Staff Editorial Connections are vital for people to fit into society, whether it means making a connection with a co-worker, teacher, or peer, it is extremely important for the well-being of all. The connections made early in life will make a difference later on. Making connections does not always mean with people, it can be with places or objects as well. These connections are commonly used in classrooms around the world to help better students’ knowledge of what is around them. At the Pepper Box, we make connections with students on a daily basis, and it helps with our goal of producing the newspaper. Students are likely to connect to a book in a class, just like they are likely to connect with a boss or a teacher. To make a connection is the most helpful tool that can be used over a person’s entire life. No matter who that person is, there is always something, someone, or somewhere that they can relate to and use for their own personal advancement. At Ritenour, it’s easy to make connections because there are so many people and resources. The diversity at the high school is also rewarding because it is likely to help with making connections among a wide variety of groups. In the game Connect Four, players win by connecting four chips to each other, and it is obvious that this game can be used as a metaphor for real life situations. We believe that students who make four great connections in their high school career will have more success in the future. Make connections and talk to people. It has to start today to create an improved tomorrow.
PEPPER BOX STAFF Advisor: Ron Steinschriber Content Manager: Sean Baker Design Editor: Morgan Diamond Opinion Editor: Sidney Lee Online Editor: Carcea Carr Sports Editor: Ryan Tiefenbruch Spotlight Editor: Leia Boyd Staff Members: Shaquan Brown, Cheynne Harris, Will Qualls, Bri’Asia Mays, Royalty Knight, Sarah Barbeau, Makayla Smith, Alicia Watson
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 innappropriate to school. They may be e-mailed to Ron Steinschriber at steinschriberr@ ritenour.k12.mo.us, or dropped off in room 240. The staff reserves the right to edit these letters.
Buy your yearbook before it is too late. The price rises to $60 when the books arrive, if there are any remaining. For more information come to room 240. Senior ad space is still available. The deadline to purchase an ad is 3/18.
Adult readers are on the decline Less adults are reading, which leads to less kids reading, which could lead to an illiterate country
I Harris Everyone By: Cheynne Harris In America, 24% of adults have not read a book within the past year. Let that sink in for a second. Whether it was an ebook, hardcover, or paperback, just about one of every four adults did not read a book from start to finish last year, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center in January of 2014 How can we expect kids to have the urge to read when all they see is adults on a cell phone or watching a television screen? The motivation to read just is not there for a lot of kids. The lack of motivation to read books comes from
the easier access to television screens and cell phone faces that exists today. Children go by what they see and hear, and all they are seeing and hearing is that being entertained by funny videos and memes is what matters in life. Now I am not saying parents are fully to blame, it is the students’ fault as well. Taking the initiative to do things on their own is something a lot of children lack, or have not yet fully grasped. However, just because they don’t have the incentive to do these things, does not mean we should give up and let them not do it at all. Schools make students read, but it is becoming easier and easier for students to act as if they have read without doing all the hard work. When technology became more convenient, the reading became less mandatory. People wonder why their ninth grader is reading at a second grade level and speaks with the vocabulary of a fifth grader, but refuse to do the steps necessary to make them do better. Technology is something that makes things like speaking and reading more convenient, therefore the need to read books has become less important because we can just watch the movie on Netflix or You Tube.
Due to phones, instead of reading the chapter, students can go to Spark Notes and get the broad details about the story, at least enough to help fake their way through the class without the teacher knowing they did not actually read the novel. Holding students back is not going to persuade them to learn, home has to change. Starting at a young age, we must make our child book-literate, not screen tolerant. The environment a child is presented with will dictate what path they choose to go down. How many stories are told about illiterate multi-billionaires? People hear about how someone persevered through troubles and hardship, but how did they do that? They were able to have at least one person to push them. Reading is something that will always be important, and just having the skill means nothing those skills are not sharpened by doing things like reading books. Teachers are there and should help, but parents need to help too. I wish people would stop blaming the teacher and take a role to make the kids find that reading a book is better than watching the movie or getting the Spark Notes.
Ritenour’s monthly secret message One of your teachers has a secret message for you. Every letter in the message stands for another letter in the alphabet. HINT: The letter R on the right is really I, the letter W is really the letter D. Can you decode it and find out what Mr. Nelke loves most about March? If you think you have the answer, visit Mr.Steinschriber in room 240. If you are right, you will win a chocolatey prize!
R OLEV WZBORTSG HZERMTH GRNV, HG. KAGIRXP’H WZB, NZIXS NZWMVHH, ZMW, HKIRMT YIVZP
Opinion
Making a community impact The Social Justice Club is involved in numerous projects to help positively impact the community By: Alicia Watson Staff Reporter Ritenour’s Social Justice Club has been keeping themselves busy with various activities involving the school and community, andalso have a variety of projects on the way. In light of Black History Month last month, the club created a series of murals that were titled “People of Color” to recognize certain figures who have contributed to making an impact on humanity. The murals acknowledged people of different ethnicities in history as well as African American people. “I believe we are going to start seeing the evolution of Black History Month. We should recognize all people within history. All people have played a role in history,” Social Justice Club sponsor Isaiah Melendez said, “We are trying to advocate for that and the recognition of all the varieties of people who live here. We are calling it people of color because we want to recognize that all people have color.” Figures in history who have done things to “advance all people” were painted in white on a black fabric as the background. The profile of their face was presented along with their name and a positive quote about what they accomplished. Beneath the quote there was a challenge to those who viewed the poster to be the change that they want to see in the world. “With the quotes, we wanted to inspire people to be better people and make changes,” junior Amethyst Parsons said. The murals were created with the intent to spark conversations. Since the murals were called “People of
Spotlight
Color,” but included people of different backgrounds, they were intended to cause discussion amongst the school population. “The fact that the mural will have different ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds will definitely raise some questions and conversations because it’s Black History Month,” junior Kenyana Savage said, “It just leaves you with the question: Black History Month, who does it represent?” Social Studies teacher Yul Amerson believes that the murals match the intended purpose of Black History Month, even though they are non-traditional. “I do not see a problem with it, so long as they are standing for something that is in line with Social Justice,” Amerson said, “Black History Month has never been about the exclusion of other people, it’s about the inclusion of people who have been forgotten.” Along with the murals, the club is working on a project called the Coalition Jar. This will be put in place so that students are able to have an ally
within the school. “We recognize that we all need support, we all need people to turn to,” Melendez said. There will be locations where students can put in what they are dealing with and only people in the coalition will be able to see it. They will respond back to them in a card or letter to let them know that someone is listening. They are also in the works of developing a state of the school address. A representative will come forward and address things throughout the school that students are doing wrong, what they could do better, and ways in which they can get to see positive results. The club has also partnered with University City High School to clean up the historically black Greenwood Cemetery. With this they are starting a movement to encourage other schools to rebuild their community. “The way you leave your community is a reflection of who you are yourself,” Melendez said.
Junior Andrea Gaona, senior Daryl Burkes and Social Justice Club Adviser Ericka Harris help cleean Greenwood cemetery. Photo courtesy: Isaiah Melendez
Runners increasing distance Students on the GO have been running longer distances in preparation for a half marathon By: Vanessa Delgado Staff Reporter Students on the GO recently ran one of their farthest distances, and for some members, it was a distance most of them had never run before. Members of Students on the GO have been preparing themselves for these runs since November. They meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school during regular school weeks. “Students started running in November on their own and they have had a training schedule,” sponsor and senior English teacher Louise HaarChapman said. The students run at their own pace, so that they do not feel
discouraged if they cannot run as fast as some of their fellow members. They run around the Ritenour neighborhood for about three miles each time they meet. They are encouraged to run for the entire time, but they can also opt for a quick walking break if needed. “I personally run the whole time. I tell myself that I need to keep running and that I cannot walk, so that I know how well I will actually do at the half marathon,” junior Melanie Uzarraga said. In January, students started running in Forest Park as part of their training. The group does their long runs early on Saturday mornings. Those runs start at seven miles and increase a mile every Saturday that
they meet. “Starting January, we run every Saturday for about seven miles. Then we go eight, nine, ten, until we get to 13, which is the half marathon,” senior Itza Gonzalez said. For most of the students, this was an enjoyable moment in their school year. Not only did Ritenour members of Students on the Go run in Forest Park, but students from 17 other schools from around the St. Louis area as well. “It was pretty good, even though we were tired. It gave us a sense of accomplishment,” senior Thoai Bui said. These practice runs are just the beginning of the preparation for the group’s ultimate goal: the half marathon in April. Students train for this half marathon months in advance so that they are able to have the endurance and stamina to run this long distance. They do not just show up and race that day, but practice regularly. Members slowly prepare themselves in hopes of running a quicker time than if they were not ready for such a run. Currently, they are increasing their distances and taking advantage of the unseasonable warm weather that has been in St. Louis this winter. “I was really happy, it was a gorgeous day. All these students were out running, so it was a really nice way to spend a couple of hours out in the sun on a Saturday,” Haar-Chapman said. Students on the Go runners show off their shoes after a run. Photo courtesy: Robert Weissler
Spotlight
Seniors use skills and tactics to get to graduation As graduation nears, seniors speak about what has helped them navigate through their senior year
Senior Rachel Zelle turns work into Mrs. LeeAnne Vest in senior English. Turning in work on time has been a point of emphasis for many seniors in their attempt to have successful years. Photo by: Sidney Lee
By: Makayla Smith Staff Reporter There are only two and a half months left before the class of 2016 graduates, and in preparation for that day, some seniors will be using specific skills and tactics to make it to the end of their last year in high school. The prevailing theory is that once students get to their senior year, they are burned out and catch a case of “senioritis.” While that fictional disease has claimed the work ethic of many seniors throughout the generations, some seniors just want to bring the year to a positive conclusion and are working hard to make that happen. “(I need to have) zero
Spotlight
procrastination and stay focused on getting to graduation,” senior Ahriel Foreman said. In order to get to graduation, many seniors acknowledged that focus is a defining factor. They also mentioned that routines should not change now that they are seniors if those routines have gotten them this far. “Just continue to keep pushing, working hard, and sticking to your regular good habits,” senior Elvis Phung said. For Phung this is not difficult, as his motivation to achieve is what gets him through his daily life. “My motivation for a successful life is what is getting me
through this year,” Phung said. While some seniors are continuing to just keep their regular habits, others need a little push to finish the year well. Sometimes, a student uses the motivation of someone else who is relying on them as a reason to push through the year and finish strong. “Everything I do is for my son,” senior Zulema Vazquez said. Students’ senior year of high school could be one of the toughest of their high school career. It can put a lot of stress on their shoulders. While applying to colleges and trying to figure out the future, students still have to complete their high school work, and potentially leave school to go to an after school job to start earning money for the future. Senior Brett Thomas says that his desire for post-high school success is what gets him through his final year in high school. “Most times I am relying on my drive for success,” Thomas said. Another thing seniors have to do in order to see graduation day is to maintain good grades. Many colleges are looking at how well the student did in their high school career, so that they can see what it would be like if they would come to their school. “My motivation for success is helping me get through the year because I knowh tat in order to have a good life, I need to make it through college, and in order to make it to college, I need to do well in high school,” Phung said.
Literary magazine being produced for May publication Reflections showcases the creative work of Ritenour students By: Ivy Huynh Staff Reporter The creative writing club and class are preparing to create another Reflections magazine, filled with literary and artistic work by Ritenour students. English teacher Collette Love-Hilliard is in charge of creating Reflections. The pieces for Reflections come from Love’s creative writing class and the after school club, although they seek submissions from all
students throughout the course of the year. Her students often work alone, writing on a broad range of topics and genres. Some of the items included in the magazine are plays, poems, and short stories. Students are often able to structure their pieces of writing however they would prefer. Reflections is not limited to just written work from students, it is also filled with artwork. The artwork does not necessarily have to be connected to a student’s written piece, so often times it stands alone. The process to create the magazine is solely dependent on Love-Hilliard and her students. The group shares stories with each other and talks over the pieces that other students have written. “Students share poems and submissions that come in throughout the course of the year, and from my creative writing classes, we decide which pieces would best fit into our magazine,” LoveHilliard said. “I’m the one who constructs it and puts it all together, with help from the students.” The process to decide what goes into
The last three Reflections were on display at the 8th grade activities fair on March 9. Photo by: Ron Steinschriber
the magazine is completely between Love and the students in her class and Reflections club. “Reflections is mainly us looking at a bunch of poems and saying ‘that’s good,’” junior Sean Holley said. “We pick out the ones we like overall, and choose what is best.” Stories that go into Reflections do not have to fit into specific categories. The stories that ultimately get chosen for the magazine are ones with significant meaning, and those that the group feels will have a deep impact on the reader. “Stories chosen for Reflections have no specific criteria. It’s mostly if we feel that it would appeal to a broad audience, and if the message is positive and clear,” Love-Hilliard said. The Reflections staff members work on the magazine every Monday, as well as any other work that might be needed to be done throughout the week. In addition to meeting weekly, the students also meet up every month on an additional day to work on the magazine. Reflections comes out once a year, and is published in the first week of may. All Reflections magazine submissions will have to come in by March, and Love-Hilliard is planning on doing most of the production during Spring Break. Outside of work being produced in Love-Hilliard’s creative writing classes, students can submit poems or works of art through @RHSinstapoetry on Instagram. The book will be on sale for $1 during the first week of May this year in Love’s classroom.
Spotlight
The importance of making connections
Staff and students At Ritenour use connections in all aspects of life By: Leia Boyd Spotlight Editor Connections are not only a part in games such as Connect Four or Connect the Dots, but making connections in life is vital. Life presents an opportunity to meet different types of people. People of different ages, genders, ethnicities and more can create new perspectives and experiences. What is important is making new friends and greeting new people. This will open people up to new ideas, allow them to gain more experiences, and to try new things. Junior Aundrea Smith agrees that making connections with people is vital. “In life you have to work well with others and in order to do that you have to connect well with people,” Smith said. Working with people is something that will happen everyday, therefore meeting as many people as possible and keeping an open mind can bring great advantages. “Connections can give you advantages, like if you want a job, and knowing someone who is already up there can really help you,” Smith said. Assistant Principal Jennifer Nilges makes connection with new people daily. “I am one of those people in the grocery store that will be standing in the line and make small talk with the person behind me to connect with them for that moment,” Nilges said. It is important to make connections because people never
Spotlight
Junior Emerald Martin hugs senior Tylar Andre. Ritenour staff and students strive to make personal connections both inside and outside of school. Photo by: Sidney Lee
know when they might need somebody or need some assistance. “As humans we need to be connected, we all want to feel like we belong somewhere, that is why we make these connections,” Nilges said. Making connections can also help by allowing people to build relationships with multiple layers. These types of relationships build trust. Being in a diverse society, it helps get to know other people and deal with people on a larger scale in the real world to prepare for life after high school. Junior Joe Loyet makes connections, and he believes that this is his key to success. “You can get a lot done on your own, but you could get a lot more done with the help and knowledge of
others,” Loyet said. By making new and great connections, people can accomplish bigger and better things. “When you make connections with people you can understand more about the world and the people who live in it,” Loyet said. Junior Isaiah Lewis gave his insight into the aspect of making connections, and how it can help with social skills. “When you get connected with people you can find out what you have in common with people and if you have the same interests,” Lewis said. “When you make these good connections you will be known as a social person and it will bring you further or help you be successful in the future.”
What connections have Ritenour staff and students made? I started working at a new club called Frontenac Racquet Club. The owner offered me a job as soon as I started playing there. Then he opened a new store called String and Swing, and inside is the St. Louis Tennis Hall of Fame, so he knows basically everyone in St. Louis history who has played tennis. Because I have this job at Frontenac, I will probably always have a job. - Senior Maya Biesterfeld
I live next to the chief of police for Woodson Terrace, and he and all of his friends get together on Fridays, and going over there gives me more opportunities to help my community. - Freshman Carlotta Erpenbach
Ms. Palmer is one of my positive connections, because she is my leadership teacher, and she pushes us to better ourselves and gives us challenges. If I’m having confidence issues, she will give me projects where I have to take the lead and make myself more confident. Since she makes me better myself, I know that later in life I can call her with a problem and she can give me ways to fix it. - Sophomore Reese Sherman
There are a bunch of people trying out for police positions, and not having any experience, knowing someone in the field who has worked with me extensively has benefitted me. I created a relationship with an officer at Maryland Heights. He has helped me learn some practical applications of things I learned in school, and it helped my chances for getting a job at St. Ann. Officer Matt Goodspeed
I have a friend who has a connection to get any shoe early, to avoid all the possible waiting in line. Senior John Woolfolk
Photos by Sean Baker
If I ever have any reason that I need to get a paper notorized, I can just bring it to my sister at home. Senior Jennifer Morales
Spotlight
Before they make their choices, students take visits Students take advantage of opportuniies to tour local colleges and universities to see what college life would be like
Antonio Quiles takes a photo with students on the campus of University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). Photo courtesy: Antonio Quiles
By: Kelsey Hunn Staff Reporter A select group of students get to wake up early some mornings, hoponto a bus, and take bus rides that sometimes last hours, just to visit a place that they hope to spend the next four years attending. College visits are offered to students to explore different types of postsecondary education options. “Exposing the students to these types of colleges and universities helps them figure out what is the best fit for them,” College Counselor Antonio Quiles said. To apply for these college visits, students had to meet certain standards. The students must have had three credits or math, or be enrolled in the third credit, at least a 2.5 GPA, scored an 18 on the ACT, had a 95%
Spotlight
attendance rate, and must be passing all their classes with no missing assignments. If students do not meet those standards and they still feel strongly that they should attend the tour, they can write a one page paper explaining any special reasons why they could not meet the requirements, steps that they are taking to improve, and what the college offers that they are interested in. “When applying to go on the trips, I met all the requirements to go to the college I was interested in,” senior Alyssa Green said. Taking these trips to institutions such as University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) and Maryville University have helped Ritenour students. UMSL is a mid sized public institution, and Maryville is a small liberal arts college. Ritenour
students have also attended Harris Stowe State University, which is one of two Historically Black College or Universities (HBCU) in the state of Missouri. “If students go on these trips they can compare and contrast two different types of institutions,” Quiles said. Students generally get a presentation from an admissions representative, a current student panel (question and answer session), and a walking tour of the institution. On this walking tour, students get to see housing, different types of classrooms, lecture halls, and many other things that the institution has to offer. This also might vary depending on the institution. “Going to Missouri State, they showed us around and we participated in the college and career occupations to see what they had to offer,” junior Robyion Hughes said. The admission representative gives information about the school and what students need to do to go to the school. The representative will explain the size of the school, the cost of tuition, the requirements needed to apply to the school, the credits needed from high school, and the GPA. “Going to the college and listening to the representative helped me figure out what I need to improve to get accepted in the college,” senior John Woolfolk said. “Also the size I want in a college and the tuition helped me figure out what I wanted in the college.”
Getting up close and personal The anatomy class gets a hands-on experience by taking a field trip to look at human cadavers By: Sean Baker Content Editor Ritenour High School’s human anatomy class attended the Logan University anatomy lab tour on March 3 and March 8, 2016. The class goes as an extension of what they learn in class, in order to get hands on experience on human anatomy. This trip is offered in both semesters to the anatomy students, but in the Fall semester, the students go to Mid-America Transplant Services. “It is a chance for human anatomy to tour the anatomy lab, to see human cadavers, or preserved human bodies with different healthy or diseased organs,” human anatomy teacher Krisstin Swyres said. The anatomy lab tour showed students different organs of the human body and gave them the chance to see and feel them, rather than just looking at them on paper. “Seeing real life examples rather than just diagrams was nice and allowed me to learn about the anatomy of a human a lot better,” junior Bradley Lowe said. Going on the tour has also shown the students that what they are learning is not just isolated to the classroom. The organs, muscles and different things about the human body will actually be applicable in the real world for many jobs. Some of the human anatomy students are going into the anatomy field and may learn a lot about their career path through this field trip. “It really makes an impact if they are planning on going into the healthcare profession or even thinking about it,” Swyres said. “It is a super cool experience, and it helps them decide whether they want to go (into
the medical field) more, or whether it is overwhelming and they do not want to do it anymore.” Human anatomy is a class that involves memorization of body parts, nerves, muscles and the skeletal system, which requires a lot of studying outside of the classroom to achieve success. “I hope it helps them have some confidence that yes, the class is hard now, but it will give you an advantage when you go to college” Swyres said. At the tour there were actual preserved human cadavers, which are something new for many, if not all of the students who attended. Some of the students were shocked to actually
see the organs in the body, while others were intrigued when they were able to see the difference between the anatomies of someone who is alive versus someone who is dead. “The way that all the organs and the people look was interesting, because it seems like a living person and a dead person would be so different,” Lowe said. The students were also given the chance to be a lot more personal and in depth with their learning. “I think going on the tour gave me a more in-depth learning experience, and it’s good to not just look at diagrams, but to actually see what they look like,” junior Katie Fox said.
Seniors Samantha Hollis, Rebecca Barbaud, and Kayla Hurd receive instructions from Logan faculty member Adam Wilkerson. Photo by: Makayla Smith
News
Plunging for a cause
17 Ritenour students participated in the Polar Plunge to help raise money for Special Olympics By: Jenna Hutson Staff Reporter On Thursday, February 27, 17 Ritenour students took a leap into the “unbearable” Creve Coeur Lake for the Polar Plunge event to support the upcoming Special Olympics. The Maryland Heights and Hazelwood Police Departments, as well as the St. Louis County Park Rangers hosted the event. The plunge that Ritenour participated in at Creve Coeur Lake is one of 14 different plunge sites in Missouri. This is the 10th time that Ritenour has participated in the event, and this year they were the team decked out in red, white, and blue. “They chose the theme because they thought it would unite the team,” Leadership sponsor Tavonda Palmer said. Participants had to raise a minimum of $75 to jump on the day of
News
the event. They had the opportunity to win prizes like jackets, blankets, and duffle bags once they reached $300. Overall, the Maryland Heights Polar Plunge effort raised $133,718 towards their goal of $145,000. Proceeds will go towards year-round sports training and competitions for adults and children dealing with mental disabilities. Junior Grecia Ramirez says that fundraising has been relatively easy. “People are very open to raising money for the cause, and are very supportive,” Ramirez said. Other participants were surprised at the amount of money they have been able to raise for this cause. “I would say that I am most excited to see the amount of money I can raise,” sophomore Diana Cervantes said. “More people are donating than I expected and it’s a great way to help the community.” The participants were excited
to jump, and looked forward to seeing their peers jump as the date approached. The number of Ritenour students was 17, which was a much larger number than the school had in the past. It was one of the things that got the jumpers excited about the event. “The number of people jumping this year is awesome,” Ramirez said. Junior Elexis Hubbard is a returning jumper who enjoyed the weather shift this year. “It was nice to come out to nice weather instead of last year’s snow,” Hubbard said. In addition to Hubbard, Ramirez was a returning plunger. Ramirez loved seeing the number of people participating from Ritenour. “Compared to last years’ like, five people jumping, the 17 people jumping this year was awesome,” Ramirez said.
The Ritenour contingent of Polar Plungers pose for a photo. The Ritenour team helped the Maryland Heights Polar Plunge effort raise over $130,000. Photo courtesy: Darryl Burkes
A symbol of the end Senior nights signify the end of varsity athletes’ careers, and Ritenour celebrates By: Bri’Asia Mays Staff Reporter For years, high schools all over the country have celebrated an event to honor all of the seniors that part take in their sports. The winter sports recently completed all their senior night festivities during the last two weeks of February. “I have been anticipating senior night since freshman year, because it gives me one more chance to give a final performance during my last home game,” senior varsity basketball player Trevon White said. This event also brings up many emotions for the graduating seniors. Many seniors get nostalgic and reflect on the experience they’ve had playing for the school. Some even refer to it as “bitter sweet,” like senior varsity basketball player Ahriel Foreman. Senior Night is a ceremony that typically takes place at the end of the sport season. Loved ones accompany all of the senior athletes with gifts as they walk to the center of the room to be recognized for their
hard work and dedication from over the years. The ceremony also allows parents and loved ones to dedicate a letter or farewell message to their athlete, which is read by the emcee. Senior Night is a pause in the student-athletes’ high school career to reminiscence about their high school journey. “When I think about Senior Night, it is like a sign of achievement for me, that I have not given up,” senior varsity cheerleader Travis Allen said. Different sports have different Senior Night traditions. Swimmers stop midway in their meet to introduce the senior swimmers give out swim towels. Volleyball takes time before the match to give recognition to its seniors and hand out traditional orange gift bags. Girls basketball makes room for the event before warmups to honor the graduating varsity players with some items that honor and potentially embarrass them. “I give my players Fat Heads so that their families can support them in the stands, and as a lasting memory for my graduating players,”
varsity girls basketball head coach Ron Steinschriber said. Senior Night for many athletes marks a culmination of their hard work and dedication and also their ending bonds with their teammates. “I am going to miss laughing and playing with my team during practice and after games,” Foreman said. Many of the senior night games are the most important to the athletes. They value the game and brings intensity to help them win. “The game was much more intense than any of our other games,” senior varsity football player Christopher Barge said. Although Senior Night is valued by many parting senior student-athletes, incoming freshmen are anticipating the day as well. “I can’t wait until my senior night because it will be cool to be recognized for all the work you have put into the program,” freshman volleyball player Samantha Van De Riet said.
The girls basketball team celebrates senior nights with Fat Heads for the players to keep. Ahriel Foreman, Leslie Brooks, and Jordyne Frost were graduating seniors this season. Photo courtesy: Marsha Rozelle
Sports
Winter Sports Final Capsules BOYS BASKETBALL
Junior Robyion Hughes runs the fast break. Photo courtesy: RHS Athletics
• Head Coach – Mike Nelke • Final Record – 15-11 • Standout players: SR Fermin Jeff, JR Robyion Hughes • Key Newcomers: SO Nick Williams, SO Kobe Smith, SO Jonathan Bishop, SO Demeetrie Beach • Coach Nelke’s thoughts- It has been an up and down year. We have had some good wins and some losses we would like to take back. Overall our kids have worked hard. I think we are continuing to build something special here with the kids we have in the program. The upper classmen and the under classmen that are here have a chance to do something pretty neat here for many years to come.
WRESTLING
Senior Fermin Jeff defends against North Tech. Photo by Sean Baker
• Varsity Head Coach – Conye Assar • Final Record – 4-10 Dual Record • Stand out wrestlers – Outstanding sophomores: Austin Cornell 113, State Qualifier 2016, 4th in Super District 2, overall record 30-14. Austin earned the “hardest worker” award for the second year in a row. Ryan Howerton 152, State Qualifier 2016, 2nd in Super District 2, overall record 42-16. Ryan is the team MVP and he also had the most pins this season. Looking forward to watching these young men grow this off season and earn some hardware next season. Senior, Sophomore Ryan Howerton Alex Peterson 34-17, who lead the team in takedowns, and junior, Brian Chrun 25takes down an opponent. Photo 20 had winning campaigns this season as well. courtesy RHS Athletics • Key newcomers – Freshman, RJ Sagum was the most improved wrestler on the team this year and the newcomer of the year as well. He exceeded all expectations and continues to grow as a person and wrestler everyday. Nataneal Mendez, Carlos Pacheco, and Joey Kaye will continue to grow in the system and eventually break the varsity line up in the near future. • Coach Ausar’s thoughts- Next season we hope to decrease the high attrition rates so that we can keep enough student-athletes to sustain a team. Hopefully the new Ritenour feeder program, STL Warriors, will add to our numbers at the high school and counteract the trend. 6th and up. Medals wanted, medals earned.
Sports
Sophomore Austin Cornell fights for position. Photo courtesy: RHS Athletics
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Sophomore A’myia Hayden directs the offense against Hazelwood West. Photo by Sean Baker
• Head Coach – Ron Steinschriber • Final Record –7-18 • Standout players: SR Jordyne Frost, SO A’myia Hayden, SO Danyelle Millett, SO Michaela Reed • Key newcomers: , JR Atihrra Finerson, JR Ashley Wright, JR Madison Stiebel, SO Rosalind Johnston • Coach Steinschriber’s thoughts - After a rough start to the season where we dealt with injuries and a lot of new varsity players, we started to turn it around. We were a .500 team in the second half of the season and we mostly played sophomores and juniors, so we are looking to hopefully extend that momentum into next year and push beyond that .500 mark to get even Senior Jordyne Frost drives against Hazelwood West. Photo by Sean better. Baker
GIRLS SWIMMING • Head Coach – Andrea Rivera • Final Record 4-11, finished 10th place at conference Standout Athletes - Senior, Alejandra Romer provided solid leadership and experience for the younger swimmers this year. Christina Jara, also a senior, stepped up by becoming the go-to 500 freestyler. Izzy Clark really had a breakout year as thefastest breaststroker. She worked really hard on improving all season. She also stepped up to do butterfly at conference, which is not her specialty. Samantha Pullen had an outstanding year as the Senior Alejandra Romer competes in a fastest butterflier and backstroker. She was able to secure a spot in the finals match. Photo courtesy: Brendon Klohr at conference in the backstroke and finished 10th overall. • Key Newcomers - There were a small amount of newcomers this year, Lexy Alanis, Leanna Morales, and Caroline West. These three spent most of the season figuring out their strengths in the pool. All three of these young ladies worked hard all season on improving their times and really coming through by dropping a lot of time at the Conference swim meet. • Coach Rivera’s thoughts - We had a small team this year, only 11 girls, but we were very close. I think that the camaraderie that developed helped these swimmers build confidence in themselves and take on the role of helping others. Our motto this year was “Making your best, better.” All season we tried to hit on how important it was to keep beating that personal best and working toward getting your best possible time. Our shirts said Senior Christina Jara backstrokes at a “It’s you vs. you,” because it did not matter what place you finished in, the meet. Photo courtesy: Brendon Klohr question was, did you get better?
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