21-22 Marquette Messenger: Issue III

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MESSENGER

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VOLUME XXIX, ISSUE III | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | NOVEMBER 2021

Behind the Screens

Cybercriminals pose an increasing threat

See story on pgs.

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INSIDE 04

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11 04 VACCINE OPENS FOR AGES 5-11 Elementary age students attend vaccine clinics.

07 BLACK FRIDAY Black Friday should not be converted to a day of online shopping 11 STUDENTS DESIGN GENRE SIGNS Graphic design students create artwork for the Library.

12 Teachers run their own businesses outside of school. See full story on pg. 10.

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

12 THANKSGIVING ACTIVITIES Students celebrate Thanksgiving traditions.

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16 SOCCER ENDS ITS SEASON After a hardfought game, boys soccer lost in the quarterfinals to Jackson High School Saturday, Nov. 13.

Photographs by Marin Ellington, Ben Hughes and Taryn Moore. Illustrations by Mason Kellerman

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

INSTAGRAM @YOURMHSNEWS

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The rock climbing club inspires students’ passions for a nontraditional sport.

See full story on pg. 14.

ONLINE

PREVIEW

The Rockwood Composite Mountain Biking Team participates in competitions around the Midwest. by | ben hughes

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

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

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Students share their traditions and what the celebration of Diwali means to them and their families. by | annabelle miller

issue III

NEWS

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Senior William Bratton and his mom, Amy Bratton, deliver a speech to thousands of students and parents from around the St. Louis area as they gather together, holding up candles and flashlights, in honor of those students who lost their lives in a car accident on Sunday, Nov. 14. Bratton organized the vigil which took place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16. Photograph by Ben Hughes

Candelight vigil honors fallen classmates ben HUGHES A community in mourning gathered with bright lights and candles Tuesday, Nov. 16, to celebrate the lives of MHS sophomores Jake Keifer and Rhegan Sajben and De Smet sophomore Cole Anello.

William Bratton, senior, organized the event with the help of his mother, Amy Bratton, and Freshman Principal Dr. Dan Ramsey. An estimated 2,000 students, parents and staff met outside the football stadium to celebrate the lives of the students lost in a car accident in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 14.

Bratton said he planned the event with two main goals: to visualize the community’s support for the victims’ families and to gather students together where they could support each other.

“We accomplished both things in a greater aspect that I could have never imagined,” Bratton said.

Bratton said the large turnout is what makes MHS a unique community.

“I think everyone in our community has a lot of friends,” Bratton said. “Everyone is so kind to others. I think that is why it was so easy to bring everyone together.”

Bratton said he considers the Keifers his

second family.

“I considered Jake to be my little brother,” he said. “I will always remember his hugs, constant phone calls, our millions of food trips and his Yeti obsession.”

Dr. Ramsey said he was honored when he was approached to help set up the event.

“I felt really privileged to be a part of something to help the community heal,” Dr. Ramsey said. “[It] was an amazing outpouring of love. I hope and believe it was a healing experience for students and the community.”

Finley Burns, senior, grew up and played volleyball with Rhegan at MHS.

“She never took anything seriously. She always knew how to put a smile on someone’s face,” Burns said. “She was just a fun, loving personality.”

Burns said the reason the community is so tightly knit is because they have experienced tragedy before.

“Every student is an important part of the school community, and when tragedies strike, it’s more important than ever to lean on each other,” Burns said. “Coming together as a school is how we honor those friends, and it’s also how we find a way forward.”

Self-care days offered across STL school districts akhila SWARNA

a day-to-day basis, whether it’s parents, teachers, students,” Allu said.

If self-care days were offered in The Hazelwood School District, along RSD, Allu said students would benwith more than a dozen others in the St. Louis area and across the state, have efit from having the choice of a day off from the academic rigor and after extended their Thanksgiving breaks to school activities. the entire week off for self-care.

“It gets overwhelming at times, so “Our Board of Education and having just a day that they can take Administration care deeply about the after a long week or two weeks, where mental wellbeing of our learning comthey can just reset munity,” Dr. Nettie and then come back Collins-Hart, supereven more prepared to intendent of HazelWhat we try to do learn - that’s going to wood School District, is make sure that be a benefit to them,” said in a statement schools are the Allu said. to the district. “Our oasis for students Mary Lapak, students, faculty, staff and that we have executive director of and parents/guardians resources that communications for have worked tirelessly RSD, said the district to persevere in the students need. has a record of providface of unthinkable ing staff with the “gift challenges.”

Todd Minichiello, of time” around the Aashish Allu, coordinator of holiday season. junior at Lafayette school counseling “We recognize and High School, advocatappreciate that the ed for the importance last two years have been hard on all of of mental health last year. Since then, our staff for a variety of reasons, which Allu said he has been working with has resulted in increased stress levels administrators, counselors and other for many of our staff members,” Lapak districts as well as conducting weekly said. meetings with other students, discussFor students, however, Lapak said ing next steps to make change in the the situation is more complicated. district.

The district is required to take into “I’m passionate about mental health account the requirement of instructionbecause I feel like it’s something that affects everyone that I interact with on al hours provided by the Missouri De-

partment of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which makes calendar adjustments challenging.

“Changing the calendar is not something that is easily done, and we also, again, we value those instructional days for our students,” Lapak said.

Lapak said RSD is having an ongoing conversation about how to best support staff and students handling mental health related issues, and nothing is off the table.

Todd Minichiello, coordinator of K-12 school counseling, said because most students’ families work, RSD needs to be considerate about unplanned days off.

“What we try to do is make sure that schools are the oasis for students and that we have resources that students need,” Minichiello said.

Starting in January, students across Illinois will be allowed to individually take up to five excused mental health days without needing a doctor’s note.

According to Bill SB1577, students will be able to make up missed school work during their absent period. Other states such as Arizona and Colorado have created similar measures.

Laura Cook, therapist, said many students feel lonely or isolated, and these feelings have been exacerbated by the pandemic. This can lead to depression and lack of motivation.

“I like the idea of having excused

School districts in Illinois and the surrounding St. Louis area have begun to offer self-care days. Christy Johnson, junior, has been advocating for similar change in RSD. “Everyone’s trying to do everything all the time which can get pretty stressful,” Johnson said. Photograph by Marin Ellington

self-care days,” Cook said. “It allows students to have agency in their own mental health care as well as giving the schools knowledge of what students might be struggling with at that time.”

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2 Patients in Wuhan, China, begin to experience shortness of breath and fever December 31, 2019

CDC confirms the first U.S. case of COVID-19 January 29, 2020 WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic March 13, 2020 The U.S. begins to shut down April 3, 2020 U.S. unemployment reaches the worst rate since the Great Depression May 28, 2020 FDA issues an emergency use for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine December 24, 2020 COVID-19 cases reach 100 million worldwide

February 21, 2021 U.S. surpasses 200 million vaccines administered November 2, 2021

NEWS

nov. 2021

Years of COVID December 12, 2019

The first COVID-19 case is reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) January 20, 2020 Samuel Cherian and Mervin Owuor receive the COVID-19 vaccination shot Saturday, Nov. 13 at Crestview Middle School after the CDC approved the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to children between the ages of 5 and 11 on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Photographs by Marin Ellington

The White House Coronavirus Task Force forms March 11, 2020 President Donald Trump declares a nationwide emergency March 15, 2020 The CDC recommends wearing masks May 9, 2020 The U.S. coronavirus death toll surpasses 100,000 December 11, 2020 1 million Americans are vaccinated against COVID January 26, 2021 U.S. death toll passes 500,000

April 21, 2021 CDC approves Pfizer vaccine for children as young as 5

Reported by Aiden Burkhardt. Designed by Aarushi Bute

RSD offers vaccine clinics for ages 5-11 marin ELLINGTON

sooner.

“Not just to me but to everyone else as well,” TayJumping for joy, but tentative about the prospect lor said. “I think that if it had been implemented into of getting a shot, twin brothers Evan and Mervin the world sooner, life would have started to go back Owuor, fifth graders at Geggie Elementary School, to normal by now.” made plans with their father to receive the COVID-19 Taylor said getting the vaccine has made her feel vaccine. safer leaving her house and taking off her mask in “When I first learned the vaccine was available some public spaces. She said her mother is active in to my age, I felt really excited,” Evan said. “Kind of the health community and continues to share positive worried, but really excited because when I got the data on the effects of the vaccine with her. vaccine, I felt like I would just be safe.”

“It’s an important milestone that it’s available to Evan is not alone in that sentiment as hundreds younger kids now,” Taylor said. “Not only are these of students ages 5 to 11 poured through the doors of children more protected now, but it also means that Crestview Middle School on Saturday, Nov. 13, to get more improvements are being made to help start their vaccines. getting back life to the way it was.”

Federal health officials and the Center for Disease Amy Wehr, supervisor of wellness and health Control (CDC) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech pediservices, said she is hopeful RSD will transition away atric COVID-19 vaccine for safe administration to from wearing masks as a result of the vaccine, though children between the ages of five and 11 on Tuesday, the district has a lot of information to consider and Nov. 2. she is not sure there will be a change in the immedi“The vaccine doesn’t stop the coroate future. navirus but when you get it, it does Wehr said the vaccine not being RSD has asked help to be safer,” Mervin said. open to many younger students played parents to voluntarily a significant role in deciding if masks With the new release of the vacdisclose the status would be required this school year. cine, clinics like the one at Crestview have opened up throughout the St. “We have a Pre-K program in our of their child’s Louis area to help cater to families district as well, and I’m sure in those vaccination for looking to vaccinate their children. buildings where the 3 to 4 year olds contact tracing The pediatric dose is one-third the still won’t be vaccinated, they’ll probastrength of the dose given to adults, bly be in masks longer,” Wehr said. purposes. according to the CDC, and continuing Though she consults on district to wear a mask is still recommended for those unvachealth decisions, Wehr does not make decisions on cinated or between the ages of 2 and 4. mask mandates in RSD. Instead, this decision is left Lawson Donatelli, fifth grader, said she has anxup to the superintendent in discussions with health iously been awaiting the vaccine for children her age. care professionals.

“I feel good because we can get the vaccine like She said there is no magic number that will bring the rest of the world,” Lawson said. “I don’t want to about change. The decisions will be judgement based have to wear masks everywhere.” with the help of St. Louis public health officials.

RSD’s current policy requires all students, reEven though the mask mandate has remained in gardless of vaccination status, to wear masks while place, RSD has made changes from last school year at school. Lawson said she is hopeful that allowing with the option of modified quarantine, which does vaccinations for kids will inspire enough people to not force students to take time away from school. get vaccinated so that the district may reconsider this Instead, it requires vigilant symptom monitoring. policy.

“We’ve had under 200 deaths of children in this “I would feel great because we could do more stuff country, and that is absolutely no comfort when one and not get yelled at when we have our mask down,” of those under 200 is your child, but overall it’s not a Lawson said. “It feels really uncomfortable and no big percentage of kids,” Wehr said. “I personally am one can really hear you.” vaccinated and I encourage anyone who is eligible Lawson’s sister, Taylor Donatelli, senior, rememto do that. It’s the best way to put an end to this and bers when the vaccine opened up for her age group allow you to continue to live your life in as close to and said she wishes it could have been made available normal fashion as you can.”

issue III

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OPINIONS

SPEAK OUT DO YOU PREFER A-DAYS OR BLOCK DAYS?

“I enjoy A-Days better because it seems like the days go faster, and I can get more work done.”

JACOB SANDER,

freshman

“I like block days better because A-Days are too much. Teachers always try to make tests in 30 minutes and it doesn’t work.”

BENNET TOTH,

sophomore

“I like A-Days because I like my time to spread out and I get to work on every class evenly.”

DJ MAYS,

junior

“I like block days better because on C-Days I have senior incentive and get to leave really early.”

HANNA BRUNDIGE,

senior

“I prefer the A-Day because it helps kids be in each of their classes on a regular basis. For my classes in particular, I think the 90-minute block is a little too long.”

DEREK HOFFMAN,

P.E. teacher

Kim Hotze, German teacher, involved her classes in making memorial cards for the families of those students whose lives were lost in the accident Sunday, Nov. 14. Photograph by Pranav Sriraman

Community support brings relief After the tragic accident that killed two MHS students and injured two others, we are moved by the MHS community and how its members have come together to support one another.

Counselors and social workers from across the district gathered to support grieving students, some even following the schedules of Rhegan Sajben and Jacob Keifer, giving careful attention to those most closely affected by EDITORIAL their deaths.

Teachers have been understanding toward students, many postponing class work and assessments to allow students to prioritize their mental health.

Teachers, such as j.v. volleyball coach Timothy Boeddeker, opened up their rooms to students as safe spaces, and students were welcome to talk about their emotions in the Library.

Kim Hotze, German teacher, used her scrapbooking materials to provide students with card templates she will mail to the victim’s families.

An estimated 2,000 students, family members and teachers attended the student-organized candlelight

vigil last Tuesday evening, many bringing their own candles and lighters to honor the three students lost.

Local business Lou Fusz supplied 1,000 candles and hand protectors and a “We are Marquette” banner.

Businesses around the St. Louis area have donated numerous items and neighboring schools have taken the time to honor the MHS community. Panera donated coffee to the school while Northwest High School sent donuts to be shared with teachers.

The general atmosphere of acceptance has been incredibly helpful in starting the process of healing. We welcome the judgement-free, accepting atmosphere students have created in order to ensure all emotions felt by students are validated. Now, more than ever, the community is united.

As the community moves forward, we hope students, staff, administrators and all those affected by this tragedy will continue to support one another.

Principal Dr. Steve Hankins communicated that the district will continue to provide help to students for as long as they need it.

BOARD

Letters to the Editor Masks aren’t needed

Support Asian businesses

The mask mandate at school is useless and shouldn’t be a thing. First of all, what’s the point of having it when students are constantly crammed together in the halls, shoulder to shoulder, trying to get to class.

Students are constantly hanging out with friends without a mask and are already all together. In addition, at MHS sporting events such as football games, most of the students don’t wear a mask and again are all standing together in the bleachers and having fun. It makes no sense to keep the mandate. People should not be forced to wear a mask at school, but if they want to, that is their decision. If students are only going to wear masks to school and not even the correct way, the mandate should be lifted to eliminate issues within the school and the administration.

As an Asian-American teenager, a student-athlete and a club leader, it’s apparent that getting students to support school fundraisers is difficult. In my AcLab class, only 2 of 18 students have attended a fundraiser this year. This dismal participation is influenced by the fact that sports teams and school clubs almost always partner with chain restaurants, which easily becomes boring. School clubs and sports teams could instead partner with local, Asian boba tea shops and bakeries, providing fresh options for students and support to local Asian businesses. Students would be enticed to come to fundraisers to try new foods and support Marquette! Local Asian businesses deserve to be included in profitable fundraisers, and students deserve more culturally diverse fundraiser options.

- Allison Wieczorek, sophomore

- Joyce Liu, junior

More letters to the editor can be found online at www.marquettemessenger.com

nov. 2021

Prioritize the safety of concertgoers lajja PATEL As my social media feed filled with content from the Astroworld concert on Friday, Nov. 5, I saw how incredibly unfortunate and poorly handled the situation was that left ten dead and countless injured.

Fans screamed as people around them passed out. Audience members yelled at performer Travis Scott to shut down the show. A female fan climbed onto the stage crying in pain so Scott would stop performing and help those who lay on the ground not breathing.

Ten dead: Ezra Blount, 9; Madison Dubiski, 23; Axel Acosta, 21; Brianna Rodriguez, 16; Danish Baig, 27; Franco Patiño, 21; Jacob Jurinek, 20; John Hilgert, 14; Madison Dubiski, 23; Rudy Peña, 23.

Scott either didn’t hear or didn’t listen to any cries of help. I find it hard to believe he was unaware of the chaos that was taking place.

A day later, he issued an apology for the tragedy on Instagram, resulting in numerous parody videos mocking what seemed to be a lack of genuine concern.

My feed is filled with clips from other performers’ concerts standing up and stopping their shows when fans were getting too rowdy or were being harassed. This compared to Scott’s lack of control over the chaos for which he

Black Friday shopping should remain in person aleena SHAIK

Concerts like Travis Scott’s Astroworld, which toured St. Louis in February 2019, need to be more regularly enforced. This includes limiting ticket sales and checking whether attendees purchased tickets and their vaccination status. Photograph by Noelle Politte

has continued to get bashed for. I think this abashment is much needed.

The venue was packed with 50,000 people leaving barely any room for concertgoers to breathe or move. With a large name like Scott performing, I would expect better security and management.

Concert safety is now an even more crucial issue.

A 9 year old had brain damage after attending the event and passed away in a coma. Loved ones should not have to worry about whether their kids will be safe or even come home alive from a concert, but now these thoughts may circulate through their minds.

As a teen, I would think twice before buying tickets to a concert of a big time artist such as Scott.

Scott compromised his fan’s safety and should face repercussions. He has announced that he will offer refunds to concert attendees and pay for funeral costs of those who passed; however, the pain and trauma felt cannot be erased by these gestures.

I predict that teens will continue to attend concerts but may be more hesitant and selective about which ones to go to. This concert should be the catalyst for improving concert safety regulations so as to prevent tragedies like this from recurring.

No, I don’t know what I want to do liza COOPER

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OPINIONS

ing, photography, psychology, baking, business and European history? I can’t choose just one thing.

A major factor that contributes to the stress of deciding what you want to do is college. Colleges ask what you plan to major in on applications and even advertise themselves as leading schools for certain occupations.

There are kids who have got it all figured out. They’re going to be racecar drivers, fashion designers, aerospace engineers or the author of the next great American novel. They have a trajectory, a goal.

Then there are kids, like me, who don’t know. When asked, “where do you see yourself in five years?” our tongues become cement and our throats close up. We have no answers.

But everyone expects us to.

And that pressure — the pressure of deciding on a career, a job, a lifestyle — is pushing down on our heads until we threaten to explode.

I know parents, teachers and counselors ask us this question because they want to keep our best interests at heart.

They want to help us choose classes that will prepare us for the career field we want to pur- Illustration by Mason Kellerman sue and to give us helpful advice.

When we shrug and say, “I don’t The system is set up in a way that know,” it only serves to exasperate encourages people to pick a major and them. stick with it. It costs almost $20,000 to “Well, there must be something switch majors at most universities, acyou’re interested in!” is the response I cording to Bright Futures LLC. typically get.

The majority of high schoolers are But that’s the thing: there’s just 14-18 years old. According to the averso many options. What if I like readage American lifespan, we have lived

only a little less than a quarter of our lives. What we decide to do now, and what we think we’re passionate about could change. It feels as though our teenage selves are deciding how our futures will play out, a fact that could come back to bite us in the butt.

There should be less expectation on high schoolers to know what they want to do and more emphasis on the exploration of potential career paths. Perhaps, in realizing the world isn’t composed of only doctors, teachers and other popular career choices, one might find a field that speaks to them. As the old saying goes, “you never know until you try.”

There has been one valuable piece of advice I have come across in trying to decide what I want to do: if you can picture yourself doing this thing, this job, day in and day out while living a happy and fulfilling life, it’s the thing for you.

Instead of cursing the seemingly overwhelming amount of options I have, I should be thankful.

My many interests could lead me to discover a career path that could enable me to fully enjoy and live my life.

So, please stop asking us what we’re going to do. We need time to reflect and explore, and when we’re ready to decide, we’ll let you know.

As a kid, I didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but my family shopped on Black Friday every year.

In-store Black Friday deals usually started on Thanksgiving night, so my family went to stores with doorbusters, such as Macy’s and Walmart. While my parents shopped, I spent my time with family friends. On Black Friday, we went to the outlet mall, where I usually shopped for my own shoes and clothes.

Every year, I look forward to Black Friday weekend because I can buy items I have been wanting for a long time.

My dad would always tell me to “wait till Black Friday” whenever I asked for anything.

There are always incredible deals on electronics and clothing. All the iPads I’ve received throughout my life have been bought on Black Friday.

However, over the years, I’ve noticed that the once overwhelming Black Friday shopping crowd has shrunk.

With the rise of online shopping, especially in the wake of the pandemic, Black Friday shopping in stores may become extinct before we know it.

With the convenience of staying home, the appeal of online shopping has grown with many who don’t relish social interaction. I prefer it not to fully go online.

Even before the pandemic, the rate of Black Friday shopping has decreased. In 2019, 18.2 million more people shopped online than in stores, according to the National Retail Federation. Many people shop deals online during Cyber Monday, the first Monday after Black Friday.

Yes, there are positives to shopping online: no crowds, no lines and no fights with people for products.

But, I love sipping on a hot drink while standing in long lines in the cold. The warmth I feel when I first walk in a store is like a reward.

A tangible, in-store Black Friday experience is worth it. If you are shopping with your friends while getting great deals, it makes the whole experience worthwhile.

IN-DE

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Cyber Security Terms

• Hacktivism Attackers who hack for a cause or belief rather than some form of personal gain. It is still an illegal action in most cases when the victim’s technology or data is abused, harmed or destroyed.

• Malicious Software (Malware) Any code written for the specific purpose of causing harm, disclosing information or otherwise violating the security or stability of a system.

• Phishing A social engineering attack that attempts to collect information from victims. The goal of a phishing attack may be to learn user’s logon credentials, credit card information, system configuration details or other company, network, computer or personal identity information.

• Two-Factor Authentification A form of multi-factor authentication.

Valid factors for authentication include something you know such as passwords, something you have such as smart cards and someone you are such as fingerprints.

• Virtual Private Network (VPN) A communication link between systems or networks that is encrypted to provide a secure, private pathway of communications.

Information from Global Knowledge

e h t o t t a e r Th

Students and staff continue to feel the effects of a district-wide data hack from Thursday, June 17, that has left many wary of how safe their information actually is online.

Alex Chen, junior, has worked heavily with coding for years and said he considers himself lucky, for his experience online has made him adept at avoiding security breaches with his own information.

“Cybersecurity is a growing concern in our world, and Rockwood is trying to keep up,” Chen said. “We need to both upgrade our systems and our training when dealing with cyber threats. Churches and schools are at risk due to their poor security posture and easy accessibility to hackers.”

Though there are many security risks that come with storing information online, Chen said there are easy steps that can be taken to ensure its safety. He said he is unhappy the breach has affected the learning environments within the school.

“In retrospect, it was only a matter of time,” Chen said. “I’m glad that they’re taking steps to fix it, but I still stand by what I originally said: security should be improved without effects on learning.”

Statewide Issues RSD is not the only affiliation battling cybercriminals. Online threats pose a constant concern to various groups across the nation.

The Missouri government recently came under attack after a St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter reported that the Missouri Educational Agency’s website contained a glitch displaying hundreds of thousands of social security numbers of those working in the educational system.

The reporter confirmed his findings with cybersecurity professionals before notifying the authorities of the problem; however, Missouri Governor Mike Parson called the reporter’s actions a crime, labeling it a “hack” of the teachers’ personal information.

“You can’t just be tampering around with someone’s website or trying to hack in,” said Aaron Branson, senior vice president of marketing for Netsurion.

“So even if someone is trying with good intent or if they stumble on something accidentally, they should report it, not try and press the buttons to see if they can get in and prove a point.”

Netsurion is a company that provides managed cybersecurity services for small to medium sized businesses. Branson said the situation that occurred with the teachers’ social security numbers brings up the controversial topic of ethical hacking, which can be a profession as well.

Ethical hacking is the concept of businesses hiring hackers to test the strength of their cybersecurity systems. Branson said many larger companies have a cybersecurity team for ethical hacking, whereas smaller companies outsource the job to businesses such as Netsurion.

Though it can be done professionally, the controversy arises when done without the second party’s knowledge.

“Imagine you came home from vacation, pulled into the driveway and there’s a complete stranger in your house, and they said, ‘Hey great news. I was doing ethical break-ins and I found your house is vulnerable to break-ins as you can see, I am sitting in your house, eating your snacks and watching TV. Aren’t you glad I found out that your house is break-inable?’” Branson said.

Police Perspective Chesterfield police Sergeant Timothy Turntine said anonymity has made cybercrimes more prevalent. Turntine began work in the past year with the Regional Computer Crimes Education and Enforcement Group (RCCEEG). There he works on a daily basis accessing confiscated devices and searching through the data recovered.

“Most of the crimes we are investigating, the suspects don’t even live in this country,” Turntine said.

“We have so many crimes where people receive a phone call, and maybe they are foreign, and they own a shop in town, and the scammers take advantage of their not knowing the local laws so well, or people that just aren’t good with technology receiving emails they think are legitimate.”

A vast majority of cybercriminals seek out a financial scam in some way, and this is also commonly seen targeting younger generations through social media. Turntine said these criminals will often im-

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personate someone to achieve personal relationships.

Through this connection, criminals use blackmail to extort money as they threaten to release information or recordings that people are embarrassed of.

Financial extortion is not always the intent, however. Turntine said that often this impersonation can occur to obtain and potentially distribute pornographic images.

“That’s definitely something that students can fall victim to,” Turntine said. “There are definitely a great many terrible people out there that want those kind of images and want to share them.”

Turntine said as many of these crimes occur over long distances, his work consists less of solving the crime and more of recovering funds to prove the report being filed is legitimate.

“Be deliberate about everything you do online,” Turntine said. “Everything you do, feel like you know what you are doing.”

Malware Attack Deborah Ketring, RSD chief information officer, said she was notified that systems were working incorrectly on June 17 and ran tests that determined there was a malware attack. Ketring said the attack prompted RSD to revamp procedures and rebuild systems.

On that date, Ketring said the malware was installed and machines were encrypted with ransomware, making it impossible to access files.

“Our first priority was to shut down our network and shut down systems to try and contain the damage,” Ketring said. “The plan was to contain it, isolate it and then begin our investigation to see what it was.”

After extensive examination from a forensic specialist, Ketring and her team were able to recover essential systems without paying the ransom.

The Active Directory Credentials, which are mainly used by staff and contain critical data, was the only resource that was negatively impacted, but the situation could have become more severe if the virus was caught later, Ketring said.

Ketring said students need to understand the risks of websites and links they visit.

“Sites and apps like Omegle may put students into positions where they are subjected to predatory actions without recourse,” Ketring said. “Remember, anything you post online, even if you delete it, may still be out there.”

To make the internet safer for students, Ketring said the technology department is in the process of revising and updating digital awareness, citizenship and cybersecurity resources for students.

Social Aspect Password protection is not the only preventative measure students should take into consideration. Often the implications of forgotten items like computer webcams or smart devices don’t occur to people when trying to protect their security.

Additionally, a social media or online gaming presence opens up added risks if the proper precautions are not taken.

Lily McNulty, junior, is currently in an online relationship over Discord, an instant messaging and digital communication platform. McNulty said the experience of dating online is not any different from dating in-person: instead of meeting, her and her significant other text or call each other.

“I mean I feel like it’s been a pretty solid dating experience,” McNulty said.

McNulty said she has faced risks in e-dating because the person on the other side of the screen is unknown. She said after talking to users for an extended period of time, it is easier to tell if someone is genuine or not.

“It comes with experience, like I’ve been online for so long that I kinda know what’s happening at this point,” McNulty said.

Aiden Emert, senior, said cybersecurity attacks can happen anytime someone jumps online, even if they are at home. Emert said attacks are most common in online, player versus player video games.

Emert is the In Game Leader (IGL) for MHS’ Valorant eSports team. Valorant is a player versus player, first-person shooter that requires players with great individual skill but a team to work together and win. In most cases, players have to play with and against strangers, some with malicious intents.

Emert said the most malicious players often go for another’s IP address, or the number that is associated with a person’s internet, by sending large amounts of information that eventually overloads and destroys a person’s connection.

Emert said if someone does happen to fall victim to an attack, the best thing to do is to unplug the router and wait several minutes or hours to rest the connection.

• • •

What Makes a Good Password?

•

Avoid using personal information in passwords Make passwords lengthy Include a mix of symbols, numbers and uppercase and lowercase letters Use two-factor authentification

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TIPS FOR STUDENT INTERNET SECURITY? ӽ Verify the sender of an email by hovering over the name if you can’t see the full address. ӽ Never give your username and password at the request of an email unless you made the request for support. ӽ Do not click on links in unsolicited email messages from banks, vendors, retailers, etc. Before clicking on links, especially if they are asking you to verify any information, call the customer service number on your statements or look it up online. ӽ Do not open attachments in unsolicited email even if you recognize the sender’s email address. Call the sender to verify it’s legit. Opening the attachment can install malware on your computer. ӽ Set account notifications to text or email you when a transaction exceeds an amount threshold. ӽ Change/update your online account passwords and security questions regularly ӽ Implement multi-factor authentication for your accounts. ӽ Consider antivirus software for your personal mobile devices. ӽ Don’t use unsecured public wifi, especially if you are transacting business.

10

nov. 2021

FEATURES

WORKING OVERTIME:

Teachers own businesses anika TAYLAN

Mary Kate Miesner, senior, currently works the at Stefanina’s, which is owned by Brendon Taylor, social studies teacher. Miesner had Taylor as her freshman year soccer coach. Photograph by Anika Taylan Ashley Hobbs, social studies teacher, owns Chateau Maplewood Wine Bar & Shop located on Manchester Road.

The family-owned business is run by Hobbs alongside her husband Brian Hobbs. Photograph

by Marin Ellington

boss and having her own customers.

“I can set my own hours and I can When Ashley Hobbs, social studies be flexible,” Baldwin said. teacher, was approached by her husBrendan Taylor, social studies band about starting a wine company, teacher, bought Stefanina’s Pizza with she was “scared to death.” his wife and another couple in 2019.

“It’s a big investment, and so it was Because Taylor’s wife had worked scary,” Hobbs said. “But I also think for the owner for 15 years and had a it’s also been really rewarding because seeing the perseverance in my husband good relationship with them, he and his wife jumped at the chance, getting is something that’s so admirable.” a second mortgage on their house to Her husband is a sommelier, a wine professional, who worked in the restau- afford the purchase.

“It’s a risk for sure, leveraging the rant business. house as we did so,” Taylor said. “But In 2018, a property opened up in she was passionate about it and she Maplewood, a community Hobbs said wanted to do it, and I believe in her.” is supportive of small businesses. After At Stefanina’s, buying the space built Taylor mainly makes in the early 1900s, and delivers pizza beHobbs’ family conThis is nothing cause teaching is his ducted a full renovaI thought that I main job, but he has tion. would ever do, but learned about leaderHobbs said dividing her time between I can’t imagine not ship.

“You learn a lot working as a teacher, doing it now. about how to manage working at the store personalities and how and teaching her Ashley Hobbs, to push buttons in a daughter the imporSocial Studies positive way,” Taylor tance of family is a said. challenge.

Teacher Mary Kate However, Hobbs Miesner, senior, has been working at said she has been able to spend more Stefanina’s since 2019. time with her family because her husTaylor was Miesner’s coach when band went from working most nights to she was a freshman, and when Miesner running a business with her.

“This is nothing that I thought that I first said she was applying to work at Lifetime, Taylor offered her a job at would ever do myself, but I can’t imagStefanina’s instead. ine not doing it now,” Hobbs said.

“I love working at Stef’s,” Miesner Hobbs is not the only teacher at said. “I get excited for my shifts, so I MHS to own a small business. can catch up with everyone and see my Doria Baldwin, special education work family.” teacher, created an ACT tutoring busiMiesner works as a cashier as well ness 15 years ago. as in the kitchens preparing foods. She She also teaches language arts, so said a lot of her coworkers come from that is her main focus in her tutoring MHS. business. Baldwin goes to students’ “Since most of my co-workers have houses and has two- hour sessions, school, sports and clubs, they undersplit between the reading and English stand our busy lives and work to cover section. for us when we need it,” Miesner said.

She said she enjoys being her own

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issue III

FEATURES

Graphic design students create library genre signs annie ALCORN Brittany Sharitz, librarian, spent the first semester of the school year reorganizing the Library’s book collection by genre.

She said the librarians knew the new organization of the books would need new genre signs so students could find books, so she reached out to former art teacher Jamie Wildt’s Graphic Design 2 class to make signs for the Library.

“I was able to teach a lesson about the style, color, fonts and trends of book covers and how that would translate to the signs,” Sharitz said.

Sharitz pointed out that genres like horror, dystopian and paranormal have dark colors, so she wanted the signs to reflect that. Conversely, genres like romance have a lot of bright and vibrant colors, a totally different ambiance than a horror sign.

Sharitz said she put genres together that would contrast each other. Then, the students picked which set they wanted to design.

“It’s very obvious that each student really let the book covers of the genre inspire their signs,” Sharitz said.

Faith Mathys, sophomore, created a sign for the graphic novel and horror

section.

Mathys said she has been creating art for 10 years and likes the graphic design classes, but said this particular Graphic by sophomore Faith Mathys project was a challenge.

“The graphic novel sign took me about five to six days to complete the design for,” Mathys said. “I guess I am not that OK with my sign being up in the Library because I feel it is pretty bland.”

Joseph Calvin, senior, said he enjoyed this project because it allowed him to think outside the box.

“I really enjoy the types of projects we got to do in graphic design,” Calvin said. “It is actually something I am now considering majoring in for college.”

Calvin took both Graphic Design 1 and 2, and said the genre sign project was one of his favorites because it Graphic by junior Logan Thompson allowed for creative freedom.

Calvin said he liked how Wildt and Sharitz encouraged them to pick which signs they were going to create based on books they enjoyed reading, so he picked short stories and paranormal.

“It feels really cool to have something up in the Library that I made myself,” Calvin said. “Hopefully it will stay up there for a while for a lot of people to see.”

11 Graphic by sophomore Faith Mathys

Graphic by senior Joseph Calvin

Graphic by senior Joseph Calvin

Each sign was designed to fit the genre’s description including a background with the name of the genre carved out in wood. Photographs by Marin Ellington

12

nov. 2021

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Every Thanksgiving break I...

Students, staff share their annual traditions

anika TALYAN

...roast a whole pig

...do a treasure hunt

...play the new Pokémon game

Ever since he was born, Frederick McCullough, senior, drives with his family to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. There, they make a cured hole in the ground and fill it with coal and wood. Then the family roasts a whole pig on a pole for 18 hours. After the pig is done, McCullough’s family cuts it up and has a Thanksgiving feast.

Since before she was born, Paige Menkhus, junior, has had a family-wide tradition of a massive treasure hunt on the day before Thanksgiving. Her big family will rent out a venue, somewhere in the wilderness, and the adults will hide little treasures for the teenagers. These include money and little hints that lead to other treasures. An hour prior, everyones’ phones are taken away, which can be a problem because the treasure hunt usually spans for miles. Menkhus said about 150 people participate in the treasure hunt.

For his birthday in 2017, Miles Edgington, sophomore, got the new Pokémon game: Pokémon Ultra Moon. He got hooked and started playing the new Pokémon game that comes out every year around Thanksgiving break. Edgington said he enjoys playing Pokémon and that he likes to add onto the total number of games he has played. His favorite so far is Pokémon Ultra Moon because it was his first game.

“It's a really nice family

Thanksgiving tradition that we have, and it's pretty fun to do.”

...celebrate my mom's birthday Manasvi Gottipati, sophomore, has never celebrated Thanksgiving. Her parents were raised in India where Thanksgiving was never celebrated. Instead, Gottipati spends her Thanksgiving celebrating her mother’s birthday with her family. Usually, she will go out to eat and go on a walk with her family.

Last year, Gottipati baked a raspberry honey cake for her mom.

“I do wish I was able to do that whole Thanksgiving feast, but I don’t really mind because it is not something that I have ever celebrated.”

Additional Responses •

Make a huge painting for my great grandma of a different place she has visited - Chloe Schmitt, freshman

•

Have an air hockey tournament with my dad's side of the family - Charlie Schaffer, sophomore

•

Go to White Castle for dinner on Thanksgiving - Megan Fink, language arts teacher

•

Have my grandma's homemade Jell-O - Lucy Mercurio, freshman

•

Watch "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" with my entire extended family Parker Brandt, junior

Thanksgiving Break Scavenger Hunt Take photos of yourself with different items over break and the first five people to direct message them to @yourmhsnews Instagram gets a prize

A photo with a Thanksgiving decoration

A photo with a holiday ad

A photo of shopping during Black Friday A photo with a colorful tree

A photo with the football game

...make Oreo turkeys Every Thanksgiving, Giselle Bauer, senior, makes Oreo turkeys with her cousin and and sisters. Her cousin had came up with the idea when she was really young, so Bauer has been making these for her whole life. Bauer said they make turkeys for about an hour.

“I always get excited about a

new Pokémon game because that means I can add another game onto the ones that I have finished.”

In September 1998, the first Pokémon games released: Pokémon Red & Blue Pokémon X & Y is the most popular, with 16.5 million units sold The Pokémon game this year is Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl Pokéman is an abbreviation for "Pocket Master" in Japan The annual Pokéman World Championships awards $25,000 to the trading card game champion According to HGG and ESports

Want to make them yourself?

1. Split Oreos and take the filling out of the middle 2. Roll Rice Krispy Treats into balls 3. Put an Oreo on the back and bottom of the Rice Krispy Treat 4. Take icing and glue candy corns to the Rice Krispy Treat to make feathers 5. Glue chocolate chips with icing to make the eyes 6. Enjoy!

“Last year, we didn't get to

do it because we didn't have a gathering since COVID, so I'm excited that we'll get to do it this year.”

Photographs by Ben Hughes • Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev

issue III

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The ‘No bones day’ trend influences daily life “I think his account is definitely one of the most positive ones out there,” Moon said.

Rachel Melton, junior, was scrolling on TikTok a Taylor Litteken, study hall teacher, was intromonth ago when she came across a video of a pug duced to bones and no bones days when a friend sent falling onto his dog bed, and his owner yelling “no her a video of Noodle. bones day!” at the camera. Melton said she was imLitteken said she and her friend now play a game mediately intrigued. between them to send the videos back and fort they The pug is Noodle and the owner is Jonathan Gra- compare the accuracy between Noodle and the actual ziano, who has since blown up on the social media events that happened during their days. app TikTok. “I think it’s getting to be the time of year where In the video, Graziano picked up Noodle, and everyone becomes stressed and overwhelmed,” Littewhen he let go, Noodle fell back down onto his dog ken said. “These videos are light-hearted and always bed. It became a joke in the comments between view- make me laugh, which is why I like them so much.” ers that it was going to be a “no bones” day.

Litteken has a letter board in her classroom that Graziano then created a game with his follets her students know if it is a bones or no lowers: if Noodle falls down and has a “no bones day. She said a handful of bones” day, everyone else is inevitastudents have come up to her and bly going to have a bad day. Contalked to her about it. versely, if Noodle stays standing Ellie Downs, junior, is in Noodles is 13 years old and has a “bones” day, it is desLitteken’s third hour class, and tined to be a good day. she said that having teachers 60+ varieties of fresh and live seafood Melton said • she follows Graand students engaging in the Facts About ziano on TikTok and checks on trend makes it more amusing.

• 70+ varieties of fresh meat includingNoodle roast duck, made daily Noodle every morning. She said “I think having the let• 200+ fresh vegetables and fruits there is definitely some correlater board up in the Study Noodle has tion between Noodle’s bones or Hall room is a fun way to get predicted 21 bones days no bones days with her own. students’ attention and update and 18 no bones days “I have found that most days are us each day,” Downs said. “It’s spot on,” Melton said, “but obviously cool that even some of the teachers there are going to be some off days.” know about this trend and are particiKimberly Moon, language arts teachpating.”

• Bakery and deli with fresh goods made everyday er, said that she and the other language arts After Downs found Noodle on TikTok • China Bistro restaurant • Authentic Bobatwo Teaweeks shopago, coming teachers have started sharing the videos about Noodle she saidsoon she watches Noodle every to each other. morning, and it has been entertaining comparing her • The Face Shop skin care and make-up counter “Sometimes the videos aren’t posted until days with Noodles. She said she expects to have a bad mid-morning,” Moon said. “So, we are already at day if Noodle has a no bones day. school and we get to find out whether today is bones “While I do think it is fun, and I have found our or no bones together.” days correlating 90 percent of the time, I try really Moon said these videos are a nice change from all hard not to let a pug on TikTok determine how my the discouraging stuff on social media. days will go,” Downs said.

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Kimberly Moon, language arts teacher, bought her bones day inspired sweatshirt online. “I love when people come up to me and comment on my sweatshirt,” Moon said. “I think it’s a super fun way for us to connect.” Photograph by Annie Alcorn

Downs said she noticed many of Graziano’s followers get angry at him in the comments when Noodle’s prediction of the day contradicts the reality of their day.

“I think it’s kind of ridiculous the way some people rely on Noodle,” Downs said. “It’s important that we all remember it’s just a game and we can’t let it influence us that much.”

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14

nov. 2021

SPORTS

Cricket World Cup increases sport’s local popularity aleena SHAIK

+6 Runs How to score cricket

After the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Aarya Khanna, junior, found a love for cricket.

Khanna started watching matches on the TV and playing cricket with his brother and cousins in his backyard in Indiana. This interest followed Khanna when he moved to St. Louis in 2012.

Currently, Khanna plays with the American Cricket Academy & Club (ACAC) for the Minor League team, St. Louis Americans.

“If it hadn’t been for my Indian background, I would never have gotten interested in the sport,” Khanna said.

As an Indian-American, cricket allowed Khanna to connect with his culture.

“The fact that I am familiar with cricket gives me a connection to family in India which I can use to further my relationships with them,” Khanna said.

In 2021, the T20 World Cup took place from Oct. 17 to Nov. 14. The winner was Australia, while India got kicked out in the quarterfinals. The U.S. will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup for the first time with the West Indies.

In the U.S., baseball is the preferred bat-and-ball game with The World Series that has millions of viewers each year. Cricket is overshadowed by this competitor.

Jay Medasani, freshman, is a base-

Batsman

+4 Runs

Pitch

uns

Boundary

Wickets

+1 R

na rs o. e y la n 11 bpatsmad f o an ts o nsising twcoringime. o c ket lud h s a t Criacm, inacre higays at te mes for d Ga n last ca

ball player who used to play cricket when he was younger. He said he faced difficulties due to the differences between baseball and cricket.

“The swing for cricket and baseball are different, so I used to confuse my swings,” Medasani said. “I had to stop because it messed up my baseball career.”

Medasani said he understands the lack of popularity in the U.S. compared to the rest of the world.

“There’s already baseball here, so there’s not really a need for cricket,” Medasani said. “Most other countries don’t play baseball, which is why cricket is probably more popular there.”

Despite cricket’s low popularity in

the U.S., many still play the sport. The U.S. has more than 200,000 cricket players, according to USA Cricket.

As cricket becomes more popular in the U.S., the ventures to play have gotten bigger too. Khanna’s coach, Ajay Jhamb is the founder and president of ACAC. Jhamb started coaching in 2014 when his friend’s children asked him to teach them cricket. In 2015, the ACAC was established.

Jhamb started the academy because he could give back to the community with cricket, which has been a life-changing experience for him.

“There was a need for someone to

start the program and teach the kids because there was a passion in a few kids. The response has been huge,” Jhamb said. “It’s amazing how quickly we have grown. We have top-class coaches from across the globe come to St. Louis.”

Currently, the ACAC teaches about 400 kids cricket every year.

“With proper setup of U.S. cricket, now Minor League Cricket exists. With new initiatives, cricket is at the path to grow, “ Jhamb said. “I think it’s just a journey like soccer or lacrosse did 15 20 years back. We are at that point.”

Jhamb, who is Indian, decided the community needed a venue for cricket. According to The Economic Times, among the more than 1 billion cricket fans from around the world, the Indian subcontinent has more than 90 percent of these cricket fans.

“For the South Asian community, this is not a game —this is a religion,” Jhamb said. “Kids want to play, but they don’t have an avenue and ecosystem to play. Somebody had to create that. Kids deserve to play a sport, which they enjoy.”

Students in RSD do have an avenue to get involved in cricket.

The ACAC has trained the PE teachers and provided schools with kits. If MHS students want to join the ACAC, they can visit the ACAC website and social media for more information.

Rock climbing club begins season with competition success ben HUGHES Ever since her first visit to a climbing gym at seven years old, Lauren Nickel, freshman, has been obsessed with the world of climbing.

Nickel participated in a climbing spring break camp at the Upper Limits in Chesterfield where she was recruited for Upper Limit’s competition climbing team.

After several years with the team, Nickel joined the MHS Climbing Club.

“I came out to a practice and met everybody,” Nickel said. “I’ve been here ever since. It’s just a great environment.”

Nickel said climbing is unique compared to other, more traditional sports.

“My favorite part of climbing is the community. It’s just a really fun environment,” Nickel said. “It’s a family. We can always have fun with each other.”

In the club’s most recent competition on Friday, Oct. 29, Nickel placed second in the Advanced Female category.

After climbing for eight years, Nickel said climbing has taught her more than just skills in the gym.

“Climbing has mostly taught me self confidence,” Nichols said. “The climbing community is really good for building self confidence and learning to interact with people.”

Shea McAteer, senior, placed first

in the Intermediate Female category in the club’s competition, her first win since joining.

“My freshman year and going up to this year, I’ve never really won a ribbon. I just was never that good,” McAteer said. “I was really excited about it, It just felt really, really good.”

McAteer said Climbing Club is different than other sports teams.

“Our club gets to participate in really low-key high school competitions, which a lot of teams don’t get to do,” McAteer said. “[Other schools competitions] are super competitive and super stressful but for us, we’re there, we’re hanging out. It’s just a good time.”

Kyle Schibler, senior, is another advanced climber who has been scaling walls since his brother started the club in 2017.

“The thinking and creativity that goes into bouldering, finding new ways to position your body and different ways to go about routes make it interesting to find new ways to solve the same problem,” Schibler said.

Schibler said misconceptions about the sport can intimidate

Adelin Scanlon, senior, reaches to complete a bouldering route at Upper Limits Chesterfield Sunday Nov. 14. Scanlon is a part of the MHS Climbing Club, an organization that gets students into the bouldering, a discipline of rock climbing. Bouldering involves no ropes or belays and features shorter, more technical routes closer to the ground. The club meets every Sunday at Upper Limits Chesterfield from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Phtograph by Ben Hughes

people from trying it.

“The most misunderstood thing is that there are multiple types of climbing,” Schibler said. “It’s not just the outdoor, hundreds of feet in the air kind of climbing.”

Climbing Club focuses on the bouldering discipline of climbing which involves shorter routes with a wide variety of difficulties from easy (V0 or V1) to extremely difficult (V12) and doesn’t use ropes.

Climbing club is open to all

students and all ability levels from beginner to advanced. The first visit to Upper Limits with the club is free allowing any student to try out the sport.

The club meets Sundays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Upper Limits in Chesterfield.

“The sport itself is a lot easier to get into. It’s not super competitive unless you want it to be,” Nickel said. “There are things for every difficulty level so beginners and experts can climb together, which is really nice.”

issue III

15

SPORTS

Tennis court construction causes frustration liza COOPER

because of time constraints and court space at other schools,” Hyde said.

Activities Director Shane Matzen Even though the new tennis courts were slated to be finished this summer, attributed the delay to weather issues and the landscape of MHS. Since there they are still a work in progress. Mud is a creek running through part of the and debris cover the site of MHS’ newland where the tennis courts are being est addition, but all of the construction built, the builders and planners had to is for a good cause, said varsity girls diligently work alongside the Metropoltennis coach Joshua Hyde. itan Sewer District.

“The fences were orig“The bottom line is this: inally built too close to the The boys are we’d rather have delays and courts and they were beginning to break away from going to have have a fantastic facility for years and years than try to the foundations,” he said. nice new go shortcut and get it done “We also had several large cracks running through courts to play quickly,” he said.

Lauren Marren, junior, multiple courts which oninwhile is reduced quality the to be email compatible, making some images appear blurry. Colors displayed here will not match the said the setback was less needed constant attention.” girls didn’t than ideal.

Although new courts final product exactly. VERIFY YOUR INFORMATION IS CORRECT. Indicate any changes and return this proof promptly. Ad Pages is not was inconvenient to are a necessity, the delay in haveafter anyapproval “It Poorrequiring tennis court conditions prompted a restoration MHS’ in tennis facilities over the sumresponsible for espeany printed errors design or copy changes may of result extra charges. haveistogiven. travel Additional from schoolproofs completion proved mer. Construction fell behind schedule, forcing the girl’s tennis team to find a new practo school, not getting home tice location for the season and causing frustrations among players, coaches and parents. cially difficult for the girls Nora Dean, until after 6 p.m. most tennis team to work around Photgraphs by Connor Del Carmen and Stephanie Lei Approved, nights we had matches,” this season. It restricted sophomoreApproved, 11/8X2-LR ADDean PREPARED BY: _________________________________ no changes with noted changes have this anxious feeling about wanting Sophomore Nora said her dad she said. practice and playing time, to get back on the Marquette courts and had to take time from his work day to Although the extra which added some addidrive her and her sister to practices and see how they are,” he said. travel time could have been tional pressure on the team.

Approval Signature: _______________________________________________ www.AdPages.com Although the courts are still in games. She said the girls’ team missed spared if the courts were finished on The girls had to designate extra PAGE progress, DevrajHALF is confident they will out. schedule, Marren saidDate: the delay did not time for travel and traffic while also _______________ Corporate Fax: 972-509-1603 972.424.1980 | 888.424.1980 BOA1221GS09S be finished by the start of the boy’s “The boys are going to have nice hinder the performance of the tennis having to play without proper warm up season. new courts to play on while the girls team, but rather, it made them more time, Hyde said.

“There’s an excitement about didn’t have any,” she said. unified.

The delays also limited the amount getting to play on brand new courts, esJunior Rohan Devraj said he hopes “Since we had all away games, of spots on each team. pecially since Marquette has had some to play with the boys varsity tennis “Varsity and j.v. had to play matches most of us carpooled on the way to issues with them over the past years,” team this spring. the matches which brought the team at the same site and this limited how he said.

“It’s a bit frustrating because we all closer,” she said. many girls could play at the j.v. level

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16

nov. 2021

SPORTS

Winter Sports Preview Boys Basketball v. Troy Buchanan 6 p.m. @ Home Nov. 23

Girls Basketball v. Pattonville 6 p.m. @ Pattonville Nov. 23

Girls Swim & Dive

v. Ladue

4:30 p.m. @ Home Dec. 7 Junior Carter Bier, center midfielder, successfully wins a challenge in the middle of the field leading the boys to counter on the other team's defense for a chance at a goal in the State Quarterfinal game against Jackson High School (JHS) Saturday, Nov. 13. JHS won 1-0 in overtime. Photograph by Taryn Moore

Boys soccer reflects on season

Boys & Girls Wrestling v. Lafayette

5 p.m. @ Lafayette Dec. 8

annie ALCORN cer. Quinn said this had benefited the team tremenAfter the boys varsity soccer took home the Class 4 dously.

District championship title, head coach Chris Kenny “Having a lot of seniors also helped because we said he was thrilled at the accomplishment. wanted it,” Quinn said.

“It was great,” Kenny said. “It speaks to the char“For many, each game could have been the last, acter of the team, so I was really excited for the boys and we wanted to play as many games as possible.” and excited for the program.”

Senior Alex Hohlen had played on the varsity Seniors Alex Hohlen and Michael Quinn sealed team since his freshman year, he credited this seathe 2-1 victory against Christian Brothers College son’s success to the way the team was (CBC) Thursday, Nov. 4, after coming able to bond and grow close off the field. from behind to score the goals.

The team had a pool party at their The boys finished the season with a SEASON STATS teammate Will Bratton’s house during the record of 15-6-1. In the State Quarterfibeginning of the season, and they got to nal game, MHS lost 1-0 to Jackson High know each other which created a strong School in overtime.

22 connection between teammates. Also, the Kenny said the varsity team had a team had three dinners throughout the solid group of boys this year, and there games season that allowed them to hang out and was a wide-range of talent between the get to know each other off the field. group.

The boys traveled to Jefferson City, “It was a very cohesive team,” Kenny 15 Mo., where they were able to spend a lot said. “And, we had a really good Senior of time together.

Class, full of good leaders, good players wins “I think the way we have bonded and and good people.” trained has really allowed us to play at the Most of the senior class had been next level,” Hohlen said. playing on the varsity team for at least 51 Karen Hohlen, Alex’s mom, said the three years, and Kenny said this had team made magic happen this season, and allowed for familiarity with the program goals she is so proud of their success. She said and the coaches. as the season progressed, it was easy to Senior Michael Quinn, who had see the bonding carry over into the field. played varsity since his sophomore year, 43 Karen said winning districts was the said that becoming a district champion peak of their season, and watching her with his team was an adrenaline rush. assists son, Alex, give everything he had made “When the whistle went off, it felt her so proud and excited. like everything we worked for this sea“It’s a night I’ll never forget,” Karen said. son was worth it,” Quinn said.

Last year, due to COVID-19, the season for boys This season, Quinn said he had wanted MHS soccer did not start until late October, so they were soccer to not be overlooked as a public school, and only able to play for half of a normal season. Karen he knew that having the right mindset would result said it was nice to have a somewhat normal season in success. This team had the talent, Quinn said, and for the players and spectators. they wanted to showcase that to all of their oppo“It was such an exciting season for all the players, nents. team managers, coaches and parents,” Karen said. “I Many of the athletes play in the National League will truly miss being part of the MHS soccer family.” or State Cup, which are top leagues for boys club soc-

Signing Day

Saturday, Nov. 13, seven senior athletes signed to play at the collegiate level. The next signing day event will take place Mar. 5, 2022. Photograph by Marin Ellington

Jack Wagoner - Indiana University, Soccer Andrew Young - Missouri S&T University, Basketball Mason Breidenbach - Bradley University, Baseball Ally Fitzgerald - University of Colorado, Basketball Kenzie Petch - Maryville University, Field Hockey Mackenzie Gieseler - St. Louis Community College, Softball Madilyn Sell - University of Missouri, Volleyball

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