22-23 Marquette Messenger: Issue I

International travel trips are affected by Policy 5661. See full story on pg. 4.

Students discuss the authenticity of social media. See full story on pgs. 8-9.

Aarushi Bute Akhila Swarna

Anika Talyan

Rue Siddiqui Prashu Sidella Pranav Sriraman

Annabelle Miller

Anvi Talyan Parker Brandt

Tiona Merritte Shyam Punnachalil Jacob Robinson

Liza Cooper

Emma Tyulyayev

Aubrey Lacavich

Annie Alcorn

Aiden Burkhardt

Elle Devous Willem Hummel

Claire Lowder

Elizabeth Neier Emily Jorgensen

The Messenger is published eight times a year by students enrolled in the News Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext. 26228

Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff or the administration. The Messenger takes

responses for any issue. Send these in at mhsmessenger@rsdmo.org. The Messenger reserves the right to edit submitted material and to refuse to print material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor in chief and adviser deem appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.

Grace Dai, freshman, was recognized as a national finalist for the Google contest by | cassie sun

Band selected to play at Missouri Music Educators Association Conference by | tiona merritte and elizabeth neier

Admin put focus on retakes

annie ALCORN • liza COOPER

Sneha Deo, freshman, has a lot on her plate: school, homework and extracurricular activities. But another factor that is causing her extra stress is the inconsis tency of MHS’ retake policy.

“I think it’s hard to keep track of what classes I should study for more,” Deo said. “I study more if I know there are only two retakes per semester rather than classes with unlimited retakes.”

Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said retake policies should be the same within departments.

“Teachers teach differently,” Dr. Hankins said. “They have different strengths and different per sonalities, so what we let teachers do is have similar grade book policies and make sure they are all hitting the same core objectives.”

Dr. Hankins said retakes can look different be tween subjects because teachers re-asses students’ knowledge in different ways. As long as teachers are hitting these shared standards, then having the same retake policy for departments makes sense, he said.

Within the last 10 years, RSD adopted a grad ing practice called Standards Based Grading (SBG). Under SBG, teachers must give students meaningful feedback and suggestions for improvement in the future.

With the adoption of SBG, the Board of Education also passed policy 6450, which states that students are allowed to retake after relearning material, but it doesn’t specify whether every assessment can be retaken or if the amount of retakes is left up to the teacher.

Darcy Hachmeister, math teacher, said when poli cy 6450 first started, it was a nightmare.

“There was no accountability for students. The policy just meant they could retake anything and ev erything without doing any of the work,” Hachmeis ter said. “It became that all the kids took the initial test as the practice test and then retook it.”

To prevent this from happening, some teachers

A Q &

What is your plan to ensure retake opportunities in all classes?

“We look at the syllabus of each class and we are hoping each school year we can see what the retake policies are.”

Why hasn’t the policy been practiced in recent years?

“I think that through COVID and the transition of going online, it just wasn’t a focal point, so we’re just refocusing on what we should have been doing in the first place.”

in the math department began to enforce retake rules.

“After we sent out our syllabuses, the district came back and said you have to adhere exactly to the policy, but it’s not clear,” Hachmeister said.

Holly Lehmann, math teacher, said it is bother some that teachers are being asked to pay attention to some policies and ignore others, which creates inconsistency.

Lehmann said the math department is strug gling to come up with a plan for the retake poli cies.

“We give retests and we’re okay with that,” she said. “We’re just not sure how to write it up in the syllabus and line it up with the policy.”

AT A GLANCE

19 MHS students were recognized as Semi-finalists for the National Merit Scholarship.

RSD’s college fair is 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Sunday at MHS in both the small and large gyms. Applications are open for 10th-12th grade.

The MHS craft fair is 9 a.m - 4 p.m. Saturday in the Commons.

Sweatshirts are being sold in remembrance of former Assistant Principal Dr. Carl Hudson, with sales funding the Carl B. Hudson Memorial Scholarship.

The online shop will accept orders until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Board of Education seeks to revise ethics policies

tiona MERRITTE

The Board of Education (BOE) is in the process of revising the BOE Code of Ethics after Jessica Clark, board member, made controversial comments in late August during a conservative talk show.

Jamie Bayes, BOE president, proposed the changes to the policy.

“Its always good to be as clear as possible,” Bayes said. “We saw this as being one of those areas to grow in.”

The adjustments include rules to “avoid inappropriate or disparaging remarks, in or out of Board meetings, about Board members or their opinions, and avoid any comments which may be interpreted as undermining the administration of the district,” said a statement from the BOE at the Thursday, Sept. 1, Board meeting.

At that meeting, all members including Clark

approved moving the proposal forward. The revisions will move through three different readings and are expected to happen within one and a half months or three school board meetings.

The first reading is where the proposal was placed into the original consent agenda. The second reading is where it moves into the open section of the agenda. The final reading is when there is a discussion if needed. Then, it would be opened to a policy committee. If the committee approves of the revisions, it would move to a vote by the BOE.

“I hope all of our policies are written in a way that helps students feel safe. That is certainly always a goal of any of our policies and revisions that might be made,” Bayes said.

Clark said she was not surprised by the proposed changes to the BOE Code of Ethics.

“The board did what they felt was necessary,” Clark said.

Melanie Chavez, sophomore, is excited to see RSD taking a step to make sure students feel better in the district.

“I feel like the things that were said were against Rockwood’s beliefs and these changes make this a better environment for all of us,” Chaves said.

Jessica Risenhoover, MHS parent, said the possible changes set a good example for RSD and the community as a whole.

“I’m glad that they did it. Certain types of behavior are not acceptable in any environment,” Risenhoover said. “I think that it sent a clear message to everyone.”

Board of Education President Jamie Bayes discusses possible changes to the Board’s Ethics Policy during the Thursday, Sept. 1, meeting at MHS. In her rationale for the changes, she wrote, “The review and amendment of Policy 0340 is necessary to insure all members are held to the highest professional standard.” Photograph by Elliott Jorgensen

with Principal Dr. Steve Hankins

The next BOE meeting will be Thursday Oct. 6, at MHS

Lunch staff hires student workers

aidan BURKHARDT

For several weeks now, Archie Ramsey, sophomore, has been arriving at school in the morning to help lunch staffers with preparing the day’s food.

Their job, which they begin at 7:15 a.m. and end at first bell, entails stock ing shelves, wrapping sandwiches and putting the food on trays.

Ramsey said it’s an ideal job be cause it doesn’t interfere with their schedule as much as other jobs would.

“It didn’t get in the way of school. It wasn’t after school, it was before,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey said they enjoy their new job, with only a little difficulty.

“I’m a little slow at wrapping, but everyone is at the start,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey is one of four students who work as substitute lunch staff, which pays $13 per hour. Applications are currently available on the Rockwood website.

Sophomore Principal Dr. Dan Ram sey is Archie’s father. He says having Archie work in the morning is mutually beneficial.

They ride with Dr. Ramsey in the morning so they’re already at school earlier, he said.

Dr. Ramsey said he appreciates the work students put in.

“It’s kind of something that goes un seen,” Dr. Ramsey said.

Carmen Fischer, RSD Director of

Child Nutrition, said it’s a huge help to have additional help from student workers.

“Many hands make light work,” she said. “If a student can complete a task and another member doesn’t have to, that’s a huge help.”

Fischer said they’ve been trying to

find new staffers to help make lunches more accessible for students. Currently they have as few as 4 staff members but in the past they’ve had as many as 18.

“We’ve got a sign right out there that says hiring,” Fischer said, refer ring to a window at the entrance to the building. “We have it posted on Parent Square, Facebook, the newspaper. We want new staff. They just aren’t apply ing.”

Having worked in the district since 2001, Fischer said she and her staff would like to provide better services for the students.

Patrick O’Brien, freshman, prepares drinks, heats frozen foods and prepares snack packs.

“Since I’m a student, it helps me let the staff know what a lot of the kids like,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said he appreciates being able to help out the other staff mem bers.

“The cafeteria ladies have been really overworked, so it puts a lot less stress on them, and it allows better lunches to be put out,” O’Brien said.

Teachers increasingly prohibit cell phones

To limit the number of distractions in the classroom, Janet Drabant, Spanish teacher, has students put their phones in a caddie at the beginning of class. They are allowed to have them back after the bell rings.

“I find that students are more interested in their phones and texting or checking their emails than paying attention to class, so I removed the distraction,” Drabant said.

Although phone cubbies have shown improvements in Drabant’s class, she is still seeing some problems. Drabant has found that students are able to listen to music through their AirPods and control it on their Apple watches.

Phone caddies are also popular in the history wing. Breanna Boevingloh, junior, has to put her phone away in Psychology with Lynn Richardson.

“I mean students are on their

phones sometimes, but they still pay attention, so I don’t fully understand why we have to put them up,” Boevin gloh said.

Katherine Bauman, history teacher, said phones are increasingly a form of distraction in the classroom.

“Even though putting phones up still has not eliminated the distraction, it’s one less battle I have to fight in class,” Bauman said.

Bauman’s government students are required to put their phones in the caddy at the start of class and then they cannot touch them until the bell rings.

She doesn’t require her AP Euro pean students to put up their phones, except during tests and quizzes.

“The expectation is higher for them to not be on phones, but engaged,” Bauman said.

Bauman said virtual learning due to COVID-19 has caused many stu

dents to have a constant attachment to their phones. In her experience, last year was a constant struggle with the distraction and it caused her to fully implement the caddy.

According to the Marquette Hand book, “Classroom teachers and building administrators will determine when and how personal technology devices can be used.”

Riya Kothakota, sophomore, has to put her phone away in Claire Katsev’s World History class.

“History used to be my worst sub ject last year, but this year I feel like it is getting way easier because I don’t have any distractions,” Kothakota said.

She said having no access to poten tial distractions helps students learn better and receive better results in class.

aubrey LACAVICH

Patrick O’Brien, freshman, stocks multiple flavors of the ICE drinks. O’Brien is one of the four students who works in the lunch room for $13 per hour. Photograph by Aidan Burkhardt

Breanna Boevingloh, junior, puts her phone in a caddy before the start of her Psychol ogy class. Boevingloh said she disagrees with the phone cubbies that are growing in popularity among teachers. Photograph by Aubrey Lacavich

International trip policy causes disappointment

anika TALYAN

On her trip to Paris, Taryn Nichols, sophomore, was handed a metro map by her tour guide so she could lead the group. Being able to lead the group and tra verse the metro was one of Nichols favorite memo ries from the trip.

“That was very fun, especially for Missouri people who don’t use the metro,” Nichols said. “It was very much a learning experi ence.”

Nichols traveled to Paris with the French classes, which take the trip every other year, led by Della Thompson, French teacher.

International trips like the Paris trip, however, might be affected by a new RSD policy.

A few years ago, RSD created Policy 5661 that allowed international travel to be sponsored by the district. The policy required teachers to fill out appli cation forms for international trips that then had to be approved by BOE.

However, over the years, international trips were being labeled as “school trips” when really they were not, Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said. After the trips rescheduled by COVID were starting up again, the district realized the trips were not a part of the cur riculum, leading to the change in Policy 5661.

With this change, any new international trips planned by teachers are not to be tied or sponsored by RSD. Trips must be privately planned, teachers are prohibited from using school resources to prepare for them, and teachers are not allowed to discuss it during class.

Thompson said the new policy will lead to her having more to do with the “nuts and bolts” of the trips, such as finding a new place to discuss the trip with students.

“I love these trips,” Thompson said. “I think the kids will tell you that they get a lot out of it.”

Thompson said the new policy has made planning hard for her because she doesn’t understand why it changed.

“What bothers me is that I don’t know what the problems are so it’s hard for me to know what to do better,” Thompson said.

Even with the new policy, Thompson is helping to plan another trip for her French classes that will happen in 2024.

James Nacy, orchestra director, goes on a Europe trip every four years, with the last trip happening early this year.

“I think that they are absolutely invaluable,” Nacy said.

In Vienna, Budapest and Prague, the orchestra performed music from composers from each city respectively.

“It definitely taught them how to be better players, and most defi nitely gave them greater insight as musicians,” Nacy said.

In relation to the new policy, Nacy said it could harm the students’ educa tional opportunities.

“It makes me very sad. There is so much to be gained through this,” Nacy said. “It is such an enormous benefit to students.”

As a result of RSD no longer sponsoring the trips, student attendance will likely be lower.

With his retirement looming, Nacy does not know if another Europe trip is in the orchestra’s future.

“It’s very different playing Mozart in Vienna than it is playing Mozart in Room 108,” Nacy said.

1.

Orchestra performs in St. Marcus Church, Prague, last school year. James Nacy, orchestra director, takes his students on a trip every four years. “It definitely taught them how to be better players, and most definitely gave them greater insight as musicians,” Nacy said. Photo graph by Cindy Licavoli

2.

Orchestra plays a concert in Budapest. Nacy said students will be less likely to go on trips now that RSD doesn’t sponsor them. “It makes me very sad. There is so much to be gained through this,” Nacy said. Photograph by James Nacy

3.

Taryn Nichols, sophomore takes photos as she passes by cafes in Par is. She traveled to Paris with the French classes during Spring Break 2022 and improved her French during that week. “It definitely helped being immersed,” Nichols said. “You have to figure it out or you get confused.” Photograph by Taryn Nichols

4.

Marko Markoziel, Class of 2022, explores the catacombs underneath Paris. The French classes take this trip every other year with Della Thompson, French teacher. “I love these trips,” Thompson said. “I think the kids will tell you that they get a lot out of it.” Photograph by Della Thompson

“It’s very different playing Mozart in Vienna than it is playing Mozart in Room 108.”

James Nacy, Orchestra Director

Get to Work

Courses offer career-focused education

Forensics

annie ALCORN · liza COOPER

Micah Roeseler, senior, was taking his normal stroll to and from classes during passing period on the third floor. It was a peaceful walk, until he bumped into something unexpect ed: a dead body.

Well, not a real one.

The Forensic science classes are learning how to doc ument evidence, and part of the lesson is venturing to the third floor to examine a fake crime scene.

“I was surprised because it looked like a real dead body just in the middle of the hallway,” Roeseler said.

After he got over his initial shock, Roeseler said he snapped a picture and sent it to his friends for a laugh. His discovery also prompted him to anticipate taking Forensic Science in the near future.

“This definitely made me excited for the class next semester because I get to do interest ing stuff like this,” he said.

Dawna Barnhart, forensic science teacher, said Roeseler is not the only one at MHS who gets spooked by the fake dead body.

“It scares the custodians every time I do it,” Barnhart said. “The mannequin by itself scares people every year.”

Barnhart had one of her cadet teachers help her set up the fake crime scene during third hour on Tuesday, Sept. 13, in prepa ration for the lab the next day.

Barnhart changed the mannequin’s clothes and placed evidence around the body to make a realistic crime scene.

“I like this because it’s sort of a real situation. In class, we were just practicing taking pictures with a piece of paper and that’s boring,” Barn hart said. “It’s nice to actually use those little skills and try to complete the activity.”

Barnhart said the surprise factor of the fake corpse has decreased from past years. She said she used to be able to keep the crime scene hidden, but now students are seeing it

class 1:

before they come to class.

Nevertheless, Barnhart said she enjoys teaching this lesson every year and watching her students try to complete it successfully.

“It is fun to watch everybody and listen to them try to understand what is going on,” Barnhart said. “It’s also interesting listening to people tell the story of what they think happened.”

This is not the only life-size lab Barnhart leads her students through. Later this semester, the Forensic Science classes will study a decomposing pig sur rounded by bugs and a tent full of blood spatter.

The pigs will start the decomposing process next week, Barnhart said. Then, after a week of deteriorating outside, the class will start the lab on Tuesday, Oct. 4

t“I love how the kids get just as excited for these as they did the dead body,” Barnhart said. “The pig and blood tent are really big ones the class gets to do, and I don’t think they even realize how exciting it’s going to be.”

Krista Ampadu, senior, said she walked into forensic science not expecting to do anything special.

But once she realized Barnhart’s lessons involved real-life situations and a detailed crime scene, she changed her mind.

Ampadu appreciates that Forensic Science enables her to explore topics, like the collection of evidence, that intrigue her.

“I guess I really like the fact that you go in depth with crime scenes,” she said. “Learning how to take measure ments and get all the evidence, it’s so interesting to me.”

class 2: class 3:

Engineering Design and Development (EDD) Creating Career Success

Spark! Technology Solutions

As a senior in EDD, Deshaun Weerasekera said he has been captivated by space since a young age. After noticing his aptitude for STEM classes, Weerasekera decided to pursue aerospace engineering in the future and take EDD to boost his engineering skills.

EDD is offered to juniors and seniors and allows students to create their own solution to an open-end ed problem through the engineering process.

Weerasekera said he enjoys EDD because of the applicability to his future career and the individual ized learning environment.

“I like a lot more when you’re learning by yourself and being more active and hands-on,” Weerasekera said.

An aspiring musician, TJ Davis, senior, decided to take Creating Career Success to better prepare him for his future career in music.

“I love this class because it’s not like any other normal class,” Davis said. “It’s just helping you set up what you want to do after school and helps you get started now.”

Creating Career Success is a course meant to sup port students in their future endeavors by enhancing student understanding of launching their career.

Davis said he particularly enjoys engaging with the like-minded students in his class and hearing their different plans for the future.

Aaron Woody, senior, has been using technology for most of his life, receiving his first computer at three or four years old. Since then, he developed a passion for game development and has looked for courses that help convert his passion into a reasonable career.

Because of this, Woody decided to join Spark! Technology Solutions, a class dedicated to students who wish to solve problems with technology solu tions, to enhance his existing skills of computer programming and languages.

“I think that tech solutions was the best fit for me,” Woody said.

Dawna Barnhart, forensic science teacher, sets up a “crime scene” for her students to practice sketching and documenting the details of a crime. They have to create detailed lists and drawings of each scene. Photographs by Liza Cooper

Additional coverage by Akhila Swarna

Taking flight

Students earn their pilot’s license

aarushi BUTE

When Zach Tracy, senior, saw the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) Flight Academy posters throughout the hallways, he was immediately intrigued.

Three years later, Tracy graduated from the academy with a Private Pilot’s Certification. Tracy along with Shravya Sunkugari, senior, were the first two from MHS to be accepted and to partic ipate in the program.

“It feels pretty good to have my

license,” Tracy said. “But it definite ly opened my eyes to what the next steps are and how much there is left to accomplish.”

The Flight Academy is an approxi mately eight-week, free aviation train ing program conducted by 24 private universities nationwide. Beginning in the summer of 2018, the program was created in collaboration with the Air Force and the aerospace industry to address the national pilot shortage and increase diversity within the field.

Minorities represent 58% of the Air

Force AFJROTC student body in comparison to minorities representing less than 12% in the industry. In general, the program aims to grow by 2,000 cadets annually.

Tracy said his program took place at Purdue University in Indiana, where the first four weeks had rigorous aca demic training consisting of lectures and tests and the remaining four weeks consisted of flying practice.

“I always wanted to fly as a career, and I figured this would be a great first step,” Tracy said.

Sunkugari has been part of ROTC since her freshman year and has been hearing about the program since then. She participated in the program at Min nesota State University.

“I’m not sure if I want to go into the Air Force but this is a cool opportunity so I thought, ‘why not?’” Sunkugari said.

The chaperone and pilot training officer both helped with flying the plane Sunkugari said, but one of her favorite memories was flying solo.

“My engine was about to die 20 miles away from the control tower, and I was panicking when trying to talk to

by Emma Tyulyayev

them,” Sunkugari said. “It was scary but it was fun because I would have never imagined myself doing that.”

Major Terri Zuber, ROTC teacher, said this opportunity is great for high school students to explore the airline industry.

“I’m honestly jealous,” Major Zuber said. “To be a private pilot at no cost, that is just such an awesome experi ence and even if they don’t decide to go into aviation, they have that expe rience and there’s so many cool things they can do with that.”

Major Zuber said both Sunkugari and Tracy were perfect candidates for the Flight Academy scholarship.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Major Zuber said. “I just wanted them to ex plore this as a potential career option and that’s exactly what they were able to do.”

Shravya Sunkugari graduated from flight school this summer and is certified to solo pilot a small aircraft. While Sunkugari is unsure about working in the Air Force, she appreciates the opportunity to learn the skill. Photograph by Sabrina Epstein

New banner brings community together

akhila SWARNA

After a year filled with school beau tification projects with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee at MHS, Carson Hanis, Class of 2022, decided to fill the halls with color and faces with smiles one last time before graduating.

“One of the major themes [of the DEI] all year was creating a warm space for all students at Marquette, so I wanted to leave behind a sense of com munity and appreciation,” Hanis said.

In addition to placing heartfelt messages on paper butterflies and fill ing a hallway with banners of positive messages, Hanis had the idea last spring of creating a banner featuring the hands of stu dents finger spelling the word “unity” in American Sign Language (ASL).

This fall, with the help of Evie Gal lagher, Class of 2022, Hanis made the idea into a reality in one of the major stairwells near the Commons.

Hanis said he wanted to put the word “unity” in the building to serve as a reminder that everyone is different yet unified in some way.

“No matter our differences, we are still human,” Hanis said. “I want you to feel valued and that your emotions are valid. I want you to feel like there’s al ways somebody in the world that loves you and cares about you no matter what is going on.”

In order to celebrate strength in differences, Hanis included the hands of five different ASL students on the banner. This decision turned the proj ect into a surprise gift for ASL teacher Kathleen Drissell, who taught Hanis. during his time at MHS.

Drissell was moved to tears after being presented with the completed banner.

“To know that this banner is going to be displayed for years to come, I was just so moved by that,” Drissell said.

The banner’s inclusion of her own students, as opposed to pictures from the internet, made the gift more per sonal for her, she said.

“Every time I see it in the future, it will make me smile,” Drissell said. “I just feel like a proud mom.”

Gallagher spent months designing the banner after she was approached by Hanis with the idea last spring.

Using Adobe Photoshop to cut the students’ hands out of the initial pic ture, Gallagher imported the cut outs into Adobe InDesign where she created the banner itself.

“I think signs that say ‘hey, we ac cept you here,’ don’t always fix every thing,” Gallagher said. “But, I do think that if someone is having a bad day, you know at least there’s someone in the world who doesn’t want bad stuff to happen to you.”

250,000 to 500,000 Americans know American Sign Language

Illustration

The new “UNITY” banner in the G-Wing main stairwell was produced through teacher Emily Bowdern’s Advanced Graphic Design class. “The message is simple and promotes inclusivity in more than one way,” Bowdern said. Photograph by Jacob Robinson

“No matter our differences, we are still human.”

Carson Hanis, Class of 2022

During

“It’s

People reflect on the authenticity Is it Authentic?

aarushi BUTE • anika TALYAN

When the much anticipated BeReal notification went off, many students posed in the classrooms and hallways of MHS. Meanwhile, Maya Tegman, senior, captured her BeReal in an unexpected location: the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.

BeReal, a French social me dia app launched in 2020, aims to make filter-free and candid content by prompting users to take an unedited photo once a day at a random time selected by the app.

After downloading the app in May, Tegman spent about three and a half weeks in Europe where she took all her BeReals within two minutes of the alert.

“Taking a random, candid picture allowed me to stop, think and appreciate where I am,” Tegman said.

Tegman said her favorite as pect is the app’s greater authen ticity than other social medias.

“I love taking photos and these are so much different than normal, formal pictures,” Teg man said. “It’s one shot and one take and it’s that simple.”

Authenticity of BeReal

Tegman is not the only one who has been discussing the complexities of BeReal within the social media world. The app has garnered more than 21.6 million users in July of 2022, a substantial increase from only 921,000 users in July 2021, according to Business of Apps.

anymore,” Tyulyayev said. “Most people get ready for the picture and pose for it which ruins the whole purpose.”

Tyulyayev said the format and message of BeReal is admirable, but authenticity in social media cannot be reached.

“No social media is authentic,” Tyulyayev said. “With all the filters, edits, opinions and pressure, it’s hard for people to show the real them.”

Evelyn Hubmeier, sophomore, said BeReal forces its users to be authentic with the app’s transpar ency in the number of retakes and screenshots.

“Obviously social media is very filtered, but BeReal gives the oppor tunity to actually show our real life and the small parts that happen,” Hubmeier said.

Carter Gleason, senior, said his favorite aspect of the app is the uniqueness in marketing.

“There’s no advertising, there’s no sponsorship, there’s no for you page or anything like that. You just get to see what your friends are do ing,” Gleason said.

Gleason downloaded the app during the summer after being inspired by his friends. In order to be authentic, Gleason posts on time with a few exceptions as he aims to be authentic.

“It’s a constant that happens every day,” Gleason said. “I just think it’s cool that everyone posts at the same exact time and is united in one space.”

While Gleason usually posts on time, Claire Mont gomery, senior, waits to post if she has an event later in the day.

“It’s a non-judgmental area, so if I’m going to a cool concert or sporting event then I’ll try to wait even though you’re not supposed to,” Montgomery said.

Social Media Authenticity

Similar Apps

Kiwi

At a random time of the day, people have to share one song and a message and can rate friends music

Also uses a dual camera feature so people can record dual perspective

Allows people to share pictures from throughout their day to their friends and lets it show up on their home screens

While the app strives to achieve authenticity, Christina Tyulyayev, senior, doesn’t have the app and does not plan on getting it as she said BeReal fails to achieve this goal.

“At the beginning, it was somewhat authentic but as it’s become more popular, I don’t think that’s true

Ed Bolton, science teacher, started on social media when he was in college with Facebook. Since then, he has had an Instagram and Twitter account at various times.

As someone who has witnessed the growth in social media’s popularity, Bolton said he has seen it

Salo

Locket Widget

Maya Tegman, senior, and her cousin pose for a BeReal in front of the Trevy Fountain in Rome, Italy, on May 31.

the beginning of the summer, Tegman took a trip to Europe and used BeReal as a way to document her trip.

a way to document my memories,” Tegman said. Photograph by Maya Tegman

Social media & when it launched

There is a psychological phenomenon Facebook Effect teenagers just people’s and start themselves perceived parts lives.

Ashley psychology

Authentic?

authenticity of social media

lessen in authenticity.

“I think when it becomes massive, it is harder to be authentic,” Bolton said.

The curation of what people see on social media is what Bolton said makes it inauthen tic. Bolton has noticed that companies create algorithms that assemble content curated to the user’s preferences, based on previous activity on other posts.

“I think it gives you an illusion of your own world,” Bolton said.

Having social me dia become authentic is based on the people posting, Bolton said.

“I think people need to have the desire to be authentic, and I don’t see that,” Bolton said. “I see people wanting a manu factured reality because it makes them in one way shape or form comfortable.”

Hobbs, psychology teacher

Last year, Emily Chien, soph omore, created a spam Instagram account that has played a big part in her trying to be authentic. “Spam” accounts are accounts that allow users to post unique content, mostly intended for close friends. She created her account to share her authen tic moments with her friends.

“I like setting a standard just to show all the mo ments in my life,” Chien said.

Although she makes an effort to be authentic, Chien said social media can’t truly be authentic be cause social media shows only people’s best self.

Chien encourages others to create spam accounts to post the little moments in their lives.

Psychology in Social Media

Although the premise of BeReal is interesting, Ashley Hobbs, psychology teacher, said that the fact that someone can retake a photo or post late is not letting BeReal achieve its purpose.

More than BeReal, social media can affect teenag ers’ mental health due to the nature of what people post, Hobbs said.

“The majority of people post their highlights —

the best things that happened to them in their life — their favorite pictures, and it provides this false sense of reality to others,” Hobbs said.

This is a psychological phenomenon called The Facebook Effect where teenagers just see other peo ple’s highlights, and start to compare themselves to the best perceived parts of others’ lives.

Seeing the best of others can lead to anxiety, de pression and lower feelings of self-worth, Hobbs said.

“I think that definitely it can impact our self esteem,” Hobbs said. “I’m not saying that what people post isn’t authentic; it’s just not the whole picture.” Information from CBS

Sunny Liu, PhD student at Stanford Social Media lab

CAN SOCIAL MEDIA TRULY BE AUTHENTIC?

I think that it’s totally possible for social media to allow you to present an authentic image of yourself. Just because you don’t want to post a picture of yourself, in a candid to all your friends on Instagram doesn’t mean that you’re not being authen tic. It just means, maybe you’re considering the consequences of dif ferent social contexts and it’s totally okay to have those preferences.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR TEENAGERS TO DEAL WITH THE INAUTHENTICITY OF SOCIAL MEDIA?

It’s not worth comparing yourself to other people’s kind of highlight reels. You can only post a tiny screen snapshot of your life. You can always also try changing the context, use the close friends features or post it in a group chat. Changing the context can have a lot of power and can give you more ownership over how you present yourself to others, and can make you more comfortable.

DO YOU THINK THAT BEREAL CAN LEAD TO A NEW ERA OF MORE AUTHENTIC SOCIAL MEDIA APPS?

A part of why it’s so popular is it’s showing that people want authenticity, and people really enjoy feeling like okay, this feels real. It’s trying to recapture what stories used to be or what Snapchat used to be at the beginning. It might not be a true New Era, but I think that people will find new ways to pursue authenticity, no matter what.

Ashley

Hanging out with her friend in AC Lab, Emily Chien, sophomore, takes a picture for her spam account on Instagram. Chien made her spam account last year and used it to share her daily life. Photograph by Emily Chien

After driving around, Emily Chien, sophomore, takes a picture of the sunset. Chien posted the picture on her VSCO. Photograph by Emily Chien

Mochi Donut shop opens in Ellisville

claire LOWDER

It all began with an idea and a need for change.

Last August, Jaen Henson and her husband Carlos were looking for a venture after Carlos left his job as General Manager for Popeye’s and Panda Express.

Carlos’s cousin had recently traveled to California and tried mochi donuts. He suggested them to the couple.

“Mochi donuts were out in Cali fornia, but not really here yet,” Jaen said.

Mochi donuts are a sugary, tear able hybrid between a normal cake donut and mochi, a chewy Japanese rice cake. Mochi donuts are typically made with glutinous rice flour, which is exactly how the Henson’s make their Mochi Donut Factory donuts. Mochi donuts can come in a variety of flavors from sweet to savory.

Immediately, the Hensons were hooked and be gan formulating recipes and beginning trials.

Donut History

The Henson’s then began introducing their do nuts to their friends and family, who loved them.

“It’s crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside,” Jaen said. “The donuts aren’t covered with sugar, but instead powdered chocolate.”

When Carlos perfected his reci pe, the couple knew this idea could become a reality.

But, transitioning from a small, at-home business with just an air-fryer into a brick-and-mortar shop takes time.

This past spring, the Hensons began putting their store together at 16023 Man chester Rd in Ellisville.

By September of this year, Mochi Donut Factory was ready to open its doors. They offer 11 flavors included the two most recent flavors: rocky road and mango.

‘Pippin’ musical cast starts rehearsal

anika TALYAN • emma TYULYAYEV

When thinking about the musical for this year, Rebecca Blindauer, theater teacher, chose one of the first musicals she ever listened to: “Pippin.”

“It always stuck with me, not only because the music is so great but because the way the story is told is so interesting and it can be told in so many different kinds of ways,” Blindauer said. “It’s a story within a story.”

“Pippin” is about a mysterious musical theater troupe led by a character named Leading Player. The troupe portrays a story about a prince named Pippin who is dedicated to finding his passion in life by experiencing adventures like going into battle and political situations.

For the auditions, students had to prepare a song, one for girls and one for guys. Blindauer said this helped her not only see how the students performed the song, but also how long people took to prepare.

“We’re really happy with who we chose, but it’s a little bittersweet because we don’t want to see anyone upset because they didn’t get the part they wanted,” Blindauer said.

When Adriano Robins, senior, found out he got the lead role in Pippin, he raced to his parents with pure joy to share the exciting news.

“This part has a lot of acting, singing

and dancing — all the levels of theater,” Robins said.

As a senior, Robins said he hopes his last winter musical leaves the audience with a great story and performance.

“I don’t want them to say that guy was really good, but to say that the show was really good,” Robins said.

As stage manager for “Pippin,”

“It gives me leadership in MTC and I get to be at rehearsals while experiencing the community of it,” Pisoni said.

The interpretive nature of the musical is making this specific play special, Pisoni said. Instead of

characters just telling a story, it’s more complex because it’s a play within a play.

“I’m excited for it because it is a lot different from some of the musicals because it is a lot more interpretive in the way that you do it,” Pisoni said. “One performance will never be the same as another.”

Disney’s Ariel casting breaks expectations

tiona MERRITTE

As Madison Shultz, junior, watched Lauryn Hill in “Sister Act 2,” she knew she wanted to become an actress and planned to be the person someone looks at someday and says, “she’s the reason I want to be an actress.”

Today, she said her dreams are even closer to a reality because Halle Bailey is now playing Ariel in the live-action version of Disney’s “Little Mermaid.”

“It showed me that not all of Hollywood is about typecasting,” Shultz said.

The trailer for the liveaction “Little Mermaid” was released on Sept. 9 during Disney’s annual D23 Expo. The movie will make Bailey the second black woman to play a

princess in a Disney movie, Brandy being the first in the 1997 film, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

The casting of “The Little Mermaid” has stirred controversy about representation.

As Shultz was growing up, she was exposed to more films with Black actors than other kids, so she was always exposed to people and story plots she could relate to. Because of that, Shultz said she was able to pick out degrading and beneficial representations, such as “A Wrinkle in

“That movie was really important because it was one of the first sci-fi Black films that didn’t focus only on the fact that the main character was Black,” Shultz said. “If the only thing Black people are seeing is them as drug dealers or sexualized, that’s all they

are going to think they can be.”

Carl Taraporevala, sophomore, is inspired by the new adaptation of Ariel because of the amount of representation he as an IndianAmerican student has had.

“It really inspires me because I know before I was born there wasn’t as much diversity. But as I’ve grown up I’ve seen a lot more,” Taraporevala said.

Taraporevala is also appreciative of the new adaptation because it is a sign of true progression in media.

“I feel like it has inspired many others to try new things and to break the stereotypes that have been formed,” Taraporevala said.

Dr. Latisha Smith, RSD parent, is a children’s book author. She has written many books including “And The People Carried Signs,” a book about the Black Lives Matter movement from the eyes of a pre-teen child.

Smith is the mother of two teenagers and used the new trailer to start conversations on the importance of being represented.

“Representation in media is really important because there is always an opportunity for various perspectives to be had,” Smith said.

Ginny Pisoni, senior, works with the cast, crew and Blindauer to make sure the musical will run smoothly.

The “Pippin” cast begins rehearsing for the musical after school Monday, Sept. 26. The musical will premier for students and family on Thursday, Dec. 8. Photograph by Tiona Merritte

Madison Shultz, junior, played Courtney in last school year’s musical, “Legally Blonde.” Shultz’ passion for acting has been inspired by Black actresses such as Lauryn Hill and Halle Bailey.

Photograph by Sarah Landa

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

SPEAK OUT

HAVE YOU NOTICED STRICTER PHONE RULES THIS YEAR?

“Not really. Crestview was more strict with rules, and they had no problem taking our phones, but Marquette is more chill about it, which I’m okay with.”

LANDON BECK, freshman

“For sure. I understand where teachers are coming from, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I don’t like the fact that they’re suddenly enforcing it. It should be slowly regulated.”

VISMAYA VINOD, sophomore

“I have noticed more restrictions, but I’m personally okay with it. It has helped me to focus on my schoolwork a lot more, and it’s better for the students.”

Enforce the retake policy

In 2010, RSD implemented Standards Based Grading (SBG), a system designed to prioritize student learn ing and fair assessment of student knowledge.

By grading based on accurate achievement stan dards such as retakes and feedback on homework, SBG is intended to foster an academic culture that ensures that “ALL students realize their full poten tial,” according to Regulation 6450.

majority of higher level classes deprive students of retakes even though these classes arguably need the retakes the most.

AIDEN LACAVICH, junior

Nearly a decade later, the promises made by Reg ulation 6450 are not being fulfilled.

When students perform poorly on assessments, it is clear the students do not possess a proper under standing of the material. The most beneficial option for students in these situations is retakes; retakes provide students with a much needed second chance at truly comprehending the material.

“I’ve noticed a little bit more rules. I have had teachers that make me put my phone away, but I don’t really care because I don’t go on my phone in class.”

GABRIELLA POWITZSKY, senior

“I do think there are more restrictions. I know there is a great sense of frustration among teachers with the distraction phones bring. The best thing we can do is to get the phones out of sight and out of mind.”

BRENDAN TAYLOR, social studies teacher

At MHS specifically, the standards set by Regulation 6450 are not followed con sistently throughout subject departments, which makes it impossible for students to reach or even aim for their full potential.

In theory, the SBG policy is extremely advanta geous because it requires all subjects to allow retakes/reassessments and accept late work. And, it restricts formative assessments from impacting overall course grades.

Such a system can further student learning more than the traditional system, which was built on pen alties rather than rewarding improvement.

Retakes and reassessments, for example, are powerful tools to allow students to fully demonstrate their understanding of the material. At MHS, the

Taking away the opportunity for further reten tion of course material is unfair and sets students up for failure in the long run.

High school is meant to prepare students for high er education but also future success. By providing students with the retake policy outlined in the SBG system consistently, the true intent of high school education can be achieved.

It is unfortunate that the retake policy is not con sistently followed. RSD has always prided itself on being a trailblazer when it comes to student success. RSD, as per the district mission statement, prides it self on creating a strong foundation for students and creating systems that are tailored to student needs.

Yet, the district has yet to meet its own standard, a standard that can be met with retakes.

Interested in voicing your opinion?

Submit a Letter to the Editor through the website linked in the QR code or email mhsnews@gmail.com

Photo Illustration by Anvi Talyan

Responsive scheduling is flawed

emma TYULYAYEV

Ac Lab is getting more and more complicated every year.

In 2019, we had FLEX time, which was the first version of AC Lab. There were no sign ups, and one could walk freely around the school to any class they wanted at any time. It gave the students more freedom and choice to do what they needed with their 90 minutes.

Last year, we were introduced to scheduled 45-minute modules, which ended up being messy. Some students wouldn’t be in the classes they had their Ac Lab cards signed for, some would show up unprompted and some would overcrowd rooms with large groups of friends.

All of this brings us to what we have in place now: the new and improved Responsive Scheduling. The new scheduler allows students to sign up for mods “more efficiently” on Infinite Campus, rather than have an Ac Lab card signed.

But, is it really that much of an improvement?

I don’t think so.

Although Responsive Scheduling allows for teachers to better keep track of who is in their classrooms during what mod or to even request certain students to come to their classrooms, it has its flaws.

One flaw is there are only a certain amount of seats per classroom. This has

been a problem since last year, when we had Ac Lab cards. The 45-minute mods prevent any traveling up until the 5-minute passing period in between the two mods. Once classes are filled up for each mod, other students can no longer sign up for those specific classrooms.

This is a problem because with Responsive Scheduling, teachers can’t kick out students who they did not request. Students who may need to ask questions, take a test and more might not be able to sign up unless they sign up before that classroom reaches capacity.

Another flaw is the order of the teachers on the responsive schedule drop down menu. I find it hard to sign up for a teacher’s mod because there is no search option and the teacher’s names aren’t in any specific alphabeti cal order.

Associate Principal Dr. Tracey Waeckerle, said the reason for this flaw is because Infinite Campus said it was an issue in the system that could not be fixed.

Is ParentSquare an effective platform for RSD?

ParentSquare and its sister app StudentSquare are new apps RSD is using to share school news with parents and students. Messenger staffers Anvi Talyan and Parker Brandt weigh in on the pros and cons of these apps.

Williams’ plight highlights gender inequality

liza COOPER

There are people in every facet of life who are at the top of their game. They have the perfect combination of drive, skills and charisma to lead the pack in what they do.

Tennis legend Serena Williams is one of those people.

Excelling at the sport from a young age, Williams has earned 23 Grand Slam singles titles, four gold medals and has been the adver tising face of many companies.

One would think her shining career would not halt for anything. She seems unstoppable.

other child, so her 5-year-old daughter Olympia can be a big sister.

“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between ten nis and a family,” she said in the Vogue article. “I don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there play ing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.”

51% of women feel like they were out of the running for a promotion after having a child.

But throw the prospect of a child into the mix, and suddenly all the running she has been doing slows to a walk.

In August, Wil liams announced in Vogue that she de cided to quit tennis after she finished her 2022 season.

The reason: she wants to have an

In situations concerning strength and power, like main taining a job in the business world or continuing to play ten nis at an Olympic level, countless other women have echoed Williams’ sentiment. They feel like it would be easier to be a man in order to be courageous, suc cessful and listened to.

Even Shakespeare’s Lady MacBeth, a bloodthirsty, cunning woman, asks to be “unsexed,” or lose her supposedly “weak” femininity, to be taken serious ly about her plan to kill King Duncan.

Still today, more than 400 years after Shakespeare’s time, most women are still not viewed seriously in the workplace, especially after having children.

A study by Chris Melore, an Emmy

I hope the administration and the creators of Responsive Scheduling will look at these concerns and try to fix them for future Ac Labs. award-winning sports journalist and researcher based in the New York area, found that 46% of working women with children he surveyed felt that they were being treated by oth ers “as if they’re not committed to their work because they have children.”

As a woman who aspires to enter the corporate world, I believe women deserve to know we can be successful, productive members of society always. Just because we want to reap the benefits of having children with the person we love shouldn’t mean we should be regarded as less competent in our careers. Eventually, this growing pressure to just become a stay-at-home mom will cause “43% of highly qualified women with children [to leave] careers or [off-ramp] for a period of time,” according to the Har vard Business Review.

It is crucial for Americans, and the world as a whole, to realize that work ing women with children are actually some of the strongest among us. To juggle raising a kid with excelling at a career is an impressive feat. It should not have to be this hard to garner more support from the others in our lives for this to be a norm.

YESby the excess amount of platforms that push out information, they don’t consider the real intent behind RSD’s new app ParentSquare. Though it was made to create a place for students to be able to access teacher and class information, it also has made com munication with parents easier. Many parents have multiple children in RSD schools, and ParentSquare provides them a centralized platform to stay up-to-date on all of their kid’s details. For parents with busy schedules, just a couple minutes of saved time can mean all the difference for them and their family.

NOcommunication outlets Rockwood utilizes, ParentSquare, which went into effect in August, is a flake in a snowstorm of in formation. Spending just over $84,000 on a ParentSquare subscription every year, RSD could use this absurd amount of money in numerous other ways. The consolidation of the multiple platforms within the school district is needed to streamline information and allow for easier access to frequently asked questions and need-to-know details. An overflow of emails, notifications and alerts from different outlets can cause students and parents to feel over whelmed and confused. ParentSquare provides little that the RSD commu nity didn’t already have, and between Infinite Campus, Gmail and the RSD Parent Portal, there is little need for yet another platform for information and communication.

Information from Chris Melore

With no sort of alphabetical order or room number organization, finding exactly what teacher a student needs to sign up for on Responsive Scheduling is no small feat. Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

New head coaches join 3 varsity fall sports

Softball Golf Soccer

After spending three years as the assistant varsity coach for softball, John Meyer, business teacher, has moved up to become the new head varsity coach.

“It seemed like a natural fit,” Meyer said.

This change came after Adam Starling accepted his new administration role as Activities Director.

Despite his experience, Meyer said he felt nervous with the weight of this new responsibility.

“You want to make sure that you get the most out of the players, and you want to create an opportunity for the players to have a good experience,” Meyer said.

Meyer doesn’t specialize in softball, but he played baseball through high school and into college. He said it was during his sophomore year in college that he realized he wanted to coach, which he started doing in 1990 at the University of Nebraska in Kearney.

His MHS coaching history began in 2000 when he started coaching baseball, going on to become the

Taking on the administrative role of Freshman Prin cipal, former head varsity coach Kyle Devine asked Gaylen Laster, an old competitor of his, to step into his open role.

Despite initial doubts, Laster said that he grew to the idea and decided to get back into coaching.

“It’s one of those things that progressed over time, and the closer it got, the more I thought, ‘maybe it’s time that I went into the girl’s golf game’,” Laster said.

Laster has experienced in golf that dates back to 1985, when he started the golf program at Francis Howell North. From there, he came to RSD and be came the first coach at LHS as it was first opening.

He started coaching girls and boys golf at LHS in 1994, eventually switching to just coaching boys golf in 2017. Laster retired in 2009 from his job as a counselor at LHS, but has continued to coach during retirement.

After moving through the levels of coaching the boys soccer freshman and j.v. and being an assistant coach for the varsity team, Steve Conway, math teacher, has stepped up to become the new head varsity coach.

This change occurred after the previous varsity coach, Chris Kenny, retired and stepped down from the role.

Conway said that though he had felt slightly over whelmed by the increased amount of work, he had been looking forward to the new opportunity.

“I was actually excited because I knew we had the potential to be a very good team,” Conway said.

Conway has played soccer since he was 5, con tinuing through as a college athlete.

Conway began coaching at MHS in 2000, and said he enjoys sharing his experiences with the athletes he works with now.

Varsity coach John Meyer gives advice on hitting to Grace Bonczek, sophomore. Photograph by Pranav Sriraman

Varsity coach Steve Conway and Jake Landmann, junior, oversee team drills during practice. Photograph by Pranav Sriraman

Varsity coach Gaylen Laster explains weights in the putter to Peyton Cusick, senior. Photograph by Parker Brandt

Softball team dawns decal in tribute

shyam PUNNACHALIL

Coach John Meyer and former Activi ties Director Shane Matzen wanted to find a subtle way to remember their good friend and colleague Carl Hudson, who passed away in December of last year.

They did just that when they reached out to Fischer’s Pro Line Sports to make a custom decal as a tribute to Hudson who was an assistant principal at MHS.

The inspiration for these stickers stemmed from Hud son’s love for sports and the St. Louis Car dinals and for former Cardinals player Bob Gibson who wore number 45.

The stickers, which feature the number 45, were distributed earlier this spring during the baseball season, and the softball players decided to continue to wear Hudson’s decal of tribute.

“A lot of kids felt compelled to wear these stickers on the field, and it’s just a nice gesture to honor him,” Meyer said. “I think it’s a really positive thing.”

Meyer said Hudson was a great asset to MHS.

“Every time I see that sticker, I’m reminded of his character and you just never want to forget that,” Meyer said.

One of Meyer’s softball players, Lauren Bickel, senior, started applying the heartfelt sticker on her helmet as a tribute to Hudson. Bickel said the stickers provide a much greater reason for sports and her play.

“It’s a really good message to keep in mind why we play, rather than just focusing on the game and competi tion,” Bickel said.

Hudson’s impact on the community left a lasting im pression on Bickel, she said.

“He was a really good role model be cause of his person ality and the way he loved and helped the community,” Bickel said. “I think he was a really big influence on everyone, just as someone who you want to strive to be like.”

For Rhonda Costa, secretary, Hud son was able to improve the mood and overall vibe of MHS. His charisma and love for the community made her days feel amazing and joyful, even through hard times.

“He made coming into work feel wonderful,” Costa said. “It’s very nice seeing the community remembering him, especially now that we’re around the time of his passing.”

Who’s Bob Gibson?

Bob Gibson played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1959–1975. He was an award-winning player, earning nine Golden Glove and All Star awards, two Cy Young awards, two World Series MVP awards, one ERA title, and induction into the MLB Hall of Fame.

Information by Baseball Reference

HOME RUN HITTER

Senior hits 3 home runs in a single game

emma TYULYAYEV

When Natalie Cox, senior, stepped up to the plate, she eyed the ball in the pitcher’s hand. Bat in her hand, feet centered, she got into position.

She was ready.

On Friday, Aug. 26, Cox hit three home runs in the Varsity Softball game against Parkway West.

“Most of the time a home run hap pens once or twice a game, so for one person to get three in a game is unusu al,” Cox said.

Cox made the varsity team her freshman year. Over the years, Cox has made successful achievements, like hit ting a walk-off home run against Notre Dame in the quarterfinals her sopho more year.

John Meyer, varsity softball coach, said he sees a lot of potential in Cox and her softball skills.

“There’s no question that she’s gonna be able to play at the next level,” Meyer said.

Meyer said Cox may be one of the first students in Marquette history to hit three home runs in one game.

“If she were a major league player, it would make headlines.” Meyer said.

Senior Grace Houchin, senior, has known Cox for most of her life and has played on the varsity team on left field with her since junior year.

“She works hard in practice and

by Amanda Watson

Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is the 4th person in the MLB to hit 700 home runs. The other four are Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755), and Barry Bonds (762).

Nomar Mazara hit the longesttraveled recorded home run in the MLB during the 2021-2022 season of 505 feet.

she’s a powerful hitter,” Houchin said.

For pitchers, Houchin said the three home runs that Cox hit is not easy to do in one game, and that it was awe some for the team. She hopes that the season will go well and that the team’s hard work will pay off for her senior year.

“I’m glad I get to finish my softball career off with Marquette softball.” Houchin said.

Marissa Gress, varsity softball coach, is excited to see where the season takes Cox and the rest of her teammates.

“I have no doubt that Natalie will be successful in the future with softball,” Gress said. “She has a strong work ethic and is able to juggle school and sports very well.”

Giancarlo Stanton hit the most home runs at the Home Run Derby (61).

“Every time I see that sticker, I’m reminded of his character and you just never want to forget that.”

John Meyer, softball coach

Photograph

Natalie Danner, junior, is stepping up to bat while dawning a sticker in remembrance of former Assistant Principal Carl Hudson, who passed away in December of 2021, on her helmet. The inspiration of these stickers stem from Hudson’s love for the St. Louis Cardinals

Mustangs to take on Kirkwood Pioneers

parker BRANDT

After the Mustang’s first loss of the season against Eureka at the Homecoming game, linebacker Brian Fitzmaurice, junior, said they’ve already faced their toughest opponent.

“The rest of our opponents aren’t as challenging,” Fitz maurice said. “I think we’ll be able to end the year strong.”

The Mustangs won 41-0 against North west following the Homecoming game loss. The team will face Kirkwood tonight at Kirkwood.

Coach Michael Stewart recognizes Kirkwood’s ability and has a plan for the Mustang’s victory.

“Our job is to minimize their big plays as much as possible,” Stewart said. “We wanna lean on our running game as much as possible.”

Stewart said he is confident in the rest of the season. He said they need to achieve a certain level of consistency in order to succeed.

“It’s been a successful season so far, we’re really proud of our ventures,” Stewart said.

He said one of their downfalls this season has been that their running back, Connor Griebbenow, and one of their varsity defenders, George Gaston, both have been injured. He is confi dent other players will be able to step into their roles and work just as hard as they would’ve.

Senior Gavin Marsh, wide receiver,

remarked how difficult the loss against Eureka was for the team.

“That Eureka game is where our flaws really showed,” Marsh said. “They are a better team but we were putting out the best we had.”

Although it was the loss that ended the team’s winning streak, Marsh said the team is focused on learning from it and moving forward.

“That was definitely our biggest setback,” Marsh said. “But I think it’s gonna be good moving forward be cause there was a lot to learn from it.”

Although the season hasn’t gone as planned, senior Will Malsch, utility/ outside linebacker, is looking forward to future games leading up to the Play offs.

“There will definitely be some competition,” Malsch said. “But I don’t think it’s anything we can’t beat.”

Game Times

the second half of the Sept. 9 game,

Eureka. While the fumble

recovered by Eureka, MHS

to

10/7 7 p.m. vs Ritenour

10/15 12 p.m. vs Hazelwood West vs

7 p.m. tonight at Kirkwood

Kirkwood is 2-2 and Marquette is 4-1 $5 admission

10/21 7 p.m. vs Pattonville

Senior juggles multiple sports

jacob ROBINSON

Rushing home after a busy day, senior Logan Schoonover stumbles through the door, ex hausted, knowing his homework still awaits him.

Logan is a multisport athlete who plays varsity soccer for MHS and club volleyball during the fall.

“It’s difficult on days where I have soccer and volleyball,” Logan said. “I go from school to soccer then to volleyball.”

Some nights, Logan doesn’t

Photograph by Jacob Robinson Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

get home from practice until after 9 p.m., and when he doesn’t go to prac tice, he goes to work at Andy’s Frozen Custard on Manchester Road.

Logan schedules himself for work when he doesn’t have games or practice, but some times soccer and vol leyball overlap. He said he chooses whichever sport has a game over a practice, and he’s nev er been torn between two games.

Even with his busy schedule, Logan finds time to get his work done during Ac Lab and at nights after he gets home.

Logan’s mom, Angela Schoonover, makes sure he has everything he needs from snacks and drinks to knowing his

schedule and getting good grades.

“I worry sometimes about him trying to do too much,” Angela said.

“We have an understanding that grades come first.”

Logan’s coaches and family have helped him get the time for what he needs and they have been understand ing, Angela said.

“Whether it’s Logan or another player, we try to accommodate both sports and teams as much as we can,” soccer coach Steve Conway said. “If it is going to be a problem where the player is missing too much of soccer, then it’s on the player to decide to stay with soccer or the other sport.”

Even though Logan is busy, he’s figured out how to handle it.

“I can feel stressed out with the homework part, but the sports part of it I really like,” Logan said. “I have friends on both teams so it’s really fun.

MHS’ defense forces a fumble against Eureka’s kick returner. During the beginning of

the Mustangs trailed behind

was

was able

gain some momentum. MHS gathered near the end zone to keep morale high after losing 28-35 after MHS scored a last-minute touch down but still fell short. Photographs by Shyam Punnachalil

“It’s difficult, on days where I have soccer and volleyball. I go from school to soccer than to volleyball.”

Logan Schoonover, senior