22-23 Marquette Messenger: Issue VII

ROLL CALL

Editor in Chief

Associate Editor Copy Editor Online Editors

Production Editor News Editor Features Editor

Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editors

Opinions Editor Illustrator

Business Manager

Social Media Editors

Staff Reporters Staff Adviser

Aarushi Bute

Akhila Swarna

Anika Talyan

Rue Siddiqui

Prashu Sidella

Pranav Sriraman

Annabelle Miller

Parker Brandt

Anvi Talyan

Shyam Punnachalil

Jacob Robinson

Liza Cooper

Emma Tyulyayev

Aubrey Lacavich

Elliott Jorgensen

Chloe Schmitt

Annie Alcorn

Aiden Burkhardt

Jack Cason

Emily Chien

Brooke Eck

Willem Hummel

Kate Jesperson

Claire Lowder

David Moss

Justin Small

Emily Jorgensen

04 RISE IN KIA, HYUNDAI THEFTS

Certain brands of cars are easier to break into.

07 SPECIAL OLYMPICS CONTINUES

Students run this year’s Special Olympics and continue the tradition.

10 SUPER MARIO BROS. SPARK NOSTALGIA

The release of the new Mario Bros. movie takes students back to their childhoods.

13 IS BANNING TIKTOK PRACTICAL?

Messenger staffer considers whether banning TikTok is worth it.

16 ORIENTEERING ADVENTURE

AFJROTC students take part in orienteering, a sport testing topographical skills.

Photographs by Erin Canis, Liza Cooper, Marin Ellington, Myles Edgington, David Moss, Akhila Swarna and Anvi Talyan

Front page photograph by Aarushi Bute

ABOUT US

The Messenger is a public forum, published eight times a year by students in the News Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication serves to inform readers about issues concerning the community.

Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff or the administration. The full student publication policy can be viewed on the Messenger official website, marquettemessenger.com.

The Messenger takes responses for any issue. Send these to yourmhsnews@gmail.com. The Messenger reserves the right to edit submitted material and to refuse to print material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter,

libelous content or any other reason the editor in chief and adviser deem appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.

The Messenger is nationally recognized as a member of the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the Journalism Education Association, Missouri Journalism Education Association and Quill & Scroll. This year, the publication was named a Hall of Fame recipient and Quill & Scroll George H. Gallup award winner. Past issues have been named NSPA Pacemaker finalists and CSPA Crown finalists. The Messenger website is a Distinguished Site recipient. The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext. 26228.

Coach becomes a bus driver to combat bus driver shortage. See full story on pg. 14.

German 4, 5 eliminated next year

liza COOPER

When Richie Tienter, senior, was in elementary school, he had a foreign exchange student from Germany live with his family for a month.

Through the exchange student, Tienter learned about German culture, which inspired him to sign up for German classes in middle school.

Now, Tienter is in AP German Language Culture after taking four previous years of German classes.

“It’s nice to be able to sit back and take pride in the fact that I know how to speak in another language,” Tienter said.

But in recent years, the number of students interested in German has declined, so much so that the district cut German programs at the middle school level.

And now, Frau Kimberly Hotze, German teacher, is retiring this year. Hotze has taught German at MHS since it opened in 1993 and is the only remaining original teacher.

“It was truly one of the hardest decisions to make because I love teaching,” she said.

Many students, including Tienter, harbor concerns that the end of Hotze’s teaching career will also bring the end of the German program.

For now, German will not be completely eliminated next year, but the structure of the program will look different, Associate Principal Dr. Tracey

Waeckerle said. German 4 and 5 will no longer be offered and German 1, 2 and 3 will be taught by Tim Abney, Latin teacher.

This decision was based on scheduling, decreased enrollment in the program and the fact that Abney also teaches another language, Dr. Waeckerle said.

“It comes down to allowing, if the numbers support this, kids to finish their two years of a language,” Dr. Waeckerle said. “This is obviously important because for kids that are

college bound. Two years of a language is usually a requirement.”

This year, Hotze taught all five levels. Abney also taught a few sections to help Hotze with her full course load.

Junior Greta Woitach, president of the German Club, is concerned about the program’s future.

“It’s going to impact us a lot,” Woitach said. “It’s going to be detrimental for all the kids that need the language credit and just want to learn the language.”

District hires four safety officers

david MOSS

Having two children enrolled at Ballwin Elementary, Susan Hartley, science teacher, is always alert to their safety.

“When they have intruder drills and things like that, we have discussions at home,” Hartley said. “It’s always a fear, but how rational it is, I don’t know.”

To improve safety at the elementary level, the Board of Education approved the hiring of four school safety officers. Each officer will cover 4 to 5 of the 19 elementary schools in the district.

Ty Dennis, district safety supervisor, said the new safety officers will be employees of the district and will have had prior law enforcement experience. This differs from school resource officers (SROs), who are police officers.

Many police departments have had police officers that stop by elementary schools within their jurisdictions in the past, Dennis said. With these four safety officers, the elementary schools will receive more direct coverage.

“The number one ask of most parents, with all the school incidents and different things that have happened around the country, has been more coverage at our elementary schools,” Dennis said.

Dennis emphasized that safety is a top priority, especially with so many mass shootings shaking the nation.

In 2022, there were 646 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive. This year, that number is already 155.

“We try to evaluate what is best for the district as a whole and do what we can to make everyone as safe as we can,” Dennis said.

Dennis said immediately hiring 19 school safety officers, one for each ele-

Dr. Tracey Waeckerle was hired as head principal to replace Dr. Steve Hankins starting the 2023-24 school year.

Dr. Hankins will become the assistant superintendent of student services.

Three candidates were elected to the Board of Education on Tuesday, April 4. Their positions are up for re-election in 2026.

mentary school, would be a big investment for the district.

“We’re going to start with the four and see how that coverage looks,” Dennis said.

Reilly Moroney, senior, is a cadet teacher at Kehrs Mill Elementary for Jennifer Busch’s kindergarten class.

Moroney said the district made a good decision by hiring the four school safety officers.

“I’m not there for long enough to see a big difference with that,” Moroney said, “but I think anything to keep our schools safe is a good thing.”

Julie Cooper, school counselor at Kehrs Mill and Wildhorse Elementaries, said the elementary counselors are focused on the social and emotional wellbeing of students.

“Everytime we hear of any sort of mass shooting in the country, whether it be at a school or not at a school, as people, it makes us uncomfortable and worried,” Cooper said.

While officers at the elementary schools improve school safety, Cooper said they also are an important part of the school community.

“The kids are comfortable around them and they enjoy them,” Cooper said. “They’re out doing recess duty and they’re doing lunch duty. They’re embedded into our school system, and it creates a really beautiful bridge between the community and the school.”

Frau Kimberly Hotze teaches students in German 2/3. Hotze is retiring at the end of the year, and the German 4 and 5 classes will no longer be offered. Photograph by Emily Chien

Lynne Midyett Bob Cadigan Kary Bachert

Steve Aspinall, school resource officer, interacts with Kasey Mills, hall monitor, while he ensures safety in the halls. Four resource officers were hired to increase officer coverage of the elementary schools.

Photograph by David Moss

Hyundai and Kia brand cars have been stolen at increasing rates around the St. Louis area due to a weakness in their software and security systems. Due to this, the unit growth rate for Hyundais and Kias decreased by 15.78% from 2022 to 2023.

St. Louis sues Kia, Hyundai amid rise in car thefts

david MOSS

Late last February, Matt Shockley, father of Layla Shockley, sophomore, parked his Hyundai Sonata overnight at a hotel in Independence, Missouri. When he went to his car the next morning, there was someone in it.

“I banged on the driver’s side window, and he looked up at me and immediately took off,” Matt said.

Eight days later, the vehicle was found stripped of parts, ravaged by fire and utterly destroyed.

“Some cars are notoriously known for being able to steal,” Layla said.

Since July of last year, incidents such as this one have become increasingly common after a viral TikTok video published that highlights a weakness in the software and security system of most Kia and Hyundai cars.

Almost 7,500 vehicles have been stolen in the St. Louis area in 2022, near double the previous year, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

Late last month, the City of St. Louis joined five other cities in suing Kia and Hyundai for failing to install anti-theft technology in many models of their vehicles.

In a recent press conference, Mayor Tishaura Jones said, “Their failure to equip Kias and Hyundais with immobilizer technology has resulted in an increased expenditure of city resources, forcing St. Louis to devote significant manpower to documenting, investigating and recovering stolen Kia or Hyundai vehicles.”

Tracy Panus, county public information officer, said this rapid rise in car thefts began in April of last year.

Rise in St. Louis Car Thefts from 2022 to 2023

Safety Tips

1) Lock your doors and remove your keys from the vehicle.

2) Remove USB cables when not in use.

Panus said. “I think there’s also a lack of supervision. These kids are 13, 14, 15 years old out at 3 a.m., and no one knows where they are.”

Panus is looking forward to the software updates Kia and Hyundai are beginning to make available. Steering wheel locks have been distributed to police departments by the two companies, and Panus recommends those with affected vehicles get one if that option is available to them.

A total of 51 students have either a Hyundai or Kia out of approximately 540 registered students with parking spots.

Information from the Sophomore Office

“At the beginning of 2022, there was a very small percentage of Kias and Hyundais that were stolen,” Panus said. “Once the knowledge spread on how to steal these specific vehicles, we saw a big uptick.”

In St. Louis County, only 10 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in April of 2022. By that September, almost 300 Kias and Hyundais had been stolen.

Panus said at least half of auto thefts are committed by those who are 12-17 years old.

“Part of it is they’re being recruited by adults who know that juveniles are not going to face much punishment,”

“You really have to be careful,” Panus said.

Della Thompson, French teacher, has a Kia Soul, along with her daughter. In late February, her daughter’s car was broken into, and the perpetrator attempted to hotwire the vehicle.

“They ended up damaging it so badly it can’t be driven,” Thompson said. “And because so many of the cars have been broken into, there’s an eight to nine week delay on parts.”

Thompson said she and her family have always loved Kia but are now frustrated by the company’s poor decision and slow reaction.

“We feel like they could do better at helping us out,” Thompson said.

“Hopefully the recall will come out for my model soon, and I’ll be able to get it into the shop and have them put the new upgrade on it.”

James Nacy, orchestra teacher, had a Kia Optima that was broken into three separate times.

“The last two times it happened was 10 days apart,” Nacy said. “I was just fed up and bought a new car.”

Rather than feeling frustrated with Kia, Nacy said he is more upset that so many people are stealing vehicles in the first place.

“At this point, almost anything can be broken, hacked or whatever if somebody tries hard enough,” Nacy said. “To figure out how to do it and spread viral videos of how to do it, giving step by step instructions, that makes me disgusted with people more so than with Kia.”

3) Don’t leave valuables in your car.

4) Park in well-lit areas when possible.

5) Buy a wheel lock or anti-theft device.

Information from the D.C. Police Department and Allstate

This yellow device, called a club, prevents car theft by blocking the steering wheel from turning. Tracy Panus, county public information officer, said at least half of car thefts are committed by teenagers. “The main thing is to keep your car locked, your valuables out of sight, and your keys on you, not in the car,” Panus said. Photograph by Annabelle Miller

Photograph by Akhila Swarna

Insulin price decrease affects students, staff

prashu SIDELLA

Wake up. Check blood sugar levels. Take medication. Eat the right amount of healthy food. Don’t skip meals. Keep rechecking sugar levels. Sleep. Repeat.

This is what a typical day looks like for someone who has diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels, known as hyperglycemia. When people eat, their body breaks down food into sugar, and insulin helps send it to the blood. However, the bodies of diabetics do not create enough insulin and therefore they must inject themselves with insulin in order to regulate blood sugar levels.

Insulin is vital to the needs of diabetics; however, it comes at a cost.

Dawna Barnhart, science teacher, was 28 years old when she was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Barnhart gets a three-month supply of insulin at a time, and with insurance, she ends up paying $1,000 for four vials of insulin.

The supplies needed to treat diabetes don’t just stop at insulin though.

Because Barnhart is on an insulin pump, her endocrinologist has to write a prescription for all the supplies required. Syringes, tubing and the pump itself must be refilled just like any other prescription.

However, last year, President Biden capped insulin at $35 a month for people with Medicare, but in this year’s State of the Union address, the president called for this cap to extend to all Americans.

“Putting in a regulation on how much insulin can be charged is a beautiful thing and should have been done years ago,” Barnhart said.

Drew Mathers, sophomore, was diagnosed with type one diabetes in the third grade.

“I am fortunate enough to have insurance that will pay for a good amount of the insulin, but we’re still paying some out of pocket,” Mathers said. “People without insulin or without insurance still have trouble.”

Lower insulin prices are going to create a little less stress for many diabetics.

“I really think that once they actually start to bring down these prices, it’s going to make insulin a lot more available for lower-income families,” Mathers said. “The problem that people face is they try to use less insulin for the carbs they’re eating which is just not healthy.”

Keaton Mabie, senior, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the first grade.

“It gets easier over time, but there’s also a kind of burnout stage of where I don’t want to deal with it anymore,” Mabie said. “So, I don’t take care of it as much as I should.”

As Mabie is a senior, he said the decrease in insulin prices will help him in the future.

“I think it’s great that prices are going down for people,” Mabie said. “When I go to college and am no longer on my family’s insurance plan, it’s good that prices are going to be low enough that I don’t have to ration or change my food diet.”

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 is a genetic disease where the body is unable to produce insulin. Insulin allows glucose, which is used for energy, to enter cells.

Type 2 is a disease that develops mainly in people who are over the age of 40, overweight and have a family history with diabetes. In this case, the body’s cells are resistant to insulin even though it is produced.

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Some diabetics use a blood glucose monitor like this one. The device continuously measures blood sugar so diabetics can adjust their food, exercise and insulin.

“Putting in a regulation on how much insulin can be charged is a beautiful thing and should have been done years ago.”

Dawna Barnhart, science teacher

Information from the Joslin Diabetes Learning Center

Information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Lisa Giles, maternal and child health epidemologist, works as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) coordinator at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Sevices.

WHAT DOES THE CDC’S REPORT OF YBRS DATA DISCUSS ABOUT ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH?

The CDC article is looking at the 2021 YRBS data from high school students across the United States. The data is showing alarming increases across different topics such as feeling sad or hopeless, having suicidal thoughts, and sexual violence, especially among females.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS REPORT, AND HOW DO YOU USE THESE IN YOUR WORK?

These statistics are useful because I can look at them and see how Missouri is doing in comparison to the national data. Programs can use this data to see how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental issues among adolescents and enhance existing initiatives to meet the increased need.

HOW CAN SCHOOLS COMBAT THIS DEVELOPING CRISIS?

As the article says, schools can work to foster school connectedness so that students can feel close to their community and ensure students have someone to reach out to in times of need. Schools can also recognize that adolescents are dealing with a mental health crisis and there may be an increased need for techniques to manage feelings as well as highlight the need for clear sexual consent. Students can reach out to a friend who they make think is struggling.

Youth experience increased mental health struggles, CDC reports

willem HUMMEL · akhila SWARNA

Sofia Maciariello, junior, said at a young age she realized she didn’t fit in with the “norm” of her peers at that time because she struggled with feelings of frustration and severe depression.

“For quite some time I tried to figure out how to manage and how I felt about it, and overall try to be okay and realize it was normal and that it wasn’t that I was weird,” Maciariello said.

Elyse Maciariello, Sofia’s mother, said Sofia would have a lot of emotional breakdowns when something out of her routine occurred.

At that point, Elyse said she allowed Sofia to cope through multiple professionals while knowing the most difficult thing about the situation was that it is something her daughter will have to deal with for her whole life.

“There are going to be good days, and there are going to be bad days,” Elyse said. “ I just have to be there to support her when she needs the support.”

By age 12, Maciariello said she had to figure out how exactly to deal with her mental health while also balancing school. In order to cope with her struggles, Maciariello said she found a strong connection with music, art and track.

While Maciariello learned strategies to help with her mental health, youth mental health has continued to worsen, according to the new CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The report details that nearly 42% of high school students have experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, indicating a 14% increase in the past decade.

In addition to an increasing trend of mental health concerns among youth, a record high number of teen girls are experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness, with nearly a 60% increase.

Maciariello said she attributes the increasing unhappiness in teen girls to the greater normalization of mental health. People feel more comfortable being open about their sadness and stressors.

Everyday high school struggles— school work, hard classes and high school drama— also contribute to something of an emotional roller coaster, Maciariello said.

“I bring myself to a very high standard because I find my worth a lot in grades just because, to me, that is what society bases it off of, even though I know in the back of my head that’s not always correct,” Maciariello said.

During school, Maciariello said she would listen in on Mustangs for Mental Health meetings. Mustangs for Mental Health is a club that advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

“You don’t even have to be a participant, just listening in on the meetings can be helpful,” Maciariello said. “Most people, whether you see it or not, are going through similar things.”

Katherine Bauman, sponsor of Mustangs for Mental Health, said much of the increase in sadness in teen girls can be attributed to social media, as images posted on various platforms can create unrealistic standards for girls.

“Social media can be used to bully or exclude others and make it appear as though your peers are having a fantastic time doing whatever they are doing, and in reality, you are only seeing a split second of what is actually happening,” Bauman said.

These posts also can make girls wonder why they weren’t invited, Bauman said.

In order to combat the rise in sadness, Mustangs for Mental Health tries to promote activities for inclusion, Bauman said.

If you or someone you know is in crisis:

Crisis and Suicide Lifeline

• 988lifeline.org

• Call or text 988

Crisis Textline

• crisistextline.org

• text “HOME” to 741741

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

“For our Valentine’s meeting, we had candy grams that we sent, and they had to be sent with a special message, like what they appreciate about someone else, as a way to reach out to those who might need a little pick me up in their day,” Bauman said.

Bauman said students should regularly check-in on friends to make sure they are okay.

Elyse Maciariello said she would advise anyone going through what she did to have open communication and to find what works best for them and their family, even if the solution doesn’t appear instantly.

“Sometimes what works for a little while might not work for long term,” Maciariello said. “It can become very frustrating to where you just want to give up, but you don’t give up, it’s not a waste of time, you just understand that it’s something that this child has to live with, and as a parent you have to find a way to support them.”

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Students organize annual Special Olympics

rue SIDDIQUI

MHS is hosting its annual Special Olympics today. However, there is a difference this year: it’s led by students.

Lexi Kossmann, senior, is spearheading the organization of the event.

“Last year when I was a buddy, I really loved the experience, so I wanted to help recreate that experience this year,” Kossmann said.

Kossmann said she is in charge of fundraising, t-shirt designs, pairing buddies with the athletes and prizes.

“I’m just trying to delegate tasks as best as I can because I can’t do it all by myself,” Kossmann said.

The turnout in buddy registration has been greater this year, allowing for alternate buddies in the absence of one, Kossmann said. Buddies are students who assist and athletes throughout the day as well as keep them company.

“It’s so exciting to see all the interest in this event,” Kossmann said. “It’s so important to get these kids well versed with other kids and making friends while having a fun day for themselves.”

Assisting Kossmann in planning

the event is Lauren Lakamp, senior. Lakamp has been involved with Best Buddies and the PE Mentoring program since her freshman year.

“Many students may not have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many of our SSD students, but a big event like Special Olympics helps to begin fostering those new connections,” Lakamp said. “Something I’m truly lucky to do every day.”

Lakamp said it’s an all-hands-ondeck effort.

“It’s so awesome to see so many people eager and willing to take on a leadership role to make Special Olympics happen,” she said.

Lakamp said she urges future students to join the event in any way possible.

“The relationships you form with the athletes are so instrumental for our athletes, but I’ve also found that these relationships also make a huge impact on our volunteers as well,” Lakamp said. “To feel accepted and celebrated for who you truly are is so important.”

Lakamp said many students who receive SSD services spend their entire day in the same classrooms with the same students, so getting outside of the

classroom and making these relationships with other peers is all the more special for them.

“Last year was so much fun, and now that we’ve been a lot more student-led this year, it will be amazing to see all of our hard work put into action,” Lakamp said.

Felicia Durst, P.E. teacher, was the head organizer last year, and remains heavily involved.

“I felt our athletes deserved a home event, so I asked for MHS to host a

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track and field event when Dr. Hankins became the principal, and he excitedly said yes,” Durst said.

This year, there are 100 more athletes than last year and more money fundraised for the event.

“Many students say they sign up to help the athletes but then realize how much impact the athletes have on them,” Durst said. “Seeing the faces of the athletes and volunteers the day of the event is so inspiring.”

Students participate in last year’s Special Olympics at MHS. After last year’s success, MHS is hosting its second annual Special Olympics today. Photograph by Marin Ellington

“The relationships you form with the athletes are so instrumental for our athletes, but I’ve also found that these relationships also make a huge impact on our volunteers as well.”

Lauren Lakamp, senior

As a student at STLCC, you can earn college credits that are guaranteed to transfer. Connect with an academic advisor to plan your schedule and get the classes you need to jump-start your four-year degree.

Ramadan, a period of fasting for Muslims from sunrise to sundown, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it was from March 22 to April 20.

WHAT ARE THE ORGANIZATION'S BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS?

In the last year, the foreign born

Mamma Mia!

Super Mario Bros. movie evokes nostalgia

anvi TALYAN

Growing up with a father interested in video games, Kara Miller, junior, was introduced to the world of Mario at a

She ended up playing Mario games throughout elementary and middle school, gaining an interest in “Super Mario 3D World,” “Mario especially “Mario Super Sluggers.”

“I don’t really have an interest in baseball, but I love that game. I played it 24/7,” Miller said.

Though she doesn’t play much now, Miller said she regained interest in the games after hearing about the “Super Mario Bros.” movie, which was released in theaters Wednesday, April 5.

Miller said the voice actors caught her attention, and that she is looking forward to seeing it.

“Even if it sucks, even if it’s the worst movie ever, I’m going to love that movie,” Miller said.

Miller is not alone in feeling nostalgia with the release of this new movie.

After also growing up playing Mario, Thomas Puetz, math teacher, has been able to introduce the game to his children.

“The games hold up decades later,”Puetz said.

Puetz said some of his best memories came from late nights playing Mario with his friends, and he was excited for the movie after seeing the cast list.

"My sons and I really enjoyed the Super Mario movie," Puetz said. "It was a fast-paced adventure

filled with fun references for fans of the franchise."

Tyler Penrod, Class of 2006, works as a technical artist at Insomniac Studios, where he has gained experience in the video game world.

After working with these games, Penrod said he has been able to recognize aspects of Mario that have allowed the games to maintain popularity.

“There's a simplicity to Mario, and it's kind of evolved over the years as games make these technological leaps,” Penrod said.

Penrod also said Mario is an icon in the video game world.

Though other video games have recently been adapted into movies, Penrod said Nintendo most likely decided to wait on making this new movie due to the negative feedback received after making their live-action in 1993. Despite this, Penrod said he thinks now was the right time for them to release the movie and he hopes to see more in the future.

“It'd be interesting to see what they would do with it, like how do you condense hours and hours of game into a two hour story,” Penrod said.

Nintendo rereleased their old "Game and Watch" controller in 2020, after it was first launched in 1997.

The Evolution of Video Game Controllers

In the movie, Mario hates mushrooms, though they act as powerups.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has made over $693 million worldwide.

Photographs by Elliott Jorgensen

Illustrations by Emma Tyulyayev Information from Deadline

Break Room Concerts raise needed funds

aubrey LACAVICH

John Lynch started the Break Room Concerts (BRC) in the break room of his own business to raise money for the community including for his kids, who went to MHS, and their activities of soccer and lacrosse.

“I have a passion for helping the Marquette community, local nonprofits and seeing the fundraising I do prosper around me,” Lynch said.

BRC is a series that hosts concerts of developing artists to fundraise for local charities and organizations. Angels’ Arms is one organization Lynch partners with often. They help to keep siblings in foster care together instead of splitting them up.

BRC has also raised money for MHS organizations such as choir, theater and golf.

After his cable business shut down, he moved the concerts to Forest Hills Country Club where he can seat more people and bring in more funds.

Lynch switched the fundraising amount to split the revenue between two organizations after the relocation. This increased the amount raised for both parties. Tickets are $50 per person, so half goes to each organization.

Lynch brings in smaller artists, such as Griffin House, to artists like guitarist Sean Watkins, who has won a Grammy award.

“All artists have to start somewhere,

and I provide that opportunity to these smaller artists who are just as talented as famous artists,” Lynch said.

Learning about this fundraiser is usually by word of mouth in the tightknit community Lynch has formed.

BRC is geared more toward adults, but that doesn’t stop some students from going. Nora Dean, junior, is a member of choir and is Lynch’s neighbor. She’s gone to three BRCs and helped set up a choir fundraiser.

Leigh Nash, who is known for her songs “Kiss Me” and “There She Goes” as a member of the band Sixpence None the Richer, performed at the BRC to benefit the choir.

“It’s very interactive with the singer,” Dean said, “It was a very closeknit, intimate concert, and it was a lot of fun.”

Jason Winters, choir director, said he was happy for the opportunity to raise money to hire band members for Show Choir next year.

“We were looking for fundraising opportunities and ways to give back to the community,” Winters said. “You feel like you are having a conversation with the artist, even though you aren’t.”

The next BRC concert will feature Griffin House on Wednesday, May 3, in support of The Forest Hills Charitable Foundation. Tickets must be purchased in advance through breakroomconcerts.com. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Anthony De’Amato played last Wednesday night at Forest Hills Country Club for a Break Room Concert. It raised funds for the MHS golf team. Photographs by John Lynch

SPEAK OUT

WOULD YOU DATE OR BE FRIENDS WITH SOMEONE WITH OPPOSITE POLITICAL BELIEFS?

“Yes, I would do that. I would look for personality more than their opinions on political issues.”

In the wake of the Nashville shooting, policymakers have been pushing out bills to target the transgender community instead of prioritizing gun control.

“At this age, political things shouldn’t change a relationship. Yes, I would because politics isn’t even my thing.”

Legislate the guns, not the people

On April 4 and 5th a ban on gender-affirming healthcare became law in Indiana and Idaho, following the Nashville school shooting where a transgender individual shot and killed three children and three adults.

and secondary schools. According to Gun Violence Archive, the Nashville shooting was the 130th mass shooting of the year, which means they occur 1.5 times per day.

“I would say yes because people are allowed to have different opinions, and I don’t think I would let it impact our relationship.”

The Indiana law, effective July 1, requires children currently taking medications to transition gender to stop doing so by the end of the year. And the Idaho law, which will go into effect next January, makes it a felony to administer gender-affirming care to minors.

They aren’t alone, as other states follow suit.

About a month ago, the MO Senate advanced a pair of bills to prohibit gender-transitioning health care treatment for minors and restrict them from competing in sports.

“I think I could be friends with them, but I could not date them because we would be too different. But as friends it is good to have differences like that.”

EDITORIAL

In fact, during 2017 and 2021, guns were the most frequently used weapon in the murder of trans people. Yet here we are taking away the rights of individuals who need it the most. Anti-trans legislation with weak gun laws fuels the already existing transgender hate crimes.

BOARD

The current crisis is not the presence of transgender individuals, but the guns that kill innocent civilians everyday and the laws that target transgender citizens we are supposed to protect.

While transgender people are rarely the perpetrators of shootings (which are overwhelmingly carried out by cisgender, white men), taking away transgender rights has soared to the top of the policy priority list.

We should be focusing on gun control.

In 2023, there have been 90 incidents at primary

“Yes, I believe that people can have different beliefs and still maintain good friendships. There are some beliefs that would be deal breakers — I don’t think I could be friends with someone who is racist or sexist.”

State congresses are wasting their time and effort on discriminatory laws focused on a group of people who are rarely the perpetrators and are painting over the massive issue of gun control. Legislation is often said to take years, but these anti-trans bills took less than a week to enact.

The U.S. was built on the social contract theory, an agreement for society to abide by the moral rules of behavior, so we as citizens have the responsibility to protest against hate-crime infused laws.

It’s essential to contact senators, Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt to veto these laws, educate yourselves about the struggles within the trans community, and most importantly, use your voice and platform to amplify the voices of others.

Interested in voicing your opinion in the paper? Submit a Letter to the Editor through the website linked in the QR code or email mhsnews@gmail.com

NOAH SCHWEITZER, freshman

GAZELLE JOHNSON, senior

ASHLEY HOBBS, teacher

NAVIN RAMAMOORTHY, sophomore

ALEXIA MONTICONE, junior

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Philanthropy should not be for show

pranav SRIRAMAN

Surfing the Twitter timeline, I came across a post that several of my mutual Tweeters, as well as several other accounts, were interacting with.

The tweet was from Dexerto, a media and news company, and stated, “In his latest video, @MrBeast gave 20,000 kids in South Africa their first pair of shoes,” with a 33-second clip of the action attached beneath the caption.

Jimmy Donaldson, more commonly known by his internet name “MrBeast,” is a famous YouTuber and social media influencer who has created a massive online platform by creating content based on philanthropy. MrBeast travels to various poverty-stricken areas around the world and creates videos of himself helping out people in need.

On initial review, one may think that MrBeast is using his platform to make the world a better place.

Not quite.

On the surface, MrBeast’s actions in these videos are positive: he is providing something of need to someone in need. However, upon further evaluation, it becomes clear that is not the case. To say that there is nothing problematic with the way he and other philanthropic influencers use their platforms would be incorrect.

Mr. Beast’s generosity, and that of other philanthropic influencers, is a clear ploy to garner respect from the internet.

Morally, it’s hard to garner respect for someone who is donating for personal gain, regardless of the extent to which it’s being done. If someone were to truly care about philanthropy, then

there wouldn’t be a need to bring a camera crew to the site.

However, some internet users say that MrBeast and other philanthropic influencers create content and record their actions in order to earn more money to fund their next charitable act.

But according to Forbes, MrBeast is the #1 highest-paid YouTuber in the world, earning approximately $54 million a year. The result of him spending a sum of money on YouTube is making even more money, some of which is spent on his next production, while the rest of it is likely largely spent on himself.

In return, he also gains more sub-

Is it practical to enact laws promoting electric vehicles?

Many states, including Oregon and California, have passed requiring all cars for sale be zero-emission by 2035. This will greatly increase the sale of electric vehicles.

YES

scribers and traction. He is undoubtedly benefitting from his charitable work, both monetarily and in personal gratification.

Given his large platform and its power, it would be more suitable to see MrBeast make content addressing the injustices that result in poverty-stricken areas. However, the backlash and lack of interest that comes with real activism will almost certainly kill his source of income, which is something his brand simply cannot afford.

The action being made can be one that is good but if it results in personal gain, is the action still acceptable?

The answer is no.

TikTok ban is not the correct answer

emma TYULYAYEV

The recent attempts by the U.S. government to ban TikTok, a popular social media app among the teen population, has

users, it is understandable the government would want to protect its citizens’ data from potential danger. However, an outright ban on TikTok would be an overreaction from the government and is not the right

tunity to learn about new and intriguing information on the For You page. Without TikTok, I would have to find a new place for my creativity.

The app also has become a significant voice in economic growth in the U.S., with many content creators able to make a living from posting their content to the platform. The ban would hurt these individuals’ livelihoods and also potentially affect the broader economic growth of the U.S.

While the concerns surrounding TikTok are legitimate, a ban is not the answer.

Rather than limiting Americans’ freedom of expression and choice, the U.S. government should work to strengthen data privacy and security regulations for all social media apps. This approach would be more effective in addressing the security risks posed by TikTok while also being more in line with American values of free speech and individual choice.

While climate change policy has seemed like one step forward and two steps back, we finally achieved a win after five states have enacted legislation to require all new cars sold in its borders to be electric by 2035. So, why are we trying to fight it? Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars contribute 27% of the total carbon emissions in the U.S., making them the sole largest source of GHG emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The opportunity to have government mandated climate conscious vehicles is starkly different from the typically unheard demands for environmental protection legislation. When state governments enact policies like these, they are actively taking the future of the nation into their hands. While the argument can be made that electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline cars, not every electric car is a Tesla.

liza COOPER

NOIt is absolutely not a good idea for states to promote the purchase of electric vehicles to “reduce climate change” in years to come. Electric vehicles, while marketed as good and safe for the environment, are actually anything but. The mining of lithium for the large batteries of electric cars just contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which is exactly the thing they are supposed to reduce. According to MIT, the production of a battery for a Tesla Model 3 releases anywhere from 3 tons to 16 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, electric vehicles are substantially more expensive than gas-run vehicles; therefore, it is not in the best interest of the working and middle class for governments to make these pricey requirements.

parker BRANDT

MrBeast frequently gives away money and other items to people in need, but is it really a selfless act? Since his cameras seem to be always rolling, it seems like the answer is no.

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Illustration by Emma Tyulyayev

Coaches combat bus driver shortage

jacob ROBINSON

The bus driver shortage has caused sports to be left short a bus or without transportation entirely.

For this reason, Cross Country Coach Matthew Nienhaus stepped up.

“The biggest reason is because, as the head track coach the last couple years, we've had horrible times trying to find drivers to take us when we need to go,” Nienhaus said.

Nienhaus said he was interested in doing it, but Lisa Nieder, activities assistant, encouraged him to do it after listening to his frustrations about the shortage.

“So kind of jokingly, I said, well

then why don’t you become a bus driver and then you could drive your own team and it solves all your problems,” Nieder said.

After saying this in a joking manner, Nieder said Neinhaus was inspired.

“We dove in and got the information we needed to do it,” Nieder said.

Nienhaus trained with district transportation for six days, nine hours a day, over the winter break.

The shortage of drivers has allowed Nienhaus to drive a lot of the weekday trips for the track team, the bus he drives remaining on campus for his use.

“And then next fall and next winter, if I'm not already doing something

for Marquette, then I'll do some other sport trips, unless things correct themselves,” Nienhaus said. “But right now, they only have three trip drivers for the entire district.”

Junior Nathan Rampey, sprinter, said Nienhaus driving will make getting to meets easier, especially for underclassmen who can’t drive.

“It helps keep the coach with everyone and makes sure we are all together,” Rampey said.

Jennifer O'Brien, boys volleyball coach, also trained to drive a school bus in order to transport her team.

Both coaches receive an hourly wage for the times they drive.

1. Teacher

Matthew Nienhaus teaches math courses such as Trigonometry and Geometry during the day. Photograph by Kate Jesperson

2. Coach

After school, Nienhaus coaches track and field. Photograph by Anika Talyan

3. Bus Driver

Due to bus driver shortages, Nienhaus stepped up to drive the track and field athletes to and from their meets.

Photograph by David Moss

Ultimate Frisbee team rebuilds after seniors graduate

kate JESPERSON

The Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee Team was left in desperate need of new recruitments for this year’s season after losing 75% of the team.

Anish Paspuleti, sophomore, stepped in to become team captain and increase numbers.

Pasupuleti hung flyers and used social media to reach out to prior teammates and get the word out about the new season.

With Pasupuleti’s consistent effort, 20 interested athletes joined pre-season practices. The team ended up with 12 members once the season officially started.

“It has been a very different start to the season this year as we have had to work from the ground up in training the new athletes,” Pasupuleti said. “Yet, the work has been worth it as we have successfully built up our new team.”

New member Rohan Deshpande, freshman, said he appreciates how

much emphasis Rockwood Ultimate has put on teaching the team the basics.

“Anish has done a great job getting new people to join Ultimate Frisbee,” Deshpande said. “I wasn’t here for a third of the season, but the team’s cohesive efforts have helped me grow significantly already in the sport.”

Lizzie Tilden, coach, said she was amazed with Pasupuleti’s efforts and commitment to the team.

“We had an army last year and when you have a team as big and experienced as we did, the energy creates itself," Tilden said. "When that’s gone, it can be challenging to recapture that same, fundamental energy, yet Anish has done an amazing job uniting a dedicated, outstanding team.”

Each practice is spent going over all the necessary techniques such as throwing the Frisbee to running targets or scrimmaging using offensive and defensive strategies.

The team hasn’t won a game this season, but Tilden said that is to be

expected with only having a month to get the new team prepared for competition.

However, Tilden is optimistic to see the team succeed.

“I am really impressed by the morale and fight that these guys have,” Tilden said. “They keep their heads up, they listen to what I have to say, and they apply it to the next point. I hope that as things start to click a little more, we can reward their hard work with a win.”

Krish Rajpurohit, senior, is excited about his last season on Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee.

“I would love to see us make more progress as we work to pass the torch onto the rest of the team once we seniors graduate this spring,” Rajpurohit said.

The team will play next tomorrow at North Kirkwood Middle School and Sunday at Crestview Middle School.

Liam Rich, sophomore, jumps to catch the Frisbee during a Rockwood Ultimate Frisbee practice. Photograph by Kate Jesperson

Freshman Phenoms

Skater finds success at early age

Erin Canis, freshman, glides across the Webster Groves Ice Arena, her pink and yellow dress fluttering around her legs. The theme from “Schindler’s List,” a movie about the Holocaust, resonates across the rink, corresponding with Canis’ heritage.

“I give myself a sort of pressure that I need to skate this well because I’m skating for my ancestors, and I can’t let them down,” Canis said.

Canis first competed with this routine at the Sweetheart Open, where she placed first despite learning the routine quickly.

Terri Canis, Erin’s mom, said she loves to watch Canis compete.

“Her gracefulness and technical accomplishments have led to many proud parent moments,” Terri said.

At the Meet Me in St. Louis competition in March, Erin placed second in her Freestyle 5 solo. She said it wasn’t her cleanest performance of this program, but that meet is known to be a harder and larger competition.

Off-season, Erin enhances her skills in artistry and footwork for future competitions with Joy Elder, coach, who has been in the field for 35 years.

“She has an unbelievable work ethic,” Elder said. “There is no doubt in my mind that she will achieve multiple gold medals in her skating career.”

Erin has been figure skating for six and a half years and goes to both guided and individual practices in order to work toward United States Figure Skating (USFS) gold medals.

It’s uncommon for a 15 year old to gain a gold medal so early on, but Erin is close to passing her senior level Moves in The Field test, which would award Erin her first USFS gold medal.

However, Erin’s favorite part of ice skating goes deeper than competitions.

“The feeling of just being on the ice or learning a new spin or landing a new jump, which is the best feeling ever, really brings me life,” Erin said. “Beyond learning the physical moves in skating, it has taught me to strive for

Cricket player breaks national women’s record

anika TALYAN

Pooja Ganesh, freshman, sets her sights on the wicket 20 meters ahead of her and runs, not realizing that she is breaking a cricket national record.

During a cricket camp designed to scout talent, Ganesh, then age 13, participated in a Yoyo test by running between the two wickets at increasing speeds until she couldn’t anymore.

During her test, Ganesh broke the National Women’s Record, pulling attention toward her.

“I didn’t realize that I did it,” Ganesh said. “I thought I could’ve done better.”

With a national record under her belt, Ganesh was picked for the regional cricket team, which progressed to her playing at the national level. There, Ganesh was named MVP of her team and best hitter despite being 13 among 18-year-olds.

The year after, the Women’s U.S. Under-19 Team was looking at her to play for the World Cup. The only problem: Ganesh was not at the minimum age of 15 and would not be able to compete according to the International Cricket Commitee’s (ICC) rules.

The coaches reached out to the ICC, asking them to do something they have never done before: make an exception. The ICC agreed, making Ganesh the youngest person ever to play for the Women’s U.S. Under-19 Team.

On the team, Ganesh traveled to countries like South Africa, United Arab Emirate and Italy to play against other female cricket players in the World Cup. The team didn’t do very well, but Ganesh said she still enjoyed the experience.

“It was still really cool to be there,” Ganesh said.

The Chesterfield City Council awarded Ganesh a Mayoral Proclamation for her success in cricket and proclaimed March 20, 2023, as “Pooja

Ganesh Day” in the city of Chesterfield.

Her father, Ganesh Krishnamurthy, introduced her to cricket by having her read World Cup statistics to him. He noticed she was analyzing the skills of the players and said he saw something special in her.

Krishnamurthy started playing cricket with her in their driveway before placing her in the American Cricket Academy Club, as the only girl.

Many have watched Ganesh play cricket and have come up to her to ask for her picture or autograph. With that new kind of spotlight, Krishnamurthy said it is as important to him for Ganesh to be a humble, kind person while also being a talented cricket player.

“Being humble and being respectful is something that any athlete should have,” Krishnamurthy said.

Although Krishnamurthy is a cricket coach, he said he only helps Ganesh if she asks, leaving most of the coaching to Ajay Jhamb, who has been coaching Ganesh since 2016

Jhamb started by teaching her how

to hold a bat.

“Very few kids work as hard as she has,” Jhamb said. “She is an ideal kid for a coach and is always going the extra mile.”

Jhamb said she is one of the strongest female batters in the country.

After Ganesh played with the Women’s U.S. Under-19 team, Jhamb said Ganesh turned her focus from technical skills to getting stronger and faster.

“By playing with the top talent in the world, she was playing at a level where she got to see what she needs to do to improve,” Jhamb said.

Jhamb is focusing on teaching her patience as a player.

“It now is going to be more critical than working with her skill,” Jhamb said.

Jhamb said he knows she will play pro in the future and be successful in her cricket endeavors

“It’s just so heart warming and it gives me so much immense pride for her,” Jhamb said.

Erin Canis

Photograph by Erin Canis

Pooja Ganesh, freshman, practices cricket in her basement batting cage. Ganesh practices her cricket skills every day in order to stay sharp. Photograph by Anika Talyan

Chesterfield Mayor Bob Nation gives Pooja Ganesh, freshman, a plaque proclaiming March 20, 2023, as “Pooja Ganesh Day.” Photograph by Ganesh Krishnamurthy

Orienteering Kit 4 3

a natural environment, away from technology. We’re really excited to offer that experience to youth.”

Kaitlyn Laurentius, junior, said she hopes to see orienteering grow even more with more competitions and increased participation.

She said she loves running through the woods with just a map, compass and her friends.

“It’s so much fun,” Laurentius said. “I get to spend time with my friends and explore the area.”

2. Since the orienteering sites are large, competitors are given a topographical map, consisting of the locations of the control points. The map also consists of a key to explain key information about the terrain.

1. In order to initially navigate through the orienteering site, competitors use a compass.

3. Competitors use a score sheet to keep track of the control points they succesfully trekked to.

4. After successfully being the first to reach all of the control points before the other competitors, the winner recieves a first place ribbon.

Infographic by Shyam Punnachalil