the
MESSENGER
n. IV
VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE IV | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | DECEMBER 2018
pg. 8
Students participate in new procrastination trend.
INSIDE
ROLL CALL Editor in Chief Online Editor in Chief Associate Editor Production Editor Copy Editor News Editor Features Editor Arts&Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Opinions Editor Assistant Online Editor Page Designer Social Media Editor Photo Editor Business Manager Staff Reporters
Kavya Jain Jen Bosche Kailin Zhang Jackson Estwanick Marta Mieze Sarah Harris Mansi Mamidi Jessica Li Jeff Swift Will Roach Rene Moore Sabrina Lacy Waha Siddiqui Tanner Rojewski Abigail Nebot Sam Hall Michael Schmitz Kayla Schweitzer Jilian Bunderson Alyssa Shellabarger Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen
MHSNews Episode Three features Cornerstone Award winner Monique Johnson.
church and state
4
For the holiday season, the Messenger reviews hot chocolates from various places.
In regards to whether a fall break should be implemented within RSD, it is rather detracting to the student body, instead of helpful, when students are showered with free-time in order to focus on an education. Will Roach creates an exceptional argument as to why the commonly known collegiate “fall break” disrupts the balance of high school education within the first semester. Roach notes that a major struggle for educators is what is known as the “summer learning loss.” According to James S. Kim from Harvard University, unless a student is actively learning outside of the school environment, a loss in skills that are learned in
14
coach doyle
11
One way to get into the holiday spirit is to view holiday lights around MHS and other places around St. Louis.
hot cocoa
11
lights
ONLINE Visit our website to view stories with video packages: marquettemessenger.com
Marysa Leopando, sophomore, performs an original song.
school happens to almost everyone. In order to combat this problem, teachers spend weeks reviewing old material as a refresher. More weeks of school allow for teachers to review old material and cover the concepts required during the semester. Without key concepts, such as basic algebra or analyzing the tone of a passage, students consequently fall behind in rigorous classes. The addition of a fall break will also reduce the rigor of high school, and make it more difficult for students to succeed. With long hiatuses, a fall break is not a remedy to a students’ success. It is a hindrance. Sincerely, Arjun Khorana junior
OUR POLICY The Messenger is published eight times a year by students enrolled in the Newspaper Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext. 26228 Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff, the newspaper or the
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FALL BREAK
After 16 years of coaching softball, Amy Doyle, head softball coach, announces her resignation from coaching.
16 wrestling
Acting I sings holiday carols around the school. Nic Stone, author, visited MHS for a book talk.
During the holiday season, STUCO decorates teachers’ doors, raising the question of if this is separation of church and state.
This is the first year of a new Girls Wrestling division. One of the girls was the first girl to medal in MHS history.
administration. The Messenger takes responses for any issue. Send these in at mhsmessenger@rsdmo.org. The Messenger reserves the right to edit submitted material and to refuse to print material because of space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the editor in chief and adviser deems appropriate, including advertisements and letters to the editor.
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SPORTS FUNDING When a person reminisces upon their high school years, they are likely to remember their friends, the dances and the sports they played. At MHS, a large portion of the total student population plays sports each year. Sadly, MHS sports receive an insufficient amount of funding each year. Shane Matzen, Activities Director, said RSD distributes funds to MHS activities based on previous annual costs. Each year, these funds are becoming more inadequate due to the increasing prices of transportation, equipment and referees. Alex Nelle, boys tennis coach, said tennis gets funds for tennis balls and occasionally for new equipment. MHS’ boys tennis
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team is one of the best in Missouri, but most years they only get enough money for new tennis balls. Some say MHS already gets enough funding for sports and instead should be paying more for education. Though this statement may be partially true, we know MHS puts education first, especially after building the new STEM wing, even though we need a new gym. Instead of having MHS struggle to distribute the amount of funds that go to each sport, RSD should devise a way to determine how much funding MHS sports need. Sincerely, Max Zhu junior
issue IV
NEWS
Superintendent search begins
3
SPEAK OUT WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A SUPERINTENDENT? “I want our superintendent to know what the students have as their priorities and put the overall benefit for Rockwood School District first.”
Dr. Brent Underwood, leader of the search for new a new superintendent, talks about the importance of transparency in the selection process of the new superintendent on Dec. 10 at Lafayette High School. Photograph by Jeff Swift
future boss those are things that can really aid in the process.” Using those responses, Dr. Underwood said he AFTER SUPERINTENDENT DR. ERIC KNOST plans to find themes and patterns of the qualities announced retirement in October, the Rockwood people want and plans to use those as key points to Board of Education began looking for his successor look for when interviewing applicants. starting the 2019-20 school year. “Once the Board and I have agreed on the main Rockwood Board of Education president Loralee characteristics and patterns, then we actually begin Mondl said the Board chose a different search firm, the more orthodox processes,” Dr. Underwood said. the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA), to “Interviewing, screening and just getting to know find the new superintendent than the one that chose the people that send in applications.” Dr. Knost five years ago, called School Execs ConDr. Underwood said the application was made nect. available at the beginning of November and the “There were three firms that bid,” Mondl said. deadline to turn those in is Dec. 20. After the “One of them was the firm that chose Dr. Knost, but interview process, Dr. Underwood said the Board MSBA had the lowest dollar bid and a good reputawill choose which of those candidates they want to tion, so we went with them.” consider. In order to get feedback from schools prior to Through winter break and the beginning of actually having candidates go through the interview January, the Board and Dr. Underwood will meet process, the Board held a meeting in which adand discuss their options, and, by mid-Febministrators, including Principal Dr. Greg ruary, the Board hopes to have a name Mathison, were asked to name qualities chosen for Dr. Knost’s official they would like to see in a superinsuccessor. tendent. “Rockwood is doing reUnderwood also said the “Above all, we want to make ally well on all fronts. Morale is Board has set a “hire date,” at sure everyone’s voice is heard,” good and the culture is strong. But which time the chosen succesMondl said. “The head of the what we need is someone who becomes sor will have a contract writsearch team is going around and getting all the opinions he comfortable with that, learns from that ten up that will allow them to begin their job on July 1, can view to make sure he gets and uses it to push us forward.” 2019, when Dr. Knost will all sides of the coin.” officially be set to retire. Mondl said the Board really DR. BRENT UNDERWOOD “There is no doubt that cares about what the commuwe’ll have several candidates nity thinks and plans to use the MISSOURI SCHOOL BOARD who could do the work,” Dr. data collected as a large part of ASSOCIATION Underwood said. “And at this point their ultimate decision of who will in time, Rockwood is doing really be superintendent. well on all fronts. Morale is good and the “Before Dr. Knost decided to anculture is strong. But what we need is somenounce retirement, he came to me and we one who becomes comfortable with that, learns from discussed it,” Mondl said. “And when he told the enthat and uses it to push us forward.” tire Board in October, the search pretty much started Dr. Knost said he, too, would like to see his sucthen, so we have ample time to really get a feel for cessor continue RSD’s upwards progression, but he what kind of person we want, and the leader of the doesn’t really have a say in the matter. search can really utilize that information to get us the “It’s not orthodox for one to have power over best candidates possible.” choosing one’s successor,” Dr. Knost said. “But I’m The leader of the search is Dr. Brent Underwood, still, obviously, superintendent so I still have to talk former superintendent for the Webster Groves School District and former colleague of Dr. Knost. He to the Board and have meetings with them. I informally give them some advice, but the decision is is currently employed by MSBA and will be the one ultimately up to them.” interviewing potential candidates for the new superDr. Knost said that a lot of the process is confiintendent. dential, especially because former superintendents As of right now, Underwood said the search is in that apply don’t necessarily want their administrathe beginning profile phase, in which he gets an idea tive offices to be aware of their potential retirement. of the kind of person the school district wants before So, none of his involvement is formal. the interview process begins. However, Dr. Knost said he just wants for his “When I start out, I meet with a lot of stakeholdsuccessor to be able to understand RSD. ers and constituencies in the district, like administra“I want to see that my successor is able to look at tive staff and student groups,” Dr. Underwood said. the situation, assess it, and be able to act according“Variables like the environment Rockwood is in right ly,” Dr. Knost said. “All that I hope for is a connected now, what administrative staff wants to see in theirleader.”
ATHULYA NAIR
freshman
mansi MAMIDI
“I just want a superintendent who is involved in our school and cares about what we have to say. DK was a pretty good superintendent.” COLE PETCH
sophomore
“I hope our superintendent is nice but also understands how to punish people and take charge.” MAGGY MCDONALD
sophomore
LANDON BARNES
“I want someone to come to our school so we can have a personal realtionship with them. I hope that they watch and support us along the way and help us graduate.”
freshman
“Student-focused because the main job is making sure that our students are being taken care of. Also a person who listens and is visible and personable. All of those put together DR. STEVE HANKINS would be the best possible combination.” associate principal
4
NEWS
dec. 2018
Decorations raise religious concerns kayla SCHWEITZER WITH THE HOLIDAYS RIGHT around the corner, MHS has been decorated in the spirit of celebration: trees, snowmen and reindeer in the Library, stockings hung over a teacher’s door, and wintry scenes of snow and holiday cheer on the doors of classrooms. But with holiday cheer, the question of upholding a secular school setting arises. Senior legal council for the Student Press Law Center Mike Hiestand helped explain the limitations on expression of religion in public schools. “If students want to wear their ‘Merry Christmas’ sweaters, or their Kwanza t-shirts or hand-out Hanukah cards, there’s no limitations on them,” Hiestand said. “These restrictions apply only to teachers, the government officials who represent the state.” The First Amendment is the law, and it is intended to protect minority religions, which includes prohibiting the endorsement of a religion. But, Hiestand said that when getting down to the details of what is and isn’t allowed, there are a lot of grey areas. “The reality is that we come from a very deeply Christian background in the US, and change is always hard,” Hiestand said. “So that’s what we’re seeing in a lot of places, a sort of reluctance to leave traditions.” Hiestand said in American society
today, there is also a cultural aspect of and Christianity, so that is going to be Christmas and other religious holidays predominant. Until this area changes, that have been given a place in school. that’s not going to change.” An example of this includes holiday But, when it comes to academics, songs performed in music programs. Richardson said there’s never a rea“There’s not a black and white son for teachers to endorse their own solution,” Hiestand said. “Courts seem religion. to be saying that a nod to Christmas “I’m just teaching history, and that’s and to religious practices is okay, but just the way it should stay,” Richardson there is a line over which this goes too said. “Our part as teachers is to educate far and becomes a problem, and I don’t on these world religions, and what they know if there’s really a clear actually stand for, and not just rely on test for determining where the media and society and how that line is right now.” they portray certain religions.” Lynn Richardson, Shaezaf Shah, junior, said “Tradition is somesocial studies teachteachers maintain a sepaer, supports school thing very hard to break, ration of church and state. decorations for the especially in West County.” As someone who practices holidays, but said a minority religion, Islam, there is always room Shah said she’s not bothered LYNN RICHARDSON for improvement. by decorations in respect of “I love door decholidays for other religions. SOCIAL STUDIES orations,” Richardson “I’m pretty sure there are TEACHER said. “They do it in elepeople who aren’t Christian who mentary schools, and I think give gifts to each other, so religion and it gives kids flashbacks to when they holidays should be considered sepawere in elementary school. Should we rate, especially in schools, because not be more inclusive? Probably. But, the everyone follows the same religion, but intention was to get people to feel the they might still like Christmas,” Shah warmth of this time of year.” said. Richardson said the holidays is a Shah said there is a general awaretime when an increased involvement of ness at MHS to keep religion private. religion in schools is overlooked. “The holiday decorations are just “Tradition is something very hard for holiday spirit and to know that to break, especially in West County,” winter is here, and that just happens to Richardson said. “There’s typically be Christmas time,” Shah said. conservatives here who value tradition
DOORS OF MARQUETTE jilian BUNDERSON tanner ROJEWSKI
ASHLEY HOBBS, SOCIAL studies teacher, oversaw STUCO decorating doors around the school. She said that it’s a way to give back to the staff members. “Students recognize that teachers have a lot of help sessions, papers to grade, etc. leading up to finals and the holiday break,” Hobbs said. One teacher who chose to participate in the holiday spirit is Amy Doyle, social studies teacher. She said she understands that everyone celebrates holidays differently and she, wanted to represent everyones culture, traditions and beliefs. “I think it’s fun to celebrate things that are important to people, so I tried to cover an array of holidays that are celebrated during this time and recognize that people celebrate things differently,” Doyle said.
Q&A with Dr. Greg Mathison about next year’s schedule marta MIEZE Last month the district finalized the high school schedule for next school year. The changes included the addition of flex time, shortened passing period of 5 minutes and seventh hour as a block on B days. An MHS committee will discuss what flex time could consist of. While right now the committee consists of administration and department chairs, later students will have the opportunity to voice their opinion.
Study hall How will the addition of flex time affect study hall?
“That’s a building wide decision. At MHS, we are planning to have it as normal. Some other schools might see the need to reduce their amount of study halls. However, going into next year, I don’t plan on changing if students want to take study hall. But we are going to monitor that over the next few years to see if our enrollment is down.”
Would this affect dropping classes for study hall?
“No, that is part of the reason for wanting to keep study hall. We also have seven periods a day for four years, 28 credits you can get, if you pass all those classes, and you need 24, so there are times when students are choosing that they would rather have a study hall where they can get their work done so they can go home and maybe help out with the house or maybe they know that when they get home they aren’t as focused on their work. We don’t want to take that option away from people.”
Senior Incentive How will the new schedule impact senior incentive?
“It’s still happening. I don’t want a revolt on my hands here. It wasn’t mentioned because nothing is changing.”
issue IV
OPINIONS
5
SPEAK OUT WHAT DO YOU THINK 2018 WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR? WHY?
SHELBY BROWN,
junior
“I think 2018 is going to be remembered as the year we didn’t have a fall. We went straight from summer to winter, we we didn’t have a fall season.”
Photograph by Tanner Rojewski
editorialBOARD
RICK REGINA,
junior principal
SWITCHING CLASSES AT SEMESTER AS THE SECOND SEMESTER APPROACHES, counselors are busy meeting with students about schedule changes. While some students discuss dropping into a lower level class, others are considering dropping out of classes and signing up for others instead. However, dropping out of classes and into others may not be as easy as some may think. If a student is earning a C or above in a year-long class, they may only drop into a study hall. On the other hand, if they are earning a D or an F, they can switch into another class. Associate Principal Dr. Stephen Hankins said the reasoning behind this policy is if you are earning a C or above, you are academically successful in the class and therefore don’t have a solid academic reason to drop the class. However, this is not a valid reason if a student feels like the class doesn’t fit them or their future. The student might have taken the class initially with either a different field to pursue in the future in mind or simply because they had different expectations in mind for what the course would be like. In high school, many students are still swaying their options for careers that might interest them and therefore switching between different subjects that they find interesting is not uncommon. Students might also be in a class they put as an alternative and due to scheduling conflicts couldn’t be placed in the classes they desired. As students, we feel as though the MHS faculty prides itself and encourages fostering student-lead education, allowing students to personalize their course loads to build foundations for their future
careers, so this policy seems contradictory. While we are grateful for the opportunity to drop classes at semester, unlike at Ladue High School, where students cannot drop out of yearlong courses at semester, the policy could be revised to better meet the needs of students. If a student is earning a grade below a C, they are struggling with either the workload or time management, which study hall is designed to help with. But if a student is earning a C or above, they are successful and wouldn’t find study hall as beneficial, making the current system counterproductive. Instead these students could benefit from taking a class in which they have more interest, helping them further their knowledge of subjects they might use in their career of choice. According to Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, “being interested in a topic is a mental resource that enhances learning, which then leads to better performance and achievement.” Therefore, if a student is placed in a class that is of little interest to them, they won’t put in as much effort because it may feel like a waste of time and work. Other high schools in the St. Louis County, such as Clayton and Parkway West, allow for students to change year-long courses at semester to any other class, regardless of the grade they are receiving in that class. Students should be placed in classes they find interesting and engaging. Education should be revolving around preparing students for their field of interest and that can’t be done if they are stuck between a decision between study hall and a class they don’t find interesting.
Second semester schedule changes must be made by your counselor before Dec. 21.
“I think the world is going to remember that 2016 and 2017 were our lowest years in the 2010’s, and 2018 is us getting better, but not in the way that you would think. It’s almost like 2018 is a Renaissance year for the past two Dark Ages years.”
JOHN ALLEN,
junior
“The tempestuous political climate. I think that people have a lot of different opinions about different things, especially during midterm elections, and how the news has handeled things.”
“There were a lot of sad events like school shootings and the deaths of Stephen Hillenburg, Stephen Hawking and Stan Lee.” CADEN BERRY,
sophomore
“It was definitely a long year, and a lot of stuff happened. But I think it a lot happened in entertainment with the #MeToo movement.”
EVELYN GALLAGHER,
freshman
OPINIONS
6
dec. 2018
Ban on holiday song requires more context jackson ESTWANICK CHRISTMAS AND COERCION: TWO words that you didn’t expect to come together this holiday season. Yet, national controversy arose earlier this month when radio station WDOK Christmas 102.1 in Cleveland pulled Frank Loesser’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” from its rotation after a listener poll deemed the song inappropriate because of lyrics that seemingly promote sexual harassment. On the station’s website, Glenn Anderson, radio host, explained, “Now, I do realize that when the song was written in 1944, it was a different time, but now while reading it, it seems very manipulative and wrong. The world we live in is extra sensitive now, and people get easily offended, but in a world where #MeToo has finally given women the voice they deserve, the song has no place.” I think Anderson’s motives are sound. The virality of the #MeToo movement allowed victims of sexual abuse to have the spotlight this year so they could tell their stories, spread awareness and gain support. The elections of Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and several midterm election candidates were all affected by their
stances on #MeToo. No matter what Montalbán, Betty Garrett and Red your opinion is, #MeToo has altered the Skelton. The scene in which the song current political theater. is performed perfectly exemplifies However, like many debates of what people picture the song is about: 2018, this is truly a debate of context Montalbán’s character sleazily trying not of political correctness. to convince Williams’ character to stay Anderson is the night, correct. A time before beperiod is no coming more justification for physical. All unwanted sexthe while, ual advances. Williams Loesser wrote firmly denies the song in all advances 1944 for him and attempts and his wife to leave. to perform at A Youtube parties, before search for selling the this scene rights to MGM will show you to be used in an uncomthe 1949 film, fortable Wil“Neptune’s liams being Illustration by Jilian Bunderson embraced by Daughter.” Ever since, Montalbán. covers of the song have been charting But if you watch the full scene, you’ll on the Billboard Best Sellers. find that Williams is not the only one But let’s take a closer look at the who’s being harassed. film that popularized the song. Once the whole song is sung, we see “Neptune’s Daughter” is a musical Garrett and Skelton going through a that stars Esther Williams, Ricardo similar situation - with one key differ-
I don’t have social media sabrina LACY WHEN I TELL PEOPLE I DON’T have social media, they look at me like I arrived on Earth yesterday. They are justified in thinking that not having social media is strange because it has become a part of our culture. There are two reasons why I don’t have social media. First, because I’m not allowed to, and second, because I don’t think I need or want social media. There are those who idolize people who don’t have social media and assume people are better off without it, but our culture and information is shared via social media. Social media has become a place where some acquire their daily news, communicate and share memes. Social media is ingrained into our lives and, according to Pew Internet, more than two thirds of U.S. adults use social media to communicate, so when someone doesn’t have social media, they miss out on the culture of social media. I miss out on that culture, and everytime someone talks about something new, I feel out of the loop. Trends come in and out fast so that when I finally understand a new meme or when I learn what daily news is out on social media, it’s old news. It’s not popular
ence. The roles of aggressor and victim are switched. Garrett tries to convince Skelton to let her stay the night, trying to get him to drink more and even briefly chasing him out of his own apartment. Skelton vehemently denies her advances. In its true context, this scene teaches two genuine lessons: the actors’ performances not only provide commentary on sexual harassment, but they also show that men can be victims of unwanted advances. While I don’t always agree with political correctness, I understand the necessity to remove problematic content from pop culture. But the true context of the song isn’t even problematic. Why an almost 70-year-old song is suddenly the prime example of rape culture in the music business is beyond me. Uneducated voices have cavilled that 2018 should be the end of “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” The stink pieces spreading these claims have yet again taken attention away from victims’ stories that actually matter. But for the truly insightful, the song will always sing a more tongue in cheek message of consent and respect.
Prosecuting the president will ROACH
anymore, and I feel I’m missing out on what is happening in the world. I feel disconnected from other people who have social media because I don’t know what’s trendy. Teens especially during high school want to feel a part of a group and want to belong, and not knowing what’s happening in the world of social media separates them from their peers. However, there are advantages to not having social media. I don’t have to worry about how many likes I get on a photo. Social media can be overwhelming, and some get obsessed about every detail they share over social media because on social media people want to show others that their life is perfect. Sometimes taking breaks from social media can be great and help decrease anxiety about making sure you check every Snap you get. Maybe we have become too reliant on social media because nowadays people are less likely to have an in-person conversation with someone. Social media shouldn’t be so all consuming in our lives that we don’t focus too much on the virtual world instead of the real world.
THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOUND that during the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump paid off two women he had affairs with in the past to keep them silent. An indictment and trial should come next, but because he’s the standing president, there’s a question of whether he can or cannot be indicted. There should be no question. The Rule of Law, included in the supremacy clause of the Constitution, states that no man can be held above or avoid the law, not even the president. The fact that Trump is protected from regular indictments while in office is a clear contradiction to this rule. The only two presidents to be impeached are Andrew Johnson for dismissing his war secretary in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 for lying under oath. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before being impeached. Impeachment is the only way for a president to be “indicted.” The crime our president would be up for is election bribery. Election bribery pertains to an official offering anything with value. This can include money, a job and a special immunity or privilige. An associate of Trump,
Michael Cohen, who pleaded to eight guilty charges revolving this same issue, paid one of the women $130,000 to keep quiet about her affair with Trump. While the uncovering of Trump having two affairs is disgusting and wouldn’t have surprised anyone during the 2016 presidential election, what if he or another president does something worse? If it came to treason or collusion, that president would be impeached in a heartbeat, but the simple idea of needing a special way to indict a high official puts them on a level above the average citizen. Above the citizen that gave them the power to lead our country. At that point, it comes down to equality. Why should a 72 year-old businessman turned president be held above a veteran? Or a stay-at-home mom? Or even a two-time felon?? In the end we are all Americans, and as such we must be treated. Donald Trump is a man, and like any man, he must face the law if he commits a crime. He may be the president, but he should only be as protected as we are when it comes to legal issues.
issue IV
FEATURES
77
Students heal with alternative medicine IN CONVERSATION WITH
kavya JAIN • jessica LI
the evening, to soothe a scratchy throat. She also makes tea with ginger, sweet basil GINGER, HONEY AND TURMERIC and black pepper to are all staples in Shreya Gautam’s, calm a sore throat. senior, house. Especially in the winter Rausaria finds it when illness is more common. simple to know whethInfluenza season peaks between er she should use home December and January, according to remedies or pharmaceutical the CDC. While people can get the medicine. She uses home common cold any time of the year, it’s remedies for seasonal colds; more common in the winter. In a seahowever, she uses pharmaceutison when overall sickness is at a high, cals for high fevers. many students, like Gautam, turn to Dr. Heather Boon, BScPhm, traditional medicine practices to heal. professor and dean for the Leslie Gautam said there are a lot of Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University Indian home remedies her family uses of Toronto, said the term “alternative” whenever they get sick. When she medicine is not used as much because has a headache, she drinks chai with it implies patients are using ginger. these products and therapies She said many instead of conventional Westhome remedies “For a simple cold or ern medicine. have been scienoften people use tifically proven to fever, home remedies the More term “complementary” be beneficial. An are really effective.” because they use both or example is turmer“integrative” because they are ic, which is said to blending the two. Dr. Boon improve memory, said “traditional” medicine is according to a SHREYA GAUTAM used to describe indigenous study published SENIOR medicine, which complicates by the American things further. Journal of GeriatWhile Chinese medicine ric Psychiatry. is “traditional medicine” in China, Dr. “I don’t think it’s always the best to put chemicals into your body,” Gautam Boon said it may be considered complementary in the United States. said. “Which products and therapies are Suman Rausaria, Gautam’s mom, considered ‘complementary’ is largelearned these home remedies from her ly a political decision based on how parents. She continues to use home products and therapies are regulated, remedies due to tradition. although people will argue it is based “Over time, I’ve learned some of on the amount of safety,” Dr. Boon the medicinal values of some of these said. items, so that’s why I have more faith Dr. Boon said she believes tradiin them,” Rausaria said. tional practices have inherent value as She found that in general, peopart of indigenous cultures. However, ple in India only use pharmaceutical once transplanted to other cultures, medicine for more serious illnesses she said it is important they be tested like fevers. Oftentimes, natural for safety in the same way as all ingredients can be as efother medicines in the new fective as going to the culture. doctor. “Traditional ChiWhenever nese medicine is a someone in her very important part household has a of Chinese culture,” sore throat or Dr. Boon said. “But cold, Rausaria in North America, takes spoonfuls I think it is importof juiced fresh ant to hold Chinese ginger with herbal medicine honey throughtreatments and acuout the day, puncture to the same especially during standards of evidence as all other medicines we use.” Dr. Boon said complementary medicine is a very complex Turmeric is used in South Asia for breathing topic overall because it encompasses problems, rheumatism, pain and fatigue. It’s because so many different products also a supplement for inflammation, arthriand therapies including herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, energy tis, stomach, liver and gallbladder problems.
TURMERIC
GINA EMMS, NURSE MYTH OR FACT To avoid getting sick...
1. STAY INDOORS WHEN IT’S COLD OUTSIDE MYTH. Staying indoors increases proximity and exposure to people and germs.
GINGER In Asian medicine, dried ginger is used to treat stomach ache, diarrhea, and nausea. Today, it’s used as a dietary supplement for nausea and arthritis. therapies and naturopathy. Around the world, Dr. Boon said many countries have their own forms of traditional medicine, conventional medicine and complementary medicine. One of the most common complementary medicines in the United States is traditional Chinese medicine, specifically acupuncture. Acupuncture is part of traditional medicines from Asian countries including China, Korea and Japan. In North America it’s commonly used to treat pain. Claire Zhang, junior, said that while acupuncture and fire cupping are parts of traditional Chinese medicine, her family is familiar with herbal remedies. Zhang said when she gets colds, she drinks ginger soup or pear soup. “In a lot of Chinese medicine you take foods you would normally cook with, but use it in a different way as opposed to chemicals,” Zhang said. Zhang said her parents use herbal remedies to pass on tradition and the avoidance of unnecessary chemicals. In addition to plant-based medicine, Zhang said pressure points are a part of Chinese medicine. For example, if you have a headache there may be another part of your body that applying pressure to will provide relief due to connections in the body. Gautam said she has always used the home remedies her parents learned in India and will probably do the same for her own children in the future. “I’ll take my kids to the doctor for more serious things,” Gautam said. “For a simple cold or fever, home remedies are really effective.”
2. AVOID GOING OUTSIDE OR FALLING ASLEEP WITH WET HAIR MYTH. This won’t increase your chances of catching a virus, the only way you can catch a cold. 3. EXERCISE REGULARLY AND STAY ACTIVE DURING COLD SEASON FACT. Exercise keeps your body healthy and strong and has been proven to help prevent colds.
To treat cold symptoms... 1. DRINK ENERGY OR CAFFEINATED DRINKS WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR APPETITE MYTH. Caffeine dehydrates the body, and fluids are necessary for the body to recover. 2. AFTER GETTING SICK, STAY ACTIVE TO HELP STIMULATE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND SPEEDUP RECOVERY MYTH. The body needs rest to recover. When sick, the strength of the immune system is already reduced, so exercising would just add additional stress. 3. EAT CHICKEN SOUP FACT. Nutrients in chicken soup can help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. 4. EAT GINGER CONTAINING FOOD AND DRINKS FACT. Ginger, including ginger containing drinks like ginger ale, can help remedy an upset stomach.
HONEY Honey is used to reduce frequency of cough, reduce a cough and soothes a sore throat.
8
IN-DEPTH
dec. 2018
BITTERSWEET: Baking provides a mean of procrastination as the semester comes to a close mansi MAMIDI • kailin ZHANG
Stockwell bakes, sells cookies kavya JAIN • kayla SCHWEITZER EMILY STOCKWELL, LANGUAGE ARTS teacher, said she started making holiday cookies five years ago when she began decorating sugar cookies as a hobby. Eventually people began asking her if they could purchase them. “I do it because I really enjoy it, and also because I make a little extra money for Christmas,” Stockwell said. Stockwell said Missouri has a law prohibiting people from selling food out of their own kitchen so she mainly sells her cookies to friends or mutual friends. Unlike some who may procrastinate by baking, Stockwell said for her its usually the opposite. “Usually I procrastinate baking the cookies because I put everything else first and then stay up all night baking and decorating,” Stockwell said. Stockwell said she uses royal icing that dries hard and layers it to make various designs. “Basically every holiday I’ve done a cookie for.” For Stockwell, baking is a distraction and stress reliever that allows her to focus one instead of stressing out about other things going on. While cookie baking is almost like a job for her, baking other foods can be a form of procrastination. “I think if you’re going to procrastinate and bake there’s a lot of worse things you could be doing with your time, and whenever you bake you generally share and make people happy, so it’s a win-win,” Stockwell said.
baking. COMING HOME AFTER A LONG DAY OF TESTS, “I got really stressed out one day, and decided to quizzes and homework, many students feel the presmake cookies,” Yeung said. “I didn’t want to eat them, sure and stress often associated with school. so I ended up bringing them to school. It kind of beWhile some students may choose to calm down came a force of habit and now, sometimes people will by watching their favorite Netflix shows, others, ask me to bring in treats.” including Katie Curran, junior, bake as a way to deal Brittany Sharitz, language arts teacher, said she with stress. definitely understands the appeal of procrastibaking. Although baking helps to deal with current stress, “It’s that feeling of having a lot going on in life it can lead to more stress in the future. By putting off and knowing the comfort that taking a moment to work to engage in baking unnecessary desserts, stubake something for yourself and others can provide,” dents are taking part in the trend of procrastibaking. Sharitz said. “It allows you to refocus and accomplish “Procrastibaking is a stress reliever, but also the what you need.” illusion of productivity,” Curran said. “I do a lot of Sharitz said she doesn’t procrastibake often, but things to procrastinate, and baking and cleaning are knows activities like baking can help relieve the stress two of my favorite things because you feel like you and tension that everyday life can bring for people. accomplished something. Like with baking, you get “I’ve had students in the past get that stress relievthese wonderful muffins as a result.” ing factor from baking,” Sharitz said. “It’s also just Curran finds that procrastibaking really bereally important to have hobbies that allow came a part of her routine freshman year. you to take your attention off school and “I’d come home a lot, be super “Procrastibaking work. For some students, procrastistressed and feel the need to bake,” definitely helps to give them a Curran said. “I made so many definitely helps to give baking break in the chaos of life.” pumpkin muffins that year, and I was just always baking.” students a break in the chaos Despite the fact that baking to put off work can be seen as unproAlthough Curran still enof life.” ductive, Sharitz said procrastibaking joys baking, she has been more is just another form of productivity. efficient with schoolwork and has “You’re still creating something,” found the motivation this year to Sharitz said. “And you could still be beat procrastination. BRITTANY SHARITZ thinking of an essay you have to write, “I don’t procrastibake as much TEACHER or an errand you have to do. Having a this year,” Curran said. “I don’t think I task that keeps your hands busy and gives have as much homework this year, and if your mind time to process things in a different I do, I’ve gotten much better at actually sitting way can really help you to refocus in a healthy way. down and doing the work.” And if procrastibaking is the way some people do While making desserts for a French project, Sarethat, it’s not all that bad of an idea.” na Yeung, junior, first began to develop her passion Piers Steel, author and professor at the University for baking. of Calgary, worked with others to identify 30 scien“I think baking is therapeutic in that it’s very metifically tested and supported techniques to combat thodical and very precise, so it’s not a lot of thinking procrastination. most of the time,” Yeung said. “It also takes time, so I “The easiest one makes the most sense,” Steel don’t have to do my homework.” said. “We all know we have motivation before natuYeung said among all of the treats she has created, rally occurring deadlines. So, we reverse-engineered she enjoys baking macarons for both her friends and those natural deadlines so we could create artificial family the most. She said creme brulee is a close secones as effective.” ond, as it is her mother’s favorite treat and a simple One of Steel’s favorites techniques to beat prorecipe to follow. crastination is by changing the environment one “I want to make my friends happy or see them works in to make temptations harder to get to such as smile the next day because everyone’s stressed,” eliminating technology devices from the surrounding Yeung said. area. Although Yeung enjoys making other people Steel said procrastination negatively affects the happy with her desserts, she said procrastibaking overall well-being of students because it is putting off sometimes leads to more stress afterwards by using work despite expecting to be worse off in the future. up time to complete homework or study for tests. “Your own expectations are usually borne out Yeung said, until recently, she didn’t realize and you would feel better if you started earlier,” Steel procrastibaking was such a common habit because said. many high school students opt for other methods of procrastination such as watching Netflix rather than
issue IV
IN-DEPTH
9 IN CONVERSATION WITH ASHLEY HOBBS AP PSYCHOLOGY TEACHER
KATIE’S FAMOUS PUMPKIN MUFFINS INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup metled butter 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp xanthan gum 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp salt 1 egg
1. in a large bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined 2. grease a mini muffin tin and fill each 2/3 full 3. bake at 350 for 9-12 minutes or until toothppick inserted comes out clean
1/4 cup melted butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon
4. while baking, mix together cinnamon and sugar for the topping in a small bowl and set aside along with a small bowl of melted butter
Curran said when she doesn’t have enough time to make muffins from scratch she uses Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Baking mix
5. when muffins are done, dip the tops in the melted butter and then roll the whole muffin in the cinnamon sugar mixture
CINNAMON TOPPING
WHY DO PEOPLE PROCRASTINATE? “The other things we’re doing are being pushed away in favor of things we like to do, things we view as more important.”
HOW DO PEOPLE PROCRASTINATE? “Procrastination itself is the way people procrastinate. It’s just the act of putting things off and waiting until the last minute so you’re under the gun and have to do it.”
CAN YOU FIGHT PROCRASTINATION? “Especially when that’s something that we know we’re likely to do, some strategies that can help are creating a plan or a schedule. You can also set alarms or reminders on your phone, or put a lock on your phone for a certain amount of time if your phone is a distraction. Of course, the best way to beat procrastination is to be proactive.”
IS THERE A REASON A LOT OF HIGH SCHOOLERS PROCRASTINATE? “In high school, the frontal lobe is still developing, the part of the brain that makes decisions. Because of that, we tend to be more impulsive, try to do what makes us happiest in the shortest amount of time. Those who are able to delay gratification a little bit better are able to avoid procrastination, but the lack of of development can make it easier for us to do what makes us happy in that moment.”
FEATURES
10
dec. 2018
Treblemakers: Students plan for careers in music michael SCHMITZ MILO LAUX, CLASS OF 2018, WALKS ONTO A stage in a dimly lit room. Hearing a few people shout out their name and guitar in hand, Laux approaches the microphone in front of them. This begins the 45-minute performance of the musical artist known as Roses!Hands!. “I’ve been writing music and no one would produce it,” Laux said. “So I learned to start producing it myself this past year.” While attending Webster University, Laux has spent the past year performing across Saint Louis under their stage name Roses!Hands! Since August, Laux’s performance venues have included Fubar and The Firebird. “The first show is nerve racking, but then I realized no one cares. If you mess up on stage no one’s going to know,” Laux said. “After the first show I let go, and then it was awesome to have people who pay money to see things I’m creating.” Using the revenue from Laux’s shows and the income from their job as a manager at Wetzel’s Pretzels, Laux is slowly paying their way through college. “It’s been a conflict between work and performing, but I took some advice,” Laux said. “It was ‘take every show you can.’ I always prioritize that.” Jeremy Slobodzian, senior, concurs with the importance of performing, but said the money is just an added bonus. “When you perform, you can walk away with $200 in your pocket,” Slobodzian said.”It’s just really nice.” Slobodzian estimates that with his band, the Underground Lemon Experience, he has performed 60 to 70 shows at such venues as Fubar, Firebird, Skybar
Abby Grace, junior, practices her flute in the band room for symphonic orchestra. Grace plans on becoming a professional flutist in the future. Photograph by Michael Schmitz
and the Sacred Grounds Music Festival. Besides providing him with performance opportunities, Slobodzian said his knowledge of the guitar helped secure him a job at Guitar Center. Making money off of commissions, Slobodzian uses his experience to advise customers on their guitar equipment setups.
Next year, Slobodzian will be going to college in Florida to study music, hoping to learn jazz chords and expand his knowledge of the guitar. “For me, the Underground Lemon Experience is all about having fun. I’m in high school, it’s a high school band,” Slobodzian said. “This is not the end all be all of my music career.” Abigail Grace, junior, is a flutist also planning her musical career after high school. She thinks she’ll go to a music conservatory after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree. “Playing flute is what makes me happiest, so I started pouring more time and effort into it,” Grace said. Grace said she practices four to five hours a day. Other than practicing with MHS band and symphonic orchestra as a flutist, she’s a member of Saint Charles County and Saint Louis Symphony orchestras. “Those orchestras are probably the most impactful for me, because I’m getting to play with really phenomenal players - it’s really stretching me beyond my horizons,” Grace said. Though Grace’s career ambition is to be a member of a major symphony, she intends to keep her mind open to conducting or teaching music. “It’s so hard to tell where in music I’ll end up,” Grace said. “You could ask different musicians where they thought they would end up, and probably half would’ve not expected to be where they are today.” Though a flutist for the last seven years, Grace confides that a performance can still get her nervous. “Along with the nerves comes realizing how much you love it,” Grace said. “The performance is just a release of emotion to the audience.”
Photo by Filip Maljković
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issue IV
11
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Light Bright• homes light up for the holidays HOLIDAY LIGHTS AROUND ST. LOUIS
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Kiefer Creek Road
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New Ballwin Road
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Castle Pines Drive
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Village Meadow Drive
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Holy Infant
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Lemonwood Drive
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Novara Drive
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Wembley Lane
9
141
Marquette
Clarkson
alyssa SHELLABARGER
ST. LOUIS ZOO
Manchester
US Bank Wild Lights through Dec. 30 $11
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS
Ki efe
r
Kammerly Terrace 10
Illustration by Jackson Estwanick
Garden Glow through Jan. 1 $14
“Hot, hot chocolate, ooh we got it” jen BOSCHE
1
22
5
Godiva
Kaldi’s
3 Ghiradelli
9.5/10
8.5/10
8/10
6/10
5/10
With the sweet twist of the perfect amount of chocolate and the ease of being able to be made at home, this hot chocolate was ranked the highest.
This cocoa was by far the best in taste; however, the drive and the 20 minutes it took to make the drink made it a little inconvenient. It still obtained the second highest rating overall.
This hot chocolate was very rich; however, it still tasted very good and was very easy to make. You definitely have to be a hard core chocolate lover to indulge in this.
This hot cocoa was mediocre at best. It wasn’t to die for but it also wasn’t terrible. It was very grainy and the chocolate taste was very light.
This hot cocoa sadly did not live up to the expectations that it holds. This overpoweringly chocolate drink wasn’t worth the drive and money spent.
4 Nestle
Starbucks
12
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
dec. 2018
Thrifted fashion gains popularity
Elise Ambler, sophomore, browses through the men’s section at Goodwill. “Look in places where you wouldn’t expect to find things. Like I always look in the men’s department,” Ambler said. She - like many teens in MHS - loves to thrift shop in her free time. Photograph by Jilian Bunderson
jilian BUNDERSON IN A LILAC PURPLE ATHLETIC jacket with black stripes and white accenting lines running down the arms, Thomas Degroot, junior, walks the halls wearing a vintage Nike jacket. His outfit consists of a black shirt, jeans, Nike shoes and this jacket as an eye-catcher. But what really brings him confidence isn’t the fact that it’s a comfy jacket or the “perfect” outfit. It’s because this jacket is thrifted, and
he bought it himself for 3 dollars at Goodwill. “I really like thrift shopping because you never know what you’re going to find, but when you find the right stuff it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh! This is so cool, and it’s thrifted’,” Degroot said. He also added that one of the biggest influencers is Emma Chamberlain, a big YouTuber right now. “When you see other people doing something it makes you want to do it too, so I think that’s a huge reason it’s
popular. Plus that 90’s style is really ‘in’ right now.” Degroot said. Like Degroot, many students are being swept into the thrift shopping wave because of these influencers and the comeback of older fashions. According to thredUP, a large online thrift store, resale is growing 24 times faster than average apparel retail. Susan Hamlin, fashion teacher, understands the appeal of thrift shopping for teenagers. “This popularity stems from maybe a few reasons: cost being a likely reason and kids wanting to be more unique and express themselves through their clothing,” Hamlin said. “I can’t say for others, but I think it’s the thrill of the hunt and finding a unique item that no one else will have, and the opportunity to hack something ‘old’ and make it new and unique.” Hamlin said the comeback of 90s fashion doesn’t surprise her. “Fashion has a predictable cycle. Silhouettes and what is in style tends to repeat itself in a new way every 20 to 30 years,” Hamlin said. She also agreed with Degroot that social media is a main creation of this popular trend. “It seems to be more acceptable for kids to be more conscious about what they are wearing and putting thought into putting outfits together,” Hamlin said. “Social media influences these
styles for sure: not only celebrities, but also those self-created fashion leaders on Instagram and YouTube.” Hamlin has advice for those wanting other ways to save money on their own unique style besides thrift shopping. “Don’t buy so much! Reuse garments, trade with friends, take care of the items you have and know what is in your wardrobe to avoid purchasing unneeded items,” Hamlin said. “Put things away so you know what you have.” Elise Ambler, sophomore, is another student who loves thrift shopping. She agrees that this new style is linked with social media and a new individualistic mentality in teens. “I notice on social media that there’s this new style popping up where you’re much more of an individual,” Ambler said. “Like at general stores you can find things that you like, but they try to speak to the entire public. With a thrift shop, you can find something that speaks to you, something that shows your personality and who you are to everyone else.” Overall, Ambler enjoys her thrift shopping experiences and will continue to go in the future to her favorite stores - Goodwill and Savers. “You just never know what you’re gonna find; it’s like a little adventure,” Ambler said.
issue IV
13 7
SPORTS
OPINION Rene’s Reactions The NFL’s assault epidemic continues rene MOORE ON NOV. 30, KAREEM HUNT, KANSAS CITY Chiefs’ running back, was released from the team on accusation of assaulting a woman in a hotel earlier this year. There are a total of three incidents that led up to Hunt’s release, with the final being a video released on Nov. 30 of Hunt shoving and kicking a woman in a hotel hallway in February. The Chiefs said they had talked to Hunt in FebWinter guard practicing in the Small Gym. Winter guard is looking to compete for their first season in many years at the ruary but claim he lied to them during those discusScholastic A level. Photograph by sions. This resulted in the NFL ceasing their investigations with no further action. According to ESPN, the Chiefs didn’t request the video of the attack until TMZ released the video on Nov. 30. If they had been serious about investigating this incident and making sure Hunt wasn’t the one at fault, the NFL would have done everything in their power to ensure they got the full story. This response is fairly similar to when BY THE NUMBERS Ray Rice assaulted his fiancée at the time in alyssa SHELLABARGER an elevator in 2014. can stand our ground.” After that incident, Rice More than Barnhart said the guards strongest attribute is AT THE END OF THEIR 2018 SEASON, WINTER originally received a their teamwork and dedication. She said the guard is people are victims of two-game suspension. Guard moved up a division from Scholastic AA to like a family, and their strong bond will play a part in a video leaked of Scholastic A, the highest division for a high school rape, physical violence Once the attack, however, the team. their success. or stalking a year. Ravens released Rice. “Teamwork makes us stronger. The more we can The divisions in Winter Guard are based upon Assault allegations work together and trust each other, I feel the better skill level, and the MHS Winter Guard was moved need to be taken more our show is going to be,” Barnhart said. mid-season to Scholastic A after placing first in all of seriously in the NFL. Senior Elise Miller, captain, also said teamwork is their Scholastic AA competitions. This year will be According to the National More than 12 milimportant and hopes that being in a higher division the first season in 10 years that the guard has comDomestic Violence Hotline lion people are vicwill allow them to grow as a team. peted at the Scholastic A level. tims of rape, physical Miller said the show is being written to be Melissa Wilson, Winter Guard coach, is violence or stalking a harder; however, the season will be better designing this year’s show to match the year, according to The National Domestic Violence Hotline. level required for Scholastic A. “The more we can overall. People who watch football every week and have going to be more work for us, “I think we are in a different work together and trust but“It’s favorite football players may think that abusing and we are going to succeed more and place,” Wilson said. “This is the assaulting people is okay. If there are not severe division we were in at the end of the each other, I feel the better step up to the plate more this season,” consequences for abuse or assault for professional Miller said. year last season, but this year we are athletes, those who idolize said athletes may have no our show is going to be.” Miller said the reaction to being designing the show to be successful qualms about abusing or assaulting. moved to Scholastic A was bittersweet in this division; whereas, last year Abuse and assault are a legitimate problem in our as the guard were both excitwe were designing the show to be world, and it’s not going to change unless the people PAIGE BARNHART, ed and scaredmembers by the move. who have the power to do something about it actually successful in the lower division.” “I just hope we can accept the chalThe show, which is currently unJUNIOR do something. lenge of being in a higher division, and that Overlooking past allegations only feeds the probtitled, is inspired by pop-art, the type of lem. If players think there are no consequences for everybody is ready to work hard and to work as art used in classic comics. Wilson said the their actions, they’ll have no qualms about abusing or show will feature pop music from the 80s through the a team,” Miller said. assaulting another person. present and imagery based off of Roy Lichtenstein, The NFL needs to investigate these allegations to the artist known for defining pop-art, including lots the absolute best of their ability every single time. of polka dots and bright colors. The NFL only gave harsh punishments to Rice and Wilson said her hopes for this year include having Hunt after the videos of their respective assaults were a show that the audience enjoys, as well as having a released. This lack of investigation is not only embarrassing unified, confident team. “I think the kids felt really good about the show for the NFL but downright wrong. The NFL needs to take a stand against the players that abuse and assault last year. They felt really confident that they could by immediately releasing them from their team and go out and perform it well, and I hope they have the not letting them play in the NFL anymore. same level of confidence and aren’t scared by the new Hunt is now a free agent, which means another division,” Wilson said. team can pick him up if they choose. The fact that Paige Barnhart, junior, said the show is harder Hunt can still play for a team after three allegations technique-wise because they are doing it to a Scholasof assault is baffling. He is essentially facing no real tic A standard. consequences for his actions. “I think we’re going to do okay,” Barnhart said. The NFL forbidding Hunt from being on any other NFL team and looking into abuse and assault al- “It’s going to be interesting to see because this is our first season going all-out for Scholastic A, so it’s hard legations to the best of their ability is the first step in bettering not only the league, but society as a whole. to tell where we are going to be placed, but I hope we
Winter Guard advances to next level of competition
12 million
The Winter Guard Friends and Family performance is 4 p.m. Jan. 19 in the Gym
14
dec. 2018 7
SPORTS
Softball Coach steps down after 16 seasons of coaching jackson ESTWANICK SIXTEEN YEARS OF COACHING CAME TO AN finally able to return to MHS as the head coach. END late last month when Amy Doyle, head softball Adam Starling, assistant coach, worked with Doyle coach, announced that 2018 would be her last season during her time as head coach. leading the team. “It’s been a good experience,” Starling said. “I had Doyle said she decided to resign because she never coached softball before, so to step into a prowanted to spend more time gram that was so successful with her family, as well as be and run and managed so well involved with more building was very nice.” committees such as the Flex Although Doyle has led Time Committee and the varsity softball to three Capstone project. District wins and a State title, “All good things have Starling said she teaches her to come to an end at some players more than only skills point,” Doyle said. “When on the diamond. I prioritize and think about “Coach Doyle is someone the things that I want, I realthat cares for the students ize life is too short.” and really tries big picture Doyle has been involved to develop character and life in softball her whole life. skills within the students,” Starting at age 5, she played Starling said. “More so than all through high school and just focusing on softball. She college. She became the does a lot to try and help assistant softball coach at them become better people MHS in 2000. After seven and have a real focus on actuyears of coaching, she decidal development of themselves ed to take time off to be the as young adults.” Social Studies department Mackenzie Gareau, junior, chair, and to get her masters Amy Doyle high fives Tayler Emerson, senior, has been on varsity since her degree. following a triple in the quarter finals game. freshman year. Gareau said Photograph by Marta Mieze But Doyle missed coachDoyle has helped her with a ing, and three years later she lot with personal growth. became the head coach at Parkway North. “It’s been amazing being under her because she “I loved my time with the players and the parents, has a great insight on the game,” Gareau said. ”She’s and the community of support that I had was huge really helped me grow as a leader, person and a playfor me,” Doyle said. er.” After six years and three district wins, she was Doyle said that personal growth was the biggest
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thing she hoped her players took away from her coaching. “So much of coaching and my passion for coaching went so far beyond the field,” Doyle said. “The biggest thing for me to instill in them is to empower them to advocate for themselves, because I think that’s such an important part of growing up, in a way that’s powerful, respectful and productive. Developing leadership was the most important part for me.”
Under Coach Doyle the team has achieved: a 77-10 overall record and 3 district titles in the last 3 years. 4 college signees in the class of 2018. 5 final 4s and 2 state games and 1 state title.
issue IV
SPORTS
AT A GLANCE
Girls Swim and Dive starts hot and undefeated
Boys Basketball is 4-1, and Jason Montgomery, senior, leads the team with 20.2 pts per game. They’ll take on Summit tonight at MHS at 7 p.m.
sabrina LACY SARAH ROSSON, SENIOR, WANTS to continue to make this season of Girls Swim and Dive great. Rosson swam in the progressive relays at the Marquette Relays. She was 200 free leading off, leading off in the one hundred free, and the B relay in the 200 medley. ¨I thought we did really well, we won as a team which didn’t really come as a shock, but there was lots of competition,¨ Rosson said. ¨We got to see how the other teams were with them losing some teammates last year.” It is Rosson’s last year on girls swim and dive. She said this year the team is set up to have a good season. “We’ve got some pretty fast girls that are freshmen that are going to help us,” Rosson said. “All of us are just trying to get better and our goal is win State this year.” Rosson said her goals are to place at State and make sure the team feels connected. The team so far has won all their meets and hope to remain undefeated in dual meets for a fourth year. Joe Schoedel, coach, said the season has started well so far with them winning the title at MHS Relays on Dec. 1. This is the team’s fifth year winning Relays.
Sarah Rosson, senior, swims butterfly on Dec. 1 at Marquette Relays. Photograph by Jeff Nebot
Schoedel said there were thirteen teams at Relays and the teams are usually the best in the State, so the team’s win was a good start to the season. “I’m blessed to have a very fast team with hard-working talented girls, so it should be a good season,¨ Schoedel said. ¨We have a lot of very good girls who push each other, and they know that there isn’t just one girl that’s going to stand out and push us over the edge. It’s going to be a team effort if we’re going to be successful.” Anna Mae Williams, junior, said her favorite part of being on the team is the friendship. Williams said, so far, the season has been moving at a steady pace. Her goal this year is to make State cuts. ¨I’m hovering around 30 points from the state cut, which I hope I can reach as soon as possible,¨ Williams said. ¨I will just need to keep practicing
and clean up my entries especially on dives. I’d like to add a few twisters and maybe a front 2.5.¨ While Williams said she didn’t do well at Marquette Relays, since then she´s scoring in the 200´s for her dives. “Last year I got a bunch of new dives before State, and I’ve been reclaiming those, for the most part, in these past few weeks and getting them back under my belt,” Williams said. Williams said she hopes this year the team gets a top finish at State. Williams said the new freshman on Dive are good additions to the team. ¨Sydney and Jorie are the freshman this year. They are both gymnasts and they have really great body awareness, so they have adapted really well to diving,¨ Williams said. ¨It’s fun to have them because they are always smiling and positive.”
COME TO OUR STORE!
15
Girls Swim and Dive is 5-0 as of 12/12 following a victory against Kirkwood.
VS. Girls Basketball is 5-2 and they are taking on the Rockwood Summit Falcons tonight at RSHS.
You want it? We have it! • Personal essentials: deodorant, hand sanitizers, Kleenex • School essentials: pencils, sharpies, locks • Spirit wear: hoodies and sweaters • Food/ snacks: candy, cup noodles, chips • Drinks: Gatorade, juice, water
MHS School Store
Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 12.20 p.m.
SPORTS
16
dec. 2018
Grappler grabs first girls wrestling medal in school history jeff SWIFT LEAH OZERSKY, SOPHOMORE, HAS PRACTICED as a member of the new girls squad since wrestling started in November, and she was hoping to make an impression in her first tournament at Rockwood Summit. And boy did she ever. Ozersky finished third in the tournament, becoming one of the girls divisions first medalist ever and the first girls medalist in MHS history. “It came as a bit of a surprise,” Ozersky said, “But we’ve been practicing really hard, so I knew I was going to do alright, but I never expected to do as well as I did.” Ozersky saw solid support from her teammates and she said that helped her carry through the matches. “Even though the team is brand new, we all help each other out.” Ozersky said. Shaun Torgoley, j.v. coach, works a lot with the girls team as the girls team doesn’t currently have a main coach. He said Ozersky has demonstrated a strong work ethic and is good at outmuscling her opponents. “She has a lot of strength and that helps her out. Combined with her skill and her will to compete, she’s really been quite good,” Torgoley said. Sai Tokekar, sophomore, is the most experienced girl in the wrestling program, this being her second season. She also has been impressed with Leah's wrestling so far. “She’s really getting good,” Tokekar said. Tokekar said that Leah really benefits from the team’s support, but she thinks that her as well as the team’s independence, is one of their biggest strengths. “We all are strong on our own, especially Leah, she is able to find her strength when she’s on her own.” Tokekar said. Tokekar had tried to get Ozersky to join the program before, and although Ozersky was a bit apprehensive at first, Tokekar said she thinks it has benefitted her. “It’s been great watching her grow into the team, and I really hope she can keep it up,” Tokekar said.
Leah Ozersky, sophomore, practicing drills with Leslie Tate, senior. Ozersky medaled at the Rockwood Summit meet. Photograph by Jeff Swift.
Leslie Tate, senior, watches as Sai Tokekar, sophomore, demonstrates a hold Leah Ozersky, sophomore in a hold. These three represent the entirety of the girls wrestling team. Photograph by Jeff Swift.
Girls hit the mat marta MIEZE LESLIE TATE, SENIOR, IS ONE OF THE THREE girls, along with sophomores Leah Ozersky and Sai Tokekar, who is part of the new girls wrestling team this year. She said she first started considering joining wrestling last year, when she was on the track throwing team, and one of the girls suggested it. Tate said she doesn’t feel like there is much of a difference between the girls and the boys in wrestling since the rules are the same for both and they even wrestle together sometimes. The addition of an official girls wrestling team, Tate said, could encourage more girls to join in the future. “It raises more awareness for what we are doing,” Tate said. While part of the wrestling team as a whole, Tate said everyone sees each other as equals, girls and boys alike. However, whenever Tate tells other people, outside the team, of her passion for wrestling, the reaction is not quite the same. “They are always really shocked,” Tate said. “With the recent popularity of professional female fighters, this stigma has a possibility of changing,” Tate said. Marco Perla, senior, said he was surprised that there was not a girls division previously and is excited that there is one now. “Hopefully more and more girls keep joining the team and trying the sport in the future,” Perla said. He said he thinks it will be much more fair for the girls to be able to wrestle each other more rather than wrestling the boys all the time. However, the boys have always been very welcoming to the girls in the sport. “It’s great to cheer on the girls during their matches,” Perla said. Arneze Rush, junior, said the addition of the girls wrestling division could benefit girls since it would allow girls to have another sport to join during the winter season, while also giving current girl wrestlers
their own environment to wrestle each other rather than the boys. “Some girls that aren’t really the best at other sports could be amazing at wrestling because there are several types of wrestlers that have their own way of doing things,” Rush said. Rush said he also thinks girls would be less intimidated to join since they could freely ask questions and mess up around other girls just like them. While Rush has not had a chance to wrestle with a girl at practices at MHS, as a freshman he wrestled with a girl at Eureka high school. “It was still my first year of wrestling so I was learning from her since she had wrestled the year before,” Rush said. Jake Dieffenbach, boys wrestling coach, said previously, girls wrestling was never introduced because there was never a big demand for it. However, due to the recent addition of women’s Olympic wrestling and girls MMA has made the sport more popular at the high school level as well. “I think girls wrestling is going to continue to grow as a sport especially with the continued success of the US Olympic team and the popularity of MMA,” Dieffenbach said. “It is going to be exciting to see the girls compete this year and I’m looking forward to see them compete at the first state tournament in Missouri state history this year.” While there is currently no separate girls wrestling coach, Dieffenbach said it is being worked on for next year.
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