Staff Editorial “We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all.” -Eleanor Roosevelt A relationship is a bond or connection that you have with other people. Living in the 21st century, people don’t take relationships as seriously as they used to. Today, most people just want to have that special someone in their life, but do not really want to risk putting a title on it. When thinking of the word relationship, one automatically thinks of boyfriends and girlfriends, but most do not come to think of friendships and the way you get along with family members. Both sides of the relationship have to work together to make it function. A relationship is like a car; you can have all the right parts, but if you don’t maintain it and change its oil it will end up breaking down halfway to your destination. Love is a powerful emotion that can take over the human body. Love can hide the ugly side of other people because of the “feeling” that is between them. According to loveisrespect.org, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide have experienced abuse by their partner in a single year. Most of those abuses go unreported because the victim believes that it will be a one time thing or that it’s not a good representation of who they are. It doesn’t matter if it was a one time event or not. Studies have shown that those victims who have been emotionally, sexually, or physically abused will be at a higher risk for domestic violence when they’re older and are potentially at risk for drug use as well. With all the talk of negativity, relationships can also have a positive aspect. One’s whole life is based off of relationships with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. The whole world would function poorly if it didn’t have connections with all types of people. According to Harvard Health, it has been proven that being in a good relationship helps one reduce their stress levels. We all know stress to be very annoying and recurring in a high schoolers agenda. Relationships are key to living a positive lifestyle and maintaining good social health. Going out with your friends to the bowling alley or having a date night with your special one are fun cures that can reduce stress.
PEPPER BOX STAFF
Adviser: Ron Steinschriber Content Editor In Chief: Sarah Barbeau Design Editor In Chief: Sidney Lee News Editor: Alicia Watson Opinion Editor: Royalty Knight Online Editor: Bri’asia Mays Sports Editor: Jenna Hutson Spotlight Editor: Makayla Smith Staff Members: Jordyn Barber, Trystan Bell, Coralis Bobe, Vanessa Delgado, Marissa Driver, Carlotta Erpenbach, Alexandria Eyster-Cool, Nick Flanders, Olivia Hilliard, Lila Irby, Grace Humphres, Shelby Langhorst, Tabitha Peebles, Car’Tayza Shelton, Bailey Stock, Victoria Taylor, Martin Trujillo, Ashley Wright, Editorial Policy: The Pepper Box is designed and created by members of the newspaper staff of Ritenour High School. The purpose of the newspaper is to provide a forum for the students to focus on issues, give opinions, and share information with the Ritenour High School community. The opinions expressed in this paper do not reflect opinions of our faculty or administration. Letters to the editor are welcome and accepted, but they may not contain profanity, obscenity, or anything inappropriate to school. They may be e-mailed to Ron Steinschriber at steinschriberr@ritenourschools.org, or dropped off in room 240. The staff reserves the right to edit these letters.
Cover art by Shelby Langhorst Back cover by Ron Steinschriber, made with easel.ly
Who will help the needy?
Senior Royalty Knight did an experiment to see if how she looked would affect people’s reactions to her
The Royal Treatment By: Royalty Knight
If a well dressed woman asked you for a dollar to finish a purchase, would you help her? What if you saw a woman that looked homeless? Would you be more or less compelled to help? I watched a video that demonstrated these hypothetical questions. It started with a woman who was carrying a baby and dressed nicely, asking other people for diaper money. Later that day the same woman was dressed in
ripped baggy clothes. When she asked people for money someone actually yelled at her. As a viewer I initially dismissed it, feeling it was fabricated for views. However, after thinking more about it, I started thinking that it may have been accurate, so I figured I would actually go out and try it myself just to see. Going into this endeavor, I thought if I dressed in tattered clothing then more people would “help” me. For the record, I did not actually accept their money. To my surprise the data I collected showed that when I was dressed shabbily, more women helped me than men. While dressed this way, six out of the 10 men I asked ignored me altogether. Only two out of the 10 men offered to help me. In contrast, while I was dressed like someone in need, seven out of the 10 women helped me. I understand that some people will say that is because women are “more emotional.” Before this experiment, I would have
disagreed, and while it may not prove that women are more emotional, it may prove that women were more compassionate. While I was dressed nicely, only two out of the 10 women even acknowledged me when I asked anything, but 6 of the men acknowledged me. Out of the six, four actually offered to help me. This was the exact opposite of what happened when I dressed down. This led me to some extreme ideas as to how people react to others. This experience taught me many things, such as the fact that women and men are both driven by what they see. However, the things that they respond to seemed to be different, as women were more sympathetic to those in need. Some call it the ‘maternal instinct’. Men are seemed to be more focused on visual stimuli. When I looked ‘more presentable,’ more guys paid attention to me long enough to even ask the question. While I was dressed like a homeless person, only five men actually made eye contact with me.
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I’m (not) a flirt Senior Alicia Watson did an experiment to see the reactions she would get from her peers when she acted differently and openly flirted
Undercover Sister By: Alicia Watson
When it comes to the opposite sex, I have little to no experience; especially when it comes to flirting. The majority of my friends are naturally flirty, and very talented in that aspect. To them, flirting is like blinking or some other thing that comes as a second nature. For me though, it is the complete opposite. I’m awkward, therefore flirting is a much more difficult task than it already might be for others. Prior to now, I’ve had no problem with facing the fact that I’m a horrible flirt because I had no desire to do so. I’m always afraid that if I do flirt, someone might actually show interest and then I would have to find a way to politely reject them; something at which I’m also terrible. For one week, I had to put all of those negative
Opinion
thoughts aside, embody my inner R. Kelly, and become a flirt. For once, I couldn’t just jump right into this experiment, I had to first spend some time prepping myself for the intense flirting I was about to get into. Before beginning my flirting, I had to first know how to flirt. It was like signing up for a cycling marathon and not knowing how to ride a bike, or participating in the swimming events of the Olympics and not even knowing how to swim. The point is I had no idea how to flirt. So what did I do first? I Googled it. Did that help? Not really. Basically, it instructed me to do things that I already do on a regular basis. Make eye contact. I thought I was supposed to do that in any conversation to show respect. Start talking. I wasn’t aware that you could conduct a proper conversation without talking. Smile. I’m always smiling! Since Google obviously wasn’t getting me anywhere, I asked who I thought would be the most helpful source- my friends. Most of my friends gave me the same generic advice to be myself and the flirting would come naturally. Royalty suggested that I should use corny pickup lines. Jalynn advised that I tease them a bit and not be afraid to touch them
on the arm. She even gave me a live demonstration. When the bell rang for 5th period, she told me to “pick a boy, any boy”, then she jumped right into character. She walked up to him and said “boy,” and lightly slapped his shoulder while asking for his jacket because she was “freezing.” She then ditched me in the hallway and walked to his locker to receive the jacket. After I was done prepping for flirting, I had to think about how I was going to find boys to flirt with, since my friends of the opposite sex are quite limited. It was only a few moments before it dawned on me that my victims were laid out perfectly in front of me at work. Work provides me with access to plenty of boys that I’m already familiar with, so it made it less weird than I thought it would be. When it came to the actual flirting, I must have been terrible because nobody gave me actual responses. I at least expected someone to ask me if I was flirting with them, but I got nothing. The cheesy pick up lines got me nowhere. They all assumed I was just telling jokes, so eventually I stepped my game up and broke the physical contact barrier. It still resulted in NOTHING. To say the least, I was a little disappointed. I wasn’t looking for much but I at least wanted someone to acknowledge the fact that I was flirting, no matter how terrible it was. In conclusion has this experiment improved my flirting? No. Will I be flirting ever again? Another resounding no.
Black History Month needs more faces
Senior MaKayla Smith is tired of hearing the same names every February, and wants to include more names to Black History Month
MaKayla’s Way By:MaKayla Smith
Everybody knows that February was Black History Month, but I don’t think we are getting everything out of the experience that we could be getting. During that month, we typically focus on the mainstream people. I don’t think that we should stop focusing on those people like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. Maybe we should add new people to the list if we really want
to enhance the positives of Black History Month. Esther Jones and Vivien Thomas are historical figures who changed the career paths of many young African American kids. Esther Jones was a jazz singer in the late 1920’s. Vivien Theodore Thomas was a surgical assistant in the 1930’s. They changed a lot for those who followed in their footsteps, yet they rarely get, nor can they ever receive, a proper thank you. Esther Jones was born December 5, 1910 and is known as the original Betty Boop. Betty Boop is a woman who was introduced to us as a white female cartoon character, even though the person she is modeled after was really black. Nobody had ever thought about where this name originated from. She was a jazz singer who became famous for something called scatting. It’s when you use words like “Doo wop, Doo doo, wop ba ba” while harmonizing. Scatting is now a very common thing to soulful
singers. Anybody that can do this, is considered talented. Vivien Theodore Thomas was a surgical assistant born in 1910. Vivien Thomas graduated from Pearl High School. He was supposed to start college once he left high school, but the stock market had just crashed. This began the Great Depression and Vivien Thomas got a job with surgeon Alfred Blalock. The two of them worked together for 35 years, making changes and paving a way for surgeons to follow. Somewhere down their path, Thomas and Blalock began looking for a cure to Blue Baby Syndrome. In the mid 1940’s, Thomas found the cure that all professionals had been searching for. He was just the assistant, but doctors now look up to Thomas and worship his work. The people I listed above, and others like them should be taught in history classes, more than just during the month of February of every year. Even though this month was created to justify a bunch of unjust acts, we still need it or else nobody would know.
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Opinion
Ritenour musicians perform at E. Desmond Lee Festival Students from all three areas of the music department performed at the event held at the University of Missouri, St. Louis classmates, I was still not as confident going into the experience. But, surely over time I gained the courage I needed to work my hardest,” senior Austin Kaiser said. Hard work and ample time goes into these events. Most students were required to learn new pieces of music in time for Des Lee. With learning new pieces, the participants had to put time and exertion into rehearsal. Being able to work in a fast paced environment was a quality that multiple students related as important to the event. “Considering the little amount of time we had to work with our peers during school hours, we had to find the time on our own to practice. My Members of the Ritenour Band participate in the E. Desmond Lee Festival on February 7. Memgroup rehearsed for nine hours the bers of orchestra and choir participated as well. Photo courtesy: Hadley Haux day before the event,” junior Omily Rustemeyer said. By: Tabitha Peebles who would best showcase Ritenour at With Des Lee being a great tool Staff Reporter this event. for knowledge in the music world, “Some of the qualities you would students found themselves learning Students at Ritenour were need to showcase in order to be new things from their peers and even presented with the opportunity to selected are being a positive leader strangers. They learned that there is participate in the E. Desmond Lee in the classroom, and being able always room for improvement if one is Festival this past February 7. to humble oneself while taking willing to feed off and absorb the talent The event was held at the Touhill constructive criticism,” junior Arieon from others around them. Center at the University of Missouri Thomas-Smith said. “I learned to listen to the voices at St. Louis (UMSL) where students Working well in the classroom, these of people around me while singing within the music department were students also have to put their best and develop my sound to theirs if I able to represent their school. These foot forward outside of the classroom. happened to make a mistake. I also students prepared for the event These participants have to be excellent learned to be more understanding through lengthy rehearsals and at working with others. Collaborating of those who have different learning practice with their fellow peers. with their peers in school and styles than me. It was great knowing To represent the school in a positive strangers at UMSL turned out to be that I was surrounded by people who light, participating members had to quite the experience for some first time loved music as much as I do,” Thomasmeet and exceed D.R.E.A.M within participants. Smith said. the school to be selected. Putting forth “Singing with complete strangers effort everyday in the classroom helped gave me the motivation I needed to the music department teachers decide push myself. While working with
News
Leadership hosts blood drive Ritenour hosts its second blood drive of the school year, with Leadership taking the lead on the event on February 15 By: Nick Flanders Staff Reporter The annual Ritenour blood drive took place on February 15, and each pint donated by Ritenour staff and students had the potential to save three lives each. Ritenour student Reese Sherman, a member of Leadership, helped lead the Red Cross Blood Drive. “To help out people that need blood, Leadership works with the Red Cross,” Sherman said. The Red Cross needs as much blood as they can get and students can donate one pint each. “I wanted to help people out by giving blood,” junior and first time donor Makayla Williams said. Ritenour students who were 16 or older could have signed up during lunch. The student workers got volunteers’ weight checked to see if they qualified, and if they did, they got to donate and save a life. “At lunch when you sign up, you can pick a time that you want to donate blood, and then get checked out to see if you are able to donate. If you have met the requirements of height and weight and you have enough iron in your blood, then you will be able to donate. After you donate, you go and sit for awhile. The Red Cross will cater a snack to you so that you do not get dizzy and pass out,” Sherman said. According to the American Red Cross, there are four steps in the donation process. These steps are necessary for every donor and are performed each year. Step one is registration. Staff &
Leadership hosted the blood drive on February 15. The blood drive obtained 56 units of blood that can go towards saving people’s lives. Photo courtesy: Isabel Clark
volunteers sign donors in, give them information on the donation, and receive information such as donor card and driver’s license. Step two is a health history & miniphysical. Students who volunteered to donate blood are asked questions on information such as their health history and places they’ve traveled in a confidential interview. Step three is the donation, which takes approximately 8-10 minutes. However, the time the needle is inserted is only just a few seconds. When approximately a pint of blood is collected, the donation is complete and a bandage is placed on the arm. The final step in donation is refreshments. Eating and drinking something is key to your safety after a donation.
These steps are necessary for every donor and are performed each year. However, there are certain requirements that are needed before a person is able to donate. The level of iron in a person’s blood has to meet a certain number in order for them to be eligible. If anyone missed out on donating during the blood drive, but still wants to help, then they can schedule an appointment to donate at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Florissant, MO. This blood drive was successful and there will be more coming up. “All in all, the Blood Drive was successful with 79 people presenting, and 56 units getting donated,” Sherman said.
News
Relationships and Ritenour students Ritenour students discuss both the positive and negative effects of being in a relationship in high school By: Martin Trujillo and Victoria Taylor Staff Reporters Valentine’s Day brought various emotions for Ritenour students. People were either love sick or sick of love; relationships were either blooming or wilting. According to the Pew Research Center, one in three teens have had some type of romantic relationship. In relation, according to the Center for Adolescent Health, romantic relationships are the highest sources of stress in the lives of teens, only behind schoolwork and parents. No matter what situation students currently find themselves, everyone can agree that at one point in their lives they will be in love. Ritenour students shared their thoughts on benevolent relationships. An anonymous sophomore shared what his favorite part of being in a relationship was and the feelings and emotions he takes from it. “My favorite part of being in a relationship is having someone who cares for you, somebody that you can always go to, somebody that you can rely on and that relies on you for support. Relationships let you feel like you are wanted,” the anonymous student said. Senior Rebekah Jimenez explained what she gets from being in a relationship. “Being in a relationship gives you a best friend, one that is your boyfriend or girlfriend. You also benefit when you two support each other in school. For example, if you don’t want to do your homework, Seniors Jeremy Swan and A’niyah Lofton walk down the hall hand in hand. Photo by Sidney Lee your significant other can push you to do your homework,” Jimenez said. An anonymous junior reported that specific activities with a loved one are what give her joy in a “The best part of being in a relationship is building a relationship. foundation of trust between two people, and getting to “Being in a relationship lets you have someone with know one another. Sharing experiences with another person which to cuddle, eat food, and watch T.V.,” the anonymous and opening up more is really a good thing to do. I think I junior said. trust more people when I put my ego to the side, and I think Senior Caleb Hogan shares what he believes to be the best part of being in a relationship, benefits, and what works that strengthens relationships,” Hogan said. best for him.
Spotlight
Infographic created by Victoria Taylor on easel.ly
Spotlight
How to balance school and love Students find it difficult to navigate a successful academic experience in high school while also dealing with the pressures of maintaining friendships and relationships sometimes they are the reason I can get through the day,” Stief said. Junior J’von Halbert agrees with Stief by speaking on how he saw himself losing concentration during and after school hours due to his friendships. “Yes because they take your mind off of what you are supposed to be focusing on; school work,” junior J’von Halbert says. When asked if relationships affect their overall school experience, students interviewed responded that they believe they do. “Yes, you can always tell when people don’t really have a lot of friends or are lonely because they show it. I Sophomore Jasmine Destiny simulates the choice between academics and being in a relationship. know I act completely different then Photos courtesy: Sidney Lee and Brendon Klohr, Photo illustration by Ron Steinschriber when I did freshmen year when I barely had anyone to talk to. I think if I still didn’t have many friends I’d feel By: Jordyn Barber themselves,” Brewer said. bitter towards people and seem like a Staff Reporter However, senior Amanda Stief sees more hateful person than I really am,” herself as being positively influenced Stief said. Going through the halls at Ritenour, by current relationships in her life. New Castle High School’s likely relationships of every kind can “It’s nice having someone there to newspaper “The Phoenix” found that be seen. Whether these relationships tell me I can do it, or help me with my Steif is correct in her observations. are friendly or romantic, students school work. Being in a relationship According to this newspaper, are impacted daily by their choice in now, I’ve experienced being more relationships rate high on the list of companions. confident in the work that I do,” Stief priorities for students. Friendships, Junior Janessa Brewer spoke about says. family and dating relationships all play the effect of the relationships she has According to the University of key roles in creating what will become experienced. She mentions that people Florida IFAS Extension site, dating the memories of our high school days have taken her for granted and she has become a distraction due to the gone by. learned from that. infatuation that comes with a new Although relationships in this “They’ve helped me realize who is relationship, keeping students from society tend to have the negative truly there for me and who really cares, their classes and homework. connotations attached to them, they as opposed to those who only want me “I look forward to coming to could possibly be the only thing that there because they’re bored. It taught school knowing that I have friends to keeps the high school experience me that some people don’t view me as talk to. It makes me feel less lonely. important, but instead as a resource for While at times they can be distracting, worth the time.
Spotlight
Public displays of affection crowd the hallways
Students and administrators grapple with how to monitor public displays of affection in the hallways By: Jenna Hutson Sports Editor
Public displays of affection (PDA) are a growing occurrence in high schools around the United States. This is no different at Ritenour, and administrators point to unawareness of students as one of the factors. “PDA is really an issue of social appreciation,” assistant principal Bilal Ewing said. Many students feel that showing affection in school is okay, but there are limits that others should know. “I feel like a hug or kiss is not bad, but making out is a little bit of a stretch, especially for school,” junior Tanner Voelcker said. “Also it is disrespectful to grope the other person in public.” Other students see no problem with the issue as long as it is not affecting them. Sophomore Lena Thai understands that it happens, but just asks that it does not stop her from gaining an education. “I just don’t find that school is the place for it just because we are here for learning. I don’t really mind, just move out of my way in the hallway,” Thai said. While students have differing views on PDA in school, they can all agree that creating harsher rules against the issue would be going too far. “I feel like creating rules against PDA would be a little too extreme. However, I think that it is something that should definitely be brought up at the beginning of the year assembly or something,” senior Hailee Keys said.
Students have varying views about public displays of affection in the halls of Ritenour High School. Photo by Sidney Lee
Staff at RHS feel that there is no need to go through a series of escalating punishments for PDA due to the fact that positive relationships can be built between staff and students by daily monitoring. “The best thing to do is to have consistent enforcement, such as a sideways glance when you see PDA happening. It helps form a relationship with the student,” Ewing said. “The kids know when they cross the line.” Many people are understanding, but still believe that there should be a limit. “Most of the couples you see showing PDA are freshman and sophomores that have more
complications in seeing each other outside of school,” Keys said. “I don’t think that the staff should be down our backs, but students need to let people know not to be excessive.” Staff at Ritenour appoint some of the blame to the comfortability that begins to be associated with school. “Affection is healthy, but sometimes people forget their surroundings. Since the students are here so much, school begins to feel like home,” Ewing said. Keys wanted to remind fellow students to think of others before proceeding with the action. “If it is something that would make you blush seeing someone else do it, then it is too much,” Keys said.
Spotlight
Trump’s policies elicit reactions By: Bailey Stock Staff Reporter
Protests around the country and increased political talk have defined Trump’s presidency thus far
For only having been in the White House for just over eixty days, President Donald Trump has already begun to make a variety of changes for the United States. Exactly seven days after being sworn in as president, Trump signed an executive order, which started to become known as the “Travel Ban,” that banned traveling and immigration from specific Middle Eastern countries. It was ultimately overturned, but Trump is still trying to enact this legislation. Sophomore Hope Houston, a vocal non-Trump supporter, feels very strongly against this order. “I feel like this ban is unconstitutional and completely opposite of what this country needs. We are supposed to be the land of the free and allow multiple cultures to come in and help shape our country,” Houston said. However, senior Morgan Coffey, a vocal Trump supporter, feels that the “Travel Ban” is the correct decision for this country. “He was just banning a few countries because Obama deemed them to be the most dangerous to this country. I don’t think it was a bad thing, I think he had good intentions for our country’s safety and I think people are blowing it out of proportion,” Coffey said. Another issue that has come to the American population is the possibility of Trump choosing to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood is an organization that women all over the country go for help with
Spotlight
contraception, family planning, and problems with their reproductive systems. Junior Ruthie Haux is one young woman who agrees with funding Planned Parenthood because of the amount of help the organization provides for women. “People have a right to care about unborn children, but women have a greater right to care about their own bodies, health, and lives right in this moment, and no one St. Louisans march near the Arch, and in the shadow of the Dred and Harriet Scott statue. Photo Courtesy: Flickr, submitted has the right to take by user Eric those decisions away States is always considered on both from them,” Haux said. sides of the argument. As a result of Trump possibly “I think the “Travel Ban” will, in choosing not to fund this organization, turn, make our country safer because many women have chosen to take a stand for keeping it funded. Across the it will give Trump a 90 day time period to actually put real travel laws for United States, women have organized marches to voice their opposing views. our country into place,” Coffey said. “Also, I think Planned Parenthood Sophomore Abigail Dismuke, being changed from a federally funded a feminist, greatly appreciates the program to state funded will help end efforts American women have made a lot of controversy over abortions.” to express their thoughts on the However, while Coffey believes defunding of Planned Parenthood and these particular decisions Trump is women’s oppression in general. making are what is best for the United “The march was an excellent idea States, Houston believes his decisions and was well-executed,” Dismuke are going to tear the country a part. said. “It was made painfully clear “More women will be dying or in that women in this country, and need of more medical help,” Houston in countries around the world, are said. “And it [the Travel Ban] is only impacted by what happens in ours. It going to cause more chaos since showed that they would not sit idly by and let their rights be ignored or taken minorities are a major part of the culture in this country. Trump is away.” With both of these issues occurring, wrong for trying to get rid of the diversity.” the effect they have on the United
Two wrestlers compete at State Juniors Ryan Howerton and Austin Cornell both competed at State, with Howerton taking sixth place
Junior Ryan Howerton wrestles in a meet this season. Howerton made it to State, and placed sixth overall in his weight class. Photo courtesy: Heather Brown
By: Bailey Stock Staff Reporter After a hard fought season, juniors Austin Cornell and Ryan Howerton both qualified to wrestle at the Missouri State Wrestling Championships. Assistant coach Alex Terrance has worked with both of these Husky wrestlers since last year and has watched them grow in skill. “Austin and Ryan are both naturally gifted and motivated to succeed,” Terrance said. “Those two qualities have taken them way further than anything I could have shown them on the mat.” Even though Cornell and Howerton have performed well in all three years at Ritenour, they were still considered underdogs going into the competition. “I was really excited because the guy I beat was not supposed to lose,” Howerton said. However, with hard work and dedication, Howerton endured
through the competition and won his match to place sixth in state. “I was tremendously proud to be even a small part of his success on the mat,” Terrance said. Howerton has continued his ascension as a top wrestler in the state. He says that his experiences during the last two seasons have helped him grow and mature into a better wrestler. Howerton also competed at the State competition last year. “I believed in myself and gained a
lot more confidence from participating at State last year,” Howerton said. Cornell said that having a teammate who rose to the top of the competition has helped him raise his wrestling standards as well. The two have been wrestling together for three seasons and try to work together to become better. “We hold each other accountable,” Cornell said. “ We work out together and we work hard together.” Senior teammate Brian Chrun has been working with Cornell and Howerton for the last three years, and credited the coaching staff with helping to push the wrestlers into being the best competitors possible. “The coaches are very influential. They always push us to do well in everything, not just wrestling,” Chrun said. While Howerton placed sixth at State and Cornell got to understand the talent level in his first trip, neither of the athletes is content with the finish of their season. “We are going to start working now by preparing all year. There is no offseason,” Cornell said.
The wrestlers stretch before a meet at Hazelwood Central. Juniors Austin Cornell (orange sweatsuit) and Ryan Howerton (orange shorts) both competed in State this year. Photo courtesy: Heather Brown
Sports
Ritenour athletes experience scholarship process After seeing many of his senior teammates sign with colleges to play football, junior Ayodele Adeoye has received multiple offers
Junior Ayodele Adeoye tackles a player from SLUH. Adeoye has received 20 scholarship offers from high level Division I colleges. Photo courtesy: RHS Athletics
By: Ashley Wright Staff Reporter Many student athletes at Ritenour High School have been gaining recognition from colleges around the country for their respective sports. As colleges show interest, many athletes are gearing up to make a choice that takes their careers to the next level. The process of getting a scholarship first starts with getting recruited. In an effort to get the best players from each recruiting class, coaches are looking at athletes as soon as their freshman and sophomore years in high school and sometimes earlier. Football scholarships are some of the most sought after financial aid opportunities available. They are also sometimes
Sports
extremely competitive. Senior JC Biayi spoke about his official visit to William Jewell College. He said that once the official visits start, it isn’t so much about playing ability anymore, but about what type of person each of the athletes are off of the field. “I was on a visit with about 15 other guys. In the back of my mind I thought about making sure my scholarship was secure. The coaches saw what I could do on the field so the visit was showing them about my character and my personality off of the field,” Biayi said. While getting recognition may be rewarding, the road to winning an athletic scholarship is long, complicated, and begins early in a student’s high school career.
Schools are looking to fill roster spots every year, and they want to have the best possible players for their teams. As a result, many football programs offer athletes a non-binding scholarship offer early in their high school careers, to show that they are serious about wanting that athlete to attend and play for their school. While there are certain criteria that must be met for student athletes, it essentially gives them the understanding that they have some choice in the college process and can be taken care of for four years. “The recruitment process is crazy. It started a little over a week ago for me and it has already been kind of wild,” junior Ayodele Adeoye said. Adeoye has been getting a lot of attention for his play on the football field. Many high level Division I programs have begun to give him scholarship offers to come and play for their school. There is a lot more to recruiting than just visits and commitments. The evaluation process is extensive and thorough, but even still, coaches run the risk of missing out on players. For players, it’s an exercise with hard work that allows for getting as much information to make their decision easier. “I have a total of twenty offers, plus I like how it’s early so you don’t really have to pick a school right away. You can show all the schools love,” Adeoye said. “It feels good to get a lot of recognition.”
St. Louis makes bid for expansion MLS franchise
Leaders from St. Louis have put together a proposal for a professional soccer team to come here, and students are excited By: Olivia Hilliard Staff Reporter With the year 2017 having barely emerged, businessman and former Anheuser-Busch President, Dave Peacock, proposed to build a major league soccer stadium, along with a Major League Soccer expansion team in St. Louis. The group formally submitted an application for an expansion team to Major League Soccer on January 31, 2017. The building of the stadium has motivated several high school soccer players to work 10 times harder. With the possibility of potentially becoming a professional player in their city, students thrive to work as hard as they can. “The making of the league team motivates me to work so much harder,¨ junior Alexis Reyes said Soccer has always attracted large crowds in St. Louis, as Busch Stadium has played host to “friendly” matches between varying countries. It was this success that has spurred the effort to bring a professional team to St. Louis, with the hopes that there will be consistent attendance at home games. Some hope that with a team coming to the area, there will be more of an emphasis on local soccer and they can get discovered, and potentially be scouted to the national team. “Building a soccer stadium really made me happy, because this is a big opportunity for many other players like me that will soon go try out and
An artist’s rendering of a new soccer stadium in downtown St. Louis. This would be where SC STL plays its home games if St. Louis is granted an MLS franchise. Photo courtesy: HOK
hopefully play for MLS and get a contract with them,” junior Abdul Haimed said. It took some time for the city of St. Louis to agree on the financing aspects of the stadium. The city’s 60 million dollar contribution to the downtown stadium, valued in total between $155 and $200 million, was first defeated by a 6-2 vote of Alderman. About an hour after the vote, key players amended the bill to include between $12.5 million and $17 million in projected new revenue going into the city’s general fund over 30 years. The measure passed 5-4, and now the city is just waiting for MLS to make their decision about the expansion cities. Soccer players at Ritenour are excited for their sport to get more exposure than some of the more
traditional American sports. They feel that soccer itself is finally expanding in the state of Missouri, that St. Louis is finally opening up to a sport other than football, baseball, basketball, or hockey. ¨I feel the building of the league team is letting more light shine on soccer than basketball or football, it is finally giving soccer its own spotlight,” junior Jonathan Bishop said A majority of high school students who are highly interested in soccer see this as a big opportunity for them to someday become a part of MLS team, but in order for them do that they have to hold their academic life together as well. The hard work that is present on the field, also must be present in the classroom. ¨Without academic goals, there are no soccer goals,” Reyes said.
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