Issue 1 17-18

the marquette

MESSENGER

2351 CLARKSON RD. CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | September 2017

Photograph by Abhijit Srirangam

HUMAN SPIRIT. How two hurricanes inspired Tyler Ray, a freshman, and others to help communities hundreds of miles away, pg. 8-9

“He came into my office and asked what he could do to help.”

Dr. Greg Mathison

TABLE OF CONTENTS national merit

Scan this to check out The Messenger website for briefs, stories, videos, quizzes, photo galleries and more.

THE PEOPLE Editor in Chief Online Editor in Chief Associate Editor Production Editor Copy Editor News Editors Features Editor A&L Editor Sports Editor Assistant Online Editor Social Media Editor Advertising Manager Business Manager Photography Editor Staff Reporters Staff Adviser

Greg Svirnovskiy Neelansh Bute Austin Woods Abhijit Srirangam Mahika Mushuni Marta Mieze Kailin Zhang Kavya Jain Kenzie Winstead Delaney Neely Jen Bosche Connor Karst Sabrina Lacy Luke Malawey Jason Belval Alex McAteer Jeff Swift Emily Jorgensen

EDITOR’S NOTE

12

5

CONSTRUCTION

hurricane irma

fall musical

13

14

LIVING WITH

softball

8-9

Devin Haas and Aneesh Reddapalli, seniors, read handouts containing information on the National Merit Semifinalist Banquet.

Students collect money for those affected by hurricane Irma. Cole Hoefferle, junior, stars in the upcoming musiDIABETES cal: The Addams Family.

Fielder Abby Richmond, senior, team prepares for a play.

16

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

“If you don’t cover the news, it’s like it never happened.”

That’s what our staff is all about; it’s our mantra.

The news is our main focus.

It’s what our publication, what any publication, should strive to bring to its reader. To meet our standards, we’ve revolutionized the way we use our print and online mediums to cover news, putting stories up almost daily on our website, marquettemessenger. com, to continue our commitment to bringing our readers the facts.

Whenever you can, be sure to check our online platform for all things MHS: schedules for modified days, student profiles and entertainment quizzes.

Messenger takes responses for any issue. Send these in at www.marquettemessenger.com.

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.

Our group of seniors has been cutting their teeth for years, getting ready for this moment. Countless Sunday layouts, bagel runs and distribution days have led us here.

We’ve grown as writers and reporters, taken hundreds of photos, and in my case at least, had our brothers drive us everywhere for that perfect story. They and the rest of our 17 member staff of reporters, editors and designers, each armed with talent and determination, are here to be your watchdog.

But there’s one caveat: Without your help, your comments and your feedback, there’s no way that our staff can cover everything that is newsworthy.

So write us. Send us your letters

to the editor and leave comments on our website. And, if you don’t feel like writing, Room 226 is always open. Share your thoughts, fears and controversial viewpoints.

On page 4, you’ll see two guest columnists offer very different viewpoints of the Mystake Homecoming tradition. That’s what we want to see. Students outside of the Messenger making their voices heard.

Most of all, don’t ever be afraid to write what you believe in.

Until next time, GREG SVIRNOVSKIY, editor in chief

OPINIONS

Catriona Milne, senior, attended the protests on Sept.

15, following the verdict that Jason Stockley was not guilty of the first degree murder of Anthony Lamar Smith. She photographed a man wearing a “MURDER THE GOVERNMENT” shirt who joined protests that later turned violent leading to more than 80 arrests.

Photograph by Catriona Milne

editorialBOARD

3

MUSTANGS SPEAK

Has 9/11 become more or less significant as time passes?

Parssa Sazdar, senior

Protesting the Right Way THE COURT DECISION THAT JASON STOCKLEY lawfully killed Anthony Lamar Smith, a heroin dealer in St. Louis, brought back every emotion from Ferguson. Protests in downtown St. Louis started peacefully, but quickly turned violent as night fell on Sept. 15.

There may be many issues worth protesting over: Stockley blatantly stating he had intentions of killing Smith, the accusation that Stockley planted the weapon in Smith’s car, and finally the fact that only Stockley’s DNA was found on that gun. All of these concerns were almost immediately forgotten about by a great number of people because the protests against those issues resulted in violence, therefore delegitimizing the protest’s message of equality.

It is all too easy for people to deny an entire side’s opinion based solely on the fact the movement they were associated with became violent in their efforts to fight against what they disagree with.

Although being violent may be a logical reaction and the one that feels the best in the heat of the moment, it is not the most effective way to express your opinions, especially if you want people to listen.

By being non-violent, you make a statement that you are above the blind violence that in some people’s opinions the police have resorted to. This statement is much more impactful than any violent or destruc-

tive act you could commit.

To anyone who protests left or right, be effective, not violent. If not for the sake of public safety, for the sake of what you are fighting for. The fine line between activist and terrorist is in your methods. If you choose the easy path and be violent to satiate your false sense of justice, inevitably, you will fail.

Because at the end of the day people who believe in something that is illogical or immoral only believe that because of their ignorance. Violence does not teach. Violence only breeds more hatred and disdain.

So I ask of anyone with a cause to teach and make the ignorant aware of your viewpoint. Teach people to see through your eyes. Don’t allow them to make you the bad guy.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said “nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.” The words still ring true today, as we as a generation face new issues and combat our own oppressors. How we choose to combat them will inevitably decide if we fail or succeed.

Bigots and racists are not born that way. They are taught. Violence will not fix racism, but teaching and time can.

Caden Berry, freshman

Amy Doyle, social studies teacher

Shreya Srigiri, sophomore

Joshua Hyde, social studies teacher Cartoon by Delaney Neely

“People who haven’t experienced [9/11] don’t exactly know how it felt and it’s just reading a history book for them. I do think it’s still important and we should still be learning about it.”

“It’s in the past and they didn’t experience [9/11] so they take it as more of a joke than as a ‘this really happened’ thing so it’s losing its significance though it shouldn’t be.”

“If we look at what happened as a result of [9/11] we’re fighting in the two longest wars. There was just a resurgence of troops in Afghanistan authorized by President Trump. We’re still dealing with the ramifications of [9/11].”

“I think the event is still relevant and still significant. I know personally my friends’ families are still being affected by that event health wise and everything. It’s a big event and did affect people.”

“I do think that it is up to individuals that had to live through [9/11] to keep people accountable and recognizing that [9/11] did happen and then hopefully they can carry on to the next generation but it’s always hard to be a part of something that you weren’t alive for.”

OPINIONS

4

Helping after Harvey jen BOSCHE FROM PRESIDENT BUSH IN KATRINA TO President Trump in Houston, many citizens have criticized the ways politicians have responded to natural disasters, claiming that the government is not doing enough to help victims in situations of need.

Many citizens claim that President Donald Trump visited “too soon,” while President Bush made his visit “too late.”

If Trump would’ve come to Texas in the middle of the disaster, he would’ve been interfering with the rescue and care of those in need.

Trump would need his own protection, media and followers in order to ensure his own safety and to spread the word of the government’s actions, which would take away from those who need it.

This isn’t a time for political discussion.

Instead of debating the actions of our government, we should look for ways to band together to help others.

While it may seem like it doesn’t affect us, this hits closer to home than you may think.

On Aug. 24, Missouri Task Force 1 (MOTF1) was contacted for deployment to Texas as part of the government’s emergency response team (FEMA). The crew packed their supplies and shipped off within four hours of emergency contact.

These are people’s parents, siblings, children. These are our paramedics, doctors and first responders from all across Missouri. Despite knowing the dangers that may be present, they are shipping off to help others within four hours of being told where to be.

With Hurricane Katrina, many civilians were trying to evacuate at the same time and it resulted in heavy traffic. Many people got stuck in their cars and therefore drowned because of it.

In an effort to avoid this dilemma during Hurricane Harvey, only necessary cities were ordered to evacuate.

Yet people find this to be “not enough.”

I am closely related to one of the first responders who gave up everything to help out because he wanted to. All of these responders want to help out.

These ordinary heroes volunteered to fight danger in an effort to aid others. I won’t stand by and let this side of the story be neglected.

I stand by the responders who need the ability to help at all costs. This is ultimately more important than a public news broadcast featuring the president. Lives are more important than views.

In the end, I think it is unfair to belittle the efforts of both the government and the ordinary people who volunteered themselves to help save lives. So, if you want to go out and criticize their endeavors, why don’t you volunteer.

Seniors Jaden Jackson, Tony Waldner, Eric Tow, Caleb Houchin and Nate Buchheit, perform the Mystake dance at the Powderpuff game Wednesday, Sept. 6. Mystake has been a long-standing tradition during Homecoming week. Photograph

by Natalie Bowman

Point: Fixing our Mystakes zack LESMEISTER IT’S EASY TO DISMISS “MYSTAKE” AS A FUN comedic tradition, but the truth is that it promotes the mockery of people who already find it difficult to present themselves in a feminine manner.

The homo-erotic dance moves and oversexualization of senior men delegitimizes feminine presenting people.

Having a majority of straight presenting people perform homo-erotic dance moves as a joke not only hurts an already oppressed group, but it also violates two of Rockwood’s Core Value statements: “Promote and model ethical values and good character as the foundation of performance” and “Build a safe and caring school community.”

It’s evident that the play on words “Mystake” advocates that men and other people who dress and act homo-expressive are a “mistake.” Understandably, the founders wanted to parody Mystique’s name, but to address the group as “Mystake” only furthers the founder’s lack of respect for feminine men. Although the group of feminine acting men at MHS is small, it doesn’t give members of Mystake the right to belittle and make fun of our culture.

It also should be noted that those who participate in “Mystake” are allowed to wear crop tops in parody, but female students aren’t permitted to. Men in feminine clothing are viewed as such a joke that they allow them to bypass already sexist dress codes.

The same people who will dismiss me and this article for being “Social Justice Warrior” or “too sensitive” are the same people who don’t have to deal with day-to-day ostracization because of self expression.

I guarantee if all the gay feminine presenting people participated in “Mystake,” the straight people who act in it wouldn’t feel as comfortable.

Now imagine feeling that discomfort on a daily basis through the halls of MHS. That is what we as feminine presenting people face everyday and “Mystake” is a slap in the face from an establishment that claims to support us.

I’m not saying that we must completely get rid of “Mystake,” but there must be major changes made so next year’s senior men don’t continue this cycle of delegitimization.

Counterpoint: In line with tradition akash SARKAR A LARGE PORTION OF THE SENIOR, MALE POPUlation performed in one of MHS’ favored Homecoming traditions, yet, a few audience members viewed “Mystake” as a demeaning act.

In recent years, a sweeping far-left agenda has dictated our Halloween costumes, the extent of free speech, and unfortunately now, MHS’ Homecoming festivities.

To view “Mystake” as delegitimizing to any group of people is an unquestionable case of victim mentality: the viewing of oneself as subject to the actions of others.

The dance was obviously feminine in nature; however, to find it offensive to the MHS LGBTQ population is a deep analysis of a rather rudimentary act. The same goes with the conclusion that the name “Mystake” somehow means it is a mistake to be a gay male at MHS rather than a mistake for non dancers to partake in a dance. It is a large leap to assume that “Mystake” performers, the Mystique girls or faculty involved in the performance were part of a deeply offensive act.

Furthermore, the dress code is not sexist. It simply accounts for the anatomical differences in a male and female body. The reason why women are not allowed to wear crop tops, yet men are, should be obvious. In fact, the disdain for crop tops ignores the clothing restrictions put on Mystake performers.

We were told not to wear short shorts without pants underneath, while women are allowed to daily.

These restrictions on both males and females exist simply to respect the obvious distinctions between the two sexes.

When blatantly innocent traditions are interpreted as demeaning acts, people are inclined to dismiss these opinions as “Social Justice Warrior.” This constant PC culture, one that clouds the minds of many, is the reason why 85 percent of Americans believe in equality between the sexes, yet only 18 percent identify as feminists, according to a 2015 Vox poll.

The wave of political correctness from the left is ultimately what is demeaning leftist issues, some of which are actually non-partisan.

NEWS

RSD to fund ACT for juniors kailin ZHANG WHEN BALQEES ABDELBASET, JUNIOR, TAKES the district-wide ACT this April, she’ll be missing a section that was offered last year: writing.

The state of Missouri will no longer fund the annual ACT test for high school juniors due to budget cuts, but Rockwood will continue to support students and offer the ACT without the writing portion.

Although Abdelbaset said she is grateful Rockwood is offering free testing, she will be spending $62.50 to take an additional test with writing.

“The writing section specifically tells me what I need to work on and how much I need to prepare for college,” Abdelbaset said.

Missouri began offering free ACTs for high school juniors during the 201415 school year. The ACT Student Data Trends reports that the percentage of graduating seniors who took the test in Missouri rose from 76 percent in 2014 to 100 percent in 2016.

Sarah Potter, communications coordinator for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), said the state testing gave Missouri a complete picture of state college readiness.

“DESE wanted to provide Missouri high school students with a useful assessment that measured their readiness for college and career,” Potter said.

Potter said that although they are disappointed that fewer students will have the opportunity to take the test, the ACT is not a state or federally required exam.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost said Rockwood is

able to pay for this test through budget adjustments, primarily by excluding the Aspire assessment typically given at the seventh grade level. Rockwood also saves $30,000 by not including the writing portion, which costs an additional $16.50 to the standard ACT price of $46.00.

Dr. Knost said Rockwood is funding the testing because the state’s budget cuts could impact students with lower socioeconomic levels.

“With the state not funding the ACT, it becomes somewhat of an unfunded mandate because our ACT scores are considered to some degree in the state’s accreditation process,” Dr. Knost said.

Julie Rust, MHS testing coordinator, said the ACT is used as a college entrance exam and it guides students toward their progress of being ready for college or careers.

“Offering the ACT to every junior student seems to align with the district’s goal of preparing students for life after high school,” Rust said.

If a student applies to a college that requires the ACT with writing, they will have additional opportunities to register for an ACT with writing test after the junior test takes place on April 3, 2018.

“The only population that may feel an impact are those students with the desire to take the ACT with writing,” Rust said.

Jhar Nae Thompson, senior, said she is glad that Rockwood is funding the ACT. “It’s good that Rockwood still makes sure people have the chance to take the ACT for families that

ACT scores for Class of 2017 increased by 0.4 points from the previous year up to 24.5.

National Merit Semifinalists named greg SVIRNOVSKIY • connor KARST TO BE A NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST, one must display astounding proficiency in math and English, scoring in the top one percent of the state on the 11th grade PSAT exam.

For some, that means simple review and a clear mind.

Pranav Sreekumar, senior, said his success on the exam came down to two things: a good night’s sleep and a few practice tests.

“I mainly just reviewed some of the concepts,” Sreekumar said.

For others, that meant intense preparation.

Neha Bharadwaj, senior, started studying six months before the date of the test. She took eight tests and worked three to four hours each week in its leadup.

Bharadwaj said the honor of being named a National Merit Semifinalist outweighed all of the work she’d done in preparation.

“I never really thought that would happen,” Bharadwaj said. “But that being said, it is very humbling to know that the hard work is paying off.”

The Class of 2018 has 15 National Merit Semifinalists, the second largest number in St. Louis and the most in school history Principal Dr. Greg Mathison said the students’ achievements stem from their work rate.

“It’s about the kids’ perseverance in getting things done, all the homework, all the tests, all the learning that they’ve done,” Dr. Mathison said. “It’s only nat-

5

The ACT Writing Test Despite Missouri not funding the ACT for all juniors, the Rockwood School District will continue to fund testing without writing for all Rockwood juniors this year.

300+

colleges require ACT with writing

$$ $$$

$46 standard test $62.50 test with writing

2 hrs : 55 min

ACT WITHOUT WRITING

3 hrs : 35 min

ACT WITH WRITING

Of the 110 students who earned 30 and above on ACT, 79 percent took the written portion.

These 15 students set an MHS record for largest class of National Merit Semifinalists.

Photograph by Greg Svirnovskiy

ural for those who people who should celebrate this historic event. It is a big, big deal.”

Dr. Mathison said while he tries not to pay attention to rankings, the scores show that MHS students are excelling on a number of levels.

“We know we have great kids and great teachers, and a wonderful community that supports us,” Dr. Mathison said. “It’s just another way to say we’re doing good things within our school and our kids are excelling at high levels.”

79% with writing

Sources: American College Testing Inc. and Dawn Michel, MHS college admissions specialist.

NEWS

6

NEWS IN BRIEF Math classes get AMPED Freshmen make t-shirts to learn math and business concepts neelansh BUTE • alex MCATEER

On Sept. 18 the Mississippi Regional Blood Center collected blood from students and faculty in the Small Gym. 101 people were able to donate which will give blood to 303 people.

Photograph by Alex McAteer

KMOV recognized RSD’s Fresh Fruits and Veggies Initiative as a top food program

Leading the fight against dementia, teachers raised $965 the week of Sept. 11 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

COUNTDOWN 60 days until

Thanksgiving Break

247

Days until senior graduation:

The graduation ceremony will take place on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the Chaifetz Arena.

WHEN MARJIE WARE, FRESHMAN, ENTERS Room 327 at 10:06 every morning, students are yawning, still aching for coffee and sneaking bites of breakfast.

By the time she leaves class at 12:20 p.m., it's lunch time. Ware is 1 of 27 freshmen who pull out their chromebooks in Rockwood’s new AMPED class.

"The class teaches us about profit and revenue and how to be a good businessman," Ware said. "All of this can make us more successful in the real world."

AMPED (Algebra, Management, Processes, Entrepreneurship, Design) is a new course as of 2017-18. The class places a strong emphasis on both mathematics and business, Holly Lehmann, AMPED teacher, said.

"We are trying to teach Algebra 1 in real-world context," Lehmann said. "We're going to be giving a reason behind the math through helping students run a business. Most of the skills they learn will be embedded into the business aspect of the class."

Students began the school year by designing t-shirts that later will be sold in bulk to any interested groups or classes. Many students have already gathered pre-orders for their shirts, Lehmann said.

Revenue collected from the t-shirt sale will be used toward funding production projects for each student, such as designing a new case for their personal Chromebooks, Lehmann added.

Holly Lehmann, math teacher, guides students in the new AMPED class. The class is composed of 27 freshmen.

Photograph by Jason Belval

Lehmann is one of the two teachers who guides each class. The other is Janet Koch, personal finance teacher.

"I'm attacking the math from a common sense point of view so I can connect to some of those kids; whereas, [Lehmann] looks at it from another point of view," Koch said. "The kids get what they need so hopefully every kid in the classroom has a place to look for help."

For many students, the course presents an opportunity to take a break from regular math and instead try their hand at a class integrating aspects of both math and business.

"It's a different math class because the math goes along with the business class too," Evan Aragon, freshman, said. "It's easier to understand and work with because it applies to real life."

Policy restricts open doors

New classrooms don’t have door propping mechanism gregory SVIRNOVSKIY “NO MA’AM.” Shelley Justin, language arts teacher, remembers asking the janitor installing the door to her new classroom if he could add the propper.

“He told me it was against policy,” Justin said.

“They’re not allowing me to do that.”

No door in the new STEM wing will have a propper, and the district is setting new guidelines to regulate their use.

Associate Principle Dr. Stephen Hankins said that doors can be propped open in one scenario.

“As long as there’s a teacher or an adult in the room that can dislodge the door,” Dr. Hankins said.

“It’s about fire code.”

Dr. Hankins said teachers typically do not follow the policy, not to go against it, but because they’ve never heard of it.

“Usually if they don’t, it’s because they don’t know it’s a guideline,” Dr. Hankins said. “I have found that it’s slim to none that people would know it’s wrong and actually do it. Usually someone says ‘You can’t do that’ and they say ‘Oh, sorry, won’t happen again.’”

Ed Bolton, chemistry teacher, felt similarly.

“I have not heard anything about this policy,” Bolton said.

Bolton said while the policy could be useful in the event of an intruder, keeping his door closed during all of class would be impractical, especially when his

Tara Harrow, art teacher, works with students during her second hour pottery class. Harrow’s door was one of 53 that was propped open when a Messenger staff member checked the halls. Photograph by Ella Lee

students are performing experiments inside.

“Today, for example, we were doing a chemistry experiment that made some obnoxious smelling fumes,” Bolton said. “We had the hoods on and the hoods do a good job of driving those fumes away. But they do a better job if the doors are propped open which allows a better airflow.”

FEATURES

Justin Nelson, senior, is the middle child. Kamryn Nelson, sophomore, is the youngest in the Nelson family. Kamryn said having Justin as a brother has made her life better: for the most part. “We’re best friends, but he annoys me,” Kamryn said. Photo by Kavya Jain

Born this way kavya JAIN • kalin ZHANG

Birth order may shape personality

Alli Roth, senior, has four siblings: two younger sisters and two older sisters. She said that in her family, she definitely notices that THE YOUNGEST CHILD IS SPOILED AND ENTITLED. THE the youngest and oldest sisters receive the most attention. oldest is bossy and high-achieving. The middle child is forgotten, “My little sister is kind of like the bossy one,” Roth said. “She and well, left in the middle. thinks she’s better than everyone. She just tries to run the family Quinn Brandt and Amber Baker, sophomores, share these birth and she thinks she’s all that.” order stereotypes while the others at their lunch table nod in agreeRoth describes her oldest sister as the most mature sibling in the ment. family. She said her oldest sister is the most responsible and takes The validity behind the idea that birth order shapes personality good care of herself. is diisputed.

Ashley Hobbs, AP Psychology teacher, said that although Joshua Hartshorne, assistant professor at Boston College, said personality traits are inherited through genetics, the way that that whether birth order truly does affect personindividuals deal with these traits are affected by ality is unclear. Research is still being conducted their surrounding environment. Different teachings on the matter, but there are limitations. One within separate families are a much larger influence being that there is no definite way to measure on personality than birth order.

“Today most families have one personality and the other that it is difficult to “Sometimes if there’s six kids in the family then separate family size from birth order. how a parent shapes or nurtures the first few chilor two kids, and it’s rare to see “Middle-borns are more likely to come from dren might be different than the last,” Hobbs said. educated families having three large families, for the obvious reasons, and big “But then you also have older siblings helping the or more. This makes birth order families are different in any number of ways younger siblings navigating through those personalirrelevant.” from smaller families,” Hartshorne said. ity traits.”

Kamryn Nelson, sophomore, said as the Hobbs said personality traits that align with DR. DANIEL MROCZEK youngest of three, birth order may have an effect birth order stereotypes are present; however, the on her personality. research and studies behind these cases tend to be NORTHWESTERN With two older brothers watching over her, weak and easily disproven.

UNIVERSITY Kamryn often expects others to take care of her Kaitlyn Thomas, sophomore, an only child, said and tell her what to do, especially in class when not having siblings impacts her social life. Comshe’s working on assignments. However, she also pared to her peers, Thomas is more introverted and said she sometimes chooses to follow in their has less guidance. She finds that people with siblings footsteps, whether that’s through her behavior or are more outgoing. extracurriculars.

Tracy Thomas, Kaitlyn’s mother, describes her daughter as a “I get lots of my personality from my brothers, and I mirror mature and well spoken girl. She said being an only child may have them a lot, especially the clubs they were in,” Kamryn said. “I’m affected Kaitlyn’s interpersonal skills. like that with my friends too. If they do something I’ll follow them “She probably interacts better with adults because she’s been because that’s what I do with my family.” with adults longer in her life and she’s able to be by herself,” Tracy Kamryn, who is very close with Justin, said he enjoys attention, said. “It doesn’t bother her to be by herself like it does for other but is also independent, a common stereotype of the middle child. people.”

“I think Justin has learned to be independent because my Dr. Daniel Mroczek, Professor of Psychology at Northwestern parents are always focusing on my oldest brother because he’s the University, points out another issue with researching birth order. oldest and me because I’m the youngest,” Nelson said. “Justin goes As families have become smaller in most Western countries the off and does his own thing.” topic has lost popularity.

Justin Nelson, senior, describes his personality as in between his “Today most families have one or two kids, and it’s rare to see older brother’s and younger sister’s. Interacting with both of them educated families having three or more,” Dr. Mroczek said. “This causes him to be a middleman, making him more sociable. makes birth order irrelevant.”

7

IN-DEPTH

8

Romi Rubanovich, senior, donates canned goods to the Hurricane Harvey food drive in front of the library entrance.

Photograph by Abhijit Srirangam

Pictured: Hurr Harvey over th states of Louis and Texas. Pho graph taken fr NASA.gov

Local humanitarian efforts reach

kavya JAIN • sabrina LACY • luke MALAWEY • mahika MUSHUNI • abhijit SRIRANGAM • austin WOODS • kai AT FIRST, RAHUL SHAH FELT CONFIDENT ABOUT FACING Hurricane Harvey. Despite his family offering to let him stay with them in St. Louis, he insisted it wouldn’t be that bad and he would be able to brave it out.

At first, everything went accordingly. He took plenty of precautions. He filled trash bags with water to act as sandbags around his house. He made an indoor play area for his dog so he wouldn’t have to take him outside. He sold an extra car he kept outside to avoid having to deal with any damages. He seemed to be making it through smoothly, just as he expected.

The terror didn’t set in until a tree fell on his roof, causing it to collapse. He was immediately struck with fear. “[He] called my dad as soon as it happened,” Poorva Sheth, senior, and Shah’s niece, said. “He was freaking out, the power went out and he didn’t know what to do.”

Sheth said that Shah was so shaken he could only express sheer terror.

“He was starting to realize he was in trouble because the streets were flooded and he was by himself,” Sheth said. “My dad was trying to calm him down.”

After that, Sheth’s family called the municipality her uncle lived in from St. Louis and told them what happened. Eventually, Shah received money from the government to fix the roof and he wound up okay.

Other people related to MHS students have had it easier.

Elena McCormick, junior, has a cousin, Gabriel Villasmil, living in a more elevated area of Houston with his wife and three kids. Villasmil took the appropriate precautions and ensured their house and belongings remained safe.

Additionally, McCormick has cousins in Florida. Luckily, they also ended up okay in the face of Hurricane Irma.

One of her cousins took precautions by putting her mattress against the windows and putting her electronics in high up places to avoid damage. Her entire family followed recommended guidelines.

The worst that happened to her family were brief power outages and some small branches falling off of trees into their yards.

“They were expecting more, and to them it wasn’t as crazy as everyone was expecting,” McCormick said. “But other people have had giant trees crash into their houses and go even longer without power. The damage varied from place to place.

Thankfully, my family didn’t get hurt too much.”

Allover MHS, students took heart in the unfolding situations in Houston and greater Florida, working to help others adapt to their new lives.

ADOPT A CLASS After Harvey, Rachel Craft’s, senior, civics class looked away from the textbook. Instead of tending to regular classwork, they decided to help out with the situation in Houston by “adopting” a classroom, meaning the class will be collecting school supplies for a classroom in Houston.

Craft said she thought it was a good idea when her teacher, “It made me upset because Lynn Richardson, brought it up in class, and that Richardson they can’t go back, and there a was kind to help students in need. She plans to donate binders, are staying at shelters. I don’t l pencils and other supplies.

Bolden said.

Richardson found the classroom through a Facebook page Instead of donating school called Teacher Life. Classrooms in Houston that have been to donate food next week to as damaged by Harvey apply for aid through the organization, by the hurricane. and if their application is accepted they get assigned to another classroom elsewhere.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT The Houston classroom that Richardson’s class got matched with, Cypress Ridge, is a life skills high school with severely When Tyler Ray, freshman disabled students.

by Hurricane Harvey through “These kids are having a hard time with life, fitting in and inspired him to organize a food trying to find their place in the world, and now they’ve lost “I watch the news a lot and everything,” Richardson said. food, so I was like, ‘what can I More than 200 schools were damaged by Hurricane Har“I thought, ‘well, go big or go h vey, and many are not open because of the amount of damage, quette.” leaving many students and schools in need of school supplies Ray also contacted Selvidge for when school can return to session. mentary School and a collectio “[I’ve] always felt for the less area called City Place fortunate and things that are out of with neighborhood tr people’s control, so I always want to bags of food from hou help,” Richardson said. how he did as a Boy S As an incentive for her students for Food in Novembe “I think it’ll just be hard t to donate, Richardson had her govRay said people ca ofind itself. But when they ernment classes find a current events items including Chee do I think they could do a lot article on Harvey to learn how the His friends will then government plans to help with the cations where they w of good in the community ” recovery. Richardson said she hopes Area Foodbank and e this will make them feel a personal Ray encourages p LYNN RICHARDSON connection to the students in Houston the drive. and feel how devastating the situation “I think deep dow SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER to help is to a greater extent. others and th Unfortunately, this is not what us,” Ray said. “If I can Richardson said she has seen from then I think I’m gonn her students, with only 3 of her 76 try and involve as ma students donating supplies.

Robin Craig, langu “They’re just disconnected from it and I don’t think they a tremendous help if every stu understand, nor do they care, because it doesn’t affect them,” “For the first two weeks pe Richardson said. “There’s no give without expecting something helping and then after that the in return, that’s just something that we as a society don’t do.” sume their daily lives and forg School supplies at this time of year are inexpensive as stores She said it is important for attempt to rid themselves of the remainder of their back to these experiences help studen school supplies. realize they are capable of mak “I try to encourage, just give up your coffee for one day, “I think that we’re in a bub give up your Starbucks which is $5 if you get a medium or think that most of us have the grande sized drink, it’s $5. You could buy a ton of school stuff basis,” Craig said. “A lot of stud for less than five bucks,” Richardson said. don’t know the severity of wha With Chesterfield being so divided between private, Parkcially with people who need he way and Rockwood schools, Richardson said it is difficult for Lenora Gooden, vice presid the community to find a particular strong identity.

Louis Area Foodbank, said the Hailee Bolden, junior, also in Richardson’s government more than 500 food pantries, s class, was saddened by the effects of Harvey on the communiand children’s homes. The foo ties in Houston. counties in Missouri and 12 in

IN-DEPTH

ricane he siana otorom

Callie Hartung, senior, and Danny Dehart, freshman, collect monetary donations on behalf of student council.

Photograph by Alex McAteer

9

BY THE NUMBERS $190 BILLION

estimated cost of Harvey, making it the costliest weather disaster in U.S. history

hurricane victims

ilin ZHANG

e they’re losing their homes and are not a lot of kids at school; they like seeing that kind of thing,”

supplies, though, Bolden is going ssist the communities impacted

T

n, learned of the damage caused news headlines like these, it d drive. d I saw that there wasn’t enough I do to try and help?’” Ray said. home,’ so I reached out to Mar-

e Middle School, Woerther Eleon of buildings in the downtown e to set up bins. After speaking rustees, Ray also is collecting uses in his subdivision, similar to Scout during the annual Scouting er. an donate nonperishable food ez-Its and canned green beans. help him drive the bags to bin lowill get picked up by the St. Louis eventually shipped to Houston. people to donate what they can to

wn we all have the responsibility hey have the responsibility to help n make a difference in their lives, na try and do that and I’m gonna any people as I can.” uage arts teacher, said it would be udent could just bring in one can. eople are really adamant about ere’s still a need, but people reget about the need,” Craig said. students to pitch in because nts to see the bigger picture and king a difference. bble here in Chesterfield, and I food that we need on a daily dents don’t watch the news and at’s going on in the world, espeelp.” dent of product sourcing at St. ey provide food and assistance to soup kitchens, homeless shelters od bank covers more than 14 n Illinois, making it the bi-state

$100 BILLION estimated cost of Irma, making it one of the costliest hurricanes of all time

$ region’s largest non-profit 501(c)(3) food distribution charity.

“Today, we continue to be an organization that relies on the generosity of others to make a difference in the lives of those in need of food assistance,” Gooden said.

Gooden said they provided Ray with barrels for each of the locations and will collect the food from him. If the food bank receives requests for assistance in hurricane affected areas, then the donations will be driven down by a semi-truck. However, if they are not contacted, the food will be distributed to those in need in the St. Louis area.

“The hurricane hit areas have received so much in the last few weeks, we have not been contacted,” Gooden said. “However, we share product with the Foodbanks in both Houston and Florida, so I’m sure the donations will help many as they get back to a sense of normalcy.”

Average increase in gas prices since Harvey

50 CENTS

FUNDRAISERS FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS Three MHS organizations, Marquette Theater Company, Key Club and STUCO, raised money for the duo of hurricanes that hit Texas and Florida since the start of the school year.

The organizations collected money at Taste of Marquette and at the Homecoming game, which together raised almost $450 for high schools in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Rebecca Blindauer, head of the Marquette Theater Company, decided to expand the fundraiser to reach out to the victims in Florida as well.

“Initially, [the money] was for Houston but as we were figuring out when to fundraise, we thought it might be best to divide our efforts with the second hurricane rolling in,” Blindauer said.

The organizations collected money this week for former MHS associate principal, Dr. Paul Burns, now head principal at Riverview High School in Sarasota County, Fla. Burns opened up the school to anyone who needed a shelter from the storm.

Dr. Greg Mathison, head principal, kept in touch with Burns in the midst of both hurricanes. “[Paul Burns’] school became an evacuation center. So over three thousand people spent the weekend there with almost all their belongings and their pets, trying to make sure that they were safe because the hurricane was bearing down on that area.” said Mathison. “[Paul Burns] said it was great to see his community come together, but it was extremely sad seeing a lot of people carting almost all of their belongings.”

Ashley Hobbs, STUCO sponsor, plans to work with Dr. Burns to help those who have taken shelter in the gymnasium and around the campus of the high school.

“We’re hoping to identify specific families that were really impacted and send money to them,” Hobbs said. “Our family extends beyond the walls of Marquette and we still very much consider Dr. Burns part of our Marquette family and would like to help these family as much as possible.”

about 130 people Death toll for Har-

vey and Irma combined

PTSD

Between 30 and 40 percent of all displaced people have developed depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

6.5 MILLION

Flordians were evacuated, over a third of the state

SOURCES: AccuWeather, CNBC, American Automobile Association, Independent, Washington Post, New Scientist, Clevland

FEATURES

10

RIDE ON

Gorodetsky family to host biking event to raise money for Planned Parenthood

greg SVIRNOVSKIY • mahika MUSHUNI WHEN OLGA GORODETSKY WAS growing up in Soviet Ukraine, talking about politics was discouraged, protesting was impossible.

Today, she spends much of her life advocating for social change and teaching her daughter, Tali Gorodetsky, junior, about the merits of striving to uphold one’s views.

“She’s so strong and opinionated,” Olga said, “I’m very proud that at such a young age she’s actually so outspoken. I hope that Tali’s generation will change the world for the better.”

For Tali, that means she is encouraged to constantly stand up for what she believes in.

“I think that my mom and I have very similar views on things,” Tali said. “I love that we can learn from one another and participate in activities together and be in the same mindset. I think that’s super important.”

To put that in action, Olga organized a 50-mile charity bike ride, all proceeds going to Planned Parenthood, in honor of Olga’s fiftieth birthday on Sept. 23. The ride will run from 8 a.m to 11 a.m, starting at the Gorodetsky home and proceeding to Augusta, Mo., and back. At noon, Tali and her mother will host an after party, celebrating the proceeds raised and Olga’s birthday.

Olga said she hopes the bike ride will become a tradition. She expects the

number of riders to rise from “25 riders to 50 and then 100.”

“It is so like her to do something like this,” Tali said. “I think that my mom is one of the most considerate and supportive people in the entire world.”

Far from its political stand, Tali said the basis of the bike ride is to teach people to organize and push for their ideals to be met.

“It just sends an important message,” Tali said. “No matter what age you are, you should be caring about other people and especially other women if you are a woman. I think that my mom is so selfless and that there really is no better person in the world.”

Cari Shearer, senior, has a cross country event on the day of the bike race, but will still be donating and encouraging family and friends to ride.

“I think it’s an incredible way to raise awareness and support for the organization while bringing people together,” Shearer said. “I can’t wait to see the outcome and the support it generates.”

Shearer is donating because she believes in the visions and services Planned Parenthood provides.

“There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood, especially in recent years,” Shearer said.

“I’m donating because I wholeheartedly

New American

kailin ZHANG • marta MIEZE • jen BOSCHE

Felicia Durst, P.E. teacher, recently received her citizenship after residing for 21 years in the U.S. Q: Where in Canada are you from?

A: I grew up in Walkerton Ontario, Canada.

Most of my mom’s side of the family still lives in my hometown and my dad’s side lives within two hours.

Q: How is it being away from home?

A: It is hard being away from home during special occasions like my niece and nephew’s birthdays or Mother’s and Father’s Day and Canadian Thanksgiving. I get to go home every year for Christmas and in the summer.

Q: When did you move to the US? A: I came to the United States in 1996 to play soccer at the Graceland University. After I finished my student teaching, I got a job here at MHS and have been here since 2000.

Q: How did you get your citizenship?

A: My first year of teaching, I had a green card,

Photograph by Kailin Zhang and Marta Mieze

which had to be renewed after two years. My 10-year green card was set to expire February 2017 and that was when I had to make a decision to either renew my green card or apply for citizenship.

Tali Gorodetsky, junior, and her mother Olga stand with their bike in front their home in Chesterfield. The 50-mile bike ride will start and end at the Gorodetsky house.

Photograph by Mahika Mushuni

believe that Planned Parenthood is an incredibly important organization and is essential for women who might not otherwise have certain resources.”

Devin Haas, senior, is participating in the bike ride not only because of his support for Planned Parenthood, but also due to his love for biking.

“I used to bike to school every single day,” Haas said. “I wish that I biked

more now. I’m hoping that doing this bike ride will be a lot of fun.”

Despite his love for biking and endurance, Haas said he couldn’t dream of traveling the full 50 miles in one morning.

“I and the other people are only biking 15 to 20 miles and then we’re stopping,” Haas said.

McKeon lands dream job neelansh BUTE • abhijit SRIRANGAM FOUR YEARS AT MHS. FIVE YEARS at Mizzou. Two years at Fort Zumwalt South. Finally, Kenzie McKeon, art teacher, is back at MHS for the 20172018 school year.

“It just feels like home,” McKeon, Class of 2010, said. “It’s really cool to be amongst a lot of my old teachers and now they’re my colleagues. Sharing a classroom with one of my old teachers is really awesome.”

Stephanie McDaniel, art teacher, had McKeon in two of her art classes when McKeon was still in MHS. Now they share the same room as colleagues.

“She is incredible with students, she has a passion for art, and it was nice to welcome her back,” McDaniel said.

In the 2010 senior issue of the Messenger, McKeon appears on the superlatives page and above her photo, in white font, it reads “Most Likely to Work at MHS.” “I was pretty involved in high school and I loved Marquette,” McKeon said. “Wanting to be a teacher plus loving this school was widely known amongst my peers. That’s why they voted for me.”

Kenzie McKeon, art teacher, won the superlative “Most Likely to Work at MHS” when she graduated from MHS in 2010.

Photograph by Abhijit Srirangam

Prior to becoming an art teacher at MHS, McKeon taught graphic design, digital art and art fundamentals at Fort Zumwalt South for two years.

McKeon found her niche in art as a student at MHS. “Art was like my thing here so I took six art classes while I was here at Marquette,” McKeon said. “This was my ultimate goal, to be back here.”

FEATURES

11

To type or not to type: Chromebooks alter how students take notes luke MALAWEY FRESHMEN ARE PUTTING DOWN THE PENCIL this year and picking up a Chromebook to take simple notes.

Rockwood’s 1-to-1 technology initiative provided all middle schooler students and the Freshman Class Chromebooks this year. By the 2020-2021 school year all MHS students will have a Chromebook.

Brittany Sharitz, language arts teacher, considers all factors for taking notes in her freshman classes.

“With note taking, I consider the purpose when recommending typed versus hand-written notes to my students,” Sharitz said.

Speed, organization skills and the ability to memorize information all play a part in the effectiveness of note taking, Sharitz said.

“As long as the student understands that rewriting information by hand is a useful study habit, typing the notes initially is a fine method,” Sharitz said.

Leah Forst, junior, said she enjoys the convenience factor when taking notes.

“Sometimes class moves quickly so typing makes it easy to keep up,” Forst said. “If a Chromebook is available, I would much rather type my notes instead of writing them out.”

Yet, some students are content with handwriting

USEFUL CHROME EXTENSIONS

Infographic by Kavya Jain • Jason Belval

their notes and some even prefer it.

Gautami Kankipati, sophomore, finds it convenient to follow lessons on her Chromebook, but prefers taking notes by hand.

“I have never taken notes with my Chromebook before,” Kankipati said “I feel like I remember the stuff better whenever I write it rather than typing it.”

Ashley Hobbs, psychology teacher, said when taking notes from a textbook it’s important to follow the book’s order and use it’s headlines.

“In terms of the actual notes that you take, I think that the best way to take notes is to read and summarize and to put the reading into your own words,” Hobbs said. “That forces you to read, comprehend, make sense of what you read, and then by summarizing it, it demonstrates that you have understood or comprehended that material.”

Hobbs also recommends using sticky notes or the margins to write down questions.

“I also think it’s really important in take notes before the teacher is going to discuss it in class so that you can seek clarification if you still don’t understand after the teacher presents the topic,” Hobbs said.

Chromebooks come with applications intended for ease of access. These “extensions,” as they are called by Google, include business tools, social media platforms and even a few video games. Here are foruuseful applications for students.

1

2

3

Google Classroom

Google Similar Pages

Read&Write

Utilize this learning platform to view and turn in assignments Source: Dana Todarow

Discover webpages similar to the page you’re currently browsing

Recieve personalized support to make documents and more in Google Drive

4

Screencastify Record your screen, then edit and share in seconds

Akash Sarkar and Vinai Kumar, seniors, lead the first TED-Ed club meeting on Sept. 8. Photograph by Neelansh Bute

Talks with TED-Ed neelansh BUTE

FOR VINAI KUMAR AND AKASH SARKAR, SEniors, TED videos have played a major role in their high school lives.

“I see TED videos as a good source for public speaking inspiration,” Sarkar said. “It helped me become a better speaker.”

TED is a public speaking platform in which successful people can share their stories with millions worldwide. Kumar and Sarkar transformed fantasy into reality when they created a TED-Ed club.

“I love the aspect of public speaking. I used to have a fear of it, like most people, but I got over it through speaking more,” Sarkar said. “This club is for people who have stories to tell and want to get better at public speaking.”

Nicole Scherder, language arts teacher and club sponsor, stresses the importance of the club’s mission.

“TED is all about sharing ideas,” Scherder said.

“The club is two-fold. It’s to help students learn speaking skills and also let them share ideas. Hopefully, we will get a lot of information out there.”

The members plan to incorporate student speeches into the weekly Tuesday after-school meetings in Room 289, Sarkar said.

Tejas Saravanan, freshman, said he attended the club’s first meeting in hopes of improving his public speaking skills.

“I joined the club because I wanted to learn more about topics related to science and improve my speaking skills,” Saravanan said.

Though they just began the club, Kumar and Sarkar have big plans for it, including a TEDx conference in the Theater within the next few months featuring a lineup of professionals speaking about student-related issues.

“We want to influence students and faculty through speeches by important people near us,” Kumar said.

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ARTS & LEISURE

12

New patch to fill void caused by Rombachs’ closing mahika MUSHUNI

Photograph by Mahika Mushuni UNDER THE FACEBOOK STAtus “feeling depressed,” Rombachs Farm and Pumpkin Patch announced its closing in mid July, reflecting the attitudes of many who heard the news.

“I’m really sad it closed and I think it did impact the community,” Austin Ohley, sophomore, said. “A lot of my friends had traditionally gone there every year to get their pumpkins, myself included, and it’s a bummer because not only can we not keep that alive, nobody can start that tradition now.”

Fortunately for Ohley and other individuals who enjoyed Rombachs, a new pumpkin patch, the Chesterfield Valley Pumpkin Patch, will open tomorrow, just across the street from Rombachs’ previous holding.

The new patch features a great deal of activities, including the usual pump-

kin and gourd sales to something a little more on the wild side with a 200-foot zip line. A haunted tunnel, hayrides, live music, face painting and a dunk booth are a few of the many activities the patch will offer on the weekends.

Yet, for Ohley, the new patch, even with its new activities, will never replace the older one.

“I think I would go just to see how it is but honestly I don’t think I’d continue or start a tradition there because it doesn’t feel the same to me,” Ohley said.

For Hallie Bartlow, senior, the new pumpkin patch opening holds a more positive light.

“The new pumpkin patch will be great for the community because with Rombachs closing, there wouldn’t be any other places open within a rea-

sonable distance,” Bartlow said. “I think the new place opening will have success, as many families take their kids to pumpkin patches as an exciting fall outing.

In fact, Bartlow plans to visit the pumpkin patch to explore the new patch and make the most of fall weather and scenery.

Even with the conflicting reactions to the opening, Gretchen Thal, director of operations for the Chesterfield Valley Pumpkin Patch, is hopeful the new patch can help the community move on from the loss of Rombachs.

“Since the closing of Rombachs, which has been in Chesterfield for years and years, [the owner of the Chesterfield Valley Pumpkin Patch] commissioned lots of people and we’re thinking and hoping to fill the void for

the community,” Thal said.

The location of the patch is no mere accident. Its location, right across the road from where Rombachs once stood, serves as more than a way to fill void for the community.

“A lot of people know that Rombachs isn’t opening, but I think a lot of people aren’t that tuned in to it,” Thal said. “This would provide the opportunity if they are driving that way they will still at least see it.”

Admission and parking at the Chesterfield Valley Pumpkin Patch is free, though the activities themselves, and of course the pumpkins and various other fall foods, are paid.

“I’m excited just to see how excited the community is about it,” Thal said.

“We’re excited to see the results of our labor.”

Alumnus Artist: Bigg-K austin WOODS

Kaeyl Downey, Class of 2017, produces a track for his upcoming album, Legacy. “My studio is the only clean part of my room,” he said. “I don’t spend any time anywhere else.”

Photograph by Austin Woods

GET OFF WORK AROUND 12 A.M. Walk home, and immediately retreat to the bedroom studio. Record music until sunrise, then crash until it’s time to go to work again. Rinse and repeat.

Kaeyl Downey, Class of 2017, does this constantly. Downey is a local rapper known as Bigg-K, and he’s currently preparing for his upcoming first concert. On Oct. 19, Downey will play at the Fubar, at 3108 Locust St. Downey will be rapping against other local rappers as part of The Showcase Tour, which exhibits a variety of local acts from each city it travels to. At each city, audience members vote for their favorite artist, determining who gets to perform at the next date. The show is all ages and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Downey said he’s worked hard on his set list, and he’s been listening to it repeatedly and wants it to be perfect.

“Nobody understands, except for an

artist, the effort you put in leading up to everything,” he said. “I’m putting my heart out for this concert. I’m gonna perform with my heart on my sleeve.”

He said MHS students in particular will enjoy it because they can relate to the fact that he went to the same school as them and went through a lot of the same experiences.

Alex Paolicchi, senior, writes verses with Downey and raps with him on occasion.

“Me and Kaeyl will be Snapchatting each other and trading lines back and forth,” he said. “We’ll basically be finishing verses with each other.”

While he won’t be performing with Downey, Paolicchi will still be going to the show wand plans to perform with him in the future.

“I want to go and support Kaeyl because he’s a good friend of mine,” he said. “I think MHS students will really enjoy it.”

ARTS & LEISURE

13

Cast announced for fall musical “THE ADDAMS FAMILY” will be haunting theaters at MHS this November.

The popular musical arises from a comic strip created by the late Charles Addams. These cartoons debuted in 1938 and were first adapted into animated series in 1973. Not until 2009 were the characters brought to the Broadway stage.

The musical features two star crossed lovers from dueling families, the Addams and the Beinekes.

kenzie WINSTEAD

Amy Mayer, Morticia

RILEY WALSH, SENIOR, BEGAN HER acting career at Selvidge Middle School.

“It was the cool thing to do,” Walsh said. “That really furthered my passion for theatre.”

Walsh will be fulfilling the role of Wednesday in “The Addams Family”at MHS. “Wednesday is very serious and really just stares all the time,” Walsh said. “That is not my personality at all, so I have to work on that.”

To prepare for her audition Walsh watched numerous YouTube versions of the musical.

mahika MUSHUNI

RILEY WALSH, WEDNESDAY

Cole Hoefferle, Gomez angel HODGE ANXIOUS AND DISTRACTED FOR A full day, he waits for a very important list.

He has practiced the lines the best he could before auditioning.

Despite the overwhelming amount of people who tried out for the musical, Cole Hoefferle, junior, scored the lead role of Gomez in this year’s production of “The Addams Family.”

For the role he must learn how to do a Spanish accent similar to Puss In Boots. He also must learn three fulllength solos, lead two group songs, and also has a duet and tango scene.

“It’s the Addams Family you know and love,” Hoefferle said. This production will run Nov. 16-18 at 7 p.m. and on Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.

But, this isn’t his first production.

This passion was born almost 2,000 miles away. From a young age he was enrolled in a magnet school in California that focused on the arts and that experience only grew this desire to act.

At 8 years old, his family broke the

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news that his father had received a job offer somewhere else. The unexpected move to the Midwest was a cultural shock, but it has had its benefits.

Since his venture to Saint Louis, he has participated in more than 20 shows, some professional such as “Beauty and the Beast” at Variety STL and some school based such as “The Diviners” at MHS last spring. The longest production Hoefferle has ever been in was “Full Monty” at Stages St. Louis.

With a diverse background and experience with production and acting he strives to one day become a film director in Los Angeles.

FROM “HIGH SCHOOL MUsical Junior” to “The Addams Family,” Amy Mayer, junior, has been involved in acting from a young age.

“I always loved it. It was something that made me feel different than anything else,” Mayer said. “It was more interesting than anything I’ve ever done.”

Mayer will be taking on the role of Morticia in “The Addams Family.” A character very foreign to Mayer.

Mayer said while it’s been difficult to relate, she has done a lot of stepping out of herself.

“Learning to be more confident is the big thing,” Mayer said.

Meet the Cast Justin Nelson, Uncle Fester Brian Peters, Lurch Austin Cochran, Mal Rebecca Jaegers, Grandma David Pisoni, Pugsley

Thomas DeGroot, Lucas Claire Schmitz, Alice

For more information on the cast, visit marquettemessenger.com.

SPORTS

14

Injuries can’t stop these athletes

Hake embraces injury sam HALL • kayla SCHWEITZER

Seniors Robby Mills and Max Jennings spent most of their junior year football career sitting in the Weight Room injured. Photograph by Jason Belval

Friends overcome football injuries maura HORTON • mansi MAMIDI • jeff SWIFT SENIOR MAX JENNINGS, VARSITY left tackle, had been the model athlete: he worked hard, played hard and gave football and basketball all he had.

Matt Klein, head football coach, labeled him a smart, and reliable player with a knack for always knowing what to do.

Six weeks into the season of his junior year, Jennings tore his MCL in his right knee in a contact injury causing him to miss the rest of the season.

Jennings was out from week six of football season until three weeks into the basketball season.

Soon after his return, he tore the meniscus in his left knee during basketball practice, a season ending injury that required surgery.

Senior Robby Mills, quarterback, had five passing and two rushing touchdowns this season.

Teammate Zach Banes, sophomore, labeled him a good leader and a key to the offensive lineup.

After taking a huge hit in the first j.v. game last season, Mills’ foot broke in half. He wore a boot on his left foot for about 10 weeks.

Both athletes were still active with their team. While their teammates were doing drills and playing their favorite game, Jennings and Mills often sat in the Weight Room alone, strategizing how to get back in the game.

Jennings said he missed the rush of playing, so he showed his support by going to every practice and game.

“That was supposed to be our year to get scouted, to show everything we had, and it was just kinda taken away from us,” Mills said.

Even with the obstacles, Coach Klein said that he never thought Jennings couldn’t come back due to the

intensity of his physical therapy and off-season training.

He was fully cleared at the end of July.

While Jennings was nervous he wouldn’t play as well as he used to, he was over his nerves after the first few practices.

When Mills returned, he struggled.

In his first game back, he threw five interceptions against Lafayette.

“I really wasn’t ready the rest of the year,” Mills said.

Mills said he grew from this tough experience, allowing him to learn about how to deal with setbacks and come back stronger than before.

Mills tried to come back too early as a result of the depression he felt from missing sports and struggled more with the mental recovery.

“Every night, I would lay in my bed, so sad, wanting sports back, wanting to play again,” Mills said.

Both Mills and Jennings are now back as starters for varsity football and have started the long process of being scouted for college football at Butler and Missouri State.

Jennings maintains that the most important part of their recovery was the team, which is like a tight-knit family. He said the team always included him even when he was injured and that support played a big role in his return.

Both players said they gained a sense of gratitude for being able to play the sport they love.

“I just missed the feeling of winning and just playing sports,” Jennings said. “That was the first time I had ever been out, so I realized I can’t take it for granted and that I’d do anything to get back.”

JUST TWO YEARS AGO, MEGAN Hake struggled to walk without shooting pain. A senior, she is now running her fourth year on the cross country team.

At the start of her sophomore year, Hake started out excited for the season.

Yet, after three weeks of training, the rigor of running 20 miles a week took a toll on her body.

Shin splints, an injury caused by overstressing the front lower leg, controlled her fate.

“It was a really sharp, stabbing pain that wouldn’t go away,” Hake said.

She tried special orthotic shoes, diligently seeing a chiropractor. Nothing helped.

Hake ended up running only two races her sophomore year, and junior year wasn’t much better.

But this runner wasn’t going to give up that easily.

The summer before her senior year, Hake had been through enough. She went to a physical therapist who helped her figure out that the source of pain was weakness in her hips and ankles.

Her physical therapist gave her exercises to complete over the summer so she could come back healthy her senior year.

Megan Hake, senior, laces up her ankle brace at the beginning of cross country practice. “Now that pain’s not there, so it’s incentive to push harder,” Hake said.

Photograph by Delaney Neely

Now she wears ankle braces to stabilize her legs while she runs.

“She had really severe shin injuries, so for her being able to race is a huge accomplishment,” Mike Ebert, cross country coach, said.

In the eyes of her friend and previous “running buddy,” Amanda Cun, Hake was always capable.

“She’s a really strong person, so I knew that she would push past it,” Cun said.

Miller plays through break jeff SWIFT NIKKI MILLER, FRESHMAN, HAS always loved field hockey, but after suffering a severe foot injury during a soccer game two years ago, Miller’s future in athletics was put into question.

“I felt a little snap in my foot, and it hurt really bad,” Miller said. “My mother told me to ‘suck it up’.”

Miller would play the rest of the season even when she found out her foot was broken.

“We went through certain treatments,” Miller said. “[It] just wouldn’t heal.”

Miller, her family and her coaches made the decision that despite the foot break, she should still play this season.

“I don’t really think about it much,” Miller said. “I just think about playing and trying to get through it more than the pain.”

Miller said she’ll be getting the surgery within a month.

Teammate Taylor Schaller, freshman, said Miller has continued to play well.

“You can’t even tell,” Schaller said.

“But, it can’t get much worse for her.”

Schaller can’t imagine what Miller is going through.

Nikki Miller, freshman, plays one of many field hockey games with broken bones in her foot. Photograph by Jeff Swift

“There’s no comparison, her [injury] is definitely way worse. She’s going through a lot of pain,” Schaller said.

Jenna King, field hockey coach, considers Miller a “strong asset.”

“She’s a very strong athlete,” King said. “Mentally strong as well as physically strong.”

King said she’s proud of the way Miller has fought through the pain “It’s very difficult to fight through that. She’s done such a great job,” King said.

SPORTS

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Give-Me-a-‘G’ Hebisen makes varsity cheerleading history delaney NEELY FOR GRAHAM HEBISEN, SENIOR, the term “usual” doesn’t fit the bill.

Hebisen is MHS’ first and only male cheerleader. Being the first doesn’t faze Hebisen. He is eager and excited to start what he hopes will draw more guys into cheerleading.

“It's a little lonely. I wish more guys did it but it’s exciting,” Hebisen said.

Making varisty cheer has been a goal for Hebisen since he first tried out sophomore year.

“When I found out I finally made varsity I was really happy,” Hebisen said. “I felt like all my hard work paid off, you feel accomplished.”

Though the journey to varsity was a long and hard one, requiring a lot of training and more advanced stunts, Hebisen said he feels he gained a lot from the experience.

“Just knowing that I have to be patient and work hard for everything I want,” Hebisen said.

Hebisen wants to continue cheering after high school and hopes that more male students will be willing to cheer after he graduates.

Abbey Gradle, varsity cheer coach, said Hebisen brings energy and spirit, along with being a great tumbler. Having a boy on a dominantly female team

Graham Hebisen, senior, cheers on the Mustang football team at the annual Homecoming game. Hebisen has been cheerleading since his sophomore year. “I feel honored to be the first,” Hebisen said. Photograph by Abhijit Srirangam

doesn’t make him any different of an athlete than his fellow cheerleaders.

“It does make it a little different for our divisions that we get put into for competitions,” Gradle said.

The team placed first in Regionals last July in the co-ed division, and they strive to become State champions as well, though that isn’t their main goal.

“Every year, I set out that we want

to be the best team as possible,” Gradle said. “Whether that has any trophies or titles added to it is excellent.”

Gracie Scognamiglio, senior, has been cheering with Hebisen for three years. She said his tumbling is an asset to the team and that he brings more diversity.

“He brings obvious strengths and we can do different stunts that we normally couldn’t do with just an allgirl team,” Scognamiglio said. “He is doing one-man stunts, so he’s stunting basically by himself and that’s one of the key components for co-ed.”

Scognamiglio also mentions that having a boy on the team places them in co-ed divisions in competitions, rather than just all-female competitions.

“We have a whole new experience,” Scognamiglio said. “And a whole new array of teams to compete against.”

Scognamiglio said the j.v. team won the Regionals with Hebisen.

“As for State, time will tell,” Scognamiglio said.

The team’s hopes go beyond just this season.

“If we got more guys, then that could lead to more advanced skills and better team environment,” Scognamiglio said. “I think one guy is a great start.”

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16

SPORTS

Tyler Sieli, senior, is the kicker for varsity football as well as a player on the varsity soccer team. Sieli juggles these two sports in the fall season.

Photographs by Abhijit Srirangam

Kickin’ It Athlete practices two varsity fall sports

cole HOEFFERLE • jordyn WILLIAMS

HE’S NUMBER 11 ON THE SOCCER FIELD AND 33 on the football field.

For two years Tyler Sieli, senior, played both soccer and football during the same season.

Of the two, Sieli is more devoted to soccer. He has been playing soccer since he was about 5 years old and said he excels in the sport.

“I think I would get a scholarship playing soccer,” Sieli said.

Even Chris Kenny, soccer coach, said that if Sieli continues to pursue soccer, he could unlock his full potential and excel in the future.

Although Siele is more dedicated to soccer, Matthew Klein, head football coach, said that Sieli, when present for football, gives “a little added bonus.” He shows up every Thursday bright and early to work with the team, he said.

Sieli plays kicker in football, which the team takes seriously to allow themselves to get an extra one-up on the opposing team.

For Sieli his two sports go hand in hand. His rigorous kicking training on the soccer field allows him to keep up with the pace on the football field and in the words of Klein “he definitely does a vital job.”

Senior Robby Mills, quarterback, said that because he must kick the ball differently in both sports that

sometimes he needs a few kicks at the beginning of the game to transfer from football mode to soccer mode.

Even though football doesn’t take up that much of his time, traveling from the soccer field to the football field can be a hassle on game days. But when it comes to practices, the two rarely conflict due to his coaches’ precise practice planning allowing Sieli to maximize his time with both teams.

Sieli is the striker on the soccer team and his teammate Jon Zink, senior, said he is a vocal leader, so the team works well with him.

“Football gives him a competitive edge and a brute force that he needs to play striker,” Zink said.

Varsity softball fights to keep record strong connor KARST • alex MCATEER • jeff SWIFT

Upcoming Games:

VARSITY SOFTBALL IS CURRENTLY AT A 20-1 record and has an average of 8.3 runs per game, the best in their division. This success has ranked the varsity team as third in the State.

Their almost perfect record has one blemish: Oakville. The team lost 4-3 at the hands of the Tigers.

Junior Tabitha Cacheris, catcher, said the loss helped the team.

“After the loss, we learned how to cope and deal with defeat,” Cacheris said. “It really helped with our mentality. It helps our offensive mentality to know that if someone strikes out, we have to pick them up.”

Cacheris said she prefers a more conservative style of play with small hits moving them along, and said it’s not always about getting runs and hitting the ball out of the park.

“The team learned that it’s okay to lose, it’s okay, everybody loses. Losses help us get better,” Cacheris said. “Losing helps show where I struggled and what I need to get better at.”

Amy Doyle, head coach, said this season has been fun so far.

“They’re really competitive and we’ve worked really hard to get where we are,” Doyle said.

Doyle attributes the team’s success to their conservative style. She said getting the small hits and simply moving the runners builds up over the game.

Doyle said they just didn’t get the “key hits.”

“We overall did well, a couple of errors. We just

Sept. 22 @ Francis Howell North 4:15 Sept. 25 @ Lafayette 4:15 Sept. 28 @ Hillsboro 4:15 couldn’t get it together,” Doyle said. “We just need to keep the train going. It’s only one loss.”

Annah Junge, freshman, is in her first year on the softball team and already plays varsity.

“The seniors made me feel very accepted,” Junge said.

Junior Eileen McGinnis, pitcher, played on the team last year.

“Most of us are the same age,” McGinnis. “We work really well together. We are basically the same team as last year.”

McGinnis said everyone is there to win, but it was hard for the team to lose to Oakville, who is their long-time rival.

Besides winning State against Holt, McGinnis said her favorite memory was the pink game where all players wore pink in support of victims of breast cancer. “[It was a] fun game for a good cause,” McGinnis said.

McGinnis said the key to their success is having good coaching and good players.

Cacheris said the team isn’t focus on Playoffs.

“We are just taking it game by game and pitch by pitch,” Cacheris said.

Eileen McGinnis, junior, pitches one of many fastballs to a batter from Webster Groves on Sept. 13. Varsity won 9-0.

Photograph by Abhijit Srirangam