the
MESSENGER
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VOLUME XXVI, ISSUE VI | MO 63017 | MARQUETTEMESSENGER.COM | MARCH 2019
Photograph by Kavya Jain
“Men are made and not born. Therefore, toxic masculinity is passed down from early life. It is embedded in child’s play. For example, little boys are told to roam and explore while young girls are told to “stay close.” This creates a narrative that boys can go where they want and do what they want because of their gender. This often leads to these feelings in the classroom—dominating conversations and doing whatever one wants...boys so often feel their opinions matter more than young girls or aggressively assert themselves to make their point most important.” DR. JEFFERY MCCUNE JR. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF WOMEN, GENDER, SEXUALITY STUDIES AND AFRICAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
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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 Illustrator Assistant Sports Editor 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 Jilian Bunderson Connor Del Carmen Sam Hall Michael Schmitz Kayla Schweitzer Alyssa Shellabarger Austin Richard Addie Watson Shrija Maganti Caroline Cudney Staff Adviser Emily Jorgensen
Matthew Del Pizzo resigns from coaching tennis after 19 years.
Rockwood announced the new Superintendent, Dr. Mark Miles.
Students of the LGBTQ community reflect on the struggles within the MHS climate.
peanut butter
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In honor of National Peanut month, the Messenger explores variety of peanut butter sandwiches.
cheer
Varsity cheerleaders qualified for finals at Nationals.
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10 LGBTQ
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Student athletes discuss their diets over their different sports seasons.
ONLINE Visit our website to view more stories and MHSNews: marquettemessenger.com
MHSNews Episode Five features rock climber Addie Scanlon. Students reflect on celebrating the Chinese New Year.
Board of Education
14
With the Board of Education elections coming up on April 2, each of the three candidates explain their reasons for running.
athlete diet
OUR POLICY The Messenger is published eight times a year by students enrolled in the Newspaper Production class at Marquette High School, Chesterfield, MO, 63017. The publication office is located in Room 226, (636) 891-6000 ext. 26228 Opinions of Messenger columnists or the Editorial Board are not representative of the opinions of the entire Messenger staff, the newspaper or the administration. The Messenger
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NEWS
issue VI
3
Administration discusses flex time possibilities marta MIEZE THE “OPTION 4” SCHEDULE WILL go into effect in all Rockwood high schools next year and includes 60 minutes of flex time on A days and 90 minutes of flex on C days. Senior incentive and study hall will still be available. Associate Principal Dr. Steve Hankins has lead multiple flex committee meetings to decide how next year’s schedule will work. The committee consists of 15 members, which includes department chairs and other staff. The administration also has talked with students through Student Council (STUCO) and advisory groups. “I’m confident that after the next couple of weeks we’ll have a really good lookout for what we want to do,” Dr. Hankins said. Dr. Hankins said the biggest discussions are currently about the alternative ways flex time could be used, including extracurricular activities, social-emotional learning and others. He said the administration plans to announce flex time details to students and their families through a handbook, drafted by the flex committee, which will most likely be handed out before the end of this school year. To make it easier for students to access teachers’ schedules during flex time, Dr. Hankins said they are still discussing an efficient system, which would most likely will be pushed out through student emails. “There’ll be a learning curve,” Dr.
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FLEX TIME POSSIBILITIES
Open gym
Infographic by Marta Mieze
Hankins said. “We will find stuff that probably doesn’t work that well and that we can improve, and we’ll find things that work really well and we can expand on.” He said C days will probably be most beneficial for students due to the extended flex time in which students can study and get help for big projects and tests that are often due on Fridays. “Part of the reason is also to hopefully relieve some of that stress from tons of homework and challenging classes,” Dr. Hankins said. “We’re giving kids time to have a more balanced life, hopefully.” He said administration hopes the
Open studio art and music Library
Lunch
flex time will motivate students to use open time constructively, ultimatly preparing them for college. Jackson Tucker, junior, is part of Junior Advisory and said the commitee discussed anything from the possibility of intramural gym to teacher office hours during flex time. “We even talked about any intruder drills and, in that scenario, if there was an intruder, what would happen during flex time,” Tucker said. He said his concern going into the meeting was how students will be monitored during flex time. Dr. Hankins explained that teachers and other staff will supervise the hallways to prevent
students from wandering around and misbehaving. “There are a lot of rumors going around, which cause a lot of confusion, so a handbook would definitely clear that up,” Tucker said. Matt Nienhaus, math teacher, serves on the flex committee. “Our primary purpose is to figure out what kind of activities we’re going to provide for students so we know how to schedule the staff to provide supervision and adequate resources for 2,400 students that will be looking for a place to go,” Nienhaus said. The most important aspect is the opportunity for teachers to provide academic help, which each department is still planning. Nienhaus said that as a track and field coach, he would like to have the opportunity for student athletes to practice. He said flex time is supplemental and teachers will still be providing academic help before and after school, just now it will be more available for students who do not get the chance to use it at those times. Nienhaus said teachers and students who need to make up tests won’t have to worry about finding a common time to be available because they can use time allotted during flex. “Our biggest concern is that students use it wisely,” Nienhaus said. “We’re giving students the flexibility, for the most part, to use it as they see it fit.”
Lehmann wins 2019 Teacher of the Year award kailin ZHANG WHILE TEACHERS ACROSS THE building were working towards explaining problems, handing out tests and grading papers, balloons and celebrations were taking place in a nearby classroom. Holly Lehmann, math teacher, was awarded Teacher of the Year on Feb. 20. She was surprised with the news early in the morning while working on planning with fellow teachers. “It’s an honor and I hope the kids think I’m doing a good job,” Lehmann said. “This is my seventeenth or eighteenth year working here at Marquette so it’s nice to hear that I’m doing a good job.” Lehmann said she loves working at MHS because it gives her the opportunity to work with students every single day. She loves collaborating with other teachers and serving as department chair in order to foster a positive learning environment. “I know it sounds cheesy, but I really feel incredibly lucky to have everyone as my friends and coworkers,” Lehmann said. Kyle Tournillon, senior, was one of the students who nominated Lehmann for Teacher of the Year. Although AP Calculus BC can be challenging, Tournillon said Lehmann does a fantastic
job of ensuring everyone is involved in learning and she builds on important skills students may need in future careers. “She’s kind of transitioning us to be ready for college math in a way that she makes it not nearly as structured and puts a lot more responsibility on us,” Tournillon said. Tournillon was near Lehmann’s room when Teacher of the Year was announced, and he dropped by her room to congratulate her. While Tournillon said Lehmann already excels in teaching, he said he hopes this award can help inspire and motivate her to continue on through the years. “She doesn’t try to baby any of us,” Tournillon said. “Sometimes you’re not going to understand material and you’re going to fail some tests, but she makes it so that we learn from it.” Associate Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said Teacher of the Year awards are an honor among fellow teachers and students. “It’s a validation that what they’re doing is noticed,” Dr. Hankins said. “A lot of times teachers spend a lot of hours outside of school, one-on-one and helping kids out, so it’s nice to be recognized.” While the award aims to celebrate
After winning Teacher of the Year on Feb. 20, Holly Lehmann, math teacher, receives flowers and balloons with her husband Alexander Lehmann. Photograph by Jordan Chazen
teachers, Dr. Hankins said student nominations also allow students to be a part of the process and promotes student input to support the teachers who have impacted their lives in a positive way. Dr. Hankins said Lehmann is a leader for the math department and
embodies the values and characteristics that the school environment promotes. “She spends countless hours helping kids before and after school, and builds strong relationships with students,” Dr. Hankins said. “She’s really deserving of the award and I’m happy for her.”
NEWS
4
march 2019
Candidates compete for Board of Education seat shrija MAGANTI AFTER THE ELECTION ON APRIL 2, THE Rockwood Board of Education (BOE) will have two new members. The BOE is made up of seven members who are elected to serve as educational advocates for Rockwood students. The candidates on this year’s ballot are Azra Ahmad, Thomas R. Dunn, and Loralee Mondl (current Board president). Azra Ahmad, Loralee Mondl, Mondl has served on the board for almost six Thomas R. Dunn, years and has lived in Rockwood for the past twelve attorney current President Territory Manager years. She taught at MHS in the past, and now currently teaches math and education classes as an Adjunct Professor at both Maryville and Webster Background: Background: Background: Universities. Mondl said her experience is a key She has lived in the Rockwood She has lived in the district for He has lived in the Rockwood qualification for serving on the board. School District for 12 years and has more than 10 years and is an School District since 2011 and “I ask questions during board meetings, before a bachelor degrees in chemistry, attorney at a solo practice. before that he lived in Chicago. board meetings and after board meetings,” Mondl math and education. said. “I also feel like having somebody with Experience: Experience: experience on the board says a lot about the district Experience: She has served on various nonHe works as territory manager for and is very important.” After teaching at MHS for five profit boards in the St. Louis area Rapiscan Systems. Mondl also said being a board member has its years, she was elected to the BOE challenges but she is up for the task. in 2013 and reelected in 2016. Personal Statement: Personal Statement: “Sometimes it’s easy for people to email us to “I want Rockwood to continue “If elected, my focus would be on complain and have to have thick skin,” Mondl said. “I Personal Statement: to be a safe and nurturing place student programs, teacher support, “I love kids and will work hard certainly thank both of the candidates for stepping where each child is celebrated for facilities and ensure that the forward and putting their name on the ballot.” every single day to make sure they what makes him or her unique and district is fiscally responsible.” Thomas R. Dunn has lived in Rockwood for are given the best educational different/diverse perspectives are almost eight years, and has decided to run because he heard and appreciated.” experience possible.” noticed there was an opening but not a lot of interest. “She came in to talk in one of our MSA meetings “I know that education is integral for our children, voices of all students are being heard equally. and she shared a lot of facts about what she supports and I have three girls that are in Rockwood, so I Ahmad agreed with Bajwa that students should be and she listened to some of the things that we want to interested in who is running. wanted to make sure that we maintain the quality of improve at Marquette and in Rockwood,” Bajwa said. education that everyone expects,” Dunn said. “The school board is such a position that it affects “I also found out that she’s gonna be the first Muslim Dunn said he noticed that most of the board students’ lives and a board member puts into place woman on the Board, so this was members have an educational a lot of the policies that students face every day,” a chance to have a diverse school background, but he has a background Ahmad said. “Their lives are being impacted by the board.” in marketing and sales. policies that this school board passes.” If elected, Bajwa said she “I felt that the board needed a Ahmad has lived in Rockwood for more than A CANDIDATES’ hopes Ahmad will pay attention to voice of somebody that can think 10 years. She said she wanted to give back to the FORUM problems and concerns of students outside of the box of the educational Rockwood community because it has given an WILL BE HELD who are part of the minority world,” Dunn said. “I could add a amazing education for her children. population. different perspective because of the Ahmad has educational qualifications that she said ON MARCH 4 AT “In Islam, we have a holiday work I do.” make her qualified for this position. She also said her THE ROCKWOOD called Eid twice a year, and Zaneb Bajwa, senior, also would experience as an attorney and her identity as being ADMINISTRATIVE sometimes we have it during like to see a diverse school board part of the South Asian community make her an school,” Bajwa said. “Maybe she ANNEX FROM even though she is graduating this important addition to the Rockwood school board. can help out with this problem year. Bajwa is the co-president of the “I’m a lawyer so I do see things differently than 7 P.M.- 8 P.M. because it’s unfair for students to Muslim Student Association (MSA) say an educator,” Ahmad said. “I analyze things miss school and fall behind.” at MHS. differently from a different perspective. And I may Bajwa said it’s important for Bajwa and other members of MSA understand how certain students who come from a students to be aware of the candidates for the school support Azra Ahmad, one of the candidates for the minority population feel, so I can add that voice to board because this is a way to make sure that the BOE. the school board.”
Dr. Greg Mathison wins principal award sarah HARRIS
After receiving the MoASSP award, Principal Dr. Greg Mathison celebrated with his family in the Library. “I
believe the award is a reflection of our school,” Dr. Mathison said. “We have amazing teachers, a great staff and students who push us.” Photograph by Lisa Counts
AS THIRD LUNCH APPROACHED, STUDENTS and teachers lined up along the second and third floor balconies. There were balloons, handshakes and cake to celebrate Dr. Mathison winning the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MOASSP) award. On Feb. 13, Clark Mershon, Missouri Assistant of Secondary School Principals, presented Dr. Mathison with the award. Mershon has known Dr. Mathison for a little more than two years and said he was the best candidate for the MOASSP award. “When the selection committee met on Jan. 25 in Columbia. Mo., Dr. Mathison, hands down, finished at the top,” Mershon said. “He represents the ideals of exemplary school leadership at the high schools.” Mershon said as the winner of the award, Dr. Mathison represents more than 900 principals across the state of Missouri. He also said the award is very prestigious and re-
mains one of the highest honors a Missouri principal can receive. “Dr. Mathison is great about relationships and values student voice,” Mershon said. “He truly seeks out for student input and I think he creates solid relationships with his staff. Not every principal is that.” Dr. Mathison said he was honored to win the MOASSP award but truly believes it is an award for the community. “I believe the award is a reflection of our school,” Dr. Mathison said. “We have amazing teachers, a great staff and students who push us.”
Check out the full story, along with MHSNews coverage online.
issue VI
NEWS
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Saint Louis County ceases to prosecute marijuana possession michael SCHMITZ WHILE SOME MAY BELIEVE THE January decision by the Saint Louis County to no longer prosecute the possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana has effectively legalized the substance, they would be wrong. Despite the change in county policy, which was announced by Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner on Jan. 2, Associate Principal Dr. Steve Hankins said the procedure for the possession of illicit substances will remain the same at school. “Marijuana is still illegal in the state of Missouri,” Dr. Hankins said. “It is still something that the School Board and the district consider intolerable for students. We take it very seriously so the consequences will remain the same.” All students who come onto campus in possession or under the influence of marijuana will continue to face an automatic 10 day out-ofschool suspension along with possible referral. “We’d still contact the resource officer if someone got in trouble for possession on campus,” Dr. Hankins said. “He’d still issue them a ticket and a summons, and then it would move on from there.” School Resource Officer Steven Aspinall said that actually very little has changed in the realization of county policy in respect to marijuana possession. “You’ll still be charged and
prosecuted but it’ll go through a Jefferson City at the Speak Hard event, municipality instead of Saint Louis SADD works to raise awareness about County,” Aspinall said. “We can still the issues of substance abuse. send you through our [municipality] “I would like to say [MHS drug court; it just won’t get sent through a usage has] decreased in the fact that Saint Louis County court.” there has been more awareness raised,” Though this change is an adoption Yang said. “More people are willing by the County based on very to hear our case against similar policies that the substance abuse.” City of Saint Louis Marshall Arebalo, “Personally, I passed in 2018, Officer senior, however, is still Aspinall is uncertain quite certain of the have lost friends of what it will mean of marijuana and family to opioids, usage for the potential by students and so the conversation legalization of said this will marijuana in on drugs really hits me continue after the Missouri. policy shift . there” “It might lead “I assure you to that change, but I that at least a don’t know,” Aspinall handful of students MARSHALL said. “We’ll just have use marijuana on a AREBALO to wait and see.” regular basis,” Arebalo SENIOR Students Against said. “I’m sure that being Destructive Decisions stopped with marijuana will (SADD) president Maggie Yang, happen to at least a few after this senior, is opposed to potential new county policy goes into action.” legalization. Arebalo supports the legalization “While I can understand why of both medical and recreational people advocate for the medical marijuana, but he understands uses and get sucked into the benefits opponents’ caution when it comes to of legalizing medical marijuana, I substance abuse. personally believe that the facts against “Personally, I have lost friends and legalizing are clear and that more family to opioids, so the conversation substance abuse could result from it,” on drugs really hits me there,” Arebalo Yang said. said. “Those are very high-grade Yang is proud of SADD’s advocacy substances, and they’re extremely for substance abuse prevention. From addictive. A person only has to use the annual Car Bash fundraiser to one a handful of times to become meeting with state representatives in dependent.”
To him, the limit of 100 grams of marijuana is somewhat excessive. He said he would prefer something closer to 30 grams. He cautions that even with more relaxed laws, marijuana users must be aware of the potential repercussions. “Marijuana can definitely hurt people’s lives and that’s the responsibility part,” Arebalo said. “They’ll have to know how to limit themselves and how to still function even if it does become legal.”
OPINIONS
6
march 2019
SPEAK OUT
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DO YOU THINK ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE TO PREVENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS SINCE THE PARKLAND SCHOOL SHOOTING?
CLAIRE SCHMITZ,
junior
Illustration by Jilian Bunderson
editorialBOARD STUDENT CONDUCT
AT THE MARQUETTE VS DE SMET HOCKEY threat of academic punishment hangs over our game on Feb. 11, we lost in more ways than heads. Recently our generation has established one. through involvement in activism and politics, The student section started chanting that despite our young age, we should be taken obscenities directed at the De Smet team. seriously; thus, this kind of behavior is a step When they were told to stop by an MHS staff backwards. member, they obeyed, but only for awhile. At The De Smet student section responded this point the student section had been berating with cheers for their own team and never once De Smet more than they had cheered on the used profanities. Mustangs. If we were at a professional game, this type Our players’ families began shaking of obscene behavior wouldn’t have been their heads and dissociating accepted, and it shouldn’t be any themselves from our section. different at a high school game. “If our team When another MHS staff The fact that a professional loses and our member attempted to stop the game has a more family-friendly pride is hurt, it is chants, students threw coins at environment than a high school her. That level of disrespect is not an excuse for us hockey game is ridiculous. disturbing, unacceptable and Families supporting our to conduct ourselves student shameful. athletes shouldn’t have any differently than to worry about leaving their Even though hockey is not a school-sponsored sport young children at home to shield if we would’ve and the administration doesn’t them from seeing inappropriate won.” have jurisdiction at the games, behavior. Instead, we should act our hockey team sports our logo and as the young role models for those name, and the staff supports our team in children to look up to. any way they can. The school Twitter tweets As students representing Marquette in out game dates, students purchase gear and the community and youth representing our staff members attend games. generation in the world, the student section’s MHS hosts all of the activities and sports performance is intolerable and disgraceful. MSHAA offers, but the administration is not We are all proud to be Mustangs. If our team and shouldn’t be responsible for how students loses and our pride is hurt, it is not an excuse behave everytime we represent our school by for us to conduct ourselves any differently wearing a Marquette shirt. than if we would’ve won. We should cheer our However, school pride aside, this behavior athletes on when they’ve lost, and applaud the projects the message that, as teenagers, we other team when they win. are incapable of behaving decently unless the We can do better. We are better.
“I think not enough has been done. I’ve seen maybe one or two of my teachers actually barricade the door and make an effort to practice the drill. I feel like every single time, every teacher should have to do the barricading and the protection aspect even though it’s just a drill.” “I think gun violence is important to take into consideration because it’s been seen on the news more than we should be seeing it.”
LAUREN KING,
freshman
TOM CHURCHILL,
junior
“The measures that would have to be done are a little bit too extreme. If we wanted to do the most to stop school shootings, I don’t think enough has been done especially with gun control and the police force. We haven’t seen anything happen.” “Maybe we haven’t had enough intruder drill practice; we really do it just to do it. We don’t really talk about it or describe what we would actually do.”
CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ,
junior
JAMES NACY,
orchestra teacher
“The Parkland students have done an amazing thing to bring more attention to it, but I don’t think there has been any real action.”
issue VI
77
Men should dance
Let boys be more than boys
“BOYS DON’T CRY”: WHILE A SILLY mantra that was drilled into my head by the time I could talk, the effect it’s had on my life is surprising. Whether it was something like failing a test that would make or break my grade or a friend collapsing from a phantom heart condition, holding back my tears was, and still is, priority number one. Toxic masculinity explains my inability to open up to other people. To capture the essence of toxic masculinity, think about Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Stark is portrayed as a dominant figure who is quiet about his mistake-loaded past. His stronger regrets pertain to his brash personality pushing several supervillains to act, which caused the deaths and endangerment of those closest to him. As the star of the MCU, Iron Man has been turned into clothes, school supplies and toys, all targeted mainly at children. The merchandising, and therein the glorifying of Stark’s unhealthy personality. can spread among boys. And while there is no statistic that tells how many suffer from toxic masculinity, Gillette, a $16 billion shaving supplies company with a strong male demographic, released an advertisement on Jan. 15 regarding toxic masculinity. The ad featured a narrator advocating for men to discard the stereotype that men, and especially boys, should be callously tough in life and dominant over women. Before it ends, the narrator begs viewers to solve this problem today, so it does not become a
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OPINIONS
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Photograph by Kavya Jain
problem for our children tomorrow. A concern over children may seem over emotional, but Associate Professor Dr. Jeffrey McCune, Jr., with a Ph.D in gender studies, at Washington University stated that “Men are made and not born.” He said that when children play, boys are often told to “roam and take over” while girls are told to “stay close.” Dr. McCune further said these early habits of “conquest” can lead boys to believe they can do what they want. This sense of freedom can create a feeling that men should be dominant over women. This portrayal of a “real man” creates and perpetuates toxic masculinity. But that doesn’t mean toxic masculinity is just a synonym for sexism. There is also the side of it that prevents men from talking about their sensitive thoughts because it might tarnish how they perceive themselves as a “man.” It causes men afflicted by it to hold in their emotions until they have some type of outburst, whether that be upon themselves or others. The National Institute of Mental Health reported that in 2016, 21.3
per 100,000 males committed suicide; whereas 6 per 100,000 females committed suicide, making male suicide rates 3.55 times higher than females. Dr. McCune said this second half of toxic masculinity can explain why. When men’s held-in emotions cause that outburst, those who perpetuate toxic masculinity will bully them for not being “man enough,” discouraging the bullied from sharing their feelings in fear of having their reputation as a “man” damaged. When men feel doomed and know that tradition will only hurt them for being an open individual, they may take their lives. They become a part of that 21.3 in every 100,000 males. When women feel doomed, they know that tradition allows them to be open at the expense of being submissive to men. Ultimately, traditional gender roles hold us down as people. They prevent men from telling their family what scares them the most. They prevent women from true liberty. It’s only natural that we give women freedom, and men a shoulder to cry on.
College Admissions: More than high school stats abigail NEBOT FOR MANY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, the time to apply for colleges is coming to an end. Some have already committed, and others may still be deciding on which university is for them. Wherever they are in the process, there comes a time when the application requires much of a student’s past: their ACT/SAT scores and GPA. Every school I applied to required these test scores and not only a GPA, but a pretty demanding one. The same goes for ACT/SAT scores. While it may not take a high score or GPA to get into big state schools or more common universities, they don’t often hand money out to just anyone.
I started to wonder why schools relied so much on these academic reports and what would happen if they didn’t. The more I looked into the process, the more I saw that some schools actually didn’t even need any of these reports for admission. These are called test-optional schools. According to the Chicago Tribune, the number of colleges that do not require these ACT scores is increasing. Of course your ivy leagues and more prestigious schools will always need test scores, but so many more colleges should become more accepting. Among the colleges that do not require test scores is Arizona State University. According to Unigo, Arizona has more than 250 majors and is not a
liberal arts college unlike many other test-optional universities. However, they do require a GPA. Many people see removing test scores from the required list as a big step, but test-optional schools still requiring a GPA is not uncommon. According to Education Connection, Southern New Hampshire University is on the list, and they say their goal is to make education easily accessible to anyone interested. All they require is proof of high school graduation, official transcripts and the free application. More universities need to be test-optional. These schools look at academic accomplishments outside of test scores. While schools are sometimes selective, this really is a good route for students who struggle on tests.
sam HALL SIBERIAN SWAN HAS RELEASED A new pointe shoe designed specifically for men’s feet. I remember first hearing about the release and thinking it was great. Now, men can play another role in ballet than just to make me look pretty. Going into the studio with this new found joy, I was met with laughs and confusion. My predominantly female studio thought it was a joke. There is still a stigma around men in dance. I think about the movie “Billy Elliot.” It is a story about a boy who just wants to dance, but the male figures in his life want him to believe it is not masculine and want him to fight. Almost 20 years later, this story still rings true for many male dancers. This stigma has affected so many dancers, many of whom have lost support from their family and friends. My own artistic director, Antonio Douthit Boyd, a former dancer with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, was met with animosity from his family when he wanted to pursue dance. We at MHS reinforce this stigma around men in dance by Mistake, jokingly performed by guys in crop tops and tutus, and again with Mr. Mustang. I understand both are satire, and I would even say I find humor in watching my opinions and production editors dance in jorts, but there is still a harmful message being sent out: boys in dance is not the norm. We have to change that. We normalize boys in other sports, but dance has become the exception. Male dancers train and work just as hard as any other athlete, but they do not get the respect they deserve. The playing fields, if you will, for dance compared to a typical sport are intrinsically different. I am more than proud of boys who can catch a ball. Men in ballet are tasked with the responsibility of catching women in the air and not dropping them for long periods of time. Being less flexible than females proves a challenge to most men as well. They have to work much harder than women to achieve that level of flexibility. Dancers are often overworked. Because there are so few males in dance, they are cast more frequently. One dancer might be working three shows because the availability of male dancers is so few. Dance is one of the most beautiful art forms a person can partake in. You have to be vulnerable in front of strangers and trust them with your heart through movement. I refuse to believe this form of self-expression is bound to the constraints of a few close-minded people. Dance is beautiful. Not feminine or masculine.
IN-DEPTH
8
march 2019
TACKLING TOXIC MASCULINITY As seen on pg. 1
kavya JAIN • mansi MAMIDI
between sex and gender when defining toxic masculinity. “It’s a form of gendered behavior that focuses on violent behavior perpetuated by men,” Hobbs said. “It’s important to remember that sex is biological but gender is socially constructed. What is considered to be a male gender
JAILON LYONS, SENIOR, SAID HE grew up knowing there is more than one path to becoming a man, but that he was often shamed for it. “I definitely have those more feminine traits that are associated with gay men,” Lyons said. “So, growing up, I would play with Barbies, but my cousins would often make fun of me for it. Family told me to put some bass in my voice, “How we manufacture masculinity in sound more like a man, but these were things I had no this country is toxic; most of it revolves control over.” around the “power of men” and Because Lyons had no “natural instincts of men.”’ control over these aspects of himself, he said that DR. JEFFERY MCCUNE these ‘requirements’ of being a real man are just ways WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY of harming men and boys who don’t fit in, who show emotions and are sensitive. As a child, Lyons said he played role varies across time football for a while just because of the and place. The components of toxic pressures around him that said football masculinity include aggression, sex, was a manly and aggressive sport, and violence and status.” his cousins said he needed it to try and Psychologically, Hobbs said toxic fit the box of being a ‘real man’. masculinity and its traits develop just “It takes away from my masculinity, as any other behavior. tells me I’m not good enough and not “It develops through different a man because I don’t have what other ‘real men’ have,” Lyons said. Gillette recently created an advertisement addressing society’s harmful definition of a “real man” and encouraging conversation on what has been called toxic masculinity. The advertisement repeats the phrase “the best men can be,” and brings attention to the harmful effects of toxic masculine performances on men of all ages. However the issue is still misunderstood by many. Ashley Hobbs, psychology teacher, said it’s important to differentiate
BOYS WILL BE BOYS!
POW!
learning processes,” Hobbs said. “Observational imitating; desired behaviors being reinforced or rewarded to encourage the behavior and undesirable behaviors being punished.” In this case, Hobbs said the undesirable and therefore punishable traits would be female-gendered traits, like emotional vulnerability. Dr. Jeffrey McCune Jr., associate professor of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies and African and African American Studies at Washington University, said toxic masculinity refers to the dominant forms of masculinity. He said, in America today, the manifestation of masculinity has become a disguise for toxic masculinity. “How we manufacture masculinity in this country is toxic,” Dr. McCune. “Most of it revolves around the ‘power of men’ and ‘natural instincts of men’. This conclusion— that men are made to dominate and control positions boys and men to always celebrate toxic masculinity.” He said some of the key toxins are dominance, ownership of other people’s bodies, especially girls and
women’s, homophobia, transphobia and competition to the tune of selfabsorption. “Toxic masculinity destroys rather than heals, it takes rather than gives, and it is self-serving rather than people-giving,” Dr. McCune said. Dr. McCune said the harassment of less traditionally masculine boys can contribute to lower self-esteem and make them feel in danger of being “terrorized by masculine power.” Ultimately, this concept can affect gender-based suicide rates.
IN THE CLASSROOM Lyons also said he believes certain aspects of toxic masculinity are really honed in the classroom. “There are a lot of boys who are really loud and boisterous, always talking, they’re class clowns, and teachers just love them,” Lyons said. “Teachers even encourage this, allowing boys to constantly make their presence known in the classroom without much punishment in comparison to girls. I’ve also read about studies that say both male and female teachers are also more likely to call on male students in class.” Lyons said this creates an environment in which boys feel the need to be dominant and known in the classroom, more so than their female counterparts, and that can be harmful to other students. “In classes that are majority male, like my senior composition class, I feel uncomfortable participating because, coming back to gender roles, I feel like I’m going to be judged,” Lyons said. “In class, boys will be more aggressive and dominant and diminish others in the classroom because they see it’s a direct result of being louder and more intense, which just creates a sort of cycle for how they approach things.” Dr. McCune said, because men are made and not born, toxic masculinity is passed down starting from early life and can be seen throughout one’s lifetime. It can begin in something as simple as child’s play when boys are told to explore outside and girls are told to stay close. This creates a narrative that boys can do and go wherever they want to because of their gender. Dr. McCune echoed Lyons’ observations that as boys get older, toxic masculine performances can be seen in the classroom through dominating conversations and males doing whatever they please. “It can happen in conversation, where boys so often feel their opinions matter more than young girls; or, they are going to aggressively assert themselves to make their point most important,” Dr. McCune said.
issue VI
IN-DEPTH
9
LET ME PAY EMOTIONS Varun Devraj, senior, said tackling toxic masculinity is important because of the sociopolitical climate today where men in the public sphere don’t project good examples for boys. “I think with a lot of the issues in the #MeToo movement where men abuse their power, you need a safer dialogue between men and women and that can only happen when both are expressing their emotions in the same way,” Devraj said. Devraj said toxic masculinity starts with parenting with the use of common phrases like “boys don’t cry,” and is perpetuated by society as boys age. He said the candidness of younger children in regards to their feelings is telling of the fact that toxic masculinity is taught. “In a sense, young children are what we need to emulate,” Devraj said. Devraj said toxic masculine behaviors peak in middle and high school when adolescent boys are insecure and try to assert themselves to maintain a certain image. Devraj said biologically and psychologically, men and women are different so the goal should not be to rid all men of masculinity, but rather to balance masculine traits with the ability to express emotions. Shruti Punnachalil, junior, said she has noticed that it is not perceived well when boys express their emotions as compared to when girls do. “I can be kind of wild and emotionally volatile but the second a guy does it it’s kind of seen as weak and that’s a problem,” Punnachalil said.
HARMFUL IMPACTS Dr. Colleen Clemens, director of women and gender studies at Kutztown University, agrees that toxic masculinity impacts how boys and men are taught to interact with others. Dr. Clemens said toxic masculinity implies that boys and men are
“BOYS DON’T LET GIRLS PAY”
NO! incapable of expressing themselves through any medium except violence. She cited how young girls are told that, if a boy teases them, the boy must like them and not know how to express it. Dr. Clemens said these types of common practices makes it seem strange for boys to have feelings of love or joy that are disconnected from violence or anger. Because of that implication, she said that this becomes an area in which the pervasiveness of sexual assault and sexual violence can take root, which is harmful, especially in the age of the #MeToo movement. “Things like ‘locker room talk’ really play into this,” Dr. Clemens said. “As a woman, I’ve never been in a men’s locker room, so I can’t know what they talk about. But I know that when the phrase ‘locker room talk’ is deployed to excuse talk of aggressive sexual acts that do not involve consent, we as a culture are just using a more advanced version of ‘boys will be boys’.” Lucas Martins, senior, said he feels that, in light of the increased discussion about toxic masculinity, media is moving away from using traditional
MAN UP!
masculinity to portray the ideal man. “Now, the ideal man is kind of seen as being a little bit more emotional, not so much the Clint Eastwood type of super tough,” Martins said. “There are still some elements present of traditional masculinity, but it’s still not as prevalent as it once was.” Martins said he couldn’t name any male characters that had overtly masculine traits he would deem toxic that didn’t have repercussions.
RELATIONSHIPS Martins also said he thinks toxic masculinity affects men’s relationships, romantic or otherwise. He said those societal pressures dictate how men act and how men value themselves, leading to men feeling the need to be more dominant, or the “breadwinner,” in a relationship. Dr. McCune said in relationships, while it can be a misconception that these performances are limited to extreme or enraged behaviors by men, the toxicity is in the impact of the performance of masculinity. “It is not that masculinity is only toxic when the masculine-identified boyfriend or masculine-identified lesbian girlfriend grabs the arm of their girlfriend, but it was already toxic when it was assumed that whomever the more feminine figure in the relationship is should have less control over their body and decision-making in the relationship,” Dr. McCune said.
TACKLING TOXIC MASCULINITY While toxic masculine performances have become the norm for men of all races and socioeconomic statuses, Dr. McCune said the consequences for black and Latino men are often disproportionately harsh compared to their white counterparts. Dr. McCune said the core of toxic masculinity is the lack of
acknowledgment of privilege. “An inability or unwillingness to understand how being a malebodied heterosexual benefits some men everyday, is at the core of toxic masculinity,” Dr. McCune said. “To ignore this is to enable actions which harass and terrorize the lives of those who do not have white, masculinebodied, straight identities.” Jalen White, senior, said racial stereotypes play a large part in perpetuating toxic masculinity. “As a black man, you have to show your dominance because you’re often asked to grow up faster than white kids,” White said. “When you’re black, you’re thrust into a society that has preconceived notions about you, and really need to be able to hold your own.” White said that even though he doesn’t view himself as a very aggressive man, he sometimes felt the need to assert himself. “I know being intense and dominant doesn’t help anything, being docile and soft-spoken isn’t really an option either,” White said. Dr. McCune said it is important for parents to avoid steering their kids to masculine or feminine behaviors despite circumstances, instead teaching them to love differences and diversity. Outside of the home, Dr. McCune stressed the importance of revising formal education to curb the issue. “What if boys were taught about their privileges early and told to think about their use of them as they go through spaces?” Dr. McCune said. “What might young boys learn in high school from an intro to feminism course? Or a ‘confronting gender’ course? This can’t wait until college.”
FEATURES
10
march 2019
Illustration by Jilian Bunderson
LGBTQ+ students face trials at school mansi MAMIDI • alyssa SHELLABARGER ALTHOUGH ADMINISTRATION, STAFF AND STUDENTS HAVE ‘You really shouldn’t be saying things like this’ because I know that promoted awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community by some people might think that it’s just a funny joke, but some people forming of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), selling Trevor Project don’t find it funny.” t-shirts, putting up the Safe Space signs and allowing transgender stuPrincipal Dr. Greg Mathison said MHS administration takes a prodents to use the gender-neutral bathrooms, members of the LGBTQ+ active approach dealing with hate speech, making sure staff has traincommunity still experience issues within the school environment. ing to be able to recognize hate speech and report it to administration. Junior Allie Konopelski, GSA member, considers herself lucky, “When we have issues that come up, we want to not only educate having not faced much ridicule for her sexuality. people but also have discipline structures in place so that it stops,” Dr. “It’s not as big a deal to me as it is to others because I have an acMathison said. cepting family and accepting friends,” Konopelski said. Dr. Mathison said with more than 2,350 students, it is not possible Konopelski said that at MHS, students are often able to find a group to control everything that happens within the school; however, he said of people who accept them for who they are, something that is import- he can set the standard. The standard he wants to set is one of respect ant for anyone going through high school. for everybody and love for each person as they are. However, she said there are others who struggle more with accep“We have to address it. We have to stand up and say these are our tance, especially those who have changed their names high expectations for everybody,” Dr. Mathison said. or pronouns. At the Thursday, Feb. “We value everybody and we aren’t going to have One such student is junior Wesley Rhodes, presput-downs. We aren’t going to have sarcasm. We 21 Board of Education aren’t going to have slurs. We have got to clean those ident of GSA. Rhodes said he changed his name and meeting, the board pronouns after realizing he no longer felt connected to things up.” his birth name. Dr. Mathison said he is always open to sit down approved a reviewal of Rhodes said he has faced trials in the forms of stu- policies in order to add with students and work through any issues they are dents who continue to use his birth name or she/her having; however, there are instances where what he employment protec- can do is limited. in reference to him despite knowing better. He said tions for staff members while the teachers are often accepting, the students One example of this is in student athletics. The are not. rules for athletics are directed by Missouri State High in regards to sexual “In German, ‘sie’ is she and ‘er’ is he,” Rhodes said. Activities Association (MSHSAA). orientation and gender School “Someone referred to me as ‘sie’ instead of ‘er’, and Dr. Mathison said in one case he worked with a identity. Mr. Abney corrected them for me, which is the one student who was male by birth but identified as feand only time a teacher has corrected someone for male and wanted to play on a girls athletic team. The me. A lot of teachers will hear misgendering and not coach of the team said that while they would love do anything about it.” to have the student manage the team and participate in practices, per Rhodes said he understands that not everybody agrees with the MSHSAA bylaws, she would not be allowed to play. idea of people being LGBTQ+ and it’s not logical to expect everybody “To me, that shows a really good situation where our coaches and to be accepting, but said it’s hard dealing with people who don’t view our staff are saying ‘yes, welcome, you are part of us’,” Dr. Mathison him as a regular person. said. “We’re students like you. We go to the same school. We’re in the Dr. Mathison said in addition to students, the administration at same classes,” Rhodes said. “There’s nothing different except one or MHS and within the Rockwood School District (RSD) also seek to two things.” protect staff members who are members of LGBTQ+ community from The other major issue the LGBTQ+ community faces is hate discrimination. speech. RSD policy depending on interpretation may not protect staff from Rhodes said many words and phrases that are hate speech don’t being let go on the basis of sexual orientation. necessarily sound like it at first, because they have become popular as “Our number one job is to make sure everybody feels safe, everyjokes. body feels secure, and until we can say that, our work is still continu“I wish teachers would tell students ‘That’s not okay’,” Rhodes said. ing,” Dr. Mathison said. “But I can say that we, as a school, support “It doesn’t have to be a big deal, just pull the student aside and say everyone.”
FEATURES
issue VI
11
Students travel to volunteer over Spring Break sam HALL • shrija MAGANTI • waha SIDDIQUI
Zach Ernstrom, sophomore, is traveling to
The Mormon church traditionally views the Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Ill. as the first one that thrived. Ernstrom has been to Nauvoo before to help restore some of the buildings that are dilapidated. “Because we come back to restore buildings, it’s sort of like a historical center,” Ernstrom said. “It’s where we built a temple because the previous one burnt down. It’s really significant to me.”
Bergantz will be traveling to Kawete, Uganda, this spring on a mission trip with Christ Community International (CCI). CCI sends groups to Uganda twice a year to construct schools, provide clinics and help the Ugandan people. In Uganda, Bergantz will make bracelets for the girls, visit classrooms and give stationery to the students who go to Christ Community Lutheran School Uganda. “I’m not just there to help the people,” Bergantz said. “I’m also hoping that they spread their joy to us. I feel like it will be an experience that I’ll never forget.”
NAUVOO, IL. This year, 106 students are traveling to work in Florida. For three days, MHS crews will be helping in hurricane support recovery by working in homes affected by Hurricane Michael, assisting in shore restoration and removing debris from state owned land. “We saw a lot of need after the hurricane,” Dr. Ramsey said. “They contacted me and said, ‘Hey we really need a lot of help’ and talked about what they needed and it matched things we could do, so we thought it was a great opportunity.”
Dr. Dan Ramsey, senior class principal, is traveling to the
GULF AND FRANKLIN COMMUNITIES OF FLORIDA
Protect YOUR Brain,
YOU’RE Smarter Than That
Sarah Bergantz, sophomore, is traveling to
UGANDA
Read the full story online at marquettemessenger.com
12
march 2019
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Butter up: it’s national peanut month Fast Facts 12.63 million On average, Americans consumed six jars or more of peanut butter in 2018
banana honey
5
ways to dress up your peanut butter sandwhich
George Washington Carver invented peanut butter in 1884 The peanut butter industry stands at 1.85 billion dollars
blueberries coconut flakes
sabrina LACY
nutella mini marshmallows
Peanut butter is consumed in 89 percent of US households According to statistica.com
bacon apple
strawberries blueberries
alternative butters
cookie butter 90 calories 5 grams of sugar
almond butter 95 calories 0.5 grams of sugar
hazelnut butter 100 calories 10 grams of sugar
issue VI
13 7
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14
march 2019 7
SPORTS
OPINION Rene’s Reactions The AAF and the backtracking of player safety rene MOORE THE ALLIANCE OF AMERICAN Football league (AAF) started its first season on Feb. 9. It was created by Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian in order for NFL fans to have a chance to watch football during the NFL’s off season. While the AAF is mostly like the NFL, there are a few different rules to help prevent injuries. For example, according to Boston News, at the beginning of each half and after each score, the ball will start at the 25-yard line instead of with a kickoff because kickoffs cause too many injuries. The AAF and its rules are a good alternative to the NFL and its lack of regulations to prevent injuries. The majority of the other rule changes are to make the game more fair. It’s also a good way for those who are trying to make it to the NFL to gain professional experience and for NFL veterans to continue playing the game they love. Another rule change is that in overtime, each team gets one chance to score a touchdown and then a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line. This makes overtime more fair and a lot shorter than in the NFL where there are 15-minute periods until a winner is declared. The AAF also has provided several opportunities for those involved in the production of the league. For example, the AAF is offering secondary education scholarships and internship opportunities. The NFL doesn’t offer its players scholarships to go to school, and, according to SportsRec, 5 out of every 10 NFL players never get a college degree even if they attend college. No athlete plays sports their entire life, so having a back-up plan is a good idea, especially in case of an injury early on in a career. All of the players also sign the same three-year, $250,000 contract. However, if the player is recruited by an NFL team during the AAF’s off season, the player can easily be let out of their contract. In the NFL, every player’s contract differs on time and money. The rule changes for safety and all the opportunities the league offers to players and others involved in the production makes it the best alternative to the NFL.
The AAF airs weekends on CBS sports
GET READY: Spring Season Previews sabrina LACY Chris Elledge, Girls Lacrosse MAR. 26 @ PATTONVILLE
Chris Kenny, Girls Soccer
Mar. 26 @ MHS
Eric Schweain, Boys Golf
MAR. 28 @ THe Bluffs
“[It’s out goal] to play together and give our best effort that day and really just have fun, and enjoy what we’re doing by being more team focused and playing together as a combined effort as opposed to a bunch of individuals sort of like working together.”
“We always try to improve individually, technically in terms of their skills, their ability to make good decisions as soccer players, their overall strength in, conditioning and fitness so well just try to keep making improvements along the way.”
“I know the golfers have played a lot in the off season. It’s hard to start a spring sport whenever there’s snow all over the ground, but you know it’s all the work they put. To me if we continue to put the time and effort into it, it usually equates to success.”
Tim Moseby, Water Polo
John Meyer, Baseball
Alex Nelle, Boys Tennis
Mar. 12 @ MHS
MAR. 21 @Willard HiGH
“We are very excited to start playing games. The team is very well balanced this year. We are swimming a lot to get fit. We are working on passing and shooting technique so we can do well under pressure in games. Our defense was very strong. We need a balanced offensive attack.”
“We were doing a lot of work in the Weight Room at least three days a week in the Weight Room, a lot of kids have their own pitching instructor or maybe hitting instructor that they’ve been seeing since probably September if not beyond that, and then we’ve worked with them January on Sunday afternoons.”
“I’m excited, I think we´ve got a lot of guys who have improved since last year and I think we’re going to have a good team again. So I’m looking forward to getting the season started. It’s going to be a tough season, schedule-wise with all the teams that we play but I think that well be able to hold our own and be successful.”
Matt Nienhaus, Boys Track
John Kreienkamp, Boys Volleyball
Mike Ebert, Girls Track
“We’re excited. We have lot of returning athletes, and I’ve been out in the halls recruiting a lot for the team as well. We’re thinking maybe upwards of 100 boys out for the team, so with that many people we can be pretty successful.”
“I am very optimistic about the upcoming season. We have the majority of our team back from last year. In volleyball, experience is significant and last year due to some injuries and other circumstances, we had a very young team but they got valuable game time that should translate to a successful season this year.”
MAR. 30 @ LINDBERGH
Mar. 26 @ OAKVILLE
What do athletes eat in a day?
Kaitlyn Lee senior lacrosse
BREAKFAST: English Muffin w/ peanut butter LUNCH: Sandwich, Chips and Juice DINNER: Fish or Meat, Vegetables
Anna Mae Williams junior pole vaulting
BREAKFAST: Coffee and Fruit LUNCH: Salad, Fruit, Carbs DINNER: Varies by Day
MAR. 26 @ SLU High
MAR. 29 @ PArkway Central
“Last year we had a good season but I think this year we should be thinking about competing for conferences, districts, championships, that should be a goal of ours and getting more kids sent to State.”
connor DEL CARMEN
Isaiah Brisseaux junior wrestling
BREAKFAST: Sausage egg and cheese sandwich LUNCH: Chicken wraps DINNER: Protein heavy meals and shakes
“I ADVOCATE THE SAME AS I WOULD FOR ANYONE, SIMPLY MORE OF IT TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EXTRA CALORIE BURN. LOTS OF LEAN PROTEIN, FRUITS AND VEGGIES. CARBS ARE OK AND NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINED ENERGY.” JOE SCHOEDEL, HEALTH TEACHER
issue VI
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SPORTS
Girls swim wins State, but late cuts exclude hopeful divers kayla SCHWEITZER GIRLS SWIM AND DIVE WON second place in the State meet on Feb. 15. Only the top girls are able to compete, but this year, some of MHS’ best divers didn’t make the final State cuts. After the State cuts list was released Monday, Feb. 4, Anna Mae Williams, junior; Kate Edelen, sophomore; and Sydney Tolbert, freshman, had all made the cut to be one of the 32 divers competing at State. But, on Thursday, Feb. 7, MSHSAA released a new, final State cuts list. To the surprise of everyone involved, several new entries had been added, and Kate Edelen dropped from rank 21 to 37, and Sydney Tolbert dropped from 23 to 40. “MSHSAA was like ‘surprise, you’re not going to State,’ so we got our hopes up, got super excited and then got kicked out of the State line-up,” Edelen said. Other teams around the state held “last chance meets,” immediately after the first consideration list was published. Because coaches, rather than officials, scored the meets, Edelen said that it is extremely easy to inflate scores, in order to unfairly qualify girls for State who weren’t exactly at the skill level to be go to State. “The way diving is run in Missouri, it’s just not consistent. There are so many ways to manipulate the system
for considerations, to manipulate scores- basically to cheat,” Edelen said. Edelen has contacted the director of MSHSAA, who she said was very responsive and open to the changes that Edelen wants to see made. Joseph Schoedel, girls swim head coach, said he was extremely disappointed that Edelen was unable to compete at State and called the new entries the “single best improvement in the history of diving.” “Kate worked really hard to up her degree of difficulty to get to State, and I mean, she paid for it. You should see the water welts and bruises that she had,” Schoedel said. But even though he said some MHS divers deserved to go to State, he wouldn’t have done anything differently. Schoedel said that when he talked to the girls about what had happened, he told them not to dwell on what they can’t control. “The issue wasn’t with the diving. The issue was with the way entries can be put in for State,” Schoedel said. “It’s a flaw in the system, not in our program.” In the future, Schoedel hopes that some changes will be made to how scores are entered. “They are a very hard-working group of girls, and they’ll move past this and keep getting better. It’s a life
Anna Mae Williams, junior, dives during a meet. Williams was the only diver to make state following the late cuts. Photograph used with permission by Jeff Nebot
lesson that life isn’t always fair, and all you can do is control what you can control and if you see a problem or flaw, try to work to change it.” Sydney Tolbert, freshman, has been a diver for three years and was one of the girls pushed off of the initial considerations list by new entries. She said she doesn’t understand how this could have happened. Tolbert said there were several divers from other schools who didn’t it past the first round at a recent meet, while MHS girls did make it past the initial round. Those same girls who
COME TO OUR STORE!
had quickly been eliminated ended up entering better scores for State than Williams, the leading MHS diver. Tolbert said she is angry with the results, but knows she will get her chance to go to State. “There’s so many people at MHS doing dives that are so much harder than what girls are doing at State,” Tolbert said. It’s insane, how does someone with a front flip get to State, but someone with a two and a half doesn’t? It’s so weird, it’s just messed up.”
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16
SPORTS
march 2019
Boys basketball finishes best regular season since 1995-1996 team jeff SWIFT THE VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM ENDED their season last Thursday with a 92-72 victory over the 20-3 Webster Groves squad and a seven game win streak. The team, who sits on a .800 win percentage, the second highest in school history, is the one seed in the District Playoffs. They will be playing their next game in this tournament. Ethan Jenkins, junior, was excited about the team’s success and hopes to see it continue. “We’ve practiced hard all season and it looks like we gelled at the right time,” Jenkins said. “We finished really strong.” Jenkins averaged 5.2 pts per game this season and was the most effective 3-point shooter on the team, making 44 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. He said the team has high hopes for Most wins by year the Playoffs. “We’ve conThe girls cheer squad practices before the State meet. They went on to finish second in State and qualified for the Nation1994-1995: sistently played als meet. Photograph by Jeff Swift good basketball, 21 Wins and I know we can continue that trend,” Jenkins 1995-1996: said. 21 Wins Ilyaas Harris, caroline CUDNEY Pagel said. “It was hard work, but so worth it in the sophomore, is end.” HAND IN HAND, VARSITY CHEER LOST HOPE, completing his 2018-2019: Not only did they work to strengthen their bodies, as the announcers named team after team moving first season as 20 Wins but the team created a sticker board to keep up everyon to finals. But then they finally announced MHS as a guard on the one’s motivation, for every time they hit a stunt or the last team. They would be making their first ever varsity team part of their routine, they would get a sticker added finals debut. and averages 9.3 to the board. The team ultimately placed 14th at UCA nationpoints per game. Harris said the team’s success is due Lexie Diekroeger, junior, is a captain this year. She als, which is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports to the talent of the players, as well as their ability to grants a lot of their success to the work and changes Complex in the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlancome together in tough situations. the team made this year. “We work really well as a team and that shows in a do. In the past three years that the team has gone to “This year was a lot different from past years beNationals but they have never made it past prelims, lot of our clutch, last-minute wins,” Harris said. cause we were required to take the first round out of three. Eric Schweain, coach, attributes the team’s success training first semester “It was a year full of firsts,” to the continued improvement regarding the chemis“We are definitely going strength and some of us even continAbbey Gradle, assistant varsity try within the team. to continue training hard ued into second semester,” cheer coach, said. “Not only in “The way we got past our struggles in the beginplacement, but in the goals we and make finals a norm.” Diekroeger said. “It automatining of the season is definitely the chemistry between cally made us stronger mentally the players,” Schweain said. “At first there was a lot of had set as a team and wanted to and physically.” accomplish.” awkwardness with the way players didn’t really know LEXIE DIEKROGER Just like Pagel, Diekroeger Varsity cheer earned first at where they belonged within the team.” CAPTAIN recognized changes in the team their Nationals Qualifying ComSchweain said that once they passed these issues, dynamic and bonding that also petition for the fourth time in a the team’s play improved vastly. Schweain said this allowed them to be so successful this year. row and Regionals for the 10th time in a row earlier contributes to his confidence in Districts. “We did a lot of confidence-building exercises “Because of our chemistry, I would take our chanc- this year, and for the first time ever, they made their like circle love, where we all gather around while one goal of making it to semifinals and hitting a routine. es with Eureka, Lafayette and a lot of other teams we stunt group does the stunt full out and we cheer them “Seeing them be so successful in what we have may come across,” Schweain said. on,” Diekroeger said. “Overall, we conditioned physibeen training them to do since April was thrilling,” cally and mentally really well this year.” Gradle said. “When they called our names after Diekroeger, who has been on varsity since her prelims to move onto semis, everyone was crying and freshman year, knows that Nationals hasn’t always jumping up and down. We did it.” been great for the team and there was fear that they The team, especially one of the squad’s captains Josie Pagel, senior, was extremely happy with all their weren’t returning. “The past two years I have gone, our routine and accomplishments and performance. the practices prior haven’t gone well,” Diekroeger “It has always been my dream to compete in front said. “We were nervous the coaches weren’t going of the Magic Kingdom castle they put up in the complex, an opportunity only given to the finalists,” Pagel to send us back because if you aren’t improving at a competition, why are you going to keep coming back, said. “Hearing our name called for finals and hitting especially if it is expensive for your parents and the the routine at semis made that day possibly one of school, and causes you to miss three days of school.” the best days of my life.” But after the jump this year to finals, the team Cheer practiced long and hard in the weeks leading up to Nationals, especially because previous years should be returning next year with a new name and confidence. hadn’t gone as well as they had hoped. “I am so excited to see what the future holds for “We would practice six days a week for around Boys basketball practices before their game at Mehlville. our team,” Diekroeger said. “We are definitely going two hours to prepare and do as many fullouts as posThat would be the first win in their season ending 7 game to continue training hard and make finals a norm.” sible, which is when we do our routine altogether,” wining streak. Photograph by Jeff Swift
Cheer finishes 14th at Nationals