PIRATE PRESS
Pattonville High School Vol. 74 Issue:8 May 2010
THE REAL PRICE OF LUNCH
MIKALA MCGHEE GETS MADE n STUDENTS’ SUMMER PLANS
Staff Editorial It is the opinion of the Pirate Press staff that high school students have a responsibility to themselves and to the world to make good choices everyday. The story is always the same: look at what the world is coming to. Obesity is rising—Generation Y is the first group of children estimated not to outlive their parents. The environment is quickly degrading and environmental problems are not expected to stop anytime soon without serious changes. Teenagers have a mentality that everything is out of their hands. They cannot vote. They do not hold government offices or pay taxes. Why should teenagers care about the world around them? The problem is that although it may seem as if teenagers have very little power to change the world, they are the ones who can and must have the most impact. Teenagers in 2010 have more resources than ever to change the world. Social networking offers teens a way to get their message out to thousands of people, something impossible just 10 years ago. But while teenagers have the opportunities to make a difference for tomorrow, apathy among young adults is preventing them from making positive impacts. Obesity among teens continues to rise, as teenagers continue to make bad choices for their bodies. The same technology that allows teenagers to connect with each other is also keeping kids from exercising. Apathy about the failing environment is also perpetuating the problem. It is Generations Y and Z that are going to have to clean up the mess left by the generations before. But it is the attitude of many teens that the environment just isn’t their problem. “If it doesn’t affect me, why should I care?” is often the motto of high school students. It is important for teenagers to realize that every choice they make affects them and the world around them. Choosing to eat nachos for lunch instead of a balance meal may perpetuate a weight problem. Throwing away that milk carton after lunch instead of recycling it will further the loss of natural resources. Teenagers can make a different, starting with simply caring about the choices they make. Simple fixes in lifestyle can better their world and themselves. If every teenager in America accepted their responsibility for protecting the future of the Earth, think of all of the positive changes that could be made in the world. Cleaning off your lunch tray so it can be recycled instead of thrown away into a landfill may seem like a meaningless and tedious task, but it can make a difference, just like every simple action and choice made by teenagers can. v
Have a comment, question, concern, or opinion on something you read in the Pirate Press? Have something to say about Pattonville High School? Please write to the Pirate Press by either e-mailing at pattonvillepress@gmail.com or giving a letter to Mr. Heyman in B108 or the Pirate Press staff during lunch in B108.
Pirate Press Pattonville High School 2497 Creve Coeur Mill Road Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Editor-in-Chief
Elise Moser
Managing Editor
Jessica Brunts Copy Editor
Geri Farrell Photo+Design Editor
Jacob Sharp Adviser
Brian Heyman
The pirate press is the open forum news magazine of Pattonville high school. The opinions published are of the publication and are open to criticism. As the members of 2009-2010 pirate press staff, we dedicate ourselves to the accurate and objective dissemination of information to all readers of this publication. we will protect and exercise our first amendment rights, not only for our own benefits, but for the benefit of all high school journalists past, present, and future.The viewpoints of all staff members are to be regarded as being separate from those of our administration, faculty, peers, and adviser. Cover and c enterspread cover photos by Jacob Sharp
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Senior Jason Baker was named a “scholar athlete” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Baker was the only Pattonville senior recognized.
Cappies’ Critic Nominees
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Any Number Can Die Nominees: zCostumes: Ta’Shay Dabney, Maddie Perel, Apichaya Suakrachang, Katie Wilhelm zMake-Up: Brandace Anderson zProps & Effects: Caitlin Blaylock, Harlee Custer, Rachel McCormick & Courtney Rolen zEnsemble in a Play: Detectives (Harry Kolmer & Brittney Freeman) zComic Actor in a Play: Josh Kelly zFeatured Actor in a Play: Josh Kelly zSupporting Actress in a Play: Brittney Freeman zLead Actress in a Play: Erica Ream Once Upon a Mattress Nominees zOrchestra: Pattonville Pit Orchestra zEnsemble in a Musical: King, Minstrel, Jester (Aaron Landgraf, Evan Fornachon & Megan Jones) zFemale Dancer: Genevieve Schmoeker zComic Actress in a Musical: Megan Jones zComic Actor in a Musical: Aaron Landgraf zSupporting Actor in a Musical: Evan Fornachon zLead Actress in a Musical: Madison Sportsman Pattonville Cappies Nominees zReturning Critic: Erica Ream zCritic Team: Madison Sportsman, erica Ream, Kaitlyn Hirschbeck, Rachel McCormick, Megan Jones & Brittney Freeman. zWinners will be announced at the Cappies Gala on May 28.z
Dorsett Road at I-270 interchange construction continues with bridge demolition May 21-24
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lise Moser
Construction on the Interstate Highway 270 interchange at Dorsett Road continues the weekend of May 21-24 with the closure of the section of Dorsett Road where the North and Southbound I-270 bridges now stand. At 9 p.m. on Friday, May 21, Dorsett Road will be closed underneath I-270 until 5 a.m. Monday, May 24.
Construction at Dorsett Road began in March and is estimated to be completed in December 2010.
While Dorsett Road is closed underneath, the Southbound I-270 bridge above will be demolished as part of a new interchange at Dorsett Road. The demolition of the bridge is part of the $10 million plan to completely change the current intersection. The new interchange, set to be completed in December 2010, will be a “diverging diamond interchange.” This type of interchange “reduces congestion, and can handle increasing amount of traffic,” according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. A diverging diamond interchange allows drivers to make left turns without stopping for opposing traffic, which would reduce congestion at the interchange, according to MoDOT. The first-ever diverging diamond interchange constructed in the United States was constructed by the Missouri Department of Transportation in Examples of the “diverging diamond” intersection that will Springfield, Mo. The project is contracted by Fred Weber, Inc. v replace the current intersection at I-270 and Dorsett Road. (Images courtesy of MODOT)
Gym teachers to teach personal finance J essica Brunts
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ext year, due to the retirement of business and Personal Finance teacher Sheila Reed and overstaffing in the physical education department, the Personal Finance classes will have two new teachers. These two teachers will be new to the subject, but not new to Pattonville. Gym teachers Lanee Hasenkamp and Angela Ivie will both be teaching two sections of Personal Finance next year. Hasenkamp will teach the class during the first semester and Ivie will teach in the second semester. Reed is retiring, leaving four classes of Personal Finance open for next year. “We are not replacing her,” Sara Keene, principal, said. “We want to save money without impacting the students.” The physical education department was overstaffed, so instead of hiring a new teacher to teach the Personal Finance classes,
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Pattonville can utilize two of the gym teachers to fill the open classes. According to Keene, anyone that is certified to teach high school is certified to teach Personal Finance. No additional schooling or certification would be required for Hasenkamp and Ivie to teach this class. “No one is losing a job,” Keene assured. The act of filling an empty space with an already existing teacher at the school is called attrition. “I think this is a great opportunity for me to broaden my teaching horizons,” Ivie said, despite being slightly scared about teaching a new class. “I have a lot of help and support from my other co-workers,” she said. In order to prepare for teaching the class, Ivie is attending a workshop this summer. Teaching Personal Finance will be a big change in setting for Ivie who is moving
from teaching in the gym to teaching in a classroom. “I’m looking forward to being in a classroom setting,” Ivie said. Hasenkamp teaches health classes as well as gym classes, so the classroom setting is not a stranger to her. Hasenkamp and Ivie will continue to teach physical education classes next year. Personal Finance will be just another class on their schedule. “I’m looking forward to building relationships in the classroom,” Ivie said. The subject of Personal Finance is one that Ivie recognizes as important. It is a class that every Pattonville student must take in order to graduate. “I know from experience that personal finance is a good thing to learn early in life,” Ivie said. v
paired with a Pattonville student that assists them, takes them to their events and cheers them on. “[Participating in Special Olympics] gives students the opportunity to interact with special needs students,” Barrett said. “It gives students an awakening to what other students have to fight, adversities they have to overcome.”
athletes is incredible,” Brain Clark, 12, said. “It is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Seeing that is really rewarding.” Sofia Gonzalez, 11, has a unique perspective on Special Olympics. Gonzalez will be one of two Pattonville students suiting up to bring Pirate Pete to life. “Pirate Pete is a symbol for the school. My goal is to be entertainment for the special athletes,” Gonzalez said. While this is Gonzalez’s first year as our school’s mascot at the event, it is her third year volunteering at the event. “I’ve been present in past years, and the athletes got pretty excited about Pirate Pete because he is a greater-than-life character,” she said. Events that can be found at the Special Olympics include the standing and running long jump, shot put, multiple distance races, relay races and other forms of competition for individuals and teams. “Special Olympics is a chance for us to give back to the community and help make a day special for someone who is less fortunate,” Clark said. v
A Special Day for Athletes Pattonville students come together for Special Olympics
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nce a year, the football stadium fills with over 500 people, athletic activities, police cars, fire trucks, clowns, music, carnival games, face paintings, and about 150 very special athletes. The 7th consecutive Pattonville Special Olympics was scheduled to take place Monday, May 17. This event was an all-day event that brings together a large group of people for one great cause. Over 150 athletes from seven different schools participated in the Special Olympics at Pattonville. According to the Special Olympics official Web site, “Special Olympics is where athletes with intellectual disabilities celebrate and are celebrated for their accomplishments. It’s often the first time that our athletes have truly taken center stage and been recognized as individuals.” Special Olympics is a special day for the athletes because it is “their competition and their game,” STUCO adivser and Pattonville Special Olympics coordinator Peter Barrett said. “They are just like everyone else when they go to compete in a game.” About 300 Pattonville students get the chance to work closely with the athletes through the buddy system. Each athlete is
“Special Olympics is a chance for us to give back to the community and help make a day special for someone who is less fortunate,” Brian Clark, 12.
Barrett said that the athletes are all so positive, despite some of their difficulties, and seeing this helps Pattonville students realize that they have it good. Special Olympics is a memorable experience for both the athletes and the volunteers. “The joy you get from seeing the special
The Real Price of
LUNCH
How your lunch choices affect more than just your wallet:
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wo dollars can buy a meal in the Pattonville cafeteria, but the impacts of that lunch can be far more costly than they seem. As obesity in the United States rises, students fill up on pizza, breadsticks, nachos and french fries everyday at lunch time. The statistics are frightening: 28.5 percent of the population of Missouri was classified as obese in 2008. Childhood obesity in America has tripled in the past 30 years. Reports on the so-called “obesity epidemic� are everywhere, but students continue to choose unhealthy foods at lunch. What most do not realize is that the price the spicy chicken sandwich may be more than just $2: obesity-related diseases are a $147 billion medical burden each year. The food in the cafeteria is also impacting the environment. From using nearly a thousand non-recyclable plastic foam trays daily to serving foods grown unsustainably, students are perpetuating the degredation of our earth with every purchase. Healthy, environmentally-friendly choices are available in the cafeteria. But in order to do so, students must understand how the impacts of their lunch purchases go beyond emptying their wallets.
1 Photos by Jacob Sharp
2 Refrigerators and freezers line the back wall of the main kitchen. These coolers and freezers store most of the food for Pattonville High School.
Cafeteria workers prepare food for lunch every morning on the prep tables. Two staff members arrive at 5:30 a.m. to prepare breakfast. More of the staff arrives at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Fresh fruits are prepped here, as well as the pizzas served in the hot lunch line everyday.
The Cafeteria: BEHIND THE
SCENES 3 4
The cookies served in the cash line are prepared the day before and frozen overnight. This tray of cookies is being prepared for the next day’s lunch.
The freezer to the left is one of several in the Pattonville High School kitchen. Frozen meats are stored in this particular freezer. The kitchen also has a larger freezer outside that stores food for the elementary schools in the district. Food for the elementary kitchens is picked up once a week from the high school.
5 In the back of the kitchens, a large dry foods pantry stores condiments, snacks, bread other other non-refrigerated items.
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Pattonville is not so “green”
lise Moser
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Lunch Trays By the Numbers
300-400 poly-
styrene foam lunch trays are thrown away everyday
63,000 trays are thrown away each year
12 miles of trays are
thrown away by Pattonville High School students and staff every year—that’s enough trays to lay edge-to-edge from Pattonville High School to Ritenour High School and back again. It takes over 500 years for one polystyrene foam lunch tray to decompose.
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attonville’s colors may be green and white, but it certainly is not “green.” The school district purchases unsustainably grown foods to serve in the cafeteria and throws away hundreds of non-decomposable lunch trays daily. Lunch Trays An environmental impact of the Pattonville cafeteria comes after lunch is over. According to Gale Robertson, the head of the kitchen at Pattonville High School, 300 to 400 polystyrene foam lunch trays are thrown away everyday. That adds up to over 63,000 trays each year. The trays are not biodegradable. After they are thrown away, they are taken to a landfill, where the trays will take over 500 years to decompose. Polystyrene recycling does exist. Pattonville High School utilized it for a while a few years ago but according to Robertson, the students did not participate. The recycling program required students to clear off their trays
before placing them in a separate bin for recycling, but the students would throw the trays into the trashcan instead. Lunch trays are not the only things that can be recycled. Milk cartons are also recyclable; however, most students just throw them away. Produce The fresh fruits and vegetables served in the cafeteria may be good for the body, but not for the earth—Pattonville’s carbon footprint stretches all the way to California, where most of the produce served to students is grown. Jackson Produce, Pattonville’s produce provider, gets most of its produce from the Golden State, over 2,000 miles from Pattonville High School. But one of the simplest ways to make a change toward “going green” is to buy locally grown foods. Locally grown foods does not have to be shipped from thousands of miles away to get to your plate. This reduces carbon dioxide emis-
Three Reasons to Buy Locally Grown Foods
1 Freshness
Locally grown foods are much fresher because they do not have to be shipped long distances.
2 It strengthens the local economy
Buying locally keeps money circulating throughout the community.
3 It protects
the enviroment
Local foods save tons of carbon dioxide emissions—literally! On a trip from California to St. Louis, a diesel truck may emit over 2,300 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Buying locally-grown foods substantially reduces energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.
Nutrition affects Learning
rowing up, students hear the same message each year in health class: Good nutrition is important to a healthy lifestyle. The same can be said for a successful lifestyle. Education is the key to success in life and it is proven that good nutrition is the key to good education. The foods that students consume affects their ability to learn. For one, food affects the amount of energy students have. Without energy, students are less likely to pay attention in class - favoring a nap over the daily lesson. By eating foods that give students more and longer-lasting energy, students will be able to stay alert throughout class instead of the information going in one ear and out the other. Poor nutrition also affects the body’s immune system. It affects how often and how long a student may be sick. Absence
from school is an obvious problem in regards to education. But illness also limits learning because sick kids don’t interact well with others. Poorly nourished students tend to be less active, less curious, less attentive, less independent, less responsive socially and more anxious. These can often keep a student from developing reading, verbal, physical and other skills. Anemia and iron deficiency are two large effects of poor nutrition that have a large impact on student performance. Anemic kids do not do well on math, reading, vocabulary, problem-solving or psychological tests. Iron deficiency may lead to a permanent loss of IQ later in life. Iron deficiency and anemia can both lead to short attention span, irritability, fatigue and trouble concentrating. Individually, these problems can cause difficulties in a student’s ability to learn
and that student’s academic performance. Combined these problems can cause a serious interference with a student’s educational process. Better nutrition can lead to better performance on standardized tests, better grades in class due to better focus and understanding of the material, more energy in class, and overall improved performance. Better academic performance benefits the student as an individual and, if the student body as a whole improves, the school. Students who do well academically will be more likely to be successful in life. If a school’s average tests scores are high, the school gets more funding to support educational programs. Overall, nutrition affects the entire school system. It is essential to a student’s ability to learn and a student’s ability to learn and do well affects the school. v
Source: http://www.hcheadstart.org/nutritioneffectslearning.htm
Man on the Gindler leads Student Movement Street Do you like the food in the cafeteria? How can it be better?
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tudents around Pattonville are campaignStephanie ing for healthier lunches. Vonarx, 10 Kirsten Gindler, 11, established the “Maybe less fattening foods. It tastes organization Students for Healthy Minds and Bodies this year in order to raise awareness about the good, but it’s not very good for you. unhealthy food being served at school. Gindler has been distributing petitions And more variety.” throughout the school to be signed for the cause and compiling research in hopes of presenting the Allyshia Frazier,11 idea to the Student Improvement Team (SIT) and Pattonville administration. “I came from a St. “We plan to gather as much data and research Louis Public School. as we possibly can,” Gindler said, “In order to be They don’t have as big taken seriously, we need to compile a well-thought of a variety [at lunch.]” out presentation.” Gindler critiqued the current food selection at lunch. “We don’t have very many vegetarWhat do you think about ian options. There are not a lot of fresh foods or vegetables. A lot of the food is full of preservatives recycling your lunch and genetically modified.” tray? Gindler also mentioned that some of the chemicals used in modified food can be harmful and even carcinogenic (substances that may induce cancer). Gindler commented that she has been deterred from eating lunch at school. Rachel Croney, 9 “I personally bring my own lunch. I never really thought that there were alternative ways to access “I think it would be better because healthy food at schools,” Gindler said. it would save the planet which is She also stressed that simple changes could also important. This year we’re in a habit of throwing it away so we might actually throw it away which would be bad.” Photos by Geri Farrell
make a big difference in school lunches. “With just a salad bar, we could inexpensively and easily provide an option that vegetarians could use everyday,” Gindler said. Gindler’s ultimate goal for her plan is “to have better ways to serve vegetarian students and students Photo courtesy of Kirsten Gindler concerned about their health and to eventually transition from just heating and serving to actually cooking food,” Gindler said. However, Gindler also wanted to stress the fact that it is not her intent to criticize the school cooks or others involved with school lunches. “This is not an attack on the cafeteria ladies, it’s not an attack on the administration, and it’s not an attack in any way. It’s just a plea for healthy lifestyles and healthier alternatives to the food that we have now,” Gindler said. Gindler also expressed concern with the Styrofoam trays currently being used for school lunches, stating that one Styrofoam lunch tray takes longer to decompose than the Statue of Liberty. For more information about improving school lunch, the Students for Healthy Minds and Bodies also has a blog at www.adventuresnlunch.tumblr.com and a facebook page. To get involved in the movement, contact Kirsten Gindler at gindlerk@gmail.com. v
Pirate Press’ Four-Step Plan
for a healthier, more eco-friendly cafeteria HEALTHIER 2 OFFER CHOICES
1 RECYCLE Recycling is one of the simplest ways for Pattonville to become more eco-friendly. Recycle bins are placed around the school already, but more need to be placed in the cafeteria. In addition to paper and aluminum recycling, polystyrene recycling for the lunch trays should be reinstated. It is the responsibility of the students to recycle their lunch trays after eating and the importance of this should be stressed by the custodial staff as well as the teachers and administrators.
In the cafeteria currently, there are several healthy choices offered. The hot lunch line follows the government guideline of providing onethird of daily calories in each lunch. However, more should be done to offer healthier foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be featured prominately to promote healthy eating. A salad bar would be a positive way to get students to eat healthier foods.
4 BUY LOCAL
MAKE BETTER CHOICES
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While offering healthier foods to students is a step in the right direction, it is the responsibility of the students to make the correct choices at lunch. Food from the cash line such as nachos, french fries and breadsticks do not offer a healthy, balanced meal that high school students require to be healthy. If healthier options were offered, it would be up to the students to take advantage of them and make a choice for the better.
Buying locally grown foods can help reduce Pattonville School District’s carbon footprint. Currently, most of the food served in the cafeteria comes from all over the country, traveling thousands of miles and emitting thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. By buying locally grown foods for the cafeteria, less energy would need to be used to get it here and produce would be fresher.
e Be e a h l o a ik cG t M M ts an W
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etween balancing school, sports and a social life, wanting to be a ballroom dancer is not something that most students at Pattonville High School have on their minds. Unless you’re Mikala McGhee. “I wanted to stand out to the producers in the interview,” McGhee, 10, said. “I thought it was different than a lot of the things you find around St. Louis.” At first, McGhee was hesitant about trying out for MTV’s MADE and it really didn’t go through her mind that much. “All of my friends were talking about trying out for MADE and I was encouraging them. Then I kind of got to thinking about it and I decided I wanted to try it out,” McGhee said. “It’s not very often you get opportunities to do stuff like this.” She, along with dozens of other Pattonville students filed into the cafeteria for MTV MADE casting calls on Feb. 11 and 13. “The interview was kind of goofy. I left to go to the interview right in the middle of basketball practice and I was all sweaty and had my shorts and jersey on. But the actual interview went pretty well.” The interviewer asked McGhee about her family life, her friends, school, hobbies and, of course, what she wanted to be made into. McGhee said she was confident after the interview and that some of her teachers said that her interview was one of the longest. Two and a half weeks later, Mikala got the phone call. The producers said that a camera person would be following her around, sort of a test run to see if they wanted to go through with the show. “I love my camera woman, but I hate the camera,” McGhee said. “It’s just kind of awkward being constantly watched by a camera all the time. But I guess you eventually get used
to it.” McGhee was chosen to do the show after the trial period and was set on her path to become a ballroom dancer. “It wasn’t exactly how I expected it to be, not as real as I thought it’d be. It sort of feels more like a job than just a camera following me around. You always have to talk in exact, complete sentences, and if you say or do something that they didn’t catch or didn’t like, you have to do sort of a re-creation. It’s not exactly reality.” McGhee practices ballroom dancing at least two hours a day in order to prepare for her performance at the S.P.E.A.K. Talent Show. She has two different coaches: a fashion coach and the dancing coach; she also has a partner from Marquette High School. One of the goals of the show was to make her more girly and ballroom dancer-like, thus the fashion coach. McGhee has to dress nice to school everyday, high heels and all. All this preparation is ultimately for the talent show on May 22, sponsored by the S.P.E.A.K. organization. “I’m nervous for it, but I think I’m gonna do pretty well.” The final MADE episode should air on MTV sometime this fall. v
Photo by Jacob Sharp
Mikala McGhee is one of dozens of students who interviewed for MTV’s MADE. The show is in its 10th season and follows teens that have far reaching goals and aids them in achieving their dreams. One scene shot at Pattonville that might be aired involves McGhee participating in a spontaneous fashion show in the lunch room as punishment by her fashion coach for not wearing high heels.
Pattonville varsity baseball reflects on commendable season G eri Farrell
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attonville’s varsity baseball team made a valiant effort in conference this season, just falling short of victory against rivals, Hazelwood West and Hazelwood Central. West and Central were co-champions in the Suburban North Conference this year. However, the team still came away with a third place finish and a regular season record of 15-7. Last season, the team placed first at conference with a record of 13-6. Assistant Coach Rich Beckmann only had positive comments about the team and the program at Pattonville overall. “It’s been a good group of kids and traditionally we are consistently conference champs or close. I think our record speaks well as far as the quality of our program,” Beckmann said. The team also performed well in its preseason play. “We ran into a stretch earlier this month where we haven’t played very well, but overall
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it’s been a pretty good year,” Beckmann said. One of the team’s more notable tournaments was the Farmington Invitational. “We really played well at the Farmington Invitational,” Beckmann said, “Nick Davis hit a 3-run homer for us to get us going.” Even though the entire tournament was not completed due to inclement weather, the team ended up finishing with a record of 3-1. Another notable performance was the game the team played against Fort Zumwalt West. “We won our first non-conference game in about four years. It was against Fort Zumwalt West and it was a home game,” varsity pitcher, Brian Hruby, 12, said. The team is also hoping to per-
form well at districts, which start on May 15. “We want to make a good run at districts and surprise some people. We have the talent, we just need to put the effort into it,” Hruby said. Hruby also commented that the team has a few notable traditions before games. “Before the game we do the “hop.” Arsy Alvi starts it. We go around the circle and each of us hops. It’s weird and there’s basically no point to it, but we started it last year and it carried on into this year,” Hruby said. Also, Hruby said that the team often prays together before important games. Hruby commented that playing on the Pattonville baseball team has been a positive experience. “I’m getting prepared to go to college and I get to play with my friends for the last time this year. I’m just preparing for my future and whatever it may hold,” Hruby said. Hruby plans on pitching for the baseball team at Lindenwood University next year. v
Robinson, Spencer leaving mark with Pattonville track in shot put, discus
rack and field at Pattonville encompasses many different competitions which include running like sprints and distances, and activities such as pole vault. But there are two less commonly mentioned events that Pattonville athletes participate in which are shot put and discus. “Shot put is a very difficult sport, a lot harder than you’d think,” Howard Robinson, 12, said. “It’s more about technique than anything else. Strength is only about 20 percent of it.” Robinson, who is participating in his first season of track, joined because he saw it on the Olympics. “I heard there were medals, too. I didn’t really have any medals, so I said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna do it.’” Shot put is the sport of throwing a 12- or 16-pound metal ball in a pushing motion as far as possible. Robinson leads all varsity shot putters
with a throw of 44 feet, 7 inches at the Corey Seibert Invitational on April 17. “Seeing people throw is the best part. It’s amazing how far that ball can be thrown because that’s a pretty heavy ball.” Robinson said. Robinson said he hopes to make it through Districts because “I really want to go to State and have my name in the books.” Discus throwing is a field event that has athletes throw a 12-pound disk-shaped object as far as possible in the competition. Jeremy Spencer, 11, is in his second year of competing and he has a personal record of throwing the disk 145 feet. He beat the second place finisher at the Suburban North Conference Championships by 3 feet on May 5. “I’m gonna try to beat the school’s record by the end of senior year.” Right now, Coach Hauser’s father holds the record at 160 feet, 4 inches.
“Coach was never able to beat it, and he kind of coaches students to try to beat it,” Spencer said. The atmosphere of shot put and discus is a lot friendlier than other sports like football, according to Spencer. “The coaches are really nice and they’ll even help you. They want you to do well,” Spencer said. Jesse Farmer, 11, joined track and field his sophomore year. “Discus throwing is pretty competitive, you really don’t have to rely or lean on anyone else, just yourself. It helps you improve yourself more,” Farmer said. “The thing about throwing is that it’s more about feet placement and hip movement, power comes last.” Farmer hopes to place in the Top 4 at districts and move on to sectionals, and eventually move on to place in state. v
Jacob’s Job
J
acob Sharp
Fact, Fiction and Facebook: The evolution of communication
Y
ou have a Facebook. And if you don’t, high five to you, but don’t worry, you’ll get one eventually. Those that do, you probably get on Facebook as often as you can. You scroll up and down the newsfeed to see what groups people have joined, see what random song quotes that they think describe their lives perfectly, or see cryptic statuses that really suggest that the poster is really deep and mysterious. There’s of course the statuses that spread information like who made the drill team, who’s the new drum major, or some other big, sometimes surprising, event. When news starts, people update their status, start tweeting and texting it, and eventually, everyone knows the news. This is a kind of communication that mankind has never experienced in its entire existence. Nothing takes time anymore. No waiting for the mailman to drive across the
country to deliver the news; no Morse code to be sent across the ocean. Externally, this is an excellent concept. People know things faster, allowing them to move on and accomplish even more in a smaller amount of time. The curse that accompanies the gift however, is that this can also spread misinformation equally-and more painfully-fast. A few weeks ago, I organized an experiment that included posting a bit of shocking and important news as our status on Facebook. Within minutes, phones started ringing, messages got sent, and everyone began asking about it; eventually, people began posting statuses about the news, accepting the misinformation as truth. A similar issue ripped through the Internet a year ago, when a fake Amber Alert spread all across the country: “AMBER ALERT!!! In Edmonton, Al-
Letter From the Editor E
lise Moser
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berta - A little girl, 3 years old was picked up by a man driving a grey car, license was plated Quebec 72B 381. Copy and paste this as your status. It could save that little girl. This kidnapping is recent! So do it, 3 seconds won’t kill you. Spread the word!” Twitter updates, texts, and statuses spread this false Amber Alert across the country and it was accepted as fact. It had people trying to chase down and find this phony kidnapper of a phony child in a phony car. This is an extremely dangerous development and one that can only develop into even more trouble as our civilization evolves. If we believe everything we see on Facebook or on the Internet, we’re likely to fall into a trap set by anyone who seeks to influence us against our will. v
Welcome to Senior Year, Class of 2011
t the end of every school year, one class of students graduate and another class becomes seniors, entering their final year of high school. There are tears at graduation as sisters, brothers, boyfriends, girlfriends and best friends all walk across the stage, officially becoming high school graduates. But what they leave behind is a new class of students, ready to take over for their newly graduated friends. Part of graduation brings sadness. Those left behind watch their friends go onto college while they are still in high school, waiting for their turn. After multiple graduation parties, another year of high school may seem daunting. But there is a silver lining. When one class of seniors graduates, another class must take its place. As the Class of 2010 leaves Pattonville High School for good, it’s time for the Class of 2011
to take over. This year, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors watched the Class of 2010 do amazing things. They led our Varsity Drill Team to a 4th place finish at the National Dance Team Champions and a Missouri State title. They were our Student Council presidents, our first-chair music students and our PALS. For three years, the Class of 2011 has waited for upperclassmen to graduate so that we may take their places. Leadership positions are finally available for us, the new seniors. Finally, it’s time for the Class of 2011 to lead the Student Council. This year’s freshmen, sophomores and juniors are finally going to lead the Pride of Pattonville Marching Band. And students who have waited in the wings are finally going to be given the chance at varsity sports positions. Watching the Class of 2010 walk across that stage at graduation may be momentarily disappointing. But it’s time to let our old
seniors go onto college and see ourselves as the leaders of Pattonville High School. We have prepared for this moment for three years. We have worked hard to reach our goals, waiting for our time to shine. Every practice, every competition, when we pushed ourselves just a little bit harder than we thought possible, will finally pay off. And so we say goodbye to the Class of 2010 and prepare for the Senior Class of 2011. v
r e m m u S r o f s e r a p e r P e l l i v n o t t Pa
G
eri Farrell
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Students Share Su
his summer, many Pattonville students are finding interesting alternatives to conventional plans. Instead of lounging on a beach or going to Six Flags for a day, many students have decided to take their plans for summer to the next level. Hannah Johnson, 11, has been accepted into a program called the Student Conservation Association. For this program, Johnson will travel to Merck Forest in Vermont and will camp there for 20 days this summer. “(The Student Conservation Association) is about sending kids into national parks to do maintenance that would be really costly otherwise. It gives kids a chance to be outdoors and to learn about the world around them and to do some good,” Johnson said. Johnson will be camping with six to eight other teenagers and is looking forward to all of the work she will be doing. “I will be building a trail to a waterfall, building some bridges and helping out on their organic farm. We’ll have a base camp there, but at the end we’ll probably do some hiking excursion,” Johnson said. Khalil Griffin, 11, also has interesting plans for this summer. Griffin was accepted into the Minority Introduction to Engineering (MITES) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a program known for its rigorous academics and selective admittance. “I got accepted into two very awesome programs this summer. One of which would entail me doing biomedical research. The other, to which I decided to go, will have me spending six weeks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, having 68 hours of class a week,” Griffin said. Griffin ’s classes will be focused on subjects such as calculus, physics, engineering and biochemistry. “I think I will come back 10 times smarter than I am now and going to that program will be an asset for going to any college especially ones focused on science and technology,” Griffin said. Griffin stressed that the program is not just focused on academics. In addition to his 68
mmer Plans
hours of class each week, Griffin will be able to visit places such as the local aquarium and socialize with the other MITES students. “I am looking forward to a summer of both intellectual development and social bonding,” Griffin said. This year, Danielle Schaffer, 12, is traveling to Germany through Pattonville’s German program. German teacher Janet Bergh is leading the group of approximately nine people. The group consists of Pattonville High School students, middle school students and Danielle Schaffer, 12, is travelparents. The ing to Germany with eight entire trip is other Pattonville students. 11 days long. “We are going to visit about one city every day and a half,” Schaffer said. In addition to Germany , the group is going to spend one day in Switzerland as well. The group will be visiting classic tourist attractions such as Mount Pilatus in Lucerne, Switzerland , where tourists travel up the mountain on a Lora Hakanson, 11, is attendlift to see the ing the Missouri Fine Arts breath-taking Academy this summer. view. Schaffer also indicated that while she is excited for the trip, she is also apprehensive. “This is the farthest away I’ve ever been from home. It’s going to be far away from my parents, but when I get there, I’m sure it’s going to be fun,” Schaffer said.
Lora Hakanson, 11, is also getting ready for her summer. This year, Hakanson is attending Missouri Fine Arts Academy at Missouri State University . Missouri Fine Arts Academy is a three-week long program for students that are talented in the visual and performing arts. “The (Missouri Fine Arts Academy) is supposed to be really selective because there are only about 150 students accepted from Missouri this year so you’re supposed to be one of the few in the state,” Hakanson said. Out of the150 selected students, Pattonville had three participants that were accepted. Hakanson was accepted into the program for acting. Megan Jones, 11, was also accepted into the program for her singing and Kaitlyn Hirschbeck, 10, for her instrument playing. Hakanson is excited for the activities and classes during the program. “You have courses in the morning and afternoon then there’s a break. Then they have evening activities,” Hakanson said. This summer, Kirsten Gindler, 11, is traveling to Washington D.C. for a week of civic education. “I won a contest sponsored by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America,” Gindler said. Gindler’s trip is free of expenses and she will be attending a congressional seminar, listening to multiple speakers and even attending a gala. However, the program is extremely selective. “Missouri doesn’t have a Dames’ chapter so they allowed me to enter in the state of Illinois. I’m the only one from this state going. Each state with an active chapter gets to submit one person,” Gindler said. Gindler anticipates unique experiences during her trip. “Last year they got to meet Hillary Clinton so an opportunity of that magnitude would be really exciting. Washington D.C. has so much to offer and it seems like I’ll be awarded a few experiences that few people get,” Gindler said.v
Photos by Geri Farrell