt said she had the fabric in her closet and had been wanting to make a prom dress for a while but didn’t have the time with school. She said the project only took a few days and improved her skills. “Especially during quarantine, it's important to go back to your old hobbies and really remember why you love doing them,” Brandt said. Brandt started sewing in middle school and since then has taken all the fashion courses at MHS. She said that although it is unclear whether Prom will happen, she will have the dress no matter what.

2 WRITING LETTERS

3 MAKING MUSIC

4 WATCHING MOVIES

Aside from sewing, Burton Brandt, junior, has been writing letters of gratitude to her friends and depending on their distance sometimes even dropping off cookies or ice cream with them. Brandt said not having the ability to hang out with friends can be boring and difficult. "I just started writing letters of why I'm thankful for my friends and why it's important to stay connected," Brandt said.

Making music together has taken on a different meaning for David Grimes, junior, who plays the trombone as a member of Jazz Band. Grimes said without the ensemble, playing an instrument can get boring. “Music is a form of communication, so if you're practicing on your own all the time, it can sometimes feel like you’re talking to yourself,” Grimes said. Grimes said the jazz group uses Instagram to coordinate parts and send recordings to each other, so they can be edited together in a shareable video they plan to send their band director.

“Valentine’s Day,” “Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and “Love is Blind” are just some of the movies and shows Elsa Case, junior, watched with her friends while physically miles apart from them. Almost every night Case connects with different friends through Netflix Party, a Chrome extension that allows Netflix users to synchronize video playback through link sharing and use a group chat feature. Case said she has three different Netflix groups: one for romantic comedies, one for “Tiger King” and one for weird movies. As a self-described “social person” Case said she needs to talk to people to stay sane and Netflix Party is a way to. “Movies are fun but they are so much more fun with people because you can comment on them,” Case said.

5 BAKING After stumbling upon a recipe for St. Patrick’s Day fudge on her orthodontist’s website, Isabella Wrisberg, freshman, made mint oreo fudge. Since then she has been baking two to three times a week, making all sorts of desserts ranging from chocolate truffles to her family’s favorite: classic chocolate chip cookies. Wrisberg said while she makes other desserts on her own, making cookies is an activity her family enjoys doing together, often after watching TV. Aside from being a productive use of time, Wrisberg said baking has allowed her family to spend more time together and has been a gratifying activity “I like giving my mom and dad something new that I made and having them try it and say ‘oh my god it's so good',” Wrisberg said.

6 PLAYING GAMES Club Penguin, Poptropica and Minecraft are some of the video games Emily Lory, sophomore has been playing recently. Lory said she has been revisiting games she played in her childhood with friends she has had since elementary school. They talk to eachother while doing challenges. Lory said Minecraft has been her favorite game to re-explore because of its updates and changes. "It helps us reminisce on what we used to do when we were younger," Lory said.

issue VII

PANDEMIC

POETRY

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

COVID-19 affects National Poetry Month jackson ESTWANICK WHILE THE 54TH ANNUAL National Poetry Month is taking place this month during a global pandemic, many poets are continuing to express themselves. Sarah Abbas, junior, was named the 2020 St. Louis Youth Poet Laureate in February. She was supposed to go on a performance tour of schools in Missouri and Illinois this month, but is now video conferencing with poets around the St. Louis area due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Abbas has been holding workshops on Zoom where participants share poems and receive feedback. “I’ve been trying to get the youth poet community in Missouri to come together more,” Abbas said. “I feel like it’s very fractured right now.” Abbas had plans to hold free open mics where youth and adult poets could intermingle, but with many practicing social distancing, she is now focused on bringing people together in alternate ways. “A lot of people go to the poetry community when they can’t find comfort in their own homes,” Abbas said. “That was something I found in the poetry community, and now I’m trying to bring it virtually, which is really hard

to do.” me more time to do things like poetry,” Despite how her plans have had to Barrow said. be reworked, Abbas said her goal is Ray Holmes, language arts teacher, to provide a place where people feel is also using his time at home to write accepted and like others are “there for more poetry. He said he has been them.” sketching out ideas from his journaling. Ahmed Barrow, freshman at CulHolmes is set to release his first ver-Stockton College, graduated from poetry chapbook “Lookaftering” in late MHS in 2019. He was a member of May. He said that while many writboth MHS’ slam poetry team and ers he knows have been affected by poetry club and has COVID-19, the procontinued to write motion and release of poetry in college. his book have not been “A lot of people Barrow did not affected. go to the poetry return to college “As far as I’ve heard, community when after Culver-Stockton everything is going they can’t find extended their spring ahead smoothly, which break in March due comfort in their own is unusual considerto COVID-19 coning everything else is homes.” cerns. While at home changing and held up,” in St. Louis, he has Holmes said. SARAH ABBAS used the time to He worries that if JUNIOR reflect and write. social distancing due “I’m supposed to to COVID-19 lasts after be at school right now doing everything the release of his book, he will have to under the sun with track and all these find alternatives to promoting his book other activities I do,” Barrow said. “I’m in person such as posting videos or more alone now. I’m noticing that I livestreaming readings of his book. don’t like to be alone. I’m noticing I Holmes said in the long run, this miss other people. I miss making peoNational Poetry Month will be looked ple laugh. I miss uplifting people.” back on as a positive time for both creBecause Barrow participates in ators and consumers of poetry. many activities that are unsafe during “I feel like people having this time a pandemic, he has consumed more on their hands and being able to focus written and spoken word poetry. on what’s immediate and what’s im“I’m not happy we’re in this situportant in their lives, I think that will ation, but I’m glad that, on the bright make for some great writing,” Holmes side of things, this situation has given said.